#free! iwatobi sc

[such-a-downer]

Oh look it's rin matsuoka back in australian tank

“Progress Shark” outside the Australian Museum, ahead of Sydney Mardi Gras/World Pride Festival 2023.

[totokka]

Don't look at me with those eyes, a SouHaru fanfiction

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences Words (so far): 3,256 Summary: Sousuke comes back for the relay event in the Iwatobi SC returns, surprising Haruka, his ex boyfriend. There's still some stuff they haven't gone through yet, is now the time to do it?

LINK aaaaa my first fanfic in 10 YEARS... im rewatching free! and i completely fell in love again with my one true ship souharu, so here it is!

[such-a-downer]

If Final Stroke part 1 was rinharu angst, i bet Final Stroke part 2 will be makoharu angst.

You guys have seen the animedia cover right?

If rin helped haru in s2, it might be makoto's turn in the second movie.

Well, I'm fine with it. I like both anyways.

And tho I'm late with the fandom's discussion about the movie, and even tho i haven't seen it yet myself, i'll still put out mine *with a sprinkle of memes (it's more of an overall analysis tho, accuracy not guaranteed)---

• The spoilers point out that haru had another breakdown, wanting to get stronger and faster. In my opinion, it's because haru has only started to learn things the hard way. Come to think of it, he only began to care about his swimming during their nationals back in high school. And he still isn't used to being bested by someone else. Unlike rin who has better knowledge and experience (by haru in freestyle and sousuke in butterfly), haru has no idea how to handle getting worked up when competing against someone, he's not used to it.

• Haru has another hidden matra. Besides that mantra about being a normal person at 20, he got a hidden one: 'Never depend on others'. Yes, he doesn't say it himself but when you have watched the series several times enough, then you know that haru is quite independent in almost everything; whether at home or school. And more importantly, if you have read the High Speed light novels (if you haven't, i suggest you do so cuz why not), little haru doesn't like the idea of depending on others and was even pissed when he questioned himself if he was just being dependent on water. The only notable time he openly asked for help is when he asked coach azuma to help him with the IM race against ikuya. For the most time, he was being aided by makoto's keen (motherly-like) observation skills (although haru is also keen in his own way).

• Makoto-Haru-Rin assessment: haru lacks openness, makoto lacks initiative and rin can be impulsive sometimes. Wait, hold up! please put down your pitchforks if you have any. I'll explain it (it's connected with the previous bullet) *Ahemm, so, what i meant by that is, haru tends to keep everything to himself and doesn't feel the need to drag others into his business and rarely openly preaches his feelings, he usually does this if the other one does the talking first. Haru didn't talk about his meeting with rin back in junior high with others, not even with makoto. He kept his plans for the future on hold just because he doesn't want to be bothered by it. Even when pressure kept on bugging him, he never spoke about it with anyone. And what did it did to him? He ends up snapping at others.

Next is makoto. Yes, he got motherly instincts that makes him take action as what he thinks he should. We know that he has a good grip on haru. Still, there are times that makoto tends to give haru too much space. It's true that he was the one who called rin and told him about haru when they had a fight in s2. But he respects haru's privacy too much that he never asked what was up when haru suddenly decided to quit during high school. There's a good chance that haru would have told everything if only makoto pressed on it. Makoto has the right to know. And what's more, after the friendly competition against albert, makoto was able to hold on for two good weeks without checking on haru. If rin hadn't dragged him to visit haru, who knows until when would makoto stay still. Third blow on makoto: according to movie spoilers, he let the serious talk with haru be cut off just because he was reminded that he had some business with his twin siblings. Come on, i know keeping your word with your family is important but can't he at least be more aggressive when it comes to haru just like what he did in s2? And i think he's already spoiled the twins enough. He could have spared at least ten more minutes with haru. He has the right to question and speak to haru because, again, he has the right to know.

