8:30am struck.

"Gooooood morning, Nishijin, open up those windows, water those plants and say hi to your neighbours as we expect a heatwave at 30 Degrees today! -"

The radio suddenly became background noise and Kojo gruntled and shifted in his bed. He's never touched alcohol in his life but assumed this is what it felt like to be hungover. Located at the end of a quiet street, he lived with both his careless parents and older sister just on the outskirts of the Nishijin District. Kojo glared up at the alarm clock, 8:33am, was it Sunday or Monday? He couldn't tell. 

"Kojo, Hiro is here, get up already" bellowed Kojos father.

Before Kojo could muster the strength to pull himself up out of bed, his bedroom door swung open.

"Oh KOJO, don't you love the murky smell of cat piss, garbage men and city pollution in the morning!!"

Hiro sprinted towards Kojos bed, grabbed his duvet and threw it out the window, all the while laughing hysterically and chuckling to himself. Why is somone who lost both their parents in the last year this high on life all the time? thought Kojo to himself, as he lay in his bed undressed wearing underwear two sizes too small for him. 

"Don't you know how to knock or properly say hi" murmured Kojo, still waking up from his weird dream.

"Don't you know it's not custom to pass out in the middle of the street?" sang Hiro "I figured you drank for the first time or got mugged, but you just lay by a lamp post sound asleep and I, as your knight in shining armour had to carry your fat ass home" Hiro sniggered, clearly awaiting the praise he thought he deserved.

Kojo frowned, now fully awake. Was all that not a dream? He looked at his nails, although he bit them profusely, they seemed to be grown back to a normal length. 

"I don't know what happened. There was this guy with dark hair, he was saying he wanted me to meet someone with hatred or-"

"I don't know what fancy ass drugs you've been indulging in, but nows not the time to be thinking about that, today  is sports day and you know what that means!" shouted Hiro

"Ohno" sighed Kojo, he knew what was about to happen.

Within seconds Hiro had ripped off his jacket and long pants to reveal a sparkly running outfit with pristine white running shoes. He wore low ankle running socks that glowed a bright pink, which matched his running top with a picture of a cute girl posing on his chest with ironically large boobs.

"It's time to win gold and show the others how glorious my athletic ability is! What should we enter into first? The 400m, OH! How about the long jump, wait wait wait, I KNOW! The Javelin, that way my biceps are gonna look extra juicy in front of the ladiess" sneered Hiro.

Omoiyari Hiro was Kojos best friend. Tall, athletic, a profound love for himself and wishing to be the centre of attention consisted of 90% of his own personality, with the other 10% consisting of a heavy boldness and confidence he would wear on his chin. The past year, Hiro lost both his parents within a six month time frame. His mother committed suicide just after his 17 birthday, whilst his father 6 months later drove his car into the Kamo River late at night. He found out the next morning when two police officers knocked at his front door. Hiro never cried at their funerals, he always stood there with a gleaming confidence, seemingly unshaken, a true pillar. Kojo always envied the strength and charisma Hiro had, but always allowed fear to hold him back, chained to the ordinary. 

"Well, get ready, we're leaving in 10" snapped Hiro.

Kojo hated sports, he hated any means of competition. The idea of carrying out a series of repetitive physical tasks to beat the clock, lift the heaviest weight or impress judges all to win a small piece of metal always bewildered him. If he wanted a gold plated piece of copper, he would simply buy it from a local DIY store, why did he have to prove physiciality to earn one?

"I think I'm gonna call in sick today, I'm not feeling so hot" Hiro whined as he buried his face back into the pillow, dreading the walk outside he would have to make to retrieve his duvet.

"Ah that's a pity, I guess Miko-chan will have to watch me win the 400M then" grinned Hiro.

Suddenly Kojo sprung to life. He hopped out of his bed and began digging around his wardrobe for a clean t-shirt and pair of running shorts. Miko-chan was Kojos lifelong sweetheart. Miko always seemed to calm Kojo down when they were just toddlers. Back then, anything and everything scared Kojo. The height of swings, the purring of a cat, the feeling of sand in his hand, but Miko always had patience for Kojo, always looking out for him and helping him overcome his fears of seemingly simple things. 

