"You look great!" Nagisa exclaimed to Rei, who was wearing a speedo that Nitori had let him borrow. Rosa was sure that he believed it looked pretty ridiculous, but Nagisa was having the time of his life mocking him, like he always did.

"Don't patronize me!" Rei snapped in annoyance, making the girl chuckle.

"Cut the guy some slack" Rosalya indicated, approaching them, swimsuit on. Her goggles were hanging around her neck, and she had tied up her hair in a bun to put on the cap "It's not his fault we're a bunch of obsessed athletes"

"She's right about that," Makoto replied with a small smile.

"Is it just me or is everyone staring at you, Rosa?" Rei questioned, earning him a curious glance.

"Are they?" she questioned, looking around the room. Many of the Samezuka guys averted their gazes when she set eyes on them. She was sure some of them looked red.

Well, nothing she could do about it. They weren't causing any harm.

Besides, she was used to it.

When she first began capturing boys' gazes (and a few girls' too), she reckoned she was around fourteen and she was absolutely outraged by it. More than once she called out someone and told them to look away. But as she grew older not only did she get tired of always doing it, but she also started doing the same to other people. It was natural. She'd be lying if she said she didn't look at her friend's muscles from time to time. Or even someone else's, but she was definitely not obsessed with them like Gou was. That was another level of crazy

It's not like she was doing it on purpose either. With a training regimen like hers, she was bound to develop a few curves. Not that she actually cared. She didn't train to get thinner or mold her figure, she trained because she wanted to swim. And be good at it. And she was glad to see that it was actually paying off.

"She's been training hard during the off-season" Gou commented, standing beside them.

"True," Rosa replied. She had hung out with their manager a few times before winter break last year so she could time her, and give her some pointers on what to improve. The black-haired could always use a second opinion.

"You want to get scouted, right?" Nagisa questioned.

"Yeah"

A while back she had told her friends that she was planning to reach nationals, so she could get scouted for a swimming school somewhere. She had a couple of ideas in mind on where she wanted to go, but she wanted to see what the future brought her way.

But in order to make sure it brought anything at all, she had not stopped swimming and exercising during autumn and winter.

When she went back to Brighton for winter break, she went to Laguna Creek every day and swam in their indoor pool. The principal and coaches usually didn't allow outsiders to use it, but since she was an ex-student and, quote and quote, 'the best swimmer this school has delivered in a long time', she had some perks, which she was very grateful for.

A woman's voice came from the intercom, cutting their conversation short and announcing the beginning of the race, so everyone took their positions.

"Ready, set, go!" a whistle. Makoto jumped in, immediately taking the lead. Nagisa came next, followed by Nitori. Rei vs. the captain. Despite the race being freestyle, Rei chose to swim butterfly since he didn't know any other style and Mikoshiba who, of course, wasn't going to be left behind, did the same.

"You sure you're up for this?" Rosalya questioned, looking at Nathan as they both got on the platform. She was half-serious, and half challenging, feeling a lot better than she was earlier; swimming always put her in a good mood "Can't do much with a busted lung"

"I'll survive" he replied, shrugging it off as he placed his goggles in place, and Rosa did the same "Oh, by the way?" he questioned, and the girl kept her gaze set on Rei approaching her, only acknowledging Nate's words with an 'mm?' "Rin was staring at you earlier"

"What?" her eyes snapped open as she turned to look at him, only to see him jumping off, while Rei waited underneath her, him and the rest of her team encouraging her "Oh, damn you, Lance," she said in between teeth and hit the water.

Her specialty was never freestyle, but she was definitely much better at doing that than backstroke. Her kicks were a huge advantage in this case. Even though she had a late start (thanks, Nathan), she was quickly catching up to him.

But, sadly, it didn't turn out to be enough. They lost. And Rei and Nagisa whined about in a voice that made them sound like kids who had just been denied candy, making her giggle.

"The important thing is we all had fun," Makoto commented, chuckling slightly at the younger members's antiques.

"No question there" Haru replied with a smile, rubbing his hair with the towel.

"At least we didn't end up dead like half the team," Rosalya said in a sort of optimistic tone, a towel tied to her waist as she freed her hair from the bun. She shook it slightly so it could regain its volume, making a few drops fall on the floor.

"All of you have really worked hard" they heard the captain's voice vibrating through the pool, and they all turned to look behind them, to find that all the third years were standing in front of the other Samezuka students in a straight formation "I'm proud of you" Rosa and the guys got closer so they could hear more clearly, but with Mikoshiba's loud voice it wasn't really that hard to make up his words "This is the part were we, third years, bow out. No tears, no regrets" he made a pause "However!" Rosa cringed slightly as his voice resonated in her ears, while many of the Samezuka guys went pale.

