You couldn't remember the last time you went jogging at this hour, but you did. The rushing cool air again your heated skin. Your feet against the concrete striding across it. Sweat beads trickled down from all sides. Panting harder than normal, heart racing and pumping blood in and out faster than normal. You could feel it beating through your veins. Your thighs and calves felt on fire, dancing was different, than this. This...jog soon turned into a pounding running at the piled thoughts flaring in your mind. You couldn't shake no matter how hard tried to run for them.

Everything around you whipped by as a blur, lights, cars...everything. It all whizzed by, you weren't where you were running to. You just kept running, ignoring the beeping on your wrist, alerting you of your increased heart palpitation, rising higher and higher. Ignoring them, trying to get through this inferno of...wild thoughts.

Exhibit.

That's first. I've got to bring it together. What can to do, I've got to bring something fresh and new. Different. Riku and Yuna have the right idea. I mean, they're work is flawless. The way that Yuna always manages to capture the right amount of light and shadow. Riku captures blinding serenity like a simple breath of air. Their work is surely to be admired. Draw eyes of everyone, especially from Bryan Yuki..they'll be there. With them there they'll be looking for more than just simple...I've got to bring it, with something new angle. An-

The tournament pushed those thoughts out the way. You stop for a moment, reflecting for a moment on it. That your legs begin to slow down. Shoulders slowly dropping.

Nao's words...

The tournament...the others will be...but will they...I've got to.. ! shake it away run harder, your feet soon shot up in pain. You just left it alone. I've got to keep my mind focused. I'm not performing right. Professor Yama said I need to fix myself and put back together. Find that essence. The showcase is just a few days away, come on May! Get your head on straight. This is a once in a life time opportunity! You can't sulk now. Everyone is...everyone...I know Mr. Kon wants me there at the tournament for the article, but...I still-

WHAMP!

Trip over your own feet and fall hard to the concrete. Luckily you just barely managed to catch yourself. A hot splitting pain shot through your wrist all way up your arm. Biting down rest a hand on your wrist, began rubbing it lightly. Flinch at the pinches of pain and slow swelling. Guess, running was over...for now. Huffing, draw a breathless sigh and gaze up at the dark tinted blue over you. It was prime and clear. So...functional and whole. And yet you felt...so...everything was just...rubbing your thigh stand. Couldn't remain on the ground forever. Using the half-wall next to you to help, hear the soft crashing of waves turn to it. Finding yourself further than you thought you'd be.

How far did you run? How far had you been running? When did the water become so pristine? Did it always have this washing feeling before? Was it this comforting blue before? Was it...the stopped..no it just settled. Like your thoughts, to make sure, close your eyes for a moment and find...

Did you fall down again? Huh? Where you running off too? April's voice laugh. You're thinking too much. Calm down and take a breath. One foot, than the other. Okay? It's so simple. Geez, you're so clumsy. You know that?

She always said that, opening your eyes, she said that so many times when you both were younger. Every time you...became...your hands would slam down or throw something aside whatever was in your vicinity. And without a single word besides your clenched jaw that trembled along with your puffy eyes that glared, trying hard not to leak, you'd turn and run.

April would follow right after you, cause you would never get far, your feet would always betray. They'd tangle and you'd find yourself on the ground or floor holding your knee or some sort of body part. The stinging tears would trickle out slowly. They always felt hot, rising in temperature when April caught up laughing lightly. Holding a hand out saying: 'Geez, you're clumsy, how far did you think you'd get? Acting like that.'

How far did I get? you thought still overlooking the water. Didn't realize how long, till the sun started to peek from the horizon. "..." Decide once the sun was nearly half through walk back home.

The minute you arrived, kick off your shoes, get an ice pack from the fridge..head to the bathroom run the water. Slip off your clothes, just as you where about to unhook the rest hear your phone faintly ring from the bedroom. Leave it alone and get into the mild hot water. Toe first, then ankle and the rest...your phone rung again. Sighing, you knew it wasn't going to stop and go to it. It kept going off, setting it down on the closed toilet lid finally get in the water and sink down to where only your head was out. Close your eyes again, your phone goes off.

Again.

Taking a breath plunge under water, the muffled sounds of the ringing still came. How long could you stay under like this? How would it all come together? What about...the pressure burned in your lungs...exploded! You come back drawing sharp breaths, coughing. Hanging on the side. Wet hair lapped over your face, like curtains you pull it apart and tuck some behind your ear.

