Fated Love (Makoto Tachibana x Reader)

    "Isn't it funny how things never change?" Nagisa giggled, poking the back of Haruka's neck with his pencil. "Look, Haru-Chan."

    His eyes trailed from the open window to the sight of his best friend making a fool of himself. Makoto starred dreamily at the head two desks ahead of him, chin cupped in his palm. The tall, muscled giant was proving yet again that you couldn't judge a book by it's cover. His massive size barely even translated into his softie personalty.

    (Name)-san was doodling in the margins of her worksheet, oblivious to the eyes of the Swim Team. It had been like this ever since they were children, the only difference being you were in pigtails and nobody's voice had dropped yet. Makoto would stare away at your figure and daydream the whole class. It was a wonder he kept his grades up.

    During the big break up after primary school, while Mako was distracted with frenemy feuds and a splitting clique, you had managed to slip away. He didn't know exactly what happened, only that someone had gotten a job in China and you had to move away the entirety of middle school.

    He mourned you like a deceased pet, moping around his room, inconsolable. The heart ache had passed the way most things did, with time. This did not mean he still didn't keep the little yearbook picture of you tucked away with a few other old memories.

    At the start of the new year he didn't even recognize you. His silly mind still envisioned you as the tiny, sweet little schoolgirl who preferred playing to texting. But the eyes. Eyes never change on a person, and when Mako saw the beautiful (color) shade, he knew he was in love all over again.

    Now the dangerous mix of hormones, puberty, and teenage tendencies were meshed with childhood infatuations. That body had filled out during your years apart, giving curves to flat terrain, shaping a womanly body under the fabric of your uniform. He couldn't keep from starring at you, as noted by his amused friends.

    Ama-sensei finished scrolling the last few notes on the board, voicing quick goodbyes as you all rushed for the door. It didn't matter how nice the teacher was, no one wanted to dawdle on a Friday. There were malls to be in, movies to watch, pools to swim in. Well, that last one was mostly for Haru.

    Nagisa talked away with Haruka and Makoto on either side of him, dragging Rei into their group when he spotted him. The whole quartet walked together to the train station, chatting about the weekend plans. All of the boys were excited for a beach tripped planned for just a few hours form now.

    "Oooh, Mako-kun. There's your girlfriend." He cooed, pointing to the girl waiting at the train platform.

    "Girlfriend?" Rei queried, pushing up his crimson spectacles. "I didn't know you were dating, Makoto-Senpai."

    "She's n-not..." Mako stammered, nervously adjusting his book bag. "That's just a girl in my classes. It's nothing."

    "Mako-kun has a big crush on her." Nagisa continued, ignoring the brunettes pleas. "He's been in love with her since we were little. But he got all tongue tied whenever he tried to ask her out."

    Rei tilted his head as he looked at the girl. She was far enough down the platform to where she couldn't hear them gossip about her. She was indeed pretty, and he could see why Makoto would be smitten with her. He nodded absentmindedly as he calculated how beautiful they would be together.

    "Why don't you ask her again, now?" Rei asked.

    "That wouldn't be a good idea." Makoto scratched the back of his neck.

    "Why not?"

    "Because he's never even talked to her." Haru voiced quietly, looking back in the direction of the club swimming pool.

    Makoto blushed, feeling absolutely ashamed. He had tried, only to stutter, halt, and then say nothing at all.

    You had looked curiously at him for a few moments, waiting for him to give reason to why he had stopped you a recess. He only turned pink, mumbling unintelligible words.

    "You're cute!" You laughed, playing with a stray piece of your hair.

    Mako said nothing, trying not to swallow his own tongue. You shook your head playfully, pressing a small kiss on the tip of is nose.

    "Bye, Mako-san." You waved, rejoining your friends.

    Makoto's blush deepened to near purple before Haru found him and tried to drag him to the water fountain for a dip. Mako was almost shoved in before he regained any sense.

    "Try again now!" Nagisa begged. "Just say hi! It couldn't hurt."

    He gulped, looking at your intimidating figure parked on a bench. You were just sitting, waiting patiently for the train car home. A friendly hello from a boy that went to your school. Nothing weird. He...he could do that.

    With the three remaining boys craned their necks to watch, he ambled towards you. Makoto paused in front of the bench, coughing lightly to gain your attention. You glanced up, offering a smile that sent his knees to jelly.

    "Mako-san, it's you!" You grinned, hopping up. "I thought I saw you in class, but I wasn't sure. Seeing you with Haru and Nagisa was the clue in. You three were inseparable, along with Rin-kun. I'm sorry I didn't say anything before, I wanted to be sure it was you. You've, well, grown."

    You pressed your palms to your skirt in an effort to hide how sweaty they were. The adorable kid from your younger days had developed into a seven foot tall swimsuit model. You saw the rippling muscles pressed just barely against his clothes, leading up to a broad face creased with laugh lines. Green eyes glinted down at you, matching the happy curve of his lips.

    "How have you been?" He asked, shoving his hands deep in his pockets.

    "Great. It feels good to be back in Japan, and I'm glad I got to see you again." You flirted easily, hooking your bag over one arm.

    "I'm glad to see you again, too." His breath hitched, but he could still go on.

    To anyone else on the platform, the conversation winded on for only a few minutes, but for Mako, it was hours. It was almost like the two of you were wrapped up in a little bubble, discussing and laughing about things bottled up since childhood. The sight of the train rumbling down the tracks sparked a little courage in him, the "Now or Never" mindset setting in.

    "I know we didn't hang out much when we first met, but maybe we could fix that?"

    "Like a date?"

    "M-maybe. I was going to the beach with my friends later tonight, I was wondering if you wanted to come? You could tell me all about China and I could help you make a few friends here." He offered a shaky smile.

    "That sounds wonderful." You exclaimed, placing a gentle hand to his arm.

    The boy had biceps that could make ice melt. He blinked at your touch, enjoying the feeling of your fingers drumming against his skin.

    The Iwatobi swim club silently cheered him on from the sidelines. The train rolled into the station, Rei, Haru, and Nagisa taking a group of seat near the front. They weren't offended when Mako went to go sit with you, they were pretty happy.

    It was interesting to see a date five years in the making.