Now, let's have rin. This guy is prone to confronting others with physicality. Gosh, i salute ai for being able to put up with rin in s1. Remember? He tried to punch haru back in s1. He also has this habit of grabbing others by the collar (rei, sousuke) or their swimming goggles (haru). And if makoto lacks initiative, rin is the opposite who tends to be pushy and impulsive sometimes. Transferring to iwatobi, studying in australia, suddenly joining samezuka relay (as surprise counterattack after seeing iwatobi relay), bringing haru to australia, and quitting freestyle. He triggered haru's switch once in s2 by taunting about future plans so why did he had to do it again in the movie? They are not even halfway through college yet but rin was already rushing haru to come up with a decision about his next step. Not only that, rin shouldn't have brought down the blow on haru so suddenly, saying he'd quit freestyle. He should have known by now not to give haru sudden triggers (somehow i feel this is some sort of karma on haru for suddenly quiting during junior high).

• Another separate bullet for haru (because he's the mc). Haru can be indifferent and passive. I remembered that some fans speculate that haru has autism. I think that if it was true, then it's possible to connect it to this. Well anyways, haru is not the most sociable kid around, ever since High Speed light novel. And i was pissed off with his attitude towards nagisa in the second volume (yea just because he's already in junior high). Too bad, the movie version made haru more amiable. Of course, haru can act out of concern like what he did for makoto, nagisa and rei. He can help. But it doesn't change the fact that somethimes he thinks that concerning himself with others' business is such a drag. And when haru wants to make them stay or confront them, it ends up messy because he's not used to 'talking things out with them'. Haru is used to makoto being around him he ended up snapping. Not only because makoto will be away, but also because makoto went ahead of him in coming up with a decision. Let's just say that during that time, he had 'no sense of emergency' (sorry for the term hehe), he put the serious matter on hold. And of course, haru is used to rin giving him the push he needs. He realized his dream with the help of rin. His competitiveness is always driven by rin. No wonder that rin's decision to quit freestyle was a shot to the heart for haru. It's obvious that haru wants to take on albert together with rin. Haru should have been more open about it.

• Of course, let's add sousuke. Actually, i like sousuke's character development. My concern is that his surgery and recovery was covered way too briefly. And more than that, the build-up of dynamic between him and natsuya feels very unnatural. I know people of the same interest are bound to intersect in some way but it feels off that sousuke and natsuya immediately became familiar with each other. They could have at least dug the events from high speed. Like natsuya could at least point out that he remember sousuke as someone who had "temporary issues" with haru (this is more detailed in the light novel). Actually, instead of concentrating sousuke's interaction with natsuya, it would have been better that the focus was on him and rin. Like sousuke suddenly bringing up to rin that he is thankful that rin is not repeating what he did (when he cut off the correspondence back then) and that their connection and support towards each other are growing strong. It would be nice to see how sousuke is as rin's mental support (i consider sourin as the "bros of the bros" tandem)

• The ikurin pair. Yeah finally more interaction between these two. Still, i personally think that ikurin pair would have been portrayed better if not for the s3's awful pacing. If only they had compressed ikuya and haru's conflict into 3 episodes instead of 8, then perhaps ikuya would look less dramatic. More on, ikuya and rin would have met in s3 instead of Road to World movie. And a bigger chance for ikuya to be enlightened why haru quit back then. Imagine, what would ikuya do after learning about it. Because i find it off that ikuya only minded that haru quit the club and that even after they have reunited, it's still not known to him. Well, plot and characters felt less natural ever since s3 so... Anyways, ikuya and rin. They are similar when it comes to having fixation towards haru. But how they handle their conflicts with haru are so far apart. Rin acted like a badass, was a grump, and always ready to punch others. But nevertheless, despite his temper during s1, whenever he would calm down and think things over, he can respond properly to others. Just like with Ai and Rei. Ikuya on the other hand, he acted calm and cold. And whenever Hiyori confronts him about Haru, Ikuya just brushes it off until he finally snapped during that slide scene (which i enjoyed despite being 100% bait and 0% plot). He was too obsessed with haru and shrugged hiyori. He didn't even bother to at least explain properly like a mature athlete. Hiyori was so misunderstood but many don't see that ikuya doesn't treat his friend better. Makes me think that High Speed Ikuya is better than anime Ikuya.

