Bonding By the Poolside - Free! Iwatobi Swim Club [Makoto Tachibana]

(C3) You're Here Too?

It was quite a long day today. Nothing special happened really. When we - me and the boys from lunch - were about to make our way back to class, Nagisa mentioned something about a swim club and demolition, I think. Honestly, I wasn't listening to most of the conversation, I was too busy trying not to fall down the stairs while I tried to sneak a peak at what that red haired girl was texting about. I thought it may have been about us, seeing as she was staring at us for the whole of lunch. Maybe she has a crush on one of us? I doubt it'd be me. If she did, it would probably be Makoto she has a crush on. I mean, what's not to like about him? He's sweet and has a beautiful smile. He's the kind of guy who wouldn't let you down, so he's pretty much the whole package.

Plus, he's attractive. But the looks are just a bonus. A huge, huge bonus, and I'm not complaining.

That night I went home and paced around - there was nothing I could do. My parents were out of town on business, well, more like out of the country. My mother is in America and my father is in England, selling shares and whatnot. I guess I could give my mother a call. I called my mother's cell, "Hello, Mrs. Ryoji speaking?" It's comforting to hear her voice.

"Hey Mum. It's Mizuki." When I said my name, I could feel a smile form on her face.

"Ah! Mimi! How's my baby doing?" I laughed, "I'm not a baby anymore. I'm seventeen, remember?" I said.

"I know, Sweetheart. But you'll always be my baby! So, how's the new school? Have you made friends?"

"Yeah, actually. Three new friends in one day! We get on really well."

My mother screamed happily. "Yay!! Who are they? How did you become friends so quickly?! Tell me all the little details!"

Well, there aren't many details really. "Well, there's Tachibana Makoto, Nanase Haruka and Hazuki Nagisa."

"Oh, what wonderful names they have! Do those girls seem nice? I bet they're pretty little things. Are the other girls pretty?" She sounded so interested, it's creepy. She also mistakes the boys for girls.

"Mum, my friends aren't girls. They just have girly names..."

"Wha?! So you have something in common with someone! That's a first!" Ouch, my pride.

"Yeah, I was mistaken for a boy this morning because of my name. Anyway, how's Dad?" I desperately tried to change the subject.

"Oh, he's fine. He's being offered a job overseas for a few years though." She said with an almost depressed voice.

"W-what do you mean? I won't see him for a few years? Why?"

"I'm afraid I have a similar problem... I too have been offered a job out of the country. It's really high paying, but, will you give me the 'A-OK'?"

As much as I wanted them both back here, they need these jobs. We aren't the richest family in the whole of Japan, so we have to take faraway jobs that pay more money. "Sure." That's all I could say. If I said anymore, I think I might have cried.

"I'm sorry, Mimi. I'll send you money monthly, okay? I'll talk to you soon!" She said in a happy voice, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah... I love you, Mum."

"I love you too, Sweatheart."

*beep*

I miss you, mum and Dad.

/The next day/

I made my way out side of the house, when I heard a familiar voice echoing through the street, "Thank you!" That sounded so much like... No, it can't be, can it? I looked down the steps near my house and saw a boy running up the stairs with a parcel in his hand, "M-Makoto?" I shouted his name, and the boy looked up, "Mi-Mizuki? What are you doing outside of Haru's house?" Huh? But, I live here. "Haru lives here?" Makoto ran up the stairs and stood next to me, pointing to the house next to mine, "That's where Haru lives. So you live next door, huh?" I nodded and pointed to my house. "Yep, that's my place."

Makoto smiled and started walking, "Well, I come here every morning, so how about I pick you up too? It'd be my pleasure!" He said with a light giggle. I'm not sure if I heard him right. "H-huh? N-no, you don't have to! I wouldn't want to bother you." I coughed for some reason, hoping that would do something about this awkwardness I'm feeling. Makoto laughed and looked at the sky, "I offered to, but I see I'm making you feel embarrassed. I'm sorry, Mizuki."

"I'm not embarassed!"

"But, you're blushing."

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Pfft, you're colourblind."

"That doesn't even make sense!"

"Your bag doesn't make sense." Great comeback, Mizuki.

"Haha ha! You're funny, Mizuki! I like that!" We both joked around a little more and laughed loudly. We finally made it outside Haru's house. Makoto knocked and waited. Well, more like Makoto broke in after a few seconds. I waited downstairs for Makoto and Haru to come down, looking around at his pretty normal home. His parents must be out of town too, seeing as there's no one else here.

I looked around, and my eyes noticed the fridge in the corner. Mmm... Food.

N-no! Bad Mizuki! That's someone else's food!

But, food.

It's not ri-

Mizuki. Food.

You make a compelling argument. I'm sure he wouldn't miss just one apple...