And another chapter for you all :D

Working through now, getting things down and filling in the gaps a little faster now so looking forward to showing you where this is all going X3

Hope you enjoy it :)


"I mean, if you don't mind talking about it. I don't want to pry if it's a sensitive area".

"Is it for you?"

"Not really".

"Well how I got into it is pretty simple, the reason behind that is grim".

She tilted her head, inviting me to continue if I wanted.

"I used to wander the streets a lot back in Fuuka and met quite a few unsavory types. So I learnt to run. It was more out of necessity initially and then became something I did just for fun. I learnt to fight for the same reason but I don't go picking fights".

"Huh, so you're entirely self taught?"

"Not quite. The runners scouted me and gave me a place with them. They helped me refine my technique and showed my a few new tricks along the way. What about you?"

"I just needed something to take my mind off… things. Running till your heart feels like it's gonna burst and your legs are about to fall off really helps you clear your mind. That and needing every ounce of attention to keep yourself from falling off the roof of a building kinda helps too".

I nodded, understanding her reasoning as running was also an escape for me too sometimes.

"We definitely need to do a run together now. Been so long since I've been able to run with anyone".

"Same here, how abou-".

Our food arrived at that moment so we paused to thank the waiter and take in the fairly sizeable portions we had just been presented with.

Nao thought for a moment before remembering where we had stopped.

"How about we go tomorrow? Or do you have other classes?"

"I'd probably get in trouble if I skipped them, even if I've already decided to specify early?"

"Yeah, but you know you can specify any time and they just take you off the register for the rest of the sessions".

"So I can specify today?"

Nao nodded, her mouth full of food at that moment.

I grinned and took a bite of the mac and cheese I'd ordered.

No sooner had I put the bite in my mouth, the waiter came over to ask us how the food was.

All we could do was smile and nod as he carried on his way.

"Geez, they do have some skilled timing abilities".

I nodded, never understanding why waiters waited until your mouth was full to ask you how your meal was.

The meal was indeed long, but not in the way I had expected.

Nao was really fun to talk to about running and fighting as we promised to start running together on a regular basis and to go sparring from time to time outside of training.

I texted Shizuru as we asked for the bill, asking about her timing and if she wanted to specify today.

She seemed surprised we could but was eager to enter the full lecture series for medicine, something she couldn't do while still in trial period.

We agreed to meet at the desk after Shizuru's last class as she said she'd text Mai as well to see if she wanted to join us.

Nao also seemed to be texting someone but I didn't ask her about it as she seemed a bit quiet as we made our way down to the foyer where I'd meet Shizuru in half an hour.

"You okay?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Sorry, just lost in thought".

I wasn't really satisfied with her answer but we both knew I wouldn't push.

"You got anything you need to do?"

"Not really…"

"You're welcome to join me if I don't bore you too much".

"I think I might just be able to survive some more conversation with you".

I gave her a playful punch on the shoulder along with a half-hearted glare.

I was beginning to warm to Nao.

We were oddly similar despite still being so different.

I already figured she was not a threat, and we had a lot in common it seemed, more so than either of us were willing to discuss right now.

We continued the debate we'd started at the restaurant before being politely asked for the table back, having to move to make room for the growing queue outside.

We'd managed to get talking about short versus long-range weapons and the pros and cons of each.

It seemed to be one of few topics we disagreed on when it came to fighting.

I felt short range weapons not only gave you greater control, they gave your opponent a fair chance, something a long-range weapon used meters away didn't.

Nao however, liked the safety of long-range weapons as well as the discipline required to master them.

I mentioned I had nothing against learning and using them, heck I'd been taught how to shoot a gun, use a bow and arrow and throw a knife by the runners, I just hated when people relied solely on them.

I figured I'd feel cheated if someone were to take me out using a long-range weapon.

Our debate continued as we slowly moved on to talking more about how to deal with situations you might come across while running.

We seemed to agree much more on the run if you can, fight if you can't idea.

I was glad that her caution in our sparring match wasn't just because she was off the streets.

I always distanced myself from people who went looking for fights as I knew trouble always followed someone like that.

We continued to talk about any odd topic that came to mind until I caught sight of Shizuru entering the SU.

I stood and made my way over.

Nao looked a bit awkward, like she couldn't look at any one thing for too long.

Shizuru gave me our usual hug as I asked how her day was.

She seemed tired.

Her classes today had been back-to-back lab session and she was really drained.

I could tell she was ready to specify today so she could start attending the full lecture series for medicine.

I turned to Nao to ask her which desk we had to go to and she led us over.

As we stood at the desk waiting for someone to appear, I noticed Nao looking at her phone.

She looked really out of sorts.

I tried to get her attention but she wasn't responding.

"Nao?"

I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and that seemed to snap her out of the daze she was in.

"Ah, sorry. I have to go".

She looked almost panicked as she turned to leave.

I was about to ask if she was okay, but she sped off before I could say a word.

