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]

[....and he blinks. And shakes his head, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.]

I can't let you hop everywhere. I'm your friend, so let me help you out.

[And so he crouches down, offering her his back.]

Besides, it'll be faster this way.

[jitensha]

[ she has to stare at his back for a few seconds - and not just because it is a very nice back - before she moves. Slowly. It's another strange feeling, that Makoto, the one who can piggyback people and carry the ones who are larger than she is, is going to be the one being carried instead, but she also knows better than to raise a fuss about it. He may have a gentle personality, but there's something about him that suggests that he can be just as stubborn when he needs to be. ]

Just--

[ and then she's touching warm, bare skin as she settles herself on his back, cupping her palms over his shoulders. ]

It's okay to let me know if I'm too heavy!

[makotoned]

[He makes sure that she's steady, glad that she's not putting up more of a fuss; Haru would have already brushed him off two or three times. But she isn't, and it does feel good to finally be listened to.

Regardless, he makes sure she's steady and then he stands up easily, laughing.]

This is nothing compared to training.

[Really, Makoto-chan, you're light. And to prove it, he'll start jogging towards the lifeguard stand.]

[jitensha]

[ ... so not only is he gentle and stubborn, he's silly. It makes her laugh, as embarrassing as this is. There really was no sense in protesting, and it's obvious that he can handle her weight, so she leans against him a little more and just hopes this doesn't attract a whole lot of attention. ]

[makotoned]

[He's relieved that she's laughing as well. It's probably a silly sight, him carrying her on his back, both of them in swimsuits and laughing ridiculously.

But with him jogging, it doesn't take him long at all to reach the lifeguard stand, and while the lifeguard doesn't seem to be there, at least there's the first aid kit, right where it should be.

And he carefully lets her down, reaching to steady her just in case.]

Phew, here we are.

[jitensha]

[ she obligingly shifts her weight once more, this time keeping her foot lifted-- not because it's difficult or painful, but because she doesn't want him worrying any more than he already has. ]

You're pretty fast! Is that what they call a noble steed?

[makotoned]

[He chuckles at that.]

I don't think I've ever been called that, but maybe.

[Makoto you just admitted to being her noble steed...well, whatever! He just grabs the first aid kit and crouches down for better access to that cut foot.

At least he is used to dealing with cuts and scrapes and every sort of minor injury you could imagine, with two younger siblings (and Haru). They tend to get into trouble a lot (and Haru).

So it doesn't take him long to clean it and bandage it up neatly.]

There!

[jitensha]

[ and Makoto's used to being the one with all the cuts and scrapes and bruises from a fatherly-encouraged childhood, so she's at least being helpful in that she won't yelp or yank her foot away. And there, all nice and bandaged, perfectly fine when she sets it down. ]

See? You really are amazing!

[makotoned]

[And he's just relieved that she's all bandaged up and healthy again but--

Her words startle him, and he blushes a little despite himself, rubbing the back of his head.]

Haha, I don't know what I've done to have an amazing idol tell me that...

But thanks. [And he grins at her, standing up again.]

Do we still have time to walk, do you think?

[jitensha]

[ she's quick to nod, which saves him from a spirited talk about just why she'd called him that. But shouldn't he know...?

Well, anyway. ]

The sun hasn't gone down yet! I can still keep going, so count me in!

[makotoned]

[It's definitely for the better she doesn't get the chance, because he would not know how to deal with that.

Instead, he just chuckles at her enthusiasm.]

Let's go, then. You still have to show me more of the beach.

[jitensha]

Oh, right-- then I thiiink, just a little further down, there's still that spot where the best seashells show up! Come on!

[ MAKOTO DON'T JUST RUN OFF. ]

[makotoned]

[...WELL OKAY. He's happy to roll with it.

So he just runs after her, hurrying to catch up.

!!]

Seashells sound great. I could take some home for my little siblings...

[He's always thinking of them, okay.]

[jitensha]

You're really a good big brother, aren't you? [ there's that sibling wistfulness again, one that she's quick to discard when she steps a little closer to the waves and crouches down, beckoning him closer. ]

But see... the non-broken ones usually end up over here. They had this really pretty pale pink one once-- maybe if we can get a handful for your siblings...

[makotoned]

[D'awww, Makoto. He just follows her carefully, smiling thoughtfully at that.]

Oh, I don't know about that. You're the one who's helping me find things for some kids you've never met.

[He peers at the sand, but he's smiling.]

That seems pretty great to me.

[jitensha]

But you're the one looking for things for your siblings on a day for you-- so isn't that the great thing?

... Um, but since I don't know them, you can tell me what to keep an eye out for.

[makotoned]

[h-heheh he supposes they are being a bit silly, just standing around tossing compliments back and forth.

So instead he focuses on looking for shells.]

It's best to find two that are as similar as possible...otherwise they'll each want each other's as well as their own...

[SIBLINGS...]

[jitensha]

[ she nods, humming a little absentmindedly under her breath as she starts to investigate. There's a nice variety about, easily found with some wandering, but as to finding two that are similar... that's a tad harder.

But she's not giving up!! ]

Two that are similar...

[makotoned]

[It's okay, he's looking just as hard (even if he might be sneaking a peek at Makoto every now and again, because her determination here is...oddly sweet and adorable).

Shells, shells, shells...

And they might as well work together on this.]

Any cream ones on your end?

[He holds up a light cream shell, thoughtful.]

[jitensha]

No, this one's kind of red... oh, wait!

[ and with a triumphant noise, she scoops a shell free from the sand and holds it up for his inspection. ]

How about this one?

[makotoned]

[And he splashes closer to inspect it before sighing.]

Oh, it's too much bigger, see?

[He holds up his shell for inspection too.]

Let's keep looking.

[jitensha]

So something smaller... [ it's her turn to sigh, before she turns her attention back to the waves with renewed focus. ] Okay, got it! One small cream shell, coming up!!

[ she might be having too much fun with this, considering she's pouncing every time she sees something promising. ]

[makotoned]

[Well, so long as she's having fun, he finds that he's having quite a lot of fun too. He searches eagerly for a shell to match the one in his hand, or perhaps another that his siblings will like...

It's tough, but it's a little fun to splash around the waves like this with Makoto.]

[jitensha]

[ the sun's just beginning to tinge everything red when Makoto lets out a whoop of victory, now somewhere up to her ankles but with a shell brandished over her head. ]

Found it!

[makotoned]

[...!!

He hurries over to her side, splashing on through, and blinks when he sees it, knowing that she has found The One.]

It's perfect! They'll definitely enjoy these, and more importantly, they can't fight over them.

Good job, Makoto-chan!