Mple Water (Nanase Harukax reader)

It's the Big day! -12-

After we returned from the camp of hell, I had to pay some more attention on my university studies, and I couldn't manage to attend practice every day, like I used to. Of course I upgrade their stretching program and advised them making some extra special workout for their back and legs to improve their endurance but that wasn't enough. Kou and I had a conversation about finding a proper coach... We were both quite close, especially after the camp, she is kinda cool, also I have to keep my promise and watch over her. She even told me about her father, that she didn't even remember him well. From the one hand I felt sad, it's sad to know about him but still don't remember him. But on the other, I was kind of envy her, even if I don't want to admit it.

Haru and I were just ok after the camp's end. We didn't call each other much. Well that's Haru we are talking about, but at least he is answering my calls and that's enough for me. I talked to Makoto about that, it was strange, after Haru learned that he would face Rin in prefecturals, something was off about him. Kou said that he was improving his time dramatically achiveaing one personal best after another, I tried to ask him but I didn't find out a thing. The big day was near and one night after I got home my sweet Oba-chan was waiting for me with her usual warm smile;
"My child? Do you remember my husband, your grandfather, at all?"
We were sitting in the kitchen preparing some tea, something flashed in my mind.

Grandfather...

"How could I forget?" He died when I was 8. He was a good and kind man. Just like my Oba-chan... I remember him do some gardening outside this house, wearing his sunny-warm smile. "He was so nice and calm..." I got a dreamy look on my face.
"Well child, in two days was supposed to be his birthday. You should pay him a visit in our family grave... He would be happy to see you after all this time..." Without even thinking for long I agreed. I have never visited our family grave in Iwatobi. I quickly went to my room to change... after that I wanted to take a shower. My gaze went to my desk... There was an envelope with the photos from the training camp... I smiled to myself. 'We all had fun...' I thought. Tomorrow I can't join them for practice; I have to work on a project with Emilia. She couldn't believe in her ears when I told her what happened on the camp. Well I actually didn't tell her everything; she knows nothing about Haru and me, and I have never told her about Rin so it would be useless.
Well the next day, after spending my whole afternoon with her, I got a call from Makoto.
"Moshi-Moshi... (Name)?"
"Ah! Makoto... Moshi-Moshi... Is everything ok? "
"Everything is fine... and... Um...Are you home? In the first place?"
What is that he wants...? I wander...
"I am... Where I could be?"
"I don't know... we don't see you much lately...and..."
"I told Haru that I'm working on a special project with a friend, I thought that he would say something to you and the others..." After a long pause he said;
"Well, he didn't... But this is not why I have called..." So finally...
"I'm all ears..."
"Now we know that you are home, we thought that it would be a good idea to talk a bit before tomorrow's prefectuals..."
"When you say 'we'? You mean him... right?" Something told me that Makoto had a smile on his face...
"Hmm... yea..."
"When?"
"Now?!"
"Don't tell me you are already outside..."
"We are in the corner..."
"Oh, Lord! Come..." I hung up. I dressed as fast as I could.

I scanned the area to find them; they were right in frond of the door. I smiled without thinking. I opened the small wooden door and I grabbed them both and toke them to the bench near the garden. I sat down while staring at them.
"My Oba-Chan is almost sleeping so we must not wake her up ok?" I waited for them to nod.
"So... what do you want to talk about guys?" I said with a light smile, we haven't the opportunity to talk like that all together for some time. Haru silent as always turned his gaze to Makoto... He would not be the first to talk.
Makoto toke a deep breath, he looked at me, and said;
"We can see that you are quite close to Gou-chan lately... and as long as she is Rin's sister, we...Haru wandered how much you know... about what happened between them." He came to my house just to make Makoto ask about what I do know about Rin...
"We are close with Kou...yes... We have said some things about her brother; I have talked to him as well the other day, but I don't know much that's for sure." Before I could finish talking Haru had sent me a priceless look of worry mixed with anger. As unbelievable as it sounds I saw anger in his eyes, his emotionless eyes.
"What do you mean the other day?" His voice was serious as hell; I felt my legs losing their strength to hold my body. I tried to calm my breathing.
"Well... I-... I saw him in the training camp, and he said he wanted to talk to me..."
"At dinner, the other day..." Haru said a little more casually than before. I nodded my head agreeing with him. His face was down, staring the ground. With nothing other said by him Makoto asked;
"What was that you two discussed about? And why you didn't tell us. We find sometime alone without Gou-chan... Why you kept it in secret?" It was more like his questions wasn't his, these was Haru's questions with Makoto's voice to my ears.
"He didn't ask me to keep our meeting in secret, if that's what you want to know... As why I did not tell you, I truly don't know... Look, I'm really sorry, we haven't said something strange; he asked some things about you guys, and he also wanted to know some things about me as well"
"Like what?" Haru asked suddenly. It was a surprise for me, I sent him a quickly gaze before I continue.
"He asked me about my relationship with all of you, even his sister. And he asked me to take care of her. That's all." Haru's face was skeptical, same as Makoto's.
"It was not so important, I'm I right?" I said with a smile. The first to look at me was Makoto, Haru with his eyes still on the ground said;
"I thought you would tell me everything..."
"Haru...She already apologized..." I stopped Makoto by touching one of his shoulder.
"I know an apology is not enough." Haru's eyes now were on me.
"But this is only what I have to offer; also you should not be the one to talk." I said in serious tone without my eyes leaving his.
"(Name), what are you talking about? Haru never..."
"Enough, Makoto! Sorry but now I'm talking with Haru." I didn't know what has gotten into me, maybe I would blow everything right now if they let me. But I couldn't stay silent and pretend all was going fine. I had already overcome my shy self who talked in low voice.
"Haru, I have had enough. I know that you are upset, and I know that an apology is not enough for anyone. But, you were not fair with me ether." I stopped to see his reaction. He was just standing there, with his beautiful ocean eyes staring at me, without a word, but I could see pretty well that if I let him talk right now, I truly don't know what he would do to me, so I toke it further; "You said you would tell me everything..." I said almost like a whisper.
"You said you would explain everything about that Rin, who came to your lives after I left. But the only thing you did was stealing kisses from me." Makoto was socked, I'm sure he knew about what is happening between me and Haru but I will admit that what I said, it was quite bolt. I was angry because that incident upset Haru so much, while he is the one that keep huge things from me.
Haru stand up with his eyes locked with mine again.
"I... I'm sorry." Seriously? That was his answer? After all that speech of mine...
"But I know that just an apology is never enough for anyone." And now he is using my own words... Perfect.
"So I will tell you everything. Makoto figure out himself with his own ways what happened with Rin. So now it's your turn."
I was speechless... I had nothing ells to say. Why Am I the last to find out anyway...? Makoto was silent as well; Haru's eyes were a bit widened. I quickly sat down to the grass and said;
"Then I'm all ears." And finally we all calmed down. He said more than everything, he said how Rin gather them all and convince them to join the relay. He said how competitive were those two. He said what happened to their race in the first year of middle school. He even told me what happened a few days before when they met. And Haru told all those things himself. I thought that he would let Makoto explain, but I felt so proud that he, only himself told me the truth, I almost felt guilty to my previous behavior. All the time Haru's eyes never left mine; I remembered why I am in love with him. His piercing ocean blue eyes, I could sit and stare them all day long. His cool aura... I wish I could be near him all the time. His voice that he merely use... it makes my brain stop. Not to mention when we are together inside the water, I feel secure... I can swim thousand miles beside him. All those were in my mind when Haru finished his explanations. I completely forgot that Makoto was with us and I dragged Haru in the tightest hug I could manage. Without a single hesitation my lips met his nose.
