Old Friends, New...Teacher?
(Part 1)
Chapter 9
^.^.^.^
"So, I was thinking we could possibly head to the mall today," The Swim Club Manager dragged her fingertip across the map roughly sketched out in a red pen on a sheet of paper before everyone. "There's a few things I need to pick up for the pool's maintenance before we head back."
"Ah, good idea Gou-chan! We can also make a detour to the Sportswear shop," The bouncy blonde leaned over to press his own finger to the spot he'd mentioned. "And then we'll go for ice-cream!"
"Please, Nagisa, no more ice-cream..." Rei looked visibly greener at just the mention of the creamy treat.
"Huh? How come Rei-chan?"
"I have to agree with Rei on this one..."
"Ehhh? You too, Mako-chan?!" Nagisa cried at his friends rejection of his favourite dessert, throwing himself across the table they were all gathered around.
"...Sorry, Nagisa." Makoto held his hands up in an apologetic manner as the blonde shuffled across the wooden furniture to get all up in the brunette's face.
"Nagisa, you can't eat ice-cream all the time!" Gou pushed the sweet-toothed boy off the table before he could ruin her map. Nagisa gave them all his signature pout before picking himself up from the floor and rejoining the circle.
"But guys, we always eat ice-cream!"
"And that's exactly why we don't want it this time!" Exclaimed Rei heatedly, sending the shorter swimmer an exasperated look before placing a hand against one side of his jaw, feigning a pained expression. "I can already feel a cavity coming through on one of my molars..."
"Ah...Rei-chan that just means you don't brush your teeth well enough!"
"O-of course I do!" The butterfly swimmer slammed his hands down onto the table, his face flushing sporadically. "In fact, my dentist says I have some of the best sets of teeth he's ever seen!"
Nagisa snickered as his friend made a show of crossing his arms and holding his head high with pride.
"His dentist must be a pathological liar then." The blonde murmured in Gou's ear, to which she only sighed in resignation at the boy's immature antics.
"I heard that! Nagisa..!"
"Now, now," Makoto decided their squabbling had gone far enough and made to step in between the two, playing the typical matriarch role he held in this cluster of friends. "That's enough of that. Nagisa, why do you want to go to the Sportswear shop?"
In typical Makoto fashion he'd directed the attention onto another subject entirely, almost instantly deflating the argument that'd just occurred.
"Well..." Nagisa rolled back on his heels as he looked off to the side, swinging his arms behind him before latching his fingers together and suddenly leaning forward. "I kind of need to get a new swimsuit."
"Huh? But you were just using it yesterday..."
"Yeah," Gou second Makoto's statement, turning to the blonde with folded arms. "It seemed perfectly fine to me."
"Right, but that one's an old pair I keep around as a spare. It's gotten too small for me since starting up the club last year!"
"Ah..." Rei gave a finalising nod, as if he'd finally realised something. "That's why you're swimming was off during the sessions."
"You're as sharp as ever, Rei-chan!" Nagisa beamed at the blue-haired boy, who's ego only grew at the compliment.
"Why of course! One must always be aware of his team mates progression!"
"Okay Rei, that's far enough..." The Manager shook her head dismally before flicking an annoyed gaze at the bouncing teen beside her. "Now you've done it, Nagisa, just look at how big his head's getting..."
"You're right, it is growing abnormally large..." Nagisa mumbled in agreement, the two second years watching their classmate with wary expressions.
"It is not!" Rei argued, clenching his fists tightly by his sides.
I continued to watch from afar as Nagisa threw intentional jabs at the flustered butterfly swimmer, even Gou was starting to get in on the act. Poor Makoto was struggling to diffuse the situation this time, his diplomatic responses clearly not working anymore.
As the noise went on, I'd snuck a quick glance at the only other quiet person in the room. He sat completely motionless on the same bed as I, though there was a good half a meter of distance between us. Which was honestly perfectly fine with me.
I can't stop replaying the scene that happened not even an hour ago in my head. Those words he'd said to me specifically were what I couldn't let go of.
I know it's something I shouldn't get so hung up over, especially since I knew they were only said out of frustration because of the psychical pain he'd been going through, but even so...
"I'm not going to die in my sleep, so just leave me alone."
...Of course I knew you wouldn't, even so...I...
Those memories all came flooding back. A white room, a white bed and a vase of flowers. The get well soon card that sat beside the stuffed teddy bear holding a red heart with the words written in cursive writing: feel better! stitched onto the middle of it. The scent of perfume...I could smell it so clearly, even now, I still remember it. I remember the exact brand, it's one that hasn't been re-stocked in stores for years.
