One Day Until Prefecturals!!
Tomorrow is Prefecturals!!
At last, the prefecturals start tomorrow!
Everyone, please make sure to get plenty of rest today!
We'll meet tomorrow in front of the venue at 8 AM sharp!
Tardiness is strictly prohibited!
Is everyone ready?
Totally! We're fired up and ready to go!
We even got our new matching swimsuits!
True.
Then, let's go over the schedule one more time.
The first day will be for individual events,
and the second day is the relay.
Our entries in the individual events are...
Nagisa in the 100m breaststroke.
Yep!
Rei, the 100m butterfly.
Yes.
Haru will swim the 100m and 200m freestyle.
And I'll do the 100m backstroke and the 200m freestyle.
But Tachibana-kun, why did you choose the 200m freestyle
instead of the 100?
Because I'd have absolutely no chance against Haru in the 100m.
Makoto-senpai, you've worked really hard
and spent more time training every day
in preparation for the 200m freestyle, haven't you?
Though I still feel like it isn't enough to compete with Haru.
Hey, Haru...
I have a request.
Invincible Prime!
Hey, Haru-chan!
Why don't we join the swimming club together?
Nah, it's too much trouble.
But you love to swim, don't you?
I don't love it that much.
If you want to join, then join by yourself.
Then I won't join, either.
Why not?
Because
there's no point if you're not with me!
We have two new members of the Iwatobi Swimming Club today!
Nanase Haruka-kun and Tachibana Makoto-kun!
I-It's nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you!
Wow!
He's awesome!
Here.
In the water, you really are the best, Haru-chan!
What are you talking about?
Hey, you two new kids!
Did you have fun today?
New Member Bonus
Yes!
Haru-chan says he had fun, too!
You boys are really close, aren't you?
Oh, right! This is a bonus for new members.
You can each pick whichever one you like.
The dolphin ones are really popular!
We've only got this one left.
Use rock-paper-scissors to decide.
Go on. Rock, paper—
I think I'd rather have this one.
But you...
I like this one, too.
Here, Haru-chan!
Hey!
Be careful.
Thanks.
Dad...
It's my final summer of high school.
Please watch over me.
Onii-chan, are you okay on time?
You need to get back to Samezuka
so you can take your swim team to the tournament, right?
Yeah, I'd better, since I'm captain.
Matsuoka Family Grave
Well then, Father, we'll see you later!
Hey, wait a sec, Gou.
I'll give this to you.
This is Father's photo?
I don't need it anymore. Take good care of it.
Or maybe...
I bet if we put it up at the Iwatobi SC, it'd make Dad happy.
Okay!
Let's both do our best today!
Don't get cocky.
Let's go.
Wait for me!
Onii-chan!
I haven't been here since last summer.
I'm getting all fired up now!
I was so nervous last year, I didn't sleep the night before.
But I'm different this year!
My physical condition is at its peak!
Rei-chan, it sounds like you've grown some hair on your chest!
Certainly not!
Nothing so unsightly has grown on me!
Guys! Over here!
Good morning!
Good morning, everyone.
We'll be cheering hard for you today!
Good morning!
It's Rin-chan's team!
That's Captain Mikoshiba!
Long time no see, boys!
Have you been working hard even without me there?
Yes, sir!
You didn't have to come out here just to cheer for us, Nii-chan.
What's the matter, Momotarou? No need to be shy!
You're only a true athlete once you can surpass me!
That hurts!
That hurts, Nii-chan!
Gou-kun!
Gou-san!
Well then, why don't we all head inside?
Yeah, good idea.
Fly High, Iwatobi Swim Club!
Wow...
Lots of different schools are here this year, too!
It's been almost a year since I was at a school tournament.
They really are amazing.
Real, live muscl—
No, I can't get all worked up!
You've gotta hold it in, Gou!
What's wrong, Gou-san?
Are you feeling sick?
What? Even though you're surrounded by your beloved muscles?
I've made a solemn vow.
