A/N: Hello, I do hope you like this chapter and story and will continue reading. I am writing the next 7 chapters for today and the rest on December 12.
Disclaimer: I do not own Free! Eternal Summer nor do I want to. If I did the story would be horrible.
Chapter One: Rin's Cherry Pool
Haruka's POV
I went under the tub's water enjoying the feel of it. I don't know what I'd do if I lost this feeling. Hearing the doorbell not long after I frowned. I didn't want to get out of the water.
I picked my head from the water when the door opened seeing a hand in front of me when I shook my hair. "Good morning Haru-Chan!" Makoto greeted. "Don't call me that" I frowned.
"Oh! Sorry" Makoto smiled, I knew he wasn't sincere. He should know I only like it when Rin calls me that.
I grabbed his hand anyway so he pulled me up so I could stand. "Should've known" Makoto sighed with a smile making me frown.
"Known what?" I asked annoyed with him. "Nothing" I know it's something. I looked down seeing why he said that.
I forgot I always lay in the tub with my swimsuit on. I take showers not baths. "You didn't swim much this winter huh?" I frowned getting out of the water. I went to get my apron so I could make some food.
Need my omega-3s or else I'll be in the hospital by the end of the day. "We don't have time for you to drag your feet" Makoto said making me sigh. "I'm done" tying my apron on. Beneath it I had on my black cargo pants with a silver chain and a dark blue, long-sleeved, v-neck.
"Why do you have an apron on?!" Makoto panicked. "I'm not leaving without breakfast Makoto" I frowned sliding past him. I'm not gonna worry Makoto, Rin, and the others by going to the hospital.
"We don't have time!" he panicked again making me sigh. I was just going to grill mackerel and put it on a fried egg.
I already had a drink for later to go with it in case I get dizzy from lack of nutrients. I grabbed my dark blue and red bento putting it in my bag before we left.
Scene Change: Station
"Rei! Nagisa! Sorry we're late!" Makoto yelled when he saw them. After a while on the bus we finally reached Samezuka Academy Swim Club. I ate my bento on the bus and was drinking my Strawberry-Kiwi smoothie when we entered the building.
"So this is the third-year's send-off?" Makoto asked when we reached Rin's sister. "Seems more like a vicious battle" he said despairingly. I do agree with him though. "It's a tradition where you have to do 100m races a hundred times" the voice sounded familiar.
"You have to keep swimming till someone beats the captain" Rin explained. I was ecstatic to see him. "Thanks for coming you guys" Rin smiled making my heart race. "Have you raced the captain yet?" Nagisa asked.
"Not yet" he informed somewhat blandly. I wasn't surprised he hasn't yet. "Logically speaking one-hundred meters…" Rei started but I didn't hear the rest.
"Our captain defies logic" I can take a guess from what Rin said what the rest was. I was too busy getting Rin's face into my mind to bother listening.
"You guys came to watch!" Mikoshiba exclaimed making me turn to him. I got his face in my mind to paint a picture of him later.
He asked me to paint a picture of him for the school. He came to our school because our art club has the best artists in the region. He didn't know I was the president of the club when he asked for me.
"How 'bout a race to mark the occasion?" he was as energetic as ever. All of us were shocked at the invitation. "We're not even on your team" Rei said panicked. "Don't be shy everyone! Let's do a Samezuka-Iwatobi 400m freestyle medley relay" the captain suggested.
"You're swimming in this to Matsuoka!" Mikoshiba exclaimed enthusiastically. Why are we doing this? None of us agreed but Rin and he's not on our team. I agreed to come here to get inspiration for the painting.
"Who else?!" Mikoshiba exclaimed. "M-Me!" Nitori struggled making me smile slightly. He's a good swimmer he just needs to believe in himself.
I took off my clothes knowing we won't win. It was easy to get off my clothes since I had enough practice.
"There's no helping it I guess" I smirked at what Makoto said. I was glad I changed his mind.
I can get a better angle for the painting if I'm close enough to him. Him diving or swimming in front or behind him would be a good angle. I can remember anything so long as I want to remember it.
I was glad they had swimsuits to, I felt bad for Rei however. He was the only one who didn't have one and had to be put in an unfamiliar swimsuit. "We're in the lead" I stated not really caring if we were or weren't. "His front crawl is so fast!" Rei exclaimed in awe.
"I won't lose to you Ai-Chan!" Nagisa smiled making me shake my head. "Don't call me that" Nitori was embarrassed to be called such a name. Can't blame him, I don't like it when anyone but Rin calls me Haru-Chan. "Stay calm Ai" Rin said making me look at him.
