Cherry Blossoms (Free! Iwatobi Swim Club- Haru x Makoto)

Chapter One: The Immediate Spark

You know that feeling..?

That one when your chest starts to flutter?

When your cheeks start burning up, and a natural smile forms on your face?

That.. Feeling.

You can't explain it, but you know exactly what causes it.

That term is called:

The immediate spark

Makoto calmly walked through the halls of his school. Only a few more days, a few more days until he was off on his way.. To be, well. Free. He looked around, waved to the few who smiled at him and continued on his way. Not to be rude, but he wasn't really interested in those people..

"Mako-Chan~!" A voice echoed through the halls. The voice got louder as it came closer until.. It hit him, literally. "Mako-Chan!" Nagisa giggled, starting to walk beside him. The devilish boy smiled at the gentle giant, continuing on with what he was going to say. "I can't wait until we finally get this swim club into action!" He took ahold of Makoto's arm, jumping excitedly.

Makoto chuckled quietly, nodding to Nagisa, of course him of anyone would be the most excited. It would be an excuse for him to walk around the school half naked. "I'm sure the others are excited too." He nodded once more, a small grin still on his face. It was a little hard not to smile with a little fluff ball of pure energy around you all the time.

"I know, I know! Can we go down to the pool now! It'll be so pretty with all the trees changing!" Nagisa started to beg. In the middle of the hallway. A few girls started giggling, but their reaction was minor. Nagisa did have these moments several times during the day. "Oh please Makoto! Come on! I'll get Rei-Chan! Ooh! And Haru-Chan!!" He pleased.

Makoto couldn't help but smile wider, with Nagisa's enthusiasm.. He was a good spirit to have on the team. "Later, after school, Nagisa. I don't want you to be late to your next class. Speaking in which.." He shifted directions, walking towards a classroom door. "I say you have about.. Two minutes to get all the way across this hall and down the stairs." And with that, Makoto walked into the classroom sitting down in his assigned seat. The small yelp of the blonde and the scatter of paper in the hall made a long lasting smile in the male's brain. ...oh Nagisa.

A few more students walked in as the bell rang, one in which being Haruka. He looked spaced out as always, going to his window seat with no words, just starring outside. It wasn't until he was called out for not paying attention did he really start to focus. The term focus was still held rather loosely, because he was just thinking about one thing, and one thing only. Water. He had a /small/ obsession, small meaning over the top, need it forever, I want to marry you obsession.

Soon enough the class ended, a few people chatting with their friends covered the loud noise of the bell. Makoto walked over to Haruka, holding one of his binders. "Nagisa wants us to visit the pool today, just a little, Pre-Swim Team welcoming." He said calmly, watching Haruka's expression change dramatically. Of course, it was nothing but a raise of eyebrows, but Makoto knew him better than that. Of course he did.

"Sounds good." He shrugged, walking off. He had to hurry before Makoto could drag him to his next class instead of the water. There was only one class left, it's not like it was that big of a deal if he skipped. Okay.. It was. But either way Haru wouldn't be paying attention. Haruka walked down the hall, in the opposite direction of where he was supposed to be. He was about half way down when...

Makoto exited the room. He calmly looked around, it was odd.. Usually the two of them would walk together.. Haru.. He knew it. This is what he got for bringing up the pool to him, and leaving him alone. "H-Haru!!" He started rushing down the hall for him, eventually grabbing his arm. Haruka turned to make glance with him, a blank face. "One more class, and then the pool is yours, okay?" Makoto smiled, pulling him along to their final class. Haru didn't struggle, he didn't struggle around Makoto.

The two boys made it to their final class, sitting through the teachers lecture for about an hour before the bel finally rung. Makoto and Haru made glances at each other, both nodding in agreement. They always had been able to do that, like mind readers. They quietly slipped out, walking down to the pool in silence. However, they were talking. Just by glances and thoughts, that's how they did it most of the time. Finally, the pair made it down to the pool, looking around for anyone.

