Chapter 1

Eiji smiled as he walked with his new friends to his classes. Where he would then again introduce himself and end up sitting with them. The second last bell had rung as they headed to the locker room.

"Do you have a locker yet Eiji?" Ash asked.

"Ah yes the principle took me and showed me which locker it was going to be. He also gave me the p.e. clothes. It will be interesting to change in a locker room that's not for a sports club." Eiji said.

"What do you mean? You don't have lockers? Where do you change?" Sing asked.

"In the classroom. Ah boys and girls change in different classrooms though." Eiji explained.

"Yeah that's weird." Sing said as Cain patted his head.

"I'm sure there are things here that Eiji finds strange. Keep an open mind." Cain chuckled.

"Yeah yeah I know." Sing pouted.

"How are you adjusting. I'm sure it's still shocking?" Ash asked.

"A little better. When we first came I was surprised about how many cars and people there were. New York is so big." Eiji said.

Shorter nudged Ash and smirked. Ash knew what his friend meant and nodded as Shorter put his arm around Eiji. "Whatcha doing after school?"

"After school? I'm going to head home." Eiji said.

"No you're not. We're going to take you to explore New York!" Ash smiled.

"Yeah so you can see how amazing our city is!" Shorter smiled.

"Oh I don't want to be a bother." Eiji said.

"Nah, you're fine. It will be fun!" Sing said.

"Have a place in mind to go first Ash?" Cain asked.

"Yup." Ash said as they got to the locker room, "What number is your locker?"

"Um 729." Eiji said as he got out a piece of paper.

"You got a middle locker, nice, I think you're near Yut-Lung's locker. I'll take you there." Ash said.

"No need, I'll take him." They heard Yut-Lung say behind them. They looked and saw a smiling Yut-Lung. "Eiji right?"

Eiji nodded, "Hello."

"Your locker is next to mine. Come along." Yut-Lung said as he walked past them.

"Oh right, I'll see you guys outside." Eiji said as he followed Yut-Lung.

"He's mad." Sing said.

"You think?" Cain asked.

"Why would he be mad?" Ash asked.

"Who knows, Yut-Lung is weird." Shorter said as they went to their lockers.

Eiji followed Yut-Lung who took him to their lockers.

"This is mine," He pointed at a middle locker, "This is yours." He pointed at the one next to him.

"Thank you." Eiji smiled sweetly.

"Don't mention it." Yut-Lung said as they opened their lockers and started to change. "How are you liking Ash's group? You guys seem to be getting along well."

"Ah yeah, they're very nice to me. Even offered to take me out to explore the city today." Eiji said as he changed.

"Did they now? That's good." Yut-Lung said.

"Yeah, they're really cool guys." Eiji smiled.

"Yeah, especially Ash. He's so cool and amazing." Yut-Lung said. "I think we'll be doing track today. You'll see Ash is a fast runner."

"Really?" Eiji asked. "That's so cool. I'm a pretty fast runner too."

"Oh yeah?" Yut-Lung asked.

"Yeah I used to be in the pole vaulting team and the track team back at school." Eiji said.

"Oh you must be really good at it then." Yut-Lung said as they finished changing. "Come you're in our class right?"

"Teacher Marvin Crosby right?" Eiji asked.

"Yup. Come along." Yut-Lung said as they walked out to the P.E. area. Yut-Lung looked around and found Ash's group standing around near the track field. "Follow me."

Eiji nodded as he followed Yut-Lung to the group where two other people joined in.

One was tall and had long pink hair that was in a braid. The other was quite large and had a mohawk on him.

"Hey Eiji, these two are Bones and Kong." Ash said.

"So you're the new kid." Kong smiled.

"Hi Eiji!" Bones smiled.

"Hello." Eiji smiled.

"Ash Eiji tells me he's a pretty good runner." Yut-Lung said as he stood next to Ash.

"Yeah? How about a race then?" Ask looked at Eiji.

"I'm pretty sure you'll beat me." Eiji laughed.

"I'm on Eiji's team!" Sing said. "I think you'll be able to beat Ash."

"No way no one can beat Ash." Shorter said, "I'm on his team."

"Bet?" Sing smirked.

"You're on. Whose team are you guys on?" Shorter asked the rest of the group.

"Ash's of course. We've all seen him run." Yut-Lung said.

"Hmm I don't know I think Eiji could have a chance." Bones said, "I'm on Eiji's team."
"Same." Kong agreed.

Cain looked over Eiji, "You know anything can happen, I'm on Eiji's team too."

"You guys are putting a lot of faith on me." Eiji laughed nervously.

"Come on it's just for fun." Ash chuckled, "I'll go easy on you." He winked as they walked to the starter line.

"Okay one lap around the track field. Winner group gets…" Shorter thought about it.

"Hot dogs?" Sing shrugged.

Shorter shrugged, "Get's hotdogs and bragging rights! Ready?"

Ash and Eiji got in position.

"Steady!" Shorter yelled.

"You can do it Eiji!" Sing yelled.

'Just go easy on him.' Ash thought.

"GO!" Shorter said.

Both Ash and Eiji started to run. Ash was surprised as Eiji started to pull ahead. He started to run faster with a big smile on his face. Eiji on the other hand was running pretty normally he smiled as he looked back a bit to see he was ahead of Ash. Ash stuck out his tongue at him as he sped up a bit causing Eiji to speed up as well.

"Woah those two are going at it." Cain said as he was amused.

"Ash is behind though." Bones said.

"Told you guys Eiji would win." Sing smirked proudly.

"Ah ah ah, look Ash is catching up." Yut-Lung pointed out as they saw that on the curve Eiji and Ash were tied.

"I won't lose." Ash panted as they ran.

"I won't lose either." Eiji smiled as he started to run faster, passing Ash who was hot on his tail.

"He's going to win!" Kong smiled.

"Come on Ash!" Shorter yelled.

Soon Eiji crossed the finished line with Ash coming behind him five second later.

"Ya! I told you Eiji would win!" Sing cheered with Bones and Kong.

Eiji and Ash panted as they stood together.

"You're good." Ash chuckled.

"So are you." Eiji smiled.

"I'll win next time." Ash patted Eiji's back, "Then you'll owe me a hot dog."

"I look forward to it." Eiji laughed.

"Yeah we won!" Sing stuck his tongue out at Shorter. "That's twice today!"

"Yeah yeah, you're on a lucky streak today." Shorter chuckled.

"Hey you brat's hurry up and get in line for roll call!" They heard their P.E. teacher, Marvin Crosby, yell.

"Come on Eiji." Ash put his arm around Eiji's shoulder as they walked over.