“If any of you wants to be scouted for the Olympics, you have to push yourselves! If none of you practice after I give you work, you won’t make it! I’m just wasting my time to train you bunch of sissies!” I angrily shouted. Everyone at Daichi-sensei’s pool hung their heads in shame. One brave soul decided to speak up.
“Eto… well you see, after we all saw you at the competition from last time, we all got intimidated by you since you’re the Haruno Megumi. Eto… t-that’s not w-w-what I m-meant!” He began to stutter when I turned my glare upon him.
“What if I am Haruno Megumi? I trained, eat, and breathed with each and every single one of you. If you aren’t motivated enough to do this training, get out of my pool!” I was frustrated. Frustrated at their lack of motivation. Frustrated at how healthy each and every single one of them were. Frustrated because they have talent – all they needed to do was train under me. They didn’t know what hell I went through just to stand here in front of them. It was a shame the Olympic scouts were forbidden to scout for eleven-year-olds. Otherwise I would’ve have competed in the Olympics four years ago, standing up on the podium with the other Olympians. I later found out that they could scout twelve-year-olds and train them.
They all looked at each other before turning to me.
“Mei-chan, we’ll train hard! We’ll do whatever it takes!”
I stared at them, my cold violet eyes piercing them. “Good. Now give me 100m melodies!” I shouted.
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After the vigorous practice, I stretched myself for my own regimen that night. I should focus more on myself too. I can’t lose sight of my goals. I sighed, blowing bubbles as I swam frog-legged. As I swam the requirements for the Olympics, I began to hope for scouting to start soon. It was already February, and scouting begins from April through July. After all, there was less than 19 months for the official Olympic Games. I was done with this training – I was ready for the brutal, hardcore ones to prepare myself. So we had two months to prepare. I ducked down below the cool, welcoming water, swimming.
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“Kon'nichiwa, Mei-chan!” Hiroshi greeted me, all smiles. I narrowed my eyes at him in suspicion.
“What are you scheming now, Hiro-kun?”
He gasped, disbelievingly. “So mean, Mei-chan! And here I was, about to give you the best news!” He’s being really childish today… Who does he remind me of? That’s right – that yellow fluff-ball, Nagi.
“Anyways,” he continued, “You just have to come see me every other month. Your heart is doing very well now. Good luck with scouting!” He winked at me before exiting the room with me trailing behind. I spotted Aki right away, sitting in the waiting room. He made a beeline for Hiro-kun and they began to talk, laughing. I groaned – once Aki started talking to Hiro, there was no stopping his motor. I wandered towards the elevator, going up to the botanical garden. I walked around, going through the maze that I had already memorized. I played with the fountain, splashing water. It’s so boring… I laid down on the stoned square that surrounded the water fountain, closing my eyes. Might as well take a nap. Power charge for tonight’s swim.
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“What an idiot,” a voice muttered. I was still half-asleep so I ignored it. The ground beneath me was moving, but I didn’t care. “If you catch a cold, it’s not my fault, Mei-chan. After all, I’m the one who saved you from catching a cold. Baaaaaka.” I recognized the voice, but I didn’t want to open my eyes to confirm. I think I was holding onto something warm. My face was pressed against softness and I snuggled closer, wrapping my arms around a neck. A neck? I cracked my eyelids open to find burgundy fur in front of me. My brain processed everything slowly, and I realized I was being carried.
“Rin-chan?” Yup. It was Rin.
“Baka.” I laughed.
“Do you still want to go to the Olympics, Rin-chan?” I wondered aloud, thinking back to what he told me.
“Of course. Did you hit your head or something?” He snorted at me. In response, I knocked my head into the back of his. “Ow, Mei-chan!”
“Scouting’s in two months. I’m excited.” He craned his head towards me with a bemused expression.
“You know, most people would say that they’re nervous or unprepared. But not you.” Rin sighed. “I’m ready, but I still feel unprepared. At least they’ll have a women’s team for you once you make the cut.” I felt him hesitate, uncertain whether he should ask me something. I read his mind.
“Haru and the others are ready. Well, maybe not Rei, but he’s trained hard. You’ll see them at the first competition at scouting, Rin-chan. Don’t worry.” His tensed shoulders relaxed a little when he heard that. I smiled, knowing that he couldn’t see it.
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On the way home, Aki broke the silence. “Mei, are you sure you want to keep going? Will you be able to get scouted out?” He didn’t notice my grin as I faced towards the window, watching as the trees passed by rapidly.
“I’ll get scouted, onii-san. Don’t worry. I promise you, I will.” I have to make it.
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Caught in the Act (A 'Free! Iwatboi Swim Club' Fanfic)
FanfictionWhen 16 year-old Megumi Haruno was involved in a near-death accident, she lost her confidence in swimming in front of others. Still never giving up, she continues to harbor her dream of making it to the Olympics by practicing. Megumi was the competi...
