Bonded By Love

The crouching start of vindication

After prefecturals, we headed to Iwatobi SC where Kou had prepared us all a meal.

"That's a lot of carbohydrates." Rei noted.

"I made it! Carbs are great when you have a competition the next day!" Kou said.

"Protein powder again? Is it strawberry flavor?" Nagisa asked.

"Not today. But if you want to add some on top..." Kou took out a container of protein powder.

"Seriously, don't!" Makoto exclaimed.

"All of you are truly amazing! To think, everyone qualified for regionals!" Ms. Ama praised.

"It's because of my great coaching!" Coach Sasabe said with pride.

I sweatdropped. 'You were barely there.'

"Huh? But Goro-chan, you've been busy with SC Returns, you've hardly shown up at all this year." Nagisa stated.

Me, Makoto, and Rei watched dreadfully as Nagisa piled tons of protein powder on the soba.

Sasabe smirked. "It's the quality of my coaching, not the quantity, that counts! Though, more than anything, it's your talent and hard work that got you here."

As Sasabe was talking, Nagisa started eating the soba.

Makoto and Rei put their hand to their mouth in disgust.

"Yep, yep! We can do anything we set our minds to!" Nagisa agreed.

"Nagisa-kun, you're letting our wins go to your head! But Haruka-senpai, Airi-senpai, you two were outstanding today. Impressive as always!" Rei praised.

"Not really." Haru said nonchalantly.

I nudged his arm. "Thank you, Rei. You were amazing as well. I'm proud of you for qualifying."

Rei smiled.

"So all that's left is tomorrow's medley relay? If you keep up today's momentum, I bet you'll beat Samezuka again!" Coach Sasabe encouraged us.

"We're finally going to race Rin-san's team in an official match." Rei mentioned.

"Rei, it'll be okay. You don't swim a relay alone. It takes a team of four. And with these four, we could go as far as we want." Haru stated.

"Haruka-senpai!" Rei said in awe. "Let's go all the way to nationals!"

Haru nodded, smiling softly.

"Nationals, huh?" Nagisa said.

"We might really stand a chance of getting to the nationals!" Makoto proclaimed.

"According to the information I have, Samezuka's relay team members are...in backstroke, second-year Uozumi Takuya. In breaststroke, second-year Iwashimizu Toru." Kou said.

'Nitori-kun isn't a part of the relay team? Poor guy, he looks like he's really trying hard' I thought.

"So Ai-chan isn't doing breaststroke..." Nagisa also wondered.

"In butterfly, third-year Yamazaki Sousuke. And of course, in freestyle, third-year Matsuoka Rin!" Kou continued on.

"That's interesting though. The backstroke swimmer, Uozumi, didn't do very well in today's individual event. Momo ended up beating him. I wonder if he may be replaced by him." I said.

After we ate, the boys practiced for their relay tomorrow. It got dark when they finished. Me, Makoto, and Haru were on our way home now.

"You were amazing, Haru, Airi. I bet scouts from all over the country will start contacting you two." Makoto said.