&Run

Eijun bolted out of bed to the first beeps of his alarm, having woken up over a half an hour ago. Unable to fall back asleep and unwilling to get up in case he prematurely woke up Shiro, he resorted to staring at the ceiling until it was time to get up. Eijun was surprised to find that the time moved by quickly once he became lost in thought. What would his teammates be like? Would they like him? Would he be able to keep up with them? Surly they all had previous experience running in middle school, what if he made a fool of himself?

Before he could fall down a rabbit hole of anxiety-inducing thoughts, he was startled out of bed by the sound of the alarm. Eijun sprung up, only to be abruptly pulled back down to earth by his sheets getting tangled around his legs.

Eijun sat up from the floor, dazed and shocked into silence by his fall when he heard light laughter fill the previously silent room. Above him Shiro was laughing at him in mild amusement.

“Good morning Eijun, having a nice time on the floor?” Shiro grinned, eyes alight with mirth, “I didn’t know it was that comfortable.” He teased.

“I’M FINE” Eijun squawked indignantly while scrambling for purchase on his bed, attempting to pull himself up off the floor. “Good morning to you too Shiro-senpai! I’m so excited to meet the rest of the team! Do you think they’ll like me?” Eijun energetically bounced like a puppy, his previous tumble already forgotten.

Before Eijun could ask any more questions Shiro had to remind him that they only had 10 minutes now to get ready before they were expected to meet the others at the front of the track. This, however, did not stop Eijun from talking Shiro’s ear off as they gathered their clothes and got ready.

Eijun pulled on a light hoodie, white running tights, and a pair of black shorts. Shiro dressed similarly. Their chatter continued as they toed on their running shoes and left the room.

Eijun vibrated with excitement and anticipation as the track came into view. Most of the team was already stretching and talking on their own in small clumps while they waited for the coach to show up.

Shiro led Eijun over to a boy and a girl, the former half asleep as he stretched his legs, looking on the verge of falling over while pulling his leg back in a half-hearted attempt at a quad stretch.

The girl must have been thinking the same thing, because she grabbed his forearm, steadying his swaying body just before he lost his balance.

“Hey Kyo, you’re gonna hurt yourself” she quietly admonished the tall boy.

“But ‘m so tired Zumi, why couldn’t coach give us a break on the first day?” The boy, Kyo, whined as his shoulders sagged more than Eijun thought possible, now looking thoroughly reprimanded by the girl.

Shiro just laughed at their antics, which led Eijun to believe this was normal behavior between the two.

“Hey guys,” Shiro waved, coming to a stop in front of the pair, “Eijun, this is Kyo and Izumi, second and third year respectively. Kyo, Zumi, this is Sawamura Eijun, one of the new first years and my roommate.” Shiro said, briefly introducing the pair to Eijun. The two forgot their previous argument and instead devoted their attention towards Eijun, exchanging greetings with the younger boy.

While stretching together, Eijun learned that the two were dating each other and had been since middle school. He also learned that Kyo pole vaulted and ran hurdles while Izumi was in a relay and also ran hurdles. The four talked amicably for about five minutes, Kyo’s previous drowsiness forgotten when faced with Eijuns endless energy.

Their chatter was cut off by the coach as he walked onto the field, clipboard and coffee mug in hand.

“Good morning guys, today we’re going to run a light three miles. When you're done with the run, you’re free to get breakfast in the dining hall and get ready for school. School doesn’t start until 8:45 so you better be on time for homeroom, no excuses will be tolerated for tardiness. You should have more than enough time, even you Shiro, I don't know why it takes you so long to get ready,” Coach Nakamura grumbled good-naturedly while shaking his head in amusement as Shiro mumbled something about how beauty takes time, that he was only late that one time.

