Disclaimer: I do not own Ace of Diamond, it belongs to Yuji Terajima.
I am making no profit from this story, it is only for entertainment.
I hope you enjoy and are not disappointed.
Chapter 1: Wrong Place, Wrong Time
With each step she took, she flew, as if the gravity had been switched off just for her. The moment her foot touched the ground, she felt the power coil in her leg muscles, being released in a flash of power.
The racing beat of her heart thudded in her ears, her harsh breathing creating a rhythm that accompanied the pounding of her feet.
In the corners of her sharp grey eyes the scenery blurred by, her vision tunneled onto the track before her. She vaguely registered the dull hum of the spectators, adding to the symphony that was building up in her ears.
She could feel the drops of sweat roll down her skin; the cold liquid contrasting with her boiling skin.
She was hyperaware of everything about her body, feeling everything. Feeling every groove in the track beneath her feet, the grip her shoes created as she pushed forward.
All distractions had faded away at the sound of the starting gun.
It was just her and the track.
Her competitors had fallen behind; there was only clear track in front of her and she dared not look back to check where they were.
It didn't matter.
50 metres, 40 metres, 30, 20.
The finishing line swept closer, the song of the race reaching a crescendo. She leapt over the white line; time stopping for just that moment. She looked at the clock.
12.38 seconds.
A new record.
The melody in her ears halted as the roar of the crowd replaced it. She smiled through the burning of her lungs, her hummingbird heart, the lightness of her head.
She'd won.
Kazehaya Azami bounded through the corridors of her new school, desperately looking at the signs above the doors.
She was late. The first day of her high school career and she was late. She wasn't even late because of something significant or life changing.
No, she just couldn't find the right freaking door.
She glanced to her left and spotted the sign that read '1-A'. She grinned, as '1-C' couldn't be that much further. She picked up her pace, the bland school walls becoming a blur.
She couldn't have been the only one with this trouble. But so far, the halls had been vacant and she had not met any other straggling students.
How had everyone else managed to find their classroom so easily? Did they get a map or something that had missed her?
She sighted the next doorway and continued past, barely glimpsing at the sign '1-B'.
Almost there.
Another classroom came into view, the exact same as all the others before. However, above this one was the sign, '1-C'. Her heart leapt as relief washed through her, finally saved from wandering the empty halls.
Azami slowed as she approached, fixing the yellow jumper that had become disheveled I her mad dash through the school. She ran one hand through her long, curly locks, hoping it did not look as chaotic as it felt.
She stopped before the door and took a deep breath, her heart still pounding.
Her future and everything she had dreamed of in high school was beyond that thin slip of wood. That, or scolding and humiliation for being late the first day.
Either way, a whole new world was waiting beneath her finger-tips as she slid the door open and peered inside.
Immediately she regretted that decision as the whole class turned to focus on her. She stepped completely inside and slid the door shut behind her. Facing the teacher, she bowed low and hoped that he would let it go and take pity on the directionless, clueless girl.
At least, that was what she hoped he would see.
"Gomen'nasai sensei, I had some trouble finding the classroom" she cried in an apologetic tone, keeping her head down.
She heard the teacher sigh and she chanced a glimpse. Looked like a decent sort, though a bit menacing with the close cut grey hair and the stern expression. It could go either way.
"You would not be the first. We were about to finish the introductions and since you were late, you are the last to do so" he conceded, not pushing the issue further.
This was getting better.
"Arigato sensei" she replied, turning to the class, finding she still had most of their attention. She opened her mouth, intending to give the best first impression of her life.
She then closed it and looked back at the teacher.
"Ano, what do I say?" she asked sheepishly.
The teacher gave her a flat stare. It stopped getting better.
"Name, school and which club you are planning to join" he droned, obviously having had to repeat the same thing numerous times already.
"Hai" she nodded, facing the rest of her class once more.
"My name is Kazehaya Azami from Daini Junior High and I am going to join the track team" she announced, glancing around nervously as she saw each of her new classmates deciding whether to care or not.
Most chose the latter.
Now it was getting worse again.
"Please sit down and take out your books so we can start the official lessons" the teacher asked, looking down at the notes on his desk.
She again nodded and weaved her way between the closely packed desks, taking particular care to ensure she would not hit anyone. She slumped down into her chair as the teacher clapped his hands, once more gaining the attention of the class.
She zoned out as he started the yearly waffle that teachers always seemed to favour at the start of a new term.
Today officially sucked.
