There's no denying Haruka Nanase is an amazing swimmer. He moves through the water with the grace of someone born into it, and at a speed that would strike even most professionals green with envy. There's such fluidity to the crest of his arms, such grace in the way his legs carry him to the surface. He's a genius, and an absolute wonder to observe.

None of this changes the fact, however, that Haruka Nanase is the craziest person Seijuuro Mikoshiba has ever met.

Seriously, like one hundred percent off his rocker. Seijuuro swears the kid must be part fish, not just because of his natural talent but also because he seems to have no clue how to function as a proper human being on land. Sure, he's still graceful, but put him in front of a crowd and it's almost painful. He doesn't nervously clam up or anything, it's more like he just never knows what to say - and when he does say something, it's typically either a vague one-word response or cringe worthy attempt at humor.

Seijuuro used to chalk it up to shyness, or a desire to impress his peers - some people just don't know how to interact in social situations, and Haruka's always been a bit of a loner so that doesn't help - but now he isn't so sure. Haruka avoids talking to anyone if he doesn't have to, and seems to distance himself from any kind of human contact on top of that.

Bottom line is that the kid is kind of a freak. Behind his back the other students call him 'dolphin boy' and 'schizoid,' and practically once a month the swim team's supervisor Amakata-sensei has to scold someone for imitating Haruka's strange habit of rapidly stripping in the presence of even the shallowest body of water.

The rest of the student body considers it a blessing Haruka keeps to himself, but Seijuuro can't help but think of it as an awful waste of potential. Not only is he an amazing swimmer, but he's a good-looking guy, too. Half the girls in school had a crush on him when he first entered the high school, mistaking his blank expression and antisocial attitude for cool stoicism and intentional aloofness.

So Seijuuro feels bad for the kid. He thinks, maybe he can help draw Haruka out of his shell. Maybe if Haruka becomes part of the swim team - and he's certainly talented enough to pass try-outs - he can make some friends and move on past this weird stage he's trapped in.

In the spring semester of his second year (Haruka's first year) he asks for the first time, "Come to swim try-outs?"

Haruka barely spares him a glance. "Can't," he says.

Seijuuro's expression falls. "Why not? You're really good. You'd definitely make it, if that's what you're afraid of."

"It's not. I just don't want to."

"But don't you like to swim? The team is great. We went to Nationals last year." They didn't win, but still!

"I only swim Free," Haruka interrupts.

What the hell is that supposed to mean? "Like freestyle?" Seijuuro asks.

Haruka is already walking away.

The next year, Seijuuro confronts him again. This time Haruka gives him a strange, almost insulted look.

"Why would I do that?" he demands.

Seijuuro shifts uncomfortably on his feet, wishes he knew why Haruka seems so offended by the suggestion. He's just trying to be nice, and Haruka's always sneaking into the school pool after hours anyways so why won't he just join the team? "Because you're really good. You'd definitely be an asset to us."

Haruka shakes his head quickly. "I couldn't do that to the team."

"Do what?" Seijuuro grins and reaches out to hook an arm around Haruka's shoulder. "Help us out?"

Haruka stiffens and ducks away. "You don't need my help. You already have Rin."

Seijuuro raises an eyebrow. "What? Haruka-"

"Don't call me that."

Haruka backs away, but Seijuuro follows. "Nanase-kun, then," he tries again. His mouth drops open when Haruka slaps his outstretched hand away.

"I'm not leaving my team. Please stop asking me."

And so, Seijuuro does.

' ' '

"Does Nanase-kun belong to a swim team?"

Amakata-sensei is always looking after Haruka in school, making sure none of the other students bother him. There are clearly special circumstances concerning his situation that only she knows the full extent of. He's not asking her to divulge those details, but he would like to understand Haruka better if he can. Haruka is always so alone; Seijuuro likes the idea of him maybe belonging to a team, having friends outside the school because at least that means he has someone.

Amakata-sensei sets down her pen. "I don't believe so." At his pensive frown, she elaborates. "The youth swimming club was shut down a few years ago, so I don't see how he could be if he's not on the school team."

Seijuuro nods. That's what he'd been thinking as well. But then what was Haruka talking about, not wanting to do that to his team?

Abandoning the pretense of grading papers, Amakata-sensei stands from her desk. Her eyebrows knit together in worry. "Did... did Nanase-kun say something to you?"

The hesitation in her voice alarms him. It's like she already knows the answer - as if this has happened before, many times. For a moment Seijuuro doesn't know how to respond, if he should be honest with her or not. He doesn't want to get Haruka into any trouble, but at the same time he's genuinely worried. Something is definitely not right with Haruka, and it's not anything as simple as introversion or a weird sense of humor.

He shrugs. "I thought he said something about a team, but maybe I misheard him."

Amakata-sensei purses her lips. "It is wise to disclose that which cannot be concealed," she says after a moment. "Johann Friedrich von Schiller said that."

Seijuuro remembers her eccentric habit of pulling random famous quotes out of thin air. When she'd been his homeroom teacher he'd found it amusing, but now it's just another riddle he doesn't know how to figure out. "Amakata-sensei?"

"It's good that you told me, Mikoshiba-kun, even if it was just a misunderstanding." She pauses, takes in a deep breath. "Did he say anything else?"

"Uh," Seijuuro scratches the back of his neck. "Someone named... Rin, I think?"

"Ah. So Rin is back then."

"Do you know her?" Does she go to their school? Why does Haruka think she's on their swim team?

"I'm very familiar with Rin, yes," she answers, and Seijuuro is relieved. Until she adds, "though I've never actually met him."

Again warning bells sound in Seijuuro's mind. Something wrong indeed - very, very wrong. Did all the teachers know, or just Amakata-sensei?

"I would appreciate very much if you keep this information to yourself, Mikoshiba-kun," Amakata-sensei says.

Seijuuro can tell from the subtle aura she exudes that it's not a request at all. He leaves the classroom silently and tries not to dwell on what he's learned. Of course it's no use. The words drift back and forth through his mind, lonely and incomprehensible. His friends ask him if he's not feeling well. True to his promise he doesn't breathe a word about Haruka or the mystery of Rin. If nothing else, he can keep this secret.