Chapter 5

"Makoto, are you sure you will be able to swim today?" asked Haruka. His eyes were looking worriedly at Makoto, clearly trying to tell his friend that he should get more rest.

"Yes, I have already recovered and rested more than enough," answered Makoto, smiling.

"Mako-chan, were you sick?" asked Nagisa.

"Two days ago, but I have already recovered," answered Makoto, smiling again.

"ACHOOOO"

And then a sneeze was heard from Rei.

"Rei-chan, are you sure you are alright? Are you sick as well? You were sneezing many times since this morning," said Nagisa as he looked at Rei worriedly.

"I am fine," stated Rei blankly.

Hearing Nagisa's statement, Makoto started to observe Rei. He realized that Rei really did not seem too well.

"Rei, if you are not feeling so well, maybe you can rest for a while," advised Makoto.

"I am really fine, Makoto-senpai."

Makoto was worried despite hearing Rei stating that he was fine. He was worried that perhaps Rei might have caught a cold for staying too close with him the past few days. Or maybe Rei could have caught a cold when he was accompanying him under the rain? However, Rei had started to enter the pool to practice. Makoto observed his movements for a few minutes until he felt like Rei was just acting like he usually do before he started to swim as well.

When the swimming practice had ended, it seemed that Rei did not sneeze anymore. Even if he did, probably no one would be able to hear it as everyone was busy training themselves in the water.

As everyone came out of the water, planning to get themselves dressed, a figure in front of Nagisa rapidly collapsed onto the floor, surprising everyone there.

"REI-CHAN!"

"REI!"

Nagisa was the first one to approach the fainted man as he was just right behind him when he collapsed. Makoto who was next to approach the fainted man in a rather swift speed, brought him up to his strong arms.

It's my fault. I should have realized that he is not feeling well!

Makoto could not stop blaming himself as he held Rei closer.

His body is so hot. He is having a high fever!

"Mako-chan, Haru-chan, it's getting late, why don't you all go back first? Rei-chan has taken the medicine and he is already asleep. I will be here to take care of him," said Nagisa.

"Are you sure? I will stay too," said Makoto.

"It's alright. Mako-chan and Haru-chan should go home and rest first. You two are not familiar with Rei-chan's house at all but I know, so don't worry."

With that, Nagisa pushed Makoto and Haruka towards the door and waved to them and hurried them to go home quickly after repeatedly convincing them that he can handle everything there himself.

"Alright then. Bye," said Haruka.

With that, both Haruka and Makoto left Rei's house, leaving Nagisa alone with him. As the two walked, Haruka kept his eyes on Makoto.

"Makoto?"

No response.

Well, Makoto obviously did not hear his name being called by Haruka. His mind was filled with Rei's pale face and the moment he collapsed onto the floor. Come to think of it, he was having that pale face since two days ago. Perhaps, Rei really did caught a cold when he was staying under the rain with Makoto that day. Nevertheless, he did not rest at all as he was taking care of Makoto until yesterday.

"Makoto?"

Haruka tried calling his friend again.

"Eh?" Makoto looked up as he finally responded to his friend calling for him. He could see Haruka's eyes was filled with worries again.

"Are you really alright? You couldn't hear me calling you just now?" asked Haruka.

"I am fine, really. It's just that I am thinking of something," said Makoto, smiling as he tried to make sure to tell Haruka that he was really fine.

Then they both continued to walk in silence until Makoto suddenly stopped in his tracks, causing Haruka to walk a few steps ahead of him before he stopped as well to find Makoto standing a few steps before him. Haruka was about to open his mouth to ask his friend what was wrong, but before he could do so, his friend already given him an answer.

"Sorry, Haru. I just remembered I had something to do. You go ahead first," said Makoto as he turned his back towards the opposite direction.

"Wait, Makoto. I will accompany you," said Haruka.

Knowing his friend, Makoto could see Haruka was just worried that his fever might relapse.

"My fever has fully recovered already, Haru, so please stop worrying about me. Bye," said Makoto as he ran down the road towards Rei's house.

