Huh?
Far from the land where human beings lived,
at the bottom of the ocean, which was so clear, like purest glass,
there was the mermaids' kingdom.
Episode 4: Interference of Loss!
Shimogami University
See? Kisumi told us they weren't practicing today, didn't he?
So Kisumi was actually right?
You didn't believe him?!
At this time of day, he might still be in class.
Which department is Ikuya in?
Damn it! I didn't ask!
Asahi!
How's it going? Did you see Ikuya?
Not yet! What department is he in, anyway?
Senpai didn't tell me that...
Well, go ask now!
Ask whoever you know that has a boyfriend at Shimo U!
I might not be able to...
She has plans to see a movie with her boyfriend today.
The one called Life of a Mouse 2.
Seriously?
I guess we'll just have to look for him ourselves.
Are we gonna find him by just wandering around?
Hey! You're—
Archerfish of Naruto!
Don't call me that!
Drop it, Asahi. You too, Archerfish.
We're here to see Kirishima Ikuya.
Well, we don't have practice today.
I'm on my way to see a movie with my girlfriend.
We're seeing Life of a Mouse 2.
Life of a Mouse 2
A Mouse...
Wait, so is Kisumi's senpai's boyfriend actually...
What? You guys know Misae-san?
Her name's Misae-san?
Is Misae-san's boyfriend
a guy called Archerfish?
Yeah! She did call him that!
It is!
Even Misae-san is calling me Archerfish?!
That aside...
Don't put that aside!
Do you know where Ikuya is now?
And why should I have to tell you?
Don't be like that.
I might even tell my friend to have your girlfriend say,
"Terashima is so amazing!"
If you help us out, that is.
Something wrong?
Nah, I just remembered something I need to do.
Go on to the pool without me, would you?
Okay.
I'll be swimming, then.
Sure.
I'll be there soon.
Nobody in there...
Maybe they all left already.
What are you guys doing here?
We're just here to see an old friend from middle school.
This again?
Ikuya doesn't have time to waste looking back on the past.
What did you—
Asahi.
Nanase-kun, wasn't it?
Didn't I tell you last time that Ikuya's a busy guy?
There's no practice today, right?
There's no practice, but he's training on his own.
I wish you wouldn't bother him.
We won't do anything to interfere with his training.
We just want to talk to him a little.
If you really have to, can you wait until after he's done training?
He should be done in about two hours.
Ugh!
That guy just gives me bad vibes.
Oh, come on...
It sounds like we'll get to see Ikuya, though.
What're you gonna do when we see him?
Well, I think we should apologize first, and then...
And then?
I want to talk to him about the summer training camp we had in middle school.
Oh, yeah, I forgot about that!
You were the one who suggested it.
I talked one-on-one with Ikuya that night.
He said he wanted to race me in freestyle the next summer.
Then he made a wish on a shooting star.
I never knew that happened.
I wonder what he wished for...
I want a pork cutlet bowl.
Huh?
But this cafeteria's pork cutlet bowls suck.
The mackerel's good.
I hate mackerel.
Yo. We meet again.
You're the guy from...
Since you're all here, I'll honor the occasion by telling you this...
The best meal this cafeteria has is the kitsune udon.
Huh?
Um...
Sorry to interrupt.
Who's he?
He doesn't look like a student...
Damn it!
I thought I'd gotten over it...
This again...
I guess...
I'm just...
Hey, Kirishima?!
Did he just sink?!
Ikuya!
Are you all right?!
I'm fine.
I'm fine, okay?
Isn't it still a little early?
Beats being late.
That guy might try to get in our way again.
He's not here.
Are you serious?! Did that guy lie to—
Now, that's rude.
I didn't lie to you.
We waited, like we promised.
Let us see Ikuya.
Ikuya left already.
He wasn't feeling well, so he cut his practice short.
Is that true?
Why would I lie about that?
Then we'll go check in on him.
Could you get in touch with him for us?
Check in on him?
Could you just mind your own business?
Worrying about our friend is our business!
This is an extremely important time for Ikuya.
You guys are athletes, too. You should understand.
Sure, we understand, but do you have to put it that way?
Asahi, don't.
Sorry. I'm not trying to be mean.
Just what are you to Ikuya?
I'm his best friend.
Oh, right. I haven't introduced myself yet, have I?
I'm Toono Hiyori.
I became friends with Ikuya while we were studying abroad in America.