All I could do was hope she was okay as a younger lady came up to speak to us.

It took all of five minutes to specify and we were handed our new timetables with our chosen course.

Shizuru told me she had a dinner she planned to make at home so we began to head towards the supermarket in the SU to grab the necessary ingredients.

"Was that the same girl from the other night?"

"Yep. We had one heck of a sparring match in training today. I haven't been challenged like that by one person ever".

"I thought training ended at 11?"

"It did, we just grabbed a bite and talked about runner stuff and training".

"She's a runner?"

"Yep. I was surprised as well, didn't think I'd bump into any here. We're going to start running together seeing as she knows her way around here and we both want to keep in shape".

Shizuru looked like she was about to say something but we entered the supermarket and her shopping mode engaged.

Luckily, her food shopping was a lot more targeted than her clothes shopping.

I wanted to browse around as I was still finding foods I had never heard of before.

Granted I didn't have much opportunity to expand my food knowledge but Shizuru dragged me round at lightning pace, buying only what we needed for dinner.

I managed to grab a few items I knew I liked as we brushed past them and stealthily add them to the cart but besides that, we were in and out in less than ten minutes.

I took the heavy items as usual and we began to make our way home.

I knew my training as about to step up as I had four additional sessions added to my timetable this week alone.

Fortunately I still had tomorrow off so the run was still on with Nao.

I realised beyond the day, e hadn't agreed on anything so I sent Nao a quick text to check in on her and ask when and where she wanted to meet.

Her response was almost instant.

She set a time and place and completely ignored my question about how she was.

I knew something was up, something pretty big as she didn't seem the type to be phased easily.

I had to push those thoughts from my mind as we arrived home and Shizuru began giving me jobs to do for the food prep as she set about starting dinner.

We moved around each other like some well-oiled machine, never once getting in the way of the other as we worked on dinner.

We were making enough to last as left-overs for a good few days so we wouldn't have to keep eating out as it did put a bit of a dent in the wallet.

Shizuru had chosen to make breaded chicken legs with rice and carrots something she had wanted to try for a while.

By the time we sat down for dinner, we really felt like we'd earned it as we'd left it to keep warm in the oven as we quickly washed what pots and pans we could.

It was perfectly cooked and we had to force ourselves to leave some over for the next few days as we'd planned.

Stuffed and ready for bed, we decided to turn in early.

Shizuru had a morning lecture and said I could sleep late I didn't have to meet Nao until noon.

I didn't fight the chance to sleep late though we cuddled close and spent a few hours talking in the near darkness about our day and the people we were meeting.

I didn't have much to say on that topic beyond telling Shizuru more about Nao but she listed off a good few names of people she's met in her lectures.

She also mentioned she'd already had a phone number handed to her.

I perked up at that and wasn't too impressed she was already getting attention from others.

"Who was it?"

"Some guy from the psychology course. Never actually got his name and I wouldn't have taken his number if he'd spoken to me directly. All he did was hand me this slip of paper as he walked past".

I huffed, glad I didn't know the guy as I would have had words to share with him, if not about Shizuru being taken, then definitely about his borderline cowardly methods to pick someone up.

Shizuru laughed and wrapped her am around my waist, pulling me flush against her.

I was beginning to feel an overpowering sense of peace when our bare chests connected and I curled happily into the warmth that engulfed me.

I was sleep before I even realised, soundly out through to the next morning.

I barely registered the beeping that roused Shizuru, only reacting as I felt her try and pry my arms away from her waist.

I tried to put up a fight but she started to stroke my hair, knowing it would relax me enough to get my arms off her.

I whined at her playing to my weakness and I heard her chuckle before shuffling about to get ready for her day.

Before she left, I heard a bit of fidgeting by the bed before Shizuru leant to give me a peck on the lips.

I returned it for a moment before she was gone.

I snuggled down further into the nest of covers and drifted back off to sleep before a new set of bleeps roused me.

I groaned and moved to turn off the alarm that I had not set on my phone.

I realised in my half asleep state that Shizuru must have set my alarm for me.

Rolling out of bed, I noticed she'd given me half an hour to get myself ready for the run.

Grateful for the chance to grab a quick snack, I worked quickly through the kitchen to clear up after myself as I picked out my favourite pair of running trainers and changing into a fitted black vest.

I also grabbed my gloves as I didn't want to tear my hands up on the rough rooftop surfaces.

I set off at a jog to a point at the edge of campus where the city began to form, the point Nao had told me to meet her.

I got to the meeting point and noticed Nao was already waiting.

She still seemed a bit spaced out but brought herself out of it to greet me.

"You ready to go?"

I nodded and grinned, trying to bring the spark of competition out of Nao.

Thankfully it worked, a bit of life returned to her eyes as the spark flared in her.

She told me I could take any route and she'd only direct me if I was heading for a dead end.

With a grin each and a nod, we set off, neither holding back as we raced up to the rooftops.