Free! and Free! Eternal Summer will be adapted into novels! Yoktotani-san is writing it, and Nishiya-san is illustrating it. New side stories to be included!
High☆Speed Free! Starting Days Official Fanbook End Card Story #1 “Their usual walk back home”
○On the way home from school
Haruka and Makoto are walking side by side. While walking, Haruka keeps rolling his shoulders and tilting his head sideways, like he’s not used to the jacket of his school uniform.
Makoto: Haru, are you okay?
Haruka: …the jacket is heavy.
Makoto: But you’ve gotten more used to it since the school entrance ceremony, right?
Haruka: I don’t like stiff, formal clothes.
Makoto: (wry smile) Yeah… when you were having your measurements taken, Haru, you were pretty worn out by it.
Haruka glances at Makoto,
Haruka: I can’t believe you feel fine in it, Makoto.
Makoto: Well… it’s a little tight around the neck for me too. (a little embarrassed) But, don’t you think school uniforms are kinda cool?
Haruka’s eyebrow twitches,
Haruka: (mumbles) “ore” again… (Makoto has changed the way he addresses himself during the movie, from “boku” to “ore”, much to Haruka’s dismay)
Makoto: Hmm? Haru, did you say something?
Haruka: It’s nothing. I’d rather wear something more comfortable.
Makoto: (soft smile) That’s very you, Haru.
Haruka: Plus it’s hot wearing this.
Makoto: True, it’s been getting warmer and warmer lately. And that’s why I wanted to eat this today.
Makoto smiles and searches the convenience store plastic bag. He takes out a soda ice pop and tears the wrapper open. Haruka, looking at him from the side,
Haruka: You’ll get a cold stomach eating that much.
Makoto: (laughing) It’s fine, Haru. Look!
Makoto breaks and splits the ice pop right in the middle and hands one half to Haruka.
Makoto: Here you go, Haru.
Haruka takes it nonchalantly. He casually turns his gaze to the sea and bites into the ice pop. A black kite is flying in the sky, and the waves are calm; a sight just like every other day.
Haruka: You always pick this.
Makoto takes a bite of the ice pop too,
Makoto: This ice pop tastes refreshing and is watery, so you like it too, don’t you?
Haruka: (looks away with a huff) ….not really.
Makoto: (laughing) We used to eat it all the time on our way home from the Swimming Club, didn’t we?
Haruka: And you could never split it in half properly, Makoto.
Makoto: (laughing) Yeah, that’s true. The ice pop always cracked at the wrong place.
Haruka: You’re way too clumsy.
Makoto: That’s so mean! But c’mon, I split it properly today, didn’t I?
Haruka: Yeah, you did.
Makoto takes another bite of the ice pop,
Makoto: It really is delicious. (looks at Haruka) Haru, if you don’t eat it quickly, it’ll melt.
Haruka: I’m fine. I won’t become so engrossed in talking that my ice pop melts and drops off, unlike you.
Makoto: (sweats) Geez, why do you keep remembering things like these~!?
Haruka: Makoto. Your ice pop is melting. If you don’t hurry and eat it, it’ll fall off again.
Q1. Some time has passed
after you have entered Iwatobi Middle School, so have you gotten used to your
school yet?
It’s normal. It’s noisy
when Asahi, Ikuya and Kisumi all gather around during lunchtime.
Q2. What are the food you
like and dislike?
None in particular.
Q3. What are the obentou
(lunchbox) sidedishes you like?
Mackerel. If that’s in it
then I’m fine with anything for the rest.
Q4. What is your hobby?
Ship models, for instance; I like making things with my own hands. I don’t
know if it counts as a hobby, but I often play video games when I go to Makoto’s
house.
Q5. How many models have
you made thus far?
I haven’t tried counting.
I made some small stuff.
Q6. What do you do on days without club
activities?
I continue with the unfinished models. Makoto
also often takes me with him to go fishing and stuff.
Q7. What are your best and worst subjects?
Art and Home Economics. I don’t really
like talking in English.
Q8. How do you study for your tests?
If I attend the usual classes properly it should
be fine.
Q9. What do you do when you first wake up
in the morning?
I drink water. I’ve also gone swimming at
the swim club. During those times Makoto would come and fetch me.
Q10. Who is a person you work towards as a
goal, someone you look up to?
