Mple Water (Nanase Harukax reader)

...Rei-Kun... -8-

The next day, I attend my University classes as usual with Emilia-Chan, the time past and didn't even realize it when I had to go to school to meet the others.
Of course we haven't actual practice today, so it was more like a meeting. When I get there I met them all as usual by the pool, Haru had this nostalgic gaze when he had his eyes in his beloved place. Poor Haru... We didn't have something better to do, so we all went with Nagisa to watch track club's practice. More like see Rei-kun's practice. They all sat in the bench together and practically I was left out... Makoto offered me his seat but I refuge politely. They seem so nice all together, I couldn't ruin it. So I stand with my back against the tall fence, behind them.
Makoto looked at Nagisa.
"You haven't given up yet?"
"Of course not!" Nagisa answered joyfully. His eyes never leave Rei-kun. He is now going to jump. I have never seen him during practice, I have to admit he looks cool and his form is perfect, but I feel that something is off...
"Whaaaaat?" It was all I heart, I took my eyes off him for two seconds and I missed his jump... -I must be awful- I saw Rei falling down awkwardly
"He fell."
"We can see that Makoto..." I said casually, but now Rei-Kun is...
"Huh? He's coming over here..." Nagisa seemed panicked. Rei was standing in front of us, but his eyes were only in one of us, Haru.
"I want to be like you, Nanase-Senpai." Oh my... What is he talking about...
"What do you mean?" Hopefully there is Kou, asking my questions...
"I want that kind of freedom" Said Rei with straight face. At first I thought that Haru won't response but I was wrong.
"It's not Freedom" Haru had a strange smirk on his face witch I was unfamiliar with... "It's Free" He said it as it was the simplest thing in the entire world.
Rei almost whisper to himself; "Free..." But now he was louder, "Anyway, I would like to formally...join the swim club!" he managed to do a full bow.
A smile was formed on my lips, I knew he would do it sometime, but I never could figure out when... Nagisa probably couldn't believe in his eyes.
"If you want to swim, go ahead" Typical Haru stays cool no matter what...
I gazed Rei confused there was something more... "Rei? Everything is alright you can say everything that bothers you" He look at me for a second and turned to face Nagisa.
"However, you were the one who initially invited me to join. I expect you to take responsibility, Nagisa-Kun"
"Sure! You can count on me!" It's the first time I see Nagisa so happy after I got back. He hugged so tight Rei-kun that I almost get me worry if he could actually breathe.

Time skip
Some days have passed after Rei-kun officially joined the swim club, we all had amazing time together. Kou and I were getting close, and we even go for shopping once. And about the boys... well... It didn't take long to understand that Makoto knew what happed with me and Haru and I'm thanking god every day that he doesn't mention anything. And Nagisa...I think he knows something but hopefully he doesn't say a thing.
Haru is difficult to read in general, I'm trying my best but I never know if this is enough, I have visited his house sometimes with Makoto, it was exactly as I remembered it. I also went to see his room, without him knowing, it's still the same... They asked me to help them with their homework, basically this saturation is really common lately, and I didn't mind helping them. So that was planed again for tonight. The plan was that I had to get Haru, and go to Makoto's house for studying and all. But I found a message in my phone one hour before going out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_ I have a HUGE favor to ask you (Name)-Chan, PlzZ call me :/ _
-Nagisa-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What now? :/
Without thinking I pressed the –call- button.
"Ah! (Name)-Chan! I need you!" Nagisa's voice was nervous.
"Calm down, Nagi-Chan... What is it?"
"Do you remember that Rei-Chan said that I am responsible for him?"
"Yeah, I do... What about it?"
"Tomorrow is our first official practice in OUR pool and probably Rei-Chan doesn't have swimsuit. So I thought it would be nice and responsible to lend him one of mine..."
"What a wonderful idea Nagi-Chan! You have plenty of yours so he can choose what suits him best. But I can't get it, is it something that I can do?"
"Well...(Name)-Chan... I know that what I'm going to ask is a bit selfish but... I can't go to Rei-Chan's house alone... Can you come with me?"
"Nagisa...I don't know... I don't have a problem to take the train and go with you to Rei-kun's place...but how am I suppose to come back..." That was true... I didn't know how much it will take... And no, spending the night at Nagisa's is not an option...
I can't switch tow different trains next morning. Nagisa was silent for a moment.
"Wait a bit" he told and I heard footsteps, and then some talking.
