S1E12 Distant Free!/Plot

Haruka is staring at a tree before writing something down on the mud with a branch. Looking at him, Makoto comments that “it looks just like that tree.”

Rin’s 100 metre freestyle race begins but he has a late start. Also, he is the last to make the turn. When the race ended, Rin had to try multiple times to get out of the pool. Seeing this, Haruka runs off and the rest of the team follows. Aiichiro comforts Rin but Rin shouts for him to shut up. He indulges in self-pity, saying that it is obvious that he is no better than his current state, which is why he was taken off the relay team. He declares that he quits and is done swimming, kicking over a rubbish bin angrily before stalking off. Nearby, the team has bear witness to this scene and they are surprise that Rin is no longer in the relay team. Haruka is reminded of the words Rin said in the past when he lost the race and sinks to the floor, hugging his legs to himself. Rei then announce his meeting with Rin yesterday. Now the team knows the real reason behind Rin quitting swimming in the past. Rei tells them that after seeing the Iwatobi swim club’s relay, Rin wanted to swim in a relay again. However, Rei thinks that Rin does not care about the race and instead, he just wants to swim with them again; to swim with the best team mates that he could ever have. Haruka stands and asks how does Rei know and Rei replies that it is because he feels the same way. Rei tells them that they are the only ones who can help Rin and if something is not done, Rin is going to stop swimming. However, Makoto does not know what they can do. Rei states that there is one solution.

The team runs around searching for Rin. They are running out of time as the relay is going to start soon. Haruka later finds Rin staring at a tree. Rin is displeased at Haruka’s presence and asks him to laugh at him as he is “not even good enough to race you guys in a relay.” Haruka tells Rin that he knows how fun it is to swim with friends and the feeling of swimming in a relay and says that Rin is that person who taught him that. Rin is angered by Haruka’s words and punches him. Haruka blocks it but loses his balance. They struggle on the ground for a while before something catches Rin’s attention. Written on the ground was “For the Team.” Haruka says that the tree looks like the sakura tree that was in their elementary school yard, saying that it is the reason why Rin is there. Rin starts crying and states that he wants to swim in a relay with them but it is too late now. However, Haruka says that it is not too late. The rest of the team arrives and Rei says that if Rin wants to swim, to “go ahead.” Haruka extends a hand to Rin and tells him that this time, it is his turn to “show you a sight you’ve never seen before.”

The relay is starting and the team makes it just on time. When it is Rei turn to swim, Gou, Goro and Miho stares in shock while Aiichiro and Seijuro also spots Rin. Rin smiles widely before putting on his googles. Rei appears and aks them to cheer Rin on. Seijuro notes that Rin is fast and Aiichiro also cheers for Rin. Iwatobi achieves the first place and Nagisa starts crying tears of joy. Rin hugs Haruka and the rest of the team joins in, celebrating.

Outside the building, Miho is telling them off for pulling off such a stunt. They were disqualified and had to endure a scolding from the staff there. When Goro asks the reason for their actions, Rei says that it is only right and the rest agrees, saying that even though they are from different teams, they are still teammates.

Rin is apologising to his captain, saying that he will take responsibility and asks to be kicked off the team. He also apologises to Aiichiro his outburst earlier. However, Seijuro says that he have a better way for Rin to own up to his action, and tells him to “swim the way you just did for our team.” Rin calls Aiichiro by a shorten form of his name, and asks him to practice with him from tomorrow onwards.

In a classroom, Rin is introducing himself. However, it is just an re-enactment of his first day when he transferred. Nagisa and Makoto says that it isn’t the same. Gou and Aiichiro comes in and tells them off for fooling around as their joint training is about to start.

Running, Haruka asks if Rin is still going to follow his father’s dream. However, this time Rin answers in the negative, saying that he is following his own dream.