'Goodbyes are hard' thought Ren Tachibana as he hugged his sobbing sister tightly. His proud parents, with shining eyes and wide smiles, were standing right behind her. His twin sister looked a lot like a girl version of their older brother except with bright pale blue eyes. Ren was tearing up himself. It would be hard to leave his twin behind. They had always been really close but when Ran had got the soccer/academic scholarship to a top high school and it looked as if Ren was going to end up at the very average Iwatobi high school (which he had for a few months because his school didn't start till September), he had to take matters into his own hand. He always wanted to go to a swim school but didn't wanted to leave his family. However, with Makoto and Haru-chan at University plus Ran off at different high school, he couldn't think of a better time.

All the same, it was still hard to say goodbye to the people he loved even if it was only for a couple of months at a time. A few years back at a swim meet, Ren had been spotted by a scout who worked at a specialized swim school in England. The scout told Ren that he could get a full scholarship plus free flights home twice a year if he came and swam with this school. Ren thought it over but eventually turned the scout down. Everyone was distraught but Ren remained confident with his decision. The scout said the offer remained open if he ever changed his mind and Ren hadn't even thought about it till a couple months back. Well, he'd asked his parent about it and they'd been fully supportive of the idea so he called the scout who came over and watched him swim and said, 'yes. The offer is definitely still open.' And that was that.

After many more tearful good byes, Ren, Haru and Makoto headed to the train station. They had insisted on helping him get his large suitcase to the airport against Ren's preferences. 'This will just make leaving so much harder' Ren sighed. It was a battle he was certain to lose. So here they were, walking to the station.

Ren, at the age of 15, was now as tall as his brother. He resembled the latter greatly but he had floppy brown hair instead of spikey olive-green. He had the same droopy eyes though except his were a plain brown. All the Tachibana's shared the same soft smile though.

A few months back, the three boys had had a free style race (Makoto swam back, Haru front and Ren breast) and Ren had won by a stretch. This was part of the reason he considered the swim school as well. It was clear he had talent, no doubt about it.

It was a strange thing though; he hadn't started swimming until he was ten, after his brother and his friends had won their relay in high school. Before that he had been really into soccer with Ran but he had felt as if he was falling behind, with Ran being so good and all. So he quit and took up swimming. It didn't take long for him to be beating people in high school. Everyone was impressed- Captain Mikoshiba had even told him that he would get into Samezuka no problem, even at that young age.

Ren snapped back to the present. It was time to board the train. Haru took his back pack and Makoto took his suitcase, so Ren was left to carry… well, nothing. 'Onii-chan! I can take my suitcase! It's not that heavy!' Ren whined. Makoto just laughed and lugged the bag onto the train, completely ignoring his little brother's request. Ren looked at Haru pleadingly but the older boy just shook his head, the corner of his mouth tweaked up a little in a sort of smirk. Ren frowned and followed the boys onto the train.

It was a half hour journey and throughout most of it they talked swimming. Ren was bursting with nerves and excitement as he left the train hugging his two big brothers close. Makoto smile was kind of sad and Haru just looked blank but you could see the warmth leaking out of his emotional eyes. 'Be good Ren! I love you! Have fun...' Ren could hear Makoto still shouting advice through the window even as the train rolled away. Ren smiled, took a deep breath and started walking towards the airport, bags in hand.

Makoto sat back down with a sigh; they still had a while to go before they got to the station near their apartment. Haru sat next to him and gave his hand a squeeze and a small peck on the cheek. They had been dating for a while now and Haru knew how hard this was for Makoto. He was worried that Ren was going to come back like Rin, sour and aggressive, 'He's not going to be like Rin, you know' said Haru quietly.

'Huh?' Makoto gave a concerned glance at Haru, 'How'd you know I was thinking that?'

'I can see it in your face' replied Haru, as impassive as ever but his eyes were brimming with pride at having noticed what Makoto was feeling for once instead of the other way around. Makoto noticed this and smiled. Haru continued 'He's not going to end up like Rin did because he is not going to hit a wall and even if he did, he has the most amazing family who are so kind and thoughtful, just like him that it would matter any way. He is the best swimmer I have ever seen- better than you, me and Rin combined! And that is saying something. I think… no… I know he will make it if that is what he wants' Haru stopped talking and turned away to look out the window at the fading light.

'Haru-Chan…' Makoto muttered, absolutely speechless. Haru never said this much and he had never been known to say anything with such passion and meaning.

'Drop the –chan' he mumbled under his breath, quiet enough so only Makoto heard. The taller boy chuckled and they sat in a comfortable silence for the rest of the trip.