"(Name)-Chan? My mother says that she can drive you home, so... Will you help?"
I smirked "You give me no reason to say no, Nagi-Chan. The next train is in twenty minutes so I'm on my way."
"Ah!!! Thank you sooo much (Name)-Chan! You are the best; I will wait for you in the station."
"See you, Nagi-Chan"
I didn't have much time so I quickly got dressed and did my hair. I told my Oba-Chan that I need to go somewhere with Nagisa. I would call Haru while I was on my way...Well if he picked it up at first place.
"Who is it?" Haru's voice from the phone was a bit different.
"Oh! Haru, I'm glad that you answered. It's (Name)."
"How did you get this number?" He sounded a little irritated.
"Makoto gave it to me... In case I need something"
"So what is it that you need?" It's the first time that a hear Haru's voice to tensed. It makes it more difficult to say that I won't come to pick him up.
"Well, Nagisa needs my help with Rei-Kun and we need to get to his house and I'm on my way to the train now...so I'm sorry I can't come tonight..."
No response...
"Haru-Chan?"
"I told you not to call me that!" His voice was calm as always but it was totally the opposite inside I can sense it...
"I'm so sorry Haru; I promised that I will help everyone as much as I can..."
"I know..."
"Haru..."
"I just- nothing... I will see you tomorrow, don't forget your swimsuit" He hanged up.
I was in the train station now; looking my phone with empty eyes...I wanted to cry... Not because the things he told me, but that I made him like this... My train arrived, and I spend my entire trip in depression. Until I saw Nagisa waiting me as he promised.
He hugged me lightly. "I'm so happy you will come with me, (Name)-Chan. I don't know if I can do this alone... Eh? Are you alright?"
"I'm ok... It's just... I was going to take Haru and go to Makoto's and I called him to tell him that I can't go...and..." I didn't want to be depressed in front of Nagisa so I force myself to smile. "Everything is ok now, I am here, let's go to Rei-kun's place!" Nagisa did not totally believe me but he smiled back and nodded.
We talked about many-many things. (And nothing involved Haru or what happened before) I thought it was a good idea to let me speak first when someone of Rei's parents would open the front door. His mother was quite surprised and at first she thought that Nagisa was my brother. She lead us to her son's bedroom, she said he was studding...
When we entered the room Nagisa started first;
"Hi there, Rei-Chan"
"Ah? Nanisa-kun? (Name)-san? What are you doing here this late?" he looked confused. "And (Name)-san? You live in the other side of town, what happened?"
"Everything is fine Rei-kun... I'm here coz Nagi-chan asked me. He has something for you..." I saw Nagisa from the corner of my eye he was blushing a bit.
"I figured you'd have run into a little trouble." From the look of Rei-kun's face I could tell that something was going on... "Rei-chan, you don't have swimsuit, right? So I brought over some of mine. If you like one you can use it!"
"Nagisa-kun..." Rei was looking Nagisa full of admire. I couldn't help but smile.
"But why...?" Rei asked. Nagisa sent me a look smiling. So I toke action.
"Well... He is responsible for you after all" I told Rei. I almost saw Rei's eyes water, as Nagisa nodded in agreement of what I said.
Nagisa opened his bag and placed all his swimsuits on Rei's bed... What I saw, it can't be described with words... I couldn't choose which the worst...was. I can't imagine Rei-kun wear any of them...
Nagisa was on his own world, he was staring all his swimwear with an innocent smile. "What do you think? Aren't they cute?" Me and Rei had that WTF look on our faces... Without my eyes left his bed, I pat Rei's solder.
"Rei...You can have my swimsuit if you want..."
"I don't know if that would be beautiful"
"Sure it would be... more than that..."
"You do have a point." Rei whispered.
Nagisa didn't say a thing; I doubt he heard us...
"Hmmm... let's see... I think this one would look good on you." Oh my... Nagisa is pointing a white one with laces at its sides...
"D-Do...you really?" He didn't want to hurt Nagisa's feelings but I wouldn't let him wear this one.
"But I'm not into white that mach..."
"Then how about this?" Nagisa is pointing another one with blue, orange and pink... I wonder if he is serious...
Rei feels really uncomfortable...
"Eh... That might be a bit too fashionable for me..."
Nagisa is finally take a look at him. And with a serious expression on his face he said.
"Well, take your time in making a decision, Rei-chan. You can use those theories of yours."
"Actually, I haven't yet memorized any theories about swimwear"
"Oh? You haven't?"
