Chapter 7

It is Christmas eve. There were many people outside, everyone was having such a happy smile on their faces. However, Makoto felt like he did not have the mood at all. There were just so many things going on in his brain, so many things he wanted to solve yet unsolvable, so many things he wanted yo understand yet unable to understand. However, despite having all of the problems in his brain, here he was at the theme park with his family as his twin siblings have been begging to play there since yesterday morning. His sibling, as usual, did not give him any free time as he had been dragged to accompany them to play rides after rides.

After playing with his siblings for quite some time, Makoto then offered to buy drinks for them. As he was queuing up to pay for the drinks, he saw an old woman in front of him busy finding for her money. Makoto then walked forward and paid for the old woman as well as for his drinks.

"Thank you," said the old woman.

"You are welcome," replied Makoto, smiling.

"Obaa-san, are you alone?" asked Makoto.

"No, I am with my family," answered the old woman.

"I will help you take the drinks and walk you back to your family," offered Makoto as he took the few cans of drinks from the woman's hold.

And then, they started walking.

"Young man, are you facing some problems? You looked as though you are troubled," asked the old woman.

Makoto was surprised. He had no idea he was being so obvious, to the extent that even a stranger can see through him.

"There are just some things that I could not understand," answered Makoto as he looked away, avoiding eye contact with the stranger. He would not want the old woman to figure out anymore other things.

"Just act according to your heart, not everything is as complicated as you think," said the old woman, smiling.

Before Makoto could say or ask anything else, someone's voice interrupted their conversation.

"Baa-san!" called an old man behind the two.

"Jii-san," called the old woman who stood beside Makoto.

"Baa-san, where have you been? I have been searching for you," said the old man as he limped towards them.

"Didn't I tell you that I have gone to buy you all drinks?" asked the old woman.

"You took so long, so I was worried that you might have lost your way back."

"I already said there would be no problem. You are always worrying too much."

"Where are the drinks?" asked the old man. The old woman then pointed to Makoto, showing him where the drinks were.

"Did you help her take it on the way here? Thanks, young man," said the old man. Makoto simply smiled at the lovely couple.

And then Makoto left the couple and brought the drinks back to his family.

"You took a little long," said Makoto's father.

"Where is mother, Ren and Ran?" asked Makoto as he handed one of the drinks to his father.

"They are riding the roller coaster. Ren and Ran like it so much."

Makoto then sat down beside his father.

"Are you alright? You looked troubled these few days," asked Makoto's father.

"I am just thinking of something," answered Makoto. His father gave him a smile.

"By the way, father, I have never seen you quarrel with mother before. You both really understand each other so well."

"Well, the most important thing in a relationship is trust and tolerance. Is my son having some love trouble?"

Makoto blushed. Great, now it became his father's turn to see through him. Was it really that obvious?

"Who is it? A classmate?" asked his father, filled with curiosity.

"I am not sure if I am actually in love with that person," answered Makoto.

Well, he was sure he has always loved Haru, but why did he back off when Haru confessed his love to him at that time? What is it that made him hesitated? And then he could never forget Haru's words when he mentioned that he loved Rei. What is it that actually made Haru said such words?

"Imagine when you are facing a trouble, who would you wish you could talk to? During some special day like today, who would you wish to spend with besides us? More importantly, who do you think of the most when you close your eyes? In short, just follow what your heart tells you."

'What my heart feels…' thought Makoto as he moved his right hand towards his heart and felt the heartbeat.

"Oni-chan! You are finally back!" exclaimed Ren and Ran as they ran and hugged Makoto.

"Let's go for ferris wheel," said Ren and Ran in unison as they pulled Makoto along.

And then Makoto and his two siblings left their parents and entered the ferris wheel.

"Ah, there is a drawing here," pointed Ren.

Ran and Makoto then approached Ren to look at the drawing. Then it struck Makoto that it was the exactly same drawing where Rei and him had seen when they were riding the ferris wheel.

"Ren, Ran, it's dangerous to move around so much, come take your seat," said Makoto as he motioned his siblings to take their seat. As Makoto prepared to sit as well, something written on the side of the seat caught his attention.

REI LOVES MAKOTO

"Makoto-senpai, do you have a pen with you?"

And then it reminded him that this must have been written by Rei.

"What's wrong, oni-chan?" asked his siblings.

