He knows when to push, and when not to. This is one of those times. The knee bumping into his, the way Ai firmly states it's not important. Rin doesn't know what could have possibly transpired in the last thirty minutes. But he shifts a gaze back at Ikuya, and his family and decides it's not worth Ai's discomfort to press. Especially around what are essentially strangers to him.
He bumps his knee back into Ai's. That silent string of communication that yup, got it. Won't press it. But don't think I've forgotten either. He sees Sousuke lining up, and his heart jumps in his throat when he sees Seijuro too. All the hard work all of them have poured into this. It doesn't matter who takes center stage anymore.
Rin gazes around the natatorium, all the cheers and shouts. All families, friends and spectators of those who have worked hard. Something swells in him when Ai states the obvious. He's going to the olympics. His face burns, and he has to choke down a stupid sniffle as that familiar take your marks rings out, and silence immediately follows. Rin whispers, before it all starts back up.
Ai is grateful that Rin's intuition is whip-smart, and doesn't press it. This really was something that could wait until later. Forever, ideally. Ai knows Rin won't forget about it though, so it's all he can do to put a pin in it for now while tensions were high and stakes even higher.
Ai, too, very nearly jumps out of his seat at seeing Seijuro join the line up, the deep void in his chest filled with calmer waters. Of all the memories and camaraderie and trust built with those two.
He hears Rin sniff more than he hears the call to the starting block, looking at Rin with a smile that could be a first cousin to an eye roll. But that smarm drops from his face the moment Rin insists--
We all are going.
"Let the results speak for themselves." Ai wishes so badly he had the confidence Rin seems to have in him, especially in his current mental state.
The starting pistol is immediately followed by the sound of the competitors pushing off from the wall, and this time Ai does jump up onto his feet, palms wrapped tightly on the bannister, heart throbbing high in his chest.
"Strong...!" he observes, awestruck as Seijuro and Sousuke both take incredibly large leads from the push off.
Rin is on his feet right alongside him, voice carrying out across the stands, right to the water itself. Maybe he cheers a little louder for Sousuke. Still not quite fully forgiving the saddled responsibilities he was given his last year but... maybe they just helped make him who he is now. It was stupid, making someone like Rin captain after the stunt he pulled with Iwatobi at the relay.
"Come on Sousuke!!" Rin yells, his sister yelling alongside him. Seeing someone who had been a staple in their household for what felt like centuries, finally able to cheer him onto a global stage. Yeah, Rin thinks to himself. Let the results speak for themselves.
The turn is coming up, and the two propel themselves off easily. But the pack begins to catch up. That's okay, Rin thinks to himself as he bites his lip. Sousuke is all about the second half, or well... he used to be. Rin doesn't know a thing about what he and Makoto were working on. But the movements of his arm seem to be propelling him artfully forward, the long movements of his legs intensifying it further.
Rin blinks, and it's over.
The crowd erupts, and Rin swears Gou is crying beside his mom. Rin's eyes dart up to the board, and he's choking on a scream that is curdled up with a cry.
Yamazaki - 53.56 3
That's it. That's under the qualifying time needed. Rin half heartedly punches Ai's arm, choking back the waterworks. Excitement is thrumming through him. Another down. Rin's dream team is slowly coming back into fruition.
It is shrill and loud and guttural and his voice cracks.
Rin punches his arm and Ai just-- grips it, full bodied, hugging Rin's elbow to his stomach and chest for a moment before releasing him only to cup his mouth and give Sousuke's name another loud, visceral cheer. Feeling this pride once today was already overwhelming, but twice? Rin isn't the only one with glassy eyes.
Says nothing, doesn't even bother indicating for Rin to follow because he knows he will; Ai bolts out from the benches at the same breakneck speed he had just an hour ago, rounding under the bleachers and through the warm-up area and very nearly slamming himself into the mouth of the entryway in order to be the first person to--
"Welcome to the Olympics!! Sousuke-senpai!!"
Sousuke had looked at the board, saw his truth, clasped hands with his lanemate, then crawled out of the water with a massive hoist of himself up onto his feet. The scene is similar to Rin - he, along with the other two qualifying members, are immediately flanked by coaches and press and reporters.
He's hot on Ai's heels the moment he bolts. He barely hears his mom and Ikuya laugh as they tear out of the stands.
Rin doesn't even care. Reporters, sponsors, everyone be damned. He pushes past the crowd, slamming into Sousuke's back with his arms around his neck. He's weeping profusely, maybe more than his won qualifying run. But he just buries the words into Sousuke's sopping wet back, all while he hears Seijuro laugh somewhere close by.
"You did it. Fuck your shoulder, you fucking did it."
Sousuke looks like he's damn near tears as well, but Rin peels himself off of him, trying to give him some room as they get some raised brows from reporters and maybe a few too many camera flashes. Whatever. Fuck the press.
Rin wipes his face with the back of his hand, seeing Makoto coming down with fucking stars in his eyes as well. Must be a good feeling. Seeing all your hard work come together, even if you're not the one in the water. Sousuke looks back at Makoto with the biggest smile Rin thinks he's ever seen before. And it damn near makes him choke up again.
He's going to have a migraine before the day is over. He tries to regain some composure, turning back towards Ai with a stupid grin on his face.
He only pads out when Rin does, not wanting to swarm, much like he had during the freestyle heat. Watches as Rin all but clambers onto Sousuke's back, and flinches with a laugh as he hears several cameras shutter. Exactly how many photos were the three of them accidentally going to be in together from today?
He shares a wide, extremely proud grin with Makoto, the two exchanging a few short words. They both had kept in close-ish contact, given both of their propensities to be in or near Sousuke's wake, and Ai knew exactly how hard Makoto had worked to keep Sousuke's condition as peak as possible.
Ai pads around Rin in order to match Sousuke's teal eyes, hands balled excitedly in front of him.
"Sousuke-senpai, that was incredible!" Ai appraises, voice a little choked up but edging far more toward raw, sheer awe and pride. "You were amazing! Out of this world!"
"Is he crying?" "Yes, but I think this time he's allowed."
Sousuke laughs, something of a wet noise. The way he looks from Ai to Rin is just so-- fucking proud. And happy.
Rin watches... something flit over Sousuke's features. It's something that just wells up that ball in his throat again. Will he ever be able to swallow normal again after today? Christ. Makoto is beaming, Rin hasn't seen him look like that in ages.
Something in Rin sinks.
Then again, I never bother to reach out anyways. He tries to shove the thought aside, ride the high of this moment, be so fucking happy for Sousuke. His rotator cuff is a thing of the past. It's olympian Yamazaki now. And Rin won't let him forget it.
"You guys are the worst." Rin laughs. There's something buzzing in the back of his mind. How close they'll all be again. It will be like being back at Samezuka again. Maybe less Rin barking orders though, and more times like the relay.
Another little buzz of excitement, as Rin wonders what the relay roster will look like. It's not just about good times, it's about teamwork. He looks at all the people he's swam the same lane with surrounding him. Maybe they can get there too. He tries to compose himself again, with little success but.
"Three down." Rin shoots a smile at Ai, shoulder checking him as Sousuke and Makoto are approached by a few people. He begins to step back, deciding maybe Sousuke doesn't want the embarrassment of Rin hanging off of him for any more photos. "When's your heat? God I fucking forgot in all this."
Ai can't even begin to think about the potential relay team yet. Can't even think about the potential Olympics team yet. He's one event away from taking to the starting block, and simply wants to focus on getting a time he can actually say he's proud of. Let alone accolades - let alone a global stage.
Last year, it was seventh. He had a shit ton of time to make up for, and it's his only hope that all his work will come to pay off.
For a moment Rin's features seemed to have darken, but like nothing they bounce back again. Well... A lot of complicated emotions today, Ai should know. So he doesn't press it, but does something extremely hypocritical and jots it down in his memory for later.
He makes something of a grunt-like noise when Rin shoulder checks him, staring at Rin as he subtly absconds away from the current swarm. Ai does the same, expression softening into a simper.
"It's just like you to keep marks on everyone." No doubt Rin is thinking about a potential relay team. The thought, there again for the second time in about two minutes, causes a heat to swirl and explode in his chest, embers falling down into his gut. Not made any better by Rin's following question; Ai takes in a slow and steeling breath to try and keep his nerves cooled off.
He looks up at the global clock, "Men's 200m back has to go first, and then Kirishima-senpai and I are next." He knew Nagisa was flitting around too. Competition would be stiff; Ai definitely had his work cut out for him. Rather than linger in a pile of his own anxiety, Ai begins heading back toward the mouth of the poolside exit, "I wonder if Uncle Mikhail has any last minute words of wisdom." Likely not. Ai was just kidding around as a rather pitiful attempt at playing off his nerves.
