Four years ago, at Iwatobi Elementary School
"Hello, everyone. My name is Matsuoka Rin. I previously went to Sano Elementary School. I have a girly name, but I'm a boy. Looking forward to being in class with you!"
Everyone in the class stared at Rin after he introduced himself. Looks of surprise appeared on a certain Haru and Makoto.
...
"Wow, this tree is huge!" Rin exclaimed as he looked up at the large tree outside the school. "Is it a cherry blossom tree?" He asked.
"It is." Makoto replied, Haru standing beside him.
"So come spring, there'll be a whole bunch of blossoms falling down into the pool." Rin remarked as he turned his attention to the pool that was behind of the gate. "I wanna try swimming in a pool of cherry blossoms."
"The water will be too cold." Makoto told him. "You should wait until summer to go swimming."
"I was just joking around." Rin said. "You don't have to be so serious."
"I have a question for you." Haru finally spoke up, her face expressionless.
"Oh? What's up? Looking to ask out the transfer the student on his first day?" Rin questioned teasingly.
"Don't be so full of yourself." Haru retorted in monotone.
"I believe we've been in the same tournaments before." Makoto said.
"Oh, you remembered me?" Rin asked, a slight look of relief on his face.
Haru didn't say anything as she just stared at him, her eyebrows furrowed slightly into a small scowl.
"What's with that scary look?" Rin questioned. "I just happened to end up at this school when I moved. Coincidences are weird, huh?" He said as he rubbed the back of his head.
Haru just continued to stare at him.
...
At Iwatobi Swim Club building
"My name is Matsuoka Rin." Rin introduced himself. I previously belonged to the Sano Swimming Club. I have a girly name, but I'm a boy."
Makoto had a look of slight look of surprise and shock on his face while Haru just stared at him blankly.
...
"Coincidence after coincidence, huh?" Rin said. "I transferred to you school and even ended up in the same swimming club."
"Yeah, this is a surprise." Makoto agreed. "Right, Haru?" Makoto asked as he looked at Haru on the starting block.
Haru ignored him and jumped into the water. Rin stood where he was and watched Haru swim through the water with the speed and grace of a dolphin.
'She's really something!' Rin thought, grinning in excitement.
He got onto the starting block and pulled the swimming goggles he had over his eyes. After snapping the back of them, he got into position. Then he jumped into the water, wanting to catch up with Haru.
...
After practice
"Man, that was a good swim!" Rin, arms behind his back, remarked.
"Matsuoka-kun." Makoto called. "The bicycle racks are this way." Makoto told Rin.
"Oh, I'm running home." Rin informed.
"Running?" Makoto repeated. "How many kilometers is it to your home?" He asked.
"Around three kilometers, I think." Rin replied. Then he grinned and waved his hand. "See ya!" He said before he began running home.
