Breathless (Free! Fanfiction)

Chapter 3

"I'm not a swimmer," I repeated for the millionth time. "I'm a volleyball player."

Nagisa - and occasionally Ryugazaki - followed me all over school asking me to join the swim team for the past two days. I handed out my withdrawal from the volleyball team, which the coach respected. My teammates did not fuss over my decision. Hell, they didn't do anything. It was as if I was just a wind passing by.

"But, Kai-chan, you already quit the volleyball team," Nagisa pouted, slinging his arm casually over my shoulder.

"When I choose a sport, I want one that I actually want," I said. "I'm not making swimming my rebound." I paused. "Why am I the only one you're recruiting?! There might be other people - people who are actually willing - to join your club."

"Because," Nagisa said, putting on a serious face, "you have a guy's name."

I looked at him blankly. They want me on the team, because of MY NAME? "I don't see the connection," I said and started to walk away.

Nagisa grabbed my shoulder and stopped me. "Every male in the club has a girly name, and Gou, our manager, has a boyish name. You have a boyish name, so you're perfect for the team," he explained.

My eyebrow twitched.

Nagisa looked over my shoulder and waved. "Rei-chan!" he called. "Help me convince Kai-chan to join the club."

Ryugazaki smirked and pushed up his glasses. "From my analysis, from all the jumps you've been doing from volleyball, you have a good advantage for diving," he noted. "Not to mention your arms, you have a large potential on a perfect form for swimming multiple strokes. And your body figure-"

The bell rang, making Ryugazaki have to leave his so-called analysis unfinished.

"I have to get to class," I said, beginning to leave once again.

"Wait, Nakahara-san," Ryugazaki called out. When I turned and gave him my attention, he pleaded, "At least come and watch our practice today. Haruka-senpai will be swimming today."

I smiled wryly, "What makes you think this Haruka will convince me to join to the swim team?"

"Come and see for yourself, Kai-chan," Nagisa smiled.

~

I didn't really want to keep my options closed, and I need to remain a student here in Iwatobi High for my mother. So I went straight to the school's swimming pool right after class dismissal.

"Nakahara-san, I'm so glad you're able to come and watch the practice," Matsuoka Gou came running to me with a clipboard in hand. "It's time a female came and joined the swim club. I may be surrounded with muscles all the time, but a girl still needs female company within the club. And Iwatobi High has yet to join female swimming tournaments."

"I'm still pondering on my decision," I told her. I didn't want her to expect so much of me. Not that I don't swim. I doubt anybody in Iwatobi, being a seaside town, doesn't know how to swim. It just wasn't my forte, and I do swimming for relaxation and fun, not for competition.

"Don't worry," Matsuoka smiled brightly and tucked her burgundy hair behind her ear. "I believe in Haru-senpai."

I walked over to the edge of the pool and looked at my reflection on the still water. Then I turned to Matsuoka, "What's so special about this Haru-senpai of yours?"

Suddenly, I saw a flash and followed by a splash in the pool water. A few droplets landed on my skirt. As the body emerged and began doing freestyle, I remembered that Haruka was that person I saw when I hid out here in the poolside a few days ago.