"Thank you, for your honesty, and... I'm sorry about before... I really am."
Haru hugged me back, it was dark so I'm not sure how red his cheeks were (but they truly were :P ) I finally noticed Makoto standing not far from us. At the same moment I went to my normal self. I stared at him with an apologetic look but he soon answered; "Never mind me... You two had to clear things with each other one way or another..."
"Sorry for those awkward moments Makoto..."
"Everything is fine..." He said without being so sure...If I might add.
"So guys! You have to go and take a full rest! Tomorrow is the BIG day!" Makoto said goodnight quickly he left without Haru with the excuse that he was already late.
And out of the blue I was alone with Haru for once again.
"Haru-chan... You have to go home and take a good sleep! The swim club can't afford the vice captain being tired, especially in your first official race of the year..." He stayed calmly and sent me a gaze.
"It's not that late... I think I can stay a little longer with you... Maybe I can steal some kisses too..." I can't believe he actually said that! It sounds quite cliché... I immediately hugged him while I placed my head in the crock of his neck. We sat there in this position for some minutes. I found myself a little sleepy. "Do your best tomorrow... Haru-chan..." I said softly.
"I told you... cut off the –chan."
"I wish you good luck! Say thank you already..." I murmured. He holds my solders lightly and with a quick move we were face to face. My sleepy eyes locked with his, like a flash my lips met his...
It was a strange feeling... Not too gentle but surly not rough ether... I suddenly felt something wet poking my lips... It was his tongue, confused on how I should react, my lips opened. In less than a second I figure out that was the right thing to do... Haru rubbed his tongue to mine exploring my whole mouth. I did the same with his after he finished, it felt incredibly good. Before we withdraw for air he licked my lips leaving a last kiss on them. Our eyes all this time were shut closed. I opened them slowly to meet Haru's beautiful face... His cheeks were red as mine and his eyes were half open.
"Thank you" said... Thank you... to what? Oh! About me wishing him good luck...I almost forgot... silly me... I gave him a smile while rubbing my head to his left solder. "That Haru...was...was amazing..." He breathed in inside my hair... "I know..." He said softly. "I want you to come see me tomorrow." And that's how Haru invites me to his race... :P
"What makes you believe I wouldn't come? I have some business before the event but I will be there in time... I promise." He nodded. We said our goodbyes and he left my house. The thought of my kiss with Haru make me blush every time I think about it... Who would have thought he had all this passion hidden... The truth is that few people know about it... I'm so proud to be one of them. This was not the first time we had that kind of kiss with him, but it was the first time that he toke the lead... I really liked that...That night ended strangely. I couldn't thing nothing ells except him. I hope is the other way round too, but now that I think of it I prefer him sleeping instead, it's better for him to be ready for tomorrow.
I also had to wake up quite early; I have to go to our family grave to see my grandfather.
Hopefully I didn't overslept that morning I got up I take a shower, and after I toke breakfast I left for the graveyard. On my way I sent a message to all boys in the swim club for good luck, and that soon I will be there to shout for them. It didn't take me long to go there... Also there were not a lot of people; it was still morning after all. I tried hard to find my grandfather's grave, my Oba-chan told me where it was but it was not that simple after all. I stayed there some time, I left him some flowers from our garden, and according to his wife were his favorite. He even planted them himself.
After some time have past I started get down from the hill, my grandfather had amazing view from up there. I was walking down when I saw someone, dressed in black jersey... I would recognize everywhere Samezukas jersey. It was Rin... I can't believe he came to his father before his race; he didn't seem that type of guy. Even though my previous meeting with him got me into trouble I couldn't help myself. Although, Haru never told me not talk to him again, not that I would ever agree in something like that but I wanted to say just a hello, I'm friends with his sister after all. Rin must be really into his thoughts that he didn't even feel me approach. I stand a few meters behind his back with the wind blowing my hair; my eyes were on the curved stone.
"He has a stunning view from here." I said in low voice trying as much I could not to frighten him. He didn't response as I expected thou. He turned to face me with his eyes fully wide with a serious expression on his face. He makes a step back and stares me  questionably;
"From all the people...Why are you here...?! And for god's sake do something to reveal your presence. Make a sound or at least something like that. You almost got me a heart attack."
"Good morning to you... I came to left some flowers to our family grave, today was my grandfather's birthday." Rin seems to return to his usual self.
"Good morning..." He said while looking to the ground.
"It's strange to see you here..."
"Why? You are here all the time and you are surprised?"
"That's not that I meant and you know it..." I said a bit gloomy. He chuckled while he revealed his pointy teeth.