• Our precious iwatobi and samezuka kids. Oh good grief, i've barely read anything about them in the spoilers. They were quite neglected (seriously, s3 started it). If in s2 haru and other's future plans were the main focus, how come the youngsters don't get the spotlight they deserve? Season 3 got 12 + 1 episodes, they could at least have 2 good episodes to focus on what Nagisa, Rei, Gou, and Ai are planning for their future. It would have been good if it was included that they have been scouted. Like ai and nagisa being scouted by shimogami while rei gets scouted by hidaka, gou decides to take similar career to makoto; she can also become a sports nutritionist (the proper way lol). Also, since ai and mikhail are relatives, it would have been interesting if it was revealed that ai persuaded his uncle to coach rin (because ai got ai for rin and would do what he can to give support). And sweet momo-kun would be expected to become the next captain (being captain runs in the blood) and have realization that he needs to be more serious in holding the team. I wish the new iwatobi and samezuka relay team were also given more appreciation. By the way, s3's ending theme was so misleading that i thought nagisa and nao would actually meet. I've never seen something more misleading. They could've at least let them meet during the time when makoto brought over the iwatobi kids at the swim club for practice. Imagine nao answering to nagisa's hyper questions. *sigh~ i feel bad for my kids. They deserved better.

• Then we have our candy boys kisumi and asahi. Kisumi needs more appreciation. I've read somewhere that he should be given some focus too (which i agree to). Like exploring about his basketball club, the others supporting kisumi and cheering him up during a game. He plays such an important role in connecting the others. It's even amazing that he and asahi have maintained connection somehow even after asahi moved out back in junior high. The hint to that is the TYM where the two of them had a phone call. And when it comes to asahi, it would have been good to see a deeper aspect of him. I wish they connected asahi and rin too. I mean it's actually canon, in a way (their dads were buddies). Anyways, asakisu pair is part of the refreshing pairs alongside nagirei. Come to think of it, asahi and kisumi are flexible when it comes to pairings (kisurin, kisuke, asaiku, asarei).

• Of course, the other characters too. The drama cds were such a blessing since they show more of other characters like teacher ama and coach sasabe. But still, i wish we saw more of them too. Imagine teacher ama's previous profession being revealed to the kids or having a flashback of coach sasabe's high school days (though there's little info on this one). Or better yet, let coach Goro and coach Azuma meet, since they are both iwatobi hs alumni. Another wishful thinking for me is to see coach mikhail and ai together (mikhail could've attended the nationals at least to support ai). And a bonus: a meeting between coach mikhail and gou (and have muscle talk all day long). The "vilains" or should i say "powerful rivals" were better off either removed from s3 or introduced early on. I'm not saying they are not necessary, but the plot line would have had a better flow if they have Kinjou for s3 and move Albert to a later timeline. *sigh~ makes me think that s3 should have neen 16 eps instead of 12 (13 if you include the ep 0)

[paltitasalvaje]

Yamazaki Sousuke

[such-a-downer]

Oh look it's the gay dolphin + gay shark

The saba boy and sakura boy

what is your absolute favorite ship?

Me and my partner have this conversation so much and we both always just come back to saying its rinharu from free!

The fandom experience was tortuous but it was almost so worth it just to be able to love these two the way I did. They are my foundation in a lot of ways, they are one of the first ships that I took on because despite the friction and conflict there was a deep n mutual love there.

Prior to rinharu I either liked ships that were destined to fail where one party was desperately chasing another (and I felt like they weren’t being given a chance to prove themselves by the narrative, a lot of rarepairs). Or ships where the attraction was mutual but I was fighting for fanwork where them being in love wasnt inherently tragic (kawoshin, johnvris ((I know)) killugon)

Rinharu showed me how a relationship can exist in a lot of ways and still come back and center itself, that passion doesn’t have to just be painful. There is an end point if you communicate and feel those feelings with the other person. Also you don’t have to be punished for loving someone so much, you can reach that satisfied and happy place with them.