Even during his last day, Mikoshiba still managed to intimidate his team.

It was hilarious.

"Your peaceful days won't continue for long! This April, fearsome new faces will enter this club!" some students shrunk in their place. Rosa didn't understand how most of them weren't deaf yet "So enjoy the rest of your lives while you can!"

"What kind of villain is he supposed to be?" Rei questioned unimpressed.

"What even is going on?" Makoto asked curiously, and Rosa could guess what was about to follow.

"He's about to announce the new team captain," the girl explained. She had experience with that sort of thing, being vice-captain in Brighton and all. She had seen many people assuming the leader position in the five years she had been there. Part of her wondered if she would have gotten the chance to get her own taste of it, had she chosen to stay there. She would actually have been honored to make captain, but that didn't mean that she had any issues with her current position. Mako was a great leader.

"Matsuoka!" Mikoshiba called, earning back Iwatobi's attention. Rosa quickly figured out what he was going to say, and she couldn't say that she was surprised.

"Yes, sir" Rin replied, stepping forward.

"Starting tomorrow, you're the new team captain" the boy didn't say anything, just stared quietly "Take care of our team!" Mikoshiba smiled, a complete contrast to his menacing presence just some minutes ago.

"I will" he replied, almost in a whisper, and the girl could easily tell how heavy the decision weighed on him.

Despite whatever conflicted feelings she had towards her ex-boyfriend, Rosalya couldn't deny the fact that she still worried for him, and she couldn't just forget everything she knew about him. She knew that he probably wasn't comfortable with his new position, she knew that he didn't feel apt to it or ready to lead a team, she knew that he probably thought someone else could do a better job than he could.

And she knew exactly what to say to make him feel better.

But knowing something and actually acting on it are two different things.

And, for now, Rosa couldn't bring herself to do the latter.

"Heads up"

Rosalya's gaze moved from the locker where she had left her bag and clothes when she changed into her swimsuit, to the door, to find that an object was being thrown at her. She grabbed it immediately. It was a soda can, and when she looked up, she found Nathan approaching her.

"Good reflexes" he commented, holding his own drink in his hand. He was already dressed.

"You think a drink will make up for your cheating self?" Rosa questioned sternly, as she opened the can.

"I didn't think it'd actually work" he replied, giving her an amused grin. She couldn't believe the audacity, he wasn't even denying it "I didn't see you as the type to get distracted easily, Tawaraya" he challenged, taking a sip of his own drink.

"I'm not" she huffed, folding her arms in disapproval. And it was true, she really wasn't.

But the sole prospect of Rin staring at her was enough to get her heart racing.

So much for moving on, huh?

But when she thought about it again, she figured that she should've known that Nathan was only teasing her. There was no way Rin would stare; at least, not the way Nate insinuated. Clearly, he didn't like her like that anymore, otherwise, they would probably still be together.

She shook her head, trying to get rid of those thoughts. The tears were already stinging behind her eye.

"What happened there tells me otherwise" he pointed out logically, and Rosalya hated that he was right "I'm gonna start distracting you more often"

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me" she replied simply "It's not happening again"

"We'll see about that" Nathan replied, his eyes lighting up because of the challenge "I wasn't lying, though" Rosa gave him a curious look upon hearing those words "He was staring"

She frowned but didn't let her mind dwell on it much further. He was probably curious about her swimming. After all, she was his competition.

"Your swimming's improved" she decided to change the subject, it was easier "You're a lot faster than before"

"I've been hitting the gym a lot more," he explained, and Rosa nodded in understanding.

"It shows"

"Thanks" he replied, giving her a smile, which she returned as she took a sip of her drink. There was silence for a while, until he broke it "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure" she replied, giving him a curious look.

"Did something happen between you and Rin?" her breath got caught in her throat.

"What do you mean?" she asked, heart beating slightly quicker, but she tried to remain calm.

Had he noticed?

"Earlier, you two seemed... kind of awkward" she choked on her soda.

Great poker face, Rosa.

"How come?" she asked, coughing slightly.

"Well, you barely looked at each other" he commented "In fact, you didn't even speak. Practice was quiet without your constant bickering" did the two of them really banter so much? Up to the point in which them not doing it was weird?

Sweat trickled her hands, but she did her best to wipe it against her pants and grasp the can with both hands so they would cool down.

"You were away for a whole month, I thought you'd be ecstatic to see each other again" Nathan continued.

"I am" she replied, hoping that it didn't sound too practiced.

