"Nanase-san… It's almost time for your class! Wake up"

"What's the time now?" Haruka says sleepily.

"10 minutes to 3. Why do you always ask for the time when you are wearing a watch? Weird."

Haruka got up, stretched himself and yawned. He looked at his watch which has stopped long ago, his eyes resonating pain as he remembers the accident years ago… The dream that he had earlier, he couldn't remember… but somehow, it seems like he didn't want to remember it either. "Rin…" Shaking the thoughts out of his head, he headed for the pool.

Haruka became a swimming coach after graduating. He went pro during his school days but he had inherited a heart disease which made him unable to swim competitive again… Any vigorous exercise could lead to a heart failure. His love for water didn't vanish when he found out that he was probably going to die young. He still loved water and wanted to swim…

Haruka's father brought him up with a heavy hand, expecting a lot from his only son. When Haruka was diagnosed with an inherited heart disease and would never be able to swim competitive again, his father was disappointed… To make matters worse, Haruka's rival became the Ace of the Swim team and was showered with much more care and concern as compared to him by Haruka's father. It was as if Haruka was not his son…

The first time Haruka met Rin was when Rin moved to Iwatobi. Rin loves swimming and would be joining the Iwatobi Swim Team so he went to the swimming complex to take a look at the new environment he would be in. There, he saw a dejected boy sitting at the corner. Curious, he went to approach the young Haruka and apparently, Haruka had taken 2 seconds longer than usual when his father timed him. His father had scolded him for being complacent and not practicing enough even though Haruka swims everyday… Ever since Rin approached Haruka, they became good friends. They went to the same school and were in the same class. It was as if they were brought together by fate.
But all good things eventually come to an end...

After Haruka's swimming lesson, he headed for the Director's office. It used to be his father's but not any more. Age was catching up with Haruka's father so he retired 2 years ago.

"I quit."

"What?! fine fine. go on a vacation and come back!"

The new Director of the Swimming Team was very nice to Haruka. Giving in to his demands and letting him go for occasional breathers/ vacations knowing that he has not completely gotten over the accident. He knew that Haruka would never abandon the Swimming Complex since it held all his memories, good or bad.

Haruka gathers his belongings the next morning and left on his bicycle. He had no place in mind to go to but he just wanted to leave and relax. Tired after riding aimlessly for a few hours, he sat down to eat his packed lunch.

"Kyaaaa!"

Haruka heard some screams and look at the direction it came from. He dashed up the stairs and caught the falling girl. She was carrying a lot of luggage a missed a step hence, falling off the stairs. If not for him, she would probably be lying at the foot of the staircase, bleeding to her death...

She thanked him profusely and asked what he was doing in the rural areas... Seeing his backpack and bicycle, she guessed that he was travelling alone so she offers him a place to stay as a form of gratitude for saving her.

"Come by if you wish to! It's Just around the bend. A watch shop." She smiled and the taxi drove off.

Haruka didn't have any plans of going to that girl's house but as he was packing up, he noticed that his bicycle's tire had deflated slightly. He went over to check quickly and realised that there was a nail stuck in it... He would not last unless he had his tires replaced but there were no bicycle shops around. Left with no choice, he headed for the said watch shop...

He stood before the watch shop. It was bigger than he expected it to be...

Just as he was about to press the door bell, the door swung open

"ah! you're here! come in. come in"

Behind the girl, appears a young man, probably the same age as him or perhaps younger.
"Rin...?" Haruka whispers but the young man heard him.
Haruka stares at the young man because he somehow reminds him of Rin...

Pushing the young man aside, the girl grabs on to Haruka's arm and tugs him into the house.