Ep 3. Butterfly of Farewell!

Haruka and Makoto are attending the same school and are both a part of the swimming club. They both have a love for swimming and a deep friendship that has been built upon their shared passion for the sport. In this episode, Makoto is feeling nostalgic as he reminisces over his childhood memories of swimming with Haruka. He shares these memories with Haruka, and the two decide to visit the local pool to swim together once more.

At the pool, they run into Nagisa and Rei, two of their old teammates from their days in elementary school. Nagisa and Rei are now attending a different school with their own swim team, but they still make time to visit their old teammates whenever they can. The four of them decide to swim a relay race together, and they quickly discover that they still have the same chemistry and teamwork as they did when they were kids.

However, the fun and nostalgia of their time together is cut short when Makoto remembers that he has to attend a farewell party for a family friend. He had promised to attend earlier in the day but had forgotten in the excitement of swimming with Haruka and his old teammates. The thought of saying goodbye to his family friend and his departure weighs heavily on Makoto's mind, and he sadly leaves the pool early to attend the party.

At the party, Makoto is greeted warmly by the family friend and spends time catching up with him and his family. However, he can't shake the feeling of sadness that he feels about the farewell. The butterfly, a symbol of departure, is a recurring motif throughout the episode which serves as a reminder of the inevitable goodbyes that must be said in life.

Meanwhile, back at the pool, Haruka, Nagisa, and Rei continue to swim and have a good time. The episode ends with a poignant moment as Haruka and Makoto stare at the butterfly on Makoto's hand, both feeling a sense of loss and melancholy. However, they are aware that they still have each other and continue to support each other in their respective journeys, both in and out of the pool.

Overall, "Butterfly of Farewell!" is an emotional episode that examines the power of friendship and the inevitability of change and transition. It showcases the bonds that are formed through shared experiences and highlights the importance of holding on to those precious memories, even in the face of difficult farewells.