"I didn't know there were theories about that..." I thought out loud.
"There are theories about everything (Name)-san..." Rei commented.
"Well there is only one person who knows about swimwear better than anyone..." Nagisa smiled at me as he grabs his pink self phone.
Nagisa activated the speaker so all of us could hear. He was calling Makoto. Suddenly I hear Makoto's voice from the phone...
"Moshi-Moshi?" Nagisa was going to speak now...
"Ah? Mako-chan? It's me, Nagisa. Haru is with you right?"
"Yeah, here he is..." We heard far from the speaker a light –Haru, its Nagisa.-
"What is it Nagisa?" Haru's voice filed my ears...
"Um, Haru-chan... I'm here with (Name)-chan..."
"I know that..."
"Well, I was goona let Rei-chan borrow one of my swimsuits, but we don't know which one he should use."
"Do you have any advice for him, you know better on these stuff" I added.
He paused for a second... And Nagisa encourage Rei to speak.
"Good evening, Haruka-senpai."
"Rei, the best suit... is that clings to you!" I saw that coming... and I heard from behind Makoto – No you are the only one who likes that.- and after hat Haru's voice... - then you talk to him- Now we heard from the phone clearly;
"Moshi-Moshi? Rei...? Um... You should pick whichever one you like best. And...uh... I think a short suit would be good for you. Yeah, you have great body."
Rei talk to himself; "Great body..." Makoto continued...
"Yeah... Your legs are long and slender. They are beautiful."
"Beautiful" Rei whispered.... Sometimes I wonder if Makoto is... well... never mind... But that's was all Rei needed to choose... Well I won't say anything further...
"Rei-chan?" asked Nagisa worried and Rei started to laugh... I have never heard him laughing... It gives me creeps, my entire body shivered. He stopped and with a straight face he said; "I've made my decision. The swimsuit that suits me the most..."
It's needless to say which was the one he choose... My place is not to judge... Rei-kun thanked us for our effort (not that I did something). And we soon were on the way for Nagisa's (huge) house...
"Ne... (Name)-Chan...Thank you for today..."
"What are you talking about Nagisa...? I wouldn't come if I didn't want to help...Not that I did something..."
"No! You helped me! I couldn't go there alone anyway... Also I know that you were supposed to be with Haru-chan tonight, he likes to be around you, and because of me that didn't happen."
"Oi...Oi... Nagisa? What was that?"I was in panic, everyone knows? I knew he had suspicion but...Haru likes to be around me too? I blushed... Well if he didn't, he wouldn't let the second kiss happen but it's completely different to hear it from someone ells.
"Don't hide it (Name)-chan... We know... its nothing wrong about it...We are happy for both of you...Also I knew that one day this would happen anyway."
"Nagisa... You knew about our kiss and you said nothing? Well it's better that you didn't said a thing but..."
"Ah? Kiss?" Oh shit... he didn't know... I want to disappear...
"I knew that something happened between you two, after a saw you hugging, I though he confessed to you..."
"Well that didn't happen..." I said with a sad tone... Yet...
"I'm sure he will... Maybe he is not ready yet..." Nagisa tried to comfort me... I gave him a light smile... I just remembered how I have missed Nagisa...
Nagisa's mom drive me home... It was not really late... I had a light dinner and I take a shower after I got changed to my (fav col) summer pj. I couldn't sleep even if I wanted to these days.
Tomorrow
Today was the big day! Everything went so fast at the university hopefully I take notes.
When I got back I make a call to Makoto to ensure they follow the program I gave them before they enter the water. I was warred for Haru, if it was up to him; he wouldn't even bother himself to do a warm up... According to Makoto everything was alright. At least I can trust our Captain. I went to get my swimsuit from home, when I arrived to school I went straight to change, I wanted to go inside the water too. As I was ready I got out from the office that I changed, I heard Kou was already giving instructions...
"......-Four club members now, and it's warming up outside, so we will finally begin training in the pool today..." Kou hadn't finished yet and Haru was already into the water... As she shouted;
"Could you listen to what I have to say first, Haruka-senpai?!... Haruka-senpai Come on..." I giggled...
Rei toke from Kou the paper she was holding... Examining it.
"Is this some kind of formula?"
"Where...?" I and Makoto said in union.
"What are these?" said Rei pointing on everything that was written on the paper.
Makoto begin to explain...
"W-up... You know what warming up means, right?"
