Bonded By Love

Breakthrough

3rd Pov

The scene from last night kept replaying on Rin's mind.

'Airi instantly pulled away and placed her hand on her lips.

"I-i-i'm sorry Rin. I didn't m-mean to...I was just..." Airi couldn't find the words to explain herself. Airi took a step back.

I stepped closer to her. "Airi...I-".

"I'm sorry." She quickly said and ran inside her house leaving me outside.'

Anger and pain rose within Rin as he swam aggressively.

"Matsuoka seems really off today." Nitori noticed.

"Did he say something to you, Nitori?" Mikoshiba asked.

"No, he never tells me anything. But I'm sure there's nothing to worry about! I'm sure he went through much tougher experiences while he was abroad." Nitori said.

Mikoshiba didn't look convinced. "Matsuoka didn't join the swim team when he first transferred here from Australia. Do you know why?"

"No. Did something happen?" Nitori questioned.

"Well, the past doesn't matter. It's performance that counts here. The fastest swimmer wins. It's that simple."

1st Pov

"Okay, I've taught you everything I can! All that's left is for you to perform your best!" Coach Sasabe yelled.

"Fire!" Nagisa yelled enthusiastically.

"That banner is really embarrassing." Rei noted.

"No kidding. Here use this banner I made the other day with my kouhai." I handed them the banner.

"Wow! It looks amazing Airi-senpai!" Kou complimented.

"Airi-senpai, you have another kouhai? I feel betrayed right now." Rei weeped.

"Of course I have another kouhai. She's really talented and I see a lot of potential." I explained.

"I like the banner you made Airi-chan!" Nagisa said.

"Thanks Nagisa."

"Yeah it's very nice." Makoto added as Haru nodded in approval.

"You can still use your poster Kou. I didn't mean to offend you by making my own. Since we didn't have one, I thought I'll make us one." I apologized.

"Don't worry about it Airi-senpai, yours turned out better than mine. We'll use both!"

"Well, we'll head up there tomorrow morning. Get plenty of rest at the hotel near the venue. The Roman general Caesar said it best. 'If we cross, we will wreak tragedy upon the world. If we do not..."

"Oh, it's the bus." Nagisa interrupted Ms. Ama.

"We're off!" The boys said.

Kou quickly came up to me and whispered to me. "You'll find my big brother before his race right? Who knows what's happen if you don't."

"I hope I do Kou. I don't want to ruin his race. I'll try my best." I gave her a determined look.

"Text or call me if anything okay" She waved.

I nodded and headed into the bus where the others were waiting. I sat down across from Makoto and Haru. We ate snacks, took breaks at pit stops to look around and eat. It was evening and everyone was asleep besides me and Haru. I just couldn't sleep, I was too worried about Rin.

Eventually, the bus dropped us off at our location so we began to walk around to find our hotel. Makoto and Haru shared a room, and so did Nagisa and Rei. As the only female in the group, I got the whole room to myself.