Eijun laughed along with the rest of the team, receiving a halfhearted glare from Shiro until Nakamura regained their attention. “Anyways,” he continued, “upperclassmen: make sure not to lose the first years. Haru, Yuko, I’m counting on you two as captains to lead the group at least for today. This afternoon we’ll start practice at 3:30. Today and today only we’ll meet in the club room to go over introductions and our schedule for the year. All other days we’ll meet on the track unless explicitly specified otherwise. Again, upperclassmen rooming with first years please make sure you show them around and ensure they get to practice after school. That’s all I have to say for now, does anyone have any questions?” At their collective no’s, Nakamura set them off to start their run.

As they ran, Eijun found his worries were futile. The captains kept them at a comfortable pace and he was able to make small talk with Shiro, Izumi, and Kyo as they ran, he and Kyo talking a little more animatedly than the rest of the group. Eijun was also pleasantly surprised to find out that they did not run in the mornings on the track, instead, they took a circuit made up of running trails and paths around the grounds.

Eijun perked up when he noticed they were coming up on the baseball fields (fields plural). Eijun was momentarily struck with a melancholy feeling, and couldn’t help but think of the future that could have been. He quickly snubbed those thoughts out, grateful that he was still able to run track, be a part of a team, attend school at Seido, and, even if it’s just watching, keep baseball in his life.

As they ran past the fields, the track runners looked on in mild interest at the gathering of boys on the field, all in matching white uniforms. Even the captains slowed their pace as they made their way by.

“Morning practice,” Shiro leaned over and told Eijun upon noticing his furrowed brow and confused tilt of his head.

“You may think that coach Nakamura is no-nonsense, but next to Kataoka, he looks like a sloth,” Kyo interrupted his thoughts. Upon the confused faces of the teens around him, he elaborated with a huge sigh “because he makes Nakamura look slow.” This was met with even more silence so he gave up with a defeated grumble that no one appreciated his analogies. Izumi simply rubbed his arm, rolling her eyes as another girl spoke up

“I feel bad for them,” second-year Mai, if Eijun remembered correctly, said while nodding back over to the baseball team, “Kataoka believes in no time wasted, even if that means dragging all 100 of them out on the field for morning practice before the first day of school, They did introductions on the 1st and have already practiced for almost a week.”

“I can’t imagine, I don’t know how I’d stay awake through that many introductions, especially at this ungodly hour. The repetition alone would put me to sleep.” a boy this time, Hotaru a third year, continued, garnering nods of agreement from the rest of the team.

“That’s one reason to be grateful for having a new team, small numbers. That and,” Haru, one of the captains interjected, “Because the team is so new, we get to build it up, we get to make a name for ourselves, we get to decide the future of Seido’s track team.” Everyone looked pumped up and revitalized from his impromptu speech. They all became more focused, looking more like they were running towards their goals, not just the end of the trail.

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After the run Eijun and Shiro went back to their room to get ready for the school day, the latter having to help Eijun tie his tie. Despite having worn one before, his mom had always done it for him. Shiro, however, did not find his inability half as endearing and vowed to make Eijun tie his own tie by the end of the week whether he was actually able to or not.

The two boys had plenty of time before classes started so they decided to make their way to the dining hall, which Shiro informed Eijun was not the regular cafeteria open to all students at lunch, but a dining hall for athletes who lived in the dorms and those who commuted if they so chose.

Eijun followed Shiro, in awe of all of the knowledge he was sharing with Eijun, He knew Seido was a private school that prided itself on its sports teams (well, baseball and now the track team) but he didn’t know the amenities for their athletes would be this vast. He couldn’t help but send a text to Wakana and co about Seido and his experience so far.

Breakfast was a quiet affair, mostly just the track team taking up a table in the back of the large hall. Eijun and the other first years were told it was shared with the baseball team, who were just finishing their practice and would probably be entering when they left.

According to the upperclassmen, the two teams weren't on bad terms per se, it was just that the track team was so new and small compared to the baseball team, and both had vastly different vibes, so the athletes mostly grouped with people from their respective sport.

