Chapter 2: Race
"You're in my spot," the voice echoes, bringing her from dream land. Where does she know that voice from?...Meh. She could care less. It doesn't feel like she's been in the land of nod for very long, and thus she attempts to let herself sink back into it despite the fact that there is someone else there. She's tired. She wants to sleep. However, a none too gentle foot nudges her in the ribs, earning a grunt from her. "Oi". When she doesn't move a second time, a third nudge is brought her way.
Okay, that's getting annoying.
Cracking open a single forest colored eye, she finds herself looking up hazily at someone- a guy- from her downed position. Sitting up on her elbows allows her to look at him better, take him fully into her gaze. "Oh. Aomine," she greets, her dazed frown turning into a casual and welcoming smile. "Sorry, I was here first; it's my spot today. Find a different roof to sleep on".
The navy blue eyes narrow down at her, a frown tugging further at his lips. The intimidating air that he seems to carry with him, however, does little to persuade her into moving from her current position. "I always lay there. Why are you here all of a sudden?"
"Hmm? Oh, I didn't feel like dealing with Osaki today," she replies. Or rather, she didn't feel like dealing with any of the teachers today. She could care less if they yell at her- even if she's skipping classes, her attendance won't be effected. "What are you doing here? You were in his class yesterday".
"Only because I was forced to go," he utters lowly, "Now move".
Tatsumaki smiles broader, finding his insistence to be somewhat amusing. They have the whole entire roof to share, and he wants her particular spot. "Sorry, you're not getting this spot".
"Tch," he scoffs, looking down to the side. It's obvious that she's gone and annoyed him. Why do all women have to be so irritating? First Satsuki with trying to get him to train with the rest of the team, and now this amazon of a girl taking his damn spot. But he is determined to nap, tired and bored of the day though it's only been about an hour and a half since he got up from his last nap in mathematics class. Now. How is he going to get her to move? Could he bribe her?...Yea right. He only learned that she existed yesterday. He doesn't even know what she likes. He could always pick her up and forcefully move her himself, but he really doesn't want to deal with anything major if she decides to accuse him of harassment. Or he could lay down next to her. He watches as she settles down again, throwing an arm back over her eyes to shield her hidden gaze from the sun while the other acts as something of a pillow. She lay completely still, her legs crossed over one another and soft slow breaths calming her into a half awake state. Her oddly styled white hair splays about her the best it can, not caring for the fact that it touches the rough- and basically dirty- surface that is the school's roof. Why the hell would he lay down with her? Again, they're not friends. To sleep right next to a complete stranger would be plain weird.
An open yawn escapes his lips, his jaw hanging wide as he does not bother to cover his mouth. Instead he decides to just deal with it for the day. However, not after trying again, "Oi, Tensai," he recalls her family name. What kind of surname is that anyways? Strange name for a strange woman, he guesses. He gets no answer, and grumbles as he settles down at last and lays down perpendicular to her, his feet by her hips with a good three foot space between them. It's not the same, this spot compared to the one he is used to. But, despite this, sleep does eventually come to him, the outside world fading as he uses both hands as a pillow for his cranium. The warm sun caresses him as though a mother rubbing her newborn's back so that they may sleep. His muscles become lax without the weight of his frame upon them. His breathing slows bit by bit. And eventually he too welcomes the world of dreams.
It is loud, the sudden banging open of a near by metal door hitting the side of concrete. Just enough to once more bring Tatsumaki out of her dozing and to the world of reality- unfortunately. The sound of feet tapping across the surface of the roof meets her ears, though she only opens an eye when she hears the rustling of clothing and feels rather than sees someone crouching on her left. "There you are," Yuji grumbles, "I've been looking everywhere for you".
Tatsumaki pauses as she looks into displeased crimson orbs, "What are you doing here?"
"Classes are over. Come with me so you can join the Stride Club," he approaches.