"Okay fine, but I'll be ready in 15" Kojo stated unwillingly as Hiro ran downstairs to help himself to whatever spare food there was in the fridge.

As Kojo was gathering his things he glanced at the mirror, he couldn't help but notice a small purple mark forming in the centre of his neck. Upon closer inspected he noticed what looked like a small triskel at the base of his throat. Did he lie on something against the floor when he passed out? His throat didn't hurt or anything, but it did feel uncomfortable. What if Miko-chan saw it, would she think someone was... kissing him??? He quickly scavenged his bedroom for a scarf of some sort but could only find a scarf embroided with rubber duckies on it. It'll have to do he thought, it was a an embarassing scarf or a mark that looked like a hickey on his neck. There was no alternative. 

As they walked to school the two differed in their strides. Kojo shuffled along, hands in pockets wearing dark sunglasses and slightly leaned over. His rubber ducky scarf was a real contrast to the rest of his persona. Hiro walked with an astounding presence, arms behind his head, winking at the occasional girl as they walked to school. Kojo felt very uneasy, as if the rubber duckies on his scarf might as well be walking next to them, his crippling anxiety was on high alert, so much so he didn't say a single word to Hiro until they arrived at the school.

"So what's the first sport of the day?.." Kojo begrudgingly asked.

"Why the 100m sprint of course, what else?" said Hiro.

Kyoto Imperial High School was one of the best schools in all of Japan. Kojo managed to get in on the basis of their low family income, where the school offered places to kids from disadvantaged backgrounds. Hiro on the other hand was a straight A student, the pride of Imperial High School, so Kojo both loved and hated the fact his best friend could help him out with his grades but at the expense of always being the centre of attention around Hiro. The entrance to the school consisted of a large row of Japanese Oak trees stretching for a half a mile before reaching the front gates which read "Ever to excel" across the large iron gates. They strolled past the main school building and walked towards the event centre and entered the changing rooms to get ready for the day ahead.

Kojo hated the dressing rooms, it meant showing his flimsy, lean body to the rest of the boys in his year, all of whom were incredibly athletic, who were here on scholarships as part of different sports and athletic clubs. Hiro was one of those over achievers, specialising in cross-country running where he held the current u-18s record for the fastest 5km run across all of Japan. They both reached their lockers, just opposite of one another, until moments later the locker room was filled with giants, all changing into their gear, cracking jokes, pulling at each others clothes and making a racket. 

Kojo was mid-opening his locker when a large palm pressed his locker door shut, making a loud BANG as if a shotgun just went off. Kojo glanced up and noticed a tall, skin-head looking figure was glaring down upon him.

"Why did you even show up today, ready to shit yourself out on the running track?" laughed the tall brute figure.

"Is there a problem here" questioned Hiro.

"No problem here, seeing as I'm going to smash you today Hiro" sniggered Keno

"I would gladly let you smash me Keno, how about now in the boys locker room?" Hiro said with a big smile across his face.

Keno now focused his attention towards Hiro. Kojo exhaled a sigh of relief as he slid his hand off the locker.

"You would want to watch your back Hiro, I hear more and more people are getting injuries in cross-country these days, with the intensity going up in all" said Keno which both his fists clenched.

"May the best man win" chuckled Hiro, stretching out his hand to shake Kenos.

Keno shouldered Hiro as he walked away, clearly brewing with disgust and rage after the encounter. Keno was known as the school Jock, favoured to represent Japan internationally as part of their wrestling squad. There's no denying his large presence and abnormal muscles, even Hiro would be in for an equal match up if he ever went head to head with him Kojo thought.

"You alright?" Hiro enquired, patting Kojo on the back.

"Yeah.." sighed Kojo "I just wish you didn't have to constantly defend me whenever that fat ogre is around".

"Hey that's my job! and I personally love making him look like an idiot, the man can barely string together two words without using up all two of his brain cells" Hiro smiled.

