A/N: So, I'm back with chapter 4. I will continue with some headcanons and the poll is still up, so vote for the pairing that's listed. owo

Headcanon: Makoto's first "kiss" was Haru. Although, as kids, a little peck on the lips wouldn't necessarily count since they were always together. That's what Haru thought. But Makoto always treasured that one little peck when he grew up to fall in love with his best friend.

Haru's POV

It's strange how little human beings can care. Because when Rin confronted me, and told me our "dances" were nothing more than that, I wasn't shocked or hurt. I expected it, because that's what I was told from the get-go. I honestly didn't expect anything more to come from what we'd done. If I did, I know I'd get hurt. And that's the last thing I needed.

But enough about Rin. Makoto has been acting strange, even for him, for the past week. He hasn't even come to pick me up in the morning. It really seems like he's avoiding any contact with me. I don't think I've done anything to make him change his routine. Maybe it had to do with the fact that I was always in a hurry, always in a hurry to get to Rin's Samezuka dorm room after swim practice. Maybe I was expecting something to happen, until one day, it finally did.

Maybe Makoto knew. Maybe he knew I was going to spend time with Rin right after practice. No, that wouldn't drive my best friend away. He's fine with the other, Trying to figure out what's bothering Makoto is like solving the Rubik's cube. It's damn near impossible.

What if I stopped by his house... would he be there? I mean, Rin did just say he left there. So he should be at home. But if he wasn't, his mom would let me wait until he got home. I guess that would be alright.

I put on a sweatshirt over my light blue t-shirt, and a pair of shoes, and then walked slowly over to the Tachibana house. Ironically, Makoto was outside, drenched in sweat.

"Makoto."

He whipped his head around, like he'd been startled by a ghost. He even had an unsettled look to his face. It's like he wasn't calm, but all of that went away when he smiled.

"Oh. Haru. What brings you here?" He wiped the sweat from his forehead, turning his whole body towards me.

"I just wanted to stop by," I muttered. I wouldn't and couldn't ever reveal to the other how worried I'd been. Something he could do so gracefully is something that would come out of my mouth twisted. It was one thing I respected and admired about Makoto.

He nodded a little. "That's fine. I'm sure the twins would love to see you. It's been a while." He opened the door quickly, and invited me in.

"Haru-chan!"

Two pairs of tiny arms latched onto my torso. Ran and Ren, Makoto's younger siblings, grew up knowing me. I was like part of their family. I guess the times that I was away was difficult for them, like not seeing Makoto for an extensive amount of time.

"Where have you been, onii-chan?" Ran stared up at me with familiar green eyes. Because I was so caught up with Rin, I didn't have time to spend with the twins, or even Makoto for that matter. It was a bit upsetting.

"I've been busy, " I answered automatically.
Makoto smiled sweetly at his siblings, the glanced at me for a moment. "You wouldn't mind if I took a quick shower, right?"

I shook my head. "Not really," I could stand a couple minutes with these two. He'd be back before I knew it.

His calm, emerald orbs lingered on me for a moment longer before he went off to shower. I didn't think much of it, since he was always looking out for me and making sure I was okay. It was pretty normal, but recently, he's been acting strange, and i wanted to get to the bottom of it.

"Onii-chan has been going on a lot of runs lately," Ren commented, his brown eyes displaying a bit of sadness.

"By himself?"

Ran nodded. "Well, this afternoon, he went on a run with Rin-chan."

I blinked. I wonder what Rin had to talk to him about, It had me curious, but of course I'd never ask.

"Mama was talking to daddy. And she said that onii-chan has been taking really long showers." Ren shrugged a little. Of course he didn't understand what that could mean, Makoto had a lot on his mind, and he wasn't telling any of us in the swim club about it.

I nodded in understanding, I knew what I had to do. I had to make Makoto talk, or else he'd be plagued by these thoughts until he broke.

The twins latched onto me more tightly, as I thought about how I'd approach Makoto's situation. He clearly had more than he could handle on his mind. And he was pushing himself to the limits, trying to handle it. He would ruin his body that way. I couldn't allow him to tear himself down while trying to build himself up at the same time. He'd lose to himself that way.

While I was in deep thought, I didn't notice that Makoto had returned from his shower. "Okay, now that I'm all clean. Do you want anything to drink, some tea, maybe?" He tugged at his pale green t-shirt, and fixed his gray sweat pants. He didn't look in pain at all, but that was the issue with my best friend. He could look fine, but be suffering on the inside.

I shook my head. "No tea. I just want to talk," I told him in a murmur.

He blinked, and tilted his head. "About what, Haru?"

"Well," I began, sucking in some air. "You've been acting strange all weak. And I know why."

Makoto's POV

Wait. Haru knew why I was acting the way I was? Was I that obvious. Dammit, everything was over for me. He was going to reject me to my face, and that's the last thing I wanted. I'd die of humiliation.

"Before you continue," I began a bit darkly. "Ran, Ren, go help Mom with dinner. I have to talk to Haru about something."

The twins blinked, and shrugged. They giggled a little before scurrying away to the kitchen. The smell of fresh miso soup came from that room, so I thought they'd have fun helping her with that.

I nodded towards Haru to continue.

"You've, well, had a lot on your mind," he told me, glancing away. "That's what everyone on the team has noticed anyway."

Haru was quick to try to cover up that he cared. I was glad it wasn't what I thought it was. But at the same time, I was pained that he couldn't see through all my shenanigans. If he did, I wouldn't have to speak up, and eventually tell him how I feel.

I forced a little laugh. "Haru, I'm okay. I'm only trying a tougher training regimen for myself. I don't have that much on my mind besides school."
He looked like he wanted to say something else, but instead nodded a bit. "If you say so, Makoto.."

I smiled a bit. "Now, why don't you stay for dinner? Mom misses your company."

It was strange having him in my house like this. Probably because I'll never get my feelings across like this. We would be friends and nothing more. But as long as I could be by his side, watch him smile a little, the pain was becoming manageable.

A/N: And chapter 4! I really appreciate all the reviews and all of you who read. I hope you all stay along for the ride. Until next time lovelies, love ya!