A vow?
Yes. Until the Iwatobi Swim Club makes it to nationals,
muscles are off limits!
Even if I see muscles, I won't get all worked up!
And if I do get worked up, I'll suppress it!
I don't think that's possible.
Suppressing things isn't good for your health.
Don't strain yourself.
Everyone, to ensure Gou-chan's resolve doesn't go to waste,
let's do our absolute best!
And let's win our way to the top, all the way to nationals!
Yeah!
Hey! Ai-chan!
Bam!
Wh-Wh-What do you think you're doing?!
You don't have to get so freaked out...
Like I've said, can you please stop calling me Ai-chan?!
Darn it! I put it on left leg first!
What should I do?!
Does it matter?
Yes, it matters! It's for good luck!
A while ago, when I put my swimsuit on right leg first,
I set a new personal best!
So before big competitions,
I always put my swimsuit on starting with the right leg!
Now I'll have to put it on again.
Hmm, so you think about stuff like that, Ai-chan?
Maybe I should try it, too.
Oh! That reminds me!
The first time I ate eight Iwatobi cream breads in one sitting,
I felt incredible!
Is is like that?
I'm impressed you didn't give yourself a stomachache.
Never mind luck.
You should worry about whether you're getting the right nutrients!
Hey! Rin-chan does that all the time, doesn't he?
Is that for good luck, too?
No, it's just me copying Rin-senpai.
Men's 100m breaststroke, heat three.
First up is Nagisa-kun's breaststroke!
What's Nagisa-kun looking at?
That's...
Nagisa's parents!
Ready...
Go!
Go, go, go, go, go, Nagisa!
Swim, swim, swim, swim, swim, Nagisa!
And swim!
Swim!
And turn!
Nagisa-kun's in the lead!
That Nitori's really putting up a fight!
Yeah! He's catching up to first place!
They're catching up to him!
It's okay!
Nagisa's arms always stretch out as he nears the finish!
1st Hazuki Nagisa
4th Nitori Aichirou
6th Hazuki Nagisa
He did it!
Nagisa-kun made it past the prelims!
All right!
Good job, Nagisa!
Looks like Nitori didn't make it past prelims.
That's what you'd expect.
Nitori's really improved, hasn't he?
Because you've been training him, Matsuoka?
No. I didn't do a thing.
He's been training hard all on his own.
I see.
Next up is backstroke, Makoto!
Keep this momentum going and win it!
Right!
The men's 100m backstroke will now begin.
In the lane next to Makoto-senpai is Samezuka's Uozumi-kun.
Looks like he'll swim backstroke in the medley relay, too.
So they'll be battling each other in the backstroke!
Gou-san!
Ah, he's also entering for Samezuka.
Gou-san!
Captain Mikoshiba's little brother, I think?
Gou-san!
What is that Momo doing, waving at Iwatobi?
Momotarou!
I'll be watching to see if you can capture
Gou-kun's heart with your swimming!
You bet! Just leave it to me!
Watch me, Nii-chan!
Ready...
Go!
Tachibana-san's so fast!
But Momo's in top form, too!
Go, go, go, go, go, Makoto!
Swim, swim, swim, swim, swim, Makoto!
Makoto's in first, and second is Uozumi. Wait...
It's Momo!
Usually, being in the end lanes
gives you a disadvantage because of the waves.
Yeah, but he doesn't look affected by it at all!
Momo-kun's passed Uozumi-kun and is catching up to Tachibana-san!
1st Tachibana Makoto
2nd Mikoshiba Momotarou
Tachibana Makoto
Mikoshiba Momotarou
Makoto-senpai made it past prelims!
Hurray!
Momo-kun's time qualified!
He really did great!
But Uozumi didn't make it...
How was that? Did you see my true power, Nii-chan?
You bet!
That's my little brother!
But I'm not letting you have Gou-kun, got it?!
That Momo actually did it!
I have no idea what you mean!
Seems like he excels in actual competition.
