Free! The Hidden Story

Episode 7

(Ryoma’s aspect)

‘splash’ sounded as Haru slapped his hand earlier against the wall of the pool then Nagisa. It was 5 days left till the tournaments and the days became tense. “amazing Haruka-sempai! It’s a new personal record!” Gou said. “the camp really paid off its results,” I said. “what about me?” Nagisa asked.  “im sorry, you should try harder,” Gou told him. “still we really came far in such a small period,” Makoto said. I nodded, “even Rei-chan managed to improve his butterfly,” I said. “yeah, but its still not good enough!” Rei suddenly appeared next to me. “they need to become much better! What we can do is try to find the perfect coach!” Gou said. “what? A coach?” Nagisa repeated her surprised. “yes, its never too late to find one,” Gou continued, “a great couach could help us to improve our times before the tournament!” “you may be true, but how do you find one in such a small period?” Makoto asked. I stayed quiet for a moment and before I could say something, Haru got out of the pool. “I don’t need a coach,” he said before he left to get a towel.

The classes had started and soon it was lunch break already. I waited for Gou and walked with her to the rooftop. “guys, ive got the photos from the camp!” she said as she walked up to the 4 swimmers who were sitting against the wall. “oh, let me see, let me see!” Nagisa said before we sat down at the group.

Together they spread out the photos on the ground. “its so much!” Nagisa said excited. “everyone had fun,” Makoto smiled. “Look, Haru-chan looks funny on this one,” Nagisa said as he took a photo from the gorund. “but at least he;s looking at the camera for once,” Makoto chuckled. “on this one there is something creepy behind Makoto-sempai,” Rei said as he pointed to a photo. “that’s Miss.Amakata,” I giggled as Haru quietly took a photo from the ground. “Samezuka’s team?” Nagisa looked over his shoulder at the photo. “Gou, what did you do?” Makoto asked her. “I just did some research,” Gou said proud, “I got photos from the candidates who’s swim the 100m breaststroke, the candidate for the 100m backstroke and the candidate for the 100m the butterfly.” Haru took another photo as he looked at it. “my brother will do the 100m-“ “Freestyle,” Haru said before Gou was done. Gou nodded.

(Haruka’s aspect)

Soon it was the next day and around 12 o’clock we arrived at the stadium. We walked to the tribune as we already saw everyone, Gou, Miss.Amakata but Ryoma was nowhere to be seen. What was she doing? I looked at the swimmers. “Rin isn’t here yet,” Makoto told me, “maybe he’s already getting ready in the changing rooms.” I didn’t changed my mind at all and I took my bag again and left.

After I was done with changing, I walked to the door and noticed Rin sitting on a bench. I stopped and looked at him. “here I am, like ive promised,” I said. “ofcourse, ive kept my qualifying time low so I was sure that I’ll be in the same heat as you,” he answered as he got up. “you didn’t need to do that,” I told him, “otherwise we would have met in the finals.” “I couldn’t wait that long,” he complained, “besides, I wanted to be sure that we got to race each other.” “this it between you and me,” he said as he passed me. I stayed quiet for a moment, “where is Ryoma?” I then asked and he stopped, “she should have already been here.” He smirked as he looked over his shoulder at me, “what if I say that ive left my mark on her on the way here?” I made my hand into a first before he expression became boring. “seriously, I have no idea. I don’t care where that bitch is. Maybe she was afraid of seeing you losing form me,” he shrugged before he left.

I made my way outside and walked along the side of the pool to the start blocks. Before I got ready, I took a quick look around, Ryoma still wasn’t there yet. Maybe Rin was right about not wanting to see the race. I got ready and as soon as the whistle sounded, I dove with a smooth bow into the water, together with 8 other swimmers and Rin who was having the line next to mine.

As soon as I reached the surface, I swam as fast as I could but still, when I reached the wall for the turn, Rin was already on his way back. In a split sec. I saw him smirking at me before I made my turn. I kicked myself away from the wall and dove back to the surface. I took deep breaths and swam as fast as I could. finally I caught up with Rin again and I swam, I swam like it was about my life! Like it was about Ryoma. But, she wasn’t even watching..

I slapped my hand against the side and together with Rin I got above the surface as I looked at the screens with the times. I panted as I noticed our time difference. Rin won, with 2ms difference. I couldn’t believe it and while Rin got out of the water, I didn’t move. I just panted, trying to catch my breathing. “Haru!” Rin called me as he got in front of me.  I looked at him. “I win! Do you know what this means? It means that I wont swim with you again, ever.” My eyes widened as my eye sign became hazy, what did he say?