Makoto watched as Rin swam the last lap of the regional race. Makoto was so glad that they had found Rin in time. Rin had seemed so lost without his friends, without Haru. Makoto smiled, he was just glad to see Rin happy. As soon as the race was over and they had won, Rin ran up and threw his arms around Haru. Makoto couldn't help joining the hug too, he was just so happy.

Makoto was so happy after that, he didn't even get annoyed when he found out that they had been disqualified from the competition. Makoto had expected that to happen anyway since Rin was on the Samezuka team. He was determined to not let anything ruin his good mood. Seeing Rin smile that day, lit something inside Makoto. He couldn't stop thinking about Rin without smiling. He kept doing that all day, his family had asked him why he was smiling so much more than usual. When Makoto realized what he was doing, he blushed and tried to brush it off, "Oh it's nothing really."

Makoto was back at school again after the club activities. That day they were going over to Samezuka for a joint practice. Makoto was excited to go, the Iwatobi swim team felt more welcome there now that they had reunited with Rin. They walked into the pool house and Rin was the first one to greet them. Makoto felt weak in the knees as soon as he saw Rin. He had to hide it though, he wasn't about to let anyone know, especially because of the way Rin always seemed to hang on Haru.

It bothered Makoto how indifferent Haru seemed. He had always been a little cold and off putting, but did he have to be that way with Rin? Especially after what he had said to Rin before the race. Did Haru just not see Rin's feelings, they were painfully obvious to Makoto. Or was he ignoring them because he didn't return them. Makoto just bit his tongue and didn't say anything. He didn't want to bring anything up at the practice. He wanted Rin to be happy but he wasn't about to talk to Haru about something so serious.

After the joint practice, Makoto and Haru headed to Makoto's place. They were gonna hang out and play video games. And since they were hanging out at Makoto's house, his younger siblings would end up playing with them.