Shut it!
First, Nagisa-kun's breaststroke, then Makoto-senpai's backstroke...
Both these races exhibited the beautiful rivalry between Iwatobi and Samezuka!
The stage is now primed for the butterfly competition!
Huh?
What? But...
Why?!
My brother's in the next heat.
What about Yamazaki?
Why?!
Well...
Sousuke-kun's specialty is butterfly,
but it looks like he's not racing in the butterfly here.
Fine, then!
That means I will race unchallenged!
I'll just have to showcase my perfect butterfly stroke for one and all!
Rei-chan, you totally just jinxed yourself.
Ready...
Go!
1st Ryugazaki Rei
Just when we thought he had jinxed himself,
Ryugazaki Rei
Rei-kun made it past prelims!
You were amazing, Rei-chan!
Thank you so much.
This past year of hard work was worth it!
And the one who ranked first overall in butterfly is...
Matsuoka Rin!
Awesome, awesome, Matsuoka! Yeah!
Tachibana-kun, Hazuki-kun, Ryugazaki-kun, you were all incredible!
I can't believe you all qualified for regionals in your individual events!
Though freestyle won't start until the afternoon.
In Haru-chan's case, we know he's won even before he competes!
That reminds me. Makoto, you're competing in freestyle, too, aren't you?
Yes.
I can't wait to watch!
Hey, now. Don't forget about my brother and Haruka-senpai's race, too!
Haru...
About what I said yesterday...
I know.
Makoto's competing in freestyle, too?
Ready...
Go!
Makoto-senpai passed Haruka-senpai?!
Was Tachibana-kun always faster than Nanase-kun?!
What is Makoto doing?!
Doesn't he know that
unlike in the 100m races, pacing yourself is important in the 200m?
If you start at full power like an idiot,
you won't last until the end!
Hey, Haru... I have a request.
In the 200m freestyle tomorrow, I want you to race me for real.
Why?
Why did you suddenly decide to compete in freestyle?
Do you want to battle me that badly?
When this summer's tournaments end,
we third-years will have to retire from the club.
So before that happens,
I wanted to have a real race with you.
Why do you swim?
Because I want to swim with you.
And with all my friends.
But...
Tomorrow, I'll swim to beat you.
It's the final turn!
Haruka-senpai's caught up!
But Mako-chan is gradually...
...losing speed.
1st Nanase Haruka
Makoto...
I lost!
You really are the best in the water,
Haru-chan!
What are you talking about?
The men's 100m freestyle will now begin.
Mako-chan! Hurry! Hurry!
Sorry, coming!
It's time for the race between my brother and Haruka-senpai!
Ready...
Go!
Go, go, go, go, go, Haruka!
Swim!
Win this, Rin!
What is this?
No one else can come close to their speed!
2nd Matsuoka Rin 1st Nanase Haruka
Haruka-senpai won!
The difference between their times...
...was only 0.02 seconds!
Th-That's crazy!
What an unbelievable race!
That's our Nanase-kun!
Yes!
Although my feelings are a little mixed.
Hey...
Why did you want to swim with Haru-chan?
I wanted to try swimming a serious race against Haru.
I'm not sure why.
Maybe I was jealous of Rin.
I see...
You can't go losing a race like that, Rin.
Easy for you to say.
That Haru... Every time I swim against him, he gets faster.
He's like a freaking monster!
But more importantly, Sousuke...
It's finally happening tomorrow.
The relay.
Yeah.
Momo-kun! It's just the two of us doing this preview.
I'm getting nervous!
Nitori-senpai, I'll do my best!
For the first time, we're being entrusted with such an important—
Next episode, The Crou—
Hold it! The senpai gets to say that part!
You should let your junior have it!
I let you have the top bunk!
That's totally separate from this!
The Crouching Start of Vindication!
Next episode: The Crouching Start of Vindication!
Nii-chan?!
It's the fateful Samezuka versus Iwatobi medley relay!
Which team will win?!