After his first appearance on the competitive world stage, Haruka is held captive by the swimming of the unmistakable champion, Albert, and feels like he's lost his way. With the current state of things, his swimming and what the water means to him are called into question. Haruka begins to sink to the bottom of the murky water as he struggles on his own. Pushed on by a restless urge in his heart, Haruka purposefully puts himself through a rigorous and intensive training regiment, relentlessly devoting himself to practice. In his heart, Haruka knows that he's pushing himself beyond his limits both physically and mentally. His friends can do nothing but watch over and have faith in him. Memories of Albert's cold, dry swimming keep replaying in his mind. I have to get faster, I have to become stronger. I have to compete against Albert again. Haruka unleashes his stroke to cut through the heavy, indifferent water. His friends draw closer to watch. What scenery will Haruka see at the end of this struggle＊──! (Source: Free! website, Translated)

Shouzou Saitou and his wife, Ine, have been married for nearly sixty years. Though they have not become wealthy or been able to go on a honeymoon in all that time, their love has remained steadfast. The couple spend their days peacefully tending to an orchard of apple trees and receiving visits from their loving family. While tending to the apple tree they planted on their wedding day, which had snapped in half during a typhoon, the couple notices a golden apple hanging from one of the branches. They decide to eat the apple back at home, and the next morning, the couple awakens to find that they have become young again! In their new but familiar bodies, Shouzou and Ine are able to live life as they never had before: they engage in more modern activities together, such as participating in a sports festival and playing video games. As they revisit the memories of their young love, the romance between them is rekindled, inspiring similar feelings in the younger members of their family.

Tenchi Masaki's life changes forever when the ship of an infamous space pirate, Ryouko Hakubi, is shot down and crashes near his family's temple. Little did Tenchi know that by saving Ryouko, he would spark a series of events that would lead alien women from all walks of life to inhabit his home. This includes the delicate Princess Aeka of Jurai and her playful younger sister Princess Sasami; the scatterbrained first-class detective Mihoshi Kuramitsu and her more capable partner Kiyone Makibi; and the eccentric, mad scientist Washuu Hakubi. The six women do their best to adapt to their new lives, but their more advanced and exotic lifestyle does not mesh well with the simplistic customs on Earth. As a result, they just end up making a mess and causing trouble for poor Tenchi. Though the girls are a pain, Tenchi begins to form a close relationship with each of them, and through their bond, he begins to gain a better understanding of his role in the universe.

Beginning her academic journey as a first grader, Shiori comes face to face with the aspect of school she has heard alarming rumors about—homework! However, her worries quickly turn into excitement as the Asahigaoka girls agree to work together to complete their assignments at Komari and Natsumi Koshigaya's house. Their plan appears to be successful until an all-too-familiar feeling of procrastination creates a rowdy distraction for Natsumi. On another day, Natsumi asks her teacher Kazuho Miyauchi if she can form and lead a new badminton school club. While the lack of funding and equipment proves to be a major setback, it does not stop Natsumi and the other girls from asking the candy store owner Kaede Kagayama for some help. During their spontaneous badminton practice, a minor accident leads Kaede to reminisce about a memorable day when she babysat Renge Miyauchi.