During breakfast, Eijun was also able to talk to the other first years. There were four besides Eijun: Katsu, Kenji, Hana, and Fumiko. Out of the five, Fumiko was the only one in class 1-A, leaving Katsu and Kenji in class 1-B together and Eijun and Hana in class 1-C. While they were all very different personalities they seemed to get along, much to the pleasure of their upperclassmen. Their team had a very particular dynamic, everyone being fairly friendly and open with each other, and they were hoping it wouldn’t be too disturbed by the entrance of the first years.

As all the first years got along fairly well and none knew any of their other classmates, they decided to meet up for lunch. With plans settled and class assignments discussed, the group had finished breakfast and noticed that the dining hall had also filled up considerably more with the arrival of the baseball team.

The track team decided to head to class together that morning as they were all already together, an occurrence they knew would be rare.

Their group parted ways once they got into the building, the first years splitting off further to their classrooms. Eijun and Hana walked into class 1-C together and luckily got seats by each other next to the windows.

The two talk before class starts, immersing themselves in a conversation about the latest shoujo manga they’ve read when a girl trips and falls in the aisle next to them. Immediately her cheeks heat up and turn beat red, the blush only intensifying when Eijun and Hana bend down to help her. She splutters apologies and thanks at a rate that Eijun thinks shouldn’t be humanly possible, only calming down after Hana and he had assured her ten times over that it was really no trouble.

Just as she introduces herself as Haruno, a prospective manager for the baseball team, and sits down at the empty desk to Hana’s right, the bell chimes signaling the beginning of class, and the teacher walks in.

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Morning classes dragged on for Eijun. While he was previously brimming with uncontained energy, the adrenaline from his nerves and excitement that morning had completely vanished, leaving him drowsily looking out the window. He hoped Hana and Haruno would fill him in on anything important that he missed at lunch. Eijun was never a great student, preferring to devote all his time and energy to his interests and not math and science. He would definitely be leaning on Hana and Haruno to get him through the year.

Lunch eventually came as a welcome reprieve to the bored student. Eijun and Hana invited Haruno to meet with the rest of the track first years for lunch, which she graciously agreed to.

When they met up with the others, Eijun was surprised to see a smaller boy with pink hair walk up with Kenji and Katsu. He introduced himself as Kominato Haruichi, a member of the baseball team and also in class 1-B. Haruno then introduced herself, earning a small smile from Haruichi when he heard she was going to be a manager for the team. From there they were led to the roof by Fumiko, her older sister who had attended Seido a few years ago.

The first years talked amicably at lunch, complaining about subjects they disliked and noting subjects they were excited for. Eventually, conversations split off and Eijun was left talking with Haruichi, who was surprised to hear that Eijun had previously played baseball.

“I was the ace pitcher and captain of my middle school team,” Eijun bragged with a genuine grin, “We didn’t really have a coach and we weren't all that good but I always dreamed of bringing them to Koshien.” Haruichi could tell how much Eijun cared for his friends and former teammates. He was confused as to why Eijun would stop playing baseball and join the track team with the way he practically professed his love for the sport. Eijun read the look of confusion on Haruichi’s face and noticed that his previous exclamations had gained the attention of the others on the roof. Deciding he had nothing to hide, Eijun explained “Our middle school was closing down, we were going to be Akagi Junior High’s last team so we worked really hard. I was never very good at my studies so I knew that the chances of me getting into the same high school as the others were slim to none. Going to Koshien in middle school was our last chance to make a name for ourselves and to play together,” Eijun continued with a bittersweet expression, “I ended up injuring my arm at our last game which is where Rei scouted me! She offered me a place on Seido’s track team and even introduced me to Chris-senpai!” Eijun was now back to his overly energetic self just thinking about his good friend. “Chris-senpai and I talked a bunch before I came here and inspired me to get better so I could run here with you guys.” Before Eijun could go off on more of a tangent about Chris, the bell chimed signaling it was time for them to part and get back to class.

Thankfully for Eijun afternoon classes went by much faster than those in the morning. He even paid attention in Japanese lit and English, the two subjects he could stand and even enjoyed a little.