I shook those intrusive thoughts away, refusing to let them go any further.
"...Stop staring at me like that."
At the sound of an annoyed tone I blinked away the images, noticing a pair of impatient deep sea eyes staring right back at me.
"Ah! R-right, sorry..!" I swivelled my head down to the floor, hoping the others hadn't noticed our exchange. Haruka doesn't want anyone else to know about his condition. If I start acting differently all of a sudden they might catch on.
I have to play along and pretend I know nothing. We have to continue to ignore each other, just as we have for the past week. Yeah...just pretend and it'll be okay.
That's what I've done for so many years, right..? So this should be easy...
When I still felt a lingering gaze upon me my entire body went rigid. Why is he still looking this way? Does he want the others to notice?!
My stomach knotted up with unease. I could feel the panic of my heart rising deep within it's cage.
Look away. Please look away...I don't think I can handle the stress anymore!
"Ah...Haru?"
My blood came to a screeching halt in my veins, instantly turning cold at the sound of Makoto speaking up. Oh no, he's noticed...! What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?!
Nanase, please say something! Anything to divert their suspicions away from us!
"Hn?" Was Haru's only reply. The heavy gaze lifted from my shoulders, but my entire body was still frozen solid. We weren't in the clear just yet...
"Are you okay with going to the mall?"
At Makoto's innocent question my insides immediately defrosted, I felt such a huge wave of relief overcome me all at once that I almost fell back onto the neatly made bed when my limbs turned to jelly.
Finally, I can breath again...I hadn't even noticed when I'd stopped.
…Turns out I'm really not good at hiding other people's secrets.
I can handle my own just fine, but when it comes to someone else's...I'm completely useless.
...I wonder why that is?
Makoto must've noticed my odd behaviour, because he was quick to turn his attention on me after receiving a satisfactory answer from Haruka.
"Are you feeling okay, Hanako? You don't look too well all of a sudden..."
I let out a small noise, sitting up the slightest bit straighter while flashing Makoto a reassuring smile. "Mhm, I'm okay!"
...It's not me you need to be worried about right now, Makoto...
As the rest gathered their things and made their way towards the door, I couldn't help sneaking another quick side glance at the boy next to me.
I felt my brows furrow as Haru moved to get up, pausing for the smallest of seconds before continuing on to where everyone else was waiting.
"Come on Hana-chan, or you'll get left behind!"
"C-coming!" I jumped from my spot and rushed to the others, closing and locking the door behind me before following the group from the back.
Staring at the head of black hair in front of me, a heavy weight suddenly fell inside me, causing my stomach to churn sickeningly.
Are you really well enough to be moving around so much, Nanase...?
. . .
Sitting in the comfort of the mall's air-con, the group decided to take a quick break before continuing on.
So far we've visited every shop exceptthe ones we'd originally planned on going to in the first place. Makoto and the others were constantly asking whether I was doing fine or not.
I always dissipated their concerns with the same reassuring response. My ribs were starting to ache the slightest, and my ankle was making it all the more difficult to walk properly and not let anything show, but I know this little bit of discomfort is nothing compared to what Haruka must be feeling right now.
For the entire trip my attention had been on nothing but Haru's condition. He'd been quiet ever since the others got back early from Samezuka.
Apparently the pool was scheduled for cleaning that morning, so the practice was pushed back to the late afternoon.
I remember the dread that crossed my face when I heard the unexpected sounds of rambunctious swimmers feet slapping noisily up the stairs towards us.
In a state of panic I'd jumped from the bed, ripped out the first shirt in sight from the dresser and practically thrown myself at the flabbergasted swimmer to pull it over his head.
Haru had contributed nothing in helping me to get the material over the rest of him, choosing instead to sit as stiff as a statue like I was some sort of T-rex just waiting to sink my teeth into him with one wrong move.
Getting his arm through the hole had proven to be a difficult task, though the sudden jerk of his shoulder quickly unfroze the Liberty imitator.
After getting the shirt on successfully and realising just what sort of position we'd been in, I swear my face was suddenly hotter than the sun itself.
There I sat, straddling the swimmer's waist, feet on either side of him and my fingers still wrapped in the hem of the light green cloth.
The look on Haruka's face was one I'll never forget. For such a stoic boy, he sure knows how to display when he's so utterly disgusted with something...
Haru's face had turned a very obvious shade of blue, whether it was because he'd been holding his breath or because I just creeped him out that much I wasn't sure, but I was banking on the latter.
After finding the strength to move again, I flung myself across the room and beneath the blanket's of the boy's bed. The heat radiating from my face was enough to warm even the chilliest of winter nights and was making the stuffy air hard to breathe, but I didn't dare come out from my hiding spot.
