Childhood Memories (Rin Matsuoka)

Only A Scrape

I walked with Makoto and Haru into school the next day, I was very nervous and not even listening l what they were saying. I was really scared I wouldn't understand much at school today, I knew I wouldn't, I mean even some things Makoto said I didn't understand and he spoke slowly for me to keep up, how was I going to last with a fast talking Japanese teacher? We went our different ways and they left me to walk to class with Kou, I liked her a lot, I thought I'd have to have all male friends because I'd be clinging to Makoto.

"We have a new student today, her name is Rozu Tachibana" the teacher said, introducing me to the class "please make her feel welcome" I scurried to the back of the class to take the seat next to Kou.

~

I really struggled in school for a few weeks but with some help from Rei I eventually got back into speaking fluently and I could even understand Nagisa as he talked a million miles an hour. That was a task even for a native. I spent a lot of time catching up on work while they were training for prefecturals, which were in a few days now. I was really starting to feel at home again, I'd missed this town so much. It was always where I felt at home.

Once they were done they all sat around me while I was trying to get my head around the more difficult kanji symbols.

"Rozu-chan" Nagisa said, nudging me

"Huh?" I said looking up

"Maybe you should take a break?" Makoto smiled, I sighed.

"I agree, I theorise that your going to be suffering from exhaustion if you carry on this way" Rei pipped up, I met Makoto's concerned eyes and I gave in, closing my book.

"What are you guys looking at?" I asked

"Pictures from the camp" Makoto said, handing me a picture of Rei being fitted with floatations by Nagisa and I giggled. Rei looked extremely embarrassed so I just sheepishly gave Makoto back the picture. I saw Haru reach for a picture next to me, it was one of Rin at the pool.

"Is that Samezuka's team?" Nagisa asked

"Yeah" Kou responded "I did some scouting of their team on the second day"

"Using your sex appeal?" I teased, knowing the captain had a crush on her.

"No sex appeal was used!" She flustered and I grinned at her. She started explaining how she had found out who would be swimming against each of the guys but I found myself staring at the picture of Rin. What had happened while I was in England?

____ FLASHBACK____

I sat by the side of the pool, sucking grape juice through a carton as watching the boys enviously. My mother wasn't letting me join the swim team until I was six and I was so jealous of Nagisa for getting to swim now. Makoto was looking after me today so I had to wait for them to finish and then we'd ride our bikes home.

"Why the long face" Rin asked, sitting down next to me "makes you ugly"

"Shut up Rin" I pouted

"Sorry Rozu-chan" he grinned, nudging me with a damp arm. I sighed and offered him an animal cracker, he grinned and took one.

"Why are you sad? You're no fun when you're sad" he sprayed crumbs

"I wanna swim like you" I huffed, crossing my arms.

"Tell you what" Rin grinned "I'll teach you to swim when you're older if you marry me when we're older"

I blushed and stuffed an animal cracker in my mouth and nodded. Rin giggled at me.

_____