A/N: Hello, I do hope you like this chapter and story and will continue reading. I am writing the first six chapters in memory of my cousin who died some years ago today. I will update the last six on December 9, 2019 as it seems to be the only way I can make it equal and not miss this day on both dates.

Italics in the center of the page is narration, extra info that some characters, and even the readers, may not know.

3991 words

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Stride: Alternative or its characters. Nor do I want to, the show would be terrible if I did.

Chapter One: Stride Club Revived

Third Person POV

"Not today kid!"

The young, high school girl turned at the shout of the teacher at the gate. A young man was running towards the gates of the school as fast as he could. He was hoping to make it before the gates closed.

He threw his bag in the air, it landed with a *thud* on the other side of the rapidly closing gates. His foot hit the gate, rattling it in the process. He used the momentum he gained from this to vault over the gate.

He caught the eye of the girl, momentarily losing balance once the gates closed. He fell and rolled past the girl before colliding with a tree.

*Groan* "Safe"

"I'm sorry to say this, but I think you're out!"

"Are you okay?" the girl worried, crouching in front of the blonde/raven-haired man when he sat up. He had a leaf in his hair.

"You're bleeding!" she worried, taking out a white, frilly handkerchief from her pocket. "I'm fine" the man assured as he pulled back his bangs. It was to show he was alright, but it gave her room to put the cloth on his forehead.

"You need to take care of it"

"You're so nice!"

He took the handkerchief before wiping off his slacks when he stood. "Thank you, ma'am. My name is Riku Yagami" 'Riku' introduced. "I'm a freshman here at Hônan starting today, I hope to see you around"

Scene Change: Classroom

"I'm a big fan of Yakisoba, especially when it's on a bun. I love sports even more than Yakisoba. I'm gonna kick butt in the tryouts for school teams, just watch!"

Riku turned to face the teacher. "All done" he announced before sitting down in his seat. 'Way to win them over' Riku internally cheered with a smile.

He did, however, notice that someone has been staring at him for a while. He turned around to see a glowing face with piercing, Cobalt blue eyes. Riku sat up suddenly in shock and fear. 'What is with him? I don't know him, right?'

Little known to him and the young, female high schooler he met earlier that day, they do know him.

Riku bolted up right in surprise when the raven stood up. "My name is Takeru Fujiwara. I live alone, in a house not far from here" 'Takeru' introduced.

"Is that all?"

"Yes" the raven answered simply. 'That is a lame introduction' Riku thought in continued shock. Takeru's glasses were gleaming, covering his eyes with white light. The scraping of a chair grabbed Takeru's attention.

"I'm Nana Sakurai, I just moved her from Hokaido. Tokyo seems nice and I love the warm weather"

Riku immediately thought that Takeru was stalking her when he saw the raven staring. "I am staying with my uncle who does not live too far from here. I don't know my way around quite yet though, so I would love a tour" 'Nana' smiled at her new classmates.

Riku started clapping, thinking that Sakurai is a 'cutie' before his clapping slowed down. Takeru had a glowing Arctic blue aura surrounding him. He did not like the face that Riku made when she was done introducing herself. 'That creepy dude, he's crazy'

The bell rang before everyone went to do their own thing.

Riku started trying out for different sports, more specifically, Basketball at the moment. It was his first sports tryout at the school.

He got past the man who was blocking the hoop, but he forgot one thing… the ball. He still got asked to join though.

"As long as I can be in more than one, I'm fine with joining"

"Huh?"

"I want to be in as many sports as possible" the blond smiled cheekily.

Nana was in front of the Club Board where the posters for the various Clubs were pinned. *Shutter*

Nana was shocked by the flash directed at her. A girl was excited about all the stops people were pulling out for new members. She was amazed by the number of posters.

"Do you know where I can find the Stride Club? I thought they would have posters, but I don't see any"

"Are they even still around?"

Meanwhile, Takeru had found the Club Nana was looking for.

Takeru's POV

I observed how the Volleyball match was going.

The ball hitting Riku on the head made me stifle a chuckle. He caught up to it rather quickly. Good. Now I just have to check if his legs are in good condition for Stride.

