Open Waters

Chapter Eleven

Joint Practice

Hana had already seen the Samezuka indoor pool, and neither did she know much about them. And yet even she gasped, momentarily amazed as the Iwatobi Swim Club entered the indoor pool for their joint training.

Wow. It is pretty impressive. Hana surveyed the pool with a small smile. She hadn't been to many pools in her lifetime, but thought Samezuka was one of the nicer ones she'd visited.

Apparently, she wasn't the only one to have such thoughts. "Indoor pools are so nice!" Nagisa exclaimed as the group came to a halt just outside the door, taking in the pool with a heavy sense of appreciation.

Hana couldn't help but quickly glance over at Haru. She smirked, spotting the underlying excited sparkle to his eye, which he had concealed very well. Hana wasn't sure if anyone else would have spotted it; they weren't looking as intently at his face as he was.

She must have been staring for a moment too long, for Haru shifted his gaze so he was looking at her. Hana flushed as their eyes met, and quickly redirected her gaze so she looked straight ahead. She brought her hands in front of her and tapped her fingers together, trying to not look suspicious and failing miserably in doing so.

"Hey, thanks for coming."

Hana breathed out in relief at the new voice. Everyone's attention changed to Seijuro, who was approaching, and everyone included Haru. Hana didn't know why, but she felt a little odd under Haru's steady gaze.

"Thank you very much!" everyone chorused, and inclined their heads respectfully. Hana hastily followed the action, though a little too late.

Damn. I'm not doing a very good job at blending in.

When Hana straightened herself out, she found that Seijuro's attention was focused on Haru. "You're Nanase-kun, right?" Without waiting for conformation he continued, "You won a bunch of regional tournaments in grade school."

"Yeah," Haru responded, seemingly uninterested.

Hana heard Seijuro continue talking, but was distracted by Gou. Her friend had gasped lightly and turned her head, switching her attention from Seijuro to someone else in the pool. Hana only had to think about it for a minute before she recalled who could bring such a reaction out of Gou: her elder brother.

Sure enough, when Hana looked up she found a familar red-haired boy stroll in, dressed on Samezuka gear, a younger grey-haired kid talking to him. Hana grit her teeth, already turned off by the sight of him.

Whatever she was feeling, it was the complete opposite to what Gou was. "Oh! Big brother!" she chimed. She ran up to him, a small skip to her step.

Rin looked less than pleased to see his younger sister approach. "Gou, what are you trying to do?" he said, in a tone so uninterested it would've made Haru proud.

"Rin-chan!" Nagisa exclaimed next, bounding forward to stand beside the red-haired girl. "We get to swim together again! Let's have fun together!"

"Together?" Rin scoffed and walked away from them. "You guys are a waste of my time."

That's it. No one talks like that to my friends. Hana narrowed her eyes and lunged forward so though to go after him, but found herself held back by some force on her arm. She whipped around, only to find it was Haru holding her arm in that vice-like grip.

"Don't," Haru warned her. "You'll only make things worse."

Hana raised an eyebrow. "Worse? Things are already pretty bad."

"And it'll only be made worse if you make a scene."

Hana stared at Haru for a moment and then sighed, shoulders slumping forward in defeat. He was probably right. Making a scene now would just bring unnecessary attention to herself, and a bad label the Iwatobi swim club just couldn't afford.

"Yeah, you're right," she admitted. She took a deep breath to calm herself.

"Right!" Seijuro said, clapping his hands together. Hana and Haru turned around as his voice rnag through the air. He was addressing the Iwatobi swim club. "I was thinking you could practice with our first-years today. Let's start with individual time trials."

Hana bit her lip as she listened to this. Why with just the first years? Did Seijuro think Iwatobi's swimmers wouldn't be able to keep up with Samezuka's?

He probably only meant well, but still, to Hana it sounded a little degrading.

"You there!" Seijuro barked suddenly. Hana's gaze flicked back at her groaned softly, realising all his attention was pegged on poor Rei. "Get into your swimsuit."

Rei was suddenly flustered. "Um, I'm not -"

"Oh, sorry!" Nagisa piped, jumping forward and coming to Rei's rescue. The blonde smiled sheepishly. "He forgot to bring his swimsuit!"

Oh God, Seijuro probably - no, he won't, take that well. Hana's eyes once more flicked over to Seijuro, and found that he looked less than impressed.

"What? Why is he here, then?" Samezuka's captain demanded sharply. He sighed. "You can use one of our spare swimsuits, so go get changed! Hey, Nitori!" he summoned one of the first-years gathered behind them.

Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. This is bad. Rei said explicitly they he wouldn't swim. Oh shoot. What's he going to make of this?

