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

(C13) Just Friends?

I woke up a few hours later, clutching my stomach and groaning. God, this hurts, I thought, feeling as if I was in total agony. I rolled from left to right, rubbing my stomach and feeling sorry for myself. It's a kind of pain that comes and goes. When it comes, it really hits, like someone smashed a baseball at over 180mph, right onto your nose, but the feeling is in your stomach. Well, maybe that's a little over the top...

I groaned into my pillow and sluggishly dragged my body from the comforts of my bed, walking into the kitchen, clawing into my abdomen with every painful step I forced myself to take. I pulled out some tablets from the medicine cabinet, gagging as I swallowed them. This morning can't get any worse... I moaned mentally, before checking the calendar.

Monday.

"Oh my God... you've got to be kidding me." I whispered, resting my head against the wall and sliding my fist down it. I've never missed a day of school. I've been late, granted, but I always came in! The thought makes me feel like a slacker, but I don't feel like having algebra shoved down my throat along with my medication and vomit. This is what you get for hanging out on a Sunday with Nagisa. Hint for life: don't do it again. I made a mental note to never mix Nagisa and pizza again. I looked at the time. 8:30 AM. Oh well, I guess I have to miss today.

As I made my way back to bed, there was a knock on the door. I threw on a dressing gown and walked over to the door. I slowly opened it, expecting it to be a door-to-door salesman. I looked at my kitten slippers and sighed.

"For the last time: I don't need to lose weight..."

"I know you don't." I looked up, hearing the creepily familiar voice.

"Huh? Wha-- M-Makoto? Why are you here?"

"I should ask you the same thing! Didn't we agree that I'd pick you up in the morning?"

"I-... Sorry, I'm not coming in today," Makoto looked at me worryingly, his eyebrows falling sadly like a puppy. Goddammit! Stop being so cute! "I just feel terrible. I'll just stay at home for the day," I was about to continue, but that "being hit by a baseball" feeling raged inside my stomach. I almost fell over, but Makoto grabbed my arms and hauled me to my feet, "Mizuki, there is no way I'm leaving you on your own in this state!" I was about to protest, but I couldn't talk. The pain was that bad. I dug my nails into his arms.

"O-ow! Jeez, you need me here. I'll skip a day too and nurse you, okay?"

*Ba-dump*

Not now, heart! Now is not the time to go all lovey on me! Damn my female emotions...

"I'll be fin--"

"Mizuki. Please let me take care of you! I just couldn't bear the thought of something happening to you without me being there. I don't want that to happen to you, of all people!" I blushed, but I blamed it on my illness, not the fact that I have a huge crush on this guy. I let him in and he took off his school shoes and blazer, folding them over a chair and walking into the kitchen. I stood behind him and looked at what he was doing. He was rooting around in my cupboard, "What're looking for?" He flinched, "Ah! Oh, s-sorry! I was just looking for a hot water bottle. They're good for stomach aches, right?" Goddammit, I just want to hug you. My body moved on its own. I wrapped my arms around his waist and squeezed, "M-M-Mizuki?! W-what are y-you doing!" Makoto stuttered, not moving an inch. "Thank you for looking after me."

He relaxed a little before releasing a hitched sigh, "Well, I couldn't just leave you here to look after yourself, could I?"

"Are you saying I'm incapable?" I poked his back, still holding him in the other arm.

"Eh? Oh, no! Of course you are, I just want to look after you! Is that, uh, bad?"

"Hm hm, nope!" I laughed from my throat as I still held onto him, and he still didn't push me off. That means he doesn't hate this, right? I certainly don't. Makoto moved again, turning in my arms and making me let go, "S-sorry..." I stood back and looked at the floor, blushing and clearing my throat. Makoto laughed quietly and walked over to me, "I should be the one to apologise," He stood right in front of me, too close...! "I just came in here, assuming you needed help. But, it's just in my nature. Do you forgive me?"

"You didn't do anything wrong! I'm happy you came, really!"

"Y-you are?"

"Yeah! Honestly, there's no one else I'd want to be here with me other than you." Oh... Was that a slight confession?

Makoto held his head in his hand and blushed, "Y--... How do you feel?" He asked, glancing to me, then back to floor, "I'm still a little ill."

"I didn't mean it like that. B-but, heh, it's okay. I'll be here to look after you."

"Thank you, you're too sweet. I'm lucky to have such an amazing friend like you!" I smiled happily, turning to walk to the settee. Makoto didn't move from his spot, but instead he muttered something to himself, "Yeah... friend..."