Flag 2.3 Runners High

Disclaimer: Don't own TWGOK or it affiliations or something like that.

The next day Keima walked into the classroom early in the morning. Other kids would never come to school so early, but to him, it was normal to come at this time as it allowed him to become situated for optimal gaming. He set up his PFP and game cartridges and started to play. Time passed, but to him it was nothing as he was in a world where it did not matter what time it was in The Real (excluding games that use a real-time clocking system, a tedious genre that made progressing though games much slower.) As he sped to the ending in his game, he heard the voices of the girls in his class outside the room. Once again they were gossiping, and just as before it was about Ayumi. Keima tuned in, hoping to find out something that might fix the problem of Ayumi's lost focus. He hit the jackpot.

"Did you hear?"

"What, tell me?"

"Over the past few days Ayumi has been getting hazed by someone."

"Really?"

"Yeah! Someone snuck into her locker and cut up her track shoes! And also someone's been taking her stuff and all sorts of other pranks."

"No way, how cruel!"

"Actually, she might have deserved it…"

"What makes you say something so horrible!?"

"I heard this rumor that she faked her injury! Someone who knows the nurse there said that something with her injury seemed off and so it makes it really likely that she faked it just so that she wouldn't get caught for cheating when she got scouted."

"Oh… I never heard that story… Is that why so many girls are shunning her right now?"

"Yeah. I think you should ignore her too. We don't need someone like her in our lives."

The girls went on and on about this while Keima sat there, thinking about this new information. Like a puzzle with many pivotal pieces missing, Ayumi's problem up until now seemed to have chunks that did not fit together. But now, Keima had found the pieces and could finally link the picture together. It was time to finally see the bigger picture.

Ayumi and Keima sat silently at there usual spot in the ramen shop. There was a pile of notes around Ayumi, but for a while not a single page had been turned. Ayumi was not reading the words on the page, just staring into space. Keima could see her motivation was almost gone. He needed to take action now or he would be tutoring her forever… but would that be so bad? Of course it would! What was he thinking? Keima stood up and put the money on the table.

"Let's go." He said as he packed up the study materials.

Hearing Keima's voice, Ayumi popped back into reality.

"You obviously are not interested in studying today, so we'll cut this session short."

She nodded in agreement and they walked out of the restaurant. To there surprise it had started raining since they had gone for there meal. This was actually good for Keima, as it created a good situation for the route he was going to attempt to follow.

"It's going to be too wet to train. Besides tomorrow is the meet, you'll need to rest your body for tomorrow Ayumi."

She just nodded in agreement. They both went to rummage through their bags for an umbrella to use. Of course, as a gamer Keima had an umbrella as to keep his games from getting wet, but Ayumi, being the forgetful type, had forgotten to take one. She sighed as she chose between waiting there alone, and getting wet running home. As she decided, she suddenly felt a tug as a long and slender hand pulled her under an umbrella. Her face immediately turned red as she was now shoulder to shoulder with Keima.

"K-kie-" She stammered

"You'll get wet if you walk in the rain and it is supposed to rain until midnight. This route is the most beneficial for your health and your running."

And with that short response they walked home together. Ayumi was silent as she listened to the pitter-patter of the rain on the umbrella and felt the warmth of being so close to Keima. She felt as if she could stay like this forever; she felt like she could be next to Keima forever.

"Ayumi."

"Eh?" She snapped back to reality, her face blushing.

"Have you decided on what you will do tomorrow?"

"Oh… yeah… I… I don't think I can participate in the meet…"

"Why not?" Keima asked coolly, not revealing his hand and the cards he held.

"Well… You know, I don't think I'm ready to join the team. Besides, I can always just run on my own."

Keima suddenly stopped walking, which made Ayumi look up into his entrancing eyes.

"Is this really your decision… or is it the decision others want you to make."

"Wh-what?"

But she already knew. There was no way anyone would know by now about her situation. Still, she had hoped he wouldn't hear about it.

"Ayumi, you letting these people from the Real decide your path for you. You are allowing their pressure on you push you down a route you think will please them."

