S2E10 Six-Beat of Tears!/Plot

Aiichiro Nitori sees Sosuke Yamazaki in the locker room, treating an injury. Sosuke says that it is nothing and walks off, leaving Aiichiro worried.

Rei Ryugazaki places fifth in his butterfly, setting a personal best record. However, it is not enough to qualify for the finals. Nagisa Hazuki, too, does not make it to the breaststroke finals. Halfway through watching Rin Matsuoka’s butterfly event, Haruka Nanase leaves. Sosuke is resting elsewhere and misses Rin's heat, as well.

Flashback to younger days when, having lost their relay, Sosuke states that relays are not for him as he does not like losing because of others' mistakes, nor having to share their win. This angers Rin. Kisumi Shigino explains that Rin got angry because his father used to swim the relay, then suggests that Sosuke swim the relay to make Rin happy. Sosuke replies that it is not like that between them, that they are better off as rivals. Sosuke reminisces about his happy childhood with Rin until Rin transfers to Iwatobi Elementary School. He is shaken out of his thoughts by present-time Rin, who asks him what is wrong. Rin questions Sosuke about his recent behavior. but Sosuke still insists that nothing is wrong.

In an arena hallway, Rin buys a soda and, saying it's his treat, tosses it to Sosuke, who fails to catch it. Sosuke finally comes clean about his injury, telling Rin that he sustained it two years ago from over training. He also reveals that he lied about being scouted and having a university in which to enroll. They go elsewhere to continue their conversation.

Seeing Makoto Tachibana alone, Nagisa asks about Haruka's whereabouts, but Makoto doesn't know. Nagisa is confident that Haruka will be back in time as they are going to swim the relay together, but both swimmers are worried. Meanwhile, Haruka is sitting on a bench outside, thinking about his confrontation with Rin. He discovers that Rin and Sosuke are within hearing distance behind him. Rin asks Sosuke why he lied to him and transferred to Samezuka Academy.

Sosuke explains that he always thought that they were better off as rivals, which is why he watched Rin transfer to Iwatobi without a word. He continued to work towards his professional dream, just as Rin was doing and, despite not receiving news from Rin, Sosuke had faith that he would be fine.

During high school, Sosuke intensified his training; however, he began to sense that something was wrong with his shoulder. Ignoring it, he continued to swim until his shoulder broke down completely. He then heard from Gou Matsuoka that Rin was back home. Sosuke could not bear the thought of Rin seeing him broken down and went for physical therapy. Even so, his teammates began surpassing him and he finally realized that his professional dream would never come true.

Before giving up entirely, he wanted to see Rin swim one more time and was shocked to see Rin struggling at the regional. Hidden, he also witnessed Rin’s outburst with Aiichiro. Afterwards, Sosuke also observed Rin transform into a new person while swimming the relay with Haruka and his friends. It was then that Sosuke found his own new dream, which is to swim with Rin once more.

He admits to present day Rin that, in the past, he was unable to see the value of swimming with friends, but now wants to truly become Rin's friend via swimming. Rin grabs Sosuke by his jacket collar and demands to know why he hid all this from him. Sosuke replies that he knew Rin would cry. Hearing this, Rin cries while denying it, calling Sosuke an idiot. Having overheard their conversation, Haruka leaves.

Rin tells Sosuke that he can not swim in his current condition, that if he forces himself, he might never be able to swim again. A calm Sosuke replies that this was his intention from the start and promises to finish his lap. Rin still has reservations. Aiichiro and Momotaro Mikoshiba burst in, begging for them to swim as a team. Aiichiro shares the same goal as Sosuke, which is to swim with Rin after witnessing the unique tournament events of the previous year's regionals. Momotaro agrees and says that he wants to swim the ultimate relay with this team. Rin is shocked at their outbursts. Sosuke requests for Rin to show them, too, a sight that they have never seen before. Rin steps forward and leaves with them.

The relay is about to start. Rei and Nagisa wonder about Sosuke's shoulder. Haruka relates to them that Sosuke saw their relay last year and realized the importance of swimming with friends. Sosuke, says Haruka, wishes to swim the best possible relay with the best possible team, even if it means ruining his shoulder. Ergo, Haruka wants his team to respond to that wish with everything they have.

The relay starts with Momotaro taking the lead. Nagisa performs a perfect exchange and pulls ahead. The Samezuka Swimming Club has noticed Sosuke's injury and are in disarray. Seijuro Mikoshiba shouts that they need to cheer for their teammates. Sosuke widens the lead; however, his shoulder starts to act up. He perseveres and finishes his segment. Rin and Haruka now swim furiously, reaching the turn simultaneously. They finish within seconds of each other, but Iwatobi wins and advances to the nationals. The team is overjoyed at having made it and even Momotaro says that it was the best race with everyone all smiles.

Afterwards, Sosuke tells Rin that he finally found that for which he was searching.