Chapter Text
Just as promised, Makoto visited Haru during his lunchtime, and the two would sit in the back alley and talk to each other. Haru insisted that Makoto didn't have to bring lunch from home since he'll cook for him, but Makoto kept saying that if Haru did that, then it'll be bad for business and people might get suspicious. Haru, of course, didn't care.
"Makoto, you have some on your cheek," Haru said.
"E-eh? How did it get all the way over there?" Makoto asked. He tried to find the piece of rice, but couldn't find it.
"Let me," Haru said as he leaned moved closer to Makoto and licked Makoto's cheek. Makoto jumped and blushed madly.
"T-there wasn't any rice on my cheek at all! You just wanted to lick me," Makoto exclaimed.
"...Maybe," Haru said as he looked away, but Makoto could see a small grin on his face.
"Haru!" Makoto exclaimed.
Things continue to be peaceful between the two. Of course, Haruka still lives with him, so Makoto has to deal with him at home, but he honestly didn't mind. He missed having these moments with Haru. Makoto even believed that he loved those moments, and he was glad to have them again.
"Makoto, you got mail from Nagisa and Rei," Haru said.
"What the fuck! You're even letting him get your mail!?" Rin exclaimed when he came to visit Makoto that day with Sousuke.
"What's wrong with him getting Makoto's mail?" Sousuke asked.
"There's so many thing wrong with that, in fact, it's almost as if they're already a married couple!" Rin exclaimed.
"Come on Rin, it's nothing like that," Makoto sighed. Haru gave him the mail, and Makoto thanked him gratefully. He looked through the letters and was surprised to see an invitation letter to Rei and Nagisa's wedding.
"Guess those two finally became a thing," Sousuke said.
"Yeah, I'm surprised...did they mentioned they were together?" Makoto asked.
"I don't think so...but I'm pretty sure they were together for a long time," Rin said.
"Well...it does explain all those secret moments that those two had when we aren't looking," Makoto chuckled.
"...So those two are getting married," Haru asked.
"Well...yes, why you ask?" Makoto asked.
"...Shall we get married?" Haru asked.
Makoto blushed and started stuttering.
"T-that...I-I m-mean...y-you...um...y-you see...it's j-just-"
"For fuck sake, you two can't get married," Rin said.
"Why not?" Haru asked.
"Well for one thing, you're a freaking merman, but the most important thing is that know one knows that you existed, so you're not a registered citizen, and that also means that it's illegal for you and Makoto to get married," Rin said.
"Well it's not if I'm already a citizen," Haru said as he took out a card from his wallet.
"Seriously, when did you have time to get all of these things!?" Rin exclaimed.
"Never mind that...but Makoto...what do you think?" Haru asked.
Makoto blushed and avoided any eye contact. Did he want to marry Haru. He thought about it and realized that in a way, they were already married since they live together, they share the housework, and on some occasions, Haru does sleep in his bed. Makoto didn't know if he wants to marry Haru though, marriage is very important to those that love each other, but Makoto still hasn't realized if he loves Haru enough to want to marry him. Makoto finally looked at Haru and sighed.
"...I'll...I need to think about it a bit longer...if you don't mind," Makoto said.
"...I'll wait," Haru sighed. Haru then went back to the kitchen and proceeded cooking.
"..." Makoto couldn't help but think that Haru was slightly disappointed.
"Don't look sad Makoto, your response is perfectly normal, especially since you two aren't dating yet," Rin said.
"You're making it sound like I will be dating him soon," Makoto said.
"Well...I'll admit...you two seem to be very fond of each other. It feels like you two are already dating and are no longer friends," Rin said.
"..." Makoto never thought about that. The thought of it almost made Makoto's face blush, but it also made his heart race.
"Just...don't get it to you until you know for sure that you two are meant for each other," Rin said.
"Yeah...alright," Makoto said.
"...Though...if you two do get married...I wonder who would be the wife," Sousuke said.
"Well fish boy of course, he's doing all the cooking, besides...Makoto's way to big to be a wife," Rin said.
"I guess...but with Makoto's personality, and how he was back home...I'm pretty sure he would be champion for housewife material...minus the cooking of course," Sousuke said.
