A/N: DISCLAIMER: 'FREE!' IWATOBI SWIM CLUB DOES NOT BELONG TO ME, ONLY THE FEW ORIGINAL CHARACTERS IN THIS FANFIC.
There weren't many times Haruka would ever show interest in anything else besides his borderline 'philia' for water. If such a thing even existed- 10/10 times it would be associated with water.
Yet the first thing Haruka did when entering the school's swimming pool wasn't diving head first into it. Nagisa's loud shriek had made him look back towards the locker room, the ever present look of uninterest on his face as he paused, pivoted on his heels, and made his way towards the short boy. Makoto was covering his ears, hunched over as Rei tried to control Nagisa- who was pulling his hair frantically running circles around him… Haruka didn't even want to ask…
"Haru." Makoto called out to him. "I don't suppose you've heard the bad news."
"What."
"Haru-chan!" Rei held Nagisa by the collar before he could latch onto the water loving boy. "Oh, it's HORRIBLE!"
"What is." Nagisa didn't answer, so Makoto took it upon himself to respond. "… The Principal is cutting Iwatobi Swim Club funds…"
Haru blinked, clearly not having expected something like that. "… Why?"
Makoto sighed, motioning for everyone to come closer as he continued. "Well, the Principal didn't say it directly but Gou told us he was thinking about cutting some of the extra-curricular clubs because of overspending. He apparently didn't think our club would be spending so much."
Nagisa full on raged. "Can you BELIEVE that?! The nerve- it's not like he takes all of the club expenses! It's half and half- we cover costs for stuff the school doesn't cover, and they do the monthly pool maintenance fees. Like seriously!"
"What with the pool maintenance reparations, he should've estimated that honestly. I'd say the real reason for this is because of our lack of applicants and members." Rei added with a glint on his glasses.
"Waaa, what are we going to do, guys?!" Nagisa yelled. "Without money for our club, we won't be able to apply for any competitions- let alone Nationals!" Makoto winced as Nagisa let out yet another loud yell.
"N-Nagisa, not so loud!"
"WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING?" The boys looked back to see Gou standing there, frown face on with hands covering her ears. A clipboard was littered on the ground in front of her.
"Gou-kun!" Glare.
"It's Kou, Nagisa!" Gou said, picking up her clipboard and walking up to the boys. "Now we have a bit of a dilemma, boys." She pointed to the clipboard, to which they huddled over. "Currently, we've been waay behind on swim practice because of the storm last week. National's only 3 months away, so we'll have to do double time and haul ass with practice. I'm sure you guys already know about the budget cuts…" Everyone's mood dampened. "I spoke with Coach Sasabe and he'll let us teach some of his kids for swim lessons. The Principal's definitely one-upping us with this, but we'll pull through. Just because our budget's getting cut, doesn't mean we can't raise up money of our own. We have to do everything we can now." Gou finished, a small smile forming. "So let's do our best, yeah?"
Nagisa let out a 'whoop' while Rei and Makoto only nodded in turn. "Yes!"
"Oh!" Gou exclaimed. "Hey, where's Haru?"
"Eh?"
Splash.
… That water loving creep…
In those three months' time, the group helped Coach Sasabe during their spare time, each taking turns. Every Saturday and Sunday morning, they met up for practice, as they needed all the time they could spare.
Rei and Makoto each got part time jobs to help with club expenses, which in hind sight was a good idea once Nagisa cracked a spot on the pool's floor, having dived in on the shallow end. Well, there was 250 dollars down the drain.
As the group busied themselves with practice and practically managing all the finances- the time for Nationals grew ever so closer…
Makoto sighed, slinging his backpack over his broad shoulders as the tall swimmer closed his locker.
"Hn." Ah, the ever so stoic Haruka. Makoto grinned at his friend, seeing the latter eager to leave. 'Probably to soak in his tub again.' He thought. "Let's go."
"Yes."
"Mako-chan, Haru-chan!"
""Ugh- dammit Nagisa! Stop being so LOUD!" They could hear Gou's angry retorts nearby. Gou and Nagisa were talking amongst themselves (more like Gou telling the short shota to be quiet every 5 seconds) and the latter grinned at them, excitement evident on his features.
"Can you believe the Nationals are like, in frigging 4 DAYS?! It's crazy!" Makoto agreed.
"I'm a little nervous actually. I feel like we didn't have enough time."
"Ugh, don't remind me." Mumbled Gou under her breath. "It's because of that damn budget cut! Club activity hours were shortened, and we would've been so ready months ago, but nooo."
