You know, yesterday has definitely been… a day. Easily the most difficult day of the singular week spent in this world that I can actually remember. Facing Julie and my own shortcomings was a challenge in on itself, admitting to her that I fucked up and that I wanted to make things right was somehow even more difficult (because of my dumb pride, mostly. Thanks mother, appreciate it), my shame never ending. But I managed. I gave my big sister the hug that she needed, allowed her to finally cry the tears that she had been holding back for the entirety of last year and I started on the path of earning my forgiveness, finally.

In all of that, I forgot something. Something important that only came up at like… 11:50 in the night and that I had been warned about, vehemently as well. Extra-curricular activity… the club, basically.

I was supposed to choose one by the end of the week. And there were only 10 minutes left on the clock. I admit, I may have panicked. Just a tiny little bit.

Okay, I was in so much panic that I went to the school's site, punched in my informations (conveniently noted on my phone. Thanks me!) and more or less chose a random club because I had no time to think about it.

So, now I'm standing inside the gym after PE. Everyone else was either heading home or to their own clubs, while I'm stuck here, with my redhead friend basically glowing for how happy she is (even if she would never admit it) and my new track team coach, who has never looked so smug in all her life.

"Told you that you would join! Happy to have you aboard Jason!"

Zarina, I adore you, kay? You're the textbook definition of "cool as fuck". Not as badass as Yui, but close enough that you are not called "modern day Indiana Jones" for nothing.

But I swear to Artemis, one more remark like that and I'm calling The Deathslinger on your ass, even if I don't actually know where the guy is. But I will find a way, damn it!

Meg hums beside me, stretching while trying to hide how much my presence pleases her, like some kind of human sized cat. Ah well, I guess I can put up with my former babysitter's shit if it makes her happy. Just have to… you know, endure.

"You definitely could have joined a couple of years ago, we could have had all those competitions in the bag…"

Just… grit my teeth… and endure.

"Because of that, you're running two more laps than all the others. We gotta put you in shape… and I'm pissed at you for taking so long. Let's get started then!"

…

Congrats Rin, someone just managed to take your spot on top of my shit list. Don't be too sad about it, I'm sure you'll rectify things the second I see you again.

Is it too late to quit…?

Just before the grueling training starts, Meg sizes up next to me.

"Hey. I just… wanted to tell you that… I'm glad that you're here. I know that we see each other more or less every day and that we can hang out after school… sometimes. But having you here makes me… more relaxed, you know?"

Ahhh… fiiiineeee, I'll put up with Zarina's bullshit! And don't go around saying that I don't do nice things for you!

"Well then, glad to be here. Race you?"

She smirks at me.

"Just don't end up face on the ground like last week!"

Ohi, that was one time! And I was experimenting!

She laughs and starts running. What the hell is with people absolutely burning the shit out of me and then dipping like nothing?!

The current object of my nightmares uses her whistle right next to my left ear.

"Come on Jason! Up and at em! Pump those legs!"

I hate you Zarina. You're a badass and I adore you…

But I fucking hate you.

As you can probably imagine, Miss Kassir here is an absolute slave driver. There are currently ten members in the team, including myself and Meg.

I don't think we're gonna remain so many for much longer. We started with a simple jog, three laps around the gym… five for me because SOMEONE is petty as fuck! Then some stretches and other exercises to warm up as best as we could. Then the sprints. Holy Apollo, the sprints.

Jog, then she whistles and we sprint until she whistles again. Sometimes for five seconds, sometimes for thirty, sometimes for an entire lap.

Then a short break and then resistance. Go at your top speed for one minute, then stop, rest for a minute and then go again. Slack off in any way, shape or form, and your ear gets whistled mercilessly.

Finally, Zarina will end training with competition. Two groups of five run together, similarly to the actual races that we'll eventually have to compete in, to determine the fastest.

Most of our teammates are flagging. Two of them already loudly declared that they're done, and I cannot blame them. The majority look way too tired to argue or even express any opinion except: "Am dog, need to breathe loudly from mouth".

I'm hanging on fairly well, since I run with Miss Meghead pretty much daily, so I wouldn't say that I'm used to it, but I'm not going to die from exhaustion any time soon.

Speaking of her… as expected, the star of the track team is right in her element. She tackled all and any challenge with a smile, sweating like crazy but apparently enjoying the physical exercise. Likely one of those people that use training as way to let out some stress. Or a lot of stress, in her case.

She's absolutely thriving and it is heartwarming to see… if it wasn't for these endless whispers.

Show-off, vain, tryhard, insufferable bitch…

It goes on and on and on… sheesh, some people just live off of jealousy. I turn around to get a better look at these people, only to find out that most are just minding their own business, too busy recovering to even pay attention to Meg. As they should.

The whispers come from a small group of girls, three to be exact, pointing and laughing. The one in the center that looks like the leader is… mostly plain, the only recognizable features being her afro hair held by her headband… and looking like she has an upset stomach, judging from her expression.

… I've heard that one before. But try as I might, I can't really pinpoint in my head where, when and how. It's something from my new set of memories, I can tell that much, which means that it's related to Meg's lore. I'll have to think about it later though, because the girl catches me staring… and immediately turns away white in the face. The whispers instantly stopped with that.

What the…

Meg walks up to me, stinking of sweat, but looking a lot lighter than usual.

"Hey Jas, finished with your laps alrea… Jesus man, what's wrong?! You look like someone kicked a puppy right in front of you!"