After a few minutes of running, he reached Rei's house again. It was rather fast. It seemed that he did not walk too far away with Haruka just now. As soon as he reached there, he rang the doorbell without any hesitation, and was shortly greeted by a surprise Nagisa who expectedly came to open the door.

"Mako-chan?"

"On second thought, I will stay," said Makoto as he entered, leaving a shock Nagisa still with the door opened.

Next, he immediately went to Rei's bedroom to check on Rei's condition. It didn't seem like his situation had worsen, so it should be fine for now.

"Nagisa, I will handle here, so you go home and rest first," said Makoto.

"What? Are you sure?" asked Nagisa. Makoto simply nodded.

"But –"

"It's alright. Just go home for now. I will take care of Rei."

"Well, if there is anything, you can give me a call. I will come by tomorrow morning."

And then Nagisa left, leaving Makoto to take care of Rei.

Morning arrived. Rei woke up and realized a white towel on his forehead. He touched his own forehead to feel his temperature, and it did not feel as hot as yesterday. Speaking of that, he remembered that he was at the pool. How did he suddenly end up on the bed? He closed his eyes and tried his best to think of what had actually happened yesterday. As he was trying to concentrate into thinking, he suddenly heard a voice coming from the kitchen. Weakly, Rei then proceeded to leave his bed to check out on the source of the sound. He was surprised to see who was in his house.

"Makoto-senpai?"

"R-Rei! You are awake?" Makoto quickly turned to face him as he heard Rei.

"Yes."

Makoto walked to Rei to touch his forehead, feeling his current temperature.

"Your temperature is still a little hot, stay in house today."

"Eh? No, it's fine. I can go to school," said Rei, half-bushing as he felt Makoto's palm on his forehead.

"No, you shouldn't. Listen to me and stay in house to rest."

Makoto's voice sounded so strict. Rei quietly obeyed.

"Alright. Were you the one who carried me back?" asked Rei as suddenly remembered to he had no idea how did he ended up in his own house.

"Yes. You suddenly collapsed, we were all so worried," answered Makoto.

"I am sorry for making you guys worry about me."

"It's nothing to be sorry about, but you should say something if you don't feel well. Besides, I should hold the responsibility that you are sick now. You were staying under the rain with me after all. Sorry, Rei."

"Of course it's not your fault, Makoto-senpai. I am just weak and get sick easily," said Rei quickly. He didn't want Makoto to blame himself. It's really not his fault after all.

Makoto simply smiled at Rei's kindness.

"By the way, Makoto-senpai, are you cooking something?" asked Rei as he walked to the basin. Before Makoto could stop him, Rei already managed to see what Makoto had wanted to hide from him.

"Sorry, Rei. I was trying to prepare some porridge for you, but I just couldn't make it."

Rei said nothing. This worried Makoto. Is Rei angry for making his kitchen dirty? This is bad…

"Sorry, Rei. I will clean it up and I promise that it would be as clean as before," stated Makoto immediately.

"No, it's fine. I can clean it up," answered Rei blankly.

"No no, it's my fault. I couldn't even make some simple food for you when you are sick."

"No, just the thought that Makoto-senpai is trying to cook for me made me feel so touched. I am so happy," said Rei, blushing.

Makoto was surprised to hear that, and even more surprised to see Rei having a bright smile on his face. Makoto did not understand. Why would it make Rei so happy when he couldn't even cook porridge for him?

"I will cook some porridge for us instead," said Rei as he turned the water tap opened.

Makoto, although was still surprised with Rei's words, promptly reacted to Rei's actions by grabbing his wrist to stop him from touching the water and starting to do whatever he planned on doing. Rei blushed as he felt Makoto's warm touch on his wrist.

"You can't. I have already asked Nagisa to buy some porridge here."

No response. Makoto realized Rei didn't seem to be listening to him. Then he found out that Rei was looking at the place where he held his wrist. Realizing his mistake, he immediately released his hold on Rei's wrist and muttered, "Sorry."

And then the bell rang. Makoto went to open the door. It was Nagisa standing there, hands holding three packets of porridge.

"Rei-chan, are you all better now?" asked Nagisa as he entered the house, searching for Rei.

"Yes, I am feeling better," answered Rei.

