At the Finish Line [Haiji Kiyose] - Run With the Wind

twenty-six - "sister?"

Gathered together in the warm, breezy park, the runners of Aotake discuss the route they'll be taking for the Hakone Ekiden qualifier the next week.

Still surprised they all achieved official records and can continue running, they have to quickly get over this fact to prepare themselves for the qualifier.

"So, this is it?" King questions. "Not quite the finish line I expected."

Haiji chuckles. "You say that now, but it'll be different on the day of the race. The whole atmosphere will feel different as well."

"Haiji-san," Kakeru turns to him. "Can you repeat the course?"

He nods, opening up his notebook to re-tell the group. "The starting line is the Self-Defence Force Base, next to Showa park. We'll complete two laps of the airstrips and taxiway."

"How many km's was that?" Yuki asks.

"5km," He tells him. "Then the course will continue to the road, passing the station and then under the monorail bridge. This is 10km."

Nico crosses his arms. "And the half-way point?"

"Well, the turnaround point is soon after that at 11.2km," Haiji continues. "Then it will be back to the park for 15km. This is deceiving for most of the runners, thinking it's, excuse the joke, a walk in the park. It's harder than you'd think with its hilly track."

"And the finish line?" Shindo interjects.

Haiji nods. "Minna-no Harappa Field is where the finish line will be. It's a fairly straight forward course all the way around, but there's a van that leads the way, in case you get confused."

Nico huffs a laugh. "Apart from you and Kakeru, I don't think we'll be far out enough in the front to get lost."

"That doesn't account for me lagging behind." Prince comments.

"Don't worry, we'll all be fine," Haiji assures them, waving a hand. "Let's go grab some lunch."

Agreeing, the group follow and make their way to the entrance of the park.

"Haiji-san, where did you say Chiyo is today?" Musa asks.

"Oh, she's taking a trip of her own," He tells them. "She'll be back at Aotake in a few days, don't worry."

Yuki raises an eyebrow. "Why so secretive, Haiji?"

He laughs. "She's got a surprise for us. At least, that's why she's gone for a few days."

"Where's she gone?" Jota questions.

Haiji looks between the group, laughing to himself. "You're all so concerned about her, it's making me a little jealous. I promise, she's alright. She's keeping a promise and you'll find out the rest in a few days."

King's lip curls up and he places his hands on his hips. "Somehow you're not putting our worries at ease."

-

Sat on the seats of the train next to one another, the guys rest their heads either to the side or on each other's shoulders as they sleep. The train rattles along the tracks, the sun slowly disappearing behind the skyline of Tokyo as night draws closer.

Once they ate lunch and visited the rest of the course in preparation for the next week, everyone collectively decided to call it a day and head back to Aotake together on the train.

"What do you think about my training?"

Kakeru's pulled away from his thoughts by the question and he looks at Haiji. The two stand in the doorway of the train, both tired from the day and both with lots on their mind.