HS2C09: Road

'Synopsis: The team visits Nao in the hospital. Haruka and Nao have a heart-to-heart conversation.'

Nao Serizawa swims in front of his students for the first time although they don’t understand why he hasn't done so before. He challenges Makoto Tachibana to a backstroke race and wins. Afterwards, he helps Makoto understand where he's making his mistakes and, soon, Makoto improves. The next day, Nao is absent from practice and the boys wonder why. Natsuya Kirishima tells them it's due to Nao's eye surgery, saying that if they are concerned about him, they should visit him in hospital instead of staying at practice. The boys agree to go at once, taking along Nao's graded exams. As they head to the hospital, they all wonder why Nao would be in such a place. Makoto wonders if it's because Nao swam with him yesterday. Haruka Nanase is somewhat annoyed that he had to go along when he could have had the pool all to himself. Asahi Shiina thinks it might be due to a cold. Ikuya Kirishima says nothing. As they further on, they discuss their recent school exams, especially Japanese. When they reach the room where Nao is laid up, they are surprised to see him looking just fine. Nao explains that he is there to correct a retinal detachment. He then shares with them his history of beginning sport with aikido, then transferring to swimming when he realized how interesting a sport it is because swimming isn't about individual strength, but learning how to utilize the water's force to best advantage. He shares his innermost thought about swimming being something in which one could lose oneself without worrying about winning or losing. The atmosphere grows heavy. Makoto asks if the surgery will involve cutting, then shares that he thinks Nao's problem is due to their swimming the day before. Nao dismisses that idea, adding that the procedure is done by laser and he's already nearly stabilized.

The boys want to know when he will swim again. Nao says it's likely by next summer, but no diving from now on. Makoto and the others realize that this is why Nao is an expert at the backstroke. Nao tells Asahi he will be team captain next year, but must learn patience between now and then. He tells Makoto to be a little more selfish, while Ikuya is told to believe in his companions. Each boy considers Nao's words seriously. Haruka is told to stick with what he believes in most and not to worry about competition. Haruka doesn't like being made the spotlight, nor having others be concerned for him since it means, to him, that he is weak. Nao tells him that he doesn't have to follow Natsuya's advice about swimming free in all the competitions, but Haruka rejects doing otherwise. He will be his strong self. As they run home, Ikuya suddenly reveals that he can not stand losing, adding that this is why he can't make friends and why his brother abandoned him. Makoto tries to comfort him, but Ikuya insists that he wants to be like Haruka. Haruka is stunned by the admission and runs faster, until the only thing he can hear is the wind in his ears. Natsuya is waiting for them when they return to the pool. The school day is officially over and they are told to go home. Makoto lingers behind and asks Natsuya why he abandoned Ikuya. Natsuya says it's to make Ikuya stronger. Makoto challenges the idea and Natsuya admits that he also wants to make Ikuya more independent. Makoto stands up for Ikuya, comparing himself to Ikuya in how he, himself, depends on Haruka. He says he knows that they are both trying to become stronger people. The following day Haruka runs along the winding road beside the coast with Makkou. When he reaches the hospital, he leaves Makkou behind and visits Nao. Nao tells Haruka that his treatment is that evening, so he's glad Haruka came by. They talk about the "spirit of harmony" where one gives up all desires and becomes one with the universe. They discuss Asahi's and Aki's troubles, Haruka thinking they exist because of him. Nao corrects him without Haruka saying a word. Instead, Natsuya blames himself for the way things got out of hand with Shouta Yazaki. Haruka still blames himself. Haruka slowly begins to understand that his relationships with others is like his relationship with water; they must accept each other even if they don't understand one another. Nao says that Haruka's swimming shows talent and Haruka agrees by insisting that he will swim the biaxial instead of his own natural stroke from then onward. Nao smiles.