Free! Secrets

Competition

Three years later, Makoto was running up the steps. One hand gripped that of his sister. His brother was only a step ahead. Their mother ran behind them. Ran turned her head.

"Ma'am hurry!" She cried.

"Haru won't go without us, right?" Ren asked.

"He's not going to be checking the stands for us!" Makoto cried exasperated.

"Then run faster!" Ren hissed. He yanked open the door. "I'm not going to miss Haru's win!" He screamed dashing down the long corridor ahead.

"His crazy, tell me he's crazy?" Makoto panted.

"Oh, hey Ren!" Haru greeted the small boy as he nearly ran into him. "Are you hurrying to watch Rin?" he asked.

"No, don't tell me we missed your race?" the boy cried. Haru gave him a tiny smirk.

"No, mine isn't for another hour." He looked up to see the other Tachibana's running towards him. "I just told Makoto this time, because..."

"...he's always late!" Ren cried with Haru. Haru ruffled the ten year old's hair.

"Haru, honestly!" Makoto panted coming to a stop. "I do know how to read a program schedule!" He panted. Haru smiled.

"Well, you made it. Let's go watch Rin." He took the twins hands. Nodding he greeted Mrs. Tachibana. Haru took them over to where his team was setting.

"Guys, this is Makoto's kid brother and sisters treat them right." He ordered. The team instantly made room around the other friends gathered.

"Who do you think will win?" Ren asked looking up to Haru. Haru sighed.

"To be a good boyfriend, I would have to say Sosuke, if he were standing here. But, Rin didn't take nearly three years off because he was hurt. Sosuke had to deal with that injury..." Haru let his sentence fad away. The swimmers were walking up to their marks.

"Yeah. But Sosuke has improved tremendously. I mean, he made the Japan national team!" Makoto sounded awed by the others hard work.

"Aren't they on the same team now?" Ran asked.

"Yeah, but..." Makoto and Haru smirked at each other. They knew how competitive their boyfriends were. The whistles sounded. The swimmers dove into he water, Sosuke took an early led on Rin.

"Too soon!" Haru muttered.

"No, look, he's slowing a bit." Sosuke made the turn, Rin at his heels. About half the pool length down, Rin was even with Sosuke's long strong torso. The shark was gaining.

"Is Rin going faster, or..." Makoto bit his lip.

"Sosuke's slowing, but why?" Haru was concerned.

Only a few more storks to go. They watched as Rin and Sosuke were neck and neck. Out of nowhere, Sosuke added on a burst of speed. It looked like he would win, but Rin had judged his friend. He too, had been holding back. He burst forward. Their hands hit the side of the pool, all eyes went to the score bored.

Rin's name was first 42.05 then Sosuke's name was listed right under it 42.05! They had hit at the same time. An exact tie!

"No way!" Makoto covered the laugh that escaped his lips.

"I'll make Rin pay for that in the 400 free!" Haru shook his head. The shark hated to lose, just wait until the dolphin swam with him.

"Would love to see you try." Ikuya snorted from his perch behind them. "It won't matter, since I'll blow you both out of the water." He chuckled. Haru looked at him.