"If advice is what you're looking for, I don't think your uncle is the best bet." Mikhail is a fine coach. Rin went to him for a reason. But, pep talks aren't always his strong suit. He has some good words of wisdom, sure. But in a pinch, well...
Rin follows after him easily, hands stuffed in his pockets. He sees Haru and Kisumi catching up to Makoto as they exit. He can't imagine Haru having any truly praising words for Sousuke's win. Maybe some attitude, but. He sidles in beside Ai, following whatever path he's taking. They end up outside the poolside exit, running into Ikuya who is obviously pumping himself up as well.
They'll be due poolside soon, so probably best Rin stick by them until they neander off to check in. He's practically vibrating in his skin. Rin looks over, and Ikuya looks. Nervous. Ikuya's a beast. He's entered in free, breaststroke, and the medley. There's no way he won't qualify in breast or the individual medley. Rin tries leaning into his old coaching routine and--
"Oi, Kirishima." Ikuya looks over at Rin with a raised brow. Rin smirks, and leans in. "Don't get too distracted thinking about swimming with me and Haru. You can show off properly at the world level." Ikuya's jaw fucking drops and Rin loses his mind laughing, pulling away as Ikuya tries to shove at his face with his palm.
Rin is laughing as Ikuya huffs and puffs, and then he turns to look at Ai with a similarly wicked look. Gotta pump up everyone somehow. His hands are still in his pockets, as he bends over and hums.
"If you really wanna distract him, just look like you did when you pulled my mouth on you. Dude's a whimp for that." Rin thinks he's fine joking about this now. It feels easier, lighter. Because it wasn't bad. And damn, if Sousuke can do it, so can he.
He loved his uncle. His uncle was fucking weird. And hard to keep up with. And didn't even choose his own nephew to coach! Part of that was Ai's reticence not to rely on someone so vastly out of his league, wanting to be worthy in his uncle's eye in the first place, but still.
There's a measure of relief in seeing Ikuya as worked up as he is; Ai isn't surprised. Though he and his Shimogami senior really only ever talked swim shop, Ai often got the sense he felt very deeply, and observed astutely, and cared endlessly. In many ways, he reminded Ai of Haruka. And Ai knows there's history there, but has never been confident or present enough to ask someone relevant about it.
Rin goads Ikuya, and now Ikuya is groaning, and Rin is laughing in that self-satisfied way of his, and Ai dons a placating expression, hands pressed up and flat in a show and attempt of appeasement.
"Kirishima-senpai, I look forward to competing with you. Both at our best. Please don't let him run his mouth..."
But oh, does it run. Ai feels a shadow loom over him, and from his periphery all he sees is red. Blinks and looks upward as Rin says-- that. Ai's eyes blow wide enough to nearly fall out of his sockets, and his face red enough to rival Rin's in colour.
He grapples Rin's jacket, shakes him once. Grapples his standing collar, slaps (gently) his shoulder. Cups both of Rin's cheeks and just-- jostles him, as if trying to dislodge whatever untoward imagery Rin's cooking in his head right now. Ai was not expecting that, and truthfully didn't know how to handle it.
"You can't just," stop. Shakes him again, "You can't just--!" His hands are now, instead, folded on Rin's mouth.
"You can't say something like that so leisurely!" All the traitorous thoughts flitting through Ai's brain. Now really wasn't the time!!! He leans forward, if only so Rin got as close to seeing the beg and scorn in Ai's furious and flushed expression, "If I lose, I'm blaming you now!"
Ikuya doesn't even look back at the questionable exchange. Because he's pissed at Rin equally, and probably would have done something similar--has before--so he just scoffs and continues on his way.
"Save it for the village, yeah? Maybe you and Sou can finally figure out that positioning."
It's a joke, it's totally a joke. One Sousuka would probably throw himself off the building if he overheard. But there is an edge of seriousness to it as Ai basically manhandles him and Rin tries not to choke on his own spit.
It's getting close to the heat, and Rin should head up to sit with his family since his Mom is still on him about not telling her he had been back for so long. Ugh. That and another lecture about the marks on his neck. Maybe not lecture but... Rin laughs and pulls away, smirking at Ai as he walks backwards back towards the stands.
It's some wonder the idiot doesn't fall over in the crowd and process, but somehow he manages. Ikuya is waiting near the locker room entrance for Ai, clearly, completely oblivious to whatever raunchy nonsense is falling out of Rin's mouth now from so far away.
"Senpai," he warns through grit teeth. Hands in his own pockets but then immediately in his hair as if he could rattle his own skull hard enough to dislodge it of so, so many things. "I am never again,"
Pause.
And stares.
And is not finishing that sentence.
He bites his bottom lip so hard he nearly draws blood, as it is the only way to distract from the furious, borderline grotesque heat currently kissing his cheeks. He has no choice but to make it to the Olympics now; Ai needed a global audience to witness his sanctified crucifixion of one Matsuoka Rin. All that's gone on today, and this is what's on Rin's mind?! Maybe Ai should have told him about Haruka after all. If anyone can bail me out of this, it's Nanase-san...!
He has never been so happy to see calm, normal, not weird, uncharged company in his life. Losing to Ikuya would be a blessing at this point. Ai slaps his cheeks twice, hard, before looking to Ikuya with a smile that is just too kind, and too polite, and too calm to be anything but.
"Please ignore Rin-senpai." For the love of god. Please ignore him. "Let's go check in."
There is commotion as the 200m backstroke clears out, Ai and Ikuya both padding over to the check-in line. Ai uses the time to tuck his hair into his swim cap, put his goggles on. Their time would come soon, and for myriad reasons, his heart was deeply lodged in his throat.
Rin smirks. That's exactly what he was trying to do. Ai might be flustered, but his heart is pumping. Mikhail has a similar coaching method. Maybe Ai wouldn't be such a bad pupil for his uncle after all--
He hurries back up to the stands, waving at his Mom and Gou. He plops down next to them, scanning the queue as it begins to form. He wonders if Sousuke will come back up, but he sees him and Makoto looming near one of the poolside entrances. Perfect vantage point, and no need to rush up. Rin starts whooping when Ikuya and Ai have barely lined up. Gou chimes in, as she looks over her pamphlet.
"It's so nice to see you branching out from your childhood obsession and making new friends." Rin whips around to glare at her, and their Mom just laughs beside them. She presses the lines of their shoulders together, reaching up to press her fingers in her son's hair.
"Be nice. Just be happy anyone wants to, what with the promise of going deaf one day." Rin balks, and practically whines at his mom, pressing his face into her shoulder. He missed this, fuck. He hates how awol he went, from everybody. It was a pitfall coming back from Australia, having to face the music of things he ran away from. But he missed so much. And Ai helped him see that.
"Not that loud..." Rin mutters against her. He pulls his face away from her shoulder, watching Ikuya and Ai make their way to the starting blocks. Ikuya sheds away his jacket with a thinly veiled confidence, obviously still riding his personal best earlier. Rin hopes he makes another one. And another.
His eyes drift back to Ai, and he can hear Sousuke and Makoto shouting from poolside. He scans around, and his heart jumps in his throat as he sees Nagisa bouncing to his lane. They're all here. Fuck, they've got to do it somehow. One of them? All of them? Rin adds in another cheer for Nagisa, his Mom pulling away and plugging her ears with a laugh.
Ikuya and Ai's lanes are surprisingly close, though Ai can hear Nagisa a few lanes down. He suspects if not for the distance, the Iwatobi native might've goaded him something fierce, propensity for propriety at a professional event notwithstanding.
Something in his subconscious recognizes the roar of voices, some calling his name, but Ai lets it all fall to the wayside like cacophony. A dull buzz. He looks at Ikuya for a final well-wish before he and the rest of their queue step up onto the starting blocks.
Swimmers, take your marks.
..
boom!
Ai cuts through the air, breaks the surface, and extends. His start used to be so shaky, but is now one of his strongest assets; knows if he can start strong, he can stockpile his energy on the turn, and dump it all into the final leg. The benefit of having a deep well of stamina. Push, extend, kick, surface; the overhead lights catch across his goggles on the turn, and Ai swears for a moment he exits the pool and begins swimming in air.
On the turn, he's nearly bottom of the pack, chasing seventh. But cuts ahead with his burst, eclipsing one after the other, focused only on counting his breaths as his hand reaches desperately for the wall--
He tosses his goggles off, feels his entire body vibrating as he looks back.
Hazuki 59.51 3 Kirishima 58.98 1 Nitori 59.48 2
And he stares. And stares. And stares. Feels as if he's gotten pool water in his eyes, why is the leaderboard blurry? Feels something tap his shoulder; Ai sees Ikuya holding out a hand, and wearing an uncharacteristically wide smile. Ai takes it with a strong shake, expression completely blown and miles away before pulling himself up and out of the pool, legs akin to gel.