A man asked if he was interested in joining the Club. From the look on another man's face, he didn't like that proposal. I'm guessing Riku passed the tryouts for his sport, but wanted to tryout for more.

"I'm joining all the Clubs!"

"Didn't see that one coming, did you?"

I was heading over to Riku, without people noticing me apparently. "Are you a Freshman? What's your name and class?"

"I'm in class 1-C"

"Riku Yagami" I answered the man, checking Riku's legs. It shocked them that I was holding his leg.

"I'm outta here!" he screamed, running off. Standing up, I narrowed my eyes at the door. I didn't get to accurately see if his legs were good enough for Stride. Observing his reflexes and speed isn't enough.

I went to look for Nana, since I doubt she will find it by herself.

I was right. I found her behind a glass door, wondering out loud where that room was. "Nana Sakurai"

"Huh? Uh, hi" she greeted. "You're… Takeru, we're in the same class…"

"Come with me" I don't need to hear what I already know. I get enough of that from my mother. "Where are we going?" she asked. It annoyed me. She just said something about Stride.

I didn't answer her and just kept walking.

We reached the room in no time. "How'd you know I was looking for the Stride Club?"

"Don't worry about it" I answered, opening the door.

"Do over"

"Not happening"

I heard a groan from the man who had asked for a do over. I'm guessing they're talking about Shogi. Stride and Shogi are counted as one Club because of the lack of members for each Club.

I heard the man yell, making me stop when I stepped into the room. Are they so into the game that they haven't noticed us yet? I didn't know Shogi was that interesting.

"They seem pretty distracted at the moment"

"Excuse me"

My shoulders tensed from how close that voice sounded. "Are you looking to join our Club?"

I turned to see a young man with a Panda bear mask covering his face. It was more brown and white than black and white though. "Yeah" Nana answered softly.

"That's great! We're happy to have you"

The blonde removed the mask from his face, showing his blue-green eyes. "I'm Hozumi Kohinata, a second year. It's nice to meet you"

The man was cheery, but he reminded me of a girl somehow.

He walked past me, and into the room. Following him in, I saw the duo we heard earlier were now fighting.

"We have new members!" Hozumi informed cheerily. "For which Club?"

The man, with similar colored hair to Riku, narrowed his eyes just slightly. It reminds me of the eyes I see when I look in the mirror. He's just observing.

"Your glare, your glasses. Yes! Shogi Club!" the green-haired man stated confidently.

"No" I answered simply. I don't care that Stride and the Shogi Club are counted as one Club because the number of members is too little. I won't play Shogi.

*Whistle* *Clap Clap*

"I came here for Stride, and only Stride. I don't care if Shogi and Stride are counted as one Club, I won't play. No offense"

"Wait a minute… you're Takeru Fujiwara from Tsurugiya, aren't you?"

"That's correct"

"I knew it! You're famous in the 'Under-15' category" he said, moving a Stride Monthly: King of Stride magazine and another one out of the way. It revealed a picture of me at a Kobe 'Under-15' Stride Comp. with Blue Sonic. "I can't believe you moved all the way to Tokyo from Kobe"

Hozumi was clapping again, he was apparently impressed.

"Stride's off to a good start now that we have a big name like you on the team. You must be here for…"

The green-haired man started, looking past me. Nana was in the direction he was looking. He must think she is here for the Shogi Club.

"…the first female member of the Shogi Club"

"She is not, sir"

"Denied again!"

"Sakurai is here for the same reason I came here… Stride"

They were all shocked, even Nana. I don't understand why she would be. I know she and Riku forgot, but that doesn't mean I can't hear when people talk. Especially from a meter or three away.

"I'm Nana Sakurai, it's a pleasure to meet you. Your Stride team is why I moved to Tokyo. I'd love to be your Manager if you'll have me"

"The more the merrier" the green-haired man cried, holding a Shogi piece. Pawn*, I think it was. "My name is Ayumu Kadowaki, a second year…" I didn't bother listening to the rest. It was just self-proclaimed titles. Basically he's the President of the Shogi Club is what I got from the muffled ramblings.