"Budget cuts?" Nagisa provided, humoring the girl.
"Budget cuts." Gou repeated. After pinching her nose in frustration, she sighed, addressing them. "… I hope you guys plan on practicing today."
"…"
"…"
"…"
Gou said nothing. She looked at them with a pointed look, still not receiving an answer. "Well?"
And of course- Nagisa was the first to break. "Aw, c'mon Gou-kun!" Eye twitch. "We've been practicing non-stop! I'm practically swimming in my sleep with all the practice we've been doing! One day of 'not' Practicing isn't going to hurt."
"I want to win Nagisa. I don't do mediocre."
"Of course not." Makoto spoke up. "But we also need a day off. If we're exhausted by the time for Nationals in 4 days, what good would all of the practice have been for?"
… Gou honestly hadn't thought of that. Makoto had a point. If the boys ended up pulling a muscle or falling asleep during the competition, then the swimming powerhouse Samezuka might as well be given the trophy in advance. "Makoto's right. Okay, I guess you guys deserve a day off. But I want you guys to meet up at Coach Sasabe's tomorrow, same time. Wait, where's Rei?" Gou suddenly asked, just realizing the tall bespectacled boy wasn't with them. Everyone looked at Nagisa, whom in turn shrugged.
"I dunno, I think he went home. He left before I could catch up."
Gou sighed. "Okay, just let Rei know. Bye guys!"
"Bye Gou-kun!" Gou turned around to tell him off.
"IT'S KO- ugh never mind, I'm just gonna go! He never learns..!"
"Bye Gou-san!" Makoto waved her off until she was out of sight. "… I don't think you should be calling her that, Nagisa. I don't think she likes it."
Nagisa looked up to his senpai in confusion. "What? Why?"
"Water." Haru suddenly blurted out, confusing the other two.
"?" Nagisa soon forgot, clapping his hands together in excitement. "Hey, why don't we hang out afterschool today?! Let's have fun!"
"It has been a long time since we've been able to all walk home together with how busy we have been." Makoto commented. "That sounds like a great idea, where should we go?"
"Micky D's!"
"Hate that place." Haru said bluntly, already walking off.
"Wait where are you going?"
"Haru-chan, don't you wanna hang out?!"
"… I'm going home..."
Makoto paused for a moment, contemplating whether he should join Haruka, or go with Nagisa to eat. The BFF rule dictates you never ditch your best friend, but Makoto was really hungry. Nagisa and Haru had mooched off from his Bento at lunch (again) so he hadn't eaten much all day. Regardless, Makoto didn't waste time to offer to walk Haru home, momentarily forgetting his hunger. "Do you want me to walk home with you?" He asked politely.
"No." Well, Makoto didn't expect him to say anything other than this. Nodding after a while, Makoto bid his close friend goodbye, promising to see him in the morning when they would make their way to Coach Sasabe's. Letting out a sigh, Makoto made sure to lock the Club's gates, and headed down the path towards where Nagisa sped off to.
Riiiiiing!
"Hello?"
"Makoto, where are you guys? I'm already at Micky D's!" Makoto sweat dropped. He was already there?! The closest Micky D's isn't at least 20 minutes away!
"Jeez Nagisa, what, did you fly over there or something? How is that possible?!" Nagisa giggled from the other end, shuffling something loudly.
"Duuuh, I'm Nagisa!"
…
Of course. Makoto smiled, promising to make it there as fast as he could as he hung up. "Well, I might as well pull a Nagisa." Tucking his phone into his parka, Makoto fell into a light jog.
The orange haze of the sunset was beautiful, and Makoto couldn't help but let his mind wonder off to admire such a sight. Jogging through the familiar neighborhoods, he couldn't help but think about the upcoming Nationals.
The last time they competed, they were all in middle school. They hadn't known Rei back then, and Rin still was around. That time, their team had a flawless victory… Yet Makoto was uncertain now. Those little races they did were nothing compared to Nationals.
He wanted his team to do the best they could because Makoto knew how short their time together would be very soon.
… Makoto wanted to be an Olympic swimmer. If his team won the nationals, it would give them a prestige that could kickstart their professional swimming careers-
-Makoto paused his jogging.
… Of course, if that was what Haru wanted.
… What did Haru want?
The boy had made it very clear once that he didn't like to compete, but there was no denying he was the best when it came to such competitions. He just wanted to swim free, whatever that meant to Haru. Of course Makoto wanted to support his friend, but swimming was what they first bonded over, and swimming was starting to seem what was now driving them apart. It seemed that the both of them no longer held the same goals as they did when they were younger, and that honestly scared Makoto a little.
