Haru laid in the bath as he regularly did each morning letting his body feel the water that surrounded but also covered him. Each time he came into contact with water he always felt a strong connection between himself and the natural element. He felt at home, it was something that welcomed him each time the two met and most of all it always made him feel free.

Laying in the bath Haru closed his eyes and fell under the surface of the water and let his mind turn to ease. No serious thought dared to enter his mind. Whilst Haru was putting his mind to ease a running Mako was entering the house belonging to Haru and unlike a serious thought which dared not to enter Haru's mind or go anywhere near him, Makoto opened the bathroom door carefree.

As the door opened, Haru's body raised to the surface from there he opened his eyes and waved his silky black hair before reaching out for Makoto who was leaning over the bath with his hand extended out towards Haru, 'here Haru-cha-'

'Stop calling me -chan already' Haru spoke before giving his friend a short smile of respect. Haru may of not liked anyone adding -chan to his name but he was never going to be angry at Mako for Mako was his best friend and Haru noticed that whenever he smiled he made Mako feel better which in turn always made Haru feel better.

Haru got out the bath and started putting an apron on before preparing a breakfast of mackerel. Mako sighed but shortly after smiled as was with his friend and if he was going to be late to class with anyone he'd only be satisfied if it was with Haru.

The two finished breakfast and ran like there was no tomorrow to the school grounds just making it on time for where Rei and Nagisa were there already waiting.

'We're sorry!' Mako exclaimed to the two boys waiting. Nagisa looked at the two who just stopped before the blondes feet. 'You two are just like a couple.'

Rei laughed hysterically at Nagisa's comment whilst Haru ignored it and continued to walk towards the school building whilst Mako joined Rei in laughing but to a smaller extent As Haru walked past Nagisa, the comment that the blonde said stuck to him. He often wished he could be a couple with Makoto as he was always secretly blushing in the inside when Makoto was taking care of him like helping him out of the bath each morning. Instead of taking action or even further ever going into thought of being a couple he just stopped as he knew it wouldn't be best and Makoto was known to be the most attractive boy in Iwatobi High meaning that there are hundreds of girls who fancy him.

Haru continued to walk to class and hoped to be in contact with water during that day so he could feel free again. Water was the only way for Haru to be free.

As Haru walked off Makoto ran towards him like a loyal dog not wanting to leave his masters side. Haru was Mako's best friend and always wanted to be by his side but during this time, like Haru, Mako felt for Haru but did never say anything, he knew how much Haru was not focused not that sort of stuff and if there was anybody Haru was going to go out with, why Mako? Mako knew there were countless girls that Haru could get with and even if he did swing that way there was always Rin. The two were close, and that sometimes made Mako feel a little jealous but he would never express his negative feelings of jealousy. If Haru noticed or even Rin it may upset one of the two..

As the two walked on, Nagisa and Rei walked behind them staying close to each other as similar to Haru and Mako the two liked each other but unlike their two friends, the two expressed their love to each other immediately and became a couple.

It was time for the group to part into two, the blonde haired and purple haired boy though were in different classes to Haru and Mako though so both said their goodbyes until break.

As class went by Haru stared outside the window, looking out to the open world, often staring at the birds who were free. They didn't have to go to school unlike Haru and didn't have to attend other commitments, they could do what they want. Whilst Haru was daydreaming and not doing much work at all in class Makoto was also staring but at Haru instead. Mako had a thing for Haru's long distance gazes ever since Haru got seated next to a window. Eventually Makato had to stop or else the teacher would see as well as other students and think Mako was being a complete creep.

Meanwhile a few classrooms down the hallway was Nagisa and Rei. The blonde haired small boy sat behind Rei and often used that to his advantage by pulling odd stunts such as impersonating the home room teachers voice and saying an expression though a pipe which led to Rei's ear that caused Rei to end up standing in the middle of class and shouting 'yes.'

The lessons were boring and soon enough were over which meant the group could catch up and eat. Each time it was break they always sat out on the roof to eat and depending on the weather went to the swimming pool.

Today like usual they sat down with their backs against the wall and ate with Gou who was their swim club manager.

