Free!

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real persons, groups or events is purely coincidental.

As always, I can't make any sense of you.

Whatever.

You better get ready, Rin.

And you're as icy as ever.

Yeah...

You really piss me off.

Makoto.

Give us the start signal.

Okay.

We'll race 100 meters,

freestyle.

Ready,

go!

Wow! Rin has a stronger kick!

But...

Haru's stroke is faster!

Rage on, until you have to look away

from the blinding light

Why did you show me our city reflected in the water?

I stray, but fly true

With my hand I felt

a world I had known nothing of

When we race I feel I'm pulled into a maelstrom

I only chose the drop point

Show me the truth

Now's the time for our dreams, but we're ready for grief

Say goodbye

r Freedom machine r

Rage on, until you have to look away

from the blinding light

The sun is blazing on my world

I don't feel like turning around

On your mark

There's no going back on our path

Get set, here we go

Gou?

Damn it!

From: Matsuoka Gou

Subject

Did you get to see Nanase and the other guys?

Does this mean that I can't ever beat him?

Memories in the Distance !

Idiots!

Do you actually feel bad about what you've done?!

Sorry.

First you trespass into an abandoned building, and now you trespass into another school's pool?!

Honestly, we're fortunate that they've agreed not to make a big deal of this.

Now, now. I think that's enough.

There's a famous saying that applies to this situation.

In Ancient China during the Shang Dynasty, Duke Tai of Qi would fish without any bait...

I hate fish.

Excuse me.

Ms. Ama wasn't much help.

I wonder how that fish saying goes...

Haru, do you—

Huh?

Haru's over there.

When did that happen?

Ah, Gou!

I told you to call me Kou!

Does it really matter?

It does! I'm Kou!

Gou.

Kou!

Gou.

Kou!

Kou.

Gou!

Dammit!

So were you able to see my brother?

Yeah, about that...

Rin's so mean!

We haven't seen each other in four years!

And the first thing he does is challenge Haru to a race.

He completely ignored me and Makoto.

We didn't get a chance to talk about anything.

Have you heard anything from Rin, Kou?

I've sent him texts and called his cell without any luck.

I even called his dorm number and nobody picked up.

How come he's changed so much?

Did something happen in Australia?

I don't know.

I was hoping that he'd open up after meeting you guys.

Are you the reason Rin showed up at the swimming club?

I wouldn't put it that way...

I was just trying to help.

I happened to overhear your conversation, so I sent him a text.

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

I just heard that they're tearing down the swimming club you used to go to

But he never replied.

That's why you went to Haru's place yesterday?

Yes, I was hoping he might have some answers.

Hey, I just had a great idea!

Let's start a swim club!

Then we can see Rin at tournaments.

Uh, I'm not sure Haru will be on board with that.

Whatever. Knock yourself out.

Huh?

Really?

Yay!

We're good to go then!

I'm so excited!

Are you sure about this?

We won't be doing this by ourselves.

We expect you to join the club too.

I know.

No! Don't look!

Girls my age shouldn't ogle naked men!

Must... not...

look...

What...

incredible triceps!

Oh, yeah. You weren't with us the other day, Haru.

This is Rin's sister.

H-Hello. It's been a long time.

Matsuoka...

Kou.

Yes!

I'm sorry about what my brother did yesterday.

Don't sweat it.

Oh, if you're making tea, I have some squid to go with it.

What? Wouldn't chocolate work better?

We'll compromise and have mackerel.

That's not a compromise at all!

Let me help out!

Is this okay?

Isn't this...

Oh, right.

That's the trophy the four of us won as kids.

Rin told us he didn't need it anymore.

Everyone's smiling.

Actually, Haru's the sole exception in this photo.

Haru is always smiling on the inside.

You make him sound like a bad guy!

Oh, so is this the first time Rin's come back to Japan since he left?

Huh?

He came back every year for New Year's.

Really?!

And he never told us?!

That's mean.

Haru?

Since everyone's on board, I picked up a new club application form.

You move fast.

It's important to get the ball rolling.

Let's see, the purpose of this club is to train our minds and bodies through swimming

and improve our high school experience.

And you know exactly what you're doing.

There will be three members initially.

Mako, you can be the captain.