Swimming Back to you

Chapter Three

As I got to the desk, I sit down and keep my eyes to the front, but I could feel Makoto and Haru staring at me, also I could hear a few people murmurs around me and some of them would glance at me from time to time, until Amakata-sensei broke that by catching the class attention.

"Okay, since two of my students were absent yesterday, let me introduce myself, " I already can tell that she is that kind of super positive person, "I'm Amakata Miho, your new homeroom teacher. Nice to meet you." Yep, super positive and carefree person. I'm okay with that.

Time passed and it was lunchtime, and as soon the bell rang some of the students came up to me. Some presented themselves, others asked if it was true about my father, and there was a couple that asked if I was single. After answering their questions and rejecting their invitations to spend lunch with some of them, I finally was free. I needed to get out of there before Makoto tried to approach, but it was too late for that.

"Toru" as soon as I heard my name being called by him, my body froze, but slowly regained control and turned to face him.

"Hello Makoto" I give him a small smile

"You are back, when did you get back?"

"Well, I was here last week to finish arranging some stuff, but I got here yesterday"

"Are you living in the same house as years before?"

"No, that house was not for sale, so now I'm living in a different neighborhood just a thirty-minute walk from here"

"Why didn't you continue writing letters?" Shit, I forgot about those and when I looked into his green eyes, I could see hurt and betrayal in them. I moved my sight to Haru. He was looking out the window, but I could tell that he was paying attention to our conversation, and just as Makoto, he was also waiting for a response. I look back at Makoto, who was still waiting.

"I'm sorry, it is just that I went through some stuff, and when I remember about the letters, it has already been over a month so I decided to not write anymore. I feel bad for letting that much time pass by and I thought you guys forgot about me and..." I couldn't finish what I was saying, because I felt a pair of strong arms around me. I don't know how or when Makoto was hugging me. That definitely caught me by surprise, but when I came back to my senses, I hugged him back and heard him murmur in my ear.

"You know, it doesn't matter how long it has been, we will never forget about you. I am really happy to have you back. Welcome home Toru-chan." And like that he pulls away, and when I looked at Haru who was behind, I could see a small smirk on his face that lasted milliseconds

"So Toru-chan, wanna eat lunch on the roof with us?" I nodded and the three of us started walking to the roof

"Hey Toru"

"Yes, Haru?"

"Is nice to have you back" I reply with a genuine smile

"Okay, let's go," Makoto said while walking out of the door with his lunch in hand, and Haru and I followed. As we were going up the stairs, I remember I left my phone on my desk.

"Hey guys, I forgot my phone on my desk, if you want I will meet you on the roof? I said while turning around

"It's okay Toru, we wait here for you" I heard Makoto said

"Ok, I will be fast" I kinda screamed, since I was already at the bottom of the stairs. I jog to the classroom.

Once I reach the door and open it to start walking to my desk where I can see my phone on top of it. Once I got it, I turned on the screen to see three text notifications, one from my mom, the second one from my brothers, and the last one was the one that surprised me the most, it was a text from my father. I first opened the one from mom. It was really long, two paragraphs in which it only said how much she missed me, that she loves me, she wishes me good luck at school and that she hopes to come soon to visit. Then it was the group chat in which both of them wished me good luck and said they will be coming to visit on Friday. Last but not least, the text from my father. There were only four words, "Take care, good luck." Yes, that was it, but even if it was just a small text, it means a lot to me. After all, our father-daughter relationship hasn't been the same after I dropped out of swimming.

"Toru, are you okay?" I heard behind me, I turn around to look at the door and see that the one that call my name was Makoto

"Yes, sorry I just space out, I guess I was taking too long"

"Just a little, is everything alright?" he asked again while coming closer to me. I just nod and lock my phone and put it in my pocket

"We should go to Makoto, Haru is waiting for us," I said while walking past him, soon I could feel him behind me and before we left he closed the classroom door. While we were walking in silence I could feel Makoto's stare at me. Is like he wanted to say something but wasn't able to, and when he finally got the strength we heard someone call his name.

"Mako!" I raise my view and at the top of the stairs, I can see Haru and next to him a younger boy with wavy, honey-blond hair and magenta eyes. " It has been years, Mako!"

Makoto started to climb up the stairs and looking at him, lost as if he did not know who that guy was, I followed him until the four of us were at the top of the stairs. He looked at Haru as if asking for help, Haru with his bored look just pointed at the boy and said

"Nagisa" as soon as that name left Haru's lips I was flabbergasted

"Nagisa!!!" and it seems that Makoto got the same reaction because we literally screamed the name at the same time, Nagisa just gave us a close eyed smile.

"Wow, you look exactly the same, except just a little taller"

"Thanks, but sorry to ask, but who are you?" I could feel a little sting in my heart but I got to cover it with a smile. It hurt me that he did not recognize me like Makoto and Haru but it is understandable. I mean the last time we were really little and I have changed, but it still hurts.

"Nagisa do you really don't recognize her" Makoto asked, Nagisa looked at me and analyzed me from head to toe and shook his head as a no. Once again, there is the sting in my heart, but I decided to speak up.

"That really hurt Nagi, I guess that I should ask you to return Mr.penguin to me, since you forgot about me" as soon those words left my lips, Nagisa eyes and mouth open from astonishment and the next thing I know he threw himself at me and hugged me tight.

"Toru-onesan!!! Is it really you?!?!"

I hug him back and rest my head on top of his, since I am taller than him. " Yes, it's me. I'm back Nagi" I averted my gaze to Mako and Haru and both had a smile on their faces.

"I can't believe it, it has been soo long. After you left nothing was the same, then the swimming Club shut down and I lost contact with the guys and was so lon-"

"The swimming Club got shut down!!" I practically scream as I push Nagisa so I could look him straight in the eyes

"Yes, it did, not long after you left"

I looked to Mako and Haru for confirmation, and as soon I saw their faces that was all the confirmation I needed.

"Maybe we should head up to the roof and catch up all together," Mako said, which all of us agreed to and started climbing the stairs to the roof.

On the way there Nagisa did not let go of my arm and asked me questions about the States, he did also ask for my brothers, especially Kairi. That made me laugh since my baby brother did not like Nagisa, for two simple reasons; One, being that Nagisa is extremely cheerful, has a straightforward personality and he usually speaks his mind before considering the effect it may have on others, but I know that he never intended with malice. Still, my brother found it very annoying. Second, that Nagisa was always next to me and followed me everywhere, pretty much he was stuck to me like glue, and the fact that Nagisa started to call me, "Toru-onesan" that pissed off Kairi. Even if my brother doesn't want to admit it out loud, he is very jealous when the topic is me. So if I ever have a boyfriend, that would be a total drama that I don't want to picture right now.