With all the internal monologue-ing Makoto was doing, the tall teen had failed to notice the person he was about to bump smack into. He let out a yelp as the other person fell flat on their butt.
"Sorry! I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there!" He quickly bowed, rushing to help the person stand up. Only to have his hand smacked away, and the person looking over him in offense.
"OI, WATCH WHERE YOU GOING TREE MAN!"
'Tree man?' Makoto blinked, the outburst having surprised him. "I'm sorry. Do you need help getting up?"
Again, the person looked him over as if the very thought of hearing his words was like the biggest offense to ever be told to. "Does it look like I need help?" They snapped back with crass, getting up and dusting their shorts. A raven girl with short hair in braided pigtails eyed him with annoyance, crossing her arms. "Listen dude, pay more attention whenever you're hauling ass down the street like you just saw a ghost or something. This isn't exactly an ABC Family Special type of neighborhood, ya hear?" Even though Makoto didn't understand the ABC Family part, he still nodded, a bit intimidated by her authoritative tone. "Not everyone that lives around these parts will let you off easy for mauling right into them like a grizzly bear!"
"Yes, I should've watched where I was going, and I apologize for that miss." Makoto bowed again, earning a sigh from the short girl.
"Man, you apologize a lot often, don't you…?" She shook her head before looking over at him one more time. "Stay out of this neighborhood, will ya? Not to be rude or anything, but your kind doesn't belong around these parts."
"Eh?" Makoto didn't receive an answer as the girl walked away. He watched the girl leave, wondering what in the world just happened, before another call from Nagisa made him start to run again.
... 30 minutes, and 5 calls from Nagisa later, Makoto finally burst through the entrance to Micky D's, spotting his vibrant blonde friend instantly as he waved at back at him. "I'm-" Wheeze "-SOO SORRY I TOOK SO LONG!" Makoto fretted over, sending his pouting friend an apologetic look.
"Yeah, you took forever!" Nagisa complained, but smiled once the moment was over. Well, Nagisa got over things fairly quick…
"Did you eat already Nagisa? It's alright if you did, I did take so long after all."
"Nah, I didn't see the point to eat without you. I just wish Haru-chan could've joined us. He's always going rouge hero on us." Makoto laughed at this.
(The Day Has Arrived For Nationals: )
They lost.
…
Makoto searched for Haru among the crowd of swimmers, worried about his friends earlier antics. The water loving boy had been behaving odd ever since they met up with Samezuka before their rounds. It was out of character for Haru just to swim idly instead of swimming free, so Makoto was worried when the boy had ceased swimming and just got out of the pool before his round was even over.
"Mako-chan!" He turned to see Nagisa catch up with him, the shorter boy's usually wide, cheery eyes now creased with worry. "Where's Haru-chan? What's going on?"
"Nagisa, Rei, help me find him, please!" They yelled over the cheering crowd of Samezuka fans, the three of them splitting up in search of their star 'free swimmer.'
… It had taken the boys 3 hours before they found Haru, the boy had been with Rin the entire time, but Makoto stopped the boys from approaching, noting the hostility between the ex-friends. He knew he shouldn't pry in Haru's business, and he definitely shouldn't be witnessing such a private moment since it really wasn't any of his business as Haru and Rin knew each other longer than his friendship with Haru. So he dragged the boys away, waiting for Haru to come back on his own… Even though they probably would stay up all night eagerly for Nanase's return.
…
…
On the very next day, Team Iwatobi had decided to leave earlier than scheduled back to Town, and air of awkwardness hanging over them as no one dared to speak. Haru had opted to sit alone- usually the boy would always take a seat by the window next to Makoto, but today he avoided contact with everyone. It hurt Makoto a little, but he did understand his friend needed some space for himself right now. Although Haru wasn't the type to talk about his feelings, he knew whatever it was that was bothering, Haru would resolve it all on his own and go back to being the typical water obsessed, monotonous boy they knew with his overly dry humor.
The ride to Iwatobi seemed shorter on the way back than when they were heading out, but Makoto was glad for that. His muscles ached, and he desperately craved to crash into his oh so comfortable bed and spend some time he had promised with the twins once he returned. Saying his goodbyes to his team mates for the day, Makoto turned down Nagisa's offer to go to an 'although-we-didn't-win-Nationals-it's-the-thought-that-counts'party. For now, he just wanted to go home.
