During winter break, the Iwatobi boys and I had a few joint practices with the Samezuka team and we would practice at my house in our spare time. Coach Sasabe had bought the old swim club to reopen it—that meant we had a pool so we could swim during the off season.
Rin and I were still going strong. We would always make time to go on dates, even though we were training hard. When we weren't going out, I was at Rin's dorm doing my homework or just hanging out, or we were both working out.
Today, Yukari wanted to meet Rin and I at the coffee shop. She thought it would be a good opportunity for her and Rin to bond. If Yukari had a boyfriend, she would definitely want me to be friends with him since we were together a lot. I liked the thought of going on double dates with Yukari; they would be so much fun.
"I have to create outfits for a couple for my class. You think you and Rin could be my models?" Yukari asked as we walked to the coffee shop.
"I could try to ask him, but I won't guarantee he'll say yes," I told her.
"I'll take it! The ideas that I have in mind would fit both of your styles." Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
I wasn't sure if Rin would be up for doing a photo shoot with Yukari and Kou, if she tagged along. If I wanted Rin to say yes, then I'd have to ask him later this week.
As Yukari and I got closer to the coffee shop, I could see Rin leaning up against the wall, waiting for us. I hoped he wasn't outside for too long since it was pretty chilly. Winter was my least favorite season, but, since I started dating Rin, I'd been enjoying doing all the couple things people did during this time.
"I hope you weren't waiting outside for too long," I told him.
"No, I just got here," Rin said as he ruffled my hair.
"Hey, Rin!" Yukari said with a smile. "Now, how about we go inside and get our coffee. I've been looking forward to this all day." Yukari headed towards the door, beckoning for us to follow.
Rin held the door open for me, and I grabbed his hand once we were both inside.
The three of us ordered our coffee. Rin had offered to go get our order while we found a table.
"So, Riku was telling me about your big farewell meet. What do you guys do at those?" Yukari asked as Rin sat down.
"It's been a Samezuka tradition for all of us to swim a hundred-meter race until one of us beats the captain. At the end, the captain will announce who the next captain is," Rin explained.
"I remember seeing him swim. He's going to be a tough one to beat," Yukari said.
"I'm excited to go watch. I do kinda wish that we could swim too," I sighed.
"Mikoshiba will probably let you swim if you bring your swimsuit," Rin told me.
"There's no way I'll end up beating Mikoshiba. Besides, my goal is to beat you in a race," I smiled.
"Maybe you will someday," Rin teased.
"That someday is going to be soon! I've already beat you on one of our jogs," I said, giving him a playful smirk.
"You two are so cute. I hope I find someone who'll do cute stuff with me." Yukari looked at us with dreamy eyes.
"What are you guys going to do? You don't like working out," Rin joked.
"If my boyfriend liked working out, I'd give it a try," Yukari said, straightening up
Sometimes Rin and Yukari would start to bicker when we hung out. But I knew it was just how they acted with each other—kind of how Nagisa and I were.
"When that day comes, we could go on work out double dates," I said.
"That would be so much fun!" Yukari beamed.
For the rest of the afternoon, we chatted, but before long, we all had to leave. Rin had walked me and Yukari back to the train station. I'd see Rin later this week at the farewell meet, so I planned on asking him about the modeling gig. Maybe I could ask him after the farewell meet.
.oOo.
It was the day of the big farewell meet for Samezuka's third year. Instead of meeting up with Makoto and Haru at their house, I was meeting them at the station. I packed my swimsuit just in case. My step-mom sent me off with some food for the Matsuokas and a message for Rin, saying that we'd have to get together for dinner again soon.
When I arrived at the train station, Nagisa and Rei were already there. I was surprised that I arrived before Makoto and Haru. Though, knowing Haru, he was probably taking his time in the bath.
"Hey, Riku," Rei said, nodding at me.
"Wow! I thought Makoto and Haru were going to beat you!" Nagisa said as he unwrapped a sweet bun.
"I'm just as surprised," I said, taking a seat next to Nagisa.
"Do you guys want any?" Nagisa offered his food after he took a bite.
"No thanks."
"Thanks, I'll pass. How you front load those calories and still have room for lunch, I'll never know." Rei looked at Nagisa, sighing heavily.
"Eating machine!" Nagisa gave us a proud smile.
"Nagisa, Rei, Riku! I know we suck! I'm sorry," Makoto apologized as he jogged towards us.
"I still can't believe I beat the both of you," I laughed.
"Hey, is Yukari-chan coming today?" Nagisa asked as he got up.
"No, she's at home working on a project for school. I'm sure she'll pop up at practice soon," I told him.
Soon, our train pulled into the station, and we all boarded it.
On the train ride over, we discussed what we should do at our next practice. It was getting warmer, so the pool would opensoon. My pool sufficed, but it wasn't as big as the school's pool.
