Never Again (Free! Eternal Summer)

Letter of the Afraid: Rin

Rin's POV

It's maybe a week after the funeral, and is still can't get a hold of myself. I wonder, what will happen. Mei's closest friends have moved to different towns. They said, 'It's best for us to get away from all this. We swam for Mei, and now, there is no one to swim for'. I was angry at them but I couldn't make them turn back. It was their decision alone.

Nagisa probably cried the most, not including me, out of everyone. Rei didn't know Mei well, but he understood everyone's sorrow. Gou, of course she was crushed. Haruka surprisingly shed a tear or two. He wouldn't come out of his house for a few days. Makoto... well. Maybe he cried the most... He has kept in contact with Mei the most out of all of us. Her brother Osumu, couldn't cry. He told me he couldn't find the courage to cry, after blaming himself countless times. I'm worried for him. In have a feeling, he won't recover from this...

However, the one who surprised me the most, was Sousuke. He was there, not saying a single word. He looked angry the whole time we were there. A single fist was clutched, and he had a scary gaze in his eyes. No one spoke to him. But, Osumu, punched him in the face for who knows what reason.

I sigh as I lay in my bed, holding up a picture of Mei, Osumu, and I, when we were kids. Old memories flow back into my mind... A time when Mei wanted to try to compete with me, right before I left for Australia.

"Rin! Rin! Race me!" Mei shouted. I shake my head as I begin to exit the pool water.

"Nah. I don't want you to lose to a pro like me." I remark with a smirk on my face. But, I'm pushed over back into he water. Quickly, I pop my head back up. Mei is standing over me, laughing.

"Who's going to lose?" she laughs. I smile and grab her hand to pull her in the water. She has faster reflexes so she doesn't land with a hard thud, she lands perfectly in two feet.

"Let's so Rin!" She yells. I nod and ready myself. "Ready? Go!"

My mind can't stop thinking about Mei. That race was perfect. She won surprisingly, and I never doubted her again. Osumu came to see what we were doing, by that time, the race was finished, with me panting because of how intense the race was.

Someone knocks on my room door. I returned home for the week. Samezuka gave me a week off due to the recent tragedy. "It's open..." I mumble. My mother open the door and she holds a single envelope in her left hand.

"Dear... The police found this at the scene. One was addressed to each and everyone of your friends including you. They said, it was from Mei... The man was planning on killing her, so, he let her write letters..."

My heart skips a beat before my mother sets the envelope done on my bed as she exits the room. My mind is circling right now... I slowly open the messy letter.

Dear Rin,

Over the years, I have grown to respect you and your cry baby of a personality. You care deeply for me and others. Normally, you would go out of your way, when we were kids, to visit Osumu and I. You knew how scared I was of thunderstorms. Osumu and you, would hug me to make me not afraid and to stop crying. I have respected you for that. Thank you.

You were obsessed with winning. I couldn't blame you. After your father, and my uncle, died, it was a huge bomb on all of our lives. But, you kept strong and overcame your sadness. I couldn't but still, you could.

I was surprised to see you now. How big you've grown. I might sound like your mother actually. Sorry for that. I was also surprised to not see you with, Haruka, Makoto and the others. I guess something happened in the past between you two that you couldn't get over. Just a guess but you two have always been rivals.

Now what else do I say? Your a happy kid. Remain happy. Don't lose your confidence over this please. I can feel my memory slipping away slowly. If I don't come out of this alive, or with a memory, know, that I will, and will forever, love you.

(A/n: Everyone is going to get a letter like this. So within the next few chapters, they will be like this one.

Next is: Haruka

Then: Nagisa

Rei

Gou

Makoto

Sousuke