Something muttered under a watery voice. It's only when he's firmly gotten his feet planted on the tile behind the starting blocks that he nearly doubles over, fists pulled to his stomach, voice uncharacteristically booming--
There's a certain beauty in watching something blossom. Something you remember being curled, fragile, hesitant to bloom. Circumstances and fear of what's to come, what's already come to pass, threatening the petals. Rin is pressed up against the railing, fingers tight around cold steel, unable to take his eyes away.
Ai nails the turn. There's no floundering, even trailing behind. Rin knows exactly what comes next. That stamina comes into play. He begins to overtake everyone; even Nagisa has a hard time, and the second half is where he shines. Ikuya is carrying his lead, but Ai is closing that gap. And fast.
Rin screams for all of them, but his voice carries the loudest for Ai. Gou and his Mom are cheering right alongside him, carrying above the crowd as they near the wall. Rin's heart slams in his chest. Ikuya and Ai are in the lead, NAgisa just behind them. It's anyone's win now--
Ikuya slaps the wall. Ai right behind him. And before Rin even sees the score, he's booking it downstairs. He knows, he's grinning so hard it fucking hurts. They made it, they all fucking made it. He's choking back a sob, stopping right next to Sousuke. He pants hard, hands on his knees. Sousuke is cheering Ai's name for them both, while Rin catches his breath. There's tears streaming down Sousuke's face too.
Makoto shouts for all of them. Ikuya is sobbing, Nagisa as well. Fuck, are they all crying? Rin laughs breathlessly, and finally pulls himself up a bit. The waterworks are fresh again, and he can't help but choke out another laughing sob as he watches Ai sob over victory. All it takes is a little fire.
His head very much feels like it's still swirling. Is this what unfettered adrenaline feels like after all? Has he discovered for the first time what a sincere pride in oneself can do to the body? When he straightens his spine, the first person by his side isn't Sousuke, or Rin, or even Ikuya - Mikhail has sailed down from the back bleachers to clasp his nephew on the shoulders and slap his cheek and congratulate him. Ai shares a teary thank you. Wonders vaguely if his parents are watching the broadcast or not.
Finally with his wits about him, he goes to flag down Nagisa and offer a handshake. OCT time was nothing to turn their noses up at, and it was just as likely he'd be there alongside Ikuya and Ai and the others in Fukuoka and Athens and beyond. Instead, Nagisa takes Ai's hand and pulls him into a too tight, too energetic embrace; Ai begins to flounder, which earns a laugh from Sousuke.
It's for the better Ikuya is the more decorated swimmer at the moment, as text reporters seem to all descend on him, and Ai can make a clean break for the side door. Half way to freedom though Sousuke is beside him, sharing with Ai a look that reflects a journey they know they've both walked. Roadblocks and stopgaps and massive, massive walls.
"You could have kept the timing consistent instead of giving us all a heart attack after the turn," Sousuke playfully nags. Ai laughs, a watery sound and nearly paired with a sob, picking up his jacket before he forgets about it.
"I had to beat Hazuki-san at his game, otherwise I didn't stand a chance." Goes to show Ai had done his studying.
Finally they step out into the warm-up and locker room area. And he meets Rin's eyes, and Ai's mind wipes blank. This thing he's worked so hard for-- this dream of his that has developed into so much more than wanting to swim with someone one last time. A sense of self, a purpose, and a drive, all because Rin had been there. His eyes are quicker than his tongue, immediately breaking out into another fit of waterworks. Beside him Sousuke gives Rin a knowing, unusually kind smile.
It's not like Rin to be rendered speechless, but after Sousuke breaks the ice Rin slaps his hand on Ai's shoulder, trying to swallow down the tears he sees in Ai's gaze that are quickly welling up in his own.
This was a guy who truly crawled through everything to get here.
And Rin watched it all unfold over the years. From the awkward kid stumbling after him their first year together--even when Rin didn't deserve such kindness and understanding--to watching Ai unfold into an amazing swimmer, beating Samezuka records, swimming the relay together... to living together, beating the odds stacked against them even after such an awkward night. Rin beams at Ai, squeezing his shoulder.
"Welcome to the olympic team."
Sousuke matches the motion, squeezing Ai's other shoulder. Rin's gaze trails over to Ikuya, surrounded by press and sponsors. Someone who has worked equally hard. Rin's beaming with excitement for all of them. The representation of Japan is all coming together. People Rin has walked with through all different times in his life. There's still the butterfly qualifiers, individual medleys... his skin prickles, the 200m free is the last event, but one he's still pumped for.
Rin runs through everything in his head. All the infinite possibilities, ladders to climb. He's so happy. He pulls his hand away to rub at his eyes, fuck they itch from sobbing so much today.
"....thank you." He doesn't know what else to say. "Thank you guys, fuck."
It's something Ai would have said even if he had lost, but holds even more weight now that he's made the cut. There's an unusual confidence, and almost relief when he looks to Rin, watching him still more choked up than Ai himself had been at his own victory.
"You'll get to make your ultimate team." One that spanned beyond Iwatobi, beyond Sano, beyond Samezuka, and even beyond Australia. The next stage, Ai knows for a fact, will be one of Rin's most important. A culmination of all the bonds he's forged over the years. Ai's just relieved to be a part of it, a small slice of his own dream coming to fruition.
All this crying, all these accolades - Ai's head is almost literally spinning. He's grateful he didn't qualify for the IM, else he isn't so sure how he'd be able to enter the heat and actually perform. He tucks his swim cap into the hem of his jammers and looks up at the nearest wall clock, then to Rin.
"You can't get complacent yet, senpai. Your next heat is soon."
"Yeah, yeah." Rin pulls away from his friends to look up at the clock. He looks back at Sousuke and Ai with a wave. "You guys better be rooting for me, it's not over until I qualify in everything!"
Sousuke just laughs, rolling his shoulder a little bit.
"We'll be waiting for you, mister hotshot. Don't get too cocky."
Rin speeds of towards the locker room. It's buzzing with nervous athletes, coaches giving last minute words of wisdom. It's some small wonder that Rei isn't in the heat with him. But his stamina won out in qualifying rounds, and he decided to go for the 200m. Rin is sticking with the 100m. Endurance isn't exactly his strong suit, diving stubbornly head first and giving it his all from the get go.
He's not a strategist like Ai or Nagisa, leaving all his strength until the final roundabout to surpass the crowd. It's just not his style. Rin flits through nervousness and excitement, as he works out every spot in his body for the second time today. Ikuya bumps into him, and Rin almost jumps backwards. Ikuya just laughs, pressing a hand on Rin's back. "You good?"
Rin jerkily nods, running his fingers through his hair.
"Ah, yep. Sorry! Just crazy how we're all setting the stage together. Congrats on your win. Saw that coming from a mile away." Ikuya laughs, heading towards his locker and pulling his goggles down.
"You too. Don't mess it up. Don't want to disappoint Haru right?" Rin rolls his eyes, not even bothering to retort. Whatever. People can think he's a slut. Or a show off for certain people. He doesn't care. He looks at the time, and scurries off to the pool. This is the first heat where he doesn't know anybody. Which is fine. Less chance messing up because he wants a friend to be on the Olympics team with him. He checks in, and heads to the starting block, taking position with a heavy swallow.
Mental pep talk. He's the best at 100m butterfly down in Sydney. He's been the best consistently since high school. That won't change. Swimming with Haru is one thing, it makes his free so much better. But this is still somewhere he can shine. He snaps his goggles, and leans forward, waiting for the starting gun.
...
It's over almost as soon as he hears the send-off.
He's slapping the wall, miles ahead of the pack. His kick at the turn is his saving grace, something he's perfected. Something Mikhail has drilled into him rigorously. It was one of his specialties during his time as a swimmer, after all. Something he passes onto his athletes with great enthusiasm and perfection.
Rin doesn't even need to look up at the scoreboard to know he's first. It doesn't do anything to stop the tears though, as he hears the cheers, he can hear his friends voices carrying above the crowd. He's about to haul himself out of the pool, when he sees three people beaming down at him, all hands out to pull him up.
Haru. Makoto. Nagisa. The people he swam with. The people he's won with consistently by his side. They're all there, tears brimming their features. Even Haru looks oddly emotional. Rin sniffs, and as all three begin to reach for him, he grabs Haru's wrist first. Squeezing it tightly. Only to immediately drag him into the pool, ignoring Makoto's surprised noise and the chiding screech from a ref not fifteen feet away. Rin is just laughing as he's met with Haru's absolutely shocked face when he surfaces. He thinks Haru's maybe going to hit him (worth it). But even then, a little smile twists on Haru's face, and they all collectively lose their minds together.
It feels like things a long time ago.