By the time school was over Eijun was vibrating with energy once more, tired of being cooped up in a classroom and ready to run. He met Shiro in their dorm where the two boys changed out of their school uniforms and into their practice uniforms.

Eijun was practically skipping to the clubroom as Shiro followed lazily behind him, both deeply amused by his antics and a little overwhelmed by the sheer energy this kid exuded.

All of the members gathered in the club room where coach Nakamura was waiting with a clipboard. Apparently what the others had said about Nakamura’s approach to coaching was correct as he seemed to have completely forgotten about introductions, instead choosing to dive right into the pre-practice meeting.

“Welcome back. I hope you all had a pleasant first day. I haven’t heard anything from any of your teachers so I trust you all made it to class on time and were acceptable students in class,” Nakamura started off, then looked down at his notes on his clipboard and continued, “this year will be busier than last, seeing how many schools now have established teams. We will have meets scheduled every two to three weeks and then depending on your performance, individuals or relays may get invited to qualifiers to determine who will represent Tokyo at nationals. Track and Field is an individual sport, but we are a team so I expect you all to support each other,” at his last sentiment they all nodded, knowing that giving their support wouldn’t be an issue. “Now our first meet will just be a friendly meet, no scores officially counted, just to see where each of you are in your current events and to determine if we need to make any changes before an official roster is due. That meet will be held here in two weeks on the 17th against Yakushi. It should be relatively low stress.

“Now for today, I want you all to stretch out then I want to focus primarily on assessing our new first years, so second and third years can report to Haru for distance and throwing and Yuko for sprinting and jumping. Tomorrow we will address relay teams so focus on your individual events today.” With that closing sentiment, the runners stretched and set off to practice each of their events.

Eijun was surprised to find that while most of the other first-years had a general idea of what events they wanted to participate in, he wasn't completely alone. Katsu was also new to the world of track and field, having previously played soccer.

So while coach Nakamura took their group around the field to each of the events, explaining how they worked and having an upperclassman demonstrate if needed, Nakamura spoke with each of them about preferred events. Kenji ended up throwing discus and shot put with a second-year girl named Kei, Fumiko practiced hurdles with Izumi and Kyo, and Hana was with a third-year Hotaru and one of the captains, Yuko, running sprints.

Coach Nakamura had Katsu and Eijun try a variety and by the end of practice, they were beaten and bruised from the trial and error of many of the events, Katsu struggling in many of the jumping events while Eijun was tripping over his feet running hurdles. In the end, Nakamura decided to have Katsu join the group running sprints and have Eijun finish up the practice with a 6 mile run with the other long distance runners.

By the end of practice, Eijun was tired and sore. He shed his shirt 2 miles into the run and was left in just his running shorts and shoes, bent over and panting in an attempt to catch his breath.
Haru had set the pace much faster than their morning jog and Eijun knew he would feel the soreness from the run along with the tightness from his blooming bruises from those damn hurdles in the morning.

Eijun and the rest of the team showered and filtered into the cafeteria where most of the baseball team was already present. Eijun noticed Haruichi sitting with what looked like a group of other first-years on the baseball team, all looking tiredly at their full bowls of rice.

Eijun wasn't sure what that was about, but before he could approach Haruichi and investigate further he heard his name called out in a familiar deep voice.

Eijun spun around in his excitement at hearing Chris call his name, but was stopped when a sharp pain tugged at his ribs at the sudden movement, no doubt a bruise from a particularly nasty fall over a hurdle at practice.

“Hey Eijun, come over here a second” Chris repeated a little softer, his eyes now filled with concern after having seen Eijun’s flash of pain when he turned around.

Eijun made his way over to Chris who was seated at a table with what Eijun presumed to be other first-stringers. Tetsu and Jun from the night before were also sitting there, along with a boy who looked strangely similar to Haruichi, a kid who looked way too muscular to be a high schooler, a boy with a sharp smile and even sharper eyes with green hair, and a kid with a snide smirk and glasses.

