Kuroko dead panned as he sat on the edge of the pool, his feet in the water. He wanted to swim, but he couldn't thanks to... This new comer. Where did Nagisa even find him? He heard that he was found on the track team, but did that mean he was swimming material?

Next to him sat Haruka, who refused to swim without Kuroko, and also to watch this new member's swimming. Makoto and Nagisa were in the water, trying to teach him.

Their new member was a guy named Rei, who was pretty tall with dark blue hair and red glasses. He doesn't even swim, he just... Sinks.

"Think he'll be able to swim?" Kuroko whispered to Haruka who shrugged. "How did Nagisa-kun even find him?" After a while of bonding with Nagisa, he finally added -kun, instead of -San to his name.

"He said he believed he could swim because he was a guy with a female name, and kept bugging him until he joined." Haruka explained, and Kuroko sighed.

"That's not a good reason..." He murmured, and Haruka shrugged again. "As long as he can swim."

"But he can't." Kuroko pointed out, watching as Makoto and Nagisa tried teaching him ways to float.

Haruka stayed silent, he just closed his eyes. With a sigh, he slowly moved into the water, before looking up at Kuroko. "We won't be able to swim if we keep waiting for him. Come on, let's swim."

Kuroko just smiled, sliding into the water like Haruka did. "Okay. Let's have a race." Secretly, he hoped that if Rei watched them, he would be able to learn to swim.

"Oh look! Haru-chan and Kuro-chan are going to race!" Makoto said as he saw the two swim to the other side of the pool so they had enough room.

"Rei-Chan, you'll get to see them swim!" Nagisa said, pulling Rei to the side by his arm.

Kuroko didn't bother to listen to them any longer as he got out the water with Haruka, before stepping onto the boards. It's been a while since he raced Haruka, and he wondered if they improved any.

"I won't go easy just because it's you, Tetsuya." Haruka said simply, and Kuroko glanced at him. "I wouldn't want it any other way."

They both got down, ready to dive in the water. Gou decided to give the signal, and once she did, both males dived beautifully into the water.

Haruka got farther since he had more muscles then Kuroko, but Kuroko was pretty fast. Besides Rin, he was probably the only one that can catch up to Haruka, if not surpass him.

Kuroko didn't race to beat Haruka anyway. He didn't even know if they would call it a race. What they both wanted to do was just swim.

They wanted to feel the water all around them, consuming them. They just wanted to be one with the water again.

Soon Kuroko's hand touched the wall before he knew it and he lifted his head. He panted, seeing that Haruka beat him by a few seconds. He saw Haruka glance at him, as if expecting an upset face.

"Thanks, Haru-kun. That was fun." Kuroko said with a smile, and Haruka slowly nodded, happy to see Kuroko wasn't upset about losing.

"That was beautiful..." Kuroko heard Rei say, and he turned his head to look at him. "If you want to swim, then you'll need to try. Then, hopefully you will be able to swim beautifully." But not Free.

Haruka climbed out the water, Kuroko following. Rei seemed to be watch them for a moment, before turning and asking Makoto and Nagisa to continue training him.

"It seems he got inspired." Haruka said, and Kuroko nodded. "That was your plan, wasn't it?"

"I just wanted to swim." Haruka said simply before walking off. Kuroko watched after him, and smiled slightly, knowing Haruka had meant to do that to Rei.

"I know why I can't swim!" Rei exclaimed a few days later, catching everyone's attention. Kuroko stayed by Haruka in the pool, wondering what the reason was this time.

"Why can't you swim Rei-Chan?" Nagisa asked, and Rei pointed at his swimsuit, which was a Speedo. "It's my swimsuit!"

"His... Swimsuit..." Kuroko murmured, looking at Haruka.

"Perhaps." Haruka said with a shrug. "Might be keeping him from moving?"

"Maybe." Kuroko agreed, sighing.

"Maybe it wouldn't hurt to buy a new swimsuit..." Makoto said quietly, smiling softly.

The swimmers, including Gou, headed to the shop to try on some swimsuits buy them. It was supposed to be for Rei, but soon everyone began trying on some for fun.

Even Kuroko and Haruka, who were just choosing Jammers that look like their original ones.