Makoto hauls the two of them out of the pool, all laughs and adrenaline as Rin scans the people surrounding them--swarming him really. All sponsors and congratulations again, but he's just looking for two people in particular. He knows without looking his mom and sister are up in the stands, sobbing their eyes out.
Sousuke accompanies Ai back up onto the bleachers, and chooses to post near Rin's family, where Rin had gathered them all earlier. Before the heat, Sousuke begun to chat quite casually with both Gou and their mother, and Ai couldn't help but eavesdrop a little. Got the impression their family unit was incredibly strong, and even without saying much about it explicitly, can tell that the inspiration left behind in the wake of Rin's father is borderline insurmountable in its footprint.
It's a similar welling feeling in his chest when Rin takes to the starting block. He wonders, perhaps off-handedly, if Sousuke missed butterfly overmuch - but a quick look at the man's countenance tells Ai that Sousuke is satisfied with his qualifications this go around. It brings Ai a measure of relief; no dream left behind.
Hands grip tight to polished steel, and his voice goes hoarse from cheering. Rin may have had to fight in the free 100m, but this was no contest; from Ai's purview, Rin nearly looked a full body ahead of his competitors. He's about to do as he had twice earlier in the day and run down to the entrance to congratulate Rin firsthand, but some familiar suspects not only beat him and Sousuke to the punch, they completely outshine.
It's familiar. Nostalgic. And a bit bittersweet. Ai watches as Rin pulls Haruka into the pool, and sighs with an awry smile, "He's begging to get in trouble..."
"He's gotten away with worse."
Ai and Sousuke had talked about it, when they grew familiar. Rin's stunt at his second year Samezuka relay. How Sousuke, too, had seen every single moment of it - had, embarrassingly, even heard Ai and Rin's altercation. Ai has it on good faith that Rin only bothers with stunts like these when he has his whole heart behind it.
"Well," Ai leads, sitting back down and choosing not to inject himself any more than strictly necessary, "They all look happy. So Rin-senpai is doing something right."
Sopping wet and red comes barreling up the stands, and Ai figures he's headed for his family given the gusto in his walk and the rings around his eyes, but Ai still smiles at Rin proudly, "Congratulations!"
"You guys didn't even give me poolside congrats. Rude."
Rin barks playfully, as he plops into the seat between Sousuke and his mom. He barely even bothered to dry off, as Makoto, Nagisa and Haru were quick to find a new spot to spectate as Rei's heat would be coming up next. And Rin was eager to be surrounded by his family and found family in the lapse.
He leans his head back, breathing hard. Two heats in one day is exhausting enough, but Rin still has one to go and he feels exhaustion creeping up his limbs. It's not like he doesn't swim constant laps all day, practicing every which way. But the constant rush of adrenaline is pulling at him with a certain exhaustion.
"Let me guess, you just knew I would win before I even touched the wall so why bother--" His sister reaches over to smack him with her pamphlet, chiding him for being cocky and a smartass. Miyako says nothing, but smiles into the back of her hand like she's trying not to say or do something and let her son have this. Even if the mom in her might think otherwise.
Rin groans, leaning his head against Sousuke's shoulder. He feels him stiffen a little, but relax almost instantly after. This level of physicalities is nothing new. It's just Rin. He sighs, and looks over at Ai through exhaustion laced eyes.
"Fuck, this is exhausting. How are you guys holding up?"
"You were busy." It's a genuine reply, though Ai is aware it could come off as loaded under a different pretext, which is why he's certain to pair it with a wide smile. Speaking of pretexts-- "You have to be careful with your delinquent charm, Rin-senpai! Any other venue could have seen that as aggressing your competitor."
"Nanase had it coming."
"Sousuke-senpai--!"
Rin's leaning on Sousuke then, and Ai measures Sousuke's reaction habitually. For reasons he cannot and doesn't want to name, Ai is suddenly sitting a little bit straighter, and the pool down in the center of the room is infinitely more interesting.
Ai contemplates his answer to Rin's question, feeling a fire burning in his chest. So much matters, and yet so little of it actually does.
"If I don't sleep well tonight, I'll be pretty angry." He turns his head to his two seniors, simper plastered upon his lips. "But I'll be sad once it's over, too. These feelings of mine... It's as if I don't want to let go of them just yet." The good, the bad, the ugly. Pride, joy, adrenaline, attitude; bittersweet, jealousy, envy. If there is one thing Ai can say for certain, it's that he's never felt more alive.
He studies Rin's expression. The red tint to the corners of his eyes.
"Will you be alright for your 200m, senpai? Do you want to stretch?" A pause, and then a very stupid grin threatens his face, lidded only because he catches Sousuke in his periphery. "My hands are neither dark nor brooding, I promise."
"As if. Sou's right. Asshole had it coming." Rin doesn't know what transpired earlier between Haru and Ai. He genuinely thinks Haru was jealous and pouting off in a corner. Which isn't necessarily far from the truth, but...
"I'll sneak an allergy pill in your tea then." Rin laughs, peeling himself off of Sousuke to raise his arms above his head.
Okay. Alright. Ai is actually pretty funny. Rin snorts, almost on the side of Sousuke's cheek and he just makes a face at Rin. Rin laughs, holding his hands up in a mock apology. "Woah, woah. It was an accident. Don't get all dark and broody on me again." Oh yes he did just go there. Rin winks at Ai, because he's going to remember that one for as long as he lives. "...yeah, you're probably right. Ugh. After Rei's fly, and Kirishima's individual."
Rin has never said it out loud, but he owes so much to Rei. Tracking him down, and giving him a hard wake-up call outside Samezuka. Calling him out on all of his shit. Talking with him after Rin got pulled off the Samezuka relay team, grounding him almost. And then giving up a spot he had actually worked hard for--earned--something Rin didn't come even close to doing.
Haru helped him find his purpose for swimming again, sure. But without Rei, it never would have come to fruition. He leans on the railing, chin resting on his crossed arms, watching the butterfly swimmers begin to queue up. Gou is on her feet, cheering her lungs out. Rin can pinpoint exactly where in the crowd Nagisa and the rest of Iwatobi's dream team are by their shouts.
A little smile crosses his face. He wonders if Rei even knows how Nagisa looks at him. Like the guy carved out the stars and the sky by hand.
If Ai has any luck it'll stay that way, too. But he knows Rin, and knows once the dust has settled, maybe as soon as being back at the apartment, Rin's going to ask. It still baffles Ai - the thought he was any competition, in any sense of the word. He was a convenience at best, and a nuisance at worst. So he felt, anyway, under this circumstance. But he feels as if he conveyed what he had to, and that it reached Haruka, and so as far as Ai is concerned, it's behind him. The only porcelain left to clean up is his own still smashed on the floor.
Rin's quip to his quip has Ai nearly straining to smile, and it's anyone's guess if it's a threat of a laugh or a groan.
"That was a one time instance."
Ai doesn't mind remaining here with the Matsuokas and Sousuke, though his mind does immediately flit to Nagisa as he watches Rei - and two Samezuka alumni, if Ai squints - carve out his future. Ai may have written off Nagisa as an annoying firestarter at first, but had come to learn very quickly that he is much more than meets the eyes. In fact, Ai doesn't think he can imagine anyone who so single-handedly invests in his friendships, oftentimes in thankless ways. That, and Ai knows yearning when he sees it.
Never mind Rei, with whom Ai shares so much in common. Scraping up to the top from nothing. Only hard work and an inspiration set aflame thanks to the people they looked up to most. Ai cannot help himself, his thoughts dragging his eyes up out of the pool and across the length of the natatorium and landing on black hair and ocean blue eyes and a cheer loud enough to put Ai himself to shame.
He watches the scoreboard; Rei's placed third. There's an excitement that overcomes his features.
"The time is good enough for the Consideration qualifier!" Subtly and to himself, Ai pumps his fist at his side. "Both Rei-kun and Nagisa-kun might be able to stand on a world stage, after all."
It will never fail to be a rush. Watching the people you love outperform themselves. He cheers for Rei, maybe louder than he has for anybody else, slapping his hand against the guard rail (immediately regretting it, but. details). He can see across the natatorium, Nagisa book it down poolside. He turns to Ai, nodding in agreement eagerly.
"Careful Nagisa doesn't edge you out of any of your spots, Ai. Terrifying little dude."
And watching what happens next is something that erases every other event of the day.
Rei stumbling out of the pool, tears in his eyes apparent even from so far as he gazes up at the score board. Rin stands up, watching Nagisa peel out of the side entrance looking around. Makoto and Haru aren't far behind (Rin thinks they all should have just stayed down there, but. again. details) and as Rei waves at them, Nagisa propels himself forward. He latches onto Rei as hard as possibly. Rin can feel the wind getting knocked out of his own lungs at the sight.