His brother, Natsuya-kun, entrusted me to
look after him after we came back.
You must know who we are, then.
Ikuya might have told me a little bit...
If I recall, you were his teammates,
but you broke up the club before your second year of middle school, right?
We want to apologize to Ikuya for that.
What would you apologize for after all this time?
I promised him in our first year of middle school
that I'd race him in freestyle the next summer.
I want to apologize for failing to keep that promise.
I see... But I really doubt
that Ikuya even remembers that promise anymore.
In any case, you're being a nuisance.
Besides, Ikuya doesn't swim in relays anymore.
He's just focusing on the IM now.
And why do you keep butting in and speaking for Ikuya?
Because Natsuya-kun asked me to look after him.
Well, we know Natsuya-senpai, too!
We've been Ikuya's friends since middle school!
But I'm his best friend.
I don't know what happened in the past,
but do you guys really think you have the right to be his friends now?
The right? What the hell are you talking about?!
Ikuya's reaching for the global stage.
He doesn't need weaklings around him.
Anyone who isn't strong has no right to be his friend...
Or so I think.
You little—
Why don't we race, then?
Haru!
Good idea! A race!
With the right to be Ikuya's friend on the line!
Oh, but I specialize in the backstroke.
And Nanase-kun... you only swim free, am I right?
That's fine, though. I can swim freestyle, too.
What do you say? Want to race?
If you want it to be backstroke, I'll race you.
Makoto...
It's okay, Haru.
I'll do it.
You're Tachibana-kun, right?
So you're going to race against me.
All right, then.
We'll have a test to see how serious you guys are.
Marron
Are you sure you're okay with this, Makoto?
Yeah. I suddenly felt the urge to swim for real again.
And I want to do whatever I can for Ikuya.
What's all this?
You're going to race against Ikuya-kun's friend?
Mind if I come to cheer you on?
Seriously, Sis, don't.
It's not exactly a happy occasion.
Really?
Makoto!
You're gonna have a race? Can I come watch?
I just said it's not that kind of race!
But I'm involved in this too, you know.
What about your club?
I'll skip that day!
Man, what's up with you?
You have way too many clubs in the first place!
Aw, but...
Oh, hey, that's...
the guide from our deserted island training camp two years ago.
Those were the days!
Deserted island...
You want to go to a deserted island, too?
If we have a training camp, I want it to be in another country!
Oh! That's a great idea, too!
Come on, Nagisa-kun.
This is an important training camp.
We should look at it realistically and try to make it as effective as possible.
We got a reply from Samezuka Academy!
Gou-san!
What'd they say?
The negotiation was successful!
Yahoo! A training camp with Gou-san!
No, Momo-kun, it's a training camp with the Iwatobi Swim Club.
And Soufuukan, too. There'll be three schools there.
Oh, right! I've gotta give Gou-san some stag beetle sap!
Hey!
Are you listening, Momo-kun?
Yep!
Soufuukan has that Capybara.
This time, I'm gonna beat him in swimming, too!
Just don't get into any fights like you did at the resort over spring break.
Oh, yeah... I should let Sousuke-senpai know.
If this keeps up, you should be able to swim again.
Really?
Yes.
Just make sure you don't overdo it.
There's still a risk of damaging the area again.
And if that happens?
You'd just go back to rehab.
Injuring it again wouldn't mean the end.
So it's like I'm carrying a bomb on my shoulder.
That's a bit of an exaggeration.
But if you want to be able to swim at full strength again,
you may be forced to make a decision.
A decision?
Sousuke-kun!
Gou.
Heading home from club?
Yep! Are you on your way home, too?
Yeah.
By the way, I got a message from Ai earlier.
So Iwatobi's coming to the upcoming training camp, too?
Yeah! Will you be there?
Yeah, as an alumnus.
The doctor said I can start swimming again.
Really?
Yeah... But don't tell Rin yet.
I want to tell him myself.
I brought snacks.
That much?
I thought I'd make dinner if you hadn't eaten yet.
I already ate.
You worry too much.
At least have some ice cream, then?
I'll put some coffee on.
I'll do it.
Have a seat.
Oh, The Little Mermaid...
You still have this?
You really like this story.
Everyone was worried about you, Ikuya.
I mean, you haven't been up to your full strength lately.
Of course, I keep telling them you'll be fine, but still...
