S1E07 One Style Final!/Plot

The episode begins showing Gou Matsuoka and Makoto Tachibana watching Haruka Nanase and Nagisa Hazuki swim. Gou is amazed by Haruka's timing and tells him that it's his new personal record. Everybody agrees that their training camp has paid off. Gou then tells Nagisa that he'll have to train a little more, but Makoto insists that they all have come far in such a short time. Gou wants to aim higher and tells the guys that she wants to find a coach for them. Haruka disagrees and jumps in the pool.

Rin Matsuoka is shown at Haruka's door. He rings on his door multiple times, but Haruka doesn't answer. Rin thinks that Haruka's not at home, but still enters the unlocked house. He stops to observe Haruka's fish. Suddenly, Haruka appears behind Rin and asks him what he's doing in his house, which is answered by Rin challenging him to a race. Haruka tells him that he only swims free and leaves the room. Rin tries to pursue, but the scene changes and he's now standing by a pool and watching Haruka on a springboard. Haruka tells him to come and race with him, but the one who catches Rin's attention is Toraichi Matsuoka from his younger days. Rin's dad starts running and Rin chases after him. He appears to be running among a group of people dressed in white kimonos, but doesn't stop. Again, there's something that catches his attention - Gou Matsuoka and himself as children. Young Rin turns to him and says something shcoking, waking him up from his nightmare with Aiichiro Nitori (in reality) asking if he's okay.

While the guys are eating their lunch, Gou finds them and shows them pictures taken at their summer camp. She tells them that she has gathered intelligence and shows them pictures of their competitors. Before Gou can announce the event in which Rin is taking part, Haruka interrupts and says that it is the 100 meter freestyle. Gou confirms this saying this is Rin's only event. Nagisa whispers to Makoto that racing with Rin motivates Haruka.

Aiichiro asks Rin why he did not sign up for other events, but Rin tells him to concentrate on his own event. Back in his room, while doing sit ups, Rin tells Aiichiro that he will go to the event separately from the team because he has to go somewhere else first. Aiichiro asks if he is going to see Haruka, which Rin denies. Aiichiro tells Rin that he is upset because he thinks that Rin is wasting his abilities by not participating in other events while he, himself, can not even enter his own preferred event. After a moment of silence, Rin says that Aiichiro is better suited for the 400 meter freestyle because he has endurance, compared to the 100 metre freestyle which is about speed. Rin then states that he is going to see his father before the event, which Aiichiro mistakenly thinks means that Rin wants to die; howefer, Rin clarifies that he is just going to visit his grave.

Rin shares more about his father with Aiichiro, saying that his father was the best swimmer in Iwatobi and won multiple tournaments everywhere. His dream was to be an Olympic swimmer, but that was not realised. Instead, he became a fisheman, married, had children, then died when his boat sank during a typhoon. Rin wants to achieve his father's dream but states that he first must beat Haruka because he thinks that Haruka has talent, although he spouts nonsense.

The Iwatobi Swimming Club goes to the event venue. Gou tells them about the program, the first competition being freestyle. Haruka and Rin are in neighboring lanes, which are drawn on qualifying times, meaning that they are even. The eight fastest times from each event can then advance to the final before qualifying for the regional.

Haruka heads off for his event and meets Rin on the way. Rin reveals that he purposely kept his qualifying time low so that he will swim with Haruka. Haruka replies that that this was not necessary as there is still the final. However, Rin says that he can not wait that long and that there is no guarantee that Haruka will even be in the final. As he walks away, Haruka takes his swimming gear from his locker, looks into the mirror and tells himself,"Today, I become free."

When asked who Gou will support, she replies that she is rooting for both swimmers. The event starts and Haruka and Rin are swimming furiously. Nagisa comments that Rin has improved a lot and that he is getting ahead of Haruka, surprising Makoto. Rin turns first, but Haruka is catching up as his teamates cheer for him. Shortly after, the race concludes and Haruka loses without advancing to the finals.

Rin is overjoyed and laughs maniacally. Pulling himself out of the water, he tells Haruka that since he won, "I will never have to swim with you again. Ever." Haruka can only stare, wide eyed, as Rin retreats.