But she won't have any of it, a scowl crossing her features and settling there. Instead, she rolls onto her side and repositions her arm in order for it to still act like a pillow despite her deliberate movement to ignore him. He really can be annoying and stupid. If only she could bring herself to explain just how she feels every time he brings up the matter of the Stride team. Why should she join when none of them are worth her time? She could beat them even if she were a one woman team and they a normal sized one. She'd beat every single one of them one-on- one, that's more than a little certain. "Have they gotten any faster in the last twenty four hours? Any more skilled?"
"You know someone can't just up and improve over night, Maki," the male calls the nickname he has used for her since they were merely children, "Not even you can".
She'll take that as a 'no'. "Yuji, I'm not joining the Stride team," she denies. "I'm not changing my mind".
There is a long, nearly deadly, pause. "...I'll race you," he suddenly states, causing the young woman's eyes to open wide and then narrow. She rolls over to face him, and he knows he has her interest, "If I win, you have to join the team. If you win...I'll stop bugging you about it". For a week at most, he silently adds to himself.
Off on the sidelines, either ignored or not noticed- however he has a distinct feeling that the second one is not possible for someone to do- Aomine furrows his brows. He too had been woken up by the loud banging sound, though he hadn't been fully aware of the situation until his classmate decided to start arguing with some guy. Stride? Isn't that the new up and coming sport where you run through the portion of an entire city cross-country style, having to go through and over and around all sorts of obstacles and such? It has a relay race type setting, doesn't it? He's only really heard of it in passing. The sport is still extremely young, being maybe fifteen years old, but it is highly competitive and even more physically demanding- or so he's heard. Apparently one has to not only have extreme endurance for running at high speeds, but also good gymnastics skills in order to succeed even a little bit. What he wasn't aware of was that his very school has a team for it. Why is this guy bugging Tensai so much about joining the team anyways? She's not that good, is she? And why is this strangely familiar compared to what he and Satsuki go through?
He's on the sidelines and it's still annoying to listen to- albeit unwillingly.
The white haired girl, now curious, pauses as she sits up to look at the crouching young man beside her. "Really now?" she raises a brow at the prospect of the deal. "...No deal. You're not the only one who wants me on the team, am I right?" Yuji's silence is all she needs, "Then it's not you I should run against. Besides, you really wouldn't be able to put up a fighting chance. Tell you what. I'll race an entire team- the regulars- all by myself. If they win, I'll join the team".
Careful red eyes look at her, taking the chance to actually look down at her for once. He can see the ever confident gleam n her eyes. She knows she'd win, and he too realizes that the possibility that she would is great, but that doesn't mean that he supports such thoughts. Before he can open his mouth, however, the door to the roof is shut heavily, it having sat open upon his arrival, and the sound of someone new making their way to them is heard. "There you are Aomine-kun!" The girl demands, standing at the side of the blue haired fellow Yuji had ignored deliberately. "What do you think you're doing? You should be at practice with the rest of the team".
"Hah~? I'm not going to practice with a bunch of idiots like them," the taller teen denies, navy blues narrowing as they meet the gaze of a different set of red. Pink hair frames a pretty face, though he cares not for this as he resumes laying down and crosses his arms over his chest. He only just got to lay down after all.
"Yes you are!" The female grounds out, her finely kept brows furrowed and forcing deep wrinkles to form on her forehead. "Just because you're good doesn't mean you don't have to practice! Yo- Wait...Yuji?" Her attention had been stolen from the bluenette due to the movement of a certain greenette, her eyes recognizing the stature and color swiftly. Confused and curious, she tilts her head, "What are you doing up here?"
Yuji pauses, broken from his thoughts. He had been trying to decide whether or not to take up Tensai's offer. He had been so focused on making up his mind that he hadn't even caught wind of the other argument not even ten feet away from him. "Oh, Satsuki, hey. I'm trying to recruit a new member of the Stride team. What are you doing here?"
"I'm trying to get Aomine-kun here to practice like he should be," she glances at the tall bronzed male, obviously displeased to find that he is still laying down. "Recruiting? You mean this girl here is the ace you've been talking about?"
Yuji sighs, shooting a glare of his own at the white haired lass, "Yea. Apparently she doesn't want to though".
