Free!Fic: Synchronized Hearts Chap9

“If I could fly freely with these wings. I could make the dream I had that day come true.”

- Cloudy World, OLIVIA

Chapter Nine

Days had passed, but there was still an uneasy tension that wanted to swallow Mai whole. There were many words to describe it, and metaphors to get the point of the feeling across, but that didn't make it go away, and it certainly didn't help her understand its source any more than she did at the Academy. All Maiko did know is that she could very well go without feeling that way ever again if it was possible. However, somehow she knew that avoiding the problem, may lead to another set of problems for her to deal with.

There was a part of Mai that knew these problems were not going to go away soon, but in fact possibly rear its ugly head. Possibly worse than last time. Today was Summer Uniform Weather, which meant that the Iwatobi Swim Club pool would be opening, and training would begin. If anything the uncertainty of what was happening in her mind was about to be magnified. So far, only Tay and Mel had noticed her drastic change in demeanour at Samezuka Academy, at least as far as Mai knew, and no one had asked her since about what had happened, thankfully.

However, now that the club would officially be in action, Mai knew she'd be under a microscope if something similar happened again. At least until Rei, who officially joined the swim club the day prior, learned how to swim. Somehow it was all connected, and Maiko wasn't entirely sure why.

The school day passed like one might expect it would with things on the mind. Mai kept to herself during their free time, and she was well aware that the girls noticed. Maybe the boys did too, but she didn't pay enough attention to notice herself. If anyone asked, she wasn't feeling well. Which really, Mai wasn't feeling very well. It wasn't a cold, but she'd much rather be sick with a cold than feeling how she felt now. Maiko didn't suspect that any of the group was focusing too much on her though. Seeing as it was opening day of the pool, they were far more focused on that with all their excitement for the days ahead.

Mai watched Haru completely disappear past Gou, who had been speaking at the time, to jump into the pool. So far, a typical day at the swim club, which Mai was happy to be a part of. The only dilemma was, the boys needed to teach Rei how to swim before they could do much else. Maiko was not entirely sure how well this was going to go, and felt nervous just thinking about the possibilities of what might happen.

The girls chose to sit at the side while the regimen Gou found was explained, and Rei started doing stretches. For some reason, he still chose a speedo sort of swimsuit, so the three chose to look else where so they didn't risk giggling at the silliness of it. Mai even heard one of them mention the penguin that was on the swimsuit, which made it even harder to stifle laughter. Maiko wasn't entirely in the laughing mood, knowing where the practice was headed, but being prepared to try and tough it out, she focused on the aspects that were fun. After all, she joined to have fun with friends, and that is what Maiko wanted to make sure she did.

“You gonna be okay? You can take it slow...” Makoto began, him and Nagisa had approached Rei after what seemed like an endless amount of stretches.

“There's no need to worry.” Rei said standing up straight. “I've mastered the theory behind swimming the past few days. I won't embarrass myself again.”

Mai simply observed, knowing very well that theory was not going to be enough to help you swim properly. Though, she admired Rei for having so much dedication in preparing for this meeting. She wasn't there with the group when Rei announced he would join the club, she didn't know him that well, all she did know was that Rei was particular when it came to theory in whatever he did, and making sure that it looked beautiful. Despite her own issues, there was a part of her that was curious to know how this was going to pan out.

Watching as Rei stood on the starting block and got into a diving position, Mai tensed up, her lips pressing into a straight line. Staring onward with concern, the group watched as Rei made another seemingly perfect dive into the swim club pool, only for it to turn into another belly flop. The group laughed as Rei resurfaced immediately this time, but Mai couldn't understand what was so funny about the ordeal. He could very well get hurt floundering about in attempts to swim. The feeling came back to her, making Mai sweat, but this time at least she hadn't zoned out entirely. Though, she knew deep down that this just wasn't going to work right now.

“Mai, are you alright?” Tay asked, placing her hand gently on Mai's arm.

Mai was well aware she was pale again, and looked much like she had before. She was also aware that she was probably starting to worry her two best friends. As much as Mai felt bad for that, she couldn't possibly begin to explain it. “Just a bit of a headache,” Mai mumbled with a forced smile.

“Maybe you should go and lay down in the nurses office,” Mel suggested.

“No, it's fine.” Mai said standing up slowly. “I'm going to go and get a drink, I'll be back.”

Maiko took her time walking back to the school where she could buy herself a worthwhile drink that would hopefully ease her nerves. She thought about Rei, and the fact the boys would have to teach him how to swim, and that there was the large possibility that he'd have difficulties. Mai realized that just the thought made her uneasy. She wanted to go back and be supportive, but was it worth it if it made her miserable while doing so? Not very likely, and depending on how long this took it would be like this all week.

Watching the water bottle drop from the machine, Mai carefully picked it up and stared. She couldn't do this right now, and as bad as it may look on her part, she wasn't about to push herself into doing something, well, watching something, that bothered her. Letting out a sigh, Mai started for her locker, pulling out her phone as she went to text Tay and inform her that she was just going to head home and rest instead of coming back for the day.

Mai put the phone away, and opened her locker. She pulled out her bag, and blinked as one of the Iwatobi Mascot straps fell out. Carefully picking it up, Mai let out a small sigh observing it. The least she could do to be productive for the club was continue to advertise in hopes they might get more than four members. Though there was less stress knowing that they had the amount they needed to compete, and go somewhere with the club. Advertising was all she could do for now.

She stood up, and put it in her locker. Closing it, Mai began to head home.

