Swimmer's Spirit (Free! Various X F! Reader)

Part 9: Regionals and Kisses

[Name]'s POV

"Wow...it's so big," Nagisa stares in awe at the pool we'll be swimming in. "That's what she said," I snort and the guys blush but chuckle with a slight head shake. "This place is packed," Makoto says and two people approach us. "Good morning!" Gou greets us with a smile and I give her a peace sign. Haru looks around the room and Makoto and I exchange looks "I don't think Rin's here yet," I chuckle and Makoto nods his head. "Don't worry, I doubt he'll miss his race," he tells Haru who smiles slightly. "I hope we make it to nationals," Rei mutters and I grin. "I hope so too! I found out you guys will be racing before I am so I'll be cheering you all on in the stands," I clap my hands together with a cheeky smile. "We're going to win for you, [N/N]!" Nagisa cheers with a large grin.

I take a seat beside Gou in the stands and we converse with each other until an announcement for the 100-meter freestyle is announced. "Rin's in this race, right?" I ask and the guys join us in the stands. "Mhmm he's in the third heat," Gou tells me and I nod my head. The first two heats go by quickly and soon the swimmers for the third heat step up onto the starting block. "Go Rin!" Gou cheers her brother on as the swimmers take their marks. A beep goes off and my eyes widen a fraction when Rin dives off later than the others.

"A late start!" Makoto gasps and Haru's eyes widen. "Rin can make up for it on the turn," he says quickly but I shake my head. "No he can't. Just look at how he's swimming, it's absolutely careless. His mind is elsewhere and his strokes are frantic," I point out and when Rin does his turn it doesn't help him. Rin's the last one back to the wall and when he tries to climb out of the pool he falls back in 'What the hell is going on with him' I stare at him with worry before standing up and running out of the stands to get to Rin.

Haru runs beside me along with the other guys when the sound of glass being punched fills our ears. "This way!" Rei exclaims and we run down the hallway to see Ai and Rin. "I was removed from the relay so it doesn't matter! I quit swimming!" Rin shouts and kicks a garbage can before jogging off. We all stare in the direction in shock and I freeze up 'He wants to quit' I gulp and Haru slides down the wall hiding his face in his knees. I zone out as Rei starts going on about meeting up with Rin last night when I'm snapped out of it by someone shaking me.

"Come on [Name], we're going to go find Rin!" Makoto tells me while filling me in on everything I missed while zoned out. "So Rei gave up his spot so Rin could swim with you guys...I don't want to sound rude Makoto but you better fucking appreciate that," I say sharply and he stops running down the hall and looks at me. "We do appreciate it-" he starts but I shake my head. "No, you don't seem to understand what Rei has pretty much gone through on this team. I get that you, Haru, and Nagisa have a past with Rin but for a longtime that's all you talked about. It was always Rin and you guys couldn't see it but it hurt Rei. He just wanted to finally stop being an outsider but every time he got close Rin would somehow make an appearance. I'm glad that you guys get to swim with Rin again but don't forget about everything Rei has sacrificed to be on this team," I tell him, completely void of emotion.

Makoto doesn't say anything but his eyes are enough for me to know what he wants to say. "Then come on, let's go track down sharky," I smirk slightly before running down the hallway. We catch up with Rei and Nagisa before finding Rin and Haru outside. "Ah there you are!" Nagisa exclaims and they both look at us. "Y-you guys..." Rin breathes out and Rei smirks and pushes his glasses up on his face. "Honestly, watching you swim irritates me but I'll do it anyways. Rin, you can have my spot in the relay," Rei tells him and the maroon-haired male's eyes widen while I keep quiet 'They're going to be disqualified'. I glance up at Rei before turning on my heel and closing my eyes "You guys only have a few minutes until your race starts so hurry up," I whisper with a faint smile before walking back inside.