"Hm...now that you mentioned it...he does seem like the type to be great with kids as well," Rin said.
"So do we agree that Makoto would be the wife?" Sousuke asked.
"Agreed," Rin said.
"You two just be quiet already!" Makoto blushed.
"So, you coming to our wedding Mako-chan?" Nagisa asked through the phone.
"Of course, wouldn't miss it for the world," Makoto said as he finished putting on his uniform.
"Great, oh and you can bring Haru-chan with you if you want," Nagisa said.
"I'll be sure to tell him," Makoto chuckled.
"Alright, see you soon!" Nagisa said.
"See ya, and tell Rei I said hey," Makoto said.
"Will do!" Nagisa said. He then hung up and Makoto put away his phone. He felt like everything was changing. First, he meets Haru again after all these years, the two now live with each other, they are still in that stage of whether they like each other or not, and Makoto felt that he was coming to the conclusion of his feelings.
"...Wonder what's Haru doing right now..." Makoto said to himself.
Suddenly, the alarm rang, signalling that there was a fire.
"Everyone, get to your station now!" the captain said. Everyone started rushing everywhere and getting the truck prepared. Makoto entered the firetruck and soon he was going to the location of the fire.
"Where's the fire?" Makoto asked.
"I think it's at that new restaurant that opened up earlier this month," his colleague said.
Makoto felt his entire body freeze at that moment.
"...Haru..."
By the time everyone got to the restaurant, Makoto could see the fire that has spread everywhere.
"Alright everyone, check to see if there aren't any people inside and start taking out this fire!" the captain ordered.
Everyone started rushing and taking out the hose, Makoto quickly went inside to see if there was anyone inside.
"Hello!? Is anyone in here!?" Makoto shouted. He looked everywhere, but couldn't find anyone. He then ran into the kitchen, he saw a familiar figure. "Haru!" Makoto shouted. He quickly ran towards the unconscious body and lifted it up in his arms. "Don't worry Haru, I-I'll get you out of here!" Makoto shouted.
Makoto started running out of the building, being very careful to avoid any falling beams, but as soon as he was about to reach the exit, one of the burning beams fell and blocked his path.
"D-damn it!" Makoto started coughing and tried to find another exit. He remembered the exit that lead to the back alley, he quickly ran back to the kitchen and started kicking the door.
"...Ma....ko...to..." Haru's voice was weak and raspy.
"D-don't worry Haru, I-I'll make sure you're okay...I promise...j-just stay with me...please...just stay with me!" Makoto started to cry as he pulled the body closer to his chest. He continued to kick the door in hopes it would opened, but as soon as he managed to finally kick the door opened, a beam started falling towards him.
"...M-Makoto!" Makoto looked up. Everything went dark.
"Makoto...Makoto! Wake up! Please...please don't leave me...please...don't leave me again...please..." a familiar voice said.
Makoto slowly opened his eyes and saw Haru towering over him with tears in his eyes.
"...Haru...?"
"Makoto! I'm so glad you're okay...I'm so glad!" Haru exclaimed as he hugged Makoto tightly to his body.
"What...happened...how did we..." Makoto looked up and saw the veil of water that was protecting them.
"...Did you...do that?" Makoto asked.
"Yes," Haru said.
"How..."
"...It comes with getting the legs," Haru said.
"...Haru...are you hurt anywhere?" Makoto asked as he sat up and looked over Haru to make sure he has no injuries.
"I'm fine, I just need more wonder in my system and I'll be good," Haru said.
"...Thank god...I...I was so worried that I'd lose you," Makoto said.
"...I was worried that I would lose you again," Haru said.
"...Haru...I-"
"I still love you Makoto...and thinking about losing you again made me realized how much I truly love you...I may not be human...I may not even be the same species as you...but I love you...I love you so much...so please...even if you don't love me...please stay with me...I never want to lose you...I love you too much to let you go..." Haru said as his tears fell out of his eyes.
"...Haru...I love you too," Makoto said. He finally felt relief.
"...Makoto..."