Or maybe it's the way Nagisa grabs Rei's face after, and shoves their mouths together. Uncaring of the press, or sponsors all around them as Rei flails rather expectedly, and Nagisa just pulls away with that big stupid grin and laughs so loud anyone could hear it. Something in Rin soars. He always had an inkling, but.
He hears Sousuke whistle so loud next to him, he swears he feels his ear drums crack. Gou is screaming and whooping from beside their mother, and it's just stupid and perfect the way Nagisa makes a scene in such a way. Even when the individual medley swimmers are lining up, and the refs try to shoo some of the swimmers to more secluded areas to discuss with coaches, sponsors, everyone possible poolside, Nagisa is still clinging to Rei like a lifeline, like he is afraid what will happen if he lets go.
"Don't cry dude. I know how you are during those ratman movies..." Rin sniffs, and just smiles as he watches Ikuya take position.
"Shut up, Sou." He laughs so hard as the timing gun goes off and the individual medley begins. Ikuya is insane. There's no doubts there. Nobody has as many events and strokes as he does in his backpocket. And it shows. All that time training in America, all the time spent mimicking Haru's freestyle stroke. Carving a place in the water for himself.
Even Sousuke gets on his feet to cheer on this one. He's seen Ikuya swimming for longer than Rin has. Ikuya finishes second, no easy feat given his competitors. Rin is buzzing in his chair, Ikuya and him have moulded into some friendly rivalry over the years, always pushing each other's buttons. He wants to give him some hell before he stretches for his upcoming heat, so he begins to bolt downstairs, tossing over his shoulder.
"Meet me down there Ai!! Dude needs some pep talk about his sloppy fly before I can think about stretching."
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Date: 2025-07-30 01:45 am (UTC)He knows when to push, and when not to. This is one of those times. The knee bumping into his, the way Ai firmly states it's not important. Rin doesn't know what could have possibly transpired in the last thirty minutes. But he shifts a gaze back at Ikuya, and his family and decides it's not worth Ai's discomfort to press. Especially around what are essentially strangers to him.
He bumps his knee back into Ai's. That silent string of communication that yup, got it. Won't press it. But don't think I've forgotten either. He sees Sousuke lining up, and his heart jumps in his throat when he sees Seijuro too. All the hard work all of them have poured into this. It doesn't matter who takes center stage anymore.
Rin gazes around the natatorium, all the cheers and shouts. All families, friends and spectators of those who have worked hard. Something swells in him when Ai states the obvious. He's going to the olympics. His face burns, and he has to choke down a stupid sniffle as that familiar take your marks rings out, and silence immediately follows. Rin whispers, before it all starts back up.
"Fuck it, we all are going."
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Date: 2025-07-30 02:02 am (UTC)Ai, too, very nearly jumps out of his seat at seeing Seijuro join the line up, the deep void in his chest filled with calmer waters. Of all the memories and camaraderie and trust built with those two.
He hears Rin sniff more than he hears the call to the starting block, looking at Rin with a smile that could be a first cousin to an eye roll. But that smarm drops from his face the moment Rin insists--
We all are going.
"Let the results speak for themselves." Ai wishes so badly he had the confidence Rin seems to have in him, especially in his current mental state.
The starting pistol is immediately followed by the sound of the competitors pushing off from the wall, and this time Ai does jump up onto his feet, palms wrapped tightly on the bannister, heart throbbing high in his chest.
"Strong...!" he observes, awestruck as Seijuro and Sousuke both take incredibly large leads from the push off.
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Date: 2025-07-30 02:14 am (UTC)"Come on Sousuke!!" Rin yells, his sister yelling alongside him. Seeing someone who had been a staple in their household for what felt like centuries, finally able to cheer him onto a global stage. Yeah, Rin thinks to himself. Let the results speak for themselves.
The turn is coming up, and the two propel themselves off easily. But the pack begins to catch up. That's okay, Rin thinks to himself as he bites his lip. Sousuke is all about the second half, or well... he used to be. Rin doesn't know a thing about what he and Makoto were working on. But the movements of his arm seem to be propelling him artfully forward, the long movements of his legs intensifying it further.
Rin blinks, and it's over.
The crowd erupts, and Rin swears Gou is crying beside his mom. Rin's eyes dart up to the board, and he's choking on a scream that is curdled up with a cry.
Yamazaki - 53.56 3
That's it. That's under the qualifying time needed. Rin half heartedly punches Ai's arm, choking back the waterworks. Excitement is thrumming through him. Another down. Rin's dream team is slowly coming back into fruition.
"Ai!! Ai!! He did it!!"
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Date: 2025-07-30 02:22 am (UTC)It is shrill and loud and guttural and his voice cracks.
Rin punches his arm and Ai just-- grips it, full bodied, hugging Rin's elbow to his stomach and chest for a moment before releasing him only to cup his mouth and give Sousuke's name another loud, visceral cheer. Feeling this pride once today was already overwhelming, but twice? Rin isn't the only one with glassy eyes.
Says nothing, doesn't even bother indicating for Rin to follow because he knows he will; Ai bolts out from the benches at the same breakneck speed he had just an hour ago, rounding under the bleachers and through the warm-up area and very nearly slamming himself into the mouth of the entryway in order to be the first person to--
"Welcome to the Olympics!! Sousuke-senpai!!"
Sousuke had looked at the board, saw his truth, clasped hands with his lanemate, then crawled out of the water with a massive hoist of himself up onto his feet. The scene is similar to Rin - he, along with the other two qualifying members, are immediately flanked by coaches and press and reporters.
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Date: 2025-07-30 02:37 am (UTC)Rin doesn't even care. Reporters, sponsors, everyone be damned. He pushes past the crowd, slamming into Sousuke's back with his arms around his neck. He's weeping profusely, maybe more than his won qualifying run. But he just buries the words into Sousuke's sopping wet back, all while he hears Seijuro laugh somewhere close by.
"You did it. Fuck your shoulder, you fucking did it."
Sousuke looks like he's damn near tears as well, but Rin peels himself off of him, trying to give him some room as they get some raised brows from reporters and maybe a few too many camera flashes. Whatever. Fuck the press.
Rin wipes his face with the back of his hand, seeing Makoto coming down with fucking stars in his eyes as well. Must be a good feeling. Seeing all your hard work come together, even if you're not the one in the water. Sousuke looks back at Makoto with the biggest smile Rin thinks he's ever seen before. And it damn near makes him choke up again.
He's going to have a migraine before the day is over. He tries to regain some composure, turning back towards Ai with a stupid grin on his face.
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Date: 2025-07-30 02:51 am (UTC)He shares a wide, extremely proud grin with Makoto, the two exchanging a few short words. They both had kept in close-ish contact, given both of their propensities to be in or near Sousuke's wake, and Ai knew exactly how hard Makoto had worked to keep Sousuke's condition as peak as possible.
Ai pads around Rin in order to match Sousuke's teal eyes, hands balled excitedly in front of him.
"Sousuke-senpai, that was incredible!" Ai appraises, voice a little choked up but edging far more toward raw, sheer awe and pride. "You were amazing! Out of this world!"
"Is he crying?"
"Yes, but I think this time he's allowed."
Sousuke laughs, something of a wet noise. The way he looks from Ai to Rin is just so-- fucking proud. And happy.
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Date: 2025-07-30 03:14 am (UTC)Something in Rin sinks.
Then again, I never bother to reach out anyways. He tries to shove the thought aside, ride the high of this moment, be so fucking happy for Sousuke. His rotator cuff is a thing of the past. It's olympian Yamazaki now. And Rin won't let him forget it.
"You guys are the worst." Rin laughs. There's something buzzing in the back of his mind. How close they'll all be again. It will be like being back at Samezuka again. Maybe less Rin barking orders though, and more times like the relay.
Another little buzz of excitement, as Rin wonders what the relay roster will look like. It's not just about good times, it's about teamwork. He looks at all the people he's swam the same lane with surrounding him. Maybe they can get there too. He tries to compose himself again, with little success but.
"Three down." Rin shoots a smile at Ai, shoulder checking him as Sousuke and Makoto are approached by a few people. He begins to step back, deciding maybe Sousuke doesn't want the embarrassment of Rin hanging off of him for any more photos. "When's your heat? God I fucking forgot in all this."
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Date: 2025-07-30 03:25 am (UTC)Last year, it was seventh. He had a shit ton of time to make up for, and it's his only hope that all his work will come to pay off.
For a moment Rin's features seemed to have darken, but like nothing they bounce back again. Well... A lot of complicated emotions today, Ai should know. So he doesn't press it, but does something extremely hypocritical and jots it down in his memory for later.
He makes something of a grunt-like noise when Rin shoulder checks him, staring at Rin as he subtly absconds away from the current swarm. Ai does the same, expression softening into a simper.