Nagisa had to go first but Nitori was nervous. Rin would make a good captain. From how Mikoshiba's looking at him I'm guessing he thinks the same thing.
Rei was up next and so was the captain. I smiled glad I was at the right angle to memorize his form when he jumped.
That would be a good form for the painting but I don't know. Maybe the picture of him swimming back would be better?
I got on the diving block hearing cheers for the swimmers. "Isn't this our first freestyle relay against you guys?" Rin asked making me nod. "We'll be winning today Haru" he apologized cockily.
"I don't care about winning Rin. I only came here because Mikoshiba asked me to" I told him. Rin got distant at that making me frown. I don't want Rin mad at me, what did I say?
"We were so close!" Rei and Nagisa complained. They were in synch physically when they were complaining. Makoto chuckled at them but I was too busy drying my hair to comment.
"Yeah but it was fun" Makoto said smiling at me. "Sure" I smiled glad I got inspiration for the painting.
I just need to find the paints and I'll be good. I heard Mikoshiba start a speech for the underclassmen.
Turning to face the large group I got a text. 'Do you have an idea for the painting president?' I frowned at this. 'Yes I do, have some faith' I sent easily before hearing Rin was the new captain.
I didn't bother listening to Rin's sister talk about Rin's muscles being 'captain-class'. I was more worried about the Art Club and Swim Club getting new members. How am I going to juggle the two clubs? I have a painting down for the event but I'm supposed to explain what the club does and get people interested while being part of the Swim Club.
Scene Change: Club Event
"Cool!" I was amazed by the Film Club's movie. It had my Iwatobi wood carving in it. "You're way too easily amazed Haruka-Senpai" Gou said tugging my sleeve. "Are you listening to me senpai?!" Gou pleaded.
Gou went out introducing our Swim Club. I have a feeling this won't work. How would taking off our clothes for the freshmen recruit new members?
Scene Change: Outdoor Pool*
Gripping the chain link fence I wasn't surprised no one was coming. Our introduction was terrible.
"No one's going to come" I stated looking at the groups of students below. "I told you we shouldn't have done the 'charm point!" Rei told Gou.
Do you really think that was the problem? "Don't pretend you weren't enjoying it!" Gou told him.
If they had asked I would've done a presentation for the Club. I have time in the Art Club anyway. "We can't have people watch us swim this season so we have a big disadvantage" Makoto informed.
"Does anyone else have any ideas to recruit members?" Nagisa asked. He was looking at the algae filled pool. "I could make some art sculptures of each of us swimming" I suggested. "None of us have time to pose" Gou frowned.
"I could draw up a new poster with pop-ups" I continued. Gou shot that idea down to. They are good ideas if she'd just give them a chance. "We could walk the halls in our swimsuits" Nagisa suggested making me mentally cringe.
"It could work!" Gou was gushing making me pinch the bridge of my nose. "No way!" Rei yelled making me smile. "Don't be stingy!" how is that stingy?
Rin's POV
"To join our swim team you have to be better than the Samezuka standard. We'll be timing you now so swim your fastest stroke" I explained to the new recruits.
I remembered when I asked Mikoshiba why he chose me for captain. It made no sense for him to choose me.
He only repeated what I said back to me. Said that I told them I would take responsibility, that I would make them the best team. "Is something wrong Captain?" I looked up surprised at Nitori.
I didn't think I was that absorbed in my thoughts to ignore him. Or to worry him. "Can you not call me that Ai?" scratching the back of my neck. "Just call me what you used to" I'll never get used to people calling me 'captain'.
"I can do that. There are a lot of people hoping to join this year" I wonder if that's the same for Iwatobi. "Mikoshiba said we'd be getting a really strong member this year" looking at the recruits. I wonder if he'll actually show up.
"Do you think he's among them?" Nitori sounded excited. "Don't slack off, the first-years might surpass you" I smirked. "A-Alright!" I smiled at his enthusiasm.
Haruka's POV
"You want to open the pool?" I don't know why we're all in the faculty lounge. Only a few needed to come to ask permission.
"Yeah! Just a little early this year" Nagisa exclaimed happily. "We need to attract new members" Makoto elaborated.
"It's still too cold to swim isn't it?" our advisor asked. "I'll swim whenever" "I'll think of it as winter swimming" Rei and I said. I just wanted to swim as much as I can before high school ended.
"Please help us!" we all bowed hoping we can. "What about Coach Sasabe's Swimming Club?" she suggested after a bit. "Isn't it opening soon?" she is right but would he even let us use the building? We also need to clean the pool to get ready for when it's warmer.
