Day 2

Finally, no longer does the darkness blanket the sky filled with sparkles. Now, the bright star envelopes the neighborhood of Numazu in its warmth. And straight through the clear door, it's strong ray beam at a dormant Relon. Thankfully, his back is to it.

Sadly, this wouldn't remain as a series of knocks comes from the door.

"Relon? You awake?" A female's voice calls for nothing to come in response. "I'm coming in..." The voice calls cautious before opening the door.

Stepping fully into the room, she surveys it.

He really hasn't changed it from much since we were kids. Aside from a few trophies he mentioned earning from soccer.

Setting her sight on her objective, she smiles at the sleeping boy walking over to notice his phone on the shelf. A notification from Miguel.

Miguel: Come over anytime, you two.

It's just the message from the group chat. Disregarding that, she refocuses her attention to Relon. Well, time to get up.

"Relon, time to get up." The girl calls gently shaking him.

"Mm. No..." A small grunt escapes the boy as he tosses to the other side for his face to meet the bright rays waiting for him.

Giving a small chuckle, the girl only look at him in thought.

He's still a child when it comes to sleep. It's kinda cute.

Slowly, his eyelids open only to squint, a hand shielding from the light as he closes them rolling back over stretching before releasing a sigh. Reopening them fully, his vermilion eyes become visible as the first thing he notices are a pair of... legs?

Giving off a look of half confusion still groggy, he follows them to be met with a female bending over slightly looking at him.

Slowly, his brain begins rising from 1% as he begins to fully awaken realizing what's happening upon his eyes connecting with the girl's blue eyes.

"You?!" He shouts sitting up from his bed wide-eyed.

"Morning. How'd you sleep?"

"Uh, great actually. Not trying to sound rude or anything but what are you doing in my room?"

"What do you think? I'm waking you up like I used to when we were little."

"When we were little?" He ponders the thought looking to her before memories of said action rises from the depths of his mind. "Oh yeah... Thanks."

I've completely forgotten she ever did that. I really need to go down memory lane at some point. I don't want to hurt her feelings seeming as if I didn't cherish our time.

"Anytime! Now that you're awake, go get ready. Breakfast will be ready soon." She turns

"Sorry, still out of it. Ready for what again?"

"What else? Our morning workout."

You know how the mentioning of certain things, phrases, or even simple words can gain one's attention. For Relon's case, it was a workout.

His eyes gleam with excitement as she swings his legs to hang off the side of the bed, his body suddenly ecstatic with excitement.

"Breakfast shouldn't take too long

"Aye Aye, Captain!" He salutes.

You smiles for the sunlight to hit her at the right angle, her face becoming dazzling to Relon as he is left in a stupor. The sound of the closing door snapping him back to reality as he gives off a small grin shaking his head.

"I could get used to this."

Getting out of bed, he does a few stretches before readying for the day. Looking in front of the mirror overtop his dresser, he examines himself. Now wearing a simple red shirt with black shorts and dual-colored sneakers of said colors, Relon nods at himself before opening the door.

The sound of food hits him as his stomach grumbles for him to get a move on. Complying, he walks the first three steps to jump on tge railing sliding to the bottom.

"I missed doing that."

He continues turning the corner into the living room to stop taking sight of the kitchen. Or moreso who is in it.

Stopping at the entrance, Relon eyes You hard at work cooking still in her night attire with an apron around her.

"You're cooking breakfast?" His voice asks capturing the girl from her focus for You to glance over her shoulder.

"Yeah. Since I'll be staying here, might as well make it up to you guys by cooking breakfast. It's the least I could do."

"You know you don't have to do that." He mentions taking a seat at the table.

"I know, but I want to. Besides, I get to show you just how awesome of a cook I've become." She winks.

"Back when we were kids, neither of us were very good at it."

"Remember our first time? We nearly burnt my house down." You laughs.

"Thank God dad had recently taught me how to use a fire extinguisher." He joins in on the laughter.

"Well, well, you two seem to be up early." A third voice calls, both teens turning to see mom entering their small fray. "And here I thought I was going to cook breakfast for my little man. Looks like You-chan has beaten me to the punch though."

"Morning to you too, mom." Relon mutters hiding his embarrassment.