***

It was strange walking home alone. Mai was so used to walking with someone on the way to school and back that it was weird having an endless silence. She took the time to enjoy the nice weather and look at the ocean, trying her best not to think about the club itself, and what was bothering her. It was sort of lonely though, not having anyone to talk to. Mai hadn't realized how used to the routine they formed in first year she was. It wasn't until she reached the Izumi property, and there was no one to say farewell to that she realized something was missing.

Mai stared at the road with disdain. “I hope I can find something to distract me. This is ridiculous.”

She started onto her property, swinging off her bag as she approached the front door and stepped inside. Mai called out announcing that she was home. Mikkie ran down the hall, wagging his tail, making Mai smile brightly. She crouched down to be at level with him, receiving several kisses from the black lab in response. Leave it to animals to make everything better.

“You're home early, Maiko,” Ryou said, coming down the stairs with his hands in his pockets.

“I know, I think I'll be home early all this week too,” Mai said, still paying attention to Mikkie. “I'll take extra shifts this week if Mom will let me. I need something to do.”

Ryou stared down at his daughter in concern. “Of course, she'd love to put you in the schedule.” He stared in silence for a few moments before clearing his throat. “You've been quiet ever since you got back with your friends from that swimming Academy. Did something happen?”

Mai was now the one to stay silent. She stopped petting Mikkie, slowly standing up to take her shoes off. “Sort of, but I'm having a hard time figuring out exactly what happened.” Maiko looked up at her father with a straight face.

Her parents had always been very observant when it came to herself and Hamaka. They also knew when to not push matters, knowing that sometimes things were out of their control. They especially learned that with Hamaka, and how much he had changed over the past few years. It wasn't as if they wouldn't nag him from time to time when it was needed, but in the end they always made sure that herself and Hamaka knew they loved them no matter what. The two were busy, Ryou being a businessman in the city, and Asuka running the store the two of them owned. Considering everything, they really did do their best to manage everything. Mai and Hamaka never got into too much trouble as a result.

“Well, it has been a while hasn't it?” Ryou said thoughtfully. Mai simply nodded at the reference. He then turned to the table that was sitting in the front hall, and took a large envelope off of it. “If a distraction is what you're looking for, this might help.”

Her father especially had a way of knowing just what Maiko needed to at least try and make her feel a little better. Taking the envelope, Mai observed it. She read the text, her eyes widening slightly. This was perfect timing. “It's sort of light.” She said bouncing it up into the air a little with her palm. Mai's lavender eyes returned to her father, who was still looking at her curiously. Mai wished people would stop giving her that worried look, not that she could really blame any of them for doing so.

“They might not have had a lot of information for you right now, hunting for what you're looking for takes some time,” Ryou stated.

“And you're sure you and mom told me everything?” Mai asked, looking up at her fathers face. He was a bad liar, and could tell when he was. He always tried to keep things positive and laid-back. It's where Hamaka got his laid-back attitude from.

Ryou nodded seriously. “Yes, everything we were told, we told you. It's up to you to find the rest if you're serious about doing this one day.” Mai nodded in response, equally as serious. Ryou let out a small sigh. “Then, go have a look and see what they have to say. You know your mother and I will help you however you can.”

“Right, thanks dad,” Maiko said. She beckoned Mikkie to follow her as she started up the stairs to her room. Mai slowed towards the top and looked down at her father with a soft smile. “Thanks for understanding why I want to do this.”

He slowly nodded, smiling as well. “Don't worry kiddo.”

She than continued up the last remaining steps, heading to her room. Mai turned on the light, the two entering into it and hoping onto the bed. Mikkie laid down beside her, while she held the envelope up above her, staring at it. She carefully rolled over onto her stomach, throwing a pillow underneath her, Maiko began to carefully rip open the top of the envelope. Slowly, she pulled out the two sheets of paper that were inside and read them, and then she reread them more times than Mai could remember. She pulled the papers close to her while thinking.

“The town over...” Mai mumbled. “That's not a lot to go off of but...” She started to get off her bed, and went over to the drawer of her desk, pulling out a single photograph.

The photo was taken years ago, and in it were a young couple. The woman had long brown hair, and sun-kissed skin, while the man beside her had short violet locks, and lavender eyes. They were smiling happily with each other, very much in love. Maiko couldn't help but smile at the sight of them, being that much in love must be nice. She wondered if Tay and Haru ended up together, would they be like this? What about herself? Mai hadn't been one to think too much about love and relationships, but looking at the photo made her think it'd be nice.

She gently placed the photo on her open textbook, then put the papers she had been mailed on the desk beside it. “You two look so happy,” Mai said out loud, looking down at the photo. “I wonder if your dreams ended up coming true. I hope they did.” She slowly took a seat at her desk, simply staring at the contents before her. “Mine can't happen, would you love me any less because they can't? Is it okay to be lost? Mom and Dad understand, I wonder what advice you'd have for me....”

Silence. Mai rubbed at her face quickly, smiling again. She placed a hand on her heart, and sniffed. Now was not the time to cry, but as much as she tried to will herself not to, Mai found herself doing so a little “I have some nice friends, but things have been hard lately, and they don't know about it. I wish I had the courage to tell them about everything...we're a team now, I haven't been on one in a long time, but I'm afraid they'll drift away like the others did.” Maiko slouched, crossing her arms on the desk, putting her head on them. “I could wish for a lot of things...but really, if I only had one...I wish...”

“I wish I could swim again.”