Hiro & Kojo closed their lockers and formed outside with the rest of their year. The schools headmaster lined up the year in 8 orderly lines outside the back of the school by the running track and events centre. A large stage was constructed specifically for the sports day, with 3 clear podiums for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners of each event. The headmaster approached the steps to the side of the stage, he was a peculiar looking man. He was bald, with black, circular framed glasses and a curly grey mustache which looked like it had a life of it's own on his face, constantly twitching and wiggling as if it were trying to get off his face. He clearly frowned a lot as the lines on his forehead were incredibly prominent, but he had impeccable cheekbones and a jaw line that looked like it had a dual purpose as a katana.

"Ladies & Gentlemen, welcome to the annual Kyoto Imperial Sports Day. As you know I am Headmaster Rengo-dono and I will act as the presenter for todays events. You all know very well that today is a very special day, one that for a lot of you will dictate what future lies ahead. We have several different scouts from Japans finest universities including several representatives of international universities gathering here to witness the incredible talent that we have to offer"

Kojo sniggered, but so loudly that the headmaster had made direct contact with him. He froze, overcome with fear.

Whilst sternly looking at Kojo the headmaster announced "I will now read out the names of the individuals running in the first event, the 100m". After announcing 6 of the 8 runners, the Headmaster glanced at Kojo "and that leaves Osore Kojo & Okiji Keno as the last two runners in this race".

Kojos heart dropped, his palms began to sweat so much that he felt drops of sweat gathering in the palm of his hands. His knees began to go weak, slightly trembling he kneeled down on one knee, pretending to tie his shoe lace, but really he just wanted to hide for a moment to collect his thoughts. Once he stood up he made direct eye contact with the Headmaster who was smirking, clearly enjoying his last minute change and entry to the 100m race. He knew full well Kojos athletic ability and wanted to humiliate him in front of the entire school. Suddenly, an arm wrapped itself accross Kojos shoulder.

"Well, well, well Kojo, it seems like we're going to be running against one another, don't shit yourself now" smirked Keno as his grip around Kojo tightened. Eventually Keno let go of Kojo, walking towards the 100m track, at that moment Kojo began to hold back tears, grimmacing at the idea of running against this behemoth of a man.

"Hey, don't worry, think fast! think speed! think win!" Hiro exclaimed, clearly sensing Kojos anxiety and dread.

Kojo knew Hiro was just trying to help, but it made him feel worse to think his best friend ever thought he had a chance of winning. Hiro gently placed his hand on Kojos back and directed him towards the 100m event. Before they eventually reached the track, Kojo felt a gentle tap on his shoulder, he looked up, fearful it was Keno returning for a round two to belittle him.

"G-g-good luck! Do your best!" whispered Miko.

Shocked and without time for a response, Miko had already run off towards her group of friends before Kojo could spurt anything out. He was going to be humiliated by the school jock, lose in front of his best friend and embarrass himself in front of his true love. His heart began to race, his eyesight became hazy and his breathing was sporadic. 

"Oh no" it's happening again he thought, don't pass out, don't pass out. 

Kojo made it to his track line, it read the number 8, ironic because that's where he would likely finish. He glanced to lane 7 where Keno stood over him, mockingly stretching and flexing his unholy muscles. 

"Time to lose. You know, that Miko is a beaut. I wonder if she'll let me take her out on a date after this race is done. Maybe I'll even get to take her home for a good time" laughed Keno.

Kojo fell to his knee in a starting position, feeling utterly hopeless. His fear was building up again, the chatter of the audience, the tieing of shoelaces, the footsteps of the racers lining up, the cheers and beckoning of the onlookers chanting on their favourites. It was all too much, a flicker of purple began to sprout from his neck.

The head master stood to the side of the track, starting pistol in hand to signal the start of the race. All the runners lined up in their relative track lines.

"Now I want a good clean race. On the starting pistol now!"

3, Kojo couldn't inhale, 2, he couldn't see straight ahead of himself, 1, his whole body trembled with fear.

BANG*