"I'm the President and Captain of the Stride Club, Heath Hasekura, a third year. If you join one Club you automatically join the other"

"It's the only way to keep both Clubs alive. Any Club with less than three members gets disbanded" Hoshino explained to the girl. It's the same with my old School. "So you're all…"

"That's right," Kadowaki said, glasses glinting. "Whether you want to join Stride or Shogi, this is the whole Club!" he sounded proud when he announced that. "Really?!"

Why is she so shocked? I checked this out before coming here. Well, I was told about it anyway.

"I saw a video on the internet though, that's why I came to Hônan " that makes sense. I took the phone from her before she could show them. "Hey!"

"I know the video, the Stride Association took it off the internet" I told the girl. Since it was already on the webpage, I showed her the message. "Stupid Stride Association!"

Doesn't her father run that specific Association.

"Tell us what was so great about it then?" I heard the Stride Captain ask when I gave her back her phone. I figured her reaction would be to throw her phone once she saw it. I know she would regret it as soon as she did though.

"It was amazing! It was the first time I've seen a relation done so well at full speed"

I noticed the look in Hasekura's eyes when she said that. He knows what video she's talking about. Isn't that hard though. It was Tomoe and Kyosuke's relation.

"Words aren't enough to tell you how much I love Hônan Stride"

"The Runners you saw are third-year students now. They're no longer members of Hônan Stride anymore, unfortunately" Hozumi explained to her. The shocked look in her eyes wasn't a surprise. "I know this isn't what you want to hear, but we don't have enough members to participate in a Match"

"All the Shogi Club needs is three" not doing Shogi so I hope Kadowaki is not including me.

Her down-casted head worried Hozumi from his quick speaking. "We'd be more than happy to train with you, if you want"

"What's the point of training if you can't compete"

I hope that is not what he truly means. You should always train, even if you can't compete.

"We only need five Runners and a Relationer to qualify for Matches. Find us two more and we're good" Hozumi informed. He showed us the roster on an electronic pad. We only need a Runner.

"Don't count me Hozumi. I don't want any part in this"

"I promise! I will find two more people"

"Didn't you hear what I said?!"

"There have to be other students here who love Stride"

"Good luck! Nobody wants to join Stride anymore"

What is with that bummer attitude? A Captain should be at least a little bit more encouraging.

"There has to be someone at this school who loves it just as much as we do"

From his surprised expression, he never expected to hear that. "Uwahh!"

I was feeling the calf muscles in Kadowaki's legs. "Good calf strength" I observed, holding his leg a bit higher.

"You noticed?" I continued feeling the muscles used for Stride. "We've been training him so the 'Keeper of Kings' may actually make it through a Match"

I moved to his knee as Hozumi talked. "You lied to me, traitor!" Kadowaki realized when his leg crawled. "I thought we were training to be the 'Fastest Shogi Club in the World'!" the man cried. There is nothing wrong with being in shape.

"We had to trick you," Hozumi tsked as I continued checking his legs. "So when the time came, your body would be ready for Stride!"

"You wonder why you should keep training when you can't compete. Yet, you went out of your way to train someone who doesn't want anything to do with Stride" I said, getting the Captain's attention.

"We came to this school for Stride, Sakurai" I started, getting Nana's attention this time. "It is up to us to make sure we can participate in Matches"

"We can find you two more members. When we do, we can be a full-fledged Stride Club"

"We only need one more" I stated as I turned to leave. It confused her, and surely the others in the room.

Scene Change: Gymnasium

The doors slammed opened, bringing light into the dark room. "Yagami" I said to get his attention.

"Hello Riku!"

"What's happening Nana?!... what are you doing with him?"

We went outside, I was very annoyed with his reaction to Nana. It was black and white when comparing it to his reaction towards me.

"Thank you again for this morning, Nana. I'm going to have to get you a new one since I got blood on this one"

"You don't have to"

"I have to pay you back somehow"

"Well, since you asked. I could use another member in the Club I'm in, especially if they're as fast as you" I heard Nana answer. She was ecstatic about the prospect. "You can count me in, I'd be happy to help you out"

"Really?!"