"But… but it's true, I did fake my injury… I lied to them all and now no one trusts me. I am a social outcast…"

"And now you're letting that dictates your movements? People consider me to be a social outcast because I am too good at what I do, but I don't let them pressure me into stopping. I keep going because it's what I'm good at. It's my goal to be the best, like it is yours to be the best runner. You got on the track team because of your efforts, something no one else could achieve. The coach chose you because she saw something in you! You don't need to please anyone but yourself!"

Keima looked deep into her eyes, and Ayumi looked back into his. She could feel his intensity and it comforted her. Those eyes of his… she felt she could fall in love with them.

"I won't tell you to join the track meet, I never have. But I will be there watching. Even if everyone else thinks poorly of you, even if no one cheers for you, I will always be on you side. Even if you come in last place, you'll always be number one in my heart!"

Keima had gotten so in the mood of the scenario, the last words had slipped out of his mouth without him realizing. He saw the intensity in Ayumi's eyes and knew he had gone too far. He looked away quickly and pointed to the left.

"Y-your house..." He said fumbling as he tried to throw away the flag as quickly as possible.

"Huh?" said Ayumi as she snapped back to reality. She could see the redness of his face, and could feel the same with hers. Suddenly, they both looked in the opposite direction of each other.

"We're here…"

"Oh.. oh yeah."

"I- I got to go…"

"Oh! Oh, Yeah… well I don't want to keep you, I'll see you later…"

"Y-yeah…"

There was a pause as they just stood. Then they said good bye as the both ran to there homes. Ayumi locked the door behind her and as she put her bag of notes down she saw a present wrapped up inside. A note attached read "In case you decide to run tomorrow~ Keima." She opened it quickly and without hesitation and found there was a new pair of spikes just for her. They even looked like the original one that had been torn to shreds.

Her back against the door, she slid down to the floor hugging the present to her chest and thinking about all the things Keima has done for her. Her hear raced as she realized something…

She realized she was completely and utterly in love.

Keima was completely depressed. He looked at his bag that he had been carrying only to find all the games and consoles inside completely soaked from the rain. He hadn't said anything, but he had to leave his shoulder outside of the umbrella since it could not fit them both. He did not realize that on the same side was his bag and so now he was distraught.

"I swear Ayumi… if you don't run tomorrow…"

The day of the meet was perfect running weather. The rain had dried up, the track was ready and the temperature was perfect. You couldn't ask for better conditions. The coach stood in the girl's locker room reading off names and times for when events would be taking place. After everyone knew when and where to be, she told the group to go run a mile warm up.

As they filed out the door the coach stopped one girl.

"You sure you're all healed up Takahara?"

Ayumi turned around and gave truly a bright and confident smile.

"You know I am coach!"

And with that she ran outside to the track the coach watched her leave for the track and smiled to herself. This was the person she saw the day she chose Ayumi; this was the person was the true Ayumi.

Ayumi ran down the long corridor that led to the meet. She felt so light right now; she felt like she could take on the world. She was about to exit the building to the track when she saw three figures blocking her path. As she got closer she immediately recognized the faces and tensed up, losing her light feeling. It was the seniors and they did not look happy at all, sans the leader who was as unreadable as ever.

"So you chose to participate?"

"Didn't we tell you our team has no place for cheaters?"

"Just get out of here."

Ayumi felt her mind losing faith in herself. She almost let it take her over again, but then a voice in her head came to her rescue and reminded her why she was here.

"You don't need to please anyone but yourself!" Keima's voice echoed in her head.

She smiled to herself and mouthed the words 'thank you' as she took a deep breath. Looking into the leaders eyes she spoke her mind.

"It true, I did fake my injury. I tried to get out of running. There is no excuse for my actions and the strain I put on the team for not improving my time. But even so… Even so…"

Ayumi took a deep breath. She then made a deep bow as she said loudly,

"I WANT TO BE THE BEST RUNNER IN THE WORLD!"

The other seniors were shocked at her resolve, but the leader just stared at her. Then, with an intense stare, she looked deep into the eyes of the captain.

"I don't care what you do to me, what you say about me, what anyone thinks about me. I just want to go out there today and run for my goals, not for the goals of others! I want to run my way! I got this far by my own strength, so please, step aside and let me go!"

The two talkative seniors protested her resolve to run.

