The spring rain had washed the covered by blooming dust streets and cars clean. Soaked and drained fully after a rainy week, the sun had been missed by every Iwatobi citizen. Haru had watched the rain streams upon his windows for days. School was about to begin soon and he wasn't willing to go outside and meet up with anyone. Soon enough he will be forced to do this. Why can't one choose with whom to spent his time? Why is one exposed to foolish concepts and had to learn stupid, useless things? Why was he forced to submit, when it doesn't make sense? He felt the opposite of free – he felt trapped and walked in circles inside his room.

His best friend since forever, Makoto, had shown up every day at his door, asking him out, but Haru had refused to go out, even to him.

Some renowned noise woke him up from his daydreaming. Someone moved around the house. He walked loudlessly to the open door of his room and listened. No fears at all.

Haru! - a soft voice raised the vibes in his heart, letting him sprint down the stairs. A higher power had pushed him toward the person he now held tight in his embrace. An amazing surprise. His eyes teared a bit up. Hidden. Instantly, he noticed he was already a head taller than his mom.

She explained kindly, after talking to him yesterday, he had sounded dull. She and his father had decided, she would stay with him for the upcoming school year. Naturally Haru felt annoyed about this, but kept his cool.

First thing, his mom opened every window and the slide doors to let the cool, moist air, cleanse the whole house, while cooking something nurturing for her son. She had brought him some new crayons, clothes and a small book by some famous author, no one cared about at the age of fifteen. Another Play Station game would've been way better.

Although Haru felt happy to be cherished by his kind and lovely mom, after her speech, he felt exhausted to the bone and really angry.

It's normal to stay alone and close off from friends at your age, but when it becomes a habit, it is concerning. Sport is necessary! After disclosing himself from swimming, the thing he would love, there wasn't much that would make him feel good about himself. Naturally escaping in video games or daydreams might become too extreme and make one even more gloomy. One couldn't free himself from this dullness, alone. Either sport or meeting up with friends was important for the healthy growing of mind and body. Naturally Haru had demanded, but guessed it was pointless to fight back as his parents had already been declaring their purposes toward him. But! They didn't know how he felt, what he thought. They just made assumptions. Yet. How he really feels, was no one's concern.

While watching an action movie, his mom had suggested, Haru tried hard to look occupied by the action of the super-heroes, to avoid conversation.

Pointless. Again, he had to hear the demands. Go out with Makoto or friends and think about a sport art! We insist on this. I'm not letting you space out 24 hours a day. Haru had stood up and had stretched his taller appearance before his mom. She had captured his gaze. Haru, if you refuse to cooperate on this, you'll be moving to live with us!

This meant a new place, a new school. More crowds - More Baka! And the sea - further away. Anger grew inside Haru's mind, hitting his guts.

I don't see the reason! Why are you making me? He asked not trying to suppress his anger anymore. She had eyed him, letting some time pass by, before answering calm. Tomorrow, we go Out; let's drive to Tokyo and stay there over night.

No way! Don't make me! Hate the crowd! Haru left for his room.

She had heard him throwing things around. Banging at the wall. Some time later Haru heard her voice in front of his door. May I come in? Your father is on the phone…

Haru walked up and down his room, half the night, not able to fall asleep. He didn't dare to go to the bathroom to not be discovered. The whole situation violated his privacy, he felt overly controlled and jailed. He would have bathed and lingered in the water to calm down and to satisfy his needs. For some time, he had changed immensely. His body had raised a terror inside him, had become overly sensual and had given him annoyance very often early mornings, or at night, not letting him fall asleep. When he had tried to release and control the stuck energy, simply his thoughts had scared the hell out of him. Anger had grown inside his mindset, aroused of the desperate tries to get someone particular out of his awareness. Every time, his body had deceived him, his imagination had betrayed him, even more. It was unbearable to not being able to get rid of those burning almond eyes, which appeared instantly when he touched himself to relief himself of that carnal torture. And now.

Added to this vivid terrible scenario, his mother appeared, declaring to take care of him, forcing him to go out, he was angry beyond measure. He had to learn to suppress and control this useless sensitivity of his body. It didn't shame him, it annoyed him, because he couldn't control it.

