I can't sleep. I'm not sure if I even want to, every time I close my eyes I see a silver buzz-cut and a black truck. Then pain, the phantom, ghost or demon that has replaced my hand has been restless for the last few nights. Ikuno answers every one of my screams with stories of trips her family have been on, to exotic lands and cruising over endless oceans. I'm not sure how much of what she tells me is true, but it helps none the less.
I trudge out into the cold morning air, the sun isn't up yet but I know my way. My nights have started to have a set routine. I stay up as late as my shattered mind will let me, hoping that I can beat dreams with pure exhaustion. When this Inevitably fails I wake up with a yell, open the door to my blue eyed storyteller and listen until the pain subsides. Then Ikuno goes back to bed and I pretend I will do the same.
Ryouta doesn't know about any of this. I walk past the boys dormitories with a sack of guilt resting on my stomach. He would listen, hell he might even understand the phantom pain. I don't know how he lost his arm, he would tell me if I asked, I'm sure he would. But then I would have to tell him about my hand. He would insist I didn't need to, but I would, or else it wouldn't be fair.
On the upside Ikuno has now become a member of our little circle, I don't think she and Ryouta would get along with out me being there to mediate, but thats okay. No one's perfect. I reach the track just as the sun peeks over the horizon, as I have every day this week. Unlike every other day though I'm not alone.
A small figure is running laps and setting a good pace. Dammit I need this. I stop on the sidelines trying to decide what to do. Should I just run and pretend the other track user does not exist? I could go back to my room, but I don't want to. I could just run somewhere else. Or else I coul-
"Hi," a high girlish voice makes me jump interrupting my chain of thought. I look down at the girl standing in front of me. Oh wow. Both her legs are gone below the knee, replaced with springy blades. Didn't someone compete in the Olympics with something like that?
"Errm, Hi," I hide my stump behind my back as my eyes trail up her body. My goodness those shorts are small, and those eyes are green. A pair of pigtails bob up and down as this strange girl looks me over.
"Are you here to run?" she asks, bouncing a little. Is she completely incapable of being still?
"I wanted to, but if you're using the track…" I trail off, looking at my feet. The girl giggles.
"Its okay, track's kinda big ya' know," her enthusiasm is disconcerting, especially given the bags under her eyes.
"Okay then," I let a smile slip onto my face as I jog onto the track. Right, finish line one hundred yards ahead, thats my goal I will not stop until I reac-
"Whats your name?" the girl interrupts my ritual, running up beside me.
"Sorry, its Miki," together we set off at a gentle jog. Well this is new.
"I'm Emi, I've not seen you around before." She states, the sound her legs make is a little distracting.
"Just started here," I answer simply, putting on a little burst of speed. I don't really want to talk.
"You should join the track and field club if you like running," she grins, easily catching up to me.
"I don't really like company when I run."
"You don't?" How the hell do you pout and jog at the same time.
"I didn't mean you, I just…" I don't know what to say.
"Need to clear your head?" Emi asks, a little too knowingly. I don't answer, just nod. "Well then you will need to go much faster, wanna see if you can keep up?" The pout is gone now, there is only focus.
As if set off by some invisible starter pistol we both burst into a dash. She's lighting fast, but so am I. I have a goal now, nothing else matters but catching this girl. We complete the first bend and Emi is ahead, not by much yet. If I push just a little more I can get in front.
We are almost neck and neck as we reach the next bend, I have the inside lane. This is mine. Exiting the bend I'm just ahead, fixing my eyes on the finish line I throw everything I have into crossing it first. Yes, this is it, Emi made a good nemesis. But I suppose its not really a fair race given her disadvantage.
Out of nowhere Emi roars ahead of me, her springs pumping in perfect synchronised power. She crosses the line far enough ahead of me to disperse any views I might have had about a disadvantage. Playing it smart she matched my race pace like it was a relaxing stroll then unleashed a killer sprint for the last hundred meters. I collapse to my knees breathing hard. Emi meanwhile bounces up and down looking thrilled.
"You're really good!" she exclaims, a little out of breathe.
"I… am?" I gasp. Okay Miki, do not throw up. Just stay on the ground.
"You are!" She grins, biting her bottom lip, "You almost beat me."
I don't think I ever stood a chance, but Emi seems the kind of person who would rather share her victory than gloat about it. I close my eyes, breathing hard with a smile planted on my lips. When I open my eyes again the sky is obscured by a pouting face.
"Your not going to die on me are you?"
"I hope not,' I laugh. "Just out of practice."
"Then you have to join the track and field club!"
"I dunno," I groan.
"Pleeeeaaasssse?" Emi whines, its adorable.
"Fine, fine!" I sit down, stretching my legs out in front of me. "One meeting and I make no promises."
"Perfect!" She turns and starts to jog away. "Later Miki!"
"Wait,' I try and call after her. "I don't even know when this club meets…"
She's already out of ear shot, heading in the direction of the medical centre. Well that was a strange meeting. I start to walk slowly back to the girls dorms, in desperate need of a shower. I feel bad for having underestimated Emi, even if it was only in my head. I wonder if I will ever truly get used to his place, the people here are full of constant surprises.