The Depths of my Heart (Haruka x Reader)

Competition

Haru's POV

"You'll be fine, Haru. I know you'll be able to win." Makoto put a hand on my shoulder.

~ Flashback to the day of their 1st high school competition ~

"I'm so nervous." I said, timidly.
"For what?" (Y/n) giggled, while adjusting her goggles.
"It's our first real competition, the whole school is counting on us."
"You'll do fine."
Then they announced: "Junior boys freestyle starts in one minute, get to your places."
"I believe in you, Haru-chan and I always will, no matter what." She gave me a hug that felt like it lasted forever, "Now go out there and kick some ass!" She released the hug.
She believed in me, "Thank you." I smiled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Damn, of all thoughts it just had to be that one...
"Haru, you're blushing." Rei pointed out.
"H-huh? Oh." I snapped out of my thoughts.
"We believe in you, and even though you and (y/n) are arguing, I'm sure she does as well. Now go out there and do your best." Makoto said.
"Thanks guys." I said.

Then the announcer spoke: "Welcome to the annual, winter/spring aquatics competition! Today I will be your host, Warren Kuzo and I'm joined here with co-host, Yumi Aki."
"Hello everyone, pleasure to be announcing with you today." She said.
"Today, we're kicking off the competition with junior girls breaststroke." Warren announced.
"Boys, come on, the first race is going to begin!" Gou called from the outside of the change room.
"Coming!" We said and exited the change room.
"Alright, did you guys all eat the breakfast that I told you to?" Gou asked with a checklist in her hand.
"Yes." We all replied.
"Three hard boiled eggs, two pieces of slightly toasted bread, a whole apple, three strawberries, half a banana, half of an orange and two cups of water?"
We nodded in between each food she listed.
"Okay good, now warm ups. I made the list and coach Goro will lead you guys."
"Ready boys?" Coach Goro asked, holding a clipboard in his hands.
"Ready." We all answered.
He lead the warm up and by time we were finished it was time for the senior boys freestyle.
"Guys I don't know if I can do this..." I admitted. (Y/n) was running through my mind. If she wasn't here I don't know how I could ever compete.
"You got this Haru!" Makoto assured me.
"Go Haru!" The rest of them applauded.
"Listen, if she's here or if she isn't here, I know she'd cheer you on regardless. Do your best." Makoto patted my back.
"Haru, Haru, he's our man, if he can't do it no one can!" The Iwatobi cheerleaders cheered.
I glanced in their direction looking for (y/n) but I didn't see her...
"Get in your positions." The announcer said.
I got into my lane and tuned everyone out.
I believe in you Haru! (Y/n)'s voice played through my head. Argh, dammit.
"On your marks... get set..."
My heart was racing. You're the best freestyle swimmer I know.
POP!
Immediately my body was in the water, I was swimming the hardest I've ever swam in a while. I could tell that I left almost everyone in my dust but there was one guy just a few centimetres away from me. I swam even harder and soon I was at the wall, I turned around and pushed off really hard.
I could hear my team cheering but I tuned everything out besides myself and the water. Before I knew it, my hand touched the wall and I looked up to the scoreboard.
1st Place: Haru Nanase - 2o.68s
2nd Place: Suguro Makami - 22.70s
3rd Place: Ryu Kim - 23.13s

"HARU! YOU DID IT!" I could hear my team once again.
I was shocked, "W-what?"
"YOU DID IT!" Makoto said with excitement.
"That was some nice swimming man," I heard a voice to my right say.
I looked over and it was a guy with green eyes and silver hair.
"Thanks." I replied.
I got out of the water and sat down with my team.
About thirty minutes later it was time for relay.
"Stick with the plan and we'll win for sure guys!" Gou said.
"I dunno, those guys look tough." Nagisa said, looking the other teams.
"We'll win, for sure." Rei said, placing a hand on Nagisa's shoulder.
We got into our positions. First was Rei, then Nagisa, next was Makoto and lastly was me. It was arranged so we could all do our strongest swim style. Butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke and crawl.
"Ready... get set..."
POP!
Rei was in third place currently.
"Come on Rei, you got this!" We all cheered.
The team beside us was already on their second person and finally Rei got back then Nagisa jumped in. He took second place and was still far from the guy in first.
"Let's go Nagisa!" We cheered.
The team beside us was onto their third person, but Nagisa caught up and Makoto was in the water immediately. He passed the guy and we now took first place.
"Come on Makoto!" We were clapping, it was starting to get really intense. Before I even noticed, Makoto was already back and my body was in the water.
I started to swim as fast as I could but then I felt a cramp in my side.
Dammit, not now! I kept pushing and ignoring the pain in my side.
"Let's go Haru! He's catching up!" The noises intensified but I blocked everything out.
Before I could touch the wall, one of the guys on the team who we were neck and neck with was now ahead of me.
"COME ON HARU!"
You're like a merman in the water. It's like when you get in, you're at home. Prove to them that you're the best swimmer. Once again it was (y/n)'s voice in the back of my head, encouraging me to swim harder.
I finally pushed off the wall as hard as I could and swam as hard as I could. I once again tuned everyone out and became one with the water. The pain in my side disappeared. I swam and swam until my hand hit the wall.
There was a long silence when my head popped out of the water. I turned my attention to to the scoreboard.
5th: Mulon Van Hier: 4:19:88
4th: Magumi High: 4:18:98
3rd: Buko Miko High: 4:15:34
2nd: ......................................
Come on, come on, come on!
"Sorry folks, there's a little delay." Warren announced. "Alright, here it is."
2nd: Shuchiro High: 4:10:21
"OH MY GOSH!" Gou freaked out, holding hands with Nagisa and had huge smiles on their faces.
"And in first place with a time of 4:08:21, Iwatobi High!" Yumi cheered.
"WE DID IT!!!!!!" I could hear my teammates and the cheerleaders yell very loud.
My vision was blurry and I almost let go of the ledge, but my body was pulled out of the water.
"You did it Haru! I don't know what happened, but you did it!" Makoto said, holding me up.
"I got a cramp." I admitted.
"But you did it! I told you, you can do it!" He joyfully exclaimed.
My legs became weak and I started to fall but Makoto supported me.
"Whoa, are you alright?"
"J-just a little worn out."
"Come on guys, we have to go collect our trophies!" Gou called us, with excitement in her eyes.
"Alright! Trophy time." Nagisa cheered following Gou along with Coach and Rei.
We collected two gold trophies; one for the relay, one for me winning senior boys freestyle and three silver; each for Rei, Nagisa and Makoto coming second in their competition. Overall, we did the best with a score of 93% so we were given gold medals. We stood on the top of the podium in first place and took a group picture. I felt slightly empty but at the same time it felt like (y/n) was there, watching me and cheering me on the whole time.