I what? Confused, I touch my face with a hand, noting that I am, indeed, glaring. Sheesh, those girl's comment must have pissed me off, but I was too busy overanalyzing to notice, like usual.

"I'm fine. I just… heard some things that I did not like".

I send one last glare to the gas girl, before turning back towards my friend.

"Oh… her again. Just… ignore her okay? She's pissed at me because she thinks that I cheated my way in the team, like I don't make everybody eat dust literally every time that we run together. She's borderline delusional at this point…"

Gas face, delusional, extremely jealous… all of these bits of information ring several bells in my head. Maybe I'll dive into other me's memories later at home. As of now, I'm way too tired to bother crosschecking.

"If you say so… I want it on record, though, that I do not like the way she talks about you. You worked harder than anyone else on this passion of yours, so it pisses me off to hear people making excuses…"

She smiles, giving me a quick hug.

"I know. Which is why you shouldn't listen to her. Leave her in her own self delusion, we have more important things to think about. Like the competition on January".

My eyebrow rise up.

"January? Weird time to have a competition…"

Meg shrugs.

"I know. I'm sure that coach Zarina will explain, sooner or later. It is very unusual…"

Food for thought… as if I didn't already have a lot of shit on my mind.

"I suppose you're right. So, are we done for today?"

"Seems like it. Races are usually the last bits of training. Coach will now give evaluations based on our current and last performances and then we can go. Keep everyone motivated with some constructive criticism and praises, you know?"

Just as she's done speaking, the teacher calls for us to get in line in front of her. She walked to the far right, while I'm the last one to the left, with Meg right beside me. Zarina calls names, gives brief "reviews" of that person's performances and then lets them go take a shower and change.

"Dana, you got distracted towards the end of your race. I get that Meg is your rival and all, but you need to focus on your running. Otherwise… someone else might take your place, if he hasn't already. Apart from that, you were much slower today than last time. You wouldn't have slacked off this summer, wouldn't you?"

Gas girl, now named Dana apparently, stutters for a second, but quickly gives up.

"I expect better from you next time. Dismissed".

She sighs heavily and moves towards the lockers glaring at both me and Meg while she goes. She instantly accelerates when I respond in kind. Well, would you look at that, she's already improving on her speed! I wonder what caused that…

Hehehehe.

"Meg, today you absolutely smashed your previous records. Exactly what I wanted to see. Excellent work, as usual, keep it up".

Meg salutes with a smile and heads towards the exit, waving at me while she goes. I'm glad that at least, this is a safe space for her, if she ever needs a moment of respite.

"Now, onto you Jason".

Ah, right. My turn now.

"I can't really judge previous training sessions, since this is the first one, but I can tell you this: for someone who never actually trained, your growth is impressive. Not as impressive as 'you know who', but enough that you are currently the only one that can keep up with her… in more ways than one".

She's… not really talking about running here, isn't she?

"Meg is going through a rough time. I don't know what it is, but she is. And there are only two things that can apparently pick up her mood. Training… and you".

She places one hand on top of my shoulder.

"So… it means a lot to both of us that you decided to be here. Keep on supporting her, alright? She needs it, even if I have no idea what's wrong. As for training, you did more than good enough. You're going to be right at home with us, I promise. Go on now, take a shower and then relax. You've earned some rest for today".

I nod and say my goodbye. I let the water hit me, while I keep my eyes closed and just… think.

Zarina doesn't know about Meg's mother. Makes sense, allegedly she only told me about her terminal illness, and that was only after more or less forcing her hand. Maybe I could convince her to talk about it…? Having more people in the know is a sure way to help, maybe even ensure that she gets some much needed extra support…

Dana's hideous face comes to mind. Nope, not to her that's for damn sure. And even if it was, it has to come from her. Can't really go and tell other people, even if it's our coach. What a damn situation…

The only thing that I do know is that she needs help. My help, specifically. But why? Why do I feel like this? Damn new memories, I really need my old ones as of right now!

I sigh heavily and finish showering. There must be something more that I can do apart from "be there for her". It does not feel like it's enough… no. I know that it's not enough.

I change quickly, mulling over everything in my head. I breathe in and out. Not everything, Jason. Remember what dad told you? One problem at a time… and only what you can actually fix. You are just human, you cannot solve everyone's issues for them. That's not how it works.

For now, showing her that she can rely on me is all that I can do, realistically. I can only hope that things will move along in the meantime… after all, there is not much time left. Both for her mother…

And all of us as a whole.

Hello?! Is this thing on?! It is?! Noice.

Welcome, dudes and gentleladies, to another episode of AIOS, the show where some things are just fated to happen, I suppose.

Two weeks have come and gone. The poll closed last week with… not encouraging results. Which either means that people don't really care or the site fucked up something for a lot of people, neither of which would surprise me.

But, as dictated by those few votes, Meg was the first one to receive one, so she'll be going first. I have no idea how long these routes will be, likely between five to seven chapter each (we do have eight ones to go through, after all. Possibly seven if Yui gets confirmed to be what we all think about her. If that happens… we'll see when we get there).

Running Towards the Future is officially underway! Let us see where our dear Meghead will lead us this time… hopefully not towards the killer, amirite?!

Review responses:

Guest: Yup, I wanted to resolve Jason's issue with his family (or most of it… She'll be important later) before going for the routes. Arc 1 has been somewhat of a "Julie platonic route" now that I think about, since a lot of the focus has been on her, especially towards the end. Tome 1? Sheesh man, you have a long way to go still. Good luck man, and do try to go for the notes! Some of the character's stories are incredibly well written!

That's all folks! Ta-ta for now!