When the other's finally came into the room, the first thing I remember hearing from my cousin was: "...Haru, why are you wearing my shirt?"
I was pulled from my thoughts as Gou made a grab for my hand and gently pulled me up from my chair. I noiselessly followed the other girl's actions, realising that everyone else was already leaving the small cafe.
"Are you sure you're okay, Hanako? You look really flushed all of a sudden..."
I gave the worried Manager a small smile, followed by a sheepish laugh. "I'm fine, really! I was just caught up in thought, that's all."
"Ooh?" Nagisa dropped back from the front of the group after overhearing our little conversation. He swung one arm over my shoulders and leaned in dangerously close to my face. "What was Hana-chan thinking about? Must be something pretty dirty~!"
The rosy hue in my cheeks only deepened at Nagisa's playful jabbing. "N-N-Nagisa, please-..!" I couldn't form a coherent sentence, my tongue refusing to work properly. I placed my cool hands on either side of my face, willing the heat to go away.
"Geez, Nagisa, leave her alone already. You shouldn't pick on the injured!" Gou slapped the offending arm from my shoulders and gave the blonde a rough push to the side. Nagisa easily danced away before spinning around so he could walk backwards and face us.
"Sorry, sorry! You forgive me, right, Hana-chan?" The bouncy teen rubbed at the nape of his neck before clapping his hands together in front of him and bowing his head in mock apology.
I gave him a wobbly smile, waving a dismissive hand at the boy's actions. "O-of course, Nagisa."
The boy cheered in celebration before spinning to face the right way and catching up with the others in front.
Everyone strolled into the Sportswear shop, making their way towards the swimming section of the store. I took up a seat on the nearby chairs lined along one of the walls not too far from the changing rooms.
Nagisa was quick to drag Rei off to one of the racks further away, while Gou and Makoto stood for a little longer, conversing with Haru.
The three eventually separated and went there own ways, Gou heading to the girl's section while Makoto went to catch up with the two second years.
My entire body tensed when Haruka started walking this way.
Oh no...more awkward silence.
I continued to stare straight ahead at the unappealing poster on the opposite wall advertising goggles and swim caps as the aloof boy took up a seat three spaces away from me.
I was at least thankful for the distance.
A quick glance over to my right told me that Haruka was starting to break out into a sweat, the first signs of fever.
...I knew he wouldn't cope with this, why didn't I try to stop him from coming along? Fishing through the small handbag placed on my lap, I pulled out a 600ml bottle of store bought water and a thin silver sheet of tablets.
"Nanase..."
The swimmer gave me a side-long glance at the mention of his name. Good, he's still responding. I was afraid he might have gone back to ignoring my existence entirely...
I held out the items. Haru just stared at them without making any indication of taking them. His calculating gaze flicked back up to me, looking suspicious.
"It- It's Ibuprofen. I-I thought I should bring some along in case you got any worse," I broke the intense stare by averting my gaze to his collarbone, unable to hold it any longer. "I know Dr. Yoshida gave you some earlier, but it seems like it's starting to wear off, so-"
"You talk too much."
I glanced up at Haru in shock, not having expected any sort of response from him. "Um...but you'll take it, right?"
Without another word Haruka reached over and took sheet, popping three tablets from their casing before tipping his head back and throwing them in. I cracked the bottle open before handing it over, to which he gratefully took and began sculling like there was no tomorrow.
"Ah, N-Nanase...if you drink that fast you might-!"
Haru swallowed the last of the refreshing liquid before hanging his head forward, a heavy breath escaping him. I watched as a trail of water glided down his chin, dropping off at the point and landing on the strap of his sandal.
He sat up a little straighter before tossing me the empty plastic, his gaze focused elsewhere. I fumbled to catch the bottle and put it back in my handbag, along with the rest of the tablets.
I can't believe he downed all 600ml in one go...does this boy breath water or what?!
The rest of the afternoon was spent browsing various stores after Gou had ordered what she needed.
I kept a close eye on the silent swimmer, sneaking peeks every now and then when there was no one to catch me. I was finding it really difficult to get chances to ask Haruka myself if he was doing okay though, you could only tell so much from mere glances.
His pace had beccome a little slower, but other than that he seemed to be doing alright. I couldn't help but notice how everyone sort of filed around the raven haired boy.
There'd been several times when Nagisa, Makoto or Gou wanted to venture off to see something and had tried dragging the others along with them; but as soon as Haru mumbled that it was too much effort and walked off in the other direction everyone was quick to follow, as if he had them all on leashes.