"Like Captain would even think to-"

But before they could finish the leader of the group grabbed them by she shoulder and stopped them. She walked up to the frightened, but steadfast Ayumi and looked her in the eyes. Then, after what felt like ages she took of one of her flair pins and put it on Ayumi's warm-up and walked away. Startled by this act, Ayumi and the two seniors were stunned. But after regaining their wits, the seniors ran to follow there captain.

Ayumi took a moment to collect her self. She rested against the wall of the hallway, releasing the breath she was holding in her lungs. She smiling to herself, she popped back up with determination as she set out for the track. She pushed open the doors to the outside and was greeted by a cheering crowd and the overwhelming sight of events going on all over.

This is where she belonged; this was her home. No one could take this moment, this feeling from her.

But they tried. The students from Maijima yelled all sorts of slanders and tried to break her resolve. They used all sorts of methods, she could hear people calling her a cheater and a coward, but she pushed through. She remembered this was her time, her goal not theirs.

The event was about to begin as Ayumi got to her position on the track. She took the proper position that Keima told her would work for her. Her mind flashed to Keima, thinking of all the things they had done together in the past week. For some reason it felt like longer. She got ready to run. She could feel the eyes on her. Feel all the glares, all the pressures, all the anger and hatred.

But she did not let it rule her. She listened for the sound of the gun.

Ba-Bump. Ba-Bump. Ba-Bump.

Her heart-rate was rising; she tried to calm it down.

Ba-Bump. Ba-Bump. Ba-Bump.

She raised her from, readying to launch forward.

Ba-Bump. Ba-Bump. Ba-BANG!

They all took off, all running to the same goal. Ayumi had a clean break; she jumped over the hurdles before her just like how she had practiced before. She could feel they eyes watching her, judging her.

She fell to second. She fell to third. She could feel the eyes drilling into her. Her heart was beating faster. Faster. Her legs felt heavy, her breathing was accelerated.

She tried. She was failing. Everyone would see her fail. She jumped over a hurdle, almost missing the landing. She could see second place pulling away. She was going to lose.

I couldn't do it.

...

...

...

Then she saw it. Those piercing eyes. Those firm eyes. Those willful eyes. Those lovely eyes.

She could see Keima. After all the work he put into her. After all the time they spent together, getting closer. She didn't want him to see her lose. She wanted to see that approving stare as she crossed the finish line.

200 meters. A 100 meter curve then a 100 meter straight-away to the finish. She could do this. She began to close the gap. She was right behind second. Past second. 20 meters from First. Jump. 10 meters. Jump. She was on the straight away. They were neck and neck. Jump. 75 meters. Jump. 50 meters. She put in all her energy.

She no longer saw anyone. No runners. No crowd. Nothing but the finish. Nothing but the finish and Keima waiting at the end. She ran. Her heart was beating faster, but it wasn't from the running. It was that feeling she got when she was around him. That wonderful feeling. That-

She could hear cheering. Everyone was cheering. Why?

She looked behind her. The girl she was racing down the straight away was just crossing the finish line. What? How could she have beaten her by so much? She looked at the time; it was a win by 2.37 seconds. She had done this? She looked at the time on the clock again. Her time… it was the new record for the meet. She beat a record that stood for 10 years? She-

She was surrounded by a crowd instantly. Not only was it her team, it was those from the crowd. They were chanting her name.

"AY-U-MI! AY-U-MI! AY-U-MI!" They all screamed.

She would later find out that she had not only won the race, but her points had lead to them winning the meet. She had essentially scored the winning point for her team. News reports were questioning her, people were apologizing, but she didn't care.

She looked at the crowd in the stands. Searched for his face… and she saw it. Keima was looking at her with his approving eyes. She was happy; she passed out from all the running as the crowd carried her to the locker room to celebrate.

It was dark as Ayumi left the party that the team was holding for her. The night air was chilly as she stepped out into the almost empty street. Well, almost. Standing against a wall across the street was a boy whose face was lit in blue by his PFP.

"Hey…" She said as she walked up to him.

"Good job winning the meet." He replied calmly.

"… I was all thanks to you."

"I just told you want you needed to hear, nothing more. This was the most beneficial route for me."

There he went again talking about routes. Couldn't he read the mood? They started to walk towards Ayumi's house.

"Thanks to you, everyone at school trusts me again. The captain took her two senior goons who were hazing me and punished them. They're going to have to clean up after each meet until they graduate."

