TV Animation Free! Novelize/Episode 10: Sasabe Coach Kanyuu Sakusen



'Synopsis: Nagisa shares the story of how the Iwatobi team convinces Goro Sasabe, their former Iwatobi Swim Club coach to once more coach their swimming team. Coach Sasabe, it seems, has "adult" problems he doesn't want to share so the boys bring Miss Amakata into the picture to make their old coach more amenable to the idea.'

The members of the Iwatobi High School Swimming Club are meeting at Haru's house, gathered around a table watching a stopwatch counting up the digital minutes as it reached 30. That's when the doorbell raings. Rei calls himself "the Negotiator" and leaves the room to answer. It's only the pizza delivery man, but not just any delivery man. It's Goro Sasabe, their previous coach from the days when Haru, Makoto and Nagisa swam at the old Iwatobi SC.

Makoto had decided they needed coaching to prepare for the regional tournament and Sasabe was a taskmaster, in a good way. They had already asked once by email and once in person via Team Captain Tachibana, and both times were turned down, Sasabe's reason being that he was just too busy. That's when Rei hatches the pizza delivery plan to get the man at Haru's house for one last attempt at persuading the former coach into taking up his old position.

Unfortunately, Sasabe declines Rei's request, but gives the club discount pizza coupons. When pressed for why Sasabe refused, Rei reveals that Sasabe said he had "adult" problems, but wouldn't specify. They brainstorm ideas until Nagisa suggests sending Sasabe on a Hawaiian vacation as bait. They all agree.

At the lottery machine, they discuss the odds of winning. Rei seems to have it analyzed things scientifically, so they allow him to pull the handle. They do not win the Hawaiian vacation or any other prize. Gou suggests giving up on the idea of getting a coach but Nagisa feels it's absolutely necessary to get to nationals.

The next day he goes to school and finds Ama-chan-sensei, asking for her help while secretly knowing that Sasabe has a crush on the teacher. He orders a pizza and has it delivered to the staff room. Nagisa hides nearby to overhear their conversation as Ama-chan-sense asks Sasabe about coaching the team.

It's finally revealed that Sasabe is the only delivery person at the pizza shop and busy all the time. Not wanting to depress the boys, he didn't want to appear a "failure" in their eyes, so he kept avoiding telling them the truth. Nagisa is impressed with both adults. He heads home and gets his older sister to ask her guy friends to work at the pizza shop, freeing Sasabe to coach the swim team.

Everyone is pleased but especially Nagisa because he feels he's kept his promise to Rei of making the swim club a success. Even so, he realizes that just swimming their best towards their futures is enough.