Makoto wiped the sweat from his brow, adjusting his cap as he watched a group of energetic kids splash around in the pool. He had just finished coaching the younger group, and now he was trying to catch his breath before his next class. Between his part-time job at the swimming club, college assignments, and trying to manage everything else, he hadn’t had much time to himself, let alone to check in with Haru. He couldn’t remember the last time they had a quiet moment, just the two of them.

The kids were noisy, but it felt like a comforting kind of chaos. Their laughter filled the air, and Makoto found himself smiling, distracted momentarily from the exhaustion of his packed schedule. Just as he turned to gather the kids’ things for the next round of lessons, a familiar figure appeared by the edge of the pool.

Makoto froze for a second. Haruka Nanase, looking as serene and distant as always, stood a few feet away, arms folded across his chest. His eyes—those sharp, oceanic eyes—met Makoto’s, and for a moment, everything seemed to quiet down.

“Haru,” Makoto said, a mix of surprise and relief in his voice. He hadn’t expected to see him here, especially after everything that had been piling up.