"I see." He replied, never looking away from his PFP.

"… So I guess this means we won't be training together anymore." She was trying to hard to get him to talk.

"Yes, this is correct."

"And we probably won't need to study together for too much longer."

"This is also correct."

This man! How did this man help her get to where she was now? And yet, she couldn't stop thinking about him… They rounded the corner and arrived at her house.

"Well… I guess I'll see you at school?"

"Probably."

He began to walk away.

"… Don't you have anything to say to me?"

Keima was trying to figure out what she was talking about.

"…Good night…?"

At this she got furious and slapped him across the face.

"Ow! What was that fo-"

"You're cold, uncaring, selfish and a total otamegane!... but you're also kind… and sweet… and you even helped me in my time of need…. And… and…"

She started to blush. Keima started to figure out what was going on. His eyes went wide as he knew were this dialogue was headed.

"Hey… HEY WAI-"

It was too late. She grabbed him and as her soft lips came into contact with his. His body seemed to react without his mind giving permission to act on the kiss. His head felt hot and dizzy and it felt as though some sort of pressure was being released around him… wait a second, this feeling of pressure being released was real. He could feel something blowing around him as the kiss continued. He thought he saw someone with black hair and a purple dress flying around in his peripheral vision, but this would be impossible, right?

When Ayumi and Keima release there was an awkward silence. Keima was still trying to gather himself after the forceful attack on his person. Ayumi finally looked up and smiled. She tilted her head and closed her eyes.

"And I think I love you."

And with that short sentence she ran into her house, yelled good night quickly and closed the door. Keima just stood there trying to figure out what when wrong. He had caused a Real to fall in love with him? Impossible, something like that is not possible. Besides, he loved games and rejected this word. How could this happen?

The next day, Keima nervously waited for Ayumi to arrive at the classroom so they could study. He spent all night trying to form the perfect route to end this travesty, but most of his gaming knowledge pertained to capturing hearts not breaking up. He messed up his hair in frustration as he thought about what Ayumi had said.

"And I think I love you."

"And I think I love you."

"I love you."

"You."

"GAAAAHH!" he screamed in frustration.

How could this happen! He calmed himself as he went over the possible routes to make this as painless as possible for Ayumi and quick so he could get back to gaming. But what made this so hard was they still needed to study together. He needed to keep it from getting awkward so that this scenario could end quickly.

Just then Ayumi ran into the classroom. Since she was now doing actual track practice she was allowed to take these tutoring lessons later than usual, which for Keima meant he had to wait at school for longer. She smiled as she walked into the room, looking at him.

"Alright Katsuragi, ready to chow down and study?" said Ayumi cheerfully.

Keima was shocked at how calm she could be after confessing to him yesterday. This is why he didn't understand Reals; their thought processes were illogical. She kept talking about all sorts of nonsense as she got ready to leave for the ramen shop. Keima decided now was the best point to open a dialogue between her.

"Hey… about yesterday…" he started.

"Oh yeah, I guess you might not have known about happened yesterday at the track meet. Guess what, I won the track meet!"

She was beaming now, holding up her medal in her grip. But when Ayumi looked at Keima all she could see was confusion.

"What wrong Katsuragi, you forget something? Come on, let's go get some food!"

"What..."

Author Notes: Oh Noes Ayumi have forget everything but Keima remembers? Someone get the neuralyzer for him!

But seriously, that is the last chapter of the original fic from Z-ComiX. From here on out, all chapters will be semi-original. Emperor/Capturing God help me.

Well, you are now subjected to worst type of fanfiction writer; long breaks, short chapters, little to no details, poor grammar, plot holes the sizes of Transformers, Rule of Drama, lots of Deus/Diabolus ex Machinas and the worst of them all, LITTLE TO NO DRAMA!

Really, this fic is supposed to be darker, edgier and with real consequences. But I don't know how to do so without be too over-dramatic or under-dramatic. So I really need help here.

Edit: I decided not to reveal anything just yet. I'm sorry for getting your hope up

Edit: If you are wondering why the chapter keeps changing, it is because I don't know what the hell I am doing or how to start the next chapter without it be too horrible by fanfic standard.

With that being said, I will complete this story, this I promise, come hell or high water!