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Title: Looking Forward

Theme: #7 superstar

Disclaimer: Not mine. All characters and rights belong to Hisaya Nakajo.

AN: Slight spoilers for Chapter 144. Not exactly manga based, but a hypothesis on my part of what Sano might be like during the year he and Mizuki are apart. I figure there's room for artistic license there, since we fast-forward through that entire year in the manga.

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It was at the third or fourth track meet of their senior year that Makoto Kagurazaka finally figured out what was different with Izumi Sano.

Kagurazaka was accustomed to sharing the spotlight with Izumi, trading the top spot back and forth between the two of them many times since Sano's comeback last year. He was always a formidable opponent, one that Kagurazaka respected for his focus and work ethic. Even the guy's younger brother, Shin Sano, couldn't quite match his drive and determination. However, this year it seemed that the other reigning celebrity of the high jump was even more focused than ever.

In the first two meets, Sano had been intensely competitive, even for him, and had managed—much to Kagurazaka's chagrin—to outjump him on both occasions. On top of that, Sano hadn't even so much as acknowledged his presence, staring off into space and acting as if the only person he was competing against was himself. He had barely even spoken to his own brother at the meets, seeming not to notice the younger guy's concern and exasperation. This had irritated him so much that he had determined to figure out what was going on.

Why was Sano jumping so much better than him?

Kagurazaka haunted a couple of practices at Osaka Gakuen, noting Sano's absolute unwavering focus. Noticing how he looked at the high jump as if it were both an obstacle and a goal. While he watched, Kagurazaka kept getting this weird feeling that something about this scene other than Sano's behavior was different, and it might be that difference that was causing the change in Sano.

It wasn't until the next meet that it finally dawned on him. That pretty boyfriend of Sano's, the one that stuck to him like Velcro most of the time, was now conspicuously absent.

"So where's the pretty boy, Izumi Sano?" He confronted him as they both were between turns at the next meet.

"What?" Sano's bafflement was obvious.

"You know, your boyfriend. That guy who always hung around you. The one that was with you working at that summer home a while back."

The bafflement cleared from Sano's face to be replaced with a wry half grin—the first smile Kagurazaka had seen from him all season.

"She is home in California." Extra emphasis was noticeably placed on the feminine pronoun, which didn't escape Kagurazaka's notice.

"Wait a minute—she?"

"Yes. She."

It took a little bit for it to sink in for Kagurazaka.

'So all that time he was a she. I thought there was something weird about that kid! Too cute to be a guy, but whatever. I just chalked it up to being a pretty boy. And did Sano... Yeah, he must have known. Still, what the hell! It's amazing that she pulled that off!'

Despite his jumbled thoughts Kagurazaka refrained from commenting aloud on Sano's statement. The guy's business was his own, and whatever the circumstances Kagurazaka wasn't getting involved. He really just wanted to know what the inspiration was for this change in Sano. He had thought if he discovered the source of this new determination, then he could figure out a way to beat his longtime opponent. Now he thought he knew why his fiercest competitor had become even fiercer, and it wasn't something he could do anything to counter. However, if he was right, Sano wouldn't be a rival for the top spot in high jumping here in Japan for much longer.

"I hear those American colleges have pretty good track teams."

"Yeah, Berkeley's pretty good." Sano's gaze was unfocused, attention on something—or most likely, someone—in the distance.

"They offer scholarships?"

"Yeah. Competition's pretty stiff for them, though."

Kagurazaka made no comment at this. Now he knew competition was going to be especially tough this year, but that was fine. It was just the way he liked it, in fact. He didn't mind battling for the spotlight with a worthy opponent.

He particularly enjoyed messing with Sano, though, so as he walked away, he savored his rival's startled reaction to his parting comment.

"Well, you should still be able to get Berkeley to take you after you finish second to me this season. And when you get over there, give her a kiss for me, hmm?"