They all turned as Eijun approached their table, and suddenly he was nervous to be under the scrutiny of so many upperclassmen, but his excitement plowed through his discomfort when he locked eyes again with Chris.

“Chris-senpai!How was your first day of school?” Eijun asked, looking exactly like a puppy.

“It was fine Eijun.” Chris chuckled, much to the surprise of the boys around him. They had heard from Tetsu and Jun that there was a new first-year who was the cause of Chris’s improved attitude, but they were all suspicious of the claims. That was until now when they witnessed it in person. Chris looked at the boy like a little brother, full of patience and amusement at his antics.

The light air didn't last long though as Chris’s demeanor became concerned as his eyes swept over Eijun for any visible injuries, stopping on his left arm and shoulder, hoping his previous injuries weren't aggravated from the day's activities. He knew how much losing baseball had crushed Eijun and he didn’t want him to lose track too.

“Eijun, is it your arm?” Chris asked, taking the boy’s arm into his hands to inspect.

“No!” Eijun yelled a little too loud, surprising the surrounding boys. If he didn’t have their attention before, he had it now. “I just took a couple of heavy falls on some hurdles today at practice, there’s only some bruising on my legs and ribs and it should clear up on its own.” Eijun reported with a cheeky smile while he rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment at having told a table full of senpai that he had utterly failed and fallen at practice.

“Oh in that case let me go get you some ice from the kitchen, it’ll help with soreness tomorrow,” Chris said as he got up, pushing Eijun down into his vacated seat and ignored the younger boy’s protests that he could get it himself as he walked away.

Now Eijun found himself in a different predicament. All of the boys at the table were staring at him.

“So,” the one with the green hair spoke up, “Who’re you?”

“That’s an awfully rude way to word that question, don't you think Mochi?” the one with the pink hair cut in, his tone sickly sweet.

“Oh! I’m Sawamura Eijun!” Eijun replied, not wanting to be the cause of discourse in the group, especially right when Chris left him by himself with the others. Seeing as Chris had yet to return, Eijun decided to continue talking about himself, hoping it would prevent any fights from starting. “I’m a first-year from Nagano and I’m on the track and field team here.” Eijun finished.

“Ok but that doesn’t tell us why you know Chris” the boy, Mochi, said again, just as forward as before.

Eijun was both surprised by the elbow Mochi received to the ribs from the boy sitting next to him wearing the glasses. Eijun wasn't quite sure what he thought of him yet, but he knew for sure that he was not expecting that from him. That or the curious stare he set on Eijun. He was surprised that the stranger seemed to have a kind side, that was until he opened his mouth.

“How did Chris meet a country bumpkin like you?” While Eijun was startled to hear such a question come out of his mouth, immediately retracting his previous impression, he was more startled by the buttery smoothness of his voice. By the time the question fully registered with Eijun, before he could get up and yell at the smug bastard, Chris put a hand on his shoulder to keep him down.

“Miyuki,” Chris admonished in a tone of quiet disappointment. “Please don’t rile up Sawamura, I would like to avoid getting a headache tonight.”

“Hey!” Eijun’s gleeful expression at Chris’s admonishment towards Miyuki was gone with the light insult from Chris.

“Are you calling me loud?!” Eijun exclaimed.

“Yes, That’s exactly what I’m calling you,” Chris replied with a look of complete seriousness on his face as the other boys snickered watching the exchange between the two. “Now take this ice and make sure to take some anti-inflammatory pills before you go to bed and in the morning.” Chris instructed Eijun as he handed him the ice.

“Thank you oh wise and mighty Chris-senpai. I shall follow your instructions closely and thoroughly and wake up perfectly healed!” Eijun exclaimed getting up “Bye Chris-senpai, bye other senpai!” Eijun bid adieu to the table, waving as he walked away to his track teammates.

Chris was left shaking his head at Eijun’s antics but couldn’t help but feel protective of the boy who, over the past few months, had become like a brother.