Once again, they were stuck in the classroom. Ayako sighed and drummed her fingers against the blank notepad which lay open on her desk. The teachers here don’t even try to make it interesting either, she thought as she glared at the sensei who was reading Otogi Zoushi. Like clockwork, she’d read a paragraph of a narrative, then ask a random student to explain what she’d just read. When she was satisfied that the class understood the overall meaning, she’d move to the next piece.

“Please flip the page and study the illustration. We will return to it after we’ve read the section.”

Ayako’s head hit the desk and she drew a few random squiggles in her notebook. She’d already called on Ayako once in the class, so the chances she’d be forced to explain something else were rather low, thus, she felt no real need to pay attention.

“Now, we’ve just described Sarutahiko. What I’d like you all to do now is re-read this passage once more and describe how this Shinto deity influenced the mythology of the tengu and how that plays a role in Konjaku Monogatari. You have the rest of the class to get started. The report is due tomorrow.”

Ayako found another sigh escaping her lips as she brought out Konjaku Monogatari. After opening it to a random page, she turned back to the book the teacher had been reading from and re-read the passage she’d indicated.

Ayako could feel the color drain from her face as she realized she had absolute no idea what the passage was talking about at all. Crap! I completely zoned out when they were discussing it. It’ll take me the rest of the class to even decode this old style. She released a groan as she placed her chin at the edge of the desk and held up the book in front of her.

The class ended just as Ayako felt that she had a loose grasp on Sarutahiko. Finally it’s lunch time! I’ll worry about this stupid thing later! After throwing her literature books into her bag with a bit more force than was necessary, Ayako grabbed her lunch, stood, stretched, and headed over to Mika’s desk.

Mika didn’t even notice Ayako’s approach, she was too engrossed in her work. “Oi, Mika. Earth to Mika.” Ayako waved her hand in front of Mika’s face, trying to grab her attention. Slowly, Mika’s focus shifted from the book and papers on her desk to Ayako. A slightly dazed expression covered her face.

“Ayako?”

“The lunch bell rang. Did you not realize?”

“It did?” Mika’s eyes shot to the desks around her to find that most of them were already vacated. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even hear it.”

“Seems like Kana’s still fully focused on the report too.”

Mika glanced around Ayako to find Kana with a book held to her face. Occasionally she would look down and her hand would fly across the sheet of paper.

“Looks like she’s found a good tangent,” Mika commented.

It was at least two minutes before Kana finally put her pencil down and began storing her books. “Did you finish the report?” She asked as she walked over to Mika’s desk.

“Almost,” Mika replied with a smile. “I’ve explained Sarutahiko and the tengu’s role separately, now I just need to connect the two and I’ll be finished. What about you?”

“I finished it just now.”

“I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but seriously Kana?” Ayako asked, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “You both got so far in just twenty minutes.”

“I think it’s an interesting topic,” Mika said. “Not tengu specifically, but mythology in general. The gods, spirits, and demons… It’s cool to learn about.”

“Am I the only one that’s barely started?” The comment was a rhetorical question aimed at herself, but nonetheless, she received an answer.

“No.”

Ayako turned on Kaito who had spoken. “Well of course you haven’t. You’re a lazy bum that never does anything.”

“Oh that’s cruel,” he said, allowing a sarcastic tone to enter his voice. “You really do think so little of me.”

Mika now turned in her chair to face him. “You haven’t started either? Aren’t you interested in it?”

With the way the two were watching each other, Ayako had a distinct feeling that some silent message was passing between them. It irked her to think that this guy might be trying to get close to her friend.

“Not particularly.” His shoulders rose up and fell down in a shrug. “I think it’s a bit of a pain to read to be honest.”

“Though I hate to admit it, that’s one thing we can agree on,” Ayako said. “But that’s enough of school talk! If we don’t get to the roof soon, we won’t have time for lunch.” She rallied the other two girls and led them up the stairs.

As Ayako had said, the lot just barely had time to scarf down their lunches. Even if they’d wanted to talk about school, they wouldn’t have had the time. It was a slight disappointment for Ayako since she was hoping she’d get to pick Kana’s and Mika’s brains regarding the report. Now she’d have to do it herself later.

