Free! Ebb and Flow Chapter 4

Chapter 4

When Haru woke up he saw that Tay was sleeping next to him. His heart started pounded when he sat up trying to gather his composure. She was still sound asleep but now was wearing Haru’s clothes; she must have woken up in the middle of the night and read his note. He decided to gather up his clothes and have his bath before she got up. When Tay awoke she saw that Haru was gone, he must have gotten up already. She grabbed her clothes and her bag and quietly walked down the stairs. Surprisingly Haru was already wearing his uniform and was now making breakfast. “Morning Haru...” Tay spoke placing her bag down, still holding onto her uniform. “Morning... If you want to take a bath I will have something ready for you to eat.” Haru stated as he turned to face her. “Okay I will then, thanks.” Tay smiled quickly heading to his bathroom. She pulled out a towel and placed it over her uniform, taking the clothes Haru let her borrow off and throwing them in the hamper. Walking into the bathing room completely naked the though of this being where Haru bathes crossed her mind, turning her whole body bright red. After washing up she climbed into the bath, her heart racing faster then ever. This was the water that Haru had soaked in, completely lost in though Tay was startled when the door slid open and Makoto walked in and froze when he saw Tay, naked sitting in Haru’s bath. Both of their faced turned bright red, Tay quickly covered her chest and Makoto dropped his bag. “I’m sorry!” He cried out running the other way. Tay was still in shock over what just happened, Makoto was completely embarrassed when suddenly he bumped into an angry looking Haru.

“What are you doing?” Haru spoke holding a knife with a look that screamed he was going to kill Makoto. “I didn’t mean to I thought you were in there, you didn’t open the door when I rang the doorbell and I saw your clothes in the hamper and I,” Makoto stuttered trying to defend himself to Haru. Haru just sighed knowing Makoto wouldn’t peep on a girl on purpose. “I really didn’t mean to...” Makoto spoke still bright red, “did you see her?” Haru twitched, Makoto looked away figuring that Haru did not like the idea of another guy seeing her naked. “I uh...” Makoto brought his hands in front of his face. “Sorry about that...” Tay spoke as she came out of the bathroom dressed in her uniform. “No I am I didn’t mean to...” Makoto spoke both still blushing from the awkwardness. “Breakfast is ready...” Haru said turning to walk the other way. He had no idea why he was so upset, it was an accident and he knew it. As he and Tay sat down to eat, Makoto sat with them, still unable to look at Tay. “You made an omelet rice!” Tay’s eyes lit up making Haru’s lips curve into a small smile. “Well I know you like them...” Haru replied taking another bite of mackerel. “Thank you!” Tay smiled; Haru felt his face get hot. Makoto noticed something was a bit different with the two of them, Haru seemed more nervous then normal and it had nothing to do with Makoto accidently seeing Tay naked.

During breakfast Tay explained to Makoto why she was over, also insisting that she wasn’t upset about the bath mess earlier. Makoto being the kind of person he was still felt really guilty but Tay made sure to tell him it wasn’t a big deal, it just surprised her. After meeting up with Mel and Mai they both noticed that there was an awkward tension in the air. Haru seemed uncomfortable, Makoto couldn’t look at Tay without blushing and Tay seemed drained from whatever was going on with them. Both of them didn’t ask since knowing Tay she would explain things when they were alone together. At Lunch the boys headed up to the roof and Tay stated the girl’s would bring drinks up for everyone. Mel and Mai knew that she was dying to tell them something. While getting drinks Tay had explained what had happened the previous night and this morning. Mai turned red and couldn’t believe what happened with Makoto, Mel burst out laughing wishing she had been there to see everyone’s reactions. “But still it seems you and Haru are getting closer,” Mel smirked making Tay blush. “Well he didn’t say anything when I woke up and didn’t have an opportunity after Makoto showed up, but I still can’t believe I got to be that close to Haru!” Tay smiled, looking like she could explode from happiness. “I wonder if Haru was jealous about Makoto seeing you naked?” Mai pondered, “well I did hear Makoto defending himself to Haru... I would be happy if that was the case.” Tay blushed again, “poor Makoto though, he is such a pure guy he must feel terrible.” Mel surmised, Mai looked perplexed, she thought of Makoto, understanding how he must have felt. “I told him not to worry about it but I figured it would bother him.” Tay broke Mai’s train of thought as she turned to her and smiled softly.