"You're getting the same swimsuits!" Makoto said, and the boys shook their heads at the same time.

"They fit differently."

"There design is different."

They both said at the same time, and Makoto sighed. They were there for Rei's shopping, why was everyone putting on new swimsuits?

"Come on Haru-kun, let's try on some more." Kuroko said, and Haruka nodded, following Kuroko to the selection of swimsuits.

"Don't get the same ones!" Makoto said, before sighing.

"They're kind of simular, you know." Nagisa said as he exited the changing room, wearing a penguin swimsuit.

"Simular? They're like copies." Makoto said, before looking at Nagisa's swimsuit. "Penguins?"

"Penguins are cool!" Nagisa said, before smiling slightly as he watched Haruka and Kuroko. They were helping each other pick out Jammers, pointing and shaking their heads. "It's like they're brothers."

"Instead of by blood, they're connected by water." Makoto said, and Nagisa snickered. "You sound cheesy, Mako-chan."

"Don't say that!" Makoto said, and Nagisa laughed, before relaxing. "Hey, do you think they..."

"They what?" Makoto asked, and Nagisa pointed at them. "Do you.. think they're together?"

"...What!" Makoto exclaimed quietly, looking at Nagisa in surprise.

"Well," Nagisa said with a smile, scratching at the back of his head. "They're simular, they only swim together, they both like water and swimming. Plus they live together, they even sleep in the same bed!"

"Not only that, they wash together as well.." Makoto said thoughtfully, before shaking his head. "Those can just be coincidences!"

"Alright alright, I guess we won't ever know unless they come out." Nagisa said, and watched as Kuroko and Haruka split up to change into different changing rooms.

"We could always follow them to see..." Nagisa said, and Makoto shook his head, sighing. "You're just asking for trouble..."

Meanwhile in the changing room, Kuroko changed into some new Jammers that were like his other ones, black with light blue like his hair. It fit more comfortably, and it had a different design, but the team kept saying it was the same.

It was different, he swore!

Once he finished, making sure it was on correctly, he opened the curtain and stepped out. "Haru-kun?" He called out softly, looking around. He nearly fell down in shock when he saw a pair of mismatched eyes staring right back at him.

"Tetsuya?" Akashi asked in surprise, and Kuroko stepped back a little. He then bit his lip, before stepping back, nodding. He couldn't be afraid of Akashi forever.

"...I didn't expect to see you here." Akashi said, and Kuroko just looked away. "Nice Jammers." He said.

"..Thanks." Kuroko said, and Akashi sighed. "Can we talk? Somewhere private?"

Kuroko hesitated, his heart beating a little faster. Could he be alone with Akashi? It was just a talk though... "..Okay. But make it quick, we have to go soon."

Akashi nodded and let Kuroko change into his casual clothing as he did as well. Once they were done, he lead Kuroko away and outside the store. Kuroko didn't know what to expect, and he just leaned against the wall when Akashi began speaking.

"I heard Rin beat Haruka, when you guys broke into our school." He said and Kuroko didn't show a reaction. Though he was shocked. Akashi did go to Samezuka...

"Haru-kun likes being called Haru, Akashi-san." Kuroko said simply, not wanting to show a reaction.

"Don't change subjects." Akashi said, looking at Kuroko hard. "When will you race me?"

"I already did." Kuroko said, and jumped slightly when Akashi slammed his hands beside his head in anger, pinning him against the building.

"A real race!" Akashi growled out, staring into Kuroko's eyes. Kuroko's breath quickened a little, but he refused to show anymore reactions. "I want a real race Tetsuya, and not where you go easy on me. We're rivals, enemies, opponents. You said you don't go easy on opponents."

Kuroko didn't answer, just looking down. But back then, Akashi was his friend. He was scared of hurting his feelings if he beat him, and instead he hurt him even worse.

"Race me, just one more time, Tetsuya." Akashi said, and Kuroko closed his eyes.

"Kuro-chan!" Kuroko heard Makoto's voice and opened his eyes. He turned his head, looking over and saw Makoto and Nagisa. Akashi frowned but moved away, freeing Kuroko. "Are you okay?" Makoto asked when he came closer.

"We were just talking." Akashi explained, and Nagisa pointed at him. "Kuro-chan looks like he had a heart attack, whatever you were talking about, you can continue later."

