the idea of hayato building the courage to give makoto a love note makes my heart explode
Crayons? Check.
Paper? Check.
Envelope? Check
Heart shaped sticker? Double check.
With fine, child-like penmanship, Hayato began to write the words he was too afraid to say out loud. He wished he was like the other children in the swimming group, the ones who openly commented on how wonderful Coach Tachibana was. Former coach, technically, he didn’t teach their classes anymore. However, he did keep his word, and every Sunday he showed up to watch them practice.
It was silly, really, because Tachibana-san treated them all equally, but Hayato liked to think that he smiled the most at him, extra proud that he was taking steps to enjoy the water again.
It didn’t take long to write the letter, but it did take long to seal the envelope. It took even longer to put the note in the bag, especially when Kisumi caught site of it and asked what it was. "N-nothing,“ Hayato said quickly, equipping himself with a bright smile to try and distract his big brother. It worked, mostly, but Kisumi couldn’t stop chuckling, for some reason.
Once practice was over the children immediately surrounded Tachibana-san, who smiled and took time out to speak to all of them. Hayato kept the envelope behind his back, tiny hands shaking as he waited for the right moment, his nerves making his stomach feel uneasy. Normally, the children talked forever, but today they all headed home rather quickly. Too quickly, because now Hayato was alone with him.
"Have a good night,” he said with that smile of his, and suddenly Hayato was tempted to call the whole thing off. There was no way he could do this, and even if he could, would it mean anything? Tachibana-san probably got letters like this all the time, why would Hayato’s mean something? "Are you all right?“
Hayato blinked, his eyes widening when he realized that they were watering. No, no no, he wasn’t really about to cry, right? Not about this, of all things. He already broke down in the water with Tachibana-san there was no reason to do it again. However, thinking back on it, if he could face that he could certainly face this, right? With a deep breath Hayato thrusted the envelope into Tachibaba-san’s hands, "F-for you.”
“Oh? What is-”
But Hayato was already running off.
***
Dear Coach Tachibana
Dear Tachibana-san,
I love you more than water. I love you more than swimming. I love you more than the cookies my mom bakes. They’re really good cookies, Kisumi-niisan eats a lot of them. I want to bring you cookies! I miss you being our coach. I want to swim with you again.
Can we swim together again?
Hayato
***
Because clearly I can’t help myself.
