Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe;

[jitensha]

[ work, as she'd predicted, has been getting increasingly schedule-jamming. Not that Makoto minds, but in between work and studying and the few occasional moments of free time she could get with the other idols, it's been even harder to get the chance to see her... boyfriend (and she'll get used to thinking of him like that sooner or later, but it never fails to make her feel unusually shy).

Well, she'd reasoned, he had a training camp, so even if she'd had the time, he would have been gone anyway-- but that doesn't stop her from texting him, taking a breather from the rehearsal with Mami and Haruka to do so. ]

Hey! How'd the training camp go?

Comments

[jitensha]

Three kilometers? But... that's so close...

[ and then, abruptly, she gets it. Because it had been so close, and yet the ocean wasn't the pool or a pond. There was always that force churning beneath the waves, and if that... ]

So that's why... no matter how close you are, the ocean isn't always going to be calm.

[ and she'd invited him right out into it. She won't voice that out loud, but the guilt's still there when she lowers her eyes. She should have noticed. Even if she hadn't known what he'd been through, she should have stopped the race the instant she'd seen him swim the way he had.

For this to happen now... ]

[makotoned]

I guess it...made an impression on me.

[The laugh he gives then is quiet and a little self-deprecating, but...honestly, a swimmer who's afraid of the ocean...

But he does see her drop her gaze, and that's more than a clear indicator of guilt, and even if he doesn't know what's going through her head, he has a pretty good idea.

So he smiles a little.]

It's alright. I'm okay now...and I think...I'll definitely be okay in the future too.

[jitensha]

You definitely will be. [ and she says it quietly, but she does look at him. ]

But... um, if it's okay to ask... why did you join the swim club? I mean, it's okay not to force yourself, so...

[makotoned]

[Ah, yes, that's the obvious question, isn't it? And he smiles a little at that, because he already knows his answer, and it's silly, but so simple.]

That's...because I wanted to swim with Haru and the others.

[For that...he'd happily face his fears. It's all a matter of priorities.]

[jitensha]

...

[ and she's not really that surprised. Of course it would lead back to that. ]

You really are an amazing friend, you know? I hope they realize that.

[makotoned]

[...ah. He doesn't really think that that makes him an amazing friend--maybe a selfish one, if anything, but...

...]

They are definitely all understanding in their own ways.

[Haru and his overprotectiveness, and Nagisa and "You finally smiled!" and Rei and his inquisitive need to make sure everything is okay...

...]

I'm really lucky myself.

[jitensha]

[ she can only imagine what he's thinking-- he always did kind of smile away his own good points, but this was one he shared with Haruka. No matter what, she'd always put her friendships first. He'd done the same, even with his fear.

So Makoto sighs a little now, but pats his head when it's so easily within reach. ]

So am I.

[makotoned]

[And he leans into her touch easily enough, before smiling more fully and laughing quietly. She's always been so understanding, but...]

I'm really glad that you're here, Makoto-chan.

[jitensha]

Where else would I be right now? I'm just sorry I don't live closer.

[ ... yeah, she'd been worried. ]

[makotoned]

[he's starting to realize, so his obvious response has to be--]

I'm sorry for worrying you.

[Makoto pls]

But I'm still really grateful that you came. I'm feeling much better now...

[jitensha]

... And you're not just saying that to make me feel better?

[makotoned]

Not at all.

[He smiles at her a bit more firmly.]

I feel better, so...thank you for listening.

[jitensha]

Thank you for trusting me. [ and she says it immediately, flashing him a smile. ] Talking about fears really isn't easy.

[makotoned]

Ah...it wasn't that I didn't trust you before...

[But yeah, she seems to understand that, at least, so he just slumps a little in relief and nods.]

...It does feel better now that I've gotten it off my chest, though.

[jitensha]

I knew princely kisses would work!

[ ... Makoto, this and that are two completely different things. ]

[makotoned]

[...but he just...laughs.

It's such an inane thing, but she seems so proud of it and he can't help it--it's funny, and he's cheerful enough now to be able to laugh.

And when he catches his breath--]

Well, you were definitely right about that.

[jitensha]

[ and there she is, still sitting beside him and some weird mix of proud and relieved. ]

... I got to hear your laugh, too.

[makotoned]

[Ah...

It's like Nagisa, again-- "You finally smiled, Mako-chan." It makes him smile fondly, as surprised as he is.]

Thank you, Makoto-chan.

[And--]

I suppose I shouldn't expect anything less from my own princess, hm?

[jitensha]

[ don't blush, don't blush-- so she just clears her throat, doing her best to look like she's not embarrassed. ]

So I'm a princess again?

[makotoned]

You've always been a princess.

[He just tilts his head with a firm smile.]

Just a princess with a wide range of skills, like princely kisses.

[jitensha]

[ did someone say anything about not blushing, she actually has to release him completely just to put her face in her hands because of how hot she's turning. ]

H-hold on, I wasn't ready--

[makotoned]

[oh no makoto-chan, stop being so adorable...

He just smiles at her, if a little concernedly.]

I hope that's okay?

[jitensha]

[ she might not be able to lift her head for a good few minutes. ]

That wasn't bad, I've just never... heard that before...

[makotoned]

Ah, well...that's just what I think from what I've seen.

[now he's feeling a little sheepish too, though he's not taking it back!!]

[jitensha]

[ and that's when she suddenly jerks her chin up and-- slaps her palms against her cheeks with a decisive noise. ]

That's what I've always wanted to hear, though! I'm actually really happy right now!

[ ... Makoto pls? ]