Black and White (Rin Matsuoka x fem!OC)

4.

The rest of the week went swiftly, my courses weren't that difficult and I met a lot of German speaking guys. I speak a bit of the language so we bonded right away. On Saturday I woke up early for my morning jog and then came back to have breakfast with Nanase.
-What do you do on a normal weekend Nanase?- I asked.
-Study, clean the apartment and go out with Makoto.
-You and Makoto have a beautiful friendship, don't you?
-I guess. I know him since we were little.
-That's nice. I don't really have friends since childhood, you see, I lived in Australia and in Italy so I couldn't really bonded with someone for that long.
-Well, you already have some friends here and you've been here for just a week. You have enough time to make long term memories with them.
I smiled.
-I'm going to buy a swimsuit with Rin today.
-Swimsuit?
-Yes, I can't use the old black one that I borrowed.
-Can I come?- he said a little bit excited.
-Sure, we'll meet him at the train station in 15 minutes.
-We better go then- he said taking the dishes to the sink.

We went to brush our teeth and head to the door, we weren't that far from the station so we walked at a normal pace. When we got there Nanase spotted Rin before me.
-We're here- he said to call his attention.
-Hey, didn't know you were coming along Haru- said Rin grinning.
-It was a last time agreement. Shall we?
-Yeah, yeah- said Rin motioning for us to follow.
There were more people than I expected in the train, so we were standing by the door really close to each other.
-So how did you feel this week at practice?- asked me Rin.
-It was good, a bit tiring though.
-I think you should go for a run in the morning, that way you'll build strength and it won't be that tiring. Also, I can put together a diet for you.
-I'm ok with the morning runs, I already do that. But diet? I mean, I do am on an exchange and a way to know the culture is by eating, you know?
-I get that, but you don't eat different Japanese food everyday, do you?
-Well, Nanase cooks everyday.
Nanase nodded.
-You share food?
-She likes my mackerel- answered Nanase.
-Ok, that explains it. Fine, no diet for now. Still you should try to eat healthy.
-I will.
-Oh, this is our stop- said Rin moving towards the door.
By then, there were more people in the train with us, so he took my hand to pull me out with him. Nanase took my shoulders and pushed me as well.
-It's crazy the amount of people that can get inside the trains.
-Well, you're in Tokyo. We're a lot of people- said Rin leading us towards the exit.

We walked for 5 minutes after getting out of the station, there were a lot of people shopping. We got to a small mall and spotted the sports store right away.
-Are you going to buy a swimsuit as well?- I asked both of the guys when they were glancing to the male section.
-Maybe...- said Nanase.
-I'll go with you first- said Rin to me.
-It's ok, you don't have to.
-I want to, come on I show you where the woman section is.
-See you later Nanase- I said waving. He waved shyly and then turned to the left to find a swimsuit.
-This brand is a good one. Do you like a specific colour?- he said showing me the logo of a swimsuit.
-Well, I like purple and blue, but a black one is fine as well. You don't have to stay, I'll try a few on and I can meet you at the register.
-Well the fitting rooms are in the middle of the store so maybe I'll meet you there, I want to buy a new swimsuit as well.
-Ok, sounds good.
I picked up several swimsuits and went to the fitting room right away, sometimes I take a lot of time to decide so I better get started. I found three fitting rooms, one next to the other. The one in the middle was free so I went inside. After try them all on, I couldn't decide between two of them. A navy blue with silver stripes, and a black one with blue stripes. I needed help.

I got out of the fitting room and looked around a bit, but I couldn't see the redhead nor the black haired guy. I sighed and went back to the fitting room.
-Oh, there you are!- I said when I saw them getting out of the rooms next to mine, they were trying swimsuits as well.
-That one looks good on you- said Nanase with his usual poker face.
I was wearing the black one with blue stripes.
-Thanks, actually I can't decide between two swimsuits.
-Let me see the other one- said Nanase.
-Yeah ok- I changed quickly and got out again.
-What do you think?
-That one suits you better- said Rin with a little blush on his cheeks.
Nanase nodded.
-Yeah, and I think I like this colour better. Ok, I'll take this one. What about you guys?
-I like this one- said Nanase. He was wearing black trunks with purple stripes on the sides.
-Isn't that exactly the same as the one you already have?- asked Rin.
-This one feels better.
-Yeah, I can see that- I said.
-You can?- asked me Rin.
-Yeah, it suits him better, he seems different. Like happier.
-How can you see that?
-I don't know, I just can.
Nanase smiled.
-What about you Rin?
-I wanted to get a different colour, but I just can't get my eyes off of this one- he said with a hand on his hip. The swimsuit was black with red stripes, very similar as the one he already had.
-Looks good- said Nanase.
-Yeah, I agree. Perfect for the captain- I said grinning.
-Thanks- he said rubbing his neck a bit- then it's settled, we should change now and choose a cap and goggles for you.
-Oh, that's right! I almost forgot- we all went inside our fitting rooms.

