A/N: So here is Chapter 2! I'm really liking how this is coming out. I hope you guys will like it too. Continue to read and review please! Here it is.

Disclaimer: I do not own Free!

I didn't want to. I really didn't want to, but my mom made me. She told me to stop moping around the house and go back to school. Of course, she knew me better than anyone, and could tell I was doing just that. I was sulking around and not making any use of myself. So, the next day, I returned to school, and I faced the beautiful demon that filled my nightmares.

Haru greeted me with a blank face, so different than the one that was carved in my memory. "Makoto."

"Good morning, Haru," I greeted in return with my overly-cheerful tone. I didn't want to see him yet. I just wanted to go about my day without the sharp pain that stabbed at my chest each time a memory was brought up of him. But if I acted out of the ordinary, he'd suspect something. If I skipped swim practice, he'd come to the one place where I could escape. I just had to keep it together.

"You're feeling better," he stated, pretending that he didn't care.

"I'm feeling a lot better. Plus, Mom wouldn't have let me stay home another day even if I wasn't," I told him with a slightly false chuckle.

He nodded a little, staring down. He wasn't ever a man of many words. But our bond over the years made none of that matter. I could guess what he was thinking and vice-versa. Now, I feel like my judgment is so clouded, and Haru has just changed. Maybe because I feel slightly betrayed. But I have to push those thoughts to the side. Because right now, Haruka Nanase won't ever be mine. And Rin Matsuoka is the obstacle in the way.

I shook my head and entered the classroom. I took my seat silently, and let myself daydream through classes.

Classes really dragged on but when they were over, I couldn't be happier. That was the time I got to swim. And swimming resulted in a world that I created. I didn't need to worry about Haru's presence when I was focusing on beating my record time. I would rather tire my muscles out and think about that pain than the pain this real-life mermaid has left me.

Jogging from the changing room in my full-length swim trunks, I immediately jumped into the pool. The freezing water pricked my skin like a thousand tiny needles. But I really didn't care, The water was acting as my savior right now,

"Makoto-Senpai!"

I heard a girl call out to me before I was engulfed in the presence of the chilly water. Honestly, I wanted not to be bothered by Gou Matsuoka right now. I know none of this was her fault, but I can't help but associate her with Rin every time I look at her. She bares such a striking resemblance to her older brother, and it's hard for me not to get upset, or furious. I can put on a brave face, but I can't stop the emotions inside.

I returned to the surface for air, my head dizzy with the sensation of the cold and the lack of air. It was so exhilarating.
"Mako-Chan! That's not really like you, to jump right in the pool," the blonde Nagisa commented with a smile. "You must really want to swim today."

I nodded, running my hand through wet locks. "Yeah, I really want to try to improve my times," I answered breathlessly.

I could feel Haru's ocean blue eyes on me. But I didn't want to meet them. I knew damn well I was acting off. I was acting reckless. But did I care at thos moment? Not really.

I pulled myself out of the pool easily, placing on my cap and my green goggles. I was pumped. The chilly temp of the pool and the eagerness to push myself to swim was all I needed right now. I felt no pain, physical or emotional. I felt like I could do anything.

The relay proceeded as it normally did. And when it was my turn to react, I felt like I was right on point. I glided through the water on my back as a fish would. This felt so natural, this way of dealing with the pain. It was mostly the cold that had my blood flowing. I could feel my muscles working to push me through the water at a speed I never could have imagined. And yet I wasn't growing tired.

Once I reached the end, I was a bit sad that this trial was over. But I still pulled myself out of the water swiftly. I didn't want to watch Haru swim, in fear that the pain might return. So I just dried off and kept my back towards the pool.

Gou approached me with a smile on her face. "Your time really improved from last time, Makoto-Senpai! I'm impressed."

I turned to her halfway, smiling my signature smile. "Thank you, Gou." I ran a hand through my damp locks, and when everyone was out from the relay, I hopped back in the pool. I needed to feel the cold in my bones for a while longer.

When it was time to leave, I decided to stay a bit longer. "You guys go on without me. I'm going to practice some more." I stole a quick, yet painful glance at Haru. "If you see Mom, let her know I'll be home soon."

He nodded a little. He stood for a moment, watching me. But it was only for a quick second. After that, he turned to leave. We hadn't walked home since that day. I bet he knows I'm avoiding him.

I laughed painfully before returning to my swimming routine. At least I had this to keep me sane, until the day Haru finally told me about he and Rin's relationship. But until that day, I have this unwanted pain in my chest just from its existence.

A/N: Chapter 2. I would love more feels and more just Makoto angst and tragedy, But I'm not sure when that will be. Maybe next chapter I'll start introducing some headcanons that I use for the Makoto I portray. We'll see. But till next time, love you!