[Free!] Anytime

The four boys in the swimming club once discussed what they looked for in a friend. Makoto thought Haruka was reassuring, since they had been together for as long as he could remember; Nagisa was so lively that being with him was fun; and Rei was serious, so he would surely treasure his friends. They all had their good points, so Makoto couldn't choose. In the end, the other three teased Tachibana Makoto for being so indecisive. It felt like one day he would end up in a love triangle and get hurt. He really was too kind, and that could be unfair. "Makoto-senpai, you're kind to everyone, aren't you? To kittens, to water, to goldfish, to classmates, to friends... and to her, too. You're just as kind to everyone." -- When did I start wanting to keep that kindness all to myself? -- Somewhere in this world, someone's heart is being swayed, without them even realizing it, by the power of warmth. ***Please note that this story's pairing is Makoto and Gou.*** ***Reader's Guide*** 1. The author's afterwords are all over the place and long-winded. 2. The author is a fan of all pairings with Gou. 3. This story contains various idealized characters and may be out of character. 4. This story centers on Matsuoka Gou. 5. This is a birthday story for Tachibana Makoto. Theme: