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Kiyoko stood side by side with her teammates as they were farewelled in front of the Iwatobi station under the scorching sun whilst being lectured by the coach.

"Okay, I've taught you everything I can! All that's left if for you to perform your best!" Coach Sasabe enthusiastically said pushing his hand up as Gou and her classmates all held up a banner with the phrase 'fire it up!'

"fire!" Nagisa jumped

"That Banner is really embarrassing," Rei nagged ruining the moment.

"That drawing..." Haru said 

"Oh! Its the one Haru-chan drew!" Nagisa said

"I didn't think it'd be used for this," Haru indicated 

"That's beautifully sketched," Kiyoko complimented.

"Well, we'd head up there tomorrow morning. Get plenty of rest at the hotel near the venue. The Roman general Ceaser said it best: If we cross, we will wreak tragedy upon the world, if we do not-," Miss Akamata got interrupted by Nagisa

"Oh, its the bus,"

"Well we're off," Mako said

"Bye," Kiyoko waved as Kiyoko texted Rin

"Ah! Take care of Kiyoko-chan!" Gou shouted

From: Araki Kiyoko
Subject: Matsuoka Rin
Good luck my love, hope you make it to nationals! 

---

During a short pit stop, Kiyoko and the rest explored the place from eating to shops and stopping Nagisa from over goofing.

"AH! Kiyoko! I'm a big fan! Geh can I take a photo with you!" A girl swarmed her with a few others.

"Eh! Me too!" as Kiyoko became overwhelmed.

"Ah look at that Kiyoko-senpai is so famous she has fans!" Nagisa exclaimed

"Guys, help me," Kiyoko signalled 

"Alright everyone please one line please," Nagisa clapped as he went to Kiyoko.

"Since when did Nagisa become her manager?" Rei blabbered as Mako chuckled in amusement.

---

"Ah look! Kiyoko is fast asleep!" Nagisa shouted-whispered as he pointed to Kiyoko asleep leaning on the window with her earphones still plugged to her blasting music from her playlist.

"Don't disturb her Nagisa!" Rei scolded as Nagisa leaned further getting out his phone.

"What are you doing?!" Rei interjected as he tried to pull back Nagisa.

"I'm taking a photo! Memories! She looks so pretty when she sleeps!" he said as he leaned further but suddenly the bus halted drastically making him tumble over causing a loud bang waking Kiyoko.

"Nagisa?! Are you okay?!" Kiyoko pulled out her headphones as she cradled and inspected Nagisa who whined.

"It hurts!" he wailed

"Come here," she said rubbing his gently as Rei's jaw dropped as Mako sweatdropped in the background.

"No fair," Rei huffed crossing his arms as Nagisa stuck his tongue out being nurtured by Kiyoko.

---

"Pork cutlet Bowl!" Nagisa pointed to the image as the five of them sat at a table after navigating their way through the streets and arriving at the hotel.

"I think I'll go with the tenderloin cutlets too," Mako said

"Two tenderloin cutlets!"

"The miso Mackeral meal," Haru asked

"Make that two please," Kiyoko added as everyone looked to her, "Its a tradition and good luck for me to have a seafood dish before a big tournament,"

"Oh speaking of which Kiyoko-senpai before you came here you use to travel around the world for swimming tournaments, what was it like?" Nagisa said

"Well if you were good enough the top five for each event in my club would travel, sometimes the government would play. We would get interviews for the powerhouse swimmers and such and sometimes sightseeing. The main one if the FINA world junior swimming championships but sometimes charity tournament would be held, one of my favourites was the one in Denmark. Ah! Haru would love that one, the day after was a mackeral festival!" she mentioned

"Mackeral festival?" Haru's eyes brightened

"Yeah! Ah, you would definitely make the cut, all the time after the tournament we would always go out for dinner. Ah just walking you can smell all the mackeral, who knew there were so many dishes of mackeral," she chuckled

"I wanna go," 

"We should all go someday!" Nagisa beamed

---

After the meal, the two gazed as they peered down at the luminescent pool glowing under the heavenly black blanket. 

"Wow," Nagisa trailed as they all leaned against the railing.

"we'll be swimming in that tomorrow," Rei added

"I'm getting excited!" Nagisa beamed

"you guys I have something to say," Kiyoko spoke as they all looked to the female swimmer, "I just wanna thank you guys, for everything. You guys showed me, inspired me to swim again. I know that I'm not all that open and such but I feel like I can open up a little more with you guys. The truth is that the reason I moved is that something happened back in Australia and God knows if I was ever gonna compete again but I see now... your more than just my teammates and friends... your my family," she announced fiddling with the hem of her shirt as Nagisa started tearing up.

"We love you Kiyoko-senpai!" he jumped hugging her.

"Truly beautiful,' Rei dramatically wiped a tear.

"Your family too Kiyoko," Mako said as Haru managed to give a smile.

"Let's win this," 

---

Kiyoko stood by herself in the line of the girls that also surpassed their district tournament.

"I'm sure all of you have worked really hard to make this far today, best of luck to all of you," the male said.

"Ah, there's Kiyoko-chan!" Gou pointed as the Iwatobi members all peered down at her.

As Kiyoko changed into her swimsuit as she rummaged through her bag for her goggles her eyes widened as she saw the corner of her photograph. Pulling it out she glanced at the photo that was taken more than a year ago. 

Three female figures stood in that photo in front of a pool, Kiyoko in her signature swimsuit smiling a little, Ashely in the middle showing her gold medal and another female figure with snowy locks.

It was that race.

The one where the third girl confronted her.

"Excuse me," she then snapped out of her trance as she looked at the staff member, "Your up soon,"

"Hai," she said nervously putting on her cap as she then bumped into someone.

"Sorry!" she squeaked as she looked up at the male.

"No, no it was my fault I wasn't looking," the teal eyed boy said.

---

"The women's 100m butterfly, heat five," the announcer said.

"Ah, Kiyoko's heat!" Gou got up as everyone's eyes adverted to her.

"Go, Kiyoko!" Gou screamed.

"You can do it Kiyoko-senpai!" Nagisa cheered as Kiyoko inhaled nervously as she popped on her goggles as the prep whistle blew as Kiyoko hopped onto the block painted with the number four.

Kiyoko's heartbeat fastened as wriggled her fingers and soon all became familiar with her stance. Her aqua orbs closed as she adjusted herself on the board, seconds before the whistle blew she back arched as she felt her hamstrings tightened as the breath lew into the whistle Kiyoko ejected herself into the water feeling the adrenaline as her fingertips touched the water, then kicking with the ferocity it could have sent tidal waves back. 

Her arms seemed to expand as she propelled herself in the water, faster and fast leaving the rest far behind.

"GO, GO, GO, GO, GO, GO!" Her team cheered loudly even some Samezuka teammates cheered along. 

"She might just-,"

As Kiyoko's fingertips slammed the wall she took her cap off as she found her name plastered right next to number one.

"Congratulations to Iwatobi's Araki Kiyoko for setting a new tournament record," the announcer said as cheers erupted as Kiyoko breathlessly sighed chuckling as she looked at her teammates.

"Great job," Kiyoko turned to the girl in the other lane.

"You were amazing, I envy your turn," Kiyoko smiled as she shook her hand.

"Crush it Nationals for me," 

---

"Kiyoko-senpai that was amazing!" Nagisa launched himself at Kiyoko as he pulled her into a hug.

"Your gonna do amazing on the relay as well no doubt," Kiyoko winked.

"Alright we got one going to nationals now we just get you guys," Gou announced.

"Men's 100m freestyle," 

"Rin's event!" Gou said

Kiyoko sat down as she smiled glancing at Rin whose mind seemed to be somewhere else, she knew Rin all too well that something felt off.

"Something wrong with Rin," Kiyoko whispered as Gou turned to her.

"What do you mean?" she asked worryingly

"I don't know but hopefully it doesn't impact his race," she prayed as she watched him go onto the block as her eyes widened

"He didn't do it," she observed

"Do what?"

"Snap the back of his goggles," she gasped as she predicted in a matter of minutes Rin fell behind and lost the race.