Then the three ate their breakfast (which is porridge) together before Makoto and Nagisa proceeded to go to school together, leaving Rei to rest alone.

After school had ended, Makoto, Haruka, Nagisa and even Rin went to visit Rei. Rin was a little worried when he heard from Haruka that Rei collapsed after the swimming practice.

"Rei-chan!" called Nagisa as he walked into Rei's house, followed by the other three who were behind him.

"Everyone!" exclaimed Rei happily as he saw so many people visiting him. Even Rin was here.

"Rei-chan, are you alright? Did you rest well? Did you eat your medicine?"

"Rei, we came to check on your condition," said Makoto.

"I heard you collapsed yesterday. Seems perfectly fine to me right now," said Rin.

"I am almost recovered, I can go to school tomorrow," answered Rei.

Makoto then walked towards Rei who was sitting on the bed and touched his forehead with his palm to check for his temperature again.

"Your temperature is still slightly higher than usual, are you sure you don't need to rest another day?" asked Makoto.

"Exactly, Rei-chan. Don't underestimate your fever, it is – OUCH!"

As Nagisa approached Rei, he kicked something on the floor which made him immediately squatted down on the floor to look at his leg.

"What are these?" asked Nagisa as he took hold and observed the things that he had kicked. Strangely to everyone in the room, Rei had actually kept a few books under his bed. That was not surprising at all, after all Rei always enjoyed reading books, What surprised them was the titles of the books. It looked like all of the books were about love.

Some titles of the books are:

How To Make Someone Fall For You

How To Heal A Broken Heart

Romantic Places To Visit

How To Catch The Best Timing To Confess Your Love

"Rei-chan, I knew it! You have a girlfriend!" exclaimed Nagisa, feeling betrayed. He had asked Rei a few times whether he had a girlfriend, but Rei had repeatedly answered no.

"That is not the case!" responded Rei as he grabbed those books from Nagisa's hand.

"Then how do you explain these books?" asked Nagisa again. He sounded a little angry.

Rei looked away, trying not to answer his words.

"Nagisa, let's drop this topic. We should let Rei rest," said Makoto, trying to end the issue. He had a feeling that the books might be related to him because one of the book's titles was 'How to heal a broken heart'.

"But I can't believe Rei-chan lied to me."

"I didn't lie," said Rei in a rather soft voice. This made everyone had their eyes on him.

"I was rejected… by the person that I like."

Everyone in room seemed a little surprised when they heard Rei's statement.

"Eh? Why? Who would reject Rei-chan? I mean I thought all girls like perfect guys like you?" asked Nagisa.

"I am not perfect. Anyway although I was rejected, I am not giving up."

"Woah, nice spirit there! Should I share some techniques with you?" offered Rin who now already had his arm on Rei's shoulder.

"Techniques?"

"Yes. Firstly, you should…"

And Rin just kept on giving Rei tips. Nagisa just smiled at the two. Haru could see Makoto seemed to be looking blankly on the wall, his back facing Rei and Rin. His face seemed a little red. Haruka thought perhaps Makoto knew who Rei loves. After all, they seemed quite close recently. Also, today morning Makoto went to school with Nagisa. He had heard from Nagisa that Makoto was at Rei's house taking care of him until today morning. Since when had he gotten so close to Rei?

When Rin finished telling the tips to Rei, Rei was still busy copying down those techniques. Rei stole a look at Makoto to notice that he was looking away, but he could tell he was blushing. Rin however was looking at Haruka and took notice of Haruka had been looking at Makoto all these time.

"Haru, what's wrong?" asked Rin.

"It's nothing," answered Haruka simply.

Rin could tell there were some things bothering Haruka, but since he did not want to share it with him, Rin wouldn't force him to spill it out.

~TO BE CONTINUED~

Author's Note: Chapter 5 finally done. Sorry for taking such a long time to update again~ Hopefully I can update the next chapter faster than this chapter. Reviews are much appreciated, it motivates me to write faster and it also gives me some idea of what to add into the story. After all, to be honest, I am still not very sure of how should I end this story. I actually sort of like this story quite much, so I hope I can really finish this story with a beautiful ending.