Chapter 1

Shinji, along with his best friend, Kensuke Aida, walked home as they always did after school. While they walked, they talked about what had happened to them throughout the day.

"Man, Shinji," Kensuke was saying, "I don't think Miss Katsuragi's ever given a test as hard as today's was."

"What's the matter?" Shinji teased, "Didn't the 'brain child' study enough?"

"I studied plenty hard," Kensuke retorted, "It's just that the questions she asked us weren't really in the reading, that's all."

"Ahh, you never were good at answering creatively," Shinji said.

They continued to walk and talk until they reached Kensuke's house, where they parted ways. Shinji still had another four blocks to walk to his house, but it was a Friday; in spring. He was in no hurry to get home yet. He pulled out his cell phone and called his dad. He told him that he would be home in time for dinner, then hung up, and turned to take the long way home.

Taking the long way home took Shinji for a walk in the city's central park. Shinji often walked home this way, partly because he enjoyed the outdoors, and partly because there were sometimes some cute girls out jogging.

Shinji wandered all through the park, stopping at koi ponds and turtle pools, and just generally enjoying himself. He looked around at the sound of running footfalls on the gravel path behind him.

It was Asuka. Asuka Langley Soryu. She was fairly new to the area. She was an army brat, used to moving around a lot. Her father was the one in the army. He was Japanese. He had met her mother while stationed in Germany, they fell in love, had Asuka, and blah, blah, blah.

Asuka never got tired of telling her life's story to anyone who would listen. Shinji never found himself tiring of listening to her talk. Kensuke found Asuka grating, and rather irritating, but Shinji liked her; a lot.

Every once in a while, Shinji had a dream that involved a red-headed girl, who bore a striking resemblance to Asuka, taking off her clothes, getting down on her knees and opening her mouth to suck Shinji's cock. And, just as her lips were about to wrap themselves around his cock, Shinji would always wake up; with a raging morning wood.

Shinji waved to Asuka. She slowed to a walk and walked over to where Shinji was standing. Her face and neck gleamed with sweat, and her chest heaved as she caught her breath. Her breasts protruded against the tank-top that clung to her sweat-drenched torso. Shinji felt his eyes bulging slightly as he took in her physical beauty.

"Hi Shinji," Asuka said cheerily. The sound of her voice snapped Shinji forcefully back to reality.

"Oh! Uh, hi," Shinji stammered, still slightly in shock.

"Are you okay?" Asuka asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Shinji said quickly, "you?"

"I'm good," Asuka said.

"Just out running?" Shinji asked.

"Yeah," Asuka said, "I'm trying to get in shape for the school's track team. I want to join."

Shinji's first impulse was to say that she already looked like she was in great shape. But instead he said, "That sounds great. I'm sure you'll do just fine."

As soon as he said it, he felt very dumb and childish.

"Thanks, Shinji," Asuka said with a smile, "You're a really nice friend."

Asuka turned and started to jog away. She looked back and waved to Shinji. He waved back and smiled, feeling himself turning a little red.

Shinji checked his watch and realized that he would have to haul ass in order to not be late for dinner. He took every shortcut and back alley that he knew in order to shave off precious minutes and get home faster.

When he had reached his front door, Shinji again checked his watch. He was amazed that only five minutes had passed since he last checked it because, even with his shortcuts, the route he took home was nearly a mile.

A mile in five minutes, Shinji thought, and I'm barely out of breath. It's amazing.

Shinji brooded and thought about it all through dinner. He just couldn't get it out of his head. The more he thought about it, the more he could only come to one conclusion.

"Dad," he said, "I'm going to try out for the school's track team."

"Well," Gendao said, "it's about time. I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever discover that you could run."

"Huh?" Shinji asked, totally thunderstruck. What was his dad talking about?

"You've been running fast and well since you were old enough to walk," Gendao said, "I watched you chase after other boys while they were riding bikes."

"Yeah," Shinji said, remembering, "I even caught them a couple of times, too."

"Yes, you did," said Gendao with a small chuckle, "Now, when I was your age, I was a runner myself. I was on my school's track team, and I was one of the fastest runners on the team. I was better at the sprints. You'll have to decide for yourself which event you are best at. Go get 'em kid."

"Thanks, dad," Shinji said.