It didn't take long for me to realise that Haruka Nanase was the center of their group, all the decisions made were based around whether or not Haru would be apart of them.
There'd be some instances where the aloof teen would bend to the pressure of his friends and tag along just to please them, but for the most part if Haruka didn't want to be apart of it, they didn't do it.
I found myself wondering why they'd chosen Haru, of all people, to be their center. It was clear that it wasn't because of his non-existent leadership skills...
Maybe because he's so quiet? But I don't really see how that would work, either...
I guess it's just something I'll never know, since we'll never be close enough for me to ever understand him on a level they all do. Which I was fine with, there's no way an ocean and a desert can co-exist peacefully together after all.
"Hey! I knew all that noise would be coming from you guys."
At the sound of a voice I'd never heard before I turned to see who was approaching the group, but a mass of muscled shoulders were blocking my view. I stretched up onto my tip toes to try and glance over, but that like trying to see the top of Mount Everest from the ground. It was hopeless...
Why on earth are all these boys so tall?...Well, excluding Nagisa of course.
"Ah, Rin! Didn't expect to see you here." Makoto greeted the mysterious person at the front, followed shortly by a very happy sounding Gou beside him.
"Brother, why didn't you tell me you were going to the mall today as well?!" I heard the mystery man grunt at Gou, who was apparently his sister, mumbling something about it being a spontaneous decision and asking Gou to release his arm.
"Rin-chan~!" Nagisa was the next to chime in, bouncing ahead and wrapping his arms around the newcomer's neck, pulling him down to the blonde's level. "You should come along with us!"
"Nagisa, you idiot! That hurts, let go!" Came the man's protest.
I moved to peek around the side of bodies in front of me, but suddenly my wrist was caught in a gentle grip and I was pulled from the sea of muscles. I'm sure Gou would've been having a field day if she were in my position...
"Oh, Rin, I'd like you to meet someone." I glanced at the hand clutching my wrist, realising it was Makoto's. I allowed the limb to lead me towards the front of the group, Rei quickly jumping away and apologising vehemently at the slightest brush of our arms.
I emerged to the front and shielded my eyes, my surroundings being a lot brighter than what they had been at the back. One of the entrances of the mall was behind the person who everyone had been so excited over, letting in an abundance of natural light.
Makoto introduced me to this new friend of his while I rubbed the brightness from my eyes, letting them re-adjust.
"Rin, this my cousin Hanako," Makoto turned to me and I looked up, meeting with a warm smile on the boy's face. "Hanako, this is Rin, the one Haru, Nagisa and I used to swim with him when we were kids."
"Ah, I remember you mentioning him before." I glanced towards the stranger. He was just as tall as the others, though Makoto still topped him by a good few inches. Beneath the loose tank top I could see very defined muscles, the same kinds that the others have.
I flicked my gaze further up. Long, maroon hair falling down to his shoulders and framing his angled face, a similar colour to that of Gou's yet a few shades lighter. They really did look like siblings, there was no denying it.
He had the same deep red eyes as Gou too, though his weren't as gentle and seemed to hold an underlying sense of boredom to them, much like Haru's. But that wasn't what caught my attention.
It was his mouth. It'd only been for a second, but I swear I saw abnormally pointed teeth flash between his slightly parted lips. They were...there was something about them...
I had to see them again. My feet glided across the floor, my thongs slapping against marble tiles as I came right up to the taller teen.
He seemed rather taken aback at my sudden approach, stumbling backwards in an attempt to re-establish some distance between us.
"H-Hey, what do you think you're-!"
Rin fell silent as I leaned in as close as I could get, my nose a hairs width away from brushing the boy's pointed chin.
"H-Hanako! What're you doing all of a sudden?!"
I could faintly hear the protests from Makoto and the others but right now I didn't really care, my mind too caught up on the possibility of what I'd just seen.
Rin made an attempt to shoo me away again, placing a large hand on my shoulder and pushing halfheartedly. "Makoto, get your freaky cousin away from me!"
There it was again, those razor sharp teeth, long and angled into a dangerous point. My heart fluttered in recognition, my hands falling and my feet rolling back to sit flush with the floor once more.
I looked up into the bewildered eyes of the boy in front of me. He seemed at a complete loss of what to do with me. I ignored the pointed glare he was shooting my way and continued to examine him.
His face, once round, had shaped nicely into a jawline fitting of a man. His round eyes were now slanted and sharper, but I could still see a hint of what remained within the depths of his iris's.
I took a long, deep breath to calm my fraying nerves. Now was not the time to be losing my cool, not after all these years. We finally...
