Haruka Nanase. Haruka Nanase. The one Haruka Nanase. He was alive. Definitely alive. He had to be. There was no way he could be… Dead…. No, that was just impossible.

Makoto searched for him. Constantly. Even after an entire year, he never did give up. His friends all thought he was crazy. They didn't have faith like he did. But they also didn't know Haruka like he did, they didn't love Haruka like he did…

There were plenty of times that Makoto had thought that he saw Haruka. There, sitting on the other side of the cafe, a few places ahead of him in line, a glimpse of him out of the corner of his eye mixed in with the rest of the crowd. It was obvious to him that most of it was just his imagination, but that didn't make him crazy. It just made him hopeful. After all, it had to be a sign that he was still alive, right? He knew Haruka was out there, somewhere, and he had to find him. No matter what it took and what it did to him and what it made everyone think of him, he had to. None of those things were more important than finding his love.

One particular spacer day, Makoto and his two closest friends were out to eat at their usual place. And again, there he was, sitting at that same place, just like always. Makoto tried not to look in that direction for too long, as not to worry his friends, but he just couldn't help it.

"Mako-chan, is something wrong?" His friend, Nagisa asked, bringing him from his thoughts.

Makoto turned to see them both giving him worried looks. "I'm sorry, what were you saying?" He asked.

"Makoto-san, are you alright?" Rei asked.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Maybe just a little tired. That's all."

Nagisa wasn't believing it. "Is it him again…?" He knowingly asked.

"I'm not sure what you're talking about." Makoto feigned, taking a sip of his drink.

Nagisa and Rei exchanged glances. "Mako-chan, you really haven't forgotten about him, yet, have you?"

Makoto sighed. Of course they saw right through that. It was a poor attempt anyway. "No, I haven't. How could I? I love him and he loves me. Besides, it's not like he's dead. I know he's out there, so I have to find him…" He sighed, glancing down at the table, "I don't know what I'll do if I can't."

"You don't actually still believe that, do you?" Rei asked.

"Of course I do!"

"But Mako-chan, it's already been over a year. Don't you think it's time to mo-"

"What are you saying?!" Makoto exclaimed, surely catching the attention of everyone in the cafe, "Are you saying that I should just forget him?! Give up?! Pretend like we never met?!"

"No, that's not what I'm saying at all! And, please, keep your voice down! People are starting to look at us weirdly." Nagisa said, lowering his head closer to the table, "Look, all I'm saying is that sitting here, hoping for someone who's dead to co-"

"He's not dead!"

"- To come back is pointless and it will only continue to hurt you."

"We're not saying you forget about him or stop loving him." Rei added, "You just need to move on. What's done is done, and there's nothing anyone can do about it."

Makoto hung his head, "You guys just don't understand… You two have each other. Your one hasn't disappeared like mine has. You two have been practically inseparable basically since you've met."

They both gave him a look of pity. It was true. They've never had to go through anything like this like he is. They weren't as unlucky as he was.

Nagisa opened his mouth to say something, but Makoto was done listening. He didn't want to hear it anymore. And so he absent mindedly stared out the large window next to them instead.

That's when he saw him, standing there on the other side of the street, staring back at him. He motioned for Makoto to go out there and see him. It made Makoto's heart race with joy. Haruka really was alive!

With a clatter, Makoto stood from his seat.

"What is it now, Mako-chan?" Nagisa asked.

"He's there…" Makoto mumbled, unable to move.

They both turned to see what, or rather, who, he was talking about. As soon as they were distracted, Makoto took off, his feet doing all the thinking for him. Haruka!

Haruka began running away from him, but Makoto was more than determined to follow him. He needed to follow him. There was no way he could not follow him. And no way would he be able to forgive himself if he didn't catch up.

Haruka was a lot faster than Makoto imagined he would be. He was barely able to keep a steady distance while in a crowd of that size, let alone catch up. And sure enough, eventually Makoto lost sight of him.

He moved onto the nearby bridge to get a better look at the crowd. It didn't help much.

"Makoto." The voice came from seemingly nowhere. After all, no one was around and the only other things Makoto could hear was the bustling from the crowd and the trickling water beneath the bridge.

"Makoto." There it was again! It was clearly his voice, but where was it coming from?!

"Makoto!" Below?

Makoto went over to the side of the bridge and peered over. There he was, treading water, waving for Makoto to come down there and join him.

He smiled, bending over to take off his shoes and socks. Luckily, the ledge wasn't too high for him to climb up on top. It was cold against his butt, even through his pants,but he didn't really mind. He let his legs dangle over the edge a little before fully standing up.

"Makoto!" He heard Nagisa's and Rei's panicked voices behind him. Apparently they were running after him. Oops. "Makoto, what are you doing?! Get down from there before you get hurt!"

Most of the crowd had been moving on, minding their own business. But now they had stopped as well to see what all the commotion was. Makoto felt a bit embarrassed to be the center of attention like this, but at the same time, he didn't care because it would be worth it in the end anyway.

He cupped his hands over his mouth to be sure that they'd hear, "I found him, guys! I'm going to swim with Haruka, like we promised each other!" He pointed down at his love, to be sure that they got the point.

"You're crazy!"

"No, don't do it!" Some of the crowd's voices joined in with Nagisa and Rei.

"You can swim, too!" He inched toward the edge, preparing to dive in.

"Makoto, no!"

His feet left the ledge as he kicked off it and plunged head first into the waters below.

A/N: Sorry this is so short, but... Well, I thought that was a 'good' place to end it. :3
I'm kind of nervous that I'm not writing Rei and Nagisa well enough (especially Rei).

For those who are wondering what's up with Haru... Well, you'll have to wait and see, I guess. Sorry. I don't want to spoil anything and/or change how you'll perceive something in the near future.
I realize Makoto is pretty out of character now, but I had to. Sorry.

Hope you enjoyed!