"It's just like you to keep marks on everyone." No doubt Rin is thinking about a potential relay team. The thought, there again for the second time in about two minutes, causes a heat to swirl and explode in his chest, embers falling down into his gut. Not made any better by Rin's following question; Ai takes in a slow and steeling breath to try and keep his nerves cooled off.
He looks up at the global clock, "Men's 200m back has to go first, and then Kirishima-senpai and I are next." He knew Nagisa was flitting around too. Competition would be stiff; Ai definitely had his work cut out for him. Rather than linger in a pile of his own anxiety, Ai begins heading back toward the mouth of the poolside exit, "I wonder if Uncle Mikhail has any last minute words of wisdom." Likely not. Ai was just kidding around as a rather pitiful attempt at playing off his nerves.
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Date: 2025-07-30 03:40 am (UTC)"If advice is what you're looking for, I don't think your uncle is the best bet." Mikhail is a fine coach. Rin went to him for a reason. But, pep talks aren't always his strong suit. He has some good words of wisdom, sure. But in a pinch, well...
Rin follows after him easily, hands stuffed in his pockets. He sees Haru and Kisumi catching up to Makoto as they exit. He can't imagine Haru having any truly praising words for Sousuke's win. Maybe some attitude, but. He sidles in beside Ai, following whatever path he's taking. They end up outside the poolside exit, running into Ikuya who is obviously pumping himself up as well.
They'll be due poolside soon, so probably best Rin stick by them until they neander off to check in. He's practically vibrating in his skin. Rin looks over, and Ikuya looks. Nervous. Ikuya's a beast. He's entered in free, breaststroke, and the medley. There's no way he won't qualify in breast or the individual medley. Rin tries leaning into his old coaching routine and--
"Oi, Kirishima." Ikuya looks over at Rin with a raised brow. Rin smirks, and leans in. "Don't get too distracted thinking about swimming with me and Haru. You can show off properly at the world level." Ikuya's jaw fucking drops and Rin loses his mind laughing, pulling away as Ikuya tries to shove at his face with his palm.
Rin is laughing as Ikuya huffs and puffs, and then he turns to look at Ai with a similarly wicked look. Gotta pump up everyone somehow. His hands are still in his pockets, as he bends over and hums.
"If you really wanna distract him, just look like you did when you pulled my mouth on you. Dude's a whimp for that." Rin thinks he's fine joking about this now. It feels easier, lighter. Because it wasn't bad. And damn, if Sousuke can do it, so can he.
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Date: 2025-07-30 03:53 am (UTC)He loved his uncle. His uncle was fucking weird. And hard to keep up with. And didn't even choose his own nephew to coach! Part of that was Ai's reticence not to rely on someone so vastly out of his league, wanting to be worthy in his uncle's eye in the first place, but still.
There's a measure of relief in seeing Ikuya as worked up as he is; Ai isn't surprised. Though he and his Shimogami senior really only ever talked swim shop, Ai often got the sense he felt very deeply, and observed astutely, and cared endlessly. In many ways, he reminded Ai of Haruka. And Ai knows there's history there, but has never been confident or present enough to ask someone relevant about it.
Rin goads Ikuya, and now Ikuya is groaning, and Rin is laughing in that self-satisfied way of his, and Ai dons a placating expression, hands pressed up and flat in a show and attempt of appeasement.
"Kirishima-senpai, I look forward to competing with you. Both at our best. Please don't let him run his mouth..."
But oh, does it run. Ai feels a shadow loom over him, and from his periphery all he sees is red. Blinks and looks upward as Rin says-- that. Ai's eyes blow wide enough to nearly fall out of his sockets, and his face red enough to rival Rin's in colour.
He grapples Rin's jacket, shakes him once. Grapples his standing collar, slaps (gently) his shoulder. Cups both of Rin's cheeks and just-- jostles him, as if trying to dislodge whatever untoward imagery Rin's cooking in his head right now. Ai was not expecting that, and truthfully didn't know how to handle it.
"You can't just," stop. Shakes him again, "You can't just--!" His hands are now, instead, folded on Rin's mouth.
"You can't say something like that so leisurely!" All the traitorous thoughts flitting through Ai's brain. Now really wasn't the time!!! He leans forward, if only so Rin got as close to seeing the beg and scorn in Ai's furious and flushed expression, "If I lose, I'm blaming you now!"
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Date: 2025-07-30 04:03 am (UTC)"Save it for the village, yeah? Maybe you and Sou can finally figure out that positioning."
It's a joke, it's totally a joke. One Sousuka would probably throw himself off the building if he overheard. But there is an edge of seriousness to it as Ai basically manhandles him and Rin tries not to choke on his own spit.
It's getting close to the heat, and Rin should head up to sit with his family since his Mom is still on him about not telling her he had been back for so long. Ugh. That and another lecture about the marks on his neck. Maybe not lecture but... Rin laughs and pulls away, smirking at Ai as he walks backwards back towards the stands.
It's some wonder the idiot doesn't fall over in the crowd and process, but somehow he manages. Ikuya is waiting near the locker room entrance for Ai, clearly, completely oblivious to whatever raunchy nonsense is falling out of Rin's mouth now from so far away.
"Show everyone what you're made of!"
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Date: 2025-07-30 04:16 am (UTC)Until today.
"Senpai," he warns through grit teeth. Hands in his own pockets but then immediately in his hair as if he could rattle his own skull hard enough to dislodge it of so, so many things. "I am never again,"
Pause.
And stares.
And is not finishing that sentence.
He bites his bottom lip so hard he nearly draws blood, as it is the only way to distract from the furious, borderline grotesque heat currently kissing his cheeks. He has no choice but to make it to the Olympics now; Ai needed a global audience to witness his sanctified crucifixion of one Matsuoka Rin. All that's gone on today, and this is what's on Rin's mind?! Maybe Ai should have told him about Haruka after all. If anyone can bail me out of this, it's Nanase-san...!
He has never been so happy to see calm, normal, not weird, uncharged company in his life. Losing to Ikuya would be a blessing at this point. Ai slaps his cheeks twice, hard, before looking to Ikuya with a smile that is just too kind, and too polite, and too calm to be anything but.
"Please ignore Rin-senpai." For the love of god. Please ignore him. "Let's go check in."
There is commotion as the 200m backstroke clears out, Ai and Ikuya both padding over to the check-in line. Ai uses the time to tuck his hair into his swim cap, put his goggles on. Their time would come soon, and for myriad reasons, his heart was deeply lodged in his throat.
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Date: 2025-07-30 04:29 am (UTC)He hurries back up to the stands, waving at his Mom and Gou. He plops down next to them, scanning the queue as it begins to form. He wonders if Sousuke will come back up, but he sees him and Makoto looming near one of the poolside entrances. Perfect vantage point, and no need to rush up. Rin starts whooping when Ikuya and Ai have barely lined up. Gou chimes in, as she looks over her pamphlet.
"It's so nice to see you branching out from your childhood obsession and making new friends." Rin whips around to glare at her, and their Mom just laughs beside them. She presses the lines of their shoulders together, reaching up to press her fingers in her son's hair.
"Be nice. Just be happy anyone wants to, what with the promise of going deaf one day." Rin balks, and practically whines at his mom, pressing his face into her shoulder. He missed this, fuck. He hates how awol he went, from everybody. It was a pitfall coming back from Australia, having to face the music of things he ran away from. But he missed so much. And Ai helped him see that.
"Not that loud..." Rin mutters against her. He pulls his face away from her shoulder, watching Ikuya and Ai make their way to the starting blocks. Ikuya sheds away his jacket with a thinly veiled confidence, obviously still riding his personal best earlier. Rin hopes he makes another one. And another.
His eyes drift back to Ai, and he can hear Sousuke and Makoto shouting from poolside. He scans around, and his heart jumps in his throat as he sees Nagisa bouncing to his lane. They're all here. Fuck, they've got to do it somehow. One of them? All of them? Rin adds in another cheer for Nagisa, his Mom pulling away and plugging her ears with a laugh.
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Date: 2025-07-30 04:47 am (UTC)Something in his subconscious recognizes the roar of voices, some calling his name, but Ai lets it all fall to the wayside like cacophony. A dull buzz. He looks at Ikuya for a final well-wish before he and the rest of their queue step up onto the starting blocks.
Swimmers, take your marks.
..
boom!
Ai cuts through the air, breaks the surface, and extends. His start used to be so shaky, but is now one of his strongest assets; knows if he can start strong, he can stockpile his energy on the turn, and dump it all into the final leg. The benefit of having a deep well of stamina. Push, extend, kick, surface; the overhead lights catch across his goggles on the turn, and Ai swears for a moment he exits the pool and begins swimming in air.
On the turn, he's nearly bottom of the pack, chasing seventh. But cuts ahead with his burst, eclipsing one after the other, focused only on counting his breaths as his hand reaches desperately for the wall--
He tosses his goggles off, feels his entire body vibrating as he looks back.
