Epilogue 1: Road to the Blue Destination
Beta Earth (Our World), September 26, 2018
"See you in 2020…"
"2020…huh? Looks like the Olympics is happening?" Sandro muttered as he wondered what future will hold for this anime as well as his life.
After being accepted to the Cytotechnolgy program, it was difficult to watch the third season while keeping his grades up. As it was treated like a graduate program as anything less than 80% is considered a failure…
As for his future…he knew where he wanted to go. This program was a gateway for him to leave Cleveland once and for all. His heart ached so much as he reflected his past again…being a swimmer and then departing it during his puberty years. Assuming if he does succeed in this program and becoming a true laboratory professional, could it be possible to swim again?
"I swear…I will find my way back…" he vowed, "I want to love myself again…"
December 21, 2018: Lymphatic System and Lyphoma Exam
Sandro's eyes widened in horror to see both his written and practical exam grades for this topic of study. How did everything go so wrong? The program director handed a "Christmas Assignment" which was just a fun coloring activity, a words earch, and some trivia. However, he was too stunned and heart broken to even talk to his other classmates.
They were three other people; one of which was from Cleveland also, the second from a country area near Columbus and the third from Portland, Oregon. Sandro did his best to keep his professional demeanor wile excusing himself to get some fresh air. The program director noticed this but also kept silent. He wasn't ready to go on break…nor he was ready to fear the worst of possibilities…
"How can I succeed like this?" he cried to himself in the huddle room alone while trying to regain his composure.
After returning home, he couldn't bear to the cloudy of this future…
I want to be free, he thought, my entire school life for 20 years…I want this to end! No more exams! No more stress! No more of investing money on this endless education!
In due time, his retake exam of the Lymphatic System and Lymphoma were resolved with an improved grade. He was relieved for that but of course…the new year brings a 6-month countdown to finding a job as a Cytotech. Sandro knew deep down where he wanted to go…
The endless desert, the palm trees, warmth, an eternal summer…
After all, he had made some valuable connections in this city since his grandparents moved there. It was a dream to come true…if he could get there. Despite this, he had some arguments with his mother and his maternal mother as they were both against him leaving this town.
The truth is, he wasn't like his mother…who stayed in town despite all the bullying and the scars she endured all those years ago. He wanted a fresh start…a new beginning to heal his heart, body, and mind. He wondered sometimes (from his mother's stories in Italy) on what if she did stay in Italy…would she have married that one singer whom she later (and current) has a crush on? Would he had been a different person born of a different last name? Would he not have the same dreams? Would his brother not have Autism or would Sergi have been also a different person?
He got out of his bed and reflected in the mirror on his dresser.
"Had I not gone through what I did in my past…I wouldn't have been here," he realized, "It was pain but…I need to believe in myself…after all…that's what they told me on time…my enemies. They once told me that before turning against me. I know I'm a crybaby at times but it's because I cursed myself in this perfectionist-like personality that I want to get rid of…I need to get rid of…"
May 2019: Job Interview in Arizona
(I had an interview that involved a slide test)
"95% on the GYN slide test! Congratulations!" the cytology manager reported his score. The minimal requirement was 90%. With permission, Sandro gave her a hug as they were both happy that this success happened.
With final evaluations set, the cytology manager and the anatomic pathology manager offered the job to Sandro as they were both in need of new Cytotechs. He nodded and said, "YES! Oh thank you so much!"
Upon returning to his hotel, he was so happy that the interview was a success and he was going to finally move out soon. However…
"I have to finish school first and pass the board exam," he muttered while staring out at Downtown Phoenix from the hotel he was at. There was still this final battle…
As it turned out, the final exams happened after he returned to Cleveland and time was counting down. He screwed up on the written part but passed the two practical segments. With so much studying and restudying and teaching his friends about the human anatomy and cytology and preparing for the board exam in July…it was all in his hands to decide his fate.
Early June 2019
"Congratulations…you did it," the program director showed his redux written final with 89%. Sandro gasped in joy before hugging her with tears.
"Thank you!" he answered, "I'll be able to take the board exams!"
"Yes! You must keep studying, alright? I know you got the job in Arizona, but this is important too," she reminded him.
"Of course, I swear…I will pass the board exam!" he vowed.
The month was the biggest battle of his life…getting ready for the national boards as well as preparing for his future and graduation at the end of the month. His classmates were also doing well the entire time despite one of them showing some true colors and pissing a few people off. Back with the rotation in May to a local hospital, he was stuck with the one classmate whom the others dreaded on, but he kept his cool the entire week.
It's not my business on what he does, I'm not gonna let my failure be because of him, he thought, I don't have time for his baggage.
July 1, 2019: The National Board Exam for CT.
Modorenai toki o jibun no FOUMU deeeeeee (Jibun no FOUMU deeeeee)
Owaranai yume o oyoide iruuuuuuu (Oyoide iruuuuuuu)
Deai no yukue ga dokoda to shite moooooooo (Dokoda to shite mooooooooo)
Kawashita atsui omoi deeeeeee (Atsui omoi deeeeee)
Seikai wa itsumo mizu ga shitte iruuuuuu (Mizu ga shitte iruuuuuuuu)
Kokoro ga yoba reta saki eeeeeeeee
Yukooooooouuuuuu
Motto (Motto)
Mirai e (Mirai e)
Kyou no (Kyou no)
Kanata e (Kanata e)
Ima no jounetsu o (Jounetsu o)
Shinjiteeeeee
Motto (Motto)
Jiyuu ni (Jiyuu ni)
Kyou no (Kyou no)
SUTOROUKO (SUTOROUKO)
Kienai mabushi sa waaaaaaa (Mabushi sa waaaaa)
Freeeeeeeeee!
