Chapter 1:

In a Random Street in Tokyo:

"Quiet girls! A race is about to begin!" I exclaimed, as I brought up an old video of the End of Summer final stride race that the Honan Stride Club won a year ago. My two friends Yumi and Kira were stunned from what I was watching. I held my breath from excitement up until the anchors crossed the finish line.

"Wow…Chiho… I had no idea you were into this kind of thing…" my friend Yumi said. "Yeah…you're a closet fan of Stride?" my other friend Kimi asked. "Well…I wouldn't say I'm a closet fan." I said, feeling little embarrassed. "Do your parents know about this?" Yumi asked. "No…I think my mom will kill over if she finds out." I said.

"Oh goodness, Chiho, such pursues are unbecoming of a young lady." Kimi said acting like a lady of breeding. "Honestly dear, don't you want to find a suitable husband?" Yumi joined in. "ALRIGHT ENOUGH YOU GUYS SOUND JUST LIKE HER!" I shouted in embarrassment.

Then something caught Chiho's eye. In the middle of the street thirty feet ahead of them was a small kitten, and a bus was coming towards it. Without hesitation, I ran into the street, jumping over the front of cars, and splitting forward to scoop up the kitten in my arms and did a somersault over a road barricade.

"Chiho!" Yumi screamed, thinking her friend was hurt. Kimi followed suit. Thankfully, she was unscathed and the kitten was perfectly unharmed. "You scared us to death!" Yumi scolded. "Sorry!" Chiho apologized.

Once the commotion calmed down, the traffic resumed and a man approached Chiho. He was wearing sunglasses and a gray casual suit came up to me. "That was pretty amazing, young lady!" he exclaimed, "You got the makings of a real Stride Runner! You look like a Middle school student. Have you ever considered joining a Stride team when you get into high school?" "Thanks, but I don't think anyone would accept a female stride runner." I said, knowing my mom will definitely not accept it. "Well, there have been female relationers, why not female runners? Who knows, you might help your team win the End of Summer tournament." he stated, which stuck a cord in me. "Here's my card if you change your mind."

After the man left, Chiho read the card. "JOE SAKURAI!?" she exclaimed, "THAT WAS THE JOW SAKURAI!? THE KING OF STRIDE?!" She just couldn't believe it, the King of Stride came up to her and said that he was impressed with her talents and believe she could be a Stride runner?

Then she gave it a thought, if the King himself believe that she could run in Stride, then why shouldn't break the norm and join a Stride Club as a runner. "Alright then!" Chiho said to herself, "No way or another, I'll become a Stride Runner and be part of a winning team at the E.O.S.!"