At least my day ends well, she mused as the group of students headed to their last class. PE is the best. If I’m lucky, I might be able to beat him today too.

Ayako all but dragged her two friends from the hallways to the locker rooms and from the locker rooms to the field outside. “I heard that we’re doing races today,” she announced to them joyfully. “That means I have a lot of chances to top that guy.”

Mika’s eyes met hers and again Ayako felt like there was some sort of message there that she was missing. But before she could decipher what it was, Mika’s face broke into a smile. “Good luck! One day you’ll be able to beat him for sure.”

“Thanks!”

When everyone had gathered outside, the coach announced exactly what Ayako had predicted: they would be participating in sprints. “We will start off with one hundred meter dashes. Please group yourselves with five or six people per group – those will be the people you compete against.”

Without further ado, Ayako moved the small group forming around Kaito. “I’m going to beat you today, so be prepared,” she announced, allowing a smug smile to cover her face.

“Such confidence,” he said, casting her a smirk. “I hope you don’t have to eat those words later.”

Meanwhile, Mika and Kana paired together and joined a handful of the slower runners.

When everyone had settled themselves, the coach began ordering them one group at a time to the starting lines. He wasn’t checking who finished first, but was timing the fastest runners. Being the coach of the men’s track team, Ayako didn’t find this particularly surprising. If any of the guys had a surprisingly short time, she had no doubt that he’d try to recruit them.

Ayako and her challengers were the third group to take their positions at the line. She immediately moved to the inside lane and forced Kaito into the one directly to her right. Unless he won by a wide margin, it would be difficult to tell who came out first, so she wanted him as close as possible. Ayako wouldn’t lose her chance to flaunt her victory, even if it was by just a few centimeters.

“You will begin at the sound of my whistle,” the coach began. “3…2…1…”

The whistle blew and Ayako bolted forward with everything she had. In her personal opinion, she had a pretty good start and it put her a stride ahead of the rest of the group. A quick glance told her that even Kaito was behind her.

Unfortunately, her feeling of elation didn’t last long. Kaito came up from the pack, and slowly but surely gained on Ayako. They finished with him dominating the lead.

Ayako ground her teeth together but said nothing as they walked back along the side of the track. Two more groups ran before they moved on to the next race: a four hundred meter dash. This time, Ayako’s group was the first to run.

In this race, Kaito took the lead from the get-go, but rather than pulling away from the group, he maintained himself just a couple strides ahead of Ayako. Subconsciously, Ayako’s hands curled into fists. It wasn’t just that he’d beat her, though that hit to her pride certainly did hurt, it was that he appeared as though he wasn’t trying at all.

While the rest of the group was bent over panting for breath – herself included – he stood casually with his hands in his pockets waiting for the coach’s cue for to return.

“Our final race of the day will be a baton pass,” the coach shouted as the last group returned from their race. “In this case, those you pair up with will be your teammates rather than your competitors. Four people to a group, though one group will have three because of the odd number of students. Rearrange yourselves however you wish.”

Ayako’s first inclination was to search out Mika and Kana, but she found them already in a group with two others.

Kana, not missing Ayako’s questioning and slightly hurt glance, said, “You want to beat Kaito right? So go join with a few of the faster runners. That way you’ll definitely have a better chance of beating him. We don’t want to drag you down.”

“Are you guys sure?”

“Of course,” Mika answered as they both nodded in affirmation.

“Alright then. I’ll see you at the finish line!” Ayako turned from them and scanned over those who still didn’t have a complete group. There were two groups of three, one being Kaito, Daisuke and another student by the name of Yuuichi. Joining them was out of the question. The other group was composed of Nao, a fellow track member, Saki, and Riko, who were about average in their athletic abilities.

With a wave and a brief greeting, Ayako approached them and was easily let into their team.

“Now that everyone is assembled, please take your places on the track. You should be three hundred meters away from your teammates! The group of three can either have 400 meters between them or have the last team member run 600 meters.”

“Nao and I can run last,” Ayako said, as soon as the coach had ordered them to disperse to their appropriate places. “That way we can make up for any lost time. No offense,” she added to Saki and Riko.