"Yeah! I like every sport… except for Kabaddi"

She was confused by that. He explained why he hated it, but I wasn't paying attention. I was too busy looking at the man's legs. I can't accurately see if his legs are good for Stride by sight.

Squeezing them, I leaned back to avoid being kicked in the face. I can't ruin my glasses.

"Good legs, we need to get going" I praised, walking inside.

"What was your name?" I froze at this. He remembered Nana's but not mine? It hurt, but I expected it. "Was it… Takeru? Are you also a member of this Club Nana wants me to join?"

"That's obvious, and at least try to remember the names of people who aren't pretty girls. It's rude to the person to not remember their names. Let's take him to the others"

We reached it relatively quickly. "Do you want to tell me which Club I'm joining?"

"Hônan Stride" we answered simultaneously. I saw his apprehension before I wrapped my arms around his chest, keeping his arms rooted to his sides. I don't want to go chasing him down the hall or make a lot of noise in the process of catching him.

"We found one" I informed the trio when I opened the door. It was easy to keep the man in my arms, despite his struggling. If he kicked my legs, that would be a bit harder.

"I told you to let go! I'm warning you!"

"He doesn't look very happy, did he agree"

"Yes sir, until he found out it was Stride. He promised Sakurai he would join, and I doubt he is one to break a promise with her" I answered the blond.

"It's Riku Yagami"

The honey-blond in my arms tensed at that. He doesn't like Stride because of his brother, if I remember right anyway. "No way, he's a Yagami? You have to be kidding" Hozumi was shocked.

He doesn't look like his brother at all. He has Carmine eyes and Tomoe has dark purple eyes. He has honey-blonde hair with black at the bottom and Tomoe has all black hair.

"What are the odds?"

"Yeah, no joke. Destiny is in motion"

The man's eyes narrowed as his head bent slightly. He made it seem tenser than it was. It isn't destiny.

Hozumi: "Now that we have five Runners, we're ready"

Kadowaki: "You're still counting me in that number, aren't you?"

Hasekura: "Of course, why else would I make you do all that training with us?"

Hozumi: "Tough break, bro"

Kadowaki: "This sucks! You tricked me"

Hozumi: "All Club activities are based on deception"

Kadowaki: "Oh! Sun Zhu, someone thinks they're smart!"

Their prattle was getting boring. "All we need is a Relationer and we're good to go!" Nana smiled. I looked down at her with my stoic expression. I don't need people curious about my life, especially Riku and Nana.

"We have one" I answered simply. It surprised them, making them look at me. "Who? Me?!"

I nodded at this. It was a simple, wordless answer.

"I don't know if girls are allowed to be a Relationer" all you had to do was ask. Someone would answer that for you.

"Sure they are, I've seen it happen before, but it is rare" Hozumi told her. "They're usually on the best Teams"

She was so happy about the idea of being Hônan Stride's Relationer. "I'm not that into Stride, so…"

"I don't want to force you to do something you don't want to; you did say you would help"

"Oh, it's fine. You're not the one forcing me to stay here"

"If you don't run away, I will let you go. If you do, I will chase you. Which do you prefer?" I asked the blonde. "You…" he growled angrily.

"I have something to do in Hônan Stride, you're not getting out of this" I told the man. "What does that have to do with me?"

I expected this outcome from Nana and Riku, but I never expected Riku to forget about Nana. Just me.

"Listen up!"

I turned to look at Hozumi to see him squeeze the head of a small, stuffed-animal cat. *Nya*

"How about we settle this with a friendly Match!" the cat said. Well, it was Hozumi, but he squeezed the Cat's head to make it seem like the cat was talking.

"Color me intrigued! *glint* Tell us more kitty"

These people are so odd. I watched as the cat's eyes angled at the top to make it seem determined or angry. "We will settle this once and for all with a one-off Stride Match. This Match will determine the fate of the Club!"

I was very excited at the idea. I can't wait to run with Riku.

Heath made an announcement over the speakers. All it said was something about the Stride Club being back and they were going to have a Match in School.**

Time Skip: Sunset

I didn't listen to the announcement that came over the speakers. It was mainly for those not participating in the Race.