Takashima Rei strode down the corridor in the wake of the end of day bell, heading for one of the first year classrooms.
When she had been told that a new student would be staying in the dorms with the baseball team, but would not be playing baseball, she had had reservations.
This school was based on baseball, so why suddenly take an interest in a sprinter?
Formally of Daini Junior High, who were famous for their athletics team, it was a mystery to all why she had chosen Seidou.
She had qualified for nationals for the past three years and had won gold in her third, making her one of the fastest middle school students in Japan. She had caused a major upheaval when she announced she was to come here, especially since she was still planning to compete in the high school divisions.
Kami knows how many offers she must have turned down.
However, despite the sport, she was national level which meant the principal had taken a great interest in her. This was why she was staying in the dorms as they had the best facilities for those dedicated to sports.
Rei approached the door to '1-C' and slid it open, recalling that this was the class that the southpaw pitcher had been assigned.
The sensei turned to her as the students continued to pack away their things.
"I am here for Kazehaya Azami about her accommodation" she told him, bowing slightly in greeting.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw a dark head snap towards her.
"Hai, Kazehaya you are to go with Takashima-sensei" he told the girl that had appeared, who had succeeded reaching the front without colliding with the densely-packed desks.
"Hai, sensei" she replied, her voice slightly lower and softer than Rei expected out of a young girl her height.
Kazehaya looked up and Rei took a moment to examine her.
Though smaller than any other first year she was compact, as if power was coiled within her, ready to move at the slightest opportunity. Her legs were long compared to the rest of her body and looked solid which was unsurprising considering her background.
Her curly hair reached just beneath her shoulder blades and the strange light blue complimented the cool grey of her eyes. Paired with her pale complexion, she reminded Rei of winter, of the piercing wind that cut through to the bare bone.
But her eyes were so very human, filled with slight confusion and anticipation.
Her uniform looked slightly rumpled, as if adjusted in a rush as one sleeve was slipping off her shoulder and her bow was lopsided.
Rei left the class with the small girl right behind her, somewhat unsettled by the girls' appearance. However, there was something else, something that put her on edge.
Her power was plain to any that took the time to look but there was a sensation of sharpness to it.
She couldn't accurately describe it but she had sometimes felt it from Miyuki, as it was not the feeling of an ace.
No, it was the feeling of those who were incredible at what they did and could subdue those less than them.
And they knew it.
But Rei had the feeling that this girl would be like Miyuki and use their talents for others as much as themselves.
When he wasn't causing his teammates to contemplate murder.
She headed to the accommodation block, her long strides making short work of it as the rest of the school piled out of their classrooms, glad to leave the first lessons of the year far behind them.
She had no doubts Kazehaya could keep up with the fast pace and when they left the school, hurrying past the team member going in the same direction, she could sense her following closely.
Finally they came to the dorms, the sign 'Seidou Spirit Dorm' above the entrance.
Rei continued guiding the young sprinter until the end of the first block, to a room that was more secluded from the others. She turned to Kazehaya and indicated to the door.
"This will be your room during your time at Seidou. Please do not allow any members of the baseball team into it and likewise, do not enter their rooms. Do not cause a disturbance" she instructed, spinning around to leave.
The voice, though soft, reached her.
"Where are the running tracks?" the student asked, her tone filled with excitement at resuming practice.
The same way the team did when asking about their practices.
She had a feeling that she had been waiting to ask someone that question all day.
"Someone will come for you tomorrow after classes with anyone else interest to where the athletics squad meets" she answered, intrigued at the eagerness clear in her question.
She again made to leave but before stepping away told her,
"Your bags are in the room waiting for you."
She glanced back to see the girl close her mouth with a surprised look on her face.
Rei finally left, and headed to the training ground, watching the players trample in to start practice.
A small smile made its way onto her face
Perhaps Kazehaya may fit in with these guys after all.
The night was cool, the slight breeze caressing the surfaces it glided over; bring relief from the hot Tokyo sun.
Azami breathed steadily, keeping it even as she started another circuit of the school grounds. As she jogged past the baseball grounds she saw a figure running.
With what looked like a tyre following him.
The once white uniform now matched the ground he ran on, but he didn't look to be stopping any time soon. She smiled, as it looked as if someone else was as dedicated to their sport as she was.
She turned away from the strange figure and continued on her way, pushing more power into each step she took.
Maybe this school would not be such a drag after all.
That concludes the first chapter. I hope you can review please and tell me if you liked it and what I can improve.
Dōmo arigatōgozaimashita