Scene Change: Pool
I was a bit late getting to the pool but I was doing a lot more work than the others. I have to do something to help with the Swim Club while I'm the president of the Art Club. "I just hope they will be people who want to swim" I commented. I don't know why they don't care who joins so long as people join.
They should join because they love to swim or want to try it out. Nagisa headbutted my back rubbing it against my back in annoyance. "It's true though" Rei agreed.
"If we don't get new members by our third-year we won't be a club" he's despairing now. Makoto and I will be graduating this year.
We went to Sasabe's swim building to ask his opinion on the lack of members. He just said something that will work fifty percent of the time.
"Get good times and people will flock to join" was what he said. That is true but many of the people who watch aren't in our school, have no interest, or don't have time. I barely have time since I don't want to be putting all the work on Rime-chan.
"That is easier said than done!" Rei yelled and I do agree. "Why did you call us here?" Makoto asked. I have been wondering that. We were on our way when he called.
He said he would help us get good results in the tournaments. He showed us the pool telling us the name of the building. I was confused because it should be named something besides 'Iwatobi SC Returns'. The place is going to open in a month.
"I got the pool up and running so we can use it before this place opens" Sasabe explained. They all thanked him for it but I wasn't paying much attention. I went to the corner to take off my clothes to swim.
I jumped in before Makoto could stop me loving the feel of the water. I haven't been able to swim in so long.
I felt like someone was watching me though so it was a bit weird. I brushed it off after a bit because I would deal with it when something happens.
Scene Change: Elsewhere
"Rin-Chan!" Nagisa yelled making me shake my head repressing a smile at his care-free attitude. I felt bad for Rin since he didn't seem to like being called that in front of his team. "Rin seemed a lot like a captain, didn't he?" Rei asked when we went in.
"Yeah I thought he would say something like…" I didn't bother listening to the rest. I got a text from Rime-chan asking what the Club was doing for the Four Seasons Competition. 'I'll explain when I get back' I sent the text easily putting my phone up. None of them know I'm the president of the Art Club and I want to keep it that way.
"You kids are late!" Sasabe exclaimed surprising us. "You're swimming to Goro-san?" Nagisa smiled before I looked to the water. I was more interested in that than the conversation. Gou was disappointed there weren't any muscles on display while Rei and Nagisa were disappointed there wasn't a relay.
"There will be one at the prefecturals at least" I refrained from smiling at Nagisa's comment. I won't be swimming with Rin on our team. We went to the locker room before I undressed to get ready.
Walking past the lockers I spoke. "Are you trying to ambush me Rin?" I smiled almost invisibly.
"I was merely waiting Haru" he answered before we started walking. "We're racing in the adjoining lanes today" I nodded since I already knew that.
"You guys didn't get to swim much over the winter huh? If you want I can give you a handicap" I sighed at Rin's comment. "No need Rin, I still keep training even if I can't swim" I stated.
"You're fired up aren't you?" Rin snickered making me scowl. He was going to say something before two kids interrupted.
They were cute kids to. We only smiled because the two kids summed up what we were going to say perfectly.
We went to the diving blocks to stretch taking off our jackets. "This showdown is between the two of us" Rin stated making me frown. I could care less about records and winning, I just want to swim.
"I don't care about my time Rin, never did" I told him easily. "Are you still saying stuff like that?" I was about to put my goggles on before he continued. "You still don't think anyone can beat you in the water, don't you?" I frowned at this. I don't care if anyone does or doesn't.
"I'll make that cold face of yours heat up" I turned my head away at that. Putting my goggles on I made sure to keep away a blush. My face always tries to heat up whenever Rin is close or when he swims. He doesn't need to do anything for that.
We dived when the gun went off but I wasn't paying any attention to Rin. When we spun to go back I knew I was far behind him. I was starting to get dizzy and I remembered I didn't get much omega-3s before the race.
I wanted to get this over with so I could get some in me before I black out. I swam faster to get this over with and ended up getting the same time at Rin.
"Haru!" I looked to Rin seeing he had his hand up for a high-five. I was shocked before I hesitantly raised my hand from the water.
His hand met mine the rest of the way almost making me jump. "You're fired up now right?" I shook my head before getting out of the water. I wasn't 'fired up' I was worried I would worry others.