"It doesn't seem like it" he observed, folding his arms "You two were way too silent for best friends who haven't seen each other in a while" she was about to make up some sort of excuse, when a voice called from the door.

"Hey, Rosa!" they both looked towards the person, to find Nagisa "I was looking for you. We're going to Haru's place, you coming?"

"Sure!" she replied, way too enthusiastically, eager to get away from that conversation.

"You can come too, if you'd like, Nate!" Rosa silently hoped that he would say no, she didn't want to keep talking about Rin.

"No, thanks, Nagisa" the girl mentally sighed "The other guys and I will probably take Rin out for dinner, to celebrate"

"Okay, then!" the other boy replied with a nod "Rosa, we'll wait for you outside"

"I'll be there in five" she assured, before the boy went off. Rosa did her best to avoid Nathan's gaze, which she knew was fixed on her, as she placed her phone inside the bag and closed it "I gotta go" she walked past him, keeping her eyes down.

"Wait" he held her arm to stop her.

"Nathan, they're waiting for me" she knew she probably sounded very rude right now, but at that moment all she wanted to do was run away. From Nate, from Rin, from everything she had been trying to avoid for the past thirty days.

"If there's something bothering you, you know you can talk to me, right?" he asked, and he sounded so gentle that Rosa wished to just let it all out, so he wouldn't stare at her with that uncharacteristic sadness.

But she didn't.

"Everything's fine" she replied, which she knew he probably didn't buy, but he didn't press further either, thankfully "See you later, Nate"

And with that, she was gone, a thought following her all the way to the entrance.

If Nathan suspected that something was going on...did the others do as well?

And if so, would she have to lie to them too?

"We should've just made a recruitment video like that" Nagisa said with a sigh the next day, after a short clip that the film club put together played on the screen before their presentation. Based on the amazed reactions from the crowd, many were interested in joining the club.

It was the day of the presentation of the clubs at Iwatobi High School. It was kind of a 'ceremony' in which all the clubs of the school made a small presentation for their fellow students, explaining what they wanted to achieve and why people should join them. The first day they could do whatever they wanted. The second day, there was a relay race, in which all the clubs competed. The six of them were really looking forward to getting new members, especially since next year it would only be Gou, Nagisa and Rei, seeing as Makoto, Haru and Rosalya would graduate.

"As if we had the time or skill to do something like that" Rei replied, holding a sheet of paper with the lines he was supposed to say in hand, as was everyone else, except Rosa, who had a feeling she was going to have a lot of fun in some seconds.

She sat out of the presentation they were about to do because:

They already had a butterfly swimmer, Rei.

If the guys forgot their lines, she would have to prompt them since Gou would be rather busy giving her prepared speech.

As much confidence as she might have about her body, she was certainly not going to willingly expose it, and make a show out of it in front of the entire school only for a couple testosterone-filled blokes to ogle at her in the hallways. No, thanks.

"At this point, all we can do is handle this our own way" Makoto stated sternly, making everyone turn to look at him curiously "Have faith in Gou!" the two guys nodded with newfound determination in their eyes.

"I will be there to support you morally, so just look at me if you forget your lines or something"

"Thanks, Rosa" the olived haired said with a smile, which she returned, just as the lights were dimmed, signaling their turn.

"Rosa, c'mon!" Gou indicated, motioning towards her.

"You'll do great!" the girl encouraged, before approaching the manager on the other side of the stage.

Pretty soon, the spotlight shone on the two of them.

"I'm not saying we're the coolest club in the whole school" Gou began to recite the lines she had probably rehearsed over and over the previous night "I'm not even saying we're the best"

"We're just a bunch of people who got it in our heads last spring to fix your pool" Rosalya picked up where her friend had left off "And we did a pretty great job, even if I say so myself" she heard a couple chuckles in the crowd, which was good. She won them over, even if it was for a little while "My name's Tawaraya Rosalya, third year. I'm part time coach and full time butterfly swimmer of this wonderful club"

"I'm Matusoka Gou, club manager. Second year" the maroon haired continued "And this" the stage lights were turned on, and Nagisa came in, doing a handstand forward roll. As soon as he stood up, he stomped strongly against the wooden floor, and opened his jacket. Several gasps of amazement were heard when everyone saw his muscles, mostly from girls in the crowd "Is our treasurer"

"Hazuki Nagisa, second year!" he introduced, tossing his jacket to the side "My specialty is the breaststroke'' he began mimicking the stroke as if he was in the water "My best feature is my calf muscles, for sure!" Rosalya had to admit, she was quite impressed at Gou for doing her research on every single one of the muscles in the body just for a mere presentation.

