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

(C10) Hey There Pretty Blue Hair

I sat on my bed, staring blankly into the ceiling and thinking about the day's events. It feels so lonely now, being on my own in the quiet. I can't call my mother or my father, I have no siblings, no pets. I've been on the computer for a few hours so it's about 11 o'clock. And, as much as I'd like to, I can't call the boys, because that would make me seem clingy, right? I mean, I see them all day, then I spent the whole night with them.

I pulled out my phone and looked through the photos we took today. Definitely plenty of Nagisa, that's for sure. Everyone seemed happy, even me. I flicked through more, giggling at the stupid faces we all pulled in the arcade. But the more I looked the more I noticed one occurring thing: Makoto. When he's with his friends, he looks perfectly happy, but when I'm next to him, he's looking away and blushing. Does that mean I'm an embarrassment to him? Maybe not just him, but the whole group! Are they only hanging out with me because they pity me, seeing as I have no other friends? No, that's stupid. Stop jumping to conclusions.

*Bzzt. Bzzt.*

The phone suddenly vibrated, scaring me a little.

"Hello? This is Ryoji."

"Mizu-chan! It's me, Nagisa!"

"Oh, hey."

"What's wrong? You sound upset."

"Nothing. It's just, you guys don't hate me, right?"

"WHAAA?!! W-what makes you say that?!"

"Well," I sighed, "it's just that, I was looking at the photos, and whenever I'm next to Makoto, he looks so embarrassed. And I thought that if he was that way, then maybe you all were?"

"Mizu-chan..."

"I know, it's stupid. But do you see where I'm coming from?"

"No. Look, Mizu-chan, we love hanging out with you. We all think you're amazing! You're kind, you're funny, you're cute, you're my-- I mean our best friend, and you put up with Haru-chan. You're the best thing that's happened to this group since, well, ever! Please don't doubt yourself and be confident! There's no way that no one could not like you!" I felt amazed to hear him say such amazing things about me. I was stupid to think these guys didn't like me. It really touched me.

"Thanks. I needed to hear that. I really appreciate it!" I started to sniff. Tears of join ran down my face.

"M-Mizu-chan! Are you okay?" Nagisa said in a worried voice.

"Y-yeah, I-I'm fine. I'm just really happy...!"

"I'm coming over, let me sleep round yours for tonight? Please?"

"H-huh?! W-w-why so suddenly!"

Nagisa whimpered down the phone like a puppy, knowing I couldn't say no. "Fine. I guess I could do with the company!"

"Great! Say, can I bring a friend? I know, I'm sorry for being so rude, but he seems like sort of a lonely guy, and I wanted to hang out with him. He's always so serious and I thought that we could show him a good time?"

I giggled, damn you dirty mind!

"Wait! Tsk, you know what I mean!"

"I know...! Hehe, sure, bring him round. What's his name?"

"It's a surprise~!"

"Is it Yuya?"

"Who? Oh, oh no! I'm sorry! But I'm not that rich, nor do I have connections to pop stars! Haha!" Nagisa and I laughed for a while, chatted, then hung up. About ten minutes later, the doorbell rang. And sure enough, it was Nagisa, "Mizu-chan~! Good to see you again!" He threw his bags into my house and grabbed me, too cute...! There was a cough from the door.

"I, uh, hope that I'm not interrupting?"

"Oh, I forgot about you!"

"Huh? Wait, you did what!"

"Never mind. Mizu-chan, this is Rei-chan!" I looked up at the man standing at the door. The first thing that struck me was his glasses. They're so red! And, pretty. I saw his eye colour, magnified by the lenses. They are so purple, it's weird. Then again, Nagisa has pink eyes. His hair, it's so blue! I don't even think that's real.

"Can I touch your hair?" Good first impression.

"Ex-excuse me?"

"Your hair. It's so blue. Is that natural or a wig or something?"

"It's very natural... Fine, you can touch it." He said, bending down. I touched his hair, almost brushing it with my fingers. It feels very real, but I have to be sure. "Ouch! What was that for?" I tugged his hair and he flinched. "So it is real? Cool~" He cleared his throat, "Uh, yes. Well anyway, sorry for intruding, Mizuki-senpai." S-senpai?! Y-you've got to be kidding me! That's, that's the funniest thing I've ever heard...! I couldn't help but erupt with laughter.

"Eh?! What's so funny, Mizuki-sen--"

"S-sto-stop! You're gonna kill me! Bwahaha ha!!"