Breathing in, then out, I heard Hozumi. He was starting to get pumped-up for the Race. "Don't you need your glasses?"

"No, I prefer contacts when I run" I answered simply, opening my eyes. I had put my contacts in a little bit ago, before the announcement about traveling safety during the Race. I saw through my peripheral vision that he was shocked. Likely at how serious I am about running.

"Let's do our best out there, Takeru"

"Of course"

Third Person POV

'Will Takeru be able to pull this off?' Riku wondered as he tied his shoes. Despite not 'liking' Stride, he still cares about winning. 'Will he get lazy making us lose? That would mean…'

"I forgot about the pre-Race nerves" Heath said, breaking Riku from his thoughts. "It's been a long time since I've felt them, I missed it"

'I did to'

Riku looked at the watch on his wrist, it had the word start in a Cerulean blue bubble.

Nana looked at the schematics of the school, more specifically the parts of the school where the Race will take place. "Okay Riku and Takeru, I hope you're ready" she was very serious when she spoke into the headset.

The announcer called this race the 'Hônan Stride Clubs Revival Race' before Riku noticed the people outside the windows. The Basketball Captain was also there.

"Are they assuming Stride's back because they think you'll beat me?" Riku questioned Captain Heath.

"I'm leaving you in the dust kid, sorry" the man answered playfully. He may have been playful, but he was still serious. Riku was surprised when Heath's knuckles hit his chest.

"Get a good wind in your heart, know what I'm sayin'?"

"On your mark…" Hozumi and Takeru touched the ground below them.

'It's okay to lose this one, but we must reach End of Summer. I may be the only one who remembers, but I won't let that promise die with the other one' Takeru thought determined to make it a reality. 'I won't let you break another promise!'

"Get set…" Hozumi and Takeru got ready to run

"Go!"

The duo bolted to the stairs that lead inside the school

"Hozumi is going really fast!" Nana was surprised by the speed. "Of course, he has to keep up with the 'Under-15' Runner" Ayumu told the girl. "Get ready, Nana. It's almost time"

"Heath Set!"

"Riku Set!"

Riku took a deep breath before letting it out. "3…2…1…" Heath bolted before Nana told Riku to go as well.

He bolted quicker than Heath did. His long strides helped him to pass Heath in one second.

As soon as he reached the hallway, he saw Takeru's face. He slammed his foot on the ground so he could stop himself.

Takeru ran faster. Ayumu warned him about the Takeover Zone, but it was useless. Nana was praying that they would complete the relation. 'I can!' Riku was determined.

'We can' Takeru stated. He, however, saw two kids hands slap together when Riku slapped his hand. "Connect!" Nana exclaimed in glee.

Takeru slowed down to a complete stop so he wouldn't roll a few more feet. When he did stop, his hands were on his knees, as he breathed deeply so he could catch his breath.

Riku was having the time of his life, the first time in a long while that he smiled because of Stride.

Heath and Riku crossed the finish line at the same time. It amazed Nana when Ayumu showed her. The duo both got 1:37:76

"It's a tie!" Ayumu screamed from the second-floor room the Relationers were in. "Did you hear that, kid? Nice job" Heath praised the out-of-breath kid laying on the ground. "How come you're not out of breath, senpai?"

Heath just smiled at the kid. "You'll get there one day, Rookie"

Riku looked up when he saw a figure looming above him. On closer inspection, it was Takeru. All the raven did was hold his hand out, fingers splayed in the air for him. Riku just stared until he saw the raven smile.

He chuckled with a toothy grin, before high-fiving the stoic Runner. He grabbed his hand not long after so Takeru could pull him up.

"You win, this time"

A/N: Hello, I finished writing this at 8:47 P.M. on November 26, 2018.

*I am so sorry of this is wrong, I don't play Shogi

**I'm sorry, but Takeru's eyes in one of the Newspapers is funny to me. I don't know why.

I do hope you like this chapter and story and will continue reading. I have something important to me for school tomorrow and I'm not even close to finished with it. I will try to edit and update the rest of the first six chapters before the 22nd as that is when I leave for Florida. Where we are staying there has no wi-fi.