Free!Fic: Synchronized Hearts Chap8

“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.”
― Laurell K. Hamilton

Chapter Eight

When Mai thought about it that evening, she wasn't too confident that they'd be able to find a fourth male member before they were suppose to attend Samezuka Academy for the joint practice. Mai laid on her bed, thinking that was a little disappointing. Not for herself, but for the boys. Remembering back to when Hamaka was in the swim club with the boys as kids, there was a lot of interest in it then. She wondered what happened to those kids. Maybe they were all at Samezuka Academy. Or they could have lost interest in it. Or....

“Eh, do you want any fish? I brought some fresh stuff home today.” Hamaka peeked into Mai's room through her partially open door.

“Yeah, okay, that sounds nice.” Mai said sitting up from laying on her stomach. “Mom and Dad are working late tonight again?” Hamaka nodded, leaning against the door frame. “Hey, have you ever thought of swimming again? The boys could use a fourth male member for a joint practice at Samezuka Academy.”

Hamaka rose a brow, making a pouting face. “That Nagisa guy, and the manager....what's her name again?”

“Gou, but she prefers Kou,” Maiko answered.

“That's right, Kou. They both asked already.”

Mai made a face. So her assumption that it was Hamaka they had asked was right. She held her pillow, then looked up at her brother. “They both think you plan to come by one day soon, and Kou seemed a bit annoyed with you. What did you do?”

“Nothing, I offered them pizza instead of answering,” Hamaka shrugged. Mai made a face, and sighed. That was typical. She remembered the two saying something about that. “I've seen her around a few times actually, she doesn't seem to like me. Or pizza, what's wrong with pizza?”

Maiko remained silent, staring at him, annoyed. Hamaka had a horrible habit the past few years when it came to being lazy, and eating poorly. He had been in a a boating accident when he started working in middle school with the other fishermen after running out one night being angry at their parents, and hadn't been entirely the same since then. Mai figured he lost motivation, and just let himself go. He used to be much different, and thinking back on it, it made her sad, but even Mai couldn't get through to him now after trying so hard in the past. All she could do was be there for him, and try to give him gentle pushes in the right direction.

Regardless of his own problems, Hamaka was always there if you needed him. He kept his promises, and would do things for others. Sure he acted like he didn't care a lot, but he deep down did.

“That Nagisa is alright though, he took a slice and we chatted a little, I think I remember him a little now from the Swim Club back in the day,” Hamaka continued, disregarding Mai's silence.

“He's a handful, but I'm trying to make it work,” Mai said, making a face. She smiled once Mikkie wandered in wagging his tail, standing at the side of her bed waiting to get pet.

Hamaka suddenly chuckled, “Mikkie smelled bad the other night, guess that was a real mood ruiner, hm?” He said it jokingly, but Mai found she twitched a little hearing the statement.

“Not really, I just told Makoto that you come home from work smelling like that all the time,” Maiko smirked into her pillow. Hamaka gave her an offended look, then turned and said something about her having to cook her own dinner. “I'm sorry Hama! But it's true.” She called after him.

He called from down the hall saying to be downstairs in twenty minutes. Mai smiled to herself, looking at Mikkie. She turned to sit on the side of the bed in front of the dog, petting his head softly. “I hope soon him and I can work out our problems, Mikkie.” Mai turned to her door and tilted her head. “Or at least I hope he does, I miss his jokes.”

***

The next day as the five of them were about to walk onto the school grounds, Nagisa came up to them in his school gym uniform, panting. Mai placed her hands on her hips, thinking that Nagisa was one strange kid to be running to class, especially when he took a train to get to and from his home. However, all of it started to make sense once Rei unexpectedly walked up to the group of them. In his own running outfit no less.

Nagisa instantly straightened up. Could Nagisa have run to school with Rei in an attempt to still persuade him to join the swim club? Maiko, despite being unsure about him, could at least admit he was extremely persistent.

“Are you Haru-chan-san?” Rei questioned, adjusting his red-rimmed glasses. Haru simply glared back, stating his disapproval for putting those honorifics with his name.

“Is something up?” Nagisa asked with hope in his voice. Everyone waited patiently for what was about to be said.