Hazuki 59.51 3
Kirishima 58.98 1
Nitori 59.48 2
And he stares. And stares. And stares. Feels as if he's gotten pool water in his eyes, why is the leaderboard blurry? Feels something tap his shoulder; Ai sees Ikuya holding out a hand, and wearing an uncharacteristically wide smile. Ai takes it with a strong shake, expression completely blown and miles away before pulling himself up and out of the pool, legs akin to gel.
Something muttered under a watery voice. It's only when he's firmly gotten his feet planted on the tile behind the starting blocks that he nearly doubles over, fists pulled to his stomach, voice uncharacteristically booming--
"Yes!!!!!"
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Date: 2025-07-30 11:47 am (UTC)There's a certain beauty in watching something blossom. Something you remember being curled, fragile, hesitant to bloom. Circumstances and fear of what's to come, what's already come to pass, threatening the petals. Rin is pressed up against the railing, fingers tight around cold steel, unable to take his eyes away.
Ai nails the turn. There's no floundering, even trailing behind. Rin knows exactly what comes next. That stamina comes into play. He begins to overtake everyone; even Nagisa has a hard time, and the second half is where he shines. Ikuya is carrying his lead, but Ai is closing that gap. And fast.
Rin screams for all of them, but his voice carries the loudest for Ai. Gou and his Mom are cheering right alongside him, carrying above the crowd as they near the wall. Rin's heart slams in his chest. Ikuya and Ai are in the lead, NAgisa just behind them. It's anyone's win now--
Ikuya slaps the wall. Ai right behind him. And before Rin even sees the score, he's booking it downstairs. He knows, he's grinning so hard it fucking hurts. They made it, they all fucking made it. He's choking back a sob, stopping right next to Sousuke. He pants hard, hands on his knees. Sousuke is cheering Ai's name for them both, while Rin catches his breath. There's tears streaming down Sousuke's face too.
Makoto shouts for all of them. Ikuya is sobbing, Nagisa as well. Fuck, are they all crying? Rin laughs breathlessly, and finally pulls himself up a bit. The waterworks are fresh again, and he can't help but choke out another laughing sob as he watches Ai sob over victory. All it takes is a little fire.
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Date: 2025-07-30 12:53 pm (UTC)Finally with his wits about him, he goes to flag down Nagisa and offer a handshake. OCT time was nothing to turn their noses up at, and it was just as likely he'd be there alongside Ikuya and Ai and the others in Fukuoka and Athens and beyond. Instead, Nagisa takes Ai's hand and pulls him into a too tight, too energetic embrace; Ai begins to flounder, which earns a laugh from Sousuke.
It's for the better Ikuya is the more decorated swimmer at the moment, as text reporters seem to all descend on him, and Ai can make a clean break for the side door. Half way to freedom though Sousuke is beside him, sharing with Ai a look that reflects a journey they know they've both walked. Roadblocks and stopgaps and massive, massive walls.
"You could have kept the timing consistent instead of giving us all a heart attack after the turn," Sousuke playfully nags. Ai laughs, a watery sound and nearly paired with a sob, picking up his jacket before he forgets about it.
"I had to beat Hazuki-san at his game, otherwise I didn't stand a chance." Goes to show Ai had done his studying.
Finally they step out into the warm-up and locker room area. And he meets Rin's eyes, and Ai's mind wipes blank. This thing he's worked so hard for-- this dream of his that has developed into so much more than wanting to swim with someone one last time. A sense of self, a purpose, and a drive, all because Rin had been there. His eyes are quicker than his tongue, immediately breaking out into another fit of waterworks. Beside him Sousuke gives Rin a knowing, unusually kind smile.
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Date: 2025-07-30 03:30 pm (UTC)This was a guy who truly crawled through everything to get here.
And Rin watched it all unfold over the years. From the awkward kid stumbling after him their first year together--even when Rin didn't deserve such kindness and understanding--to watching Ai unfold into an amazing swimmer, beating Samezuka records, swimming the relay together... to living together, beating the odds stacked against them even after such an awkward night. Rin beams at Ai, squeezing his shoulder.
"Welcome to the olympic team."
Sousuke matches the motion, squeezing Ai's other shoulder. Rin's gaze trails over to Ikuya, surrounded by press and sponsors. Someone who has worked equally hard. Rin's beaming with excitement for all of them. The representation of Japan is all coming together. People Rin has walked with through all different times in his life. There's still the butterfly qualifiers, individual medleys... his skin prickles, the 200m free is the last event, but one he's still pumped for.
Rin runs through everything in his head. All the infinite possibilities, ladders to climb. He's so happy. He pulls his hand away to rub at his eyes, fuck they itch from sobbing so much today.
"....thank you." He doesn't know what else to say. "Thank you guys, fuck."
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Date: 2025-07-30 04:23 pm (UTC)"You'll get to make your ultimate team." One that spanned beyond Iwatobi, beyond Sano, beyond Samezuka, and even beyond Australia. The next stage, Ai knows for a fact, will be one of Rin's most important. A culmination of all the bonds he's forged over the years. Ai's just relieved to be a part of it, a small slice of his own dream coming to fruition.
All this crying, all these accolades - Ai's head is almost literally spinning. He's grateful he didn't qualify for the IM, else he isn't so sure how he'd be able to enter the heat and actually perform. He tucks his swim cap into the hem of his jammers and looks up at the nearest wall clock, then to Rin.
"You can't get complacent yet, senpai. Your next heat is soon."
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Date: 2025-07-30 09:39 pm (UTC)Sousuke just laughs, rolling his shoulder a little bit.
"We'll be waiting for you, mister hotshot. Don't get too cocky."
Rin speeds of towards the locker room. It's buzzing with nervous athletes, coaches giving last minute words of wisdom. It's some small wonder that Rei isn't in the heat with him. But his stamina won out in qualifying rounds, and he decided to go for the 200m. Rin is sticking with the 100m. Endurance isn't exactly his strong suit, diving stubbornly head first and giving it his all from the get go.
He's not a strategist like Ai or Nagisa, leaving all his strength until the final roundabout to surpass the crowd. It's just not his style. Rin flits through nervousness and excitement, as he works out every spot in his body for the second time today. Ikuya bumps into him, and Rin almost jumps backwards. Ikuya just laughs, pressing a hand on Rin's back. "You good?"
Rin jerkily nods, running his fingers through his hair.
"Ah, yep. Sorry! Just crazy how we're all setting the stage together. Congrats on your win. Saw that coming from a mile away." Ikuya laughs, heading towards his locker and pulling his goggles down.
"You too. Don't mess it up. Don't want to disappoint Haru right?" Rin rolls his eyes, not even bothering to retort. Whatever. People can think he's a slut. Or a show off for certain people. He doesn't care. He looks at the time, and scurries off to the pool. This is the first heat where he doesn't know anybody. Which is fine. Less chance messing up because he wants a friend to be on the Olympics team with him. He checks in, and heads to the starting block, taking position with a heavy swallow.
Mental pep talk. He's the best at 100m butterfly down in Sydney. He's been the best consistently since high school. That won't change. Swimming with Haru is one thing, it makes his free so much better. But this is still somewhere he can shine. He snaps his goggles, and leans forward, waiting for the starting gun.
...
It's over almost as soon as he hears the send-off.
He's slapping the wall, miles ahead of the pack. His kick at the turn is his saving grace, something he's perfected. Something Mikhail has drilled into him rigorously. It was one of his specialties during his time as a swimmer, after all. Something he passes onto his athletes with great enthusiasm and perfection.
Rin doesn't even need to look up at the scoreboard to know he's first. It doesn't do anything to stop the tears though, as he hears the cheers, he can hear his friends voices carrying above the crowd. He's about to haul himself out of the pool, when he sees three people beaming down at him, all hands out to pull him up.
Haru. Makoto. Nagisa. The people he swam with. The people he's won with consistently by his side. They're all there, tears brimming their features. Even Haru looks oddly emotional. Rin sniffs, and as all three begin to reach for him, he grabs Haru's wrist first. Squeezing it tightly. Only to immediately drag him into the pool, ignoring Makoto's surprised noise and the chiding screech from a ref not fifteen feet away. Rin is just laughing as he's met with Haru's absolutely shocked face when he surfaces. He thinks Haru's maybe going to hit him (worth it). But even then, a little smile twists on Haru's face, and they all collectively lose their minds together.
It feels like things a long time ago.
Makoto hauls the two of them out of the pool, all laughs and adrenaline as Rin scans the people surrounding them--swarming him really. All sponsors and congratulations again, but he's just looking for two people in particular. He knows without looking his mom and sister are up in the stands, sobbing their eyes out.
