I've always wanted to write these boys in this kind of setting.

"Haru-chan! Wait up!" Makoto called as he ran up the small cliff overlooking the lake in their little village. He paused for breath and when he looked at the edge his friend was standing in seconds ago, there was nothing except the tell-tale splash that meant his friend couldn't wait for him. The brunette's lips broke into a warm smile. Haru-chan really loves the water…

The panting eleven year-old went to stand over the edge to watch his black-haired best friend glide over the surface, making ripples in the normally serene lake. If his best friend loved the water, Makoto loved watching his best friend in the water. Makoto had known Haruka ever since he can remember. The black haired boy only had two things in life that he ever showed care for: water and mackerel. So when Haruka gets either one, Makoto could tell he's thrilled despite his best friend's usual expressionless appearance.

Haruka is the best swimmer in their village, Makoto coming a close second. Actually, they're the only swimmers their age in the village. No one else really bothers to go to the lake because it was supposed to be a home for the gods. Haruka and Makoto were also forbidden but since Haruka loves water and Makoto cannot let Haruka go alone, there they were, spending another afternoon in the lake.

Makoto sat on the edge of Haruka's favorite little diving cliff, his gaze following Haruka's form as he paddled back and forth, seemingly never getting enough of the water flowing against his body.

"Ooh~ He's a really good swimmer."

Makoto almost jumped out of his skin at the unfamiliar voice that came from behind him. He looked back abruptly only to see a red-haired kid about their age with the biggest grin he'd ever seen on anyone. And man, those are some really sharp teeth he got there!

Makoto watched as the unknown boy's eyes followed Haru's form on the lake, his grin never faltering. Makoto wasn't surprised. Haruka's swimming is truly a beautiful sight to behold.

And then the red-haired boy threw off everything except his shorts and dived into the water.

Makoto raised an eyebrow as he watched the new boy swim up next to Haruka. The raven sped up, and suddenly, the two were racing neck and neck around the lake. Makoto watched in awe as the boy almost came on par with his best friend. Makoto could swim as well as Haruka, but he wasn't half as fast. So when the two almost touched the bottom of the cliff Makoto was standing in almost at the same time, Makoto was really curious.

Haruka shook off the water from his hair and stared blankly at the boy coming out of the water to sit on the rock. Makoto had come down from the top and was offering Haruka a hand out of the water.

"Nobody can beat you when you're in the water, Haru-chan." Makoto greeted.

Haruka let out a sigh, "Drop the '–chan' already.' Though he took the offered hand nonetheless.

"You sure swim fast, just like the rumors say." The red-haired boy grinned.

Haruka looked to Makoto for answers but the brunette just shrugged. He doesn't know what the new boy was talking about. As far as they both know, no one really knows that much about their swimming abilities.

"Ah. Where are my manners…" the red hair approached them, extending a hand. "My name's Rin. I know it's a girl's name, but I'm definitely a boy."

Makoto and Haruka stared at each other before Makoto accepted the outstretched hand, "I'm Tachibana Makoto and this is my friend," he gestured with his other hand to the raven, "Nanase Haruka."

Rin then offered his hand to Haruka who reluctantly took it. Rin smiled warmly, "I've never had anyone beat me at swimming before. Has anyone bested you before?"

Haruka looked back into the water, "I never really cared about that. I only swim free." And then he was in the water again.

Makoto scratched his cheek sheepishly, "Sorry about that, Haru-chan just really loves the water, more than anything else."

And they watched mesmerized as Haruka swam freely, "And the water loves him back." Rin almost whispered as he was transfixed again.

All I want is to feel the water. With my eyes, my skin, my soul…to never doubt what it makes me feel. Believe in myself. Don't resist the water. Welcome it. We accept one another.

And before they realized, Rin became an integral part of their afternoons. Everyday, they'd find him waiting for them atop their diving cliff and everyday, he'd say goodbye to them on that same cliff while he watched them walk back to the village.

At first, they were curious as to where Rin's home was but Rin's answers of 'Just on the other side of the lake' or 'I'd really like to show you, but let's save it for next time. I want to race!' stymies them every time. Soon, Haruka and Makoto learned to keep their questions to themselves. If Rin wasn't telling, there must be a reason and he seemed to be a genuinely good person. Rin is the most expressive person they know. There's no way he could lie.

Makoto was truly happy for his best friend. He's glad Haruka was expanding his world and for the additional person to have as much enthusiasm for water as he does, Makoto couldn't ask for a better new friend than Rin. Makoto's not blind, in all the years he'd known Haruka, he knew the black-haired boy was really happy to have Rin as a friend, no matter how much he tries to hide it behind his seemingly expressionless face. There was no doubt that Haruka likes Rin, too.

Their routine meetings continued for two years before, as swiftly as he appeared in their lives, Rin abruptly left it.

One afternoon, Rin just wasn't at the top of their diving cliff, waiting eagerly for them like he always did. They waited for him to appear, even Haruka patiently sat down beside Makoto and waited for Rin before jumping into the water. They waited for an hour, but Rin was still nowhere in sight.

So the two agreed to look for Rin's house on the other side of the lake like he always told them. What they didn't expect was a deep ravine just beyond the thick cover of shrubs and trees surrounding the other side of the lake. No wonder it was forbidden to venture in that part of the town, it was easy enough to mistakenly walk off the cliff after the thick foliage. Rin couldn't have lived anywhere near the vicinity.

The two went back to their diving spot and for the first time in two years, their minds were filled with the questions they never asked Rin.

That afternoon, for the first time in his life, Makoto knew Haruka was in no mood to swim. It was a depressing sight. Haruka, his best friend in the world, never refused water. He practically thrived in it. And for Haruka not to swim in a lake when a pail of water was enough to make him strip, Makoto was worried Haruka might never let anyone in ever again.

They came back to that spot for the next two afternoons, but there was still no sigh of Rin. Haruka never touched the water. Makoto just sat there with his friend, waiting quietly for their lost friend to come. And each day, Makoto could almost see Haruka's heart breaking as he stared at the water longingly.

At the end of the third afternoon, as Makoto stood up from his spot to tell Haruka it's time to go back to their village, Haruka told him to go back first.

"Nah, I'll wait with you a little more." Makoto made to sit back down when Haruka tore his gaze from the water to look at him.

"But your mom will need you to watch the twins so she could start dinner." Haruka said.

Makoto grimaced. He's right. The twins were a handful and it's about time they wake from their afternoon nap.

"Alright, but don't stay behind for too long, either." He gave Haruka a pat on the back before leaving.

Maybe Haru needs the time alone, Makoto thought as he took one last glance at the quiet figure of his best friend before he ran the rest of the way home. He hoped Haruka would go back to his old self soon and for Rin to come back to them.

Haruka came back to the village a little after the sun went down. Makoto called out to him as Haruka passed his house while he was playing on the front yard with the twins. But Haruka seemed to not hear him and Makoto didn't call further. From the lights, he could see Haruka's hair was damp. Makoto smiled to himself. Haruka's back in the water. Maybe he'll be fine again. He'd just ask tomorrow.

But the next day, a big issue exploded in the village.

There was no more water from the wells. Every source of water in the village was suddenly bone dry.

A drought had come upon their quaint village. Everyone was in a panic as to what to do.

Makoto didn't think twice as he ran into the forest. His mind was racing as he prayed for a miracle.

But there was no miracle.

Only the reality that Haruka can never swim again in the water he loved so much.

Makoto grieved for his friend as he stared at the grassy bottom of the lake they used to swim in.