"Sa-..." My voice caught in my throat, the words bunching into a lump. I swallowed it down and tried again, clenching my fists tightly. "...Same-kun..."
Rin continued to stare at me like I was some crazy old lady who'd escaped her straight jacket. "'Same-kun'?" He repeated, I could see that the name sparked something within him, but he wasn't quite there yet.
"Don't you remember?" I asked softly, giving him the most encouraging smile I could muster. "What you used to call me? It was-..."
As if a light had been switched on, it suddenly dawned on Rin just who this person in front of him was. The rest of the group stood awkwardly to the side as Rin and I continued to face each other.
I felt the air leave my lungs and my stomach tighten as the red-head yelled with great surprise, jumping back and pointing at me as if I were some ghost who'd just appeared before him.
"Shīru?!" I let out a giggle as the perplexed boy edged towards me, disbelief clear on his face. "Is it really you?"
"Yes, it's really me!" I jumped forward and hugged the taller teens torso, overwhelmed by excitement. "You've grown so much, Same-kun!"
Rin chuckled and pulled away to hold me at arms length, giving me a once over. "The same can't be said for you though, you're still as short as ever!"
"Hey, I've grown plenty!" I ducked out of Rin's attempt to ruffle my hair, jabbing him playfully in the side. The boy was quick to grab my shoulder and pull me to him, wrapping me firmly in a one-armed embrace so I couldn't escape.
"Wait...you two know each other?"
I glanced back at the group, seeing the looks of shock. My eyes trailed to a certain person in particular, wondering how he'd taken it.
Haru looked like death had just been at his door. His body was rigid, mouth slightly agape and his eyes the widest I've ever seen them. It was somewhat unnerving to see him so shaken up like that.
To anyone outside our circle his reaction might not seem like a big deal, but to the people who knew him, it was probably the equivalent to the land suddenly sinking beneath their feet.
"Yeah, we used to hang out years ago," Rin answered for me, seeming unaffected by the groups silence. "Haru! Why didn't you tell me Shīru was back in town? It's just like you to keep something like that to yourself."
"Huh? Why would Nanase..." I turned in Rin's hold to look up at him, meeting his gaze with a questioning one of my own.
"What? Don't tell me you've forgotten..."
"Forgotten what?" I pressed, placing a hand on the arm that's around me.
Rin sighed and hung his head, looking back up with a click of his tongue. "You two really are as dense as each other."
"...I'm not following." I hated to admit it, especially after Rin's snide remark, but I was completely lost. What am I forgetting that Rin so obviously remembers?
"Does the name Iruka ring any bells?"
"Well, yes, but-..." I stopped myself short when my gaze landed on the silent swimmer across from me.
...Silky black hair hanging loosely in his face, deep blue eyes that could rival the brilliance of the ocean itself...those were thoughts I'd had long ago upon our first encounter.
The beach...it's soft white sand sinking between the cracks of my toes, the smell of salt and summer intermingled with the passing breeze, blowing brown locks into my face, obscuring my view of the child in front of me.
He continued to stand there silently as another kid made his way over, jet black hair playing in the wind, an observant gaze resting on my features.
Same came to stand beside the aloof character, grinning hugely at the little version of me idling on the shoreline.
He outstretched a hand, to which I remember taking. The child Rin pulled me towards him and his friend, introducing himself and the boy Haru beside him.
I continued to watch the two throughout the day as I tagged along behind them. They constantly bickered, it seemed like it was over every little thing.
They reminded me of two characters from a story my parents always read to me when I was younger, so I'd deemed them with the honorary nicknames of Same and Iruka respectively.
My legs gave out beneath me, my knees buckling with the effort it took to keep standing. If it wasn't for Rin's firm grip on me I'd have fit the floor by now.
I placed a shaking hand across my quivering lips, staring at the ever-silent swimmer with eyes so wide they could rival a saucepan.
I can't believe...all this time I hadn't realised, just who it was beside me for the past week...
How cruel...
I've been so, so cruel...
How could I not have noticed he was the person who once meant so much to me..?
My eyes pricked and tingled with the sensation of oncoming tears, but they never fell. I refused to let them.
I drew in a shaky breath, holding back the strangled gasps that wanted to make their presence known.
Rin tightened his grip on me in a show of comfort. I appreciated his efforts, I really did. Rin knew just how much this was affecting me, even if I was suppressing it.
He'd been there, he'd heard what the last words spoken between Haruka and I were, all those years ago...
My voice trembled as I whispered a name I hadn't called out in years, my heart squeezing painfully at the torment the three-syllable word caused within me. "...Iruka..."