Captain Hoshikawa has really had his eye on you.
He really wants to get you to swim in a freestyle relay.
I don't do relays anymore.
I know.
You're strongest as you are now, without doing relays.
I know that.
Hiyori, you saw Haru and the guys today, didn't you?
You knew?
I saw them around there when I left.
I told them the same thing as last time.
That this is an important time for you, so I didn't want them seeing you.
That was okay, right?
Yeah... I guess.
His start was no good at all.
But his form is perfect, right?
That's useless if there's no speed behind it.
What's up, Nanase?
Next to Suzuki...
That's Ikuya!
Oh, Kirishima Ikuya?
Look at me, not him!
Well, you can't compare to Kirishima.
He came back from America
and swam in his first high school tournament as a third-year,
but he set a tournament record.
He only competed in the IM.
You know a lot about him, Inada.
Gathering data is my hobby!
It's unusual for someone to only swim the IM, isn't it?
Ikuya was our classmate in middle school.
Are you serious?!
You guys were friends?
Yeah, but not so much now.
Oh, yeah, I get it.
When old friends stop seeing each other, they end up not being friends anymore.
I have some like that, too...
No, I've moved around a lot ever since I was a kid,
but my friends from back then are still my friends now.
Why isn't Kirishima still your friend, then?
Did you have a fight?
That happens a lot, too.
Well, don't worry about it.
Practice comes before friendship right now.
You've got a point.
We need to think about getting stronger above all else.
There are many ways to get stronger!
Mikoshiba-senpai!
Past teammates and friendships can contribute to your strength in the present.
There are lots of things that are important besides just practicing.
Come on, it's just about time for the general meeting.
Right.
Hey, sorry I'm late!
What were you guys doing?
Practice ran late.
Makoto.
Thanks, Haru.
Is there really any point to this?
Isn't it kinda childish to bet things in contests like this?
I don't get it.
I guess that's kind of why I'm doing it.
Maybe if I swim with him, I'll understand him better.
Also, something about that Toono guy bothers me...
I still don't get it.
We understand each other by swimming together.
Right, Haru?
Yeah.
Hey!
Don't leave me out of the group!
Hey...
Aren't you...
Misaki-kun?
Hi again!
Hi there.
Hey, Misaki!
Yeah, I'm coming!
Who's that?
Misaki-kun. I met him over spring break, when I went to see Haru's apartment.
He was training really hard at swimming,
because he had a rival he really wanted to beat.
Now Hiring Position: Swimming Coach Seeking cheerful candidates with plenty of energy
His coach had suddenly quit,
so Haru and I gave him some swimming guidance for a while.
I guess they still haven't found a new coach.
I hope he'll be able to laugh with his rival when he sees him again.
Yeah.
Kirishima
Want to go out to eat today? I want to talk about the new training regimen, too.
Kirishima
Sorry. There's something I have to take care of today.
You're early.
We thought you weren't coming.
I keep my promises...
unlike you.
Well, ready to get started, Tachibana-kun?
Yeah.
The little mermaid...
Take your marks!
The little mermaid visited the home of the sea witch,
and in return for giving up her voice,
she obtained human legs.
Every step brought excruciating pain, as if knives were stabbing her legs.
They're neck-and-neck!
Makoto's amazing!
Damn it!
So,
what about me, then?
What did I obtain,
and what did I give up for it?
Yes!
You're pretty good.
Tachibana-kun, for a guy who hasn't swum in a while, you put up a good fight.
I'm really impressed.
You're a great swimmer, too. I couldn't believe it.
Thanks for doing this!
But I don't think you deserve to see Ikuya.
You're still saying that?!
Asahi...
But since you took the time to race me,
I'll tell you one thing you don't know about Ikuya.
Something we don't know?
Ikuya nearly drowned from lack of oxygen in middle school, right?
Actually, after that,
he had another oxygen deprivation incident in America.
It was pretty serious.
He was in the hospital for a while.
No way...
For real?
Ikuya is very delicate.
Of course, in the end, he overcame his accident
and turned out stronger than ever before.
But you know...
I've heard and learned a lot of things about you, Nanase-kun.
Everyone who swims with you ends up suffering somehow, huh?
Haru...
I...
At last, it's our turn!
Yeah! There are tons of people at our joint training camp!
Episode 5: An Ominous Workout!
Next time: "An Ominous Workout!"
Time to get to work!