imagine haru calls makoto one evening.

m: ah, i was just about to call and ask if you want to hang out tomorrow, since it's our day off.
h: i was calling for the same reason.
m: (laughs) then i guess the answer is yes. there's this place tono-kun told me about.
h: a cafe?

m: it's a cafe where you can also play board games, darts, pool—
h: pool?
m: (laughs) like billiards.
h: oh.
m: it's for socializing, but i don't think many people will be there early.
h: ok.

it doesn't really sound that interesting to haru, but he'll go if makoto wants to.

m: was there somewhere you wanted to go?
h: there's a new coral reef exhibit at the aquarium.
m: ok! we could do that first and then the other place for lunch.
h: sure.
m: i'll meet you at your place in the morning.
h: around 11?
m: got it! see you then, haru.
h: see you.

the next morning, they meet as planned and have a good time at the aquarium. haru was completely captivated by the colorful fish, and makoto couldn't stop himself from taking a lot of pictures of haru happily watching them.

( aquarium details lol) https://twitter.com/heyfuturefeesh/status/1304544334595981317

on the train ride, makoto pulls up the cafe's menu so they can decide what to order for lunch.

when they arrive, they're in awe of how nice it looks. soft sunlight shines in, illuminating everything with a gentle glow. it gives a relaxing and refreshing feel to the place.

m: it seems we're the only ones here.
h: mm. just us and... plants.
m: (laughs) there are a lot. i wonder if they sell any.
h: you don't need more.
m: i'd like to get a big one for the balcony.
h: just take one. they won't notice.
m: (laughs) you're going to get us kicked out.

h: should we order our food?
m: i’ll do that. you can sit down.
h: you don’t have to get mine...
m: it’s fine! i kind of dragged you here. mackerel confit, right?
h: right.
m: ok, i'll meet you at the table.

haru takes a seat near the pool table as an older couple walks in.

the woman sits down at a small table next to the window, while the man grabs a jigsaw puzzle from the shelf. haru gets the impression that they must come here often, and he smiles while trying not to watch too intently.

makoto soon returns holding bubble tea and a coffee cup.

m: i asked and they said they only sell little succulents.
h: like the ones on your desk?
m: mm. why are you looking at me funny?
h: bubble tea. is that why you wanted to come here?
m: (laughs) well, it was one of the deciding factors. try your coffee.
h: why are you being pushy?

m: no reason! go ahead.
h: suspicious. what is it?
m: a new flavor they have.

haru takes a sip.

m: pumpkin spice.
h: it’s good. what flavor did you get?
m: pumpkin spice.
h: popular flavor.
m: (laughs) it is. do you want to try playing pool while we wait?
h: you know how?

m: there’s a place close to campus that i’ve been to a couple times after class. i’ll teach you!
h: oh, ok.

makoto grabs a pool stick and hands one to haru.

m: so to start, i’ll break, and then we’ll go from there.

he positions the cue ball and leans down to take the shot.

he hits it too lightly, and the ball barely moves.

m: ah... i’ll try again.
h: is that allowed?
m: (laughs) i think it's ok for new players.

makoto hits it harder this time. the balls scatter, and haru stares a little too long at makoto's face that's beaming with pride.

m: ah! one of them went in!
h: (smiles) good job.
m: oh, thanks.

makoto blushes and rubs the back of his neck, embarrassed to be praised so blatantly by haru.

h: i mean, nothing went flying off the table. yet.
m: (laughs) i know my own strength!
h: we'll see.

makoto bends over to take another shot and successfully hits the blue #10 into the side pocket. this time, he doesn't react.

haru can't help but marvel at how professional he suddenly looks. even though it's just a friendly game, he's become incredibly serious and focused.

makoto puts his hand on his chin and ponders, thinking before taking another shot. this one is unsuccessful.

m: ah, your turn. since i'm stripes, you're solids.
h: maybe i wanted stripes.
m: (laughs) it's too late for that!
h: if i lose, that's why.
m: (laughs) fair enough.

haru smiles and spots what should be an easy shot. he tries to mimic how makoto was shooting, but it feels unusual enough that it can't be right.

how does he place his hand on the table? how hard does he hit? why is he so nervous?!

m: are you trying for the purple one?
h: mm.

makoto steps around to haru's left side and bends down beside him, as if he were about to take the shot himself.

haru tightens his grip on the pool stick when he feels makoto reach over his back to set his own hand right behind haru's.

m: hold it kind of loosely.
h: r-right.

m: and your other hand can go like this.

makoto gently pulls haru's left hand over a little, positioning it behind the cue ball. he moves the tip of the pool stick to demonstrate how it glides over the top.

m: (blushes) see? your hand makes a bridge.
h: (blushes) got it.

makoto folds his arms on the table and continues to lean down next to haru.

haru exhales, and in an act of utter stupidity, he makes the mistake of glancing at makoto. his face is so close! and he looks so cute!! haru can tell he's sincerely hoping the ball makes it in.

determined to elicit a proud smile and perhaps a congratulatory high five, haru returns his focus and—

SHIT. somehow the cue ball jumps into the air and flies off the table. too much determination!

h: s-sorry!

makoto quickly fetches the ball, placing it back where it was.

m: (smiles) i guess you don't know your own strength.

haru can't conceal his smile at the playful jab.