I’ll always credit Rinharu for give me the quintessential most healthy and realistic outlook on love I could have ever run into lol. It’s how me and my partner met. Its how I have all the friends that I have. Its how I processed valuing my relationships because outside of Rin and Haru loving each other. They also came to terms with how much love they have for their friends and hurdled over the feelings they both had of being invisible or inferior. I used RH to model so much of my framework for love that I am genuinely a better person for it.

Some people may find that embarrassing or cringe but I don’t I genuinely don’t know what I’d be thinking or doing without being so surprised, emotional and invested in these two. So. it is what it is lol ❤️💙

[meppine]

very late thing for pocky day !!!

[ghostlypizzv]

Look at the Happiest Rin. I mean LOOK AT HIM

[yorememberme]

am i the only one whos going to miss these three iwatobi babies in the middle of the Olympics choas and all the shenanigans?

[nrrrdgrrrl]

[carmenlim-rui]

FREE DIVE TO THE FUTURE!! Episode 1 is here~!! (yesterday~)

Rin painting~

[myusernameisnotstupid]

Free! third season confirmed!!!

I convinced two male otaku friends of mine to binge watch the series with me before we graduate from high school and go our separate ways TT TT. I’m looking forward to both the season itself and their reactions lololol

[skitzs]

GOSH. im rewatching free! season 2 and im at the first ep. haru telling rin to come to iwatobi sc and they surprise him w the sakura pool. anyway, rin's asking the important questions here: what they will do after graduation. it's the fact that rin really is the most responsible bb

like he just isss. even from the moment he was young. he rlly made it on his own in middle school when he went to australia, learned everything on his own, from scratch. no friends at first, the language barrier, a different culture. all in his young age. RIN IS SO AMAZING 😭🦈✨

so he asked haru and makoto if theyve got plans after graduation and haru ofc had none, and so as makoto. and rin was like, "tch. more like you havent thought about it" like the responsible, independent, filled with ambition guy that he is 😳 no wonder he was appointed captain

i just rlly love rin as a character. he KNOWS what he wants in life, & is not afraid to pursue it, or even shy about admitting it. i think if rin would ever reach the point of knowing WHO he wants in his life too, i'd be watching a good show where the endgame is him winning them

[believeyourgalaxy]

i was rewatching free! eternal summer and i found a plot hole:

how’d sousuke find his way to the iwatobi sc in the first place, mans is canonically terrible at directions

[such-a-downer]

I won't be able to watch final stroke movie anytime soon. BUT at least let me share my imaginative scene between Ikuya and Rin. Because in my opinion, season 3 didn't give justice to the portrayal of connections between Ikuya, Rin and Haru.

I hope you'll enjoy this.

Nagisa, Rei, Ai, and Momo invited Haru and the others who have returned from Tokyo to hang out at Iwatobi SC Returns. Coach Sasabe welcomed them in. Ikuya and Asahi who have never been there looked at the establishment with curiosity. Their curiosity turned into surprise when they saw the hanged pictures on the wall near the entrance.

Asahi: Ah! These pictures...!

Ikuya: Were these taken in your competitions in high school?

Makoto: Yes.

Nagisa: And we also have our picture when we won the relay in elementary! It was fun! I did my best so Rin-chan would let me in the team. We also practiced hard back then.

Makoto: Come to think of it, we wouldn't experience how it feels to swim in a relay if it wasn't for Rin. It's great that he came to Iwatobi.

Asahi: Amazing... So this is what Haru looks like back then. Are you always like this in your pictures?

Rin and the others went ahead to the lockers while Haru turned back to them.

Haru: What are you doing? Hurry.

Nagisa: Eh! I was just showing the pictures to Iku-chan and Asa-chan. Don't tell me you're too shy to show these to them?

Haru: I'm not shy. The pictures are there even if I don't show them.