"I...I think I've always loved you Haru...I guess I was too stubborn to notice...but I love you Haru...and...I also don't want to be apart from you..." Makoto took one of Haru's hands and squeezed it gently.
"...Makoto..." Haru leaned in and kissed Makoto on the lips. The first time was amazing, but this time...it felt as if the world finally stopped and that they could be like this forever.
"I love you Makoto," Haru said as he hugged Makoto.
"I love you too, Haru," Makoto said as he returned the hug. The two stayed like that with what felt like hours, they finally stood up and walked out of the building that was finally extinguished.
"Tachibana! Are you okay?" the captain asked.
"I'm fine sir, but we need to take Haru here to the hospital, I want to make sure he's okay," Makoto said.
"Alright, I'll get the ambulance," the captain said. He then left the two alone.
"I'll be fine, I just need some water and I'm good to go," Haru said.
"Can't risk it...besides...I want to make sure you're okay so we can go to the wedding without any worries," Makoto said.
"...Makoto...will you marry me?" Haru asked.
"You're asking me that now!? After what just happened!? We almost died!" Makoto blushed.
"No we wouldn't, as long as there is water in the air, I could easily protect us from any harm," Haru said.
"I guess but...wait a minute..." Makoto then remembered how Haru was unconscious. There wasn't anything on top of him, there wasn't any scrapes, and the weirdest part was the fact that Haru looked like he was sleeping than being unconscious. "Haru...you didn't..."
"Well...I didn't start the fire...but I may have stayed there just in case my favorite fireman came to save me," Haru said.
"Haru! That was extremely dangerous!" Makoto exclaimed.
"Don't care, you said you love me, so I'm content," Haru said. The ambulance finally arrived that Haru simply walked towards it.
"We're not done here Haru! Haru!? Haru! Don't walk off like it was nothing!" Makoto ran after Haru and Haru couldn't be any happier.
"Congratulations on getting married Mako-chan!" Nagisa exclaimed.
"Yes, I do hope you two are happy together," Rei said.
"Still can't believe you two got married so soon," Rin sighed.
"Well whatever works for them should be fine," Sousuke said as he wrapped an arm around Rin.
"I-idiot, don't get so touch with me!" Rin blushed.
"Aw, Rin-chan and Sousuke sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-"
"Finish that song and I'll arrest you for harassing a police officer," Rin said.
"Okay okay, jeez," Nagisa laughed.
"You guys never changed," Makoto laughed.
"Of course, we'll never change, and you'll never change as well Mako-chan, you'll still be that wimp we know and love," Nagisa said.
"That's very rude Nagisa," Rei said.
"Alright alright, sorry...hey...is there any food on this boat? I'm starving," Nagisa complained.
"I think there's some mackerel in the cooler," Makoto said.
"Ugh...you do realized that now that you're married to that fish freak, you'll have to endure having to eat mackerel everyday," Rin said.
"I...I honestly don't mind...I've already been use to it when I first met Haru," Makoto laughed.
"Right...where is fish boy anyways?" Rin asked.
"Oh...he's just swimming," Makoto said.
"Swimming...how can he...you've got to be kidding me!" Rin exclaimed when he turned his head and see Haru catching up to the boat in his merman form.
"Woah, he's very beautiful when he's swimming," Nagisa said.
"Yes...it's magnificent," Rei said.
"I'll admit...he's pretty good," Sousuke said.
He's pretty...are you all insane!? Of course he's pretty good! He's literally part fish!" Rin exclaimed.
"Yeah...but he's my fish boy," Makoto smiled.
"Just as how you're his human, huh Mako-chan?" Nagisa asked.
"...Yeah...and I wouldn't change it in the world," Makoto smiled. Haru came closer to the boat and hopped inside. He looked at Makoto and kissed him on the lips. "Had a good swim Haru?"
"Yes...it's nice...would be better if you joined me," Haru said.
"I know...maybe next time," Makoto smiled.
"...I love you Makoto," Haru said.
"I love you too, Haru," Makoto said.
The two smiled at each other and enjoyed the rest of the boat trip.
"...Ugh...get a room already you two!" Rin said. Everyone laughed and just enjoyed the moment.