So my wifey and I had a conversation about yesterday’s episode and came to some conclusions, not just about Sousuke, but about Mako and how Sousuke’s feelings about Haru… may mirror Mako’s feelings, too.

So one thing that has been said a LOT in the series as a whole is how talented Haru is but his whole attitude is like, “Be free.”  In the first season that was great, especially for Rin, who needed that so he could finally “be free” and swim how he wants.  

However.

It’s obvious that this season decisions need to be made.  Decisions about the future.  And Haru’s attitude can only go so far.  Sousuke knows this and flat out tells Haru, “Don’t get in Rin’s way.”  There’s talk that Sousuke doesn’t understand how vital Haru was to Rin swimming again, but actually… I don’t think that’s completely true.  Sousuke saw that race at regionals.  He may not have realized how far gone Rin was, sure, but there’s no arguing from the smile on Rin’s face that he needed that moment.  Not to mention if he was at regionals, that means he saw Rin’s terrible race where he could barely get out of the water.  So Sousuke at least recognizes that Haru is important to Rin (when he says, “I can see how you’re so taken by him,” with that little smirk).  However, now is the time for action, sort to speak.  If Rin really wants this Olympic dream to come true, now is the time, and Sousuke knows that.  Sousuke is already on his way to his future (he’s been scouted) so now?  It’s Rin’s turn.

And Haru is in the way.

Haru is in the way because he’s so nonchalant.  What did he write on his career questionnaire?  "Be free.“  There’s nothing wrong with being relaxed and enjoying what you do, you should always enjoy what you do. However, with graduation coming up, now is the time to get serious. Rin’s right.  They need to think about the future. Anyone in high school (or having been in high school) knows that feeling when you reach the point where its like, "All right, now what?  Graduation is coming, now what? What’s the plan?  College?  Career?  What is it?”  And everyone is asking.  Parents.  Teachers.  Friends.  That’s where these boys are now.

And Mako knows that.

And I love Mako and Haru, I really do, but it must be frustrating to have Haru, who is so damn talented, just… sitting there.  Meanwhile Mako is worrying over what to do and Haru is like, “Whatever as long as I get to swim.”  Why isn’t he worried?  Why isn’t he focused?  How many times can Mako ask, “What are you going to do,” and get the same, “whatever,” answer without finally being like, “No seriously, there needs to be some sort of plan.”  In the opening fans have said that Mako and Haru are letting go of each other’s hands, I feel like this is what its going to be about.  Mako wants to focus on something, and as much as he wants to stay around Haru… if Haru isn’t doing anything, at all, for his own sake he’s going to need to let go.    

That’s what Sousuke is doing for Rin, right now.  Its cute that you and Haru are friends but do not let him hold you back.  And its not like Haru WANTS to hold anyone back, not at all.  He cares so much about his friends, but I feel like this season is going to be the season where he realizes… he needs to focus.  He can be free but he needs some sort of structure.  You need structure in your life.  I do think he’s thinking about it, though, he can’t help but think about it because there’s things around him that’ll remind him, “Hey, so, your life?  What are you doing with it?” Though I have a feeling he’s going to reach that point the hard way, like Mako letting go.  I feel like Haru can kinda deal with Sousuke being around Rin, or even Rei possibly going back to track, or Nagisa being sad.  But Mako?  Mako’s really been around for everything, to the point of swimming even after revealing that he’s afraid of the ocean, but he did it anyway.  I think Mako will be that thing that Haru needs to realize, “Freedom is great, but you need a bit of structure in with that freedom.”