Free! Ebb and Flow Chapter 10

Chapter 10

  Tay had just purchased the swimsuit when she ran back to see what Haru was doing. Running, she was stopped when Mel grabbed onto her arm, “what are you in such a hurry for?” Mel asked releasing her grip. “I was just going to see if Haru made a decision yet,” Tay responded. “Oh I think he is still over at the changing room, I’ll go with you then.” Mel smiled; Tay grabbed her hand pulling her behind. “Take it easy!” Mel laughed; Tay’s determination never changed when the situation included Haru. Making their way over they noticed Haru and Rin walking off together. “What is Rin doing here?” Mel questioned, “and they are going somewhere...” Tay added, looking at each other they nodded, agreeing without words, to follow them and see what was going on. The girls ended up outside hiding in the shadow of the building, Haru and Rin stopped under some trees by the fence. “Damn I can’t hear a thing,” Mel whispered, her and Tay both sighed. “It seems they are arguing about something, though they both seem rather calm for looking so tense.” Tay replied, “Yeah I wish we could get closer but we can’t risk being seen.” Mel informed. Haru then started to walk in their direction, “crap he will see us!” Tay fretted, Rin ran after Haru pushing him into the fence causing Tay and Mel to forget what they were saying and return to watching them.

“No you’re going to swim for me.” Rin stated, his face close to Haru’s; staring at him intently. The girls felt their hearts race; hearing noise behind them, quickly turning around Mai and Gou walk up to Tay and Mel, looking over at what they were viewing. Quickly understanding the situation they remain quite and watched. Haru reached his arm out taking hold of Rin’s. “In that case, I want you to promise me something.” Haru states pushing Rin back, “if you lose don’t say you’re going to quit. Don’t embarrass yourself, don’t cry if you lose.” Haru speaks causing Rin’s eyes to widen. Brushing it off, Rin pulls back “I’m not a little kid anymore, this time I will make it clear how different you and I are.” Rin responds, they continue to face each other with a serious gaze. Walking off Rin states to Haru, “try to build some muscle before the prefectural tournament. We’ll settle things there, see you at the tournament.” Rin adds, Haru continues to face him, the girls all felt a little disheartened. “Oh there they are!” Nagisa’s voice calls out, the girls turn in shock. “Is something wrong?” Makoto asks, the boys all holding shopping bags. “No it’s nothing!” The girls all reply in unison. Tay could feel the pain in Haru’s heart, hearing what she did it became clear to her in a second. Haru stopped swimming because he felt that he hurt Rin.

Haru walked over, a little startled that the whole group was standing there. “Ah Haru we are ready to go!” Nagisa waved, Tay turned to face Haru whose eyes met hers. The look on her face, she looked sad but it was a different sad then he had seen on her before. She was sad for him; did she hear what him and Rin were talking about? Haru though to himself, walking up to her he placed his hand on her head. “Don’t worry about it,” He insisted, walking towards the others. Tay felt her heart race, did he see her? No that wasn’t it; somehow he could tell what she was feeling that very second. Returning home Tay’s dad greeted her as she collapsed on the couch. “How was shopping?” He asked, “long and tiring...” Tay replied draping her arm over her eyes. “Well that explains why you came home earlier then I thought,” he replied handing her the remote for the TV. “Put on whatever you want, I’m going to make something to eat,” He said getting up. “Alright,” Tay groans, flipping over onto her stomach. For once she wasn’t hungry, she still felt too uneasy.

The next day Rei jumps up onto the platform with confidence, sporting the new swimsuit he purchased. “He looks like a world class swimmer from here,” Makoto states. The group minus Mai was sitting and watching, once again Mai didn’t want to come to swim practice. “Maybe he will be actually able to swim this time,” Nagisa smiled. “Yep I think this might work!” Gou added, everyone watching intently. Diving in, his entry angle was perfect... however he still couldn’t rise above the surface. “Why?” Rei questioned, the rest of the group looked defeated. Suddenly looking up Tay watches as Haru dives into the water and swims up to Rei. “I’ll teach you, you want to know how to swim right?” Haru says, Rei bowed, “please help me!” “However I can only teach you free.” Haru replied, “Yes!” Rei cried out with determination. Everyone couldn’t help but smile, “Haru’s going to teach someone how to swim?” Makoto said with disbelief. “Bringing in the big guns!” Nagisa cheered, Tay felt tears well up in her eyes; quickly wiping them away she continued to gaze at Haru. The whole time Haru taught Rei, Tay had a feeling of warmth throughout her body. She whispers to herself... Haru I love you.

