Haruka Nanase

  Haruka appreciates his relationship with Rin Matsuoka (a childhood friend with whom he shares an intense rivalry in sports). While on vacation in Australia, Rin loses in a private race to Haruka and declares that he'll stop swimming. Although Rin's motives are different, Haruka believes it is his fault and, out of guilt, quits competitive swimming. Rin is back in Japan to attend high school, and a race is organized in a random attempt to revive their enthusiasm for competition. Both Rin and Haruka are then a part of their respective school teams. Later at the tournament Rin is released from his school’s relay team and then goes away. Haruka is there to help him and reminds Rin that Rin was Rin who taught him that the most crucial thing about swimming is not winning but teamwork with friends. Rin replaces Rei in the relay race, and although the Iwatobi team's win is annulled, the friendships of everyone are restored.