Breathless (Free! Fanfiction)

Chapter 15 - Final

Chapter 15

(Few months later)

"Kai, hurry up! You'll be late of check-ins!" Mom called from downstairs.

I glanced at the clock and hissed. I quickly ran to my mirror and twisted my hair into a bun as neatly as I could. I grabbed my sports bag and ran down the stairs, nearly crashing into my mother. "I'm good, I'm good," I said, grabbing my shoes from the cabinet.

"Calm down," Mom chuckled. "It won't do you good if you'll panic on the way to the tournament."

I laughed mockingly at her. "Very funny," I rolled my eyes, finishing up my shoelaces. Shifting to a serious tone, I said, "I'm definitely sure this time. I'm happy. I'm not afraid."

Mom's eyes softened. Then she swiftly moved and wrapped me in a tight hug. "Two months and you've already gone so far in therapy. I'm so proud of you," she said. "You know that, right? Whatever you do, whatever happens, you'll always be my girl."

I smiled and returned the hug. "Come on, Mom. Don't cry on me now," I joked. "You can cry when I win first place."

Mom laughed as she pulled away and shook her head as if to pry away her sappiness. "Go on," she said. "Get going. I'll catch up once my shift is over."

~

Mid-stretching, I heard the locker room open. I turned and was surprised to see Haru. "Jesus, this is the girls' locker room!" I hissed, rushing to lock the door before anyone else entered. "You're lucky the others already left."

"I know," Haru said. His hand caressed my cheek before resting it on my shoulder. "How are you feeling?"

I shrugged and laughed half-heartedly. "I'm really, really nervous," I admitted. I was suddenly pulled into a crushing embrace by Haru. His warmth and scent alone made most of my tension escape my body as I relaxed in his arms. "That's so much better," I breathed out, reluctantly pulling away.

"Just don't resist the water," Haru said, reminding me of his weird water advice for the millionth time. "Feel it. Be one with it. Be free."

I chuckled fondly at his words and nodded. "Yep, got it."

Then through the PA system, I heard my school being called out for the next round of competition. I smiled confidently at Haru. "I better go out there," I said. I gave him one short peck on the lips before running off.

~

Calm down and relax. Focus on your breathing. Count down from ten. Ten, nine, eight...

I closed my eyes and rolled out the tension in my shoulders. I blocked out the cheers from the people on the bleachers to be able to focus better on the announcer and the whistle. Once I heard the signal, I stepped forward and braced in position.

As I leaned down, I started to feel that choking feeling and the familiar numbness in my toes and fingers. I felt the cold sweat forming on my back as my legs started to shiver from the chills. I gritted my teeth and forced all of my willpower to relax just to regain my focus.

Six, five, five, fo–...

"Shit," I gasped out, making the person beside me look at me in concern. Breathe slowly. In for four, out for six.

"Go, Kai!" a familiar voice echoed.

I looked up and saw Nagisa and the rest of the swim club cheering me on. Right in between Haru and Nagisa was my mother. She seemed surprised at the the massive volume Nagisa's voice carried. She wasn't cheering, but her presence and the look in her eyes were encouragement enough. I believe in you.

That's all I really needed – reassurance. The very thing that I lost in my volleyball team but found in the swim club... and my mother. Family was a team in itself, and whether it be broken or working far away, someone would still be there caring for you.

So I tried again... for them. Ten, nine, eight...

Before my countdown even finished, the bell whistled. I dove. I breathed. I couldn't believe it. If I could laugh by then, I would've. So I just swam, and I was happy and free.

~

"Congratulations!"

Once I got out of the locker rooms, I was suddenly bombarded with Nagisa squeezing the life out my and pulling me off my feet. I patted his back and choked out that he let me down. "Don't strain yourself," I said as he placed me back on my feet. "You still have your own tournament in a few days.

"Also, third place," I sulked. "Not bad, but I wish I was better."

"You were, sweetie," Mom said, stepping forward and squeezing me in a more gentle embrace, "and you'll be even better at nationals. I'm proud of you."

"If you'd like, I can offer you some theories and some techniques that will help your speed and minimize water resistance," Rei offered, pulling up his glasses to be all-smart looking.

I laughed shortly. "I'd actually appreciate it," I said. I turned to Makoto and Haru who were both just standing in the corner. "Hey," I smiled at them. "Aren't you gonna join the huddle?"

Makoto smiled back. "Great job out there," he said, patting the top of my head. He laughed at the massive emphasis of our height difference as he proceeded on to ruffle my hair.

"Very funny," I pouted at him, slapping his hand away.

"You've found what you're looking for?" Haru asked me, surprising everyone.

I stared at Haru, then shifted my eyes to Makoto before turning back to the swim club and my mother. Even Kou decided to join in after meeting up with Rin who surprisingly showed up last minute during my tournament. Amakata-sensei was there as well beside her.

"Yeah, I think I have."

~

And the end. See how I said about the whole "anime ending"? Yeah. Never been great at endings, and I'm still working on my current stories. It was the best I could do.

Honestly I'm not that happy with how I handled the story concerning Kai's little mental problem. I liked the ending but not in between. Because I don't have much experience in the better side of the rainbow, I kept the details vague and based on things I'm hoping in the future. I'm sorry that all I've shown are the negative sides because that's all I've known.

Anyways, all bummer things aside, epilogue is coming up, then I'll be posting the prologue for Rin's story! Don't forget to vote and comment. No writer likes a silent reader. Love 'ya!