There’s none. I swim as I please.
Q11. Do you believe in horoscopes?
Even if you look there’s no meaning
to it, right?
Q12. What would you do if you could only
bring one item to a deserted island?
If there’s water it’s good enough.
Q13. What is something that you have
bought recently?
Kanimaro-kun key holder (T/N: Some crab mascot character)
Q14: Surprise question! What is your goal
from here on?
I’ll just continue swimming.
Q15. Please leave a message for the three relay
members besides yourself!
I think this team isn’t bad. So, let’s
swim together again.
Q1. Some time has passed
after you have entered Iwatobi Middle School, so have you gotten used to your
school yet?
Initially I got nervous
thinking of what kind of place middle school will be like, but recently it has
gotten really fun. The seniors in the swim club are all very kind too. But
Haru, Asashi and Ikuya are all in Group 1, so I guess I feel a little lonely being
in a different class…
Q2. What are the food you
like and dislike?
I guess I like curry. I
also like sweet things like chocolates and cake. As for those I dislike it
would be sticky food! I can’t eat those no matter what…!
Q3. What are the obentou
(lunchbox) sidedishes you like?
Hamburger steak. Mom
often made it in small pieces for my obentou. During those days I would feel a
little happy.
Q4. What is your hobby?
Going out to play with
friends, playing video games. I also like fishing. There’s a river at a secret
place that probably no one else but me and Haru knows. Previously we went there
for a first time in a long time. Even though it was difficult fishing in the
river, it was actually fun when I got the hang of it.
(T/N: There is in fact a drama cd track of them on that fishing date at their secret place, and the content includes Makoto falling on top of Haru, them splashing water at each other, laughing together, looking at a rainbow together, yeah do take a look)
Q5. What kind of fish
have you caught thus far?
It wasn’t that big, but I
was really happy when I caught a trout for the first time.
Q6. What do you do on days without club
activities?
I go fishing and I go to Haru’s house to
play. There’s also a cat that I often meet near my house and it seems to be
attached to me, so I can’t help but play with it a little.
Q7. What are your best and worst subjects?
I’m pretty good with Japanese language,
but English is a little difficult…
Q8. How do you study for your tests?
I revise really hard while looking at my notes…
something like that, I guess. I’m always frantic before a test…
Q9. What do you do when you first wake up
in the morning?
It’s hard to wake up in the morning… Umm,
I’m called to wake up, I wash my face, brush my teeth, eat breakfast, that’s
about it I think. The cocoa that Mom always makes for me is delicious.
Q10. Who is a person you work towards as a
goal, someone you look up to?
Someone like Nao-senpai. I want to see
many more things and become someone who considers others more.
Q11. Do you believe in horoscopes?
Hmm, if the result is bad I think I might get
a little concerned…
Q12. What would you do if you could only
bring one item to a deserted island?
Water and food, and I think having a
fishing rod would be good too… Ah, sleeping arrangements would be a problem so a
tent would be needed too, right? It’s no good, if it’s like this it’ll turn
into a camping trip! It’s so hard to choose just one…
Q13. What is something that you have
bought recently?
Everyone went out to buy swimsuits. Since
it’s right before a big competition let’s all put in our fighting spirit and go
get new ones! …That was what we decided, but both Haru and Asahi didn’t let up
at all… The whole time Ikuya and I had to wait for them to finish playing
rock-paper-scissors until the winner was determined~
Q14: Surprise question! What is your goal
from here on?
To win in the next competition with
everyone! That’s my goal.
Q15. Please leave a message for the three relay
members besides yourself!
I’m really glad to have met everyone.
Thank you. Please look after me from now on too!
~
T/N: The friend who shared the pictures said to go ahead and spread the MakoHaru love and doesn’t wish to be credited. I find it so cute how they naturally mentioned each other in their answers (♡´艸`)
Q: For you, Director Takemoto, what impression do you have of Haruka and Makoto’s
relationship?
A:How should I
say it… It feels like an inviolable sanctuary. As it is, even if they
age, the relationship between the two of them will carry on forever, won’t it?—I
drew them with that kind of feeling. Even if they become adults, regardless of
the physical distance between them, no matter what may have happened, the
distance between their hearts will surely never change; that is what I think.
—Takemoto Yasuhiro, director
of High Speed!: Free! Starting Days
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