Persona || Makoharu || Free!

•Sunset (Goodbye, Sun)•

-Haru's pov-

I should've seen it coming. I should've seen the signs. Now it's too late and I don't know if there's anything I can do about it.

Rei and Nagisa went home out of my explicit orders. I promised them, more like Rei at the time, I would talk to Makoto. My hands are still shaking and there's no point in trying to stop them. Only Makoto could comfort me in a time like this and he is gone.

His house is cold, not even a light bathing the sidewalk as I walk to the door. It's quite, too quite for a home belonging to the welcoming family I've known since kindergarten. Everyone must be gone. Except Makoto. I know he's here. This is the only place he would have gone.

I know am the last person he wants to see right now... but I have to try. Knocking once... twice... does he not hear me? Stop ignoring me Makoto! Despite the clear anger I am feeling my body is betraying me.

Did tears always taste this salty?

I bolt awake. I look around my bedroom and it's quiet. I get up and being to pace around. I stop at my window and peer down at Makoto's house. His bedroom light is off. He hasn't really been talking to me since we came back from the relay.

I run outside and knock on his door.

"Makoto! Makoto open the door!" I'm exhausted. My voice broke as I call again and again. "Please, I just, I need to talk to you. I-"

-Makoto's pov-

I raise my head from the bedroom wall as the noise downstairs stopped.

Did Haru leave?

My phone buzzes in my pocket and the message before me is read almost emotionless.

'From: Ryugazaki Rei

Received: 7:10 PM Today

Message: Please, Makoto-senpai. Just talk to Haruka-senpai. We only want to help.'

It is too late for help. The deed has been done and while I expected relief only regret balled into my stomach. I had gone too far. A blood stained towel is folded up and I hold it firm on the self inflicted wounds. I can smell the metallic stench on my fingers. My wrist feels dangerous because it is. I didn't mean to cut so deep.

Maybe I do need help?

The words on the screen blur and I find myself crying. Furiously, I try to wipe them away. Another buzz sounds and I have to wait before my sight is clear enough to read the text.

'From: Haru

Received: 7:17 PM Today

Message: Please, talk with me, Makoto.'

-Haru's pov-

I press send and wait less than a second for the notification "read" appears.

'From: Haru

Received: 7:18 PM Today

Message: I need to see you.'

I never was good at texting. Another texts flies through within seconds.

'From: Haru

Received: 7:19 PM Today

Message: I care about you.'

I feel frantic. Makoto had left so.... angry the day I found out about his problem.

What was he thinking now?

Whatever head space Makoto is in, it scars me. I have no idea what my boyfriend is feeling or how long he has been feeling it.

How long had Makoto been in pain, silently suffering? Pretending so convincingly things were okay.

I tap out another message, knowing Makoto is still reading them instantly. This one feels a little selfish.

'From: Haru

Received: 7:21 PM Today

Message: Just let me know you're okay.'

-Makoto's pov-

This time when my vision fails, it is not because I am crying. My conscious fades and the rest of the world spins on.