HS1C03: Free

'Synopsis: Haruka Nanase returns to swim practice even after missing school. Makoto Tachibana worries but is brushed off, as well as thanked for his concern. In the water of the pool, Haruka feels himself healing and at the end of his lap, it is Aki Yazaki who extends a hand. Haruka takes it and they talk about the scarf. Rin Matsuoka approaches after Aki leaves and asks Haruka about practicing for the medley relay, to which Haruka says he only swims free. Makoto arrives, expressing worry again, but Haruka ignores him. Nagisa Hazuki joins Haruka on his daily run and begs Rin to let him join the medley relay team.'

Haruka watches Rin swimming, thinking how his speed is connected to his strong kick, making him faster in the short lane than the distance lane. It gives him an advantage over Haruka in the short lane, but Haruka won't acknowledge that anyone can feel the water more than he does, no matter the reason. Still, it's why he's begun to run.

Makoto waits on the other side, looking older than his age because of his imposing height and wide shoulders. When he dives in after Rin's finish, he swims in his typical style, which is with all of his power, all of the time. But then, Makoto suddenly stops before reaching the end of the lane and stands, breathing hard. Rin jumps back into the pool and swims to him to see what's wrong, but all Makoto says is, "Looks like I'm a little bit in bad condition." Haruka can tell that even though Makoto is smiling, he's actually upset. Even so, Haruka simply turns and walks away.

Back at school, the class is making bricks for the flowerbed. As they knead the clay that will turn red in the kiln from iron oxidation, Rin approaches. He asks Haruka yet again about participating in the medley relay at the next tournament. Haruka and Makoto have already started participating in tournaments, but in individual races -- Makoto winning twice at breaststroke and Haruka winning three times at freestyle.

Haruka reminds Rin that he only swims free and Rin says it's fine before turning to Makoto who asks about the butterfly component. Rin tells him that he, himself, will swim butterfly while Makoto can swim backstroke and Haruka freestyle. They'll figure out the breaststroke. Makoto grows quiet in the face of Rin's pushiness, but Haruka firmly tells Rin not to make assumptions.

Rin's voice grows loud as he restates that Haruka can swim "free," causing the rest of the class to stop working and to stare at him. Rin stands and suddenly suggests that everyone write a phrase or word on their brick in a free manner. He waits for someone to call his bluff, but Aki says it's a good idea and everyone goes along with it. Haruka and Makoto act like nothing has happened and the subject is dropped.

As Haruka runs to swim practice, he's joined by Nagisa, a 5th-grader who also comes to the swim club. Haruka doesn't know why Nagisa runs, but does wonder why he's so happy. When Nagisa begins chatting, Haruka wishes he wouldn't and when Nagisa asks if he can join Haruka in his daily run, Haruka can't think of a way to say no. He speeds up, thinking to outrun his kohai, but Nagisa sprints past his senpai at the very end, surprising Haruka.

At the pool, Nagisa approaches Rin, much to Rin's dismay who peers over to where Haruka is swimming his elegant crawl while Aki stands poolside. Nagisa asks about the tournament and begs to be a part of the relay team, swimming the breaststroke. Rin refuses, but Nagisa insists. Finally, Rin just walks away hearing Nagisa call him a "meanie" behind his back.