I ended up buying a white cap and blue and black goggles. After buying all that stuff we were a little hungry so we went to a small cafe, on our way there we ran into Makoto and his family. I introduced myself poorly in japanese and my cheeks tinted.
-It's ok, you did it good- said Rin in my ear. Which gave me goosebumps.
Makoto and his family were going to a video game store to buy some for his younger siblings, so Nanase went with them.
-Do you know how to get back to the apartment by yourself?- Nanase asked before going.
-Yeah, is not that hard. I think.
-Ok, call me when you get to the station and I'll tell you the name of them again.
-Don't worry Haru, I can take her home- said Rin.
-Ok- he said and left before smiling a bit to me.
I waved goodbye to Makoto and turned to Rin.
-You don't have to take me home, it's just 7 stations from here, I think I can handle that.
-I know, but I like to be with you and I don't live far from you so it's no problem. So, are you still hungry?
-Yeah, of course.
-Let's go then.

We ate and walked around the mall a bit, he was explaining me what the signs in every corner said.
-I'm so bad at Japanese- I said pouting.
-No, you're not. You introduced yourself really good when we ran into Makoto and his family.
-Still, I need to improve a lot. I think there's a Japanese course for the international students, I should take it.
-Those courses are pretty basic, you can learn more by using it on a daily basis.
-Yeah, but I need help with the characters and I don't have that much vocabulary, and my grammar is not perfect of course...
-I can help you with that.
-How?
Well, I happen to speak fluent japanese.
I laughed at his lame joke.
-Yeah, we can have lessons twice a week, I can even give you homework- he continued.
-That'd be nice but you have already helped me a lot and I doubt you have any time to spare.
-I do have time to spare, let me check my schedule and I'll tell you on Monday when I can meet you.
-Ok, just if you have time.
We got in the train which was less busy than before. Still we were standing close to each other.
-The next swimming competition is in about a month and a half, would you like to compete?- asked Rin.
-If I'm good enough for that day, yes of course.
-You can go easy first then, in the relay team, if you have trouble finding your confidence, it will be a good way to boost it.
-I don't want to participate in the relay.
-Why not?
-I haven't had a good experience with them in the past. I rather swim in individual events now. For me, swimming is mostly about your personal effort, I don't like to depend on others to win and I don't want to spoil the competition for the others if I'm not fast enough- I said looking straight on his eyes.
-I see. You're just like Sousuke- he said grinning slightly.
-Sousuke?
-My flatmate.
-I thought you didn't have a flatmate.
-I do now, he moved in a week ago as well. He's also in the swimming club.
-How is he like? I don't think I met him.
-He likes to have a low profile, he arrives after everyone and leaves before as well.
-You're the captain, shouldn't you say something?
-I did, but he has his reasons. He's not really good with people. Still, he trains hard so it's good enough for me.
I nodded and looked through the window, the sun was setting.
-Where do you live Rin?
-A couple of buildings from yours.
-Really? Then why don't you walk with Nanase and Makoto to university?
-I run and swim in the morning before the classes start, so I leave pretty early.
-Right, when we're on practice you don't swim at all.
-Yeah, I have to supervise you all.
-I just run in the mornings.
-With Haru?
-No, by myself. At that time he's still asleep or in the bathtub.
-I can't say that I'm surprised.
-No one is- I said laughing a bit.

We were walking through the path that leads to my building.
-Wanna come in?- I said when we were almost at the entrance of it.
-No thanks, I still have some homework to do.
-Oh, okay. Then thanks for coming with me, I really appreciate it- I said.
-No problem- he winked.- See you later alligator.
-Later- I said grabbing the key from my pocket to open the door.
Before closing the door behind me I spotted a tall redhead waving goodbye from afar, flashing his sharp teeth at me, before turning around and continuing his way to the other dorms.

~~~~~