"Yes!" To Hana's surprise, the boy who responded was none other than the grey-haired one she had seen with Rin. He walked up to Rei, oddly serious. "Come with me."

Rei looked flustered, like he'd just been cornered. "Um, I'm not -" he stammered, but Nitori apparently wasn't going to hear any of it.

"Hurry up!" The grey-haired boy grabbed Rei by the arm and started to drag him off, despite Rei's loud and desperate protests.

Hana squeezed her eyes shut. Well, shoot.

"This... isn't good," Hana mumbled, turning to Gou.

Gou actually looked a little nervous. "It isn't. Rei said he didn't want to swim... he must have a reason."

Hana nodded, glancing around at the other Samezuka swimmers. Fortunately, they weren't being outright rude, but as they talked amongst themselves, Hana couldn't help but wonder if Rei was the reason for every laugh and amused smile.

Well, she guessed she wouldn't know. She wasn't about to march on over and ask.

After a little bit of waiting, Rei came back, now in a speedo. From the look on his face and embarrassed flush to his cheeks, Hana could tell he wasn't pleased by the situation he currently found himself in.

Without sparing acknowledgement to his team, Rei walked past and stood back in the shadow cast by the wall, arms folded over his chest. However, it was not a hostile pose; it was more like he wanted to shrink further into the background and not be noticed.

Concerned, Makoto, Nagisa and Hana walked over to him, Haru and Gou lingering nearby.

Before anyone could ask if he was alright, Rei muttered, "The deal was that I wouldn't have to swim."

"Don't worry," Makoto reassured, smiling his gentle smile. "These time trials are just for practice, so it doesn't matter if you're slow."

"That's not the issue!" Rei barked back.

Hana frowned, tilting her head to the side. She was rather puzzled by Rei's comment. If being slow wasn't the issue, then what was?

Makoto then had to leave as the first round of time trials were called up. Not having seen her friend swim since they were kids, Hana looked on with interest as Makoto climbed on to the starting block. When Seijuro gave the call for him and another swimmer from Samezuka to dive in, Hana smiled as she watched her friend dive into the water and start to swim.

Hana watched as both Makoto and Nagisa swam their respective time trials. She knew from past conversations that Makoto's preferred stroke was the backstroke, and Nagisa's was the breastroke, but she thought that they both swam the freestyle pretty well, especially considering they hadn't really been swimming recently. Then again, she was hardly the expert in swimming, and her perception on what a good swimmer was could be entirely different from Seijuro's, or a more experienced swimmer.

As Nagisa reached the turn, Seijuro called, "Keep it coming! Next swimmer, get ready!"

All eyes in the Iwatobi group fell to Rei. "You're up next, Ryugazaki-kun," Makoto said.

Rei turned on him. "I told you, I'm not-"

"Hey! Next swimmer!" Seijuro barked. Somehow, his eyes had sought out Rei. "Move to the starting block!"

"There's nothing to be worried about," Hana tried next. She smiled, trying to encourage their trial member. "No one's going to judge you."

Still, Rei didn't react, only glaring at the floor in a manner that suggested he only wanted it to open up and swallow him.

"Can the next person get over here?" Nitori called next. Hana hadn't noticed he had been standing behind Seijuro, helping to keep things running.

Makoto shrugged, still smiling. I've hardly ever seen that friendly smile off his face. Except for a few past experiences. Namely one that we were both a part of.

"Well, you might as well," Makoto said.

Rei grit his teeth for a moment and then his head snapped up in a sudden motion. "Fine!" he exclaimed. Hana couldn't not notice an underlaying tone and fear and nerves in his voice, taking the sharp edge off his voice. Hana recognised it, for it was in her voice whenever the topic of water popped up, especially if it revolved around the accident years ago.

Hana glanced at Rei's retreating back, her brow furrowed. It sounds as though he's afraid of the water... but if he was, why would he join the swim club as a trial member?

Oh right, because he only signed up since we said he wouldn't have to swim...

She gasped, a small light bulb going off in her head. Can... can Rei swim at all?

Hana glanced around fretfully. Did she bring it up? Could she? Even if she did, how would if assit Rei? He was already by the starting blocks. How could they pull him away? And had Hana assumed correctly? Maybe he could swim but, like her, he'd been in some life-altering situation regarding the water.

Nagisa swam up to the end, breathing heavily. The blonde ducked under the rope seperating the lane Rei was about to dive into to the one neighbouring it. Hana couldn't see his face, but she guessed he was sending as much cheerful support Rei's way as possible.

"Ready!" Seijuro called, and Rei crouched down into the starting position just like Makoto and Nagisa had.

