Chapter 10

"Prefecturals are tomorrow."

"I know."

"Are you ready?"

"I guess." My hand lightly played with Haru's soft hair as his head laid in my lap. He looked up at me with soft eyes as I smiled at him.

"Well I think you're going to do great." I said encouragingly.

"I guess." He mumbled as he turned his head away from me and continued to look outside. It was times like these that I wondered what this boy was thinking.

"Lots of different schools are here this year, too!" Nagisa was impressed by the larger number of schools that were participating in the Prefecturals this year.

"That's a good thing! It means you guys can show everyone how much you've improved." I smiled over to him as I stood beside Haru.

"You're right, Kei-chan!"

"What's wrong, Gou-san?" Rei asked his manager. I looked over to see the redhead with her hands clasped together as she shut her eyes.

"Are you feeling sick?" Haru asked.

"What? Even though you're surrounded by your beloved muscles?" Nagisa questioned.

"You do look a little peaky." I commented.

"I've made a solemn vow." She turned to look at her teammates as she opened up her eyes to look at them. "Until the Iwatobi Swim Club makes it to nationals, muscles are off limits! Even if I see muscles, I won't get all worked up! And if I do get all worked up, I'll suppress it!"

"I don't think that's possible." Rei commented.

"Suppressing things isn't good for your health." Nagisa added.

"Don't strain yourself." Haru said.

"Everyone, to ensure Gou-chan's resolve doesn't go to waste, let's do our absolute best!" Makoto told his teammates. They cheered in unison as Gou sighed in defeat. I laughed and wrapped my arm around her shoulders.

"At least you've given them more motivation to do well."

The day had been going extremely well for Iwatobi. Makoto, Nagisa and Rei all made it past prelims and that was something to be very proud of. As everyone began to have their picnic lunch I went to go find the infamous Sosuke. As I rounded the hallway to the change room I saw him sitting on a bench all by himself in front of the vending machines.

"Why didn't you do butterfly? You told me that you were going to swim." I scolded him as I sat down.

"Hi to you too, Kei."

"Well?" He sighed as he looked at me and looked away again.

"I'm not focused on my individual."

"Then what are you focused on?"

"I'll be doing the relay tomorrow."

"The relay? But I thought you didn't like doing them."

"Something's changed, Kei." He looked at the wall in front of him with a distant look and at that point I knew not to push the subject. I reached over and placed my hand on top of his and gently squeezed it.

"Well I hope you do well tomorrow."

"Shouldn't you be saying that to your own team?" He asked me smugly.

"Don't you worry about us, we'll be great! They're all amazing swimmers, so you better look out." I smiled up at him as he shook his head and placed his hand on top of my head.

"You always were a little cocky." He teased.

"Well you've never complained before so I'm just going to think that you love it."

"Love it?" He looked away from me and back at the wall in front of us as the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "Maybe I do."

At the end of Day 1 of the Prefecturals Haru won both of his races. I walked home in-between Makoto and Haru as usual as we continued to talk about the day and what lies ahead for the boys tomorrow.

"You guys did great!"

"Thanks Kei."

"Are you guys excited for the relay tomorrow?"

"Yup and we're going to win!"

"You sound like a real captain, Makoto. Oh ya, Sosuke is going to be in the relay tomorrow."

"Yamazaki?" Haru asked. I looked at him and nodded my head.

"Looks like it. He told me today."

"Today?"

"While you guys were having lunch I went to go see him. I was pretty upset that he wasn't doing the butterfly because he told me he was going to be swimming, but then he told me not to worry because he's swimming for the relay." I clarified where I got my information from, but Haru didn't look liked he cared as he turned his head to look forward again.

During the relay I had never felt my heart jump into my throat so much in the span of a few minutes. It hurt to watch the boys swim so hard, but to fall so short on the win. However, Coach Sasabe was right when he said that we should look positively on the fact that they past the prelims.

It just meant that the boys would have to train harder to make sure they make it to their goal.

So since you guys did give me two reviews on the last chapter you will now have a new chapter every single day until the story is done! WOOHOO!

Anyways, (on to more pressing matters) did anyone catch the little underly with Sosuke? Yes? No? Go have another look if you didn't! Keep a look out for things people!

Keep up with the reviewing everyone! :D

-xoxo