Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You. (どうせ、恋してしまうんだ。)

It was all pointless.

It's not pointless!

I know you don't really want to quit!

What about you?

You gave up your dreams to write manga and ended up an office worker.

Hmm...

The character writing's still a little weak.

Hello?

How are you doing, Mi-chan?

Oh, it's just you, Dad.

What do you mean, "Oh"?

You're making your dad sad!

Sorry, sorry.

I was just working, so...

But it's so late.

Are you overdoing it?

Are you eating decent meals?

I'm sure editing is no easy job.

Especially with scary superiors or manga writers who are hard to work with—

You're choking!

Calm down, and slow your words a bit.

Man, I've been coughing a lot lately.

Maybe I'm getting old.

Yes, yes.

So? Why did you call me?

Well, I don't really have a reason or anything...

Oh, that's right.

Have you heard, Mi-chan?

Heard what?

About Kizuki-kun.

What about him?

I heard from his mom that...

He quit his job.

What?

From: Mitsuman Swimming School

Subject: Inquiring about an interview.

Koigahama City Happe Park (Kugenuma Exercise Park)

Thanks so much for scheduling this appointment, Nishino-san.

Your work can be more convincing when you go out and do some research!

Yeah!

Thank you for this opportunity.

I'll show you around.

This place hasn't changed...

Have you known about this place for a while?

This is the place my childhood friend used to swim.

Is that so?

I heard from his mom that...

Right this way.

Whoa.

What a big pool.

The athlete you'll be interviewing is over there.

Thank you very much.

Why?

Mizuho?

Yes, something like that.

This is great research material.

I'm glad to hear that.

Hazawa-san?

Oh, I'm sorry.

But you know...

I took a long hiatus from swimming, so my information could be a bit outdated.

Is that so?

It's because of my shoulder injury.

Because of that, I had to completely step away from swimming at one point.

In desperation, I ended up pushing away the people who supported me.

But I've made the decision to stop running away.

And now I'm back.

I even quit my job.

Kizuki...

He did that so he could go back to swimming.

That's a very serious commitment.

Did you have any doubts?

I did.

I know it's a reckless challenge.

But...

I want...

A specific person to see me again.

Well, his shoulder isn't in tiptop shape just yet!

I'll heal. I guarantee it.

Don't slow down!

So cool!

Kizuki really shines when he's swimming.

You're regaining your strength.

Thank you for everything today.

I was able to get some great references.

Don't mention it.

As long as it can help create something amazing.

Thanks to Hazawa-san, I think I have a solid idea for the main character.

I'm glad to hear that.

Is... Is something wrong?

Is Hazawa-san that childhood friend you mentioned earlier?

The one who swam.

What?!

I was right!

Are you a psychic, Kawaguchi-san?!

So you didn't know that he's been swimming again.

Yes...

He should have told me.

So he's your adolescence.

What?!

That's not...

Mizuho!

Kizuki?

I wanted to see you.

What?

Nishino-san.

Right now, I... have all these ideas in my head!

I'm going home to work on a draft!

Oh, uh, all right.

I'll be heading out first!

Sorry, Mizuho!

What?

I kept running away for the past three years.

And I selfishly hurt you.

I'm really sorry!

It surprised me, you know?

Because I didn't think I'd see you here.

Are you still mad?

I'm mad. At myself.

I didn't try to understand you at all.

I can't believe I told you "Don't give up" when you were suffering so much.

All I could say was "Are you okay?" and kept cornering you.

You're wrong!

Because you encouraged me back then, I was able to come back again.

Kizuki...

Mizuho. I...

I'm going to aim to be a swimming athlete once more.

I don't know if I can ever achieve my peak condition again.

But I want to take back the things I lost.

Both swimming and you, Mizuho.

Kizuki...

I'm going to make you fall for me again. I swear it.

I'm going to take a stand once more!

I'm going to take a stand once more!

I can see that the interview was useful, but...

Why?!

Senpai. You're being so loud.

Oh, sorry.

It's been bugging me so much that I lost my composure.

Then how about you help me out a bit for a change of pace?

What?

Here, take a look.

Let me see.

Wait, is this...?

I'm stuck on what to do next.

The two characters are about to confess.

Let's go out.

Shin...

But Shin, you...

Let me see if I still like you, Mizuho.

I want to take back the things I lost.

Both swimming and you, Mizuho.

Kizuki...

I'm going to make you fall for me again. I swear it.

I need to think these things through, too.

Is something still bugging you?

Hey, Sakura.