"His form is beautiful," Makoto muttered.

Hana had to agree with him. It was almost expert, like he had done it so many times before. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe he can swim after all -

Seijuro gave the signal for the swimmers to dive into the water. Hana watched as both Rei and the Samezuka swimmer launched themselves from the starting block, both with their hands stretched out beyond their heads, both with the perfect form -

- perfect, that was, until Rei ended up belly-flopping into the water, a loud smack resonating through the enclosed pool.

"What?" came the unified cry from both Samezuka and Iwatobi. Everyone gaped at Rei's lane, left momentarily uncomprehensive. Well, in most people's case, exempting Hana. She just felt foolish. She should have done something to spare Rei from that!

If only... maybe if we said he was injured and unable to swim... or, or... I don't know...

"Uh- he hasn't come back up," Makoto said lowly, bringing Hana from her thoughts. With a jolt of panic, she realised Makoto was right: Rei was still at the bottom of the pool, looking as though he wasn't about to resurface any time soon.

"This looks bad," Gou murmured, voice low.

Hana bit her lip. "A bit of an understatement," she squeaked. As she spoke, memories from her past surged through her mind. She tried desperately to keep them back, but it was no use.

Realising Rei wasn't going to come up on his own, Nagisa dived back under the water to provide assistance to his classmate. Nagisa alone wouldn't be able to pull Rei from the water, so without second thought Haru ran forward, quickly diving to provide his assistance as well.

Together, Haru and Nagisa managed to bring Rei back up to the surface. The blue-haired boy coughed and spluttered in between great gasps for breath.

"Is he okay?" Seijuro, running over. He looked and sounded legitimately concerned. Hana instantly held a greater respect for Samezuka's captain.

Rei's breathing turned more regular, and everyone exhaled in relief. Nagisa and Haru managed to guide Rei to the edge, who was a little white.

As Rei was guided to the edge and helped out of the pool, Hana couldn't help but compare his situation with the water to her own. She and Rei had been in such similar positions, except she had the salty tang of the ocean on her lips, not the chlorine of the pool. And she was sure she'd been a lot more panicked than Rei.

A lot more.

Once Rei was out of the water, everyone from Iwatobi rushed over, gently leading him over to a wall to sit down. Rei seemed grateful as he sank to the floor, then brought his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. Hana's heart went out to him. He must be feeling absolutely mortified.

"So Rei-chan... you can't swim?" Nagisa inquired, in the gentlest matter possible.

"Yes..." Rei admitted. His head snapped up, a hostile tone suddenly etched deep into his eye. "Is that such a big problem? I told you I wasn't going to swim!" he snapped back.

"You should have said something earlier," Makoto pointed out, though hardly accusing.

"I wasn't going to admit I couldn't swim," Rei said. "That would go against my sense of beauty!"

"Oh Rei," Hana sighed. Gently, she placed one of her hands over his own, a comforting gesture. "I can't swim either, you know. You're not the only one."

Hana wasn't sure if her words had comforted Rei or not, for his expression didn't change. She guessed it didn't, and she didn't blame him. He must be feeling absolutely humiliated the moment. I don't know what I'd do if I was in his position. Die, most likely.

"I'll clear things up with Samezuka," Makoto said. "Sorry about forcing you into this." He stood up and turned to walk away, and ended up being distracted by something else. "Oh, it's Haru's turn to swim."

Hana turned around and, sure enough, spotted Haru standing on the starting block. She also noticed how everyone else was staring, an atmosphere of expectation hanging in the air.

That just made Hana wonder just how many people had seen Haru swim before.

"Ready!" Seijuro called, and Haru lowered himself into the starting position. "Set!"

The signal to dive in sounded, and Haru made his dive.

When Haru jumped into the water, Hana was left momentarily speechless. With widened eyes, she watched Haru carve his way effortlessly through the water, somehow managing to make himself look graceful even though he was going so incredibly fast.

She couldn't deny it: she was entranced. This was the first time she had seen Haru swim. While he may have swam during that incident at the pool, where he had jumped into the water at a premature season, Hana had been filled with concerned at so focused on getting him out of the water that she hadn't noticed how effortless his swimming was.

Now, at the pool, she saw it, and was mesmorised. She couldn't even begin to understand how he did it. It wasn't as though he was forcing himself through the water to achieve a great speed; it was as though the water had already carved an opening for his body to slide through.

She had heard of how Haru was a fantastic swimmer, and the proof was right before her eyes.

His swimming... is beautiful. And it's free. He doesn't have a worry in the world.

Hana watched as Haru came to a stop after completing his run, panting less than she thought he would after such a swim.