After eating lunch with the guys Makoto and Nagisa went to ask Amakata sensei if she could be the swim club’s adviser. Apparently Nagisa had already filled out the form, Makoto would be the captain and Nagisa would be the treasurer. Haru would be the vice-captain, which seemed accurate. The following day Makoto informed the girls that the swim club was approved and that they got Amakata sensei to be the adviser, however they needed to gain another member to make it official as well as return the pool to a usable state. Tay knew Haru would hate doing that causing her to chuckle. The girls decided to bring them some drinks while they worked, there were so many weeds growing it was actually impressive. The next day the guys asked Tay if they could use the art room to make recruitment posters. Tay asked her club and they said it was no problem. Not to surprisingly Tay was too busy watching Haru draw that she ended up neglecting her own work. Turns out Haru was an amazingly skilled artist, so much so that Tay was taken back by his talent. The rest of the art club seemed to be as well, trying to convince Haru to join. The art club attempted to drag him away while Nagisa clung to him holding him back. Haru having no reaction what so ever made Tay laugh, he really was adorable.

The girls met up with Makoto for lunch and went to the roof to look for Haru; they could see in the distance that Haru was still working on the pool. He really wanted to swim, Tay quickly doubled back heading to the pool, the others smiled knowing what she was up to. When she got to the pool Haru looked up at her, “you should take a break and have some lunch.” Tay stated holding out her lunch box. “I want to get more work done.” Haru replied as he continued to scrub the pool. “Alright then I will help!” Tay insisted placing her lunchbox down and rolling up her sleeves. “Really you don’t have to!” Haru proclaimed however Tay continued to climb down and joined in on the scrubbing. Haru sighed figuring he couldn’t talk her out of it. After a while he noticed Tay was sweating and looked dizzy, she started to stumble and lost her balance, Haru quickly dropped the brush and caught her. He felt her forehead and she had an incredibly high fever. “Tay... Tay!” He called out as she opened her eyes and smiled. “Sorry Haru I guess I pushed myself too hard...” Tay revealed, she then closed her eyes again. Haru in a state of panic picked her up and carried her over to the steps where he lifted her up resting her against the top step while attempting to climb up himself, he then lifted her with all his strength to get her out of the pool where he caught his breath and then lifted her onto his back. He didn’t have time to be tired, he had to get her to the nurse’s office quick.  

When Tay opened her eyes she saw that she was in the nurse’s office, looking around she saw Haru sitting in the chair beside her looking out the window. “Haru?” Tay questioned, Haru quickly turned around with wide eyes, “Tay!” He stated while standing up, his eyes full of worry. “Are you okay? How are you feeling?” He questioned, Tay just smiled, she was happy to see Haru so concerned about her. “Don’t worry I’m okay this happens every now and then.” Tay responded sitting herself up. “Mel told me about your health...” Haru spoke sitting back down. “She was here?” Tay asked, “yeah Makoto, Nagisa and Mai as well. They went back to class and said they would take notes for us.” Haru answered, “So you stayed to watch over me?” Tay blushed feeling her heart start to race faster. Haru blushed as well, turning his head to the side, “yeah well it was my fault for not watching you carefully.” “No really please don’t blame yourself. I just wanted to help you, I know how much this means to you and I put my health aside and I’m so sorry I caused you trouble.” Tay insisted, Haru’s eyes widened. “You did that for my sake?” Haru asked the blush on his face remained; Tay closed her eyes to compose herself as she made a decision. “Haru please let me join the swim club!” Tay belted out, Haru’s eyes widened again. “What about the art club?” Haru asked, “I want to join, besides I prefer to do my art for me so I don’t mind leaving. I love being in water, I may not be able to help in competitions but I can at least guarantee that the club can stay open.” Tay smiled, “what about you’re health?” Haru continued to question in a worried tone, “as long as I stay in the water I won’t get too hot and I promise I won’t push myself so please!” Tay bowed; Haru was taken back, “alright just don’t let that happen again okay?” Haru insisted as Tay smiled back with a nod.

“You joined the swim club?” Mel questioned, she had gone to see Tay in the nurse’s office. “Well I wanted to be of use, so umm can you please join as well? It would be weird if I was the only girl right?” Tay begged, Mel sighed, “I don’t know I mean I guess I could but I would have to leave the home economic club...” Mel contemplated. “You did always say you didn’t have time to exercise because of it, this way you can and it’s not like you don’t cook and sew at home anyway right?” Tay declared, “Fine but let’s see if Mai will join as well. She is at dance practice right now; we should bring the guys and ask her. Something tells me if Makoto asks she might say yes.” Mel snickered, “are you saying Mai has a crush on Makoto?” Tay asked completely taken by surprise. “Well I don’t think she’s aware of it but I kind of get a little vibe from the two of them. I am positive Makoto likes her though,” Mel stated, Tay continued to remain shocked. “Really? I never noticed...” Tay sighed a little disappointed in herself for not noticing. “Well you usually focus on Haru so don’t be too hard on yourself. Either way Makoto and Haru are waiting outside for us, so let’s go!” Mel smiled as Tay agreed, getting out of the bed she grabbed her things and they were off.