1The Ritsuka café wasn't very crowded, thankfully. Hitomi smiled as she got a table and ordered some coffee. Her head rested in her clasped hands on the glass table. It was a gorgeous winter day. And even though she turned 21, Hitomi didn't feel any different.

"Hitomi..." A male's voice whispered. Hitomi turned to greet Amano and Yukari, but saw a young blonde man standing before her instead. His hair was long and looked very soft. He wore a strange blue and white garb, like a medieval knight. A slender sword was attached to his side. His piercing blue eyes watched her as a warm smiled was planted on his boyish face. "Hitomi..."

"Who...who are you?" Hitomi whispered.

"You forgot me already? It's only been a couple weeks, Kanzaki!" Hitomi shook her head and saw the blond man change into an older version of Amano. He didn't look much different, outside of his hair being a little longer. Beside him stood an older Yukari. Her red hair was up in a bun with some loose strands at the sides. Her arm was locked with Amano's.

"Amano?" Hitomi chuckled and shook her head.

"You alright, Hitomi-chan?" Yukari's face fell into a sad expression.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just a little out of it this morning," Hitomi replied as the couple joined her at the table.

"Aww, well that will change tonight. Don't forget to be at our place by 8," Yukari cheerfully reminded her friend. "And act surprised!"

"Haha, alright. I'll remember," Hitomi smiled and sipped some of her coffee. A waitress walked by and took the others' orders.

"How is school going, Kanzaki?" Amano asked.

"Pretty good, I guess. I've been studying a lot recently."

"A lot? It's all you do outside of running! I think you're crazy," Yukari slyly yelped. "A woman our age shouldn't be locked up in her apartment all alone with a bunch of books. You need to get out more and enjoy yourself!"

"But I do enjoy myself."

"Yeah, when you run. But you can't run forever!" Yukari shook a finger in front of Hitomi's face and stuck out her tongue. Hitomi smiled.

"Yukari..."

Amano chuckled at his wife's behavior.

"You should leave her alone, Dear. I'm sure she knows what she's doing. You're not her mother."

"Amano! I know what's best for my Hitomi, thank you! Hmph!" Yukari crossed her arms together and turned her head. Hitomi laughed and drank more of her coffee. Food soon arrived and the three ate, talking about school and the upcoming party. When they finished, Yukari reminded Hitomi again not to be late and the couple walked off to work on preparations. Hitomi decided to take a walk to enjoy the pretty weather. There wasn't much snow on the ground, only a light dusting. The white calmed her.

Her walk ended up leading her towards her old highschool. It was a Saturday, so the building was empty. Hitomi smiled as she remembered all the happy times she had with Yukari, Amano and her other friends as a young teenager. Time goes by fast, doesn't it? She thought to herself as she strolled by the old track.

A strange feeling crawled up her skin as her eyes stared at the painted track. The same feeling she had in her bathroom earlier. Something about this track...why do I feel so strange? Hitomi walked over to the gate and opened it, walking into the track area. Her feet kicked at the snowy gravel beneath them as she walked part of the way; stopping at the side of the track. This was where I ran...for that bet I had with Amano...when...when...

Hitomi's eyes widened as a strange blue light appeared from the sky. "What the...?" She cried as the light surrounded her. She felt herself float up into the air, as if being pulled by the light. "Ahh! What's happening! No!!" She screamed. Before she could do anything, everything went white as she disappeared.