“That’s everything I have to teach you, the rest is up to you. Believe in yourself.” Haru informs, his tone hadn’t changed but it was apparent to everyone he was trying to be encouraging. Rei attempted to swim once more, even with all of Haru’s teaching it was still hopeless. Rei continued to swim downward, everyone’s eyes darkened, feeling as though all the life energy was zapped from their bodies. Rei stood up; crying out, Tay threw herself backwards holding her head and rolling back and forth. “Genius is one percent genius and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Amakata sensei quotes focusing the attention in her direction. “Isn’t that a quote from Edison?” Makoto asked, “So hard work will always triumph over natural talent.” Gou translated. “I guess he’ll have to keep practicing,” Nagisa sighed. “Yeah but we only have two days left!” Mel cried out. “However you can interpret Edison’s quote to mean that hard work means nothing without that flash of inspiration. Don’t you think?” Amakata adds with a smile. “A rejection of hard work?” Gou cries out, everyone responds in shock from a teacher saying such things.

Rei sits in the corner of the fence curled up; Tay couldn’t imagine how frustrated he must have been. Haru walked up to Tay, placing his hand on her shoulder. “Is something wrong?” He asked, Tay looked back, giving him a gentle smile. “You should talk to him,” Tay stated, placing her hand against Haru’s arm. Haru looked over to see Rei, he seemed really down. Turning back to Tay he gives her a small smile and nods, Tay watched as Haru made his way over to Rei. Tay felt a hand on her shoulder, turning to see Mel smiling. “Oh Mel what’s up?” Tay asked, Mel glanced over to see Haru and Rei sitting together. “Those two seem to be getting along, oh right I was going to ask if you heard anything from Mai?” Mel questioned, “no I haven’t, I am getting really worried. Do you think she might be quitting the club?” Tay asked, “I don’t think she would leave without saying anything to us.” Mel reassures, “Yeah that is true but if her head pains are acting up maybe it’s inevitable.” Tay sighed, if Mai wasn’t being honest with them then there had to be a reason behind it.

The following day Nagisa came up with the idea for Rei to use a kickboard during the tournament. Makoto agreed that there isn’t a rule saying you can’t use one. “Though the fact we need to use one may make us the laughing stock at the tournament.” Mel sighed, “that is true, but still it’s better then nothing.” Tay added, hearing splashes everyone turned to the pool seeing someone swimming butterfly. “Is that Haru chan?” Nagisa asked, “but Haru only does free.” Makoto replied, “It’s not me.” Haru states appearing behind the group, “Haru?” Makoto and Tay speak, quickly turning back to face the pool. “That means?” Gou realized, “Rei chan?” Nagisa finished, Rei reaching the end, pulling off his cap. “Were you just swimming butterfly?” Nagisa questioned as the group ran up to him. “It was the only stroke I hadn’t tried yet. Once I tried it I was able to swim,” Rei replied, putting his glasses back on. “What?” The others cry out, “why?” Gou adds. “I’m so happy for you Rei!” Tay smiled turning to see Haru who was standing away from the group. Walking up to him she sees how a butterfly gently lands on his finger.

“Haru isn’t it great?” Tay grins, Haru glances over her way. “Yeah,” he replied, still with no emotion. “You really helped Rei you know,” Tay smiled gently, Haru’s eyes widening slightly. “I didn’t do anything,” Haru retorts, turning away. “You do more then you realize,” Tay corrects, tilting her head she gives Haru a smile before turning around. “Mai?” Tay says with surprise, everyone stops what they are doing, turning to look at her. “Mai chan, Hama chan!” Nagisa states, Mai’s brother giving him a look that implied he wasn’t too fond of his nickname. Mai walked over to Rei, Tay was sure at this point Rei must have thought that Mai didn’t like him. “You’ve worked really hard, I’m very impressed.” Mai smiled, Rei looked shocked, he quickly grew a smile and a small blush. “Thanks, it’s good to see you.” Rei replied, “so Hamaka does this mean you are a member now?” Makoto asked, “Hmm did I say I would join?” He replied, “Didn’t you say you would?” Nagisa cried out, “No but if you feed me I might think about it.” He laughed, everyone sighed in defeat. Either way it seemed that Mai wouldn’t run away from here on out. Tay turned to Haru who once again didn’t seem fazed in the least. “It’s nice to see things falling into place right?” She smiled, “yeah.” Haru replied looking down at Tay’s hand, his fingers twitching, wanting to reach out and hold her. He wasn’t sure why but this feeling had started surfacing more and more lately.