Persona || Makoharu || Free!

•Somebody Else Gonna Take My Place•

-Makoto's pov-

The next day after school, Haru decides to bring a guest. No one complains when Rin comes to practice swimming with us. They are all welcoming and it's honestly good to have an old friend back to practice for awhile. Even if the clean preference Haru shows to Rin breaks my heart a little.

I will not say anything though, it's all about my friends happiness, despite the stares Nagisa keeps throwing my way every now and then at me.

As long Haru is happy and our friendship stays intact, I'm willing to withstand it.

Although, Haru has been spending less and less time with the rest of the team, even less time with me, and it hurts, quite a lot. I kinda think it's unfair of Rin when all he did back then is break Haru's heart and left without a word. All because of a silly lost game. I don't want to be mean, but it tells something about Rin's immaturity.

I still don't say anything and continue to try to be a good friend, picking Haru up and walking home with him.

~~~~~~~

It's another morning, like usual, I lift Haru out of the bathtub and urges him to get dressed, false cheerfulness colouring my voice and face.

"I'm going with Rin today," I don't know if it's the way he said it, emotionlessly, as if he doesn't care about my feelings.

I freeze on the spot because I finally realize I stand no chance against Rin, because he will always have Haru's heart, in a way.

I stand up and leave. No words are exchanged, I ignore Haru's mildly surprised look and just leave.

It's one of the really rare days where I'm skipping school... and the next... and the next... My parents don't say anything, leaving me alone in my bedroom. My phone doesn't stop ringing and I don't bother picking it up

After a few days of not showing up at school, Haru arrives at my doorstep. I beg my mom to tell him I'm sick and I don't want to see anybody.

I'm not sure if I should be grateful or hurt that Haru excepts the excuse so easily.

My cell phone continues to ring, mainly messages from Nagisa.

~~~~~~~

After a full week of not coming to school or practice, the blond whacks me on the side of my head.

"You're an idiot, Mako-senpai. Why didn't you answer any of my calls? We were all so worried!" He hisses.

"Sorry, Nagisa. Like I told Haruka, I was sick and I didn't feel like seeing anyone," I apologize as we make our way to where we usually sit on the roof.

We all eat and run off to our classes.

I ignore the curious glances the raven keeps sending me during the lesson.

I know Haru isn't stupid or oblivious, but I'm not sure if he realizes that he's hurting me.

-Haru's pov-

I've been trying to give Makoto some space so he can work on whatever is bothering him, but I realizes that it's the wrong thing to do when the taller boy drifts farther away from me, barely even looking at me in the eyes. I thought maybe if I brought Rin to swim practice a few times that maybe it will cheer Makoto up somehow by seeing an old friend.

It feels strange without Makoto by my side. He's been there since I could remember, the one to know me inside and out. It hurts to see my best friend practically ignoring me. He hasn't been stopping by my house in the morning to rouse me, he never texts me anymore, and never talks to me without hesitation. It is so unlike his normal behavior that it is leaving me perplexed and cold. Like I'm out in the deep ocean, and the water is so, so cold.

I shudder of the memory of Makoto lying on the freezing ground, unresponsive.

I shake my head and continue walking home with Makoto by my side.