In the mean time, Tatsumaki sighs and turns around, "I'm done here," she utters, more than just a little irritated, "If you're not going to-"
"Deal!" Yuji interrupts, causing her to pause and look at him as though he has three heads, "It's a deal. If you race against the entire regular string and win I won't bug you about joining any more. What do you want if you win?"
"I don't know yet," she denies, "Anyways, if it's a deal then why don't we get this ball rolling? I'm hungry so I'd like to go home and eat something before I'm seventy years old". However she does not bother to turn and wait for her long time friend to catch up with her, nor tell her where the Stride team currently is. She has a good idea- at least, she'd use it if she were part of the team- of where they are. Without another word, she opens the door a crack and slips through, letting it shut on its own as she makes her way down the stairs as her hands hold one another behind her back. Why had she done that? Why did she suggest that kind of thing? She wasn't going to partake in Stride any more, wasn't she? That was the plan, wasn't it? To give it up and never look back? And yet she did that. There's no stopping it now, though, as trying to bail out would only bring forth more of the moss head's rage. She supposes she'll humor him this once, prove to him that there is no need for her to run any more- that she has no desire to run with a team again. Maybe grinding them into dust with her skills will be enough to deter them? That'd be rather nice. Oh well, either way it'll be nice to show them just why she stopped. She smiles broadly, her bad mood- created mainly by being woken up too soon- fades and is replaced by familiar excitement.
Mean while up on the roof still, though Tensai has left for the time being the other three are still there. Surprised still that he had even taken that kind of leap of faith, he sighs and runs a hand through his short locks. Wait until the Captain hears about this. "So," his cousin's voice rings next to him as he continues to try and will away the migraine, "Is she seriously the real deal, Yuji? I mean, sure she's tall and she looks pretty strong, but when you were telling me about this amazing Stride runner...I kind of thought they were a guy. Besides, I thought it was a sport for male runners anyways?"
Yuji shakes his head, "Guys and girls can run in the same division. It's just that most girls don't have what it takes to run in the first place. Stride is not only physically taxing, but mentally too- you need the will to keep running even when everything seems so up in the air. Anyways, yea, that's her. I've been trying to get her to join the team for months now and still no luck".
Now that's curious. Aomine goes so far as to stand, "She can't be that good," he denies. "I've seen videos of Stride races- the pace is insane". Although he would actually do pretty well at some parts...Like the running and the jumping. All that acrobat shit though would be a no-go".
"What did I tell you about judging people just because they're not you?" Satsuki demands with a grunt, "If Yuji says she's good, then she's gotta be worth his time". She smacks the tall male's arm, earning her a glare which she ignores. "But don't you have to go and tell your Captain? And get a course set up?"
After he pauses, Yuji sighs and takes off at a fast paced walk. "Yea I do actually. But- hey- if you guys are interested you can come with. I'm pretty sure you'd like what you see. And it'll prove to you Aomine that she is as good as I say". The tall absent teenager may not be there any longer, but she is his friend- despite their current argument; it's a strange relationship they have- and he refuses to allow anyone to bad mouth her. "I'd have to say she could beat even you in a race even if her leg were broken".
Okay, now that's a challenge. This guy just loves to talk big, doesn't he? Just like Wakamatsu back on the team. Thinking he can get away with talking to him as though he knows nothing or isn't worthy of respect. It irks him, this guy's way of talking. He really doesn't care if he knows Satsuki or not- the guy's an ass. "Keh," he scoffs, shoving his large hands into the pockets of his uniform pants, "Anything to get out of practice, I guess," he grumbles low and begins to follow the guy with green hair. When he spots a pink head of hair bobbing up and down at his side as they head for the roof's door, he raises a blue brow. "What? No yelling this time? Don't think that just because I'm coming down doesn't mean I'm going to practice".
The pinkette shakes her head, "I'm honestly not interested in that right now," she admits, "I want to see this girl run. I mean, if Yuji says she's good- she's gotta be. I'll let you watch the race, but tomorrow you're definitely practicing". She throws a glare full force the tall male's way, determined to get him to work with the team he is apparently a member of. She has to get him to practice some how.