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Date: 2025-07-30 10:23 pm (UTC)It's a similar welling feeling in his chest when Rin takes to the starting block. He wonders, perhaps off-handedly, if Sousuke missed butterfly overmuch - but a quick look at the man's countenance tells Ai that Sousuke is satisfied with his qualifications this go around. It brings Ai a measure of relief; no dream left behind.
Hands grip tight to polished steel, and his voice goes hoarse from cheering. Rin may have had to fight in the free 100m, but this was no contest; from Ai's purview, Rin nearly looked a full body ahead of his competitors. He's about to do as he had twice earlier in the day and run down to the entrance to congratulate Rin firsthand, but some familiar suspects not only beat him and Sousuke to the punch, they completely outshine.
It's familiar. Nostalgic. And a bit bittersweet. Ai watches as Rin pulls Haruka into the pool, and sighs with an awry smile, "He's begging to get in trouble..."
"He's gotten away with worse."
Ai and Sousuke had talked about it, when they grew familiar. Rin's stunt at his second year Samezuka relay. How Sousuke, too, had seen every single moment of it - had, embarrassingly, even heard Ai and Rin's altercation. Ai has it on good faith that Rin only bothers with stunts like these when he has his whole heart behind it.
"Well," Ai leads, sitting back down and choosing not to inject himself any more than strictly necessary, "They all look happy. So Rin-senpai is doing something right."
Sopping wet and red comes barreling up the stands, and Ai figures he's headed for his family given the gusto in his walk and the rings around his eyes, but Ai still smiles at Rin proudly, "Congratulations!"
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Date: 2025-07-30 10:35 pm (UTC)Rin barks playfully, as he plops into the seat between Sousuke and his mom. He barely even bothered to dry off, as Makoto, Nagisa and Haru were quick to find a new spot to spectate as Rei's heat would be coming up next. And Rin was eager to be surrounded by his family and found family in the lapse.
He leans his head back, breathing hard. Two heats in one day is exhausting enough, but Rin still has one to go and he feels exhaustion creeping up his limbs. It's not like he doesn't swim constant laps all day, practicing every which way. But the constant rush of adrenaline is pulling at him with a certain exhaustion.
"Let me guess, you just knew I would win before I even touched the wall so why bother--" His sister reaches over to smack him with her pamphlet, chiding him for being cocky and a smartass. Miyako says nothing, but smiles into the back of her hand like she's trying not to say or do something and let her son have this. Even if the mom in her might think otherwise.
Rin groans, leaning his head against Sousuke's shoulder. He feels him stiffen a little, but relax almost instantly after. This level of physicalities is nothing new. It's just Rin. He sighs, and looks over at Ai through exhaustion laced eyes.
"Fuck, this is exhausting. How are you guys holding up?"
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Date: 2025-07-30 10:51 pm (UTC)"Nanase had it coming."
"Sousuke-senpai--!"
Rin's leaning on Sousuke then, and Ai measures Sousuke's reaction habitually. For reasons he cannot and doesn't want to name, Ai is suddenly sitting a little bit straighter, and the pool down in the center of the room is infinitely more interesting.
Ai contemplates his answer to Rin's question, feeling a fire burning in his chest. So much matters, and yet so little of it actually does.
"If I don't sleep well tonight, I'll be pretty angry." He turns his head to his two seniors, simper plastered upon his lips. "But I'll be sad once it's over, too. These feelings of mine... It's as if I don't want to let go of them just yet." The good, the bad, the ugly. Pride, joy, adrenaline, attitude; bittersweet, jealousy, envy. If there is one thing Ai can say for certain, it's that he's never felt more alive.
He studies Rin's expression. The red tint to the corners of his eyes.
"Will you be alright for your 200m, senpai? Do you want to stretch?" A pause, and then a very stupid grin threatens his face, lidded only because he catches Sousuke in his periphery. "My hands are neither dark nor brooding, I promise."
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Date: 2025-07-30 11:11 pm (UTC)"I'll sneak an allergy pill in your tea then." Rin laughs, peeling himself off of Sousuke to raise his arms above his head.
Okay. Alright. Ai is actually pretty funny. Rin snorts, almost on the side of Sousuke's cheek and he just makes a face at Rin. Rin laughs, holding his hands up in a mock apology. "Woah, woah. It was an accident. Don't get all dark and broody on me again." Oh yes he did just go there. Rin winks at Ai, because he's going to remember that one for as long as he lives. "...yeah, you're probably right. Ugh. After Rei's fly, and Kirishima's individual."
Rin has never said it out loud, but he owes so much to Rei. Tracking him down, and giving him a hard wake-up call outside Samezuka. Calling him out on all of his shit. Talking with him after Rin got pulled off the Samezuka relay team, grounding him almost. And then giving up a spot he had actually worked hard for--earned--something Rin didn't come even close to doing.
Haru helped him find his purpose for swimming again, sure. But without Rei, it never would have come to fruition. He leans on the railing, chin resting on his crossed arms, watching the butterfly swimmers begin to queue up. Gou is on her feet, cheering her lungs out. Rin can pinpoint exactly where in the crowd Nagisa and the rest of Iwatobi's dream team are by their shouts.
A little smile crosses his face. He wonders if Rei even knows how Nagisa looks at him. Like the guy carved out the stars and the sky by hand.
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Date: 2025-07-30 11:32 pm (UTC)Rin's quip to his quip has Ai nearly straining to smile, and it's anyone's guess if it's a threat of a laugh or a groan.
"That was a one time instance."
Ai doesn't mind remaining here with the Matsuokas and Sousuke, though his mind does immediately flit to Nagisa as he watches Rei - and two Samezuka alumni, if Ai squints - carve out his future. Ai may have written off Nagisa as an annoying firestarter at first, but had come to learn very quickly that he is much more than meets the eyes. In fact, Ai doesn't think he can imagine anyone who so single-handedly invests in his friendships, oftentimes in thankless ways. That, and Ai knows yearning when he sees it.
Never mind Rei, with whom Ai shares so much in common. Scraping up to the top from nothing. Only hard work and an inspiration set aflame thanks to the people they looked up to most. Ai cannot help himself, his thoughts dragging his eyes up out of the pool and across the length of the natatorium and landing on black hair and ocean blue eyes and a cheer loud enough to put Ai himself to shame.
He watches the scoreboard; Rei's placed third. There's an excitement that overcomes his features.
"The time is good enough for the Consideration qualifier!" Subtly and to himself, Ai pumps his fist at his side. "Both Rei-kun and Nagisa-kun might be able to stand on a world stage, after all."
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Date: 2025-07-31 12:03 am (UTC)"Careful Nagisa doesn't edge you out of any of your spots, Ai. Terrifying little dude."
And watching what happens next is something that erases every other event of the day.
Rei stumbling out of the pool, tears in his eyes apparent even from so far as he gazes up at the score board. Rin stands up, watching Nagisa peel out of the side entrance looking around. Makoto and Haru aren't far behind (Rin thinks they all should have just stayed down there, but. again. details) and as Rei waves at them, Nagisa propels himself forward. He latches onto Rei as hard as possibly. Rin can feel the wind getting knocked out of his own lungs at the sight.
Or maybe it's the way Nagisa grabs Rei's face after, and shoves their mouths together. Uncaring of the press, or sponsors all around them as Rei flails rather expectedly, and Nagisa just pulls away with that big stupid grin and laughs so loud anyone could hear it. Something in Rin soars. He always had an inkling, but.
He hears Sousuke whistle so loud next to him, he swears he feels his ear drums crack. Gou is screaming and whooping from beside their mother, and it's just stupid and perfect the way Nagisa makes a scene in such a way. Even when the individual medley swimmers are lining up, and the refs try to shoo some of the swimmers to more secluded areas to discuss with coaches, sponsors, everyone possible poolside, Nagisa is still clinging to Rei like a lifeline, like he is afraid what will happen if he lets go.
"Don't cry dude. I know how you are during those ratman movies..." Rin sniffs, and just smiles as he watches Ikuya take position.
"Shut up, Sou." He laughs so hard as the timing gun goes off and the individual medley begins. Ikuya is insane. There's no doubts there. Nobody has as many events and strokes as he does in his backpocket. And it shows. All that time training in America, all the time spent mimicking Haru's freestyle stroke. Carving a place in the water for himself.
Even Sousuke gets on his feet to cheer on this one. He's seen Ikuya swimming for longer than Rin has. Ikuya finishes second, no easy feat given his competitors. Rin is buzzing in his chair, Ikuya and him have moulded into some friendly rivalry over the years, always pushing each other's buttons. He wants to give him some hell before he stretches for his upcoming heat, so he begins to bolt downstairs, tossing over his shoulder.
"Meet me down there Ai!! Dude needs some pep talk about his sloppy fly before I can think about stretching."
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From:mobile is ass so I’m sorry for the ass reply
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