HaruHaru

12. Back together

A few days later, the squid festival took place. Unlike last year, Rin was part of the group. He wasn't with the Samezuka swim team this time. He decided to hang out with his old friends to keep an eye on Haruka, Haruna, and Makoto. It was nighttime, and everyone was being so festive. 

"Okay, okay! Rei-chan and I will go check out this game over here while the rest of you have fun!"

"I'll go with Miharu since she refuses to go anywhere else now," Ai laughed. She looked at Miharu who had her eyes closed. Squid, squid, squid. All she saw was squid. In small bodies of water and cooked at nearby concession stands. Nagisa cheered Ai on as she held onto Miharu's hand the entire time. He hoped that Miharu changed her view towards squid and enjoy the squidy life. Haruna asked Makoto if he could she her around a little bit, in which he agreed. But still, he felt a little suspicious about her. Haruka went on about his business, and could care less about Haruna and Makoto being together, though he still had doubts that Makoto would return to him soon. As for Rin, he was all by himself, finding alternate routes that would lead to either Haruka or Haruna and Makoto. He hated to admit that he was worried about Haruka being completely alone. He rose above that idea and just went with the flow. He still kept his aggressive and competetive personality. 

-NAGISA AND REI'S ROUTE-

"OH MY GOD, REI-CHAN, CHECK THIS OUT! SQUID HATS!"

"Oh, that's lovely, Nagisa-kun, but... That doesn't look beautiful on my head..."

"D'AWW, REI-CHAN, WEAR ONE!"

"I think I'll pass..."

"Rei-chan! Don't make me sing my solo of SPLASH FREE right in your ear!"

"Okay, okay! Fine!"

Nagisa cheered and grabbed the nearest squid hat that he could find and slipped it on Rei's head. It looked a bit awkward at first, but Rei got used to it soon after. Either that or he tried to ignore the fact that he "looked horrifyingly ugly" in it. Nagisa bought about five hats and wore them all at once. According to Rei, Nagisa looked "squidtastically awkward yet adorable." Nagisa checked his pink phone and noticed a couple of new messages.

"Ah! Here's one from Gou!"

Gou Message: Nagisa! Rei! Are you guys free for practice? We still need to get you guys going for the next tournament! Don't eat too much and don't slack off! And Nagisa, make sure Haruka-senpai stays all muscular because.... OH MY GOD I JUST CAN'T STAND TO LOOK AT HIS HOT AND SIZZLING MUSCLES, OH MY GOD~~~

"Nagisa-kun, are you planning on texting her back?" asked Rei. Nagisa looked at Rei all girly-eyed and winked at him.

"Dirty text message in the form of Haru-chan or mess with her with the 'Gou-kun' spam?"

"'Gou-kun spam'? What are you, 10?"

"I wish."

"Oh my god, Nagisa-kun."

-AI AND MIHARU'S ROUTE-

Ai and Miharu were walking around aimlessly for the past 15 minutes while the others ventured off. Ai had to hold on to Miharu's hand during their time together so that Miharu wouldn't run away from Ai. It was her duty, according to Nagisa, to change Miharu's view towards squid.

"MI-CHAN, COME ON!"

"There is no way I'm going to see, feel, or even taste squid! Not now, not ever!"

"Miharu... Nagisa wants you to be happy. You know, he might have a thing for you."

"Him? HIM? He's like, what? 16?"