Two hours later finds the trio situated under a tent and sitting at a simple table. Between the basketball player and his childhood friend sits the green haired relayer of the Stride team. In his ear rests a simple Bluetooth piece white in color. In his hands, a matching tablet that shows a map of the course. A course which consists of the entire school. Due to the fact that a Stride course is much longer than simply a round or two around a track, and requires terrain that changes, they could not just use the grounds of the other sports teams when their own practice was over.
Instead, The team's Coach issued the order of setting up a course for the regulars and the singular challenger at hand to the second and third strings of the team. It took at least forty five minutes to plan out the course itself, and the rest of those two hours to get things set up. Of course, with students literally dashing here and there in an attempt to get the race moving before the day turns dark, word spread like wild fire. Students of other clubs- sport and casual alike- paused in their own activities to check things out. Aomine does not know nor does he care if the basketball team did the same, but it's possible that they did. In this time, the regulars of the Stride team and Tensai were permitted to warm up and stretch out, as well as warm up their muscles for the mad man's dash through the school's campus and halls.
"It's a shame but we'll only be able to see the first small portion of the race with our own eyes," Yuji explains as he fiddles with the Bluetooth in his left ear, "But using this tablet we'll be able to keep track of who is where. The blue triangles are the Stride team regulars. The red triangle is Tensai. In case you guys don't know the rules, I'll explain them to you. They're pretty simple. It's basically a giant cross country race, but with some quirks. Some parts of the course require you to do some parkour, which forces you to do all sorts of things you wouldn't naturally- swinging from poles, going over and under things, doing flips. Acrobatic motions- at high speeds. It also consists of sprinting and free-running. Each race normally has five runners and one relationer. There is no baton like in a normal relay race. In order to continue through the race, though, there is a transition zone in which two runners have to touch hands in order for the second runner to fully go and the first to fully finish his part of the race. The runners at that point are always going at top speed, and it is almost a blind corner so that zone can be dangerous. It's my job as relationer to tell the others when to start running and just how far ahead or behind their opponent's team is in order to give them the extra shove they need".
With a pause, Satsuki looks over the portion of the map currently on the tablet's screen, "So, Tensai-san will then be running this whole course on her own?" That sounds difficult. She knows the rules of Stride well, having heard the prior explanation from Yuji before. Each portion of a Stride race is as hard as the last, making it incredibly difficult for one person to run it all and not collapse or slow down.
"That's the deal," Yuji agrees.
However, Aomine is not paying much attention to the conversing cousins. Instead, his eyes are fixated on the duo not too far from their spot behind the table currently shaded by a simple tent. Apparently the first of Tensai's opponents is the Captain of the team himself. He's relatively tall, though shorter than the basketball player at hand by a good number of centimeters, and certainly shorter than the white haired girl. He dresses himself in what appears to be training clothing, shorts that won't snag on various objects but not too tight as to impede his movement. He wears a jersey not unlike a basketball player's in that it has no sleeves and is tucked into his shorts. He is a fairly pale man, having short brown hair with bangs currently held from his face with a head band. His determined eyes- which unknown to Aomine are hazel- stare only ahead of him. His shoulders are stiff and his hands are currently at a constant rate of clenching and relaxing.
Tatsumaki wears something different from her first victim, having changed into a simple black baggy crop top, her breasts keeping the fabric from touching the seemingly soft skin of her hard stomach. Absently, Aomine mourns the fact that her boobs are too small for his liking. Though he is somewhat surprised to find a smooth six pack to be her abs. Her strange hair has been gathered up into a high ponytail, her bangs just barely making it into the hair tie. She wears a pair of shorts not unlike the other runner's, something semi-tight. Unlike the Captain, however, Aomine notes that she is completely at ease. She holds her tall frame in a relaxed stance, her eyes only staring forward and nothing more.
"Who is that?" Satsuki tilts her head as she looks to the stoic brunette next to the calm snow haired girl, "I don't think I've seen him around before".
