Saying goodbye to (Friend 5), I make my way towards the pool. I had decided to visit and stay with the swim club for a few more days. It's not like I had anything better to do...was the excuse I gave to others, but the truth was that these guys reminded me of him and how things used to be before. They weren't the exact same human beings, but they were close enough.

My friends were obviously great company and had their own style, but these guys on the other hand had a weird nostalgic vibe to them, which I had unknowingly been craving for ages. It sounds selfish of me, and I agree it is, but I deserve this much after all that's gone on.

As I reach the water, I spot two figures splashing inside, realising when coming nearer they're Haruka and Rei, they weren't swimming though. Rei lay on his chest trying to stay afloat on the shimmering liquid as haruka stood by, instructing.

He was helping him swim...
He actually listened to me?

As I make my way to where the others were sitting, I slightly glance his way. He looked unbothered, yet there was still passion and concern in his eyes. He taught Rei with extreme care, and you could clearly see how much he loved his water.

Taking a seat beside the rest, I also fall victim to staring endlessly at the two in the water, unbeknownst to the amount of time that passed

When Haruka is finally satisfied, he backs away, giving Rei space to swim.

Everyone had tried teaching Rei and failed, Haruka was the 'last hope'. He was trying out freestyle this time, I didn't have to be told, I knew that much about swimming. But if I didn't know, what would give it away would be the fact that if Haruka was teaching, it had to be freestyle.

While Rei readies up, everyone intensely eyes his figure, expectations arising. Even Haruka wants this swimming attempt to work and offered to help, so it must have done something.

Rei starts to move his hands gently, slowly starting his stoke and beginning to quicken up. Everything was perfect...for just a while.

The quick build up results in the disruption of his momentum. A sour look spreads across the swim teams adamant, inspired expressions, hopeful smiles turning into disappointment and worry as Rei fails once again. He slowly sinks to the bottom of the pool.
Soon, after breaking the surface, he coughs back up the water he'd almost drowned in.
He cries in despair since he still can't swim.

Well, I guess that was it.

I wasted all of my time for no reason. Why am I here in the first place?
It's not like I care at all for this swim club, much less enough to keep them company.

While I gather my stuff to leave, Gou approaches and asks me to place some paperwork back in the office, since she was in a hurry to leave.

Reluctantly, I agree, a lethargic, absent-minded expression on my face.

Finding the right drawer after endless attempts, I walk outside only to see Rei sitting in the corner, recalling all the misery moments from today. It must have been embarrassing for him, failing that many times. But everyone knew that wasn't bothering him, his biggest reason to be forlorn was something else, something that made his heart clench. It was the feeling off failing after trying hard multiple times, day after day, that hurt so much, it fills your heart with doubt. Should you keep trying or give it up? Sometimes there are things out of your reach that you can't accomplish and are better left in your past.

I felt bad for him.

About to turn away and leave, I catch sight of Haruka slowly walking towards Rei and taking a seat beside him.

Too immersed in the sight, the fact I have to leave slips my vacant mind. Eyes drifting all around the scene, they land on the same back-haired swimmer who kept popping up. Haruka. The more I stared at his figure, the more I drown in this indescribable feeling I can't escape. Nor can I identify it. Since he started with his lesson this morning I've been seeing the same passion in his eyes that I saw a long ago, and though it scares me, it intrigues me.

Suddenly interrupted by Nagisa, I start to make my way out, glancing back once more, a secret smile forming on my normally expressionless face as a thought envelops my mind.

Maybe he wasn't so emotionless after all.

(TIME SKIP)

Sunlight pierces through gaps in my bedroom curtains, illuminating over my figure laying in bed, shaking with pain. I had no idea what happened, all I know is that my foot is in unbearable pain. But I have no idea what triggered it, the last thing I remember is walking home last night and sleeping straight away. Nothing had happened to my leg during that time.

I call out to my mum in a shaky voice, hoping she would hear my cry. After boundless seconds, my room door opens swiftly as my mum enters with a worried expression.

Coming towards me and taking a seat beside, she asks what's wrong. Only knowing little myself, I tell her as much as I know while she hurriedly calls the doctor, also trying to comfort me.

The pain was killing me.

Soon the doctor arrives and gives me pain-resistant pills which make it less painful yet still noticeable. After examining my foot fully, he starts asking me questions, trying to find the reason behind the sudden ache. Listening to all I had to say, he comes to a conclusion.

"You shouldn't have put your foot in so much pressure and should have taken the bus instead of walking", He complains.

Earning no response from me, he sighs and continues.

"I'm sure it's not something big, the foot just needs time to slowly get used to working again after all that rest. I suggest she take this week off as well and use crutches until her foot is able to withstand the pressure. I was hoping she wouldn't need crutches but judging by the situation you'll need to use them for a while.", He announces, talking to my mum.

After the doctor takes his leave, my mum orders me to rest. It may be rest for her, but for me it was just staring at the blank ceiling for agonising hours. However, as minutes pass, my body starts yearning for some rest, a light sleep slowly enveloping me.

"HOOONNNNNKKKKKK"

Awoken by the blaring of a car outside, I slightly pull off my blanket, allowing my foot to move about a bit.

"What The Fuc-", I mumble to myself rubbing my eyes.

Dropping my head off to the pillow's edge, I gaze at the ground below as the honking continues outside.

"Why do I have such annoying neighbours?", I sigh to myself.

Awaiting for it to stop, I can't help but listen to all the commotion.

"Get out...HONKKK...the fuckin...HONKKK...way...HONKHONKHONK"

I wasn't surprised.

Turning towards my phone, I see the usual things.

550 new messages from Friends.

5 new messages from Unknown.

Wait...Unknown?