The ringing hadn't stopped. It clearly wasn't, picking it up and stop yourself from pressing green. Instead your eyes fall to the time. Watching it change to the next number, decide soaking was enough and get out. Grabbing your towel wrap it around, open the medicine cabinet take out some elastic bandage begin to wrap it around your wrist as you walked into the bedroom. Phone in hand, open your closet shuffle through your clothes for something...appropriate to wear. Stop at the covered dress, eyes linger on it for a moment. Move to away continue searching.

After all...this might work. Taking it out. Along with other things, lay it on your bed and gather your other...items. Dry yourself off from hair to toe. Wring it out. Quickly get dress, garments first (Your heart nervously fluttered a bit), followed by a simple square neckline purple wrapped long sleeve blouse, and jean capris. Throw your hair back into a fast braid, hurry out grabbing your bag. Open the front closet and hastily grab your dark brown ankle boots slip them on and leave. Locking up behind you.

Hurrying down the stairs, your heart beginning to race. Your phone still going off, reaching the bottom. Take it out glossing over the name, reading the time. Patting your bag, there was still time. Race off down the street, cursing you wish you had a car. Stop on the corner, shot an arm out waving it flag down a taxi. It pulls up, you open the door and slip in. Give the driver the address, they put in and meter on, drive off.

Reaching into your bag take out still phone, open it scroll through contacts find the name. Pressing it, quickly type the words on your mind and send it. Shakenly. Read the time, it was moving faster than you thought. Your heart pounded and twisted against your chest, digging your nails into the seat hear it tear just a bit. Dig further, your eyes look out the window reading each passing street.

No.

Not that one.

Where you even close? Opening your phone find MAPS, type in the address. It comes up, reading the time...twenty minutes with mild traffic. Your heart dropped, you were going to miss it. You couldn't...if you did then...holding your wrist it began to throb. You had to make it...you had too.

Looking down at the map, read the time. It was a bit less than before, still, it wasn't less enough. Taking a breath, try to calm yourself...

"Hey, we're here." the driver tells you.

Your head whips around to it, you arrived. Taking out your wallet pay the driver and blot out and up the stairs. Your heels pounding on each step, panting harder than normal. Wipe the sweat coming, those coming down move out the way just in time. Avoiding any collusion with you. Windily you thank them, still going up this mountain of steps it seemed. Finally reach the top, take a moment to catch your breath. Raise your eyes to the building before you, finally...you made it.

Quickly you smooth your clothes out, and pat back any strand of hair that was out of place. You couldn't go in there looking a mess. Checking yourself over walk over reach out a hand, pull it back.

Should you...biting your lip. It was...swallowing the ache in your throat, thinking about it again...calculate it your mind. It was going to be quick and you'd make sure to...gripping the handle open and walk in.

And not moment to late either, Nao made it just in time entering the stands spots his old friend Natsuya already here and concentrated on the next match about to start down below. Between his younger brother Ikuya and old student, Haru. Both of them where on the starting block, next to each other.

"Sorry I took so long." Nao apologizes walking over to the young man.

Natsayu turns to him."You're late, Nao" Chasteing him a bit.

Nao responds with a small smile of apology and takes a seat next to him setting his bag down. "Looks like I somewhat made it in time." Focusing on the two young men at the block, his eyes also quickly gaze around to the other seats, they drop a bit noticing something or better someone missing.

"But, man..."Natsuya leans a bit forward brows knitted together and eyes locked on the two. "Who knew Haruka, the guy who insisted he'd only swim free, would do this?"

Nao had a simple answer for that. "We all grow up. He's no different." Looking on, every so often his eyes drifted around among the other faces of people, still not seeing them.

Turns his attention back the race the moment the shot was fire. Both Haru and Ikuya dive off as if in sync, come up and deliver powerful strides. The intensity and drive could be felt. Eyes followed the two simply gliding in the water it would seem. They make it to the turn and push off. Neck and neck they where, for a moment it seem like Ikuya froze for a second. Then suddenly burst with newfound drive. Everyone was on the edge of their seats, even back at Iwatobi High in the AVR room, Gou, Nagisa, Rei and their team watched the race too. To see who would come out victor.

Feeling the wall coming up, Haru and Ikuya give it their all, extending their hand further than ever, just a few more inches. Adding more power, slam their hand against the wall, the buzzer sounds off and names come on the screen showing the victor.

1. Ikuya

2. Haru.

Cheers rang out all over, though for a certain few it was more meaningful. It all came together, everything was fine.

Good.