"That's Hanabusa Kaidou," Yuji replies smoothly, "He's a third year and the Captain of the team. He's a pretty serious guy but he has his moments of relaxation". It does not surprise him at all that the Captain is this match's starter, it being his best position with anchor being the next one. Shifting his Bluetooth head set, he looks down to the tablet and sighs. "Looks like it's about to begin. Get ready you two; you're about to see something crazy".
The basketball ace's eyes obey the relationer's suggestion, curious. She can't be that good at running. But he might as well as watch all the same. The buzzing sound of a synthetic voice rings through out the immediate area. "Get ready," it calls, urging the two runners to set themselves up. Aomine somewhat recognizes Hanabusa's start position to be that of a track runner's, crouched with his hands touching the surface of the ground and his legs building up power for an explosive take off. Tensai however is positioned into a different stance, her body on the balls of her feet and her legs are also loaded for take off. However, her arms hang uselessly at her sides. She has yet to tense up like Hanabusa, her shoulders lax. "Set," the voice calls again, "Go!" And like that the two are off.
Aomine's eyes widen as he watches Hanabusa take off like just like a bullet, shooting for the first obstacle of the race- a line of hurdles that vary in height and jumping length. The man's speed is incredible to say the least, nearing Aomine's own when actually trying to beat someone in a game. No where near Aomine's fastest, but still. He watches as the Captain flings his body over hurdle after hurdle, not a single one managing to slow him down. However, when he notes that the man is alone, his eyes drag back to search or the challenger. He raises a brow when he spots her. She seems to have had a late start, something he assumes is not good. "She's gonna lose at that pace," he utters low in his throat as he watches her tackle the hurdles with surprising grace. What is she, a gazelle?
However, the cousin's eyes are grim as he watches the match as well. "Actually she's giving him a major handicap. She's dragging the whole thing out. Just you wait. He'll get a certain distance away and- There she goes!" His eyes widening as suddenly, as though pushing off of the air itself, the young woman's lithe frame takes off like a freaking beam of light compared to Hanabusa's bullet-esque take off. His hands clench the tablet as he looks down, Hanabusa having disappeared off the track, "Captain, look out, she's coming in on you fast!" As he tells the third year of this, the girl zips her way around a corner, her legs pushing her out of their sight. Yuji's eyes immediately dart to the tablet's screen, unable to physically see what's going on. He holds it out just enough so that his guests can also see the sight before his eyes. Did she get even faster than last time?! Watching with wide eyes, he is forced to stay motionless as the red triangle surpasses the first blue one only seconds after his announcement. And although Hanabusa attempts to keep at her pace, he is surpassed within only a matter of seconds. The red triangle rushes off as though the blue one had been standing still.
Aomine's jaw is slightly dropped as his eyes track the movement of the challenger, utterly surprised as she rounds a corner and skids her way into the school itself without a moment's hesitation nor any hint of slowing down. "What? She should have crashed into the wall!"
"She probably used it to ricochet and remain on course," Satsuki points out, sharp red eyes alive with wonder.
However, Yuji's are narrow with horror. "She's coming up on you, Yatsuhiro," he announces, "Hanabusa-taicho is about ten seconds behind her!" Which is unfortunately more than enough time and distance for it to be a massive bound nearly impossible to over come. In this sport, even a few seconds behind means sudden death.
"Hah!? You've got to be kidding me!" Yatsuhiro's voice can be heard even from where the guests are sitting through the Bluetooth in his ear. "She can't be that- OI! Get your ass back here!" the defense of his captain is broken when he spots the white haired girl rushing passed him with a predatory gleam in her emerald eyes. "Nobuyuki where is Taicho?!"
Hanabusa Kaidou- Captain of the Stride team. A third year with short brown hair and hazel eyes. Specializes in slopes and sprints. Kaidou is a logical and serious man, always looking for something that will give him the advantage. Having grown up in his older brother's shadow, he has become determined to be the first at at least one thing even if it means sacrificing even his own morals. He is a kind man, but doesn't know how to deal with women he finds pretty (Tatsumaki is not pretty to him, just a tool). He hates spiders and sweet things. He is as tall as Tatsumaki, standing at six foot one. He is best friends with Asei.