Rei turned to Nagisa, and back to the rest of the group. “I’m willing to participate in your joint practice as a trial member.” He stated, “But only on one condition, I won’t do any swimming.”

The group of them looked at each other happily. This meant that they could at least now attend the joint practice at Samezuka. Not that Maiko was excited for it, but she was happy for the boys who worked hard enough to deserve a chance at the opportunity that Gou got for them.

The Samezuka Joint Practice was later that day, and now that they were officially going to be heading that way after classes were over, Mai could tell that there were some nerves among the group. She only knew one cause for that, and really she couldn't blame them. It seemed like Haru and Makoto were the most anxious, but even Tay seemed a little nervous, or eager, to meet the guy that made quite an impact on the boy's lives. Mai was simply intrigued, but that was all that would end up coming out of it in the end. At least now they would get an idea of what the boys had been talking about when they met up with Rin the two times.

Rei stayed pretty quiet on the way there, but Nagisa continued to chat with him like they were long lost pals, and Makoto made an effort to talk and get to know him too. It seemed the boys were trying to be hopeful, knowing there was the potential that Rei could officially join the Swim Club instead of just attending as a Trial Member. In the end, the train ride was short though, which meant they'd have to save the bonding time for later.

Samezuka Academy was really nice, Mai remembered seeing it in sports magazines, but had never seen it in person. The inside was also nice, and the indoor pool seemed bigger than the old Iwatobi Swim Club. Mai noticed that feeling from before come back a little upon seeing it, but seeing as this wasn't about herself, Mai was able to easily ignore it.

“Easy to see they’re from a champion school, but ours are just as nice.” Gou said admiring the swimmers from Samezuka, but also turning to Haru and Makoto who were already in their swimsuits and stretching. She grinned deviously and said, “Right Tay?” Though Tay didn't seem to notice being addressed while watching Haru.

Then, the team coach approached, thanking them for coming. The group of them bowed, saying their thanks. The coach, then turned to Haru and addressed him, bringing up their past tournaments they took part in. Mai thought maybe she was right that all the swimmers that stayed swimming went to Samezuka instead of Iwatobi. Although at first Haru seemed to be paying attention to the coach reminiscing about grade school, his focus was else where, on another swimmer.

He looked sort of like...

Gou suddenly ran over to him calling out his name. He was tall, and well built, with the same coloured hair, and eyes as Gou. That was definitely Rin, the resemblance was there, but Mai could tell from the way him and Haru looked at one another. Plus the obvious disapproving expression he wore.

Maiko vaguely heard Tay say something to Mel. She then heard Mel, and couldn't believe her ears. “He's...Gorgeous...” Mel looked in Rin's direction in fascination. Mai and Tay stared wide-eyed at her for a few moments before looking at one another. That she hadn't expected to happen.

Nagisa soon followed Gou over, as if nothing was wrong between them, and said hello. Talking about swimming together, only to have Rin scoff and shut them down, stating that they were a waste of his time. Mai swore he gave the three girls a glance over before he started out into the hall, exiting the indoor pool area. Gou looked on sadly, watching Rin depart. Mai sort of understood why Gou was so eager to figure out what was bothering Rin. He was so cold, even to her it seemed.

“That was harsh,” Mai finally said, crossing her arms.

“What's his problem?” Rei asked from behind her, seeming somewhat annoyed by Rin's present attitude. Mai smirked a little thinking maybe they could get along just fine, he wasn't overbearing like Nagisa could be anyway.

“Yeah, there's some history there,” Makoto said.

The four girls meanwhile went over to the benches close by while the Captain began to address the Samezuka team, and theirs. While waiting, Tay was the first to speak up about how it now made more sense why the boys were upset about Rin. Mai kept her eyes on the ground, knowing very well that she didn't like Rin, but nonetheless she still felt pretty bad for Gou. It was her brother after all. It reminded her of how worried she was about Hamaka, and his problems he wouldn't open up to her about. Mai placed a hand on Gou's shoulder comfortingly.

