spoilers for ep. 8!! (canon: Free! Iwatobi Swim Club)

[openturn]

I'm not jealous. That was a legitimate critique -- the butterfly isn't meant to look like that. The recovery was all wrong, for one. And only beginners need to pull so far above the waterline to take breaths.

[ hey... it's okay to be jealous, you know -- ]

More like I want compensation for being forced to watch that.

[ you weren't forced, though... ]

Comments

beautiful things

[openturn]

[ Rei, you wish you could have this beautiful L'oreal hair okay ]

Well, it's obvious you're inexperienced.

[ don't ask him for specifics, though. no, really. in another time and another plot he would've been impressed that some guy who nearly drowned in the pool just weeks ago somehow managed to get to a competitive levels, but... ]

Some things just come with time.

failing beautifully, you mean

[beautifail]

[Maybe. But at least he doesn't have ugly shark teeth. So, so not beautiful.]

Ah, it's true I've only begun swimming a short while ago, but... [Lowering his head a bit here because, wow, he knows he's still not good enough, bu he was hoping it wasn't that obvious, at least.] But I will definitely work hard to keep improving, for the sake of my teammates! So I... I really appreciate your honesty, Matsuoka-senpai!

[Determined shounen nod!!! Because, you know, EVEN THOUGH IT HURTS TO KNOW HE'S AN UGLY FAILURE, he really does sincerely appreciate the (vague) pointers. He can use them to figure out what areas need to be worked on.]

that's rei's specialty; you are already doing it right

[openturn]

[ he has a serious condition, he can't help those!!

he sighs heavily. he can't believe he's about to do this, but... ]

Look. I know that when they first teach butterfly, they say to breathe during the recovery, but you don't need to bring your head completely out of the water on each stroke, it's a waste of energy. Breathe on every other, or every three, whatever feels best to you.

[ ... ] None of them bothered to explain this kind of thing to you?

[ he's not surprised; those losers. well, none of them swam butterfly as a specialty, though, so. ]

that's because rei is me, i am rei

[beautifail]

[Ever tried braces?? Surgery??]

No, I don't think they did... [Because, yeah, they all have different styles but maybe they were just worried that Rei would finally drown for real so they neglected to teach him that for the sake of keeping him alive. ANYWAY. THIS IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND HE SHOULD BE TAKING NOTES OR SOMETHING and then if he tries it out unsupervised again and drowns for real it's all going to be Rin's fault.] But if it can give me even a millisecond's advantage, I'll definitely keep it in mind next time!

[And then it kind of hits him:] Ah... Matsuoka-senpai, if you don't mind my asking... Was the butterfly style your specialty back then?

['Back then' being the Past that all you guys seem to have together and that he has no idea of because wow you people are rude and don't tell the newbie anything.]

aka the best character

[openturn]

[ but then nobody will know he's supposed to be the shark character, as if the animal theme weren't obvious enough already... ]

Seriously, those guys... [ it's like they didn't go to a swimming academy for years, honing their abilities constantly or something. losers. (don't drown, Rei, this is the swimming anime!!!) ]

... Butterfly is still my specialty, actually.

[ you don't need to know, my child. anyway, all the important parts involve this guy being a goober or crying, so he's not gonna tell you either. ]

I AM JUST A BIT BIASED but this is true

[beautifail]

[He has blood-colored hair, this is enough!!]

Ah--! [... well, um. This is awkward. He kind of feels like he's taken up Rin's place in the team now. Even if it was kind of Rin's fault, but uh. Uhhhhhh. WOW HOW DO WE WORDS. (Also, nope, not for Rei, this is drowning anime for Rei!)]

I suppose I... really still have a long way to go, then. [To be on the same level as all of you guys, that is. And now he feels even worse about lagging behind and disappointing his teammates and omg Rin probably did a much better job even as a kid and aaaaaaahh!!! aka he will never be as awesome as senpai]

it's objective fact

[openturn]

[ yep, that's right, Rei. you're the replacement character. the replacement character -- it's you. Rin keeps on reminding himself of this fact literally every half a minute because they replaced him (ignoring that he was really the one who... left). ]

Obviously. There's something to be said for experience, after all.

[ someday, when he stops being a jerk, he will admit he was impressed. someday. senpai will notice you, Rei, just wait your time ]