Asei Hayate- Vice Captain of the Stride Team and childhood friend of Kaidou. A third year with long black hair and black eyes that portray his kindness. He specializes in sprints and is fairly good at gimmicks and corners. Hayate is a kind soul, one whom wants nothing more than to see Kaidou succeed in his goals being a long time friend with him (secretly in love with Kaidou). Kind by nature, it is not uncommon for him to attempt to help even strangers. He loves cats- unfortunately the feeling is not mutual- and is afraid of dogs (he was bitten by one as a child). He is five foot ten and likes sweets but hates chicken.
Yatsuhiro Katsu- The loud mouth of the Stride Regulars. Second year at Touou. Quick to anger and highly competitive, Katsu specializes in corners and is adequate at slopes however he lacks in skill at gimmicks. He is not afraid to yell at anyone, women and superiors alike, and strives to become best of the best in Stride. He is a huge fan of Kaidou's admiring his ability to see logic and reasoning even in the middle of a race, and his skill in tactfully handling the unknown. Due to being a man whom bases his life around respect, he often loses it when none is given to him or his friends. This is only supported by his father whom is a military officer. Katsu prefers salty food over spicy, and dislikes anything that has apples in it. His best friend is Misoka. Katsu has blond hair that sits in a wind swept fashion, and violet eyes rimmed by black lashes. He has short bangs that hang over his forehead and frame his cheeks with long sideburns.
Misoka Kaoru- A second year at Touou, he specializes in gimmicks. He has short spiky red hair and golden eyes that are slightly obscured by his bangs. With a lean body that stands a little bit shorter than Tatsumaki and long arms and legs, he does well with doing gimmicks as he is rather flexible for a male. He is a man of little words, and is often the one to keep Katsu from getting too angry. He finds actions are louder than words, to this extent. Kaoru silently admires people like Tatsumaki and Aomine and as the son of a traditional priest he finds them to be blessed by the gods. However he strives to do the best he can in any way. He excels in his studies and often times helps Katsu study for their classes. He does not however appreciate any sort of slacking or disrespect to things such as books or borrowed objects. Kaoru is a vegan, and therefore does not eat meat, finding all life worthy of living to its fullest.
Satoshi Jiro- A first year at Touou Academy. Satoshi is an all-rounder, and aims to remain a jack of all trades through out his Stride career. Like Misoka he admires Tatsumaki, however more openly. He has watched all of her races in her years in middle school, including the mock races she went through. He stands at six foot even, one inch shorter than Tatsumaki. Being a huge fan of her, one could say that he has a crush on her- or the idea of her- due to her skill and prowess. Like Misoka, he is not a person of many words, but he is more likely to speak up if someone insults Tatsumaki and her skills. Jiro has short black hair and aqua colored eyes- one of which however is a contact. His real eye color is that of a blue right eye and a golden left- that more than often not hold a cold setting to them. Those that are not near Tatsumaki's level are not worth his time, not including the regulars of the Stride club. Oddly enough, he is often seen with Yatsuhiro and Misoka.
Nobuyuki Yuji- Yuji is the relationer and manager of the stride blub. He is a second year at Too but has been childhood friends with Tatsumaki since they were children. Although he is a second year in school, he is the same age as Tatsumaki and Aomine, but has skipped a grade due to his intelligence. Yuji is often seen with a scowl or bland frown on his tanned features- though he is not as tan as Aomine. He stands at a mere five foot eight, but his build depicts that of someone whom works out on a regular basis. Often times one can find him training with the Second String members of the Stride club when not working with the regulars. In middle school he was a runner, but half way through the season he became a relationer. Yuji's goal is to get Tatsumaki to truly love Stride again, having been there when she had given up and having witnessed when she broke under the pressure of destroying the hopes and dreams of her opponents. Yuji is highly protective of Tatsumaki, feeling more like an older brother at times rather than just a very good friend. He has been known to chase off various boys who have tried to court her- unknown to her- in order to protect her. Yuji often calls her by her given name and she does the same for him, not caring if anyone 'starts to talk' as they both know the truth.