When I got out I kept my hand on the diving block to keep myself steady. I wasn't going to stand all the way up and end up almost falling because I wasn't ready to stand yet. I took out a packet of strawberry and kiwi juice I made sipping the drink. I went back to the rest grabbing my jacket when I helped Rin out of the water
Time Skip: Sunset
"That was amazing Haruka-senpai! You beat your record and tied with my brother" Gou exclaimed. Anyone can do that if they put in enough effort. I just love swimming enough that I don't need much effort. They all nodded at me when Samezuka walked by.
"Rin!" I called running up to him. He told his team to go ahead before he asked what I wanted. "We want to tell you something, can you come to Iwatobi?" I asked a bit nervous.
"What? Do you want a rematch?" Rin asked making me frown.
"I said 'we' not 'I' and why would I want a rematch if I don't care about winning and losing?" I asked blandly. "Just come to Iwatobi tonight" I said quickly, leaving.
Rin's POV
"Haru! I'm here!" I yelled confused as to why no one answered me. I walked up the stairs deciding to go up to see if it's opened. Seeing that the door was I was shocked.
Walking in I didn't know until it was too late that I passed by something ominous. "Take him!" that was Nagisa's voice. I felt myself being lifted once I couldn't see and I regretted coming here now. "Come along quietly" that was Rei's voice.
"Rei-Chan the sentence ending" what does that matter? "Come along quietly moge" what the perdition? "Don't 'moge' me, let me go!" I screamed kicking now. "Don't take my brother away!" was that Gou?
I was let down when I kicked even more furiously at Gou being a part of this. "Calm down Rin" that was Haru's voice. It was kind and soft.
Whatever they put on my head was taken off before my eyes adjusted to the light. The pool had cherry blossom petals in it.
I was shocked surprised by this. "In grade school you once told us you wanted to swim in a pool of cherry blossoms" Haru was looking away with a blush as he spoke.
I wish I had my camera, it was cute. "We wanted to open the pool early to get new members…" Makoto was interrupted by Nagisa. "Thanks to Ama-Chan!" he exclaimed with a smile.
"It still resulted in zero members" that answers how they're doing with members. I thought Haru could at least bring in some members. "Because we got to see the pool of cherry blossoms we thought you could see it to" Makoto explained. "Haru-Chan was the only one to remember what you said though, sorry" Nagisa apologized.
I looked to Haru seeing him scowling at Nagisa as he blushed. He looks like a child if he shows any kind of emotion. I turned away wiping tears from my eyes. "Aren't you going to go in?" Nagisa asked.
"It's supposed to rain soon guys" I think I was the only one to hear Haru say that. "I want to but it's still too cold for swimming outside" I told them not wanting to get sick. "Take that stuff off Onii-Chan!" my sister cheered.
When I turned to her she was bouncing on her heels excited for me to comply. She wants to take a picture of my muscles.
Rei and Nagisa were pushing me with the latter saying I was being bashful. "That is not my reason for not swimming Nagisa" I told the child.
The rain started making us look up. Makoto, Haru, and I ran below the cloth closest to the pool with the others going down the stairs. "The weather didn't say anything about rain" I frowned at what Makoto said.
Haruka's POV
I knew it was going to rain, I always know when it is going to rain. "What are you guys going to do after graduation?" I froze slightly at what Rin asked. I want to do anything that allows me to swim free. I want to do something with art to.
Makoto should do something with swimming and children since he does well with both. "No idea" I answered simply looking to the pool. I got a good idea for a 'Spring' submission for the competition. I was chosen for the spring submission and the Four Seasons submission.
"You want to swim at the world level right Rin?" Makoto asked. "The nationals this summer will be my last chance since I wasted so much time getting here" I frowned at this. Getting here is definitely something he should regret.
He's a good swimmer and likely picked for a team in Australia. He should've stayed there instead of coming back.
Rin said something about not having even thought about it. I have, I am working towards it, but a lot can happen in that time and I still feel those eyes on me.
Time Skip: Next Day
I know still feeling those eyes on me is a bad thing but what kind? Is it bad for relationships like the friendship between Rin and I? Am I going to end up being incurably sick?
Am I going to have to move back to Brazil with my parents? Or maybe America with my aunt? "Let's go Haru" Makoto said breaking me from my thoughts. I don't want any of that to happen.
There will be artists and deans from art colleges at the competitions and art shows. I'm glad none of the competitions we'll be participating in conflict with one another. I can't miss the art shows or the swim comps. It'll be bad if I missed either, and for different reasons.
A/N: Hello, I finished writing this at 5:23 P.M. on November 13, 2017.
*I am not doing that, could barely even watch that scene.
I do hope you like this chapter and story and will continue reading.