Some Things Cannot Be Fixed, They Can Only Be Carried

Chapter 14) Heart; Bent Into A Better Shape

After doing that, we all head inside, where coach Sasabe is already awaiting our arrival. He gives both Ren and Ran a high five and he tells them that they have grown so big; which makes sense, they're ten now, instead of five. He still remembers them from when they'd come here with mom and Haruka and me, during the time that the old Iwatobi SC was still a thing.

Then Sasabe turns to Haruka, whom he also hasn't seen in such a long time; not once since the accident. Of course, he's heard how Haruka's been doing, and that I think he's doing better since a week ago, but he still looks somewhat uneasy when he sees his old-student like this.

He's quick to get his act back together though, and manages to cackle loudly while patting Haruka on the head. "It's so nice to see you, Haruka! It's been a while, am I right?"

His voice is echoing through the big entrance hall, and it makes Haruka wince at first, but that's soon followed by a ghost of a smile on his face; he's clearly happy to see his old coach as well, even when being here probably reminds him of times when it was still easier.

After greeting Haruka happily, Sasabe turns to me, explaining that I should be getting ready. "Should I show them where they can sit?" he asks, gesturing at Ren and Ran. "Get them a drink and such."

I nod, thanking him for wanting to make sure they're comfortable while I get changed for my lesson. And with that Sasabe, Ren and Ran disappear to the back, they also takes Haruka with them of course, but he'll have to be taken up by the elevator, and frankly, I have no clue where that is; I just know the stairs that lead up to the little cafeteria upstairs where parents usually sit to spectator.

Once pulled on my swimsuit, I head towards the pool. I find myself immediately looking up, seeing Ren and Ran pressed with their faces up to the window. When they wave at me, I wave back at them.

Then they take a sip of their lemonades, which Sasabe must've given them even though the sugar will probably make them hyper. And afterwards they calmly sit down beside Haruka, whose eyes are also looking down at me, Ren on one side and Ran on the other, both of them holding Haruka hand.

I smile; it makes me very happy that they try to include Haruka the best they can.

Especially when Haruka might be regaining consciousness, I don't want him to feel left out or forgotten in any way. So that's why I love to see people, other than just me, pay attention to Haruka.

"You ready, Makoto?" Sasabe asks me when he catches me spacing out in the middle of the room.

I snap out of it and nod. "Yeah." It's an exciting day today, not only will the job of coaching a group of kids be left to me completely from now, since I've been well-trained by Sasabe, but my siblings and Haruka are also watching. It's quite a lot of pressure to do things well today, but having them here is also very reassuring to me; like, if they're here, I can do anything.

"I'm proud of you, you know," Sasabe says, not showing me his face as he says it. He doesn't need to say any more, I can hear it in his voice, that he doesn't mean the fact that I'll be coaching an entire group of kids on my own, he means that I've taken care of Haruka for over a year now.

I stand there, smiling sadly at my feet. I'm proud of myself too, I just hope that fate will give me something back for it; like Haruka's conscious we're waiting on.

Sasabe goes on with whatever he was doing, not saying another word about it; he's not the person to tell you that he's proud of you. Not in that tone, not so seriously. But when he does, he means it.

I also try to go on with my day as usual; happily greeting the kids when they arrive. I introduce myself to the small group of new kids, before telling them to introduce themselves, so that way I know how to call them during their swim classes but also so they know each others' names.