“Sorry, he forgot to bring his swimsuit!” Mai heard Nagisa say. He was standing in front of Rei, and to her it seemed like the captain was trying to get Rei to swim. Tay, Mel and Gou had now looked up as well, and before any of them could process what was happening they saw Rei being dragged off somewhere by one of the first year swimmers, only to return in a speedo type of swimsuit. “That was really all they had?” The girls tried to hold back their giggling.

Gou meanwhile got up to be closer to the pool, likely to observe the boys, also possibly to observe the boys. They were only doing time trials for now, but it was still practice. Makoto got up on the starting block, preparing to start first. Gou then looked up for a moment and smiled, when the girls got confused she subtly pointed above them. Up above, Rin was standing on the balcony, clearly preparing to watch the practice. So much for thinking they were a waste of his time.

The girls looked back at the pool. Once Nagisa jumped in, Rei was told by the coach to get ready. Mai noticed he seemed nervous, and while beginning to watch Rei carefully, that feeling began to resurface again. There was something that was wrong here, but Maiko couldn't exactly place it, and she didn't want to open her mouth and point it out either.

Rei hesitantly got on the starting block, and got into a position to jump in. “He has good form,” Mai managed to say, carefully watching. When Rei started to dive in, he had good form then too, however something went wrong along the way and he belly-flopped right into the pool.

The girls jumped up at the same time in shock. He had to be alright, was what Mai kept telling herself, watching the pool without blinking. Seconds passed, then more second passed, and then once reality set in, Maiko couldn't quite recall what happened after that. That feeling in her from before consumed her now, it was like someone set her stomach on fire, yet her heart was pumping blood filled with ice through her veins. Mai was sure she heard the sound of water, but could only focus on the sound of her heart pounding in her ears, and the inconsistency in her breathing. As thoughts clouded her, Mai felt her head start to throb, and couldn't tell if it was because of all the noise, because of her body shaking, or if it was because she was trying to resist the desire to cry out.

Mai could hear the sound of her name through all the noise, then she felt someone holding onto her shoulders. She could then hear someone else, but it was muffled, it felt like things were out of focus, and far away. Once Maiko felt herself being moved, her mind started to focus on that goal. Walking, then sitting down. Slowly as Mai took a seat, her vision cleared, and so did her mind. Her breathing slowed down again, and she could see Tay kneeling in front of her, and Mel who must have been the second voice return, and hand Mai a water bottle.

Maiko eagerly took it, and began chugging it, feeling a sense of relief come over her as it settled in her stomach. Tay now took a seat beside Mai, placing a hand on her back. “Are you okay?” Mai could tell she worried them both quite a bit. She was probably pale too, and now sweaty.

“Yeah, sorry. I'm okay, don't worry,” Mai said, forcing a smile. She knew the two didn't believe her one bit, but she couldn't figure out what went wrong herself, so how was she suppose to explain it to anyone? The two seemed to accept Mai's answer though, and slowly got up to walk back to the rest of the group.

Drinking the last of the water bottle, Mai looked over relieved to see that Rei was out of the pool and okay, though he seemed embarrassed. She couldn't hear what they were saying, aside from a few bits and pieces, but could figure it out on her own. He couldn't swim, and had been too proud to admit it. Why Rei decided to even come as a trial member Mai couldn't understand. She let out a long sigh trying to relieve more tension from her body, and looked up. She rose a brow spotting Rin, who seemed to be glancing in her direction, before looking back to what was going on with the others.

“Great,” Mai muttered to herself, looking back down at the water bottle.

Though, Mai looked up again hearing the coach. She noticed that Haru was now getting ready to swim. Mai had heard about how much of an amazing swimmer he was, and she even wanted to see herself. Once he jumped in, Rei even stood up in what Mai could only guess was amazement. Maiko looked back watching. He was good, graceful even, like Haru belonged in the water. Mai watched him, thinking to herself as she did so. Somehow it made her feel better, kind of like how she felt when the group of them had first filled up the pool at Iwatobi with water.

Once Haru was done, Mai sat back, leaning against the wall closing her eyes. Though she was relieved now, she was also exhausted. She couldn't figure things out, why she was set off that bad, and by what exactly. Fear that Rei wouldn't be okay? Maybe. But it was like everything Mai had buried had come back to her all in one massive blow, like a punch in the gut.

Or a kick in the head...