"Or we could just keep practicing on our own," Kota shrugged. "But it would be really cool to have someone with his experience teach us." They both fell silent, lost in thought about what Emilio had said and the possibility of training together.

"You know," Mitsu said slowly, "I've been thinking about what Emilio said earlier... About never knowing where life might take you." He glanced at Kota before continuing, his voice filled with determination. "Maybe we should just do it ourselves. Train together and see how far we can go."

Kota smiled back at him, nodding in agreement. "I'd like that," he said softly. "We could make a real team out of this."

"N-no!" Kota cries out, tears beginning to well up in his eyes. "We can't do that! Please let us go back, Oliver; please don't make us do this!" He reaches for Mitsu again, but the other boy just stands there, frozen with fear and confusion.

"I-I don't know what to do," Mitsu whispers, trembling all over. "Please, Oliver..."

"B-but we can't!" Kota sobs, collapsing to the floor in tears. "We just want to go home! Please let us leave, Oliver!"

"I-I'm sorry," Mitsu whispers, starting to cry too as he kneels down beside his friend. They both hug each other tightly, feeling completely helpless and alone in this situation. Neither of them knows what to do or how to make the pain stop; all they can do is cling to each other for comfort and support.

"You're right," Kota agreed, feeling a surge of excitement run through him. "I can't wait to see where this takes us." He grinned at Mitsu before swimming off in the direction of the edge of the pool, his strong strokes carrying him swiftly toward the surface and back to solid ground. Mitsu followed suit, keeping pace with his new partner as they both pushed themselves to improve and grow stronger together.

As Kota prepared to climb out of the pool, Mitsu noticed an older man in a swimsuit nearby, his muscles still toned despite his age. Something about him seemed familiar...and then it hit him - this was none other than former Olympic gold medalist, Hideki Saito! "Kota," he whispered quickly, "that's Hideki Saito. He won three gold medals in the Olympics."