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

(C15) In Your Arms

"But, I just can't, not with you!"

"I just don't understand why. I thought I made my feelings so obvious. Do you really hate the idea so much? What about me, huh? Do you not think of anyone other than yourself?"

"That's not-"

"No! I can't take it anymore! Not you nor your selfish ways!"

"You're scaring me, this isn't you. What happened?"

"What happened? Heheh, what happened? You.You happened. You just walked into my life and you expected me to not be affected? Well, aren't you just perfect."

"This was my fault?"

I sighed disappointedly, "This is a horror movie? It's like a bad romance film."

"Well, seeing as he's holding her against the wall by her throat, I guess they could use some counseling." I laughed through my nose at his sarcastic remark. I was sitting under my duvet with Makoto right by my side - I insisted that he sat next to me for... comfort. Honestly, I just wanted a reason to be close to him. I only just remember him telling me that he's weak-hearted, so maybe this 'horror' film wasn't the best idea.

"Do you think I enjoy doing this? Actually, what do you care what I think. I could let you die slowly, as you have let me all these years, but I'm not a monster like you," The man said, throwing his wife to the floor. She gasped desperately for air and her husband walked away, "You're a fucking monster! Look at what you're doing to me!" She screamed. He laughed and grabbed a conveniently place knife off of the bedside table. "That's not the best part." He walked up to her and knelt by her side. Just get up and run you idiot! I yelled at her mentally, "N-no...! D-don't...!!" Just get the hell up! Oh, too late. He brought the knife to her throat and cut deeply. She clawed at her blood-gushing neck and cried bloody tears.

"No, no, no!! I can't watch!" Makoto yelled and grabbed my arm, burying his face in my shoulder and throwing the duvet over his head. I sat there and stared in boredom at the screen, not impressed by the poor graphics. I realised how scared Makoto actually was when I felt him shivering against my arm, so I switched off the TV, plunging the room in complete darkness. "Huh? W-what happened to the lights...? Mizuki, t-this isn't funny!" He grabbed my arm tightly and whispered things into my shoulder. I felt so bad for this terrified boy, I just knew I had to comfort him.

I slowly pulled the duvet over my head and hid with Makoto, who refused to let go of my arm. I rested my head on top of his and wrapped my arms around him, pulling him closer to me and holding him. He stopped shaking instantly, "Wha, what are you doing?"

"I... you just seemed so scared, and honestly, I can't leave you like that. I'm here, okay?"

"......"

"You can hold me back. I really don't mind."

"A-are you sure?"

"Yeah, I know you won't do anything, so come on."

"You don't have to."

"Maybe I want to?"

"Huh?" His soft hair brushed against my chin as he lifted his head. Because it was pitch black, I couldn't see anything other than his eyes, which seemed to stand out so boldly in the darkness. I smiled and told him that everything's fine, so he shyly held me. When he did, it felt as if my heart was about to burst, beating ten to the dozen without a hint of slowing down. I was curious to see how quickly Makoto's was beating, so I took his hand in mine. I held my fingers against his wrist.

*ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump*

It was beating unusually fast. Hang on, does that mean...? Have, have I really been blind to it? Before I could ask anything, I felt his finger move in between mine, holding my hand gently. I didn't say anything and neither did he. We sat in complete silence, under the duvet, snuggling on the settee, holding hands. It's like we're a couple... Which is something I'd like us to be.

"...Mizuki?" He spoke softly, lifting his head to look at me, "M-my hand... it's moving on its own..."

"It isn't, is it?" I asked, looking at him.

"I... I just don't want you to be freaked out. I know it's stupid, but," His grip slowly tightened, "I just want to hold you like this for a little longer. If-if you don't want to, I'll stop. Gah! I'm an idiot. I'm sorry, Mizuki, for doing this when it's only me who feels this way! And--... ah... I'm... I'm sorry, you must be horrified by what I just said..." He stopped talking. Although he sounded ashamed, he was still holding me, and I just listened to him talk. "Why?"

"W-wha?" He blinked as if he were totally surprised by what I just asked. "Why would I be horrified?"

"W-w-well, I just said those things. And, it's a bit weird, because what I'm about to say has to be said. Y-you see..." He shifted so that I was lying on his side, still holding his hand. "When we first met, I didn't think of you as anything more other than a friend. But that was before I got to know you. It's only been a short time, I know, and this all seems so sudden, but, I need to tell you something. D-do you, do you think that, uh, we..." I think I'm going to explode. "C-c-could b-be a little m-more than friends...? I mean, well, you-you know?" He squeezed my hand even tighter - I could feel his heart beat through his sweating palms.

I didn't answer, "......I'm sorry I said that. It was stupi-"

"N-no! Makoto, I'd, I'd be honoured!"

"Please, don't force yourself on my behalf."

"I'm not! I really, really mean it!"

"R-... really?"

"Yes! Don't you believe me?"

"You said th-that I was a "friend" and like "my mother", so I thought you didn't like me that way." Wow. I just realised how much of a hurtful bitch I sounded.

"If you thought that way, why did you confess?"

"! Uh, well, that's... because I couldn't hold it back. Seeing you so happy made my heart skip beats. When we swam, and I held you, I really didn't want to let go. I wanted to keep you in my arms, but I was trying to hide my emotions so I could stay close to you without things getting awkward. I wanted to be by your side, because I just think you're amazing. You always smile happily and you're so beautiful, you just don't seem to realise it. You're the reason I smile, and I just couldn't bear the thought of you being in pain today. I want to stay by your side and take way your pain. I..."

He... he loves me...? How did I not notice? I was feeling like a freak, when he shared my feelings? I don't know what to say. What can I say without bursting into tears? I have to express my feelings through actions...

"Makoto..." I called his name quietly, making him turn his head. When he did, I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him in. His eyes went wider than ever before when I placed a small, sweet kiss on his lips. I pulled my face back to read his reaction. He was burning so brightly I could see it in the darkness. "W-w-w-w-wha-what was t-that f-f-f-for? D-did you f-f-fall? I'm sorry! I didn't mean-"

"I did. Makoto, I'd like to be "more than friends", i-if you want to...?"

"YES! I mean, uh, yeah... Are you sure? I just never realised that you liked me back." If things weren't awkward enough, now he's saying this kinda stuff. I just held him, I kissed him, I just agreed to be his girlfriend, what more proof does he need? "Is there any way for me to prove how much I do like you? Y-you know, within reason." Don't think I don't know what you're thinking.

"I already told you: I'm not that kind if guy. Ha ha, but it's cute when you get all worked up and embarassed!" He laughed that signature, adorable laugh before pulling me close to him. I only just noticed the duvet was on the floor, but that's not important, all that's important is that I'm in his arms, smiling from ear to ear. "Makoto," He rested his head on my shoulder when I let his hand go. I put my hand to his chest to feel his heartbeat.

*ba-dump x a huge number*

"You know, you're the reason I'm like this," He held my hand again, pulling it to his lips and kissing it softly. "Mizuki, I can feel your heart too." He started to snigger gleefully. I sighed and held his hand back, resting my head on his shoulder and letting him nuzzle my hair with his nose.

Huh, so this is love? I thought it'd be worse than this, but this is total heaven. I don't even know what the time is, but screw it: I'm falling asleep in his arms. Falling asleep with the one I love.