She was determined to outrun him, as she had once been determined to outrun Yano when they were rivals. Still, he ran easily by her side as she ever increased her speed.

"Give up, won't you?" Ryu challenged, competetively. She could tell he was having fun.

"Not over my dead body!" She countered, pride getting the best of her.

He simply shrugged and effortlessly kept her pace. It was so annoying!

Then, an idea hit her. Chizuru wasn't one to cheat, but desperate times called for desperate measures. She knew Ryu would do anything for her. She slowed her pace, and tried to look weak.

"Hey, Ryu...I don't...feel...so good..." She reeled and swooned convincingly, a glazed look in her eyes. Much to her surprise, she was caught by his steady hands, and righted once again, a supporting arm around her.

"Chizuru, are you alright? Can you stand?" His voice was only slightly toned, but, close as they were, she could tell that he was expressing the utmost concern.

"I think...you ought...to go and get...Pin...or...someone...just...let me rest..." Her voice trailed off as she breathed exaggeratedly. She dry heaved a couple of times, just for good measure. Ryu's defenses were quickly crashing down.

The plan was to get Ryu to desert, so she could finish before him. It was childish, she knew, but it would work. At least, it would have, if Ryu wasn't Ryu.

Unfazed, he effortlessly picked her up, bridal style and cradled her head against his shoulder. With that, he calmly began the trek back to the school. Stupid Idiot Ryu.

Enraged, Chizu beat his chest and struggled until he dropped her, fuming, onto the ground.

"Stupid Ryu! You even fall for it and all my acting is for nothing!"

There was a sort of unprecedented moment of tense, unpredictable silence.

His hand flew up.

Her eyes widened, and she flinched. The unfamiliar atmosphere returned. It left Chizuru quaking on her feet and Ryu with a steely look in his eyes. The violent hand, so unspeakably foreign, came to rest on her shoulder; it was gentle.

"I can act too, you know."