"Big brother...,"

Kiyoko turned around as Haru got out from his seat and ran off

"Haru!" Mako got up as Kiyoko grabbed his wrist

"Please... take care of him," she pleaded as he nodded as the Nagisa and Rei followed as Kiyoko gripped the railing. She didn't want to lose him again, first Iwatobi then her and Australia. She hardly ever believed in fate but she felt as if they were destine to meet each other again. Hardly anyone meets their first crush after all these years like in her situation.

"Bring him back to me,"

---

Tick

Tick

Tick 

Time never seemed to take things likely in a life and death situation.

"Men's medley relay, heat one," 

"Damn, it's starting already," Coach Sasabe mumbled, "They came all this way to be disqualified,"

Kiyoko sighed as she laid her head on Gou's shoulder as she felt her gasp as the blonde glanced up.

"They're here!"

"They made in time," Kiyoko beamed.

"What a relief," Gou smiled

"Men's medley relay, heat two,"

"Makoto-senpai," Gou pointed as Kiyoko glanced at the olive-haired man curl onto the wall as the whistle and he arched his back and diving into the pool.

"Go, go, go, go, go Makoto!" they chanted as Gou's friends held up a banner.

As Mako finally touched the wall Nagisa instantly dived, their exchanged perfection. Nagisa's limbs stretched giving the illusion of his arms extending in the water. Kiyoko could see it in his eyes, it was more than just a race. For a split second when Nagisa was up from the liquid surface he found himself in that place.

"Rei's up," The mid;e aged man said but to their surprise that wasn't Rei.

"Rin!" Kiyoko said as her eyes were drawn to her familiar shark like partner.

"WHAT?!" 

"GO RIN!" Kiyoko shouted as Rin's eyes widened as he looked at her giving a small smile then turning to a smirk as he put on his goggles snapping them at the back. Rin's dive was something that could rival Kiyoko's diving style, the second Nagisa brushed his finger on the wall Rin already was in the pool with bold kicks.

"Hey Rei," Kiyoko glanced casually as the rest all looked to him.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

"I'll explain everything later," Rei assured

"Go, go, go, go RIN!" Gou cheered

It was Haru's turn to burst into the pool, his strokes vivid graceful as he speeded down the lane as his finger touched the wall as he instantly looked at the wall.

1 Iwatobi

Kiyoko's heart felt a sudden warmth to heart as Rin's character seem to strip and show his true colours as he hugged Haru and the rest of the team instantly surrounding them a sense of nostaglia and happiness.

"Big brother...," Gou cried

"Rin's really fast," Coach Sasabe commented

"I was shock at first but this was touching-, Kiyoko where are you going?!"

"I need to see him,"

Kiyoko ran, feeling everything blowing past her as she didn't care how many staff members flew past her she ran and when she finally saw the team her aquamarine orbs soon filled up with tears.

"Koko," Rin trailed as Kiyoko instantly jumped wrapping her legs around him as she laughed.

"That was amazing you guys!" she praised turning to all of them with the widest smile plastered on her face.

"And you," she jabbed a finger at all of them, "I don't how bad you guys are gonna get scolded but either way you guys a winners," she laughed as she turned to Rin.

"I'm glad your back Rin-Rin," she pecked him on the cheek.

---

Unfortunately the team got scolded and were disqualified for another member of another school racing on their team.

"Well there goes nationals for the guys," Gou sighed as the team walked to the bus with the orange sky above them.

"Hey we still got Kiyoko who made it for 100m freestyle and butterfly!" Nagisa jumped

"We are gonna all cheer our loudest for Kiyoko-chan!" Gou demanded

"Kiyoko-senpai is going to dominate nationals in her events no sweat," Rei remarked

"Will all be cheering for you," Mako said.

"Thank you guys," Kiyoko giggled, "But remember you guys are all gonna come back next year better and stronger without Rin and with Rei instead,"

"Yes, everyone is gonna see my dazzling butterfly technique!" he boasted

"Don't get big-headed Rin~," Kiyoko said as the five silhouettes walked into the sunset with only their shadows to be seen.