Hold me like the river Jordan;

[jitensha]

[ it's strange to be back here again. Not that Makoto found being near the ocean to be a particularly odd thing, but it's been a year, and so much has changed since then. They hadn't been as well known back then. They could run down the beach or leap into the ocean or get hit on without fear of being overly crowded (though the latter was mostly Miki). For the time being, staying in the ocean had kept recognition to a minimum, and the other idols had split up to stay low and relax in their own different ways.

In Makoto's case, the ocean was still the place to be, and she's happily trotting towards it after some additional time spent on dry land (mainly keeping the twins from burying the Producer completely). Is she expecting company?

No, but at least she's open to it. ]

Comments

[makotoned]

[Makoto had not wanted to go to the ocean. He was still...well, he'd never forgotten that time when so many people had drowned so very close to shore, and childhood fears are hard to shake.

But Nagisa had insisted and Haru had actually agreed since it was now warm enough to swim in it, and Makoto couldn't say no after that.

So here he is, smiling faintly as he shades his eyes with one hand and peers out at the ocean, though there's a sense of unease to him despite himself.

Which is why he doesn't recognize the girl that trots right by him at first.]

[jitensha]

[ if he doesn't recognize her, the same can't be said for the girl who-- okay, doesn't actually realize that she's moved past a familiar face until she suddenly glances back over her shoulder.

Hey, Makoto, hope you like having an idol call out to you from less than three feet away. ]

Makoto-kun, hey!

[makotoned]

[Well that sure is impossible to miss. Makoto blinks, snapping back to reality from his thoughts, and smiles at her.]

Makoto-chan! What a surprise. I didn't expect to see you again in a place like this.

[don't you have idol-y things to do...?

Not that he's unhappy, much to the contrary.]

[jitensha]

Same here, honestly. [ but she's still grinning. ]

But this place has a lot of memories for 765 Pro, so it's kind of like visiting an old friend.

... After a whole lot of rescheduling.

[makotoned]

[he chuckles at that, shaking his head.]

I can only imagine...it wasn't quite as tough for us to get here, once Nagisa got it into his head that he wanted to go.

Besides, Haru is always up for swimming.

[He just sighs long-sufferingly and gestures to where Haru is already swimming happily in the ocean.]

[jitensha]

...

I was wondering this before, but is he part-fish?

[makotoned]

I don't blame you for wondering, and you wouldn't be the first. Haru just really, really loves the water.

[He smiles a bit fondly though, upon talking about his (ridiculous) best friend.]

It's good that it's warm enough for him to swim outdoors again.

[jitensha]

It really is a good day for it! [ and she's still raring to go, judging from the way she's bouncing on her feet and stretching her arms over her head. ]

I may not be as much in love with the water as he is, but don't you think a swim would be fun?

[ like she hasn't been in there. ]

[makotoned]

[...ah...ha...

He looks back over the ocean, a little unsure. He's very much not used to saying no (especially to cute girls who are his friend), but...]

You can go on ahead if you want. You should enjoy yourself on your day out.

[and he's very much not ready to swim in the ocean, and burdening her with his silly fears seems unfair.]

[jitensha]

[ sadly, while Makoto is observant, that's not exactly kicking in. Instead, her shoulders slump and her look is half-imploring and half-disappointed. ]

You're not going in...?

[makotoned]

[...it's like he kicked a puppy.

And Makoto has never been good at saying no. He's always been the weak-willed one, at least when it comes to the happiness of those around him.

And so what can he do?]

It does look like a pretty nice day, you're right.

[And he sets to taking off his shirt. Okay Makoto. You win.]

[jitensha]

[ at least he'll get her SPARKLING LIKE THE SUN a la Gou Kou, only with less awe. ]

That's the spirit! You really can't go to the beach without a dip!

[makotoned]

[He's used to the sparkling by now. It's just something that happens when they all take their shirts off. Who knew.

So he tosses his shirt aside, and pants, because he had to wear his swimsuit to the beach regardless of his intentions to swim or not.

Maybe Haru is rubbing off on him...]

I guess you're right.

[hahaha ha...ha......]

[jitensha]

[ at least the sight of Makoto in all his swimsuited glory gives her pause. Maybe because she hadn't actually seen him shirtless in her attempts to breathe last time, but it's glaringly apparent now that he's a swimmer with that kind of body.

Her dad would likely be jealous. ]

... Haru-san's not the only swimmer, huh?

[makotoned]

[He just smiles at that, nodding easily.]

That's right. We're on the swim team together.

[...eh...]

Is it that obvious?

[jitensha]

[ Makoto nods just as easily, taking a slow circle around him to confirm-- even if he'd already done that. ]

You've got really developed muscles, but everything looks balanced. It's not just your arms, but your legs, and your stomach looks tight...

[ and she nods once more, this time to herself. ]

You've got a lean look, and isn't that perfect for a swimmer?

[makotoned]

[Now he can't help but be a bit flustered. Seriously, he wasn't asking for an inspection--]

A-ahaha... Thanks, I think.

You're right though. We're all swimmers--Haru and Nagisa and Rei and I.

[He gestures to them all, off goofing around.]

[jitensha]

[ Makoto Kikuchi, earnestly straightforward in everything. ]

That's your team? [ she's looking in that direction, smiling when she spots them. ] They look like they're having fun!

[makotoned]

[Makoto is relieved to not be the center of attention anymore, honestly.

And they're not in the ocean, so this is a win-win]

That's right. They can all be a little silly sometimes, but they're all very good friends.

[jitensha]

That's the same as the other girls! Um, except not all of them are silly, but-- well. I'd introduce you, but I think all of them are trying to keep a low profile right now.

[makotoned]

Perhaps another time then. I wouldn't want to ruin your day at the beach--it sounds like that doesn't happen very often for all of you.

[Poor, poor idols.]

[jitensha]

Not anymore... but I wouldn't change where we're at now for the world.

[ a moment of silence, in which she stares nostalgically at the ocean-- and then she's back to grinning at him. ]

That aside, the ocean's waiting! Come on, Makoto-kun!

[makotoned]

[.......ah yes, the...ocean....

It is waiting, he suspects.

That's...the problem....

So he just smiles at her weakly in return but follows her towards it because he already kicked the puppy once, he can't do it again.]

That's right, ahaha...

[jitensha]

[ if only Makoto knew.

But sadly, she doesn't. ]

Did you want to race? I might not be on a swim team, but I'm pretty fast!

[makotoned]

I bet you are.

[why is this happening, whyyyy]

Where do you want to race to? I don't mind giving it a try.