IkuHaru

IkuHaru is the slash ship between Ikuya Kirishima and Haruka Nanase from the Free! fandom.

Dive to the Future
SPROUTING DIVE START!

As Haru, Asahi, Makoto and Ikuya are sitting in a cafe looking through Asahi’s scrapbook, they find a picture of Ikuya. As Makoto explains to Asahi where Ikuya went after middle school, Haru looks at the photo sadly. The other’s then begin to talk about the new comers tournament, but Haru barely listens, and stares at the picture of Ikuya instead.

Later, back in his apartment, Haru begins to think of the relay race he did with Ikuya, Makoto and Asahi in middle school. They had come in third which had upset all of them. As they talk about the relay, Ikuya says that they need to practice more. Haru assures him that they will, so that they can win next summer’s tournament. Asahi and Makoto begin to talk about a possible training camp as Haru watches on. Ikuya looks over at Haru instead of the other two. Haru notices, which seems to cause Ikuya to become embarrassed as he looks away shyly. Haru continues to stare at Ikuya, despite this. Back in the present Haru feels sad as he sinks himself below the surface of his bath.

At the newcomer's tournament, Haru walks with Asahi after their race. He looks ahead of him and see’s Ikuya walking by. Time seems too slow and Haru stops. Asahi asks what’s wrong but Haru doesn’t answer.

FIRST SWIM IN ANOTHER COUNTRY!

As Haru listens to the results of the tournament, Haru thinks back to the day before when he ran into Ikuya. Later he meets up with Makoto and Asahi to discuss what to do about seeing Ikuya again. The three realize how little they know about Ikuya in the process. The three then all go to Ikuya’s University to look for him.

Fanon
Shipping between the two began at the start of Free! Dive to the Future. The second episode mostly focused on the two's past as well as a subplot of Haru trying to find Ikuya. This fueled shippers.

Fandom
AO3

Tumblr

Trivia

 * Both have tendency to wonder about the possibility of being ordinary
 * Ikuya was effected emotionally when Haru quit swiming, given how much he dreamed of racing him
 * Both Sousuke and Kisume have remarked on how similar their freestyle's are