The dumbfounded expression that was stamped across the teacher's face when he saw Ryuji's neatly typed draft was probably one of the most satisfying things Ryuji had seen all day. He couldn't help grinning as he packed his bag to head out, and Ryuji hummed a few bars of the song he heard at the Pour House, feeling good despite the pouring rain.

His good mood was abruptly cut short though, once he saw Nakaoka at the end of the hall. Ryuji felt Nakaoka's glare before he saw it, like a nasty jolt of electricity under his skin. Immediately he turned around to head in the opposite direction to avoid his former teammate, but it was too late. Nakaoka had spotted him and was heading right towards him.

"Hey Sakamoto!" shouted Nakaoka, his grin twisted with mockery and bitterness. "Where are you running off to? That leg still giving you trouble?" sniped the former track team captain, and Ryuji froze in place. With his hands trembling, Ryuji turned around slowly to face Nakaoka, though he didn't raise his eyes to meet Nakaoka's.

Nakaoka's twisted grin morphed into a sneer as he regarded Ryuji. "So, I hear you're back to running," said Nakaoka, feigning casualness. A few former track team members appeared to shift uncomfortably, but none made a move to interrupt Nakaoka.

"...Y-yeah, and?" challenged Ryuji, trying to appear more threatening than he felt. His hands began to tremble more violently, and he jammed them in his pockets so that Nakaoka wouldn't see them.

"And you should know better Sakamoto. You go and get the track team disbanded and you've got the gall to keep training in our secret spot?!" snarled Nakaoka, getting closer to Ryuji with every word. Ryuji began to edge away, his eyes scanning his surroundings for some kind of exit. He grit his teeth, fighting down the anger that surged in his stomach as his mind raced looking for a way out.

"What's all this about Nakaoka?" came a voice from behind the former track members. Nakaoka whirled around to discover that Niijima was standing there with her arms crossed, regarding the group with a frosty glare. "If you have something to say to Sakamoto, you can do it at a respectful distance without the rest of your friends surrounding him," she continued, her words clipped and steely.

Nakaoka flinched at her tone, but didn't make a move to leave. "Niijima, stay out of this! This is track team business, it has nothing to do with you!" snapped Nakaoka, but uncertainty had crept into his voice. The other track team members began to subtly shift towards the exit, their gazes flickering between Nakaoka, Niijima and Sakamoto's faces.

Niijima paused, and seemed to consider the point. "Well Nakaoka, it would be just track team business," she replied, her eyes boring into Nakaoka. "But you've made it my business by trying to have it out here at school," continued Niijima, her red eyes unblinking. "So back off unless you're interested in getting your conduct reported to the Principal," she finished, her voice as hard and cold as a frozen lake. She and Nakaoka stared each other down, with him openly furious and her as impassive as a brick wall across a highway.

Finally, Nakaoka broke off staring at her and looked at the ground. "Let's head out, we've got training to do anyway," said Nakaoka, unable to meet Niijima's gaze as he stalked out of the hall. Niijima's gaze followed their retreat until the track team turned a corner and was out of eyeshot. Niijima sighed and closed her eyes for a moment.

"I wasn't sure if they'd back off, considering Nakaoka's reputation for holding a grudge," said Niijima, opening her eyes again after a moment. Ryuji let out a shaky breath and pulled his hands out of his pockets. Niijima's eyes immediately trained in on how violently they were trembling, and she pressed her lips together until her mouth was a flat white line.

"Thanks for that," murmured Ryuji, running a hand through his hair. "They're not all bastards, y'know. But Nakaoka was captain an' all'. He's been holding a grudge against me since...since the team got disbanded," he said, almost as though he was talking to himself. He looked up at her with a grateful expression. "Anyway, I appreciate it. Sometimes I don't know how to deal with him when he comes lookin' for a fight," he finished. Niijima began fiddling with her keychain, but her face remained impassive, save for the relaxing of her mouth.

"Of course Sakamoto. Students should feel safe at school," she said and then looked away for a moment. "I'll let you get back to your business now. Be sure to show up tomorrow for our tutoring session," Niijima finished, and began walking away. Ryuji also turned to leave, adjusting his backpack and heading for the exit opposite of the one the track team had used when he heard Niijima's voice again.

"Sakamoto?" she asked and Ryuji turned to look at her.

"Yeah Prez?" he responded, raising his eyebrows in curiosity.

"Tomorrow is supposed to have clear skies. Good weather for a run," she said, and though at first glance her face looked as cool and impassive as always, Ryuji thought he could detect a hint of encouragement in her voice. A corner of his mouth drew up into a crooked smile and he gave her a jaunty salute as though to say 'I read ya loud and clear!'

With that, the two parted ways and Ryuji walked to the station, perhaps not feeling as good as he had been when he'd turned his paper in, but better than he usually did when he ran into Nakaoka. He smiled his crooked smile again as he watched the downpour begin to slacken off. Tomorrow, he'd get up and run again.