"...Fine. The tournament, Tetsuya. There is a tournament approaching. Race me there." Akashi said before walking away.

"Kuro-chan, are you alright? He didn't hurt you right?" Makoto asked as Nagisa turned to them.

"I'm okay... You guys just startled me." Kuroko said, standing up tall. Even as he said that, he looked a bit pale.

"Well... Gou and Haru-chan went missing so we need to find them." Nagisa said, hoping to get Kuroko's mind off of Akashi.

"Haru-kun is missing?" Kuroko asked, and Makoto dead panned when he didn't even take notice that Gou was missing as well. "Yeah."

"Lets go- Gou-san is right there." Kuroko suddenly said, pointing ahead. Gou looked like she was hiding, and they all walked up to her. "Hello, Gou-san." Kuroko greeted.

"Don't sneak up on me!" Gou said in surprise, turning to the boys. "Anyway, we should go!"

"Go home? But Haru-chan is missing." Nagisa said slowly.

"Then let's wait for him at the changing rooms." Gou said, leading the boys inside. Though as Kuroko looked back, he saw Haruka turning the corner of where Gou was standing.

Kuroko slowed down, letting the others go ahead as he turned and walked to Haruka. He seemed surprised to see Kuroko, then happy even though he didn't smile. "Everything okay Tetsuya?"

"Yes... Are you okay? You seem troubled." Kuroko pointed out, and Haruka shrugged as he walked into the store. "Don't worry, I'm okay."

Kuroko followed, worried for Haruka. "You sure Haru-kun?"

"Yes. Thanks for asking, Tetsuya. I'm okay." He said, and Kuroko nodded slowly. "...Let's get some swimsuits, and swim when we get back to the club?"

Haruka glanced at him, and Kuroko could see his lips slowly moving, as if smiling. "Sure. We need to have Rei practice more anyway."

"We should teach him." Kuroko said, walking beside Haruka.

"...Maybe. Only if you teach him with me. But first, let's have Makoto and Nagisa try to teach him more first. " Haruka said, and Kuroko nodded in agreement.

"Alright, if he can't learn, then let's teach him." Kuroko summarised, and Haruka nodded. "Now let's catch up with everyone."

"He can't swim." Kuroko said simply, and Haruka nodded.

"Should we try teaching him again?" Kuroko asked, and Haruka shook his head. "It's impossible. The water doesn't like him."

Kuroko playfully smacked Haruka's arm. "Come on, we can't give up. Let's talk to him."

"But everyone else is leaving." Haruka said, but stood up as Kuroko did anyway.

"No one will bother us then." Kuroko said, and walked over to Rei who was sitting by the fence, watching a butterfly. Haruka followed him, standing beside him.

"Rei-san," Kuroko started, getting the swimmers' attention. "Please don't give up. I know that if you try, you can do it."

"I did try." Rei said, and Haruka stepped forward. "You think about swimming too much. Don't think, just dive."

Kuroko blinked in surprise when Haruka sat next to Rei, and knew that only Haruka would be able to get Rei to swim. If Haruka couldn't, then no one could.

Kuroko smiled and walked off, letting the two sit together. He would make mackerel for Haruka as a reward for when he gets home.

"Look, someone's swimming in the pool!" Nagisa said, pointing at the pool as they were walking for their practice. Makoto looked over, tilting his head. "It's the butterfly... Is it Haru-Chan?"

"I thought Haru-chan only swims freestyle!" Nagisa said, and Kuroko nodded. "He does."

Nagisa and Makoto looked back, nearly jumping when they saw Haruka beside Kuroko. "I only swim freestyle." He said, and everyone looked back.

"That means... Rei-chan!" Nagisa said, walking to the pool just as Rei emerged from the water. "You can swim?"

"Butterfly was the only swimming technique I didn't try yet." Rei explained, and Nagisa smiled. "Can you swim for us again?"

"Of course." Rei said, glancing at Haruka. Kuroko walked up beside Haruka, smiling. "You really helped him."

"Of course. If I didn't, then I would have to swim competitively." Haruka said, and Kuroko shook his head. He knew it was a different reason, but he didn't push it. After all, Rei could swim, so it was all okay for now.