In Sync ~ Free! x Reader

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

~ Haru's Point of View

I pulled on my Iwatobi Swim Club jacket as the car slowed to a halt. On one side of me was Makoto and in the front seat was Rei. Our teacher, and leader of the club was driving. Another car followed closely behind, in which Nagisa, Gou and our old swimming instructor travelled.

Once both vehicles were parked, we congregated at the steps that lead up to the entrance. Nagisa was bubbling with excitement as he produced a small leaflet from his pocket. "The first race is Rei's, which starts in half an hour!" He shouted to the group, grinning, "Which means we should sign in and take our seats in the stands." He finished, before grabbing Rei and Gou's hands- the two people closest to him- and half-dragging them up the steps the entrance. Makoto and I followed with Ama, our teacher, and Goro, our old instructor who'd come along to cheer us on.

Having signed in and checked the times of each of our races, we made our way to the stands and sat in a middle row, as the three rows in front of us had already been occupied. Rei's race was up first, so after putting his belongings down on a seat alongside our's, he started towards the changing rooms where others swimming the 200m butterfly would be preparing themselves. "Good luck, Rei!" Nagisa chirped as he walked away. Makoto nodded in agreement, while I set my eyes firmly on the pool in which I'd be swimming in only a matter of time.

~ Reader's Point of View

At last, the bus pulled up outside of the building you'd be competing at in a couple of hours. You poured out of the bus and into the car park, then were instructed to wait outside while a teacher signed you all in. It took only a couple of minutes, and soon enough you were seated in the stands, ready to watch the boys compete.

200m butterfly was up first, and you kicked your feet up onto the empty seat in front of you as you watched. Each of the competitors moved at an astounding pace, thrashing through the water in the most violent manner of all the strokes, though somehow executing each outstretch of the arms with a certain beauty. One particular boy caught your eye, his deep blue hair trapped for the most part under a swimming cap, though a few strands escaping and sticking to the sides of his face each time he came up for breath. His perfect form astounded you, as butterfly had always been your worst stroke. You didn't like the way it drained you; you swam for pleasure, and nothing else.

The race ended, the blue-haired boy who's name appeared on the score board as Ryugazaki Rei, placing second. You continued watching him as he climbed out of the pool, then followed his gaze as he waved towards a group of boys cheering and clapping in the stands, not too far from where you were sat. There were 7 of them in total; 2 girls, 5 boys. One of the girls seemed about their age, but the other, along with one of the boys, seemed a lot older. They all looked at each other excitedly, still cheering, aside from one of the boys who sat stoically, jet black hair falling between two pale blue eyes.

By the time you turned back to Ryugazaki, he was already gone from the poolside, and the next competitors had taken their positions on the diving boards.