"This one means kicking practice with a kickboard.... Pull refers to when you use a pull buoy to train your arms..."
"Is this someone's name?" Asked Rei. I saw in the paper was written 'Med.R"
"This is an abbreviation for medley relay" I added, and Makoto nodded.
"It's a relay where the four swimmers swim equal legs using back, breast, butterfly, and free in that order." Explained Makoto.
Rei said to himself again the strokes... I toke the opportunity to explain every stoke;
"Back refers to the backstroke. Breast refers to the breaststroke. Butterfly refers to the butterfly stroke. And-"
"And free refers to the front crawl" completed Rei.
"No, free refers to freestyle." Added Makoto. "You're allowed to use any stroke. But the front crawl is generally the fastest stroke, so that's what most swimmers use."
Nagisa came out of nowhere; "There are a few swimmers who go with the butterfly."
"Anyway, this is a solid training regimen. Did you come up with this yourself, Gou-Chan?"
"Can you stop calling me Gou...? Forget it. I found that when I was cleaning the house. It's my brother's old regiment. I also asked (Name)-san and she found it ok so..."
After some time all of them where in the water... Well not all... Rei was still stretching, he was following my program again from the beginning... I was with Kou, discussing about the training program... When I herd Nagisa from the pool;
"Rei-chan, you're still stretching?"
"I want to be as safe as possible." Rei answered. Makoto and Nagisa came out of the water to Rei's direction.
"Are you sure? You can take it slow..."
"There's no need to worry. I've mastered the theory behind swimming in the past few days. I won't embarrass myself again!" Rei is going to swim.
All of us we watch him silently... even Haru from inside the pool. When he was on the air he looked amazing...but when he made contact with the water... The result was the same from the last time.
"I think you need to start by how to swim."
"I agree with Nagisa..."
It didn't took long, the boys and I were all inside the water. I left Rei to the others and I swam to Haru. Who he was just floating in the surface.
I went under him and then I stand on my feet. He panicked for a second but he stand on his feet too and looked into my eyes.
"Haru..."
He didn't say anything. He just turned his face on the other side of me...
"I feel so nice being in the pool with every one...with you..."
He turned and faces me again
"I missed it..." I smiled at him. He was just staring me with an empty expression... So I knew what I had to do. I turned my back at him, grab his hand and we dive together inside the water. He was still staring at me and I wanted to laugh. We are up again now... but this time he was the one who talked.
"(Name)...I , for yesterday... I was..."
"No Haru, everything is fine, I will always be here, we can spend as much time as you want together from now on..."
He gave me a light smile, with his way was ensure me that everything is fine now. And with that I dived again inside the water to see how Rei was going... It was clear that Rei can float but for some reason when he extends his arms and legs goes straight down like a rock to the bottom.
After the end of the practice, we went for a shower and Makoto and Haru walked me home as always...
The next day of practice Nagisa was really excited; he said something about buying matching uniforms... But Kou made them forget about that. We gave them the new training regiment we have planed. Also we had to learn Rei how to swim in one week. I don't know if this would be possible but if he doesn't learn how to swim until the regional tournament Nagisa said he would force me to take Rei's place...
The first day Nagisa tried to teach him Breast... If he needed something I could help, this was mine favorite after all...
"I'll go first" Nagisa told Rei. Only the two of them was on the water, Haru, me and Makoto where next to each other watching...
"I can teach you frog style."
"The breaststroke. Or the breast, right?"
"You've done your homework, Rei-chan."
"I've learned all the concepts. I just need to figure out how to make it work. That's all."
"He seems so sure..." I whispered... I saw Haru nod.
"Then let's start with your legs." Nagisa was holding Rei's arms, so he extended his legs. I have to admit that he do it like a pro.
"Wow, Rei-chan! Your form is perfect."
"Naturally"
"I'm going to let go, then." I crossed my fingers the faster he learns how to do it the best.
"Go ahead." Rei was now on his own... At first glance I thought that he did it but... As before he couldn't float...
Rei got up again, telling to himself "Why?"
Next day was Makoto's turn.
The motive was the same only them in the pool and the rest of us just watching;
"If you're having trouble with breast, we can start with back. With the backstroke, you keep your face above the surface, so it's easier for people who are scared of water." I can see what Makoto is trying to do... That might work.
"I'm not scared of water." Is all that Rei say as he turned around.
"Move slowly" says Makoto as he grab lightly Rei's hands.
I hear Nagisa next to me; "He knows how to float."
