Child Haru & Makoto

[backstrorca]

[He honestly wasn't sure how it happened. Or why, or how it was logistically (or feasibly) was possible--

--but that didn't stop the reality that a Haru that Makoto only believed was left in his memories was here before him.

The small boy couldn't be much older than Ran and Ren were now--if he was older that was. Makoto was already too flabbergasted to accurately judge how old exactly this child could be. But he was undeniably Haru. The same Haru that he knew back then...and really not much different than the Haru he knew now. At least expression-wise.

Makoto kneels down to be eye level with the boy, giving him a cautious smile.]

Haru-chan, right?

Comments

[backstrorca]

[Makoto would never stop being amazed at how open this young Haru was, and how easily his emotions would show up on his face. He gives a gentle smile to his young friend, leaning over just a bit so their height difference wasn't so extreme.]

We're almost there, so let's hurry! The pool is waiting for you, Haru-chan.

[Makoto gives the hand in his a small squeeze and lengthens his gate, speeding into a fast walk. It takes them a little more than a minute to finally arrive at the doors of the swim club, and Makoto gives pause for Haru to take in the new appearance.]

[asight]

[He squeezes back, nearly jogging just to keep up with Makoto's long legs. But he doesn't mind because with each second they're getting closer and closer to the pool, to the water. His skin's already tingling at the thought.]

Ah...

[His blue eyes widen a bit more at his surroundings. He can smell the chlorine, and--

He blinks, looking over at the wall full of pictures. He doesn't move over just yet, but he sees himself - him and Rin and Nagisa and Makoto - and he also sees.

Is that his older self? He can't tell from his current position.]

[backstrorca]

[Makoto notice's Haru's gaze on the picture that still stood of them in the new swim club. He gently tugs Haru over so he can get a better look--knowing he was probably curious but not wanting to ask.]

We've been a in a few more tournaments since we were young. Made some new friends too. Coach still helps us out in high school when we have time, so he likes to put our pictures up here when we do well.

[He has to laugh a bit--it felt strange to explain all these current happenings to someone who wouldn't experience them for a few years.]

One of our new friends joined our swim team before he even knew how to swim. But he tries very hard, and has helped us in a lot of ways.

[asight]

[Huff!]

You're still taller.

[When does Makoto get so tall?? So rude.

Ah, but-]

Rin comes back?

[His eyes sparkle with quiet happiness.]

[backstrorca]

The frustration at the height difference makes Makoto chuckle to himself, trying to make his amusement not too obvious. Makoto knew he was tall, but he didn't think it would bother Haru this much.

Ah but it seems his little friend is distracted with something else.]

Yes. Rin comes back during high school and we get to swim with him again.

[Makoto has to smile himself. It was a snapshot into the past, talking with Haru like this. But it was nice to know that some things he valued then would probably not change.

Of course there was always more of the story to tell, but there was no reason to spoil the future this much anyways.]

Are you ready to see the improved pool, Haru-chan?

[asight]

[Haru smiles, knowing that he gets to swim with Rin again. He- really misses him, even if he doesn't say it. He'll never forget that sight he saw during their relay.

But at the mention of the pool, Haru looks up, eyes wide and full of anticipation.]

Mm. I'm ready.

[backstrorca]

[Ah, and some things really don't change at all, and probably never well. He gets the same glance from Haru that he has seen countless times before whenever a chance to get into the water is presented to him.

It softens Makoto's smile, and makes his heart feel almost feel lighter.]

Then let's go to the locker room--ah wait, do you have a swimsuit, Haru-chan?

[Makoto starts to head towards the locker rooms anyways. Haru wore his jammers now almost every second of the day, and it was hard to think of a time when Haru wasn't prepared for any opportunity to swim.]

[asight]

[Haru shakes his head. This is before he starts wearing them under his clothes.]

I keep it in my bag.

[Which he doesn't have with him. And which regular Haru hasn't had in years.]

I can borrow a spare. I don't mind it.

[backstrorca]

[They're entering the locker room now, Makoto taking a moment to open one of the larger closets near the doorway.

Being new, the swim club was equipped with plenty of new spare suits for the kids who wanted to "test the waters"--as well as some spare wet suits Makoto had borrowed himself when he volunteered at the club.

Makoto of course, had his own leg suit in his schoolbag, which he had brought with him. He sets it down on one of the benches, digging it out.]

Then feel free to pick one that fits you. I'll meet you in a second.

[Changing in front of Haru now would be...weird. So he walks over into one of the other parts of the locker room to change himself.]

[asight]

[Haru nods and heads off the area where he remembers the spare suits being. Thankfully, they're still there, and he picks out one that looks about his size. He quickly changes, wanting to get into the water as soon as possible.]