Free! & Hope

HOPE 19

Free! & Hope

The day finally has come, soon the Iwatobi swim club and Samezuka will compete in regionals. Haruka wasn't so excited about it, which was odd. Akane was wondering why he was acting so different, he was being more distant lately and she has asked, but she receives no response from the quiet boy. So there she was, getting prepared, and only in a matter of days the band will start take pictures for their first and last album. Edmichiro got ready and receives texts like crazy from Nagisa and Rei, they couldn't wait. A mix between nervousness and happiness was involved between the swimmers. Akane and Edmichiro wore the club's yellow shirts to help cheer on their fellow companions. Even though the brunette was worried, she tried to keep that hidden with a smile. As in for Daisuki, she was getting ready herself. She looked down her hands.

Dai: "Only a few more weeks for summer to end..." she sounded hurt, but she sighed heavily and got up from bed to leave. She found her cousin, Toguro.

Dai: "Hey, where have you been?"

Togu: "Oh, well... I was studying all about swimming! Interesting stuff! In fact, I think I'm joining Samezuka next year! What do you think!?" Daisuki was dumbfounded for a split second and a sudden reality slapped her.

Dai: "What!?" he smiled sheepishly and turns on his back to place his index finger and thumb under his chin, in a proud reaction pose.

Togu: "That's right, I'm going to swim for a time"

Dai: "You'll never change" she accepted and smiles, he chuckled nervously.

Togu: "Ooh! I heard the team's got regionals tomorrow! I'm so going!"
Dai: "Oh, cool"

Togu: "Yeah, it's like I always say, better off trying something new every day"

Dai: "You sure took that very literal" Toguro chuckles, scratching the back of his head.

Akane still waited for a response from Haruka when Mr. Sasabe and Miss Amakata came to pick them up along with Gou. The quiet boy still has no answer and she sighed feeling disappointed but shrugs it off. As they got there to stay at a hotel for the night, Akane shared a room with Kurumi, Daisuki and Gou in another, and fortunately for the younger sister, Edmichiro got to stay with Nagisa. Akane was disapproving to this.

Kuru: "Ah, just let her be, Edmichiro is growing up and you won't be behind her forever you know" Akane huffs and nodded.

Aka: "Yeah..." Kurumi got up and grabbed her bag in search for her phone to text Sousuke almost immediate.

Kuru: "Oi, Akane... what will you do?" Akane tilted her head, confused about the question.

Aka: "Do what?"

Kuru: "I mean... when summer's over..." Akane saddens and looks down at her feet.

Aka: "Well... I thought of going on with music... but I'm going to college to become a teacher myself..."

Kuru: "Is that what you really want?" Akane looks back at her friend's face.

Aka: "Yes... what about you?"

Kuru: "Well, I hate to admit it but I think I'll go to hair styling school"

Aka: "... so this is how it's going to end, huh?"

Kuru: "I guess so... but hey, let's just spend as much time with each other as we can" Akane nods.

Kuru: "Welp, I'ma hit the shower"

Aka: "Okay..." As she heads in the bathroom, Akane lays back in bed, wondering what the hell is going on inside Haruka's mind. She texted him one more time.