"My condition wasn't optimal yesterday." Says Rei from the water.
"I'm goona let go, then"
"Go ahead" Unfortunately I don't see that happening...
His form is perfect, but he goes to bottom again... Poor Rei... He goes up again. "What am I doing wrong?"
"We don't have hope... Haru-chan, teach him how to swim!"
"No, that requires effort."
"Man, don't be that way!"
The next day was raining so we all went to Haru's house... I offered to make tea for everyone and Haru told me that I was going to wash the cups afterwards. I was ok with that.
When we all sat down to Haru's living room, Nagisa announced;
"Okay, Let's begin the 'Let's figure out why Rei-chan can't swim' meeting. Anybody have any thoughts? " I take a look at all of them, we were all serious about this. Till Haru went first;
"The water doesn't like him"
"Poor Rei-chan..."
"Are you serious? Also Haru that was mean..."
"That can't be it" Thank you Makoto!
"Maybe he's athletically challenged!" Said Kou.
"Rei-chan is really fast. And he does well on tests."
"You must be smart." Makoto don't let me down now... Also Rei-kun... I feel like he is ready to explode...
"Do you like mackerel?" Haru asked him curious.
Kou whisper to herself 'DHA' when Nagisa said loudly;
"I know! His head is too heavy!"
"All that studying has enlarged his brain!" Seriously... I can't take part in this. Rei had enough he hit his fists on the table shouting;
"That's enough...! The problem is the way you guys teach! If I had a proper coach I would be fine!" We all stare him... Makoto suddenly has an idea...
"Coach... There is a coach!" Sasabe...coach...that's right! Nagisa called for a pizza, coz our old coach was working at the delivery, like that he would absolutely come. I wanted to see him after so much time!
While we were waiting for Sasabe-san, I took the opportunity to tell something to Rei, that crossed my mind.
"Rei-Kun... You know, maybe the problem is not on you, and not on the way we teach either..." Rei was waiting to hear my theory... so as the others...
"Maybe its pools fault..." Haru looked at me with widen eyes.
"I remembered, (Name) couldn't swim at first... inside the pool..." Makoto said with his gaze on the ceiling.
"While in the ocean swam like a mermaid..." Completed Haru. I was redder than strawberries when he said that but it seems like they understand what I wanted to say.
"Is this true (Name)-san?" Aked Kou and I nodded.
"Well the thing is, that salty water keeps you better on the surface, than chlorine from the pool"
"She does have a point..." Said Kou...
"And How did you manage to swim (Name)-san?" Was what Rei asked.
"Well... You probably don't know but I went with Makoto and Haru to the Iwatobi swim club, and with Haru's help everything was fine...I was afraid of the pools then."
Makoto had a smirk on his face...and Haru's cheeks were light (really light) red.
"What was that, that make you actually swim...?" Rei asked again.
"I may never speak of it, but it's all mental. Salt water makes you feel lighter, if you can float and swim there, with a little effort you can do the same in pool... If everything ells fails..." I finished with a smile.
That time was exactly when we heard the door bell.
"Pizza is here!" Sang Nagisa... He drags Sasabe coach inside. "Come come! We are all of us here! Even (Name)-chan!"
"Eh? (Name)?" He take a good look at me. "Ah! (Name)! How are you? I head you moved, I still see your Oba-chan pretty often"
I was so happy to see him again. Everything was perfect, we got to the table and I offered Sasabe coach some tea. He didn't have much time but he sat with us and we explained the saturation. As Nagisa was stuffing his mouth with two pieces of pizza.
"Ah? You want me to teach a kid who sinks like a rock because I used to be a coach?"
We all started eating expert Rei...
"I object. I can float, so I do not sing like a rock. A more accurate analogy would be to call me a submarine."
"Hey, Goro-chan, we want you to teach him how to swim." Said Nagisa stuffing his mouth more with pizza as he was talking... He lack of manners...
"Don't talk and eat at the same time! Look I'm a busy man. Why don't you guys teach him?"
"Bye!" he said before leave.
Next day at least we didn't have rain again so we could swim... Out of the blue Rei told as he finally knew the answer.
We couldn't check my suggestion; coz the ocean was quite cold yet...
"The answer was under my nose." He technically said that is was Speedo's fault he couldn't swim... And I was getting more comfident about my theory, it's all mental.
Makoto suggest buying a new swimsuit... And that's what we were going to do tomorrow...

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^Anastacia^