This one came out of nowhere, as I was sitting in class talking about the nature of time. It occurred to me that being unable to age would be akin to running on a treadmill forever, while everyone else was actually getting somewhere. As a former trackie myself the idea of running a race and not actually moving is rather horrific, and I really do hope I got that sense down correctly. This is another character that I feel I can't do justice to, considering all he was robbed of. His life was taken from him by keeping him that way for so long, and on top of that his memories were altered heavily.
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Interlude I:
There is a path, stretching off endlessly into the distance.
A group of runners crouch ready to begin their race down the path, each bent low for the start, their faces obscured.
One stands not on the path, but rather on a treadmill placed in the middle of the starting line.
The gun sounds, they all start to run, further and further into the distance, running so far they are no longer visible.
The boy on the treadmill tries his best. He's giving it all he's got, running, running, running, panting, sweating, running. He's desperate to move along with the rest. As he gives his struggle his all, the racers pass him by, he can hear the cheers of spectators in the distance.
He's pushing onward with all he's got. Using up all his energy, yet going nowhere.
Mikage collapses unable to run on. Off in the distance the bell signaling the last lap tolls.