DISCLAIMER: I do not own Free! Liliya is my own character.
TOO THE STOOORY!
Sorry it took so long. ^^U ehehehe

Makoto looked between Liliya and the red eyed stranger. Makoto guessed him to be around 5'8 or 5'9, he was slim and had a feminine frame. He had long blond -almost white hair pulled into a low pony tail, his eyes were a bright red and gleamed behind his fringe. Makoto stared into the red eyes feeling as if he could get lost in them. Liliya waved her hand in front of Makoto's face.

"Earth to Maky, I repeat earth to Maky!" Liliya smiled sticking her tongue out. Makoto mock glared at her earning a short laugh from Liliya. "All right lets get this party started!" Liliya fist bumped into the air before marching off leaving Makoto and the stranger in the dust.

Makoto smiled and decided that it would be common courtesy to give him his name:
"Hey I'm Makoto Tachibana." The red eyed stranger looked at Makoto's face before he stirred to rile himself out of his stupor.

"... Haruka Nanase..." He nodded at Makoto. Makoto stood for a while as he caught the scent of chlorine, blue clear water washed over him. Makoto shook himself looking back into the bright red eyes, as if looking for his answer. It was all so familiar, yet it danced at his memories in a red flame taunting him to get closer and burn himself.

Makoto looked at Haruka then at the distance between them and Liliya.

"I think we should start to catch up." Makoto gave a strained smile. Haruka nodded and walked in line with Makoto.

It didn't take long for Makoto and Haruka to catch up to Liliya as she had sprinted off and soon ran out of breath, her normal pace being a 'plod' a nice and steady pace. Makoto smiled and easily ruffled her short curly blond hair, Liliya let out a disgruntled sound as she playfully battered at Makoto's hands. Makoto looked up and catching Haruka's eyes thought he saw a glimmer of jealousy in those ruby spheres.

Liliya smiled as both Makoto and Haruka sat next to each other on the otherside of the booth. They had chosen to hole themselves up in McDonalds they had collected their order and where now talking and eating. Makoto and Haruka got along like a house on fire, everything that Haruka was thinking and feeling was like reading a book for Makoto.

"So Haruka, man what do you do besides fine art?" Liliya asked and Makoto nodded in agreement. Haruka looked blankly at Liliya and then Makoto. Makoto shuffled uncomfortably as if knowing what Haruka was thinking, for once she wasn't jealous of Makoto being able to read his mind, she thought of it as a dark place after looking at his artwork. Haruka looked forward again and said:
"Professional Chef Diploma, BETC in Hospitality and Photography." In a deadpan tone, like the flat line of a heart monitor. Haruka looked at Makoto and a small flicker like fire crossed through Haruka's eyes and made Makoto swallow, suddenly finding his throat too dry. Liliya smirked if she played her cards right she could get these two to hook up. Oh how she couldn't wait, but right now she had to get to a lecture.

"As much as I love this staring competition y'all havin' imma split like the banana and peel outta here, so peace out and see you later jazz man." Liliya winked and grabbed her bag waving as she got up from the table and left with the rest of her chips in her hands as she left before either of the boys could stop her from flouncing out. Makoto was half out of his seat to stop her but as the door closed he was left hanging with his hand stretched out and a slightly desperate look on his face. Makoto's ears slightly reddened and he coughed into his fist and sat down again trying to suppress the blush that was threatening to make itself known.

Makoto looked at Haruka a smile on his face only to be met with a blank stare on Haruka's part. Makoto picked at his food trying to think of something interesting to think of.

"So um Haru wha – oh sorry Haruka –" Makoto went to apologise to Haruka for calling him Haru when Haruka put up a hand and with a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips said:

"It's okay, you can call me Haru if you want" Makoto blushed only a small dusting of red across his cheeks he scratched at his cheek a nervous chuckle coming from his slightly parted lips. Haruka looked down a blush covering his features, Makoto glanced over at Haruka seeing his (in his opinion) cute blush. Makoto coughed and then smiling started saying what he had started to say before.

"So Haru how are you finding the collage?" Makoto asked his voice wavering as his hands became sweaty as he got nervous, something about being around Haruka alone made his heart beat erratically inside his chest as if asking to break free. Haruka Looked up not saying anything, but Makoto looked into his eyes and saw a little glimpses of the emotion Haruka felt towards his collage. Makoto looked harder trying to decipher the different emotions. Haruka shrugged. Makoto smiled mostly getting the gist of what he wanted to say.

"Ah, you have Chloe in your class, don't you?" Makoto said holding his chin as though he was digging through the depths of his memory to remember this one person. Haruka looked at him and gave a slight nod. Makoto smiled sadly at the flash of anger and discomfort this girls name gave him. Makoto looked up as Haruka looked at him and opening then closing his mouth as if he was unsure if he could ask this question. Makoto tilted his head slightly and hmm'nd at Haruka as he once again read off of his body language and the curiosity that was swimming in his eyes.

"You're wondering about my courses?" Makoto asked not sure if he hit the nail on the head or completely missed it. Thankfully he hadn't as Haruka nodded, averting his eyes from Makoto's face. Makoto took a sip from his drink and gathered his thoughts.

"I take Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths." Makoto listed off on his fingers, after looking back to Haruka he saw him incline his head as if asking why he would take those options. "Well I managed to achieve several A's in my GCSEs so I could take the Medics program as I want to become a doctor." Haruka looked interested, but didn't press further as he got the feeling that it was a touchy subject.

Both the boys finished their meal and Makoto being the gentleman he was took Haruka's empty try and placed them on the side where they were to be left. Makoto walked back and kept his pace slow enough to match Haruka's The blond blushed his face still passive, but his eyes flickering with emotion after emotion.

"Hey if you'd like you want to hang out some time?" Makoto asked his mental fingers crossed as Haruka looked at him and slowly nodded. Makoto had an inner melt down as he worked himself up to say this: "If you don't mind could we exchange numbers so we can text?" Makoto asked inwardly kicking himself at how awkward he sounded, but his smile never slipped. Haruka blinked processing the information before bringing his phone out and handing it to Makoto so he could exchange their numbers. Makoto fumbled about with Haruka's phone as he attempted to input his number and Haruka's into his. After achieving this he gave back Haruka his phone and smiled warmly before they reassumed walking next to each other with Makoto talking with Haru occasionally giving his input. By the time they reached the college it felt as if the boys had known each other for years.

Makoto waved to Haru as they went their separate ways, a smile gracing both of their faces.