Ikuya stared at the pictures and looking intently at Rin and Haru.

Ikuya: They look nice.

Makoto: Come, I'll show you guys to the pool.

Asahi: Okay, okay.

When they reached the pool, Haru couldn't hold his self any longer. He walked over to the pool.

Ikuya: Haru!

Asahi: Oi! What are you doing?

Haru stripped in a flash like he used to. Asahi and Ikuya watched with wide eyes. Nagisa laughed while Makoto heaved a sigh.

Makoto: Haru... Seriously, even now?

Asahi: Huh!? What's the meaning of this?

Ikuya: What did he just do!?

Makoto: Well, you see... Haru have this urge to strip and swim when he sees a pool.

Nagisa scratched his chin.

Nagisa: But it was much tougher back then since he would even try to get to an inflatable pool or tank.

Asahi: What!? He really did that?

The others have already changed into their swimsuits and entered the pool area. Momo did a splash like a kid, while Rei, Ai and Sousuke went in to the water in a normal way. Rin walked over towards Makoto and others.

Rin: Like I thought so, that guy would do that after a long time.

Makoto: Ah, Rin. At least he's not doing it at Hidaka. Right, Asahi?

Asahi: Y-Yes. I think so? I've never seen him do that.

Ikuya: Me too.

Rin: Why don't you guys head to the locker and get changed?

Makoto and the others did and headed back to the pool immediately. They joined in and swam leisurely. After some time, Sousuke took a break at the benches to avoid tiring his shoulder. Makoto and Rei sat on the edge of the pool near Sousuke's seat. Momo is pestering Ai by splashing water to him.

Asahi, Rin and Ikuya are using three adjacent lanes while Haru is using the farthest lane. Nagisa grabbed his drink and sat by the pool. He noticed Asahi staring at Haru.

Nagisa: What are you thinking, Asa-chan?

Asahi: Nothing. I'm still thinking about what Haru did. That was reckless! Although he's wearing suit under his clothes.

Nagisa: Haru-chan's instict is pretty much like that. He's always ready. But there was a time when he almost swam in an empty pool!

Asahi: Is that even possible?

Ikuya who is at a distance, moved closer, curious upon hearing Haru's name.

Nagisa: Actually, back in high school when this place was under demolition, Haru-chan, Mako-chan and I sneaked in to dig the trophy trophy that we won during elementary. That night, we ran into Rin-chan. He just got back from Australia. And guess what? Rin-chan challenged Haru-chan to a race!

Asahi: Seriously? Matsuoka did that!?

Asahi's voice was loud enough for Rin to hear. Rin realized what they are talking about and swam closer towards them.

Asahi: So, who won?

Nagisa: No one won.

Asahi: Ha? How come?

Nagisa: This place was half ruined. Of course there won't be water i-

Rin: Oi, Nagisa! Why do you even have to bring that up?

Nagisa: Come on, Rin-chan! Iku-chan and Asa-chan need to know about this! It sounds so funny now even though everything was tense back then.

Nagisa laughed out loud. Then he started telling how to bribe Haru with canned mackarel. On the other hand, Rin felt Ikuya's eyes on him. He turned then Ikuya suddenly turned sideways.

Rin: Kirishima... I'm sorry about Nagisa. That's the way he is.

Ikuya: It's okay. I don't mind. And it's interesting to hear these things about Haru.

Rin: Ah, okay. I see.

Ikuya: But if I may say so, actually... I'm envious of you.

[paltitasalvaje]

OMG I just saw the new Kyoani video on YT where we can see a very young Mikhail, if Mikhail and Ryuuji are about the same age, it's biologically impossible to Ryuuji being the grandpa of Shizuru. I think maybe he's hes sexy uncle. It might be.

[meppine]

preview of my piece for the Free! For the Team zine!!✨

preorders are currently open until december 31st at forthrteamzine.bigcartel.com so check it out before then!! all profits will go to Friends International~

for more information, check @fortheteamzine :D