"I'm not a swimmer," I repeated for the millionth time. "I'm a volleyball player."

Nagisa - and occasionally Ryugazaki - followed me all over school asking me to join the swim team for the past two days. I handed out my withdrawal from the volleyball team, which the coach respected. My teammates did not fuss over my decision. Hell, they didn't do anything. It was as if I was just a wind passing by.

"But, Kai-chan, you already quit the volleyball team," Nagisa pouted, slinging his arm casually over my shoulder.

"When I choose a sport, I want one that I actually want," I said. "I'm not making swimming my rebound." I paused. "Why am I the only one you're recruiting?! There might be other people - people who are actually willing - to join your club."

"Because," Nagisa said, putting on a serious face, "you have a guy's name."

I looked at him blankly. They want me on the team, because of MY NAME? "I don't see the connection," I said and started to walk away.

Nagisa grabbed my shoulder and stopped me. "Every male in the club has a girly name, and Gou, our manager, has a boyish name. You have a boyish name, so you're perfect for the team," he explained.

My eyebrow twitched.

Nagisa looked over my shoulder and waved. "Rei-chan!" he called. "Help me convince Kai-chan to join the club."

Ryugazaki smirked and pushed up his glasses. "From my analysis, from all the jumps you've been doing from volleyball, you have a good advantage for diving," he noted. "Not to mention your arms, you have a large potential on a perfect form for swimming multiple strokes. And your body figure-"

The bell rang, making Ryugazaki have to leave his so-called analysis unfinished.

"I have to get to class," I said, beginning to leave once again.

"Wait, Nakahara-san," Ryugazaki called out. When I turned and gave him my attention, he pleaded, "At least come and watch our practice today. Haruka-senpai will be swimming today."

I smiled wryly, "What makes you think this Haruka will convince me to join to the swim team?"

"Come and see for yourself, Kai-chan," Nagisa smiled.

I didn't really want to keep my options closed, and I need to remain a student here in Iwatobi High for my mother. So I went straight to the school's swimming pool right after class dismissal.

"Nakahara-san, I'm so glad you're able to come and watch the practice," Matsuoka Gou came running to me with a clipboard in hand. "It's time a female came and joined the swim club. I may be surrounded with muscles all the time, but a girl still needs female company within the club. And Iwatobi High has yet to join female swimming tournaments."

"I'm still pondering on my decision," I told her. I didn't want her to expect so much of me. Not that I don't swim. I doubt anybody in Iwatobi, being a seaside town, doesn't know how to swim. It just wasn't my forte, and I do swimming for relaxation and fun, not for competition.

"Don't worry," Matsuoka smiled brightly and tucked her burgundy hair behind her ear. "I believe in Haru-senpai."

I walked over to the edge of the pool and looked at my reflection on the still water. Then I turned to Matsuoka, "What's so special about this Haru-senpai of yours?"

Suddenly, I saw a flash and followed by a splash in the pool water. A few droplets landed on my skirt. As the body emerged and began doing freestyle, I remembered that Haruka was that person I saw when I hid out here in the poolside a few days ago.

What was so special about him?

Then the answer was right there. He was different than the other swimmers I've seen. He swam like he truly belonged in the water. He had a connection with the water. Just like how I had a connection with my own sport myself, but that connection broke. And I cannot get it fixed.

"Amazing, right?"

I turned and had to look up to look at the person in the eyes. He was towering over me by several inches. He was way too huge for a guy his age. He was wearing his swimwear, so I concluded that must be a part of the swim team. His hair was a very light shade of brown, and his green eyes were kind and understanding. Despite his body size, he looked like a very gentle person.

"He's different, I'll say," I replied, trying not to show how much Haruka affected me. I couldn't help but look back at Haruka, who was already making his turn. He was fast. Very fast.

The guy chuckled lightly. "It's fine," he said. "Everyone becomes like that when Haru swims." He stuck out his hand for me to shake. "I'm Tachibana Makoto. It's nice to meet you."

I took his hand and gave it a short, but firm, shake. "Nakahara Kaito," I replied. I looked back at Haruka, and he was already done!

"Amazing, Haru-chan! I think you broke your record," Nagisa cheered.

"I don't really care about my time," Haruka replied casually, pulling himself out of the water.

"Hey, Haru-chan, can you ask her to join the swim club?" Nagisa whispered. "She looked amazed at your performance."

I sighed. Nagisa needs to whisper properly. I don't even think that was considered a whisper. I can tell Tachibana agrees with me since he sweat-dropped beside me.

Haruka looked at me. Then he started to towards me. He stopped in front of me and stared at me for a few seconds with his empty, nonchalant expression.

"Join the swim club," Haruka said.

Everyone sighed at Haruka as if they expected it to happen. Well, I did too.

"I'll think about it," I answered him. From the corner of my eye, I saw Nagisa whine. I hid the smile that was about to surface. Nagisa was so bubbly you just want to tease him.

"It was way easier for us to get Rei into the team," Nagisa said, pouting. "Rei, talk to her. Take one for the team."

"Now, now, Nagisa, we shouldn't force her to join the club," Tachibana smiled.

"But, Mako-chan, ever since you and Haru-chan graduated from this club, we really need more members now than ever," Nagisa reasoned.

So, it so happened that Matsuoka, Tachibana, and Nagisa began to have an inside discussion, while Haruka dove back in the water. Ryugazaki, on the other hand, went over to me.

"Nakahara-san," he began, "didn't Haruka-senpai's swimming touch you in any way?"

"It did," I admitted, "but I'm not going to finalize my decision based on that. I love volleyball, and I don't think I'm ready to give it up for swimming."

"Do you know the story of why I left the track and field team?"

I shook my head.

"I used to think that pole vaulting was one of the most beautiful sports out there. I can attain the perfect form by theory and calculation in that sport, but that was all I had. I had perfect form, but I wasn't free.

"Then I saw Haru-senpai swim. He was so free in the water, despite his form not being perfect. I wanted what Haru-senpai had in the water. So I joined the swim team.

"You're like me, Nakahara-san. As much as you love volleyball as I had loved pole vaulting, you're not free," Ryugazaki said.

He had saw right through me from the beginning. As much as how his words hurt, I knew he was right. I, too, wanted freedom in the sport I play, but I can never find it in volleyball. But how can I be sure that I would find it in swimming?

I knew how to swim. I learned at the strokes during summer lessons my father made me take when I was a kid, so I know that if I join I wouldn't suck completely. But there was so much I was uncertain of.

My fears. My condition. My inability to let go of volleyball.

But I wanted to be free.

I stepped forward and cleared my throat to get their attention. Once I had it, I said, "I will not be the best member on your team, but I will do my best." I bowed. "I'm in your hands, swim club."

I was suddenly engulfed by a hug. First, it was by Nagisa, then followed by Matsuoka. Soon, the rest - Tachibana forcing Haru-san to join in - squished me in their group hug.

I couldn't help the smile that broke out of my face. My team never did this with me before. And although I wasn't officially in the team, I already felt like I belonged.

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