h: shut up.
m: it was actually a good shot.
h: it obviously wasn't.
m: (laughs) no, really! just flatten your hand a little, and use less of an angle this time.

haru sighs, frustrated, and bends down again to line up the shot.

he does as makoto suggested. the ball he was aiming for just barely misses the pocket.

m: ah, so close!
h: did you set that up for me?
m: what?
h: your shot before. it didn't even come close to hitting anything.

m: (laughs nervously) just a coincidence.
h: i see. well, it's your turn again.
m: oh, right.

makoto surveys the table, pausing, thinking, planning. the intensity in his face shows that he's not holding back at all, and it makes haru's heart beat rapidly.

the view from where haru stands is perfection. he doesn't want to take his eyes off of him, but he must, just for a second, so that he can take advantage of makoto's focus.

he turns and quickly grabs his phone without being noticed and takes a picture as makoto leans down.

he hopes the camera was able to capture not only makoto's resolve, but also the way his shirt hangs from his chest, the slightest narrowing of his eyes, and the small twitch of his forearm muscles.

maybe that's asking too much. he'd be better off just hoping it's not blurry.

really, a video would have been better. then he'd also have makoto's small satisfied smile when he makes the shot.

feeling haru's gaze, makoto looks up and sees him smiling.

m: what?
h: nothing.
m: (smiles) what is it?
h: you're a... what do they call it? pool shark.

m: (laughs) shut up, i'm not that good. i haven't played much.
h: you keep saying that.
m: it's true!
h: it's a little annoying.
m: what is?
h: how quickly you catch on to things like this. sports and games, that sort of thing.
m: it's just hitting a ball with a stick.

h: no, i can see you strategizing where to hit it. and you did set me up for that shot before.
m: well, i might have...

haru smiles again. it's too embarrassing to say something like "it's an admirable trait" or "you're amazing." he blushes, realizing he already said too much.

back in school, their gym classes would rotate different activities and sports. somehow, makoto had a natural talent and enjoyment for all of them.

he could have done anything, but he chose swimming—or rather, he chose haru. even back then, haru couldn't help but notice that.

h: don't go easy on me.
m: (laughs) i had to give you a chance.
h: i got it now.
m: ok.

they continue the game while they wait for their food. haru starts to feel more like he's gotten the hang of it and even makes a few shots himself, but he's no match for makoto.

they clean up and sit back down at their table.

m: that was fun, right?
h: it wasn't bad.

makoto smiles and takes a sip of his bubble tea. the intense focus from before is gone for now. haru knows this cute smiling makoto makes his heart beat rapidly, too.

m: maybe i'll tell tono-kun to invite us the next time he comes here. we could play on teams.
h: you want me on your team?
m: of course!
h: we'll lose for sure.
m: (laughs) no we won't! anyway, i don't care if we win or not as long as we can play together.
h: (blushes) oh...

m: i'm going to look around a little. i want to see what games they have.
h: ok.

haru watches him walk away. it's clear makoto planned this from the start and brought haru here alone so he could get a feel for the place without anyone else to bother them.

that way, he would feel more comfortable coming out when this place is busier. sneaky, but also effective. haru smiles a little as he realizes he's actually kind of looking forward to it.

in fact, he and makoto should probably come back again soon to get in some more practice.

makoto pulls a book from one of the shelves and starts to read it. quickly, haru grabs his phone.

this is revenge for all the pictures makoto took of him at the aquarium. that's all. it's not like he's going to look at these later, repeatedly.

maybe he should take a few more.

makoto returns to the table just as the food arrives and sets down a box beside their plates.

h: what's this?
m: triple chocolate mousse! i ordered it impulsively at the last second.
h: (smiles) i mean the game.
m: oh! (laughs) does it look familiar? we played it a lot as kids.

h: ah... that's right, i remember. the objective is to visit all the animals at the zoo. we're a little old for this.
m: well, there's not really any strategy involved, so we have an even playing field.
h: what's that supposed to mean?
m: (laughs) either of us could win.

h: fine, if i win, you have to let me buy lunch tomorrow.
m: what if i win?
h: i'll buy you lunch tomorrow.
m: (laughs) ok. do you want to come back here?
h: sure.
m: oh, before i forget.

makoto gets up and crouches beside haru to take a picture together. he returns to his seat.

h: are you messaging that to someone?
m: tono-kun. later will you send me the pictures you took?
h: (blushes) me? i didn't— i didn't take any.
m: really? the one when i was playing? and just now when i was standing over there?
h: oh... those pictures. i forgot.
m: (laughs) mm.

h: are you going to make a photo album?
m: there's a website that can print them into books. i thought it would be a nice way to organize my pictures.
h: it's a good idea.
m: actually, i... (blushes) i was going to give you one.
h: really?
m: it kind of became a book about us.

h: (blushes) i have more pictures i can send you.
m: ok! i'll bring my laptop tomorrow and show you what i have so far.
h: (smiles) sure.

they both return their attention to their food, finishing their meals in silence, embarrassment mitigated by unrelenting happiness.

haru glances to the older couple finishing their puzzle. he supposes he'll see them tomorrow.

he smiles at how easy it is to imagine him and makoto in their places. that will be them someday. maybe not here, but definitely together, continuing to make memories with each other.