Haru had succeeded to negotiate to go to the next bigger town instead of Tokyo. It was crowded enough. After bumping into countless people, a pale faced Haru was taken to a large bookstore. His mom insisted on buying a book for herself, something about positivity, obviously useless advices on life. Haru did chose a book about waterfalls and sea shores. They set at the café to pause. People are eyeing us. - his mom said, all smiling. She put on her glasses and opened up her book to peak in; - Guess why, - she added. Haru shook his head. Don't care!

They wonder what are we? Now, you're a young man, your age can't be defined clearly since you've grown up.

Don't look around! Haru sounded annoyed and doesn't want to hide it.

We're proud of you being self-reliant; she kept her pace.

Haru's face had turned red. I had my first coffee date at your age, almost 16. – now she even smiled sweetly. Do you consider… Haru interrupted:

No! Skip this! Sounding angrily. He would have never dared to be harsh toward her. Just Now things looked so weird. It was hard to control himself by any means. They sat in silence for some time. Right before leaving the store, she suddenly wanted to look at the huge manga exposition. Walking easily, pointing at the flashy covers of all kinds of manga and multicolored toys. For some hideous reason, she had to linger infront of fully packed shelves causing Haru to turn away with dark eyes. I like the variety of genre… each and every one satisfies the interests and serves its purpose, don't you think?! She spoke in a soft voice. Those mangas pictured couples of boys; followed by a huge amount of covers with posing multicolored, glittering girls. Haru wanted to escape, his eyes targeting the exit. Just then he felt something, a new thought had appeared in his mind out of nowhere. Unexpectedly. This felt like a fresh breeze.

His mom made suggestions of how to spent few more hours outside, which he immediately refused. Naturally she understood, he didn't care about the surroundings but wanted to return home. He refused her offer to eat something, or to shop whatever: swimming shorts or running shoes or just streetwear sneakers. - No need. I don't need anything.

I'm sorry that you feel uncomfortable, she said. On their way to the car, she suddenly asked. Did you hear from Rin recently? No. No need to! … Excuse me for asking, he's a bright person. You know, I appreciate his cheerfulness. I'm guessing, he might have grown up, as tall as you.

Why are you mentioning him? Haru sounded angrily.

Just recalled, the last time when I was home, I met his mother, here infront of that sports store. They look so alike so I recognized her and she knew who I was. However, she said, he's doing well in Australia.

This school year, then another two and he will be relieved to more freedom, he thought. Despite his anger, or because of his anger and wish to be on his own, as soon as possible, Haru did cooperate with his parents, he had chosen to practice karate again, like when he was a boy. Highly hoping they will see him again as a trustworthy person and let him be. His wish became reality!

Sometime around Christmas, Haru went swimming again, after a long time…

Being 16 years old, for more than five months and because he did sports and learned properly, his mom had returned to live with his father, who had been visiting almost every weekend when she was with their son. Although they managed to live peacefully and give themselves large space, Haru was overly pleased to be on his own again. When his mom left, he found a staple of magazines on sport, nature, cooking and once again the book she had given him few months ago. He had ignored it and fully forgotten about it. Haru opened up to peak in, discovering a nicely folded paper inside. He felt it doesn't belong to the book. Naturally he opened up to read. Haru, We are proud of your hard work and growth. We have been worried but you showed us you are a solid and trustworthy person. Keep your strong will, son! (dad) We love you. (mom). Be confident and sure of - Whatever you choose, we are supporting you. Because you have grown up so quickly and we consider you mature, we want you to know: Be free to make your own decisions and to define yourself and love whomever your heart choses to. Mom and Dad.

After contemplating, Haru felt confident and grounded. Too grounded? Too dried out? A certain powerful feeling thrived inside his Soul. He wanted to submerge into the water, to feel the touch of water embracing his body, now that he had made peace with it and had gained control. Still, his most desired state was to feel Free. Haru sprinted all the way to Iwatobi S.C. First thing, he bought some new swimming pants because nothing of his old stuff fitted anymore…

Haru kept jogging to the S.C. of Iwatobi, to swim daily and he was grateful they didn't close during the holidays between Christmas and New Year. He had informed Makoto he'd returned to swim and an overly joyful Makoto, his Best friend since forever, had started to show up and swim daily, too. They didn't plan to meet, they just knew as for Haru was spending there hours, swimming. Seemingly appearing calm and satisfied.