"Well... How things are going? I hope that he is prepared to lose from me today. Try to comfort him a bit, ok?" He is getting on my nerves.
"What are you talking about you stupid Rin?! Haru-chan would never lose to someone like you!" The smile fades away from his face...
"You will be there and you will see for yourself. You will see something that you haven't seen before." His tone was serious.
I remained silent; I didn't want to provoke him further. We both started leaving graveyard. We were walking next to each other without a word. I didn't want to speak with him after I learned what happen, Kou's brother or not, I didn't want to say a thing to him. But he seemed to respect that. When We had to part ways, I stared him and said; "Rin... If Haru lose today, it will be because he let you win, to shut that big mouth of yours."
"What did you say?" Rin asked almost angry.
"You think too much, your difference with him is that he has instinct, when he starts to think too much about things he does stupid stuff. Letting you win would be one of them." I explained while my mouth was formed in a light smile. "Good luck... Rin"
I left him without letting him react, and went to catch my train.
I wouldn't miss that race even for all the money in the world.
After I arrived, I quickly put on the Iwatobi yellow t-shirt of mine, Like that I will match with everyone... I hope I won't get really hot with my top under the club's t-shirt.
I called Kou with my cell; she told me that Haru had already left for the assembly area. I have to hurry!
Just the time I set my eyes on the pool, I immediately spot Haru, and Rin is next to him, it was at the moment they fell on the water. I was not far from others they were a couple of seats away but I didn't want to take my eyes of them in the water. I couldn't lose a second of this race, I lost the ability to breath at the same moment I saw Rin ahead of Haru, this must not be real.
The distance was just getting bigger, Rin made the turn before Haru but soon he catch up to him. My heart was beating so fast that it seemed like is going to explode! When they were even, I suddenly remembered how to breath, I run throe the others and from the bottom of my soul I shouted;
"Haaaaaaaaru Chaaaaaaan!!!" Soon Makoto followed my example and so as the others afterwards.
After some seconds I had my eyes only in the board with the scores, just to see next to Haru's name the number 1. But instead, Rin's name had it. This can't be happening... I felt my eyes water...
"Haru lost..." Makoto said.
"No way..." Nagisa said with his eyes staring the pool.
"He didn't even advance..." Kou-chan said with emotionless voice.
I couldn't say a single thing... If I tried to speak I would definitely cry like a baby, I don't know why I just wanted him to win, it's not that I can picture him only winning. But this is something important to him, even if he acts like he doesn't care... Deep inside he has a huge pride. If he wanted to win, he surely had his special reason.
Haru was the last one who come out of the pool. He was not feeling good, nor I... I can't believe that this stupid Rin won Haru... Haruka, on free. He slowly left to shower; we were all silent staring the floor. When Sasabe coach past by;
"Sorry about being late."
"Sasabe...Coach..." Makoto said like he realized something.
"Where were you? You are late, Goro-chan!" That was Nagisa. I didn't bother to look at them; he said something with Amakata-san. Then they talked a bit about something that I didn't manage to understand.
Haru is feeling bad... Haru...He lost... He must feel terrible, and that Rin never keep his mouth shut?! How could...How could he have lost!? I want to be by his side NOW... I don't want him to feel alone....But something is not right, he doesn't feel bad coz of his loss. Haru believe that swimming is something more that a win or defeat... He-... I have to find him.
But suddenly something wake me up... someone said;
"I can still watch the finals." It was then when my eyes widen, I faced Sasabe coach. "Haru... didn't pass the prelims..." The phrase was strange to my ears... everyone's look said the exact same thing. 'It's true...'
With nothing left to say I left to pay toilets a visit... I had to refresh myself... I couldn't let him see me in that condition. And maybe... I could manage to see him before the others...
With the guys...
Before Makoto leave the group
"She didn't toke it well... I mean (Name) senpai..." said Rei.
"She never has seen Haru lose... Not that we have witness something like that before " Makoto said surely.
"She is getting more close with Haru...can't you tell?" Nagisa whisper... while Makoto had an 'I know...' look on his face.
"But... Where is she? She never makes so much time in the restroom."
Makoto sent Rei an alerted look.
"She will come back, she just needs time..." 'Like him' Makoto says to himself.
"Don't tell me she is looking for Haru-chan!?" Nagisa asks visibly worried. Rei moves his head disagreeing with him.
"(Name) senpai would never go to men's showers like that."
"She is shy, but if she wants to see Haru, no men's showers can stop her..." Makoto was sure that she would definitely do something like that.
"We ha- We have to do something!" Rei complained.
"I will try to find her and him if possible before my event... But please you two, stay here." Makoto finally said with a light smile. After, he turned to leave.  

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  So... I hope you liiiiked the romantic moments with Haru, coz it was sooofun to write... (^///_///^)

this was the end ofthe chapter ^^

----I do not own free and almost any of the characters, also none of the pictures are mine---

Thank you again^^