Once again, Hana found herself wondering what exaclty it was about the water she was missing out on. Everyone else seemed so happy as they swam, while she shied away if the smallest drop landed on her skin.

What exactly am I missing out on? she wondered, watching Haru walk back to them, his black hair plastered to his forehead by the water.

Could I... be as free as him?

*          *          *

When Hana got home that night she had flung herself on her bed, her back on the mattress so she stared up at the ceiling. She'd hugged a light pink teddy bear to her chest, one she'd had since childhood. All other soft toys she'd mostly given away, but she'd never be able to give this one up. Not ever. Apart from the memories, it was one of the last things she had of him.

Haru's swimming repeated endlessly in her mind, like a movie set on repeat. Could I be as free as him? Hana didn't know, but knew to do that, she'd have to overcome her fear of the water. But, could she?

If Rei still went in the pool and didn't know how to swim... I can still just climb in the pool, right? Hana bit her lip. I don't know. I guess, I'll wait for a later time to find out.

Still, she'd gone to school the next day with that thought in her head. It never truly left, and she zoned out on occasion because of it. Makoto instantly noticed, but Hana just shrugged it off with a small smile and a wave of her hand.

After school, the Iwatobi Swim Club, after instance from Nagisa, went to watch Rei at track once again. Hana, seated beside Gou, didn't know what the point was. She doubted Rei would want to join anymore now after that joint training.

"You haven't given up yet?" Makoto asked, with a hint of amusement.

"Of course not!" Nagisa exclaimed, as though he hadn't witnessed Rei nearly drowning and his humiliation and small depression afterwards. "But it looks like Rei-chan is feeling much better."

Hana guessed that he did. As Rei was called forward to the track, there was a new confidence to his posture, even a new sort of determination. 

Rei adjusted his grip on the pole, paused only to take a deep breath, and then started running, gathering speed with every step. When he neared the bar, he used the pole vault to launch himself into the air -

- Only to deliberately make himself fall back down.

"What?" everyone exclaimed, as Rei fell down right on top of the bar and onto the mat. Hana winced lightly, but was a little stumped by Rei's sudden action.

First he doesn't tell us that he can't swim... and now he deliberately let himself fall? What's going on inside his head?

"He fell," Makoto muttered. His voice was filled with disbelief, just as they all were feeling at the present moment. Hana found herself trying to come up with theories for Rei's sudden and decisive fall, but soon gave up as she fell short.

"Huh? He's coming over here," Nagisa noted.

Hana looked up, and saw that what Nagisa had said was indeed true. Ryugazaki Rei was indeed headed their way, confident and modest. Hana bit her lip. What was his purpose?

Rei came to a stop before them. He cleared his throat and looked directly at Haru. "I want to be like you, Nanase-senpai," he declared.

"What do you mean?" Gou questioned.

Rei drew himself up a little, like he was trying to draw confidence. "I want that kind of freedom."

"It's not freedom," Haru said, causing all eyes to flick his way. "It's freestyle."

"Freestyle..." Rei mulled the word over both in his mind and by speaking it aloud. After a moment of thought, he shook himself as though that would free him from his thoughts and refocused his attention on Haru, and the swim club. "Anyway, I would like to..." he breathed in deeply and bowed forward, "formally join the swim club!"

Hana beamed at the news. Yes! Finally, after so many weeks of searching, we've acquired our final swimmer! She just about passed out from relief.

"What? Really?" Gou exclaimed, looking as though she had to refrain from jumping to her feet.

Unsurprisingly, Haru was the only one in the group who remained virtually indifferent. "If you want to swim, go ahead," he said bluntly.

"That's that, then!" Nagisa exclaimed, brighter and more excitable than usual.

Rei turned to Nagisa, a sudden stern look to his eye. Hana gripped the hem of her skirt in apprehension. "However, you were the one who initially invited me to join. I expect you to take responsibility, Nagisa-kun."

Nagisa gaped for a moment, and then beamed so broadly it looked as though his smile shouldn't be able to fit on his face. The blonde jumped forward in his excitement. "Sure! You can count on me!"

"Hey! Watch it!" Rei cried.

Hana only laughed, reflecting not for the first time just how much she loved being a part of the Iwatobi Swim Club.

But in the back of her mind, she also felt a little sense of shame.

The question was, why did she feel that way?

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being sick does not have many advantages, but one is that instead of getting ready for school you can edit chapters so it's not rushed :)

rei's offically a member of the swim team now! hooray! and hmm, what do you think hana's thoughts all mean? 

and the video to the side is the season 2 trailer, ack, so excited!! (and there's a very high chance of a sequel to this story)) XD