#clear blue notes

opening bell tones -- 0" - 0:07"

This part is tremendously symbolic, as far as music goes; it also coincidences with the first few seconds of Haru and Rin's train ride as they head towards the Aquatic Center. The bells are reminiscent of several things: a morning wake-up call, the kind of thing you hear at a train station, ringing of bells at a temple to signify a wish to start something new. They're also perfect fifths, common for bell tones but more importantly, create an open, resonating sound. This is really it for Haru; he might be still groggy from sleeping all night in a tiny hotel bed, or disoriented from being in a new country, but at least now he's more actively responsive to Rin and Rin's efforts.

intro (haru) -- 0:07" - 0:36"

As soon as the melody starts, there's a shot of Rin talking, leaning over Haru eagerly and pointing out sights from the window. But the pace of the music is relaxed, a calm, slow 3/4 that's more reminiscent of slow dancing, a nostalgic dialogue between guitar and piano and a unison in the mid-low strings that's yearning and full of wonder.

Once in a previous meta I said something along the lines of piano symbolizing Haru and strings being Rin. It still works here, with the start until roughtly 0:21" being Haru slowly acclimating himself towards what could be in store for him. Slowly, carefully branching out again, learning to trust again. And instead of the whirlwind frustration and anger we once heard in "Feelings and Emotions" (x) Rin's strings come smoothly, low and warm and not pressure, in a countermelody that's a slower version of Clear Blue Departure. Just like in the episode, Rin isn't pressure Haru. He's supporting him, maybe leaping ahead, but staying in Haru's line of vision and holding out his hand.

development (rin) -- 0:36" - 1:05"

Up until now the strings have been staying mostly in the background, but here they take the lead, this time soaring through Clear Blue Departure loud and clear, but unhurried, in  unison. The piano has the countermelody now, but they're still in harmony; no dissonances, a symbolic gesture to show that despite how differently they view swimming or how they think they view it, it's fine; what's the strongest is the relationship between them, how they support and inspire each other and pull the other forwards.

Rin's telling Haru about this pool during this segment of music, and as the sound draws to a lingering close,

reprise/coda -- 1:05" - end

The track repeats for about a minute here, although this section doesn't happen in the episode! But please listen anyway and think about it a little more, how different it is from the culminating track of S1EP12. (:

Who is truly free?