When we got off the train, we jogged over to Samezuka Academy so we wouldn't be late. Kou waved us over as we entered the pool deck.
Many of the Samezuka swimmers looked worn out as they sat on the side. They probably pushed themselves to try to beat Mikoshiba.
"Seems a bit excessive," Makoto sighed.
"Do they go at it 'til they drop or what?" Nagisa asked excitedly.
"You didn't tell them about the Samezuka tradition?" Rin asked me.
"No, I figured it was better for someone on the Samezuka swim team to tell them, rather than the girlfriend of a member." I shrugged.
"We swim the hundred-meter until one of us beats the captain." Rin looked to the guys as he ruffled my hair.
"Rin," Haru said.
"Good to see you guys. Glad you could make it," Rin smiled.
While the boys were talking, I enjoyed checking out Rin. He always looked so good in his swimsuit; I was so lucky to call him mine.
I was so caught up in my own thoughts that I didn't even notice Mikoshiba had joined us.
"Riku, are you okay?" Rin got my attention.
"Y-yeah. What did you say?" I looked up at him.
"I asked if you wanted to dive in for old time's sake," Mikoshiba smiled.
"Sounds like somebody was daydreaming," Nagisa teased in a sing-song voice.
"I was not!" I glared at him even though my face was flushed—I was giving myself away.
"As I was saying: 400-meter freestyle, Iwatobi vs. Samezuka, all or nothing! Matsuoka, show them how we do."
"Right."
"Anyone else not dead yet?" Mikoshiba yelled over his shoulder.
Nitori came running up and raised his hand in the air. "Me!"
"Nitori, excellent! Anyone else?" Mikoshiba scanned the room until his eyes landed on me.
"Matsumura, how about you?"
"I'm on the Iwatobi swim team, though." I looked up at him, not noticing that Haru was already undressed.
"You're dating Matsuoka, so that makes you an honorary member of the Samezuka swim team! I won't take no for an answer." He had a bright smile on his face.
"Okay," I smiled back.
Nagisa and Makoto had already gotten their swimsuits out. Rei didn't bring his, so that meant he had to use one of Samezuka's extra ones. It reminded me of the first time we had joint practice with Samezuka.
Once we all changed, we got into position. I'd be going up against Makoto. This was going to be interesting, and I hoped I wouldn't let Samezuka down.
"Good luck, Makoto," I smiled.
"Same to you, Riku." He returned the smile before we got into position.
As soon as Kou gave the signal, we dove into the water. Makoto had the lead, but I was right behind him, giving him a run for his money. He was the first to reach the block again, and shortly after, I reached it too.
.oOo.
The Samezuka guys and I had won against the Iwatobi boys. It felt good to win against them, and maybe it would get them more fired up for regionals. We quietly listened to Mikoshiba's speech. He could really turn at the flip of a coin.
"Matsuoka," Mikoshiba said.
"Yes, sir." Rin stepped forward.
"Starting tomorrow morning, you call the shots."
My face lit up. Rin was going to be the new captain! But Rin didn't react to what Mikoshiba had said.
"That makes you the new captain," Mikoshiba smiled.
I started clapping with Kou, even though I knew something was wrong.
"Wow, didn't see that one coming," Nagisa said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"It was far from the obvious choice for Mikoshiba's replacement," Rei added.
"Are you crazy? His body is in top shape, if that's not a captain's physique then I don't know what is!" Kou yelled.
"No one is saying that he doesn't look fantastic." Rei put up his hands.
"He'll make a great captain," I said as I looked at Rin.
A few moments later, we all got changed so we could return home. The Samezuka team was going to swim a little longer with the third years.
Rin walked us to the door to say goodbye.
"Congratulations on becoming captain," Makoto smiled.
"Thanks, man," Rin smiled back.
"You're going to make a great captain," I said.
"Thanks, Riku. Let me know how you do on your math quiz." Rin ruffled my hair.
"Why did you have to remind me," I let out an exasperated sigh.
"If you fail the test, then you can't be on the swim team! You need to pass!" Nagisa grabbed my arm.
"There's no way Riku's going to fail if Rin's helping her," Makoto laughed.
"You should go home and get some rest. I'll talk to you tomorrow," Rin told me.
I nodded before we left Samezuka academy.
.oOo.
When I got home, I told my mom about what happened. She said Rin would probably talk to me soon about how he really feels about being the team captain. I knew she was right, but that meant Yukari would probably have to find different models for her shoot. She would understand, given the situation. Before I went to bed, I sent her a quick text telling her that Rin was the new swim team captain, but how it seemed like something was bothering him. Hopefully, he'll tell me about it soon.
Rin was going to be an amazing captain.