The strong desire to go home, however, led Makoto to do something he definitely shouldn't have…
Normally, Makoto only took one way home, yet for some reason, he decided to try and take a short cut. Once he reached the bridge that annexed the west side of Iwatobi with the East, instead of turning at the corning of the bridge to go down a long flight of stairs towards the familiar busy market streets, Makoto kept going straight, headed for the bridge.
His eyes drooped, the exhaustion finally catching up to him. "It was such a long day, the twins will get upset if I don't play with them, but I wonder if I can stay awake for all of that." Makoto muttered with a small laugh.
"Meoww."
"!"
Makoto's cat sense was tingling. Stopping, he listened for the call of what sounded to be an extremely cute cat nearby, and a grin spread on his face when he heard it again, this time a bit louder and nearby. "Here, kitty!" Makoto cooed, looking around for his feline friend. He walked around the bridge for a little until he heard the meow louder this time, but something was off about it. The meow was louder, and sounded urgent. Worrying now, Makoto got closer where he could hear the kitten the loudest, and nearly yelled when he looked over the railing and saw a small Calico kitten cowering on a sharp rock in the lake under the bridge, shivering in fright (or fear, Makoto couldn't tell) as the water sprayed about him, nearly knocking the poor creature off the rock with its powerful current. "Ah! Be careful! Hang on kitty!" Makoto stuttered over his words, hurriedly taking his jacket of as he crossed the bridge to jump over the small fence that separated the sidewalk and the area under the bridge where the lake ran under. The poor kitty looked miserable, but Makoto knew that if it got tired or slipped, its chances of surviving were almost zero. Just as he was about to jump in the lake, Makoto froze, the memory of him almost drowning in the lake resurfacing as he spaced out. In that moment, the kitty slipped off the rock, and Makoto came back to at the sound of splashing water. He panicked running to try and catch the kitty whenever it would resurface, but it was no use. He was afraid to jump in.
"Oi!" Makoto looked up, frazzled at the sudden voice as someone was about to jump into the lake… From the bridge!
"Wait!" Makoto yelled out frantically. "Don't- IT'S TOO DANGEROUS!" His eyes widened. Wasn't that the girl he had bumped into earlier in the week?!
The girl was in the midst of taking off her shirt, to which Makoto briefly blushed, thankful she was wearing an under tank, when she looked over at him before hoisting herself over the railing, her eyes mapping out the direction best to jump in to be closest to the drowning kitty. "It's going to drown if I don't. Don't worry about me. I'll save it." Without warning she jumped.
"NOOOO!"
…
… It seemed like minutes had passed by, and Makoto's nerves grew with each passing breath he took when neither the girl nor the kitty resurfaced.
Today was proving to be some hell of a day for Makoto, and he was just about to try and jump in the lake himself when the girl suddenly popped out of the lake in front of him, panting as she hauled herself over with a crazed looking kitty clawing at her face in fear with a death grip. As the girl remained hunched over, with the kitty still on her face, she started to chuckle, bursting out into a near cackle at the events that just unfolded. Makoto stood there in front of her, shaking a little still from his nerves as the girl stood up, prying the cat off her and watched as it hauled ass to who knows where. "Wow, not even a thank you!" She said, burrowing her brows in irritation. "I just saved his life, and he runs away. Heh, animals!" She sighed, turning to glare at Makoto before a flicker of recognition crossed her face. "Tree man!" Makoto looked down dumbly at her, still too shocked to form any words. "Looks like you didn't heed my warning, huh." She shrugged, picking up her forgotten school uniform as she wrung her dripping wet hair. "Well, see ya Tree man. Don't get jumped!"
"W-whaaa..."As Makoto stood there, looking towards where the girl had left, the events came crashing down to him like a speeding bullet train from Tokyo.
A cat had fallen into the lake.
A girl jumped off a bridge into said lake.
A girl risked her life to save some (probably) stray animal, without a second thought…
… Makoto clutched his chest. Something there hurt all of a sudden. His tummy felt queasy, and a tight knot seemed to form in his chest as he replayed the heroic, yet stupid actions of the mystery girl he had bumped into. Something glinted in his peripheral view, and Makoto turned to see a small school pin on the grass. Picking it up, he trailed his thumb over the intricately carved script. Hakkoyida Toei University. He eyed the pin for a while, until pocketing it, looking back towards where the girl had left.
… Makoto hadn't known back then, but this was the beginning of his first crush. On a crazy girl who jumped off a bridge to save a damn kitten…