After going to the bathroom about a baker dozen times at home, it was time for him to depart to the board exam site. The graduation ceremony gave him many gifts and certificates from his intensive year of studying. But this was the final piece needed in order to be nationally certified as a Cytotech. The appointment was set for 5:30 in the evening and he had 2 and a half hours to go through it.
Motto (Motto)
Saikou no (Saikou no)
Kyou o (Kyou o)
Oyogou (Oyogou)
Sunda kibou no na wa (Kibou no na wa)
Freeeeeeeee!
Alpha Timeline: Tokyo All-Invitation – Last Swim
Haruka and Rin both stepped onto the blocks as they reflected all what has happened so far. Rin's butterfly heat qualified him to continue his career but Haruka's freestyle was a struggle upon realizing his potential to reach to the world stage.
"This is no dream,"
"You're right…it's not…we can reach out and touch it."
"Then let's find out what lies ahead of us…"
"Yeah, let's dive…"
"TO THE FUTURE!"
The sound of the race begins as the two entered this final battle together…reaching to the other side of the light.
Wo-oh (wo-oh)
Wo-oh-oh-oh (wo-oh-oh-oh)
Wo-oh-oh!
Beta Earth: 7:45 PM, July 1, 2019…
With his heart racing in fear, Sandro pressed the completion button for the exam to submit. After having it clicked, a few prompts (saying "Are you sure you want to submit?") appeared which annoyed him but it was a matter of time as his entire body was filled with sweat and rapid heartbeat…
Motto (Motto)
Jiyuu ni (Jiyuu ni)
Kyou no (Kyou no)
SUTOROUKO (SUTOROUKO)
Kienai mabushi sa wa (Mabushi sa wa)
Freeeeeeee-eeeeeeeeeee!
Everyone, please pray for me, he thought as he made the final click on the computer that showed, 'Please be sure all your answers have been selected'.
Click!
"Preliminary Score: PASS"
Sandro gasped as he pushed back from his seat a little. He couldn't bear to even cry with joy at this…all the years of stress...and anxiety...
I…I did it, I'm a Cytotech…I'm GOING TO ARIZONA! his heart screamed.
With this, the wonderful news spread like viral as this moment of his life dissolved so much pain away from the very first day of school as a Toddler at St. Claire's…to Elementary School at Milridge and later Lander…to Middle School…to High School…to Cleveland State University…to this…
Upon returning home, he cried in his parents' arms while enjoying some flavored vodka popsicles with his very best friend Ryan. They were all very proud of him as he felt the surrealism of being so successful at long last...
The next several weeks that followed was a ton of paperwork from the company he was going to work at. By July 27, he would finally depart Cleveland and move to his grandparents in the northwest area of Phoenix.
"Mom, I'm so sorry to grow up," he cried, spilling tears as the family gathered together at the Cleveland Hopkins Airport.
"I love you very much," she answered, "Don't cry or else I'll start too."
"This isn't a goodbye," Ryan reminded him, "It's a see you later."
"I know but…this has been a long journey and happiness that was long overdue," he answered.
He hugged Sergi, his father, his mother and Ryan too as they all ate breakfast earlier as a farewell. With a smile of excitement, the newly licensed Cytotechnologist walked through security and boarding to his flight…finally entering to his future…
The skies were clear and blue...just like the song from the third season finale. Once seated and the plane took off, the young adult could feel his heart racing with excitement on this new future at long last...
Everyone, he prayed to the Free!Characters silently, get to the Olympics!
COMING WATER WEDS 2.12.2020!
Free! Cosmos World Chronicle
~Dark Mirror: Reversi~
PART 1
Synopsis: The Shadowy Legend of Dark Mirror expands further within a 2 volume special edition! What happened during the early stages of the darkness? With the legend of the Magic Six broken from betrayal, how will the survivors cope with what is yet to come?
COMING FRI. 2.14.2020!
Free! Cosmos World Chronicle
-Book 1.5: The Prince of the West Star- (One-Shot)
Synopsis: The quest for Kenma's happiness continues here! So much has happened before they arrived on Planet Duniya. In the land of fairies, pixies, creatures, and magic of the four directions, an evil king desires power in the heart of the kingdom! However, the person he is after may bring a frightening, familiar face of a demon who was believed to be dead!
COMING SPRING 2020!
Free! Cosmos World Chronicle
-Book 2: World of Sports-
Synopsis: Artemis LeFay has gathered a summoning, bringing a handful of chosen ones to Olympia Magna in its Second Golden Age! The Great Neo King Julius remains trapped in crystal but the return of several sports anime crossovers and friends bring a new tribulation coming from the very heart of Sportsbrooke! Learn their final days on Olympia Magna with this exclusive curtain call arc of Generation 2.0!