Riko was the one to reply, “It’s alright. We both know you want to beat Takahiro-san.”

“If anyone can do it, it’s you,” Saki added.

“Thanks guys!” Ayako gave them a backwards wave as she jogged to her spot on the track. She would be the last one to run with Nao handing her the baton. Saki, the slowest of the three, was first with Riko following her.

Now then, where is that guy? Her eyes scanned slowly over the field until she saw him positioned near Nao. So they chose to have him run the final 600 meters on his own. Perfect! That means he’ll get tired out before I really start going. Even if it’s him, 600 meters is a pretty long sprint.

The race began at the sound of the coach’s whistle, and Ayako watched with bated breath as her teammates ran. Saki was third in passing off the baton. Riko was able to finish second amongst her fellow competitors and then it was down to Kaito and Nao.

Ayako was bouncing in anticipation and adrenaline as she watched the two go neck and neck. Kaito was half-stride ahead of Nao, and now being a bystander, Ayako couldn’t help but notice that the entire time he was watching the girl, as if gauging his pace based on her speed.

Unfortunately, Ayako only had a couple of seconds to observe the two before she had to turn and assume her starting position. Ayako felt the baton hit her fingertips, but they were so slick with sweat that she fumbled for half a second before grasping onto it. In this short span of time, Kaito had drawn well ahead.

Damn it! No! I’m not going to let you beat me that easily!! Ayako threw everything she had into her sprint, and her effort wasn’t in vain. She was catching up, slowly but steadily. Faster! Faster! And then she was even with him. Neck and neck.

Just a little more! She screamed the phrase to herself, ignoring the uncomfortable tension in her thighs. She wouldn’t tear a muscle now. She couldn’t afford to. For a brief and glorious moment, Ayako drew ahead by a few centimeters, but her elation was short-lived. Kaito sped up, pulling even with her again and then finishing a step ahead.

Ayako bent over the moment she came to a stop, panting desperately for air. That was everything I had and he still… still…

“Fantastic job Takahiro-san.”

The coach’s voice drew Ayako’s gaze from the ground over to the side of the track where Kaito was standing, as relaxed as ever. And his breathing is still completely normal. He’s not even trying!

“You have excelled in every race today and have had incredible times,” the coach continued. “Would you be willing to join the men’s track team?”

And I almost kept pace with him throughout it all.

“Sorry, but I have other engagements in the afternoon.” Kaito dipped his head in a small bow with his declination.

As soon as the coach had dismissed the class and left the field, Ayako rushed forward to confront Kaito. “Just what the hell are you trying to pull, huh?”

He turned slowly to face her. “As far as I know, I’m not trying to pull anything,” he replied in a cool voice.

Ayako was vaguely aware of the rest of the class halting in their trek back to the locker room and turning around to watch Ayako’s confrontation.

“I was watching you in that last round! The whole time you kept an eye on Nao, matching your pace with hers. Don’t even try to deny it!” she added as Kaito opened his mouth to respond. “And then with me you did the same right? The moment I pulled ahead you changed your pace slightly to win! You weren’t even trying were you?!” Her voice was growing louder in her hysteria, but she didn’t care. “Why don’t you act serious for once in your life!”

“I was serious.”

“Liar!” She screeched. Her pent up rage came flying out in that moment in the form of a punch, which connected squarely to the left side of Kaito’s jaw.

The field went still as the remaining students froze to the spot.

Kana was the first to break the spell and move as Ayako drew back her fist for a second hit. “Ayako! Get ahold of yourself.”

“Kisama!” Ayako shouted, pushing forward against Kana’s restraining arms.

Kaito focused on her slowly and in just a glance she saw a cold fire dancing in his eyes. It rooted her to the spot immediately. Then those eyes closed and when he re-opened them, they had the usual look of boredom.

“Are you finished?” His tone was lazy, but contained a subtle edge. Without waiting for a reply, he turned and made his way back to the locker room.

Following his departure, the rest of the class began to stir and head back to their own locker rooms. Only Mika, Kana and Ayako remained still on the field.