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]

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

[makotoned]

[. . .

Oh.]

...Wait. Your name is Makoto too?

[jitensha]

Yeah... Kikuchi Makoto-- eh? "Too"?

[makotoned]

[He just chuckles quietly. It's a little embarrassing, really, meeting a girl who has the same name as him, but not...well, too terrible...?

Ah well.]

Tachibana Makoto. It's nice to meet you.

[...and he offers her a hand, not to shake, but to pull her out of the pool again, because he's realizing this is a very silly position they're in.]

[jitensha]

It's nice to meet you too... Tachibana Makoto-san? [ she has to laugh, grasping his hand and allowing him to pull her out. ] I've never met another Makoto before-- not personally, anyway!

[makotoned]

[And now that they're both on dry ground, it's a bit easier to have an actual discussion. He bows his head a bit.]

I can't say I have either. [especially not a girl, but ah well, what can you do, they all know they have girly names.]

I really meant it though. If there's anything I can do to make up for my clumsiness, please let me know.

[jitensha]

[ just don't mind her dripping. ]

I don't want you to feel obligated... I mean, you're not the first person who's mistaken me for a guy.

[1/2]

[makotoned]

It's not that at all...! If you aren't busy, would you like to have lunch with us?

[......us.

u s.

................]

[2/2]

[makotoned]

[oi vey]

Haru, get out of the pool and put your clothes on! We aren't supposed to be in here!

[....weeps]

[jitensha]

... I don't mind, but if he'd rather swim, I can tell the management we're done.

[makotoned]

After I went through that trouble to make our lunches...

[life is hard and nobody understands.]

Oh well. If it isn't a problem, he can just meet us later. It's only enough for two anyway.

[YOU SWIM YOU LOSE it's a makoto lunch now]

[jitensha]

Then just let me go change and I'll met you outside!

[ ... yeah, she's already jogging off. ]

[makotoned]

[Er--]

...Ahaha, okay...!

[she kind of reminds him of haru already....... but thankfully she has more expressions than "no pool" and "POOL".

He just sighs and shakes his head at Haru and tells him where they're going and heads on outside. He's one of the swimmers so why is he the only one who didn't get in the water...

Oh well, mysteries of the universe to contemplate.]

[jitensha]

[ he almost did, that's... something!

And it really won't take Makoto long. Her hair's a little damp from running through the shower, and she's not wearing the girliest of outfits, but at least her mood's improved from earlier. ]

Sorry for the wait. I'll try to stay inconspicuous, so we shouldn't get stopped...

[ since she doesn't have a hat today. She didn't plan on lunches with Makotos. ]

[makotoned]

Sorry, I didn't even think of that. I've never had lunch with an idol before.

[but who has, really. Anyway, he just tucks his hands in his pockets.]

It isn't too far away, at least.

[now imagine the height difference here.]

[jitensha]

[ she's already peering up at him like wow her neck may hurt soon. ]

Got it! Then let's go, with all our strength!

[ partially because enthusiasm, and partially because she really doesn't want to get jumped by fangirls. ]

[makotoned]

[they'd better sit down soon BUT WOW YOU HAVE SO MUCH ENERGY--

and partly, he suspects now because--]

So you don't get jumped by your fans?

[slightly less than useful ESP, it is his.]

It's right down this street.

[He's just going to a nice little park, but hey, it's a cute little park and sometimes he could even get haru to go because there is a pond lake]

[jitensha]

[ she flashes him a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of her head. ]

It might be hard on you, too... since they're always girls. But that's not far at all!

[ to the park! ]

[makotoned]

I'm sure I would be okay. I mean, they would focus on you, after all.

[you're the super spunky idol, miss makoto--

But he's going to just lead her on to a rather quiet spot in this park. Hopefully it'll keep them rather low profile.]

Here we are. I hope this works?

[jitensha]

This is cute! I don't think I've ever been here before...

Good job, Makoto-san!

[makotoned]

Ha ha, thanks! You don't have to be so formal though...

[Really, it's cool, he's chill.]

Though most of my friends call me Makoto-chan, which would probably get confusing, so, ah...

[it's a hard life...]

[jitensha]

Huh... yeah, this probably isn't something you'd have to worry about... [ and she hums a little, rubbing her chin. ]

Makoto-kun, then? Or Tachibana-kun, if that's too informal...

[makotoned]

Makoto-kun is fine. And is it fine if I call you Makoto-chan, then?

[hooray for differentiation!

In the meantime, he's setting out the (home-cooked) (neat) (hand-packaged) lunches he made.]

[jitensha]

That's fine!

[ but oh dear god what are these beautiful things. ]

... Did you make these yourself??

[makotoned]

[...oh gosh what is this excitement.]

Aha...yes, I've had some practice cooking and cleaning looking after my siblings. Hopefully it ends up tasting as good as it looks.

[go ahead, Makoto--he'll just spread the food out so that it's open for the taking.]