"No, it's nothing," answered Makoto blankly, eyes still on the words.

At Makoto's house

It was a tiring day. After spending the whole day at the theme park, he had finally done with dinner and was currently resting in his room. Tomorrow will be Christmas.

Makoto took a small packet of something that he had bought the other day. A pair of phone straps. He actually bought one for Rei, instead of for Haru. So does this mean he is really in love with Rei? Or is that really just a gift of gratitude?

"Just act according to your heart, not everything is as complicated as you think."

"In short, just follow what your heart tells you."

'Follow my heart, huh?' thought Makoto as he remembered those words of his father's and the old woman that he had just met today.

"MAKOTO!"

Hearing his name, Makoto turned his head to the source of the voice and found Haruka not far from him, panting and bending his body as his arms were pressings on his knees for support.

"Haru?"

Before Makoto could say anything else anymore, Haruka was already in front of him, cupping his cheeks and pulled him into a passionate kiss. Makoto widened his eyes at Haruka's actions.

Remembering that incident, Makoto touched his lips, as though Haruka had just kissed him. But there was no feeling of happiness.

Just when Makoto was about to deepen his thinking, his cell phone rang. It was Rei calling. Makoto was a little happy, he thought Rei was still angry at him. He hadn't called him since that day when Haruka suddenly kissed him in front of Rei.

"Rei," started Makoto.

"Makoto-senpai. Erm, I have heard from Rin-san. So I guess I should at least call you to congratulate you."

"What is this about?" asked Makoto.

He had no idea what was there to be congratulated. More importantly, what bothered him more was Rei's voice. It sounded depressed and a little weak.

"I met Rin-san yesterday. He told me that he broke up with Haruka-senpai. That is great, isn't it? I mean Haruka-senpai has finally realized his love for you. Now you two can finally be together. Nothing else will be able to break you two apart."

Is this great?

"I…"

"Rei?"

"Allow me to say this one last time. Makoto-senpai, I really love you very much."

Makoto widened his eyes in surprised. No matter how many times Rei confessed his love for him, yet it never failed to surprise him. And did he just say this would be the last time? Why? Had Rei lost interest in him already?

"As Makoto-senpai wished, I would not put any hope on you anymore. I would just be your friend from now on."

Just friends? What is this weird feeling?

"That is all I have to say. Bye."

With that Rei hung up the call. Makoto had barely gotten the chance to say anything.

"Why do I feel that it hurts in my heart? It almost feels the same like when I saw Haru and Rin kissed for the first time…" murmured Makoto as he seized his chest with his right hand.

"Makoto-senpai, I love you! I love how you are always so caring and kind. You even tried to save me that time when you were so afraid of ocean. I really really love you, Makoto-senpai. That is why I really cannot stand the way Haruka-senpai treats you! It also pisses me off that I am not the one the one that you loved! If only... If only I get to know you before Haruka-senpai did, then Makoto-senpai would not need to suffer like that," finished Rei as he covered his face with his left palm, feeling awkward and tired after the outburst.

"Why am I suddenly remembering that?" muttered Makoto.

"Imagine when you are facing a trouble, who would you wish you could talk to?"

"When I am facing a trouble?" Makoto asked himself.

"And I will be here for you as long as you need me."

As far as he remembered, recently Rei has always been there when he needed help.

"During some special day like today, who would you wish to spend with besides us?"

"Who would I like to spend with? I have no idea…" muttered Makoto.

"More importantly, who do you think of the most when you close your eyes?"

Makoto closed his eyes and allowed memories to pass through.

"Woah, must be left by some kids," commented Makoto.

"It's cute," said Rei as he turned to face Makoto.

As both their faces met, they realized the distance between them was too close. Rei unconsciously moved towards Makoto as their lips were getting closer each second. Just when they were about to touch each other's lips, Makoto moved backwards and stood up.

"But I am not joking when I said I am not giving up on you. You have no idea how much I am in love with you. If I could, I would have cut my chest apart to show you my heart."

Makoto felt inarticulate. What was he supposed to say in this kind of situation? Before he could give a proper respond, Rei pulled him into a hug.

"That's why please don't say things like asking me to forget you or telling me that I should leave you. It hurts."

"Sorry."