Haru impulsively started to take off his uniform but he had only gotten his shirt off before the other two arrive. He looked a bit jumbled, his shirt half off and his pants about to be. Makoto gave him that look of 'Just a little longer." And a smile, and that got him to stop.. He was so close to just, feeling the water.

"Haru-Chan! Mako-Chan!" The petite one smiled, rushing over to them. He was followed by Rei, who was adjusting his glasses. "I'm so glad you came, just look how pretty it is." Nagisa smiled widely, looking out at the pool. Makoto and Haru turned their heads to see it as well, a bit amazed. It was beautiful. The way the cherry blossoms fell into the clear-y blue water, the wind dragging some of them away. It was perfect.

Rei approached the group, smiling a little he rested his arm upon Nagisa's shoulder, using him kind of like an arm rest. "Makoto, Haru-Senpai." He grinned at the two of them, and only one smiled back. That moment only lasted but a few seconds right as Nagisa pulled his head away, letting Rei almost stumble to the ground. Nagisa started laughing and Rei started yelling at him about how it was rude and unbeautiful. Haru and Makoto quietly chuckled.

"I say now would be a good time to jump in, if you'd like." Makoto spoke quietly, talking to Haru, but facing the two arguing males. Haruka nodded and finished undressing. He handed his clothes to Makoto, who gladly took them before diving into the water. Finally he was at utter peace. Not even the sound of those two idiots fighting could ruin this moment.

"Rei-Chann. Stop being so dramaticcc!" Nagisa grinned at him. Oh how fun it was to mess with him.

"I'm not being dramatic! I could have fallen on my head, and cracked it open! What would you have to say about that!?" He retorted, shaking his head slightly.

"I mean.. I probably would have laughed a little more than I did before.." He put a finger to his lips, starting to think about it. That only caused Rei to get rialed up even more.

"N-Nagisa!!" But before he had the chance to continue, Nagisa grabbed ahold of his arm and.. Charged!!! Three giant steps and a leap threw both Nagisa, and Rei into the pool, fully clothes in their uniforms. When they both came up to the surface, Rei spoke once more. "Nagisa.." He said in a much more angry, but playful voice as they started splashing water at each other.

Makoto only smiled at the two. It was ironic the two fit so well together. Though they did bicker a lot.. Well, nonetheless they suited each other well, very well. As the repeated splashes started to come up onto the pool deck, Makoto stepped backwards. If Gou was here she'd throw a fit.. But nothing seemed to really matter at that point.

One by one the boys were dragged out of the pool at around sunset. Rei's parents had called about a dozen times and Nagisa was supposed to be home about two hours previous. So, the two of the said their goodbyes, and headed out. That just left Haru, and Makoto. Haru sat on the edge of the pool, his feet hanging in the water.

"Isn't it stunning?" Makoto said quietly, sitting down on one of the diving blocks near Haru. "The way the light shines through the trees.. And how the petals just seem to--

"Float." The two said in unison, both smiling a little at doing so. Their telepathic connection.. It was so rare, something you didn't see every day with other people. It was purely amazing..  That just showed their level of friendship and compassion to each other. It was.. beautiful.

"Exactly." Replied Makoto to Haru, smiling a little wider at almost nothing at all. He looked down at the boy, who sat there oh so quietly. He looked so at peace, it was stunning. His glance soon followed the one of his peers. Makoto looked one at the rippling water then up towards the fading sun. Its mixture of light and delicate colors brought him to a sense of calmness.

Haruka turned and looked at Makoto, his black hair shifting into his face. Makoto turned and faced him as well. Their glances shot straight into each other's eyes, sending a blush to both the boys cheeks. Haru pulled his glance away first, then Makoto, rubbing the back of his neck.

Neither of them knew it. Neither of the knew what that was.. How could something be so simple, yet so complex. A little glance making both of them blush. How? Why? What?

The Immediate Spark had Flourished, not into just a spark, but a Flame.