'You guys better be ready for this afternoon!' Gou said to the others. Nagisa jumped up in excitement knowing what was to take place this afternoon. On the complete opposite, Haru just stared out to the wall not really caring that he was to race later against Rin and the others but deep inside he was looking forward to it. Halfway between overly excited Nagisa and not so much bothered Haru, Mako and Rei stood.

As Nagisa sat down Gou started to fire the questions. 'Have you been training enough Haru senpai?'

'Makoto senpai, how about you?'

Kou stared towards Rei and asked, 'have you worked on your butterfly?'

Rei gulped. The questions she was asking were fast and toned in a harsh mannor. 'Yes, I have continued to keep training making it the fastest but the most beautiful stroke it could possibly be.'

Gou smiled at his answer, her team were sure to win!

The bell soon rung signalling the time to go back to class, the group said their goodbyes before meeting in the afternoon to race.

Classes went by as they normally did, Haru not paying much attention and often daydreamed by staring out of the window.

As classes finished the group including, Gou all went towards the swimming pool and got ready for their relay against the boys from Samezuke which included Rin and Nitori.

'Rin-chan!' Nagisa shouted running towards them whilst the others trailed not far behind. The red haired boy who was already in his swimwear widened his eyes as he noticed his friends run towards him, most noticeably Nagisa who was always the most excited of the group.

'Haru, guys, you made it!'

'Of course we made it, it's on our home ground!' Rei replied whilst adjusting his glasses. The smart comment caused Makoto to smile whilst Haru was focused on Rin.

Makoto was quick to notice and felt a sharp pain piercing through his body. Was he a bit jealous that Haru was giving Rin such great attention?

'Let's race!' Rin said briefly.

The group nodded and Haru stripped immediately, followed by Makoto, Nagisa and Rei.

It was the backstroke first, Makoto got in one lane whilst a boy called Mikoshiba who was brother of the old captain of Samezuka Accademy got in the other lane.

They watched the dial clock and were off as soon as it ht sixty.

Makoto and Mikoshiba were at the same level for the first fifty metres. The boy from Samezuka academy was good but it was soon to be overshadowed as Makoto prevailed much faster on the turn than Mikoshiba, The result caused Mako to reach the end faster causing Nagisa to dive in before Nitori.

Eventually Nitori dived in but Nagisa was on his way to finishing the first fifty metres. Nagisa swam and was beginning to doubt himself but that soon disappeared as Rin started cheering for Nitori. The cheers worked and the boy became faster but still lost to Nagisa. As the small blonde reached the end Rei dived in to do his butterfly. As Nitro reached the end at a slower pace to Nagisa, a tall well built boy jumped in…

The boy was fast and although Rei had the advantage of diving in quicker, the well built boy caught up and over took him on the turn causing Samezuka to reach the end the quickest for the first time of the race.

As the boy reached the end, Rin looked towards Haru who was also getting ready to dive in and smirked. Haru's eyed widened.

Several seconds after the boy from Samezuka reached the end Rei also reached the end making Haru able to dive in. The dive from the boy who only swam free and now relays was a form that Rei would only consider beautiful.

With the race reaching its final stages, Rin was ahead and Haru had to catch up and sure enough he did. After the turn and on the way back the two boys were at the same distance away from the end. Gou looked on as she saw her brother and Haru swim towards victory.

Her eyes widened and continued as the two boys got closer to the finish line. The teammates of Iwatobi High and Samezuka cheered for their respective team member but it soon stopped when Rin touched the end within a second before Haru.

Rin looked up to see if he won and the smiles of his team mates was a sure sign he did. Haru wasn't too disappointed and looked towards Rin to show him the respect of winning and as a way of returning that respect Rin placed his hand against Haru's for a high five. 'Unleash that fire!' Rin said smirking, before Makoto extended his hand and grabbed the mackerel loving boy out of the water.

'Sorry' Rei uttered towards Haru. The Iwatobi Swim Club including Gou looked at Rei with shock and silence. The boy who could only swim butterfly was full of disappointment, he felt like he had let the team down as he was the slowest of everyone

'Don't be sorry, you tried your best and you did well!' Haru said whilst walking off towards the distance.

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