But, nonetheless, not surprised. That was her obsession.

"Ladies" he winked at them, but it looked cute rather than flirtatious.

"Vice captain!" Rosalya exclaimed, as Haru got into the stage doing a cartwheel, before tossing his jacket off, which made even more gasps rise from amongst the crowd.

"Nanase Haruka, third year. Freestyle is my thing and my triceps are guaranteed to drive you out of your mind" a bit more emotion wouldn't have done anyone any harm, but Rosalya knew not to hope for more than that. Haru was a pretty meek person on a daily basis.

"Secretary!" Gou continued, and Rei showed up doing what Rosalya could only describe as a fairy twirl. His muscles, unlike the previous two, didn't cause so much amazement, which was kind of expected. He hadn't been swimming for that long, so he wasn't incredibly toned yet.

"Ryugazaki Rei, second year. Butterfly expert"

"Not better than me, though" Rosalya teased on the microphone, which once again made some laughter appear. She didn't know if Rei would have gotten so much attention otherwise.

"When asked his best feature, will answer that his deltoid and biceps are in dead heat!"

"And finally, our incredible team captain!" Rosalya introduced, as Makoto got in and tossed his jacket. Even from such a distance, she could tell that he was blushing. His ears gave it away.

"Tachibana Makoto, third year" the girl noticed that he sounded actually really nervous about saying his speech as he began mimicking the backstroke movement "My specialty is backstroke!" he exclaimed, his voice cracking slightly. A complete contrast to the confidence he had shown Nagisa, Rei and her just moments before "My best features are my back muscles" he added hastily, looking at the crowd over his shoulder.

"Join us, and become a more muscular you!" Gou ended their presentation as the four guys stayed on stage, still doing their strokes.

"Why isn't anyone coming?" Haruka questioned some hours later, as all six of them stood by the very empty pool.

"I told you we shouldn't have done the 'best feature' thing!" Rei exclaimed furiously to Gou.

"Don't pretend you weren't enjoying it!" the girl screamed back.

"Calm down, guys" Rosalya spoke up, stepping in between them before things got heavier "It's just a bad time of the year to recruit swimmers, spring just started"

"Yeah, I'm sure that if they could see us swim, they'd be up here in drones" Makoto backed her up.

"So you're telling me there's nothing we can do to drum up a little interest?" Nagisa asked, squatting by the pool, the water looking incredibly dirty. Nobody had been there to keep it in top shape during the winter break.

"Offer a year's worth of Iwatobys" Haru suggested meekly, talking about the school mascot.

"Nobody wants that" Gou replied, and Rosa had to agree. It didn't sound very interesting.

"Draw a comic strip on our recruitment posters" he kept insisting.

"We tried that last year, Haru" Rosalya stated, and everyone also remembered that it was not successful.

"We could always parade in our swimsuits 24/7" Nagisa offered, and Gou's face began glimmering, but before she could say anything to support the idea, Rosa intervened.

"And you'd get the flu faster than you can jump into the pool" she said logically "All of us need to stay healthy if we want to have a chance at prefecturals"

"She's right" Rei replied. Rosa knew that he probably wouldn't feel very comfortable wearing only a swimsuit all day, he wasn't Haru.

"But then what else can we do?" Nagisa questioned downheartedly. Rosa remained silent for some minutes, trying to come up with something that she could actually help with, instead of being a mere spectator.

And she finally did.

"Oh, I know!" she stated "Maybe we could try opening the pool early. If people actually get the chance to see us swim, we might call the attention of a few faces"

"Hey, that's a great idea!"

Seems Nathan is suspecting something. The question is, will he find out eventually?

A couple things I wanna say:

I realized like two days ago that I typed welcome back to Arianne's world instead of Rosalya. Arianne's from another story :/ I corrected it now.

I forgot to mention this in the preliminary notes for the previous chapter, but this book will cover the entirety of season 2 and stretch to Take Your Marks. There will be an additional 'episode' in season 2 which will be Rosalya's birthday, since there's a few things I wanna mention there and there isn't room for it in the other episodes.

I don't know if you guys listened to the playlist for this story, but I wanna say that if you ever come across songs that remind you of Rosa, Nathan, Rosa and Rin or anything related to this story, feel free to let me know and I'll check them out, to see if I can add them to the playlist. Obviously, I'm not gonna ask you to actively go and do that, unless you're really bored :d. Only if you happen to be listening to lyrics attentively and think 'oh, this fits'.

Thanks so much for reading! Don't forget to leave your comments and theories, if you have any, down below! I love interacting with you, guys, and I'm glad to see that you seem to be excited to see what comes nexts.

See you next week!