Childhood Memories (Rin Matsuoka)

Return to Iwatobi

I sighed, jamming the buds of my headphones further into my ears and slamming the shade of the aeroplane window down, giving the lady next to me a shock. I'd never been able to stand flying, the idea of plummeting thousands of feet to my firey death had never appealed to me much. I was on a 12 hour flight from London to Japan to live with my auntie and cousins and I was so nervous, I was starting at a whole new school, at least I'll have my oldest cousin Makoto in my school but we weren't even in the same grade. Not to mention my Japanese had gotten very rusty. I was born and lived in Iwatobi until I was about 8 then we moved to London as my grandma had gotten ill. See my father was from Tokyo and my mother from London. I could speak both Japanese and English but after my father passed away there was no need for me to speak Japanese any more and I'd forgotten most of my mother tongue. Hopefully living with Mako and my family would be good for me. When my flight touched down I instantly felt better. I grabbed my bag as quick as I could from baggage collection just as my phone sounded. 

One message - Makoto

Waiting in arrivals, can't wait to see you Rozu!

I smiled picking up my pace to get to arrivals, I hadn't seen Makoto in at least 5 years and we were practically inseparable when I lived in Iwatobi. When I reached arrivals I craned my neck to try and see my cousin.

"Rozu!" I spun round to see my cousin Makoto and I grinned bounding over to greet him. He crushed me into his chest and I felt my feet leave the ground and I giggled.

"Wow Mako-chan" I said, using his old nickname as he put me down again "you've grown" I added, as I had to almost bend my neck 90 degrees to look him in the eyes "what are you now like 6 foot?"

"6"2" he chuckled, his cheeks colouring. Same old Makoto.

"I'll get you bag" he smiled

"Are you sure, its pretty hea-" I stopped when he picked it up with ease.

"Makoto, you know steroids are illegal right?"He gave me a look but laughed all the same

"Have you been swimming again?" I smiled

"Yeah" he said as we climbed into his mothers car which I assume she'd let him borrow."You know Haru" he smiled, I suddenly noticed how slow he was talking and I could tell it was for my benefit, I had mentioned I was struggling with Japanese, turning the ignition on the car "he'll do anything to get in the pool"

"So you're still friends with Haruka?" I grinned and Makoto nodded "And Nagisa, he was the one who really pushed us to start up the swim team"

"That's great, what about Rin?"

I saw his smile falter and I rushed to change the subject. Mako's smile seemed a bit plastered after that and the conversation soon dropped. Luckily it was only a half hour drive to Tachibana house. Makoto took my bag in and I followed him through the door. We were immediately ambushed by Ren and Ran who were screeching

"Onii-chan!!" As they thundered down the stairs, launching themselves into Makoto's arms, causing him to drop my bag. I giggled and they turned their attention to me

"Onee-chan!" Ran screamed and launched out of Makoto's arms and I only just managed to grab her into a hug

"Rozu!" Ren yelled and clutched at my leg and I bent down so I could hug them both

"I've missed my monkeys" I said, ruffling both their hair.

"I've missed you onee-chan!" Ran squealed

"I've missed her more!" Ren shouted

"No I have!" Ran argued

"Give the girl some air" Mrs Tachibana said, coming in from the kitchen.