Makoto Tachibana | Makoto Kikuchi | 030

[makotoned]

[The swimming pool is not for them.

The swimming pool is, in fact, currently closed off, with the poster outside proclaiming that it was in use for a necessary photo shoot. Makoto, who is the sort to read posters when they are posted there to be read, knows this.

Haru, who is not, does not know this, nor does he care. And by the time Makoto notices that Haru doesn't intend to be stopped, he's through the door.

And jumping into the pool.

Haru.

Haru no.

Makoto bursts in after him, horrified, and doesn't really notice anyone in his path.]

Haru--!

Comments

[jitensha]

[ Maybe he should have noticed. Because the photoshoot has only just ended, several of the girls trickling off to change out of their bathing suits-- and picking up the speed when Haru appears out of nowhere.

There's someone else left, though. Someone in a loose, short-sleeved hoodie and a pair of shorts who just--

... got knocked into the pool mid-lecture. ]

[makotoned]

[Makoto is having a really, really bad day.

For one, he's trying to stop Haru from jumping into this pool and no haru stop stripping while at the same time hoping they won't be called perverts or get sued for crashing this photoshoot, which, luck of all lucks, seems to have a bunch of young women in it--

And then he knocks someone into the pool.

Oh god oh god oh god.]

E-eeh?

[If that poor victim doesn't resurface, he's diving in after; in fact, in true Haru-esque motions, he's already moving to remove his hoodie.]

H-hold on!

[jitensha]

Phwaa!

[ no, there's no need for any further stripping shenanigans; Makoto's popping up after a few seconds, and hopefully just in time to stop her would-be savior from jumping in. ]

Aaah... and I don't think this was actually supposed to get wet...

[makotoned]

...Thank goodness...

[The...boy he'd knocked into the pool seems to be a fine swimmer. (Funny, he'd thought it was just a girls photoshoot, well, how wrong he must've been!).

Instead, he quickly shrugs his clothing back on and offers a hand.]

Here, let me help you out. I'm so sorry, I'll find a way to make up for any expenses...

[...SOMEHOW...]

[jitensha]

That might be a little too much for you! [ but Makoto grasps his hand, laughing ruefully. ] I think if you could just tell your friend to wait a few minutes, they should be finished with the pool by then.

[makotoned]

[He's quick to pull Makoto out with THOSE PECS or something but at her words he blinks and then realizes and immediately looks over and

!!!!]

Haru! Don't take off your clothes here like that...! The pool isn't open yet!

[alskndgglkfml

also sorry he's letting go by accident, so hopefully you've got your balance, Makoto.]

[jitensha]

[ well, she would have, but the sudden yelling makes her lean back, and without that support...

... back into the water she goes.

THEY'RE DOING GREAT TODAY. ]

[1/2]

[makotoned]

[HE'S SOBBING INWARDLY.]

[2/2]

[makotoned]

[And closes his eyes and takes a deeeep breath, and sighs.

And reaches for Makoto again.

He's ignoring Haru.

He's ignoring him so hard.]

I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have let go...

[jitensha]

I-it's okay... [ what has her life become? This was supposed to be a simple photoshoot, and not only did she have to be the only one dressed like a boy while the others got to flaunt cute bikinis, but now there was some kind of comedic fiasco with these two... high-schoolers? ] The shoot's over, so I don't have to go through hair and makeup again!

[makotoned]

[As soon as she's out of the water, Makoto is just sighing in relief.

And still ignoring Haru, who has likely jumped in the pool by now. Not. His. Problem. He's going to focus on this nice young man here--

...Er, admittedly, that's kind of weird.]

Sorry, you were part of the shoot too? It's just, I'd thought it was all girls...

[sorry, makoto]

1/3

[jitensha]

Eh? Of course it's--

[ she's in the process of stripping off the sopping hoodie, when the meaning actually hits.

Makoto stops, for a minute, with the hoodie now hanging off her wrists. And yes, there is a bikini top there. ]

[jitensha]

... a-all...

[jitensha]

[ and then the hoodie's off, flung somewhere that isn't the water, and Makoto's making a beeline back into the pool with a wail of ]

I told them this wouldn't help my femininity at aaaaaaaaaaaall!!

[makotoned]

[Uwaaah!

It happens so fast, it takes Makoto a few seconds to catch up. But his brain figures it out, and--

Oh god he called this nice young girl a boy.]

I-I'm so sorry! Please, wait! I can definitely see your feminine attributes now!

[because she's wearing a swimsuit-- Makoto, that sounds bad. Er. Um.]

Where are you going?!

[into the pool, duh.]

[jitensha]

[ at least it was a very nice entrance, but she's only resurfacing long enough to clarify a certain matter. Namely... ]

If I stay at the bottom, I won't have to plague anyone else with misunderstandings! I won't have to think about my father's awful decisions! Just let me drown all of my regrets!

[ don't say it like that, Makoto, it sounds like you're never going to come up again. ]

[makotoned]

You can't literally mean that!

[for a swimmer, saying LET ME DROWN is just a major no.]

I won't let you drown yourself, and you're really quite pretty now that I look more closely, so come out of that pool!

[Makoto, yelling doesn't solve anything, especially such tangetially related things.]

[jitensha]

I-it's fine... you don't have to try to make me feel better when I clearly gave off a boyish impression...

[ she's just slowly submerging herself in her embarrassment. ]

[makotoned]

[laksndmlas why. why has it come to this.]

I just assumed...I'm sorry.

Can I make it up to you in some way?

[He just hangs his head and tries his usual tactic of Try To Fix the Problem (which is usually Haru's).]

[jitensha]

You can go tell my dad to make up for naming me Makoto.

[ wow she's just morose in there. ]

[makotoned]

...A-ahaha... It isn't that terrible a name, is it...?

[now it's his turn to be a little morose, slumping a bit.]

I mean, I know it's a little girly, but...

[wait are they even talking about the same thing anymore--]

[jitensha]

[ wait what-- ]

G-girly?? Isn't that one of the more manly names out there?

[makotoned]

[...nope, too busy being morose.]

Tell that to my friends...

[especially nagisa]

[jitensha]

I would, but that wouldn't exactly help my case...

[makotoned]

[. . .

Oh.]

...Wait. Your name is Makoto too?