Four years ago, at Iwatobi Elementary School
"So it's not in bloom yet." Rin thought aloud as he and the other young swimmers stared at the bare tree at their school.
"I told you that it was too early." Makoto said.
"But I really wanted to see it bloom..." Rin stated. "Since today's my last look at it."
"Rin." Haru spoke up.
"What is it?" Rin asked he looked at Haru.
"Are you really going to follow your dad's dream?" Haru questioned.
"I dunno." Rin replied. "Not right now, at least."
"Hey, there's stuff written on the bricks." Nagisa pointed out, squatting in front of said bricks.
"Got graduation, we made this garden and wrote our favorite phrases on the bricks." Makoto explained. "Here's mine." He said, pointing to a phrase on one of the bricks that had 'I swim' written on it.
"This one's mine." Rin spoke up, gesturing to a brick that had the words 'For the team' on it. "For the team." He read the words.
Haru's face took on a look of mild surprise.
"Oh, this one must be Haru-chan's." Nagisa said, pointing to a brick that the simply words of 'Free' written on it.
...
Present Day
Haru looked stared up at the tree that was in front of her with a blank stare.
"Onee-chan!" Kokoro, who was standing with the other members of the swim club, called. "Hurry up!"
"Just a minute." Haru called back before she squatted down in front of the tree.
Then, using the stick she had in her hands, Haru started to write something in the dirt.
"What's she doing?" Rei questioned as he and the others watched their vice-captain.
"Hey, doesn't that tree..." Nagisa started to say.
"It looks just like that tree." Makoto finished, looking up at said tree.
"Onee-chan..." Kokoro said as she walked over to her cousin. "What are you writing?" She asked.
When Haru didn't reply, Kokoro looked down at the dirt, her expression taking on a look of surprise when she saw what Haru was writing. Then she smiled.
...
Later, inside the building where regionals were being held
"It's so big." Nagisa remarked when the team walked into the pool area and saw the large pool.
"And it's packed." Rei added.
"I really want to swim in it." Kokoro said.
"There you all are." Sasabe said as he walked over to the team with Gou.
"Good morning." Gou greeted.
"Morning." Everyone, except Haru, greeted back.
Then Makoto and Kokoro noticed that Haru was looking around the area.
"Seems Rin's not here yet." Makoto said.
"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll turn up soon." Kokoro told her cousin.
"Yeah." Haru agreed, a small smile appearing on her face.
"Did something happen with my Onii-chan yesterday?" Gou asked/whispered to Rei.