Good, you finally arrived. The sun was just starting to set, you stayed longer there than you thought. But, that didn't meant that...oh it didn't matter. Jumping pay the driver, quickly thanking them and sprint up the stairs, again! Why stairs? Pushing that thought back, continue to climb them, in heels...why did you decide to wear heels today? Your flats where right there!

Groaning, remind yourself to rub them later at home. Hurry up, just a few more flights and you'd make...fingers cross it wasn't...done. Over. Cause if it was then...skipping a few stairs, whizz right by someone. They stop noticing you out the corner of their eye.

"May?"

You stop a few steps over them, knowing that voice back around finding Kon. Crap! Your heart spiked, you were suppose to...what to say...what to say...your eyes move all around trying to find the right ones. Smiling to himself Kon saw it and fills you in. Walking over, resting a hand on your shoulder.

"Well, if you want to know, the tournament is over."

Your heart dropped to the ground. Along with your face. "It was a good race actually, I think you would have liked it. The next one you can do," he pats your shoulder lightly. That didn't help the knotting guilt in your throat. "Though," he glances to the top of the stairs. "I'm sure you'll make it and well.."he shrugs. Taking his hand back starts walking down.

Stops when you sit on the step and bury your head. He turns back around and sits next to you. Nothing was said, besides the soft straining whimpers you tried to hold back. Raising a hand he rest it on your back, stopping the trembling.

"It's okay." He said softly. Tenderly smiling. "It's okay."

And it was okay, after the races and everything was mended. No more rifts, the guys lingered a back to catch up and talk. Form new relations and speak of old ones. Natsuya and Nao stayed by each other watchin those younger than themselves conversate.

"So," Natsuya brings up. "who were you looking for?" He asked Nao.

Who was surprised for a moment he noticed, then again wasn't. "Just someone." He simply answered. "But, it seems they didn't come."

This peaked Natsuya's curiosity. "Really? Who was it?" Nudges him a bit.

Smiling at his playful gesture, Nao adjust his glasses. "Just someone I thought would come, to see," he turns back to the others warmly. "would enjoy seeing a moment like this."

Natsuya still wasn't following, till he heard two things that turned his attention. The sound approaching heels and a name he hadn't heard in years. Made his mouth fall open, the second their name was said they reached the top. Panting, catching their breath. Hands on their knees, fanning themselves, winded. Their pink hair was longer than he last remembered, it was kind of everywhere. Those right golden-yellow eyes remained on the ground till they lifted them to everyone. Light up with relief and cracked with heat that wrinkled hard on her brow. Sent a shiver down his, spine for a moment he was sure he saw...April.

April's fury in those golden-yellow eyes. And when that sharp finger was pointed, he held his breath waiting for that raising voice that still remained in his memory. It didn't come.

Instead, to his surprise her cheeks just puffed up, sneering. Like always, throwing his head back he laughs. Nao couldn't help but join his friend but was more polite about it, covering his mouth with a hand. Let a few chuckles out. Watched Ikuya walk over to May and like years ago, he pokes her cheeks deflating them. You swat his hand away. Glaring at him, stop, noticing his eyes. They where...

Back.

They weren't...cold...or...to make sure reach up and slowly move the hair covering his eyes, find those kind eyes staring back. "Turtle." He said smiling.

Did he just...tears slowly come to the corner. Shutting your eyes squeeze them away, open them and smile back. Nodding. "Yeah, turtle." Tug on some of his hair. Lightly. A few times.

"So, who mad you upset?" He asked, the two of share a small laugh.

"Who do you think?" you quip back, through laughs. "How are you, Ikuya?"

"Good." he honestly responds.

Watching his brother and May reconnect and the others go to them, Natsuya smiles to himself. "So, you were waiting for May?" He said to Nao.

"Yeah." He admits. "A few days ago we meet up or better I meet her at her place. After talking with the guys. We talked for a bit."

Natsuya chuckles. "You brought her choco cornets didn't you?" The guiltily silence from his friend was his answer. Not a surprise at all. Rolling his brown eyes, Natsuya chuckles a bit more. "You spoil her too much, you know that right?"

"You're starting to sound like April." Nao teases lightly.

"What can I say?" He sighs long, looking at the orange-red hue lite sky of sunset. Fondly. "Guess she just rubbed off on me. You know, she'd be happy right now." He returns back to the others before them. May was now talking with Hiyori who seem to be apologizing to her. While Mako pointed to her wrapped wrist. "Seeing this. All of them together, it's what she wanted."

Nao couldn't agree more. "Yeah, she would."