"Makoto… senpai…"

Rei widened his eyes as tears dropped down his face. He ran to Makoto and hugged him tightly. He was afraid if he released his hand, Makoto would leave him.

"I was so scared you were gone," said Rei, sobbing.

"I am fine," said Makoto as he ruffled Rei's hair.

"It's great that you are fine. I am so glad, so glad…" said Rei as he tightened the hug and kept telling Makoto how afraid he was.

Memories flooded his mind, but all of it consist of the exact same person. Makoto opened his eyes and murmured, "It's Rei."

Realizing that he finally had the answer to his question, Makoto tightened his grip on the pair of phone strap and rushed out of his room and ran downwards.

"Makoto, where are you going at this time?" asked Makoto's mother before he managed to leave the house.

"To a friend's house," answered Makoto quickly and left the house.

Makoto looked at his phone to check the time. He needed to reach the station as soon as possible, and then he would be able to get the last train.

"Makoto-senpai."

It felt like he could hear Rei calling for him.

I should have realized it sooner. God, please let me make it in time!

Haruka didn't know how he ended up in front of the ocean. He was walking directionless while thinking of Makoto, but when he looked around here he was. The wind blowing against him surely did feel nice. It felt as though the wind could blow away all of the trouble for him. He closed his eyes to enjoy the wonderful breeze.

"Haru?"

That was when he heard someone called him, he opened his eyes to find Rin standing in front of him.

"Rin, what are you doing here?"

"I was just walking around, but I suddenly ended up here."

Haruka just smiled to him. Both stayed silence for a moment as they had their eyes on the ocean, until Haruka broke the silence.

"Rin," Haru suddenly called. Rin faced him.

"I am sorry, and also thanks. You made me realize my true feelings."

"It's nothing, we are friends after all. I wish you to be happy ever after with Makoto. You two are a good match."

"Rin, actually I –"

Haruka was interrupted in his words as sound of fireworks were heard. And then no words were needed anymore. The two young men stared above the sky, enjoyed the firework together.

"Fireworks, huh? It's Christmas eve after all," said Rei as he wiped his tears dry with his left hand while his right hand was still holding on to a picture of he secretly took where he sat beside Makoto who had been asleep.

"Makoto-senpai must be enjoying fireworks with Haruka-senpai right now…"

Rei opened his cupboard and placed the picture beside the Christmas present that he had planned to give it to Makoto since a month ago. He would keep both of the present and the picture hidden, as well as his feelings for Makoto. These would all be his precious memories. Those times that he spent with Makoto, going out to watch movies, have dinner - Makoto might forget all these, but to Rei, these memories are more precious than anything else in his life. This is because now that Haruka and Makoto were already together, no way in this world he would ever have the chance to spend such beautiful times with him anymore.

As he was still remembering those beautiful, precious memories, sound suddenly came out from his house bell, indicating someone was outside. He thought it must be Nagisa. Only he would come at such a weird time. Well, who else would he imagined would come to his house at this time. He would be an absolute idiot to actually hope that the one standing outside would be Makoto. Before he proceeded to open the door, he quickly wiped his face clean and made sure that no trace of tears were left on his face. No way would he let people know that he had been crying, especially not Nagisa!

As he opened the door, he was greeted by a panting figure. Before he was even able to call out the person's name, he felt the other person's lips pressed onto his. The kiss didn't last too long as Rei pushed the man away.

"Wait, Makoto-senpai. Do you even know what you are doing right now? Please, I beg you to stop doing things that makes me think I have hope anymore when you already choose Haruka-senpai!"

"Rei, I love you. The one that I am in love with is not Haru, it's you."

Rei widened his eyes in shock. Makoto approached Rei to once again place his lips onto Rei's. Although still in a state of confusion, Rei happily wrapped his arms around Makoto's neck as their lips exchanged kisses. By now, tears were already falling freely from Rei's eyes. After all, all these seemed so unreal. It felt like just a dream, a dream where he wouldn't want to wake up from. He hoped time would just stop right now because he was terribly scared that everything would return to normal soon.

~TO BE CONTINUED~

A/N: Finally, Makoto and Rei are together.

Look forward for next chapter as it would be the last. Now that the story is almost coming to an end, I feel a little sad to finally say goodbye to this story. I just realized that as I continued to write this story chapter by chapter, my ship for this pairing increases little by little.