"Good morning. I hope you don't mind. I wanted to make breakfast for you both." You says with tinted cheeks.

"I don't mind at all. By all means, cook breakfast as many times as you want. One less thing for me to worry about in the morning before work."

"Hey! I was going to cook too!"

"Oh, really? And when would that be?" She peers over the table at Relon.

"Er... Whenever... I woke up early... I guess?" He nervously shrugs.

"Mhmm. Thought so. Anyway, You-chan, dear, have at it."

"Aye aye! Zensoko Zenshin! Yousoro!"

Why do I feel like these mornings won't ever be simple let alone normal.

Minutes of light conversation passes before breakfast is finally ready. Taking a seat with the two, they all bless the food before digging in.

"Whoa, this might rival your cooking, mom!"

"I'm glad! There's more where that came from."

"I certainly can see that. I'm guessing your mother helped you, You-chan?"

"Yup! Taught me everything she could when she had the time. Dad too."

"Good to know we have a house full of cooks." Relon says taking a bite of his rice.

"We'll have to all cook together one day. I'm curious to see how much Relon has improved over the year since last time." His mom comments.

"What happened last time?"

"Let's NOT bring that up please!"

"Let's just say his first solo attempt at baking a cake didn't end to well." Her giggling words releases a groan from Relon as he covers his face behind his hand in dismay.

"It's going to be two on one for a year. This is so unfair..." He mutters to both females' amusement.

Minutes later and breakfast ends. The three with very satisfied smiles on their faces.

"I can definitely get used to that." Relon says covering a small burp. "You-chan, great breakfast." He thanks, the girl looking to him with a deadpanned expression. "What?"

"You-chan?" She repeats. "You were able to say it last night and now you're back to calling me You-chan."

"Why are you so determined by it." He looks away sighing.

"I would like for the guy who I've grown up with to address me the same way I address him." She copies his sigh.

"Look, I was... distracted. I'll start calling you by your name without the honorific. Just give me a little time. 'Kay?"

"Perfect! Now, let's get to work!" She cheers.

"Did I just fall for an act?"

"Yes, my dear son, you did." Mé answers with a smile, all Relon can do is groan in annoyance.

After a little cleaning, the three are now outside on the front lawn.

"Alright, see you two tonight." Mom bids getting in her car.

"Take care!" You waves.

"Be careful!" Relon calls.

With a wave and smile, the mother takes off.

"Alright, time for us to get to work too." You says lowering herself stretching her legs.

"Yeah." He responds lifting his leg up, his heel reaching his back before switching to the other leg, "I say a five mile jog sounds good. That fine with you?"

"Sounds perfect." She calls back hopping up and down.

Looking to her, he takes in her attire of a blue T-shirt and dark blue shorts.

"Alright, ready when you are." He nods, the two taking off at a light jog.

"So basically were all over the world, right?" Relon asks deciding to start up a conversation.

"Yeah. It was amazing. Got to see the Eiffel Tower, The Coliseum, and other cool places like that." She says, her facial expression joy but her tone betraying such emotion. "How was America?"

"It was odd at first. Mainly because of how diverse the ethnicity was cause, you know. Only Japanese guy in a whole school full of... well non-Japanese. Made a few friends here and there but mainly kept to myself. Only friends I made were on the soccer team. It didn't help that dad had to move due to work so I lost all of those friends once high school came. Again, only friends I made were on the soccer team. And it was an all guys this time too. Not that I had any females friends to begin with."

He never made one female friend? Then... I'm still the only one. A small smile forms at the thought.

"Honestly, I'm satisfied having you and Miguel."

"Whoa, there. Don't say that so early! It's our high school life we're talking about! Now is the time to make as many friends as possible."

"Yeah, right. Did you forget the kind if guy I am? Hellooooo? Mr. Introvert here."

"Yes, Mr. Introvert. This is Mrs. Extrovert here. I'm looking for my husband, Mr. Extrovert."

"Sorry, haven't seen him." Relon looks back forward with a bored look.

"Really? He has black hair, dark red eyes, loves running, and he has this angry look whenever I tease him. Though he can't beat me in a race." The corners of her mouth rising as she glances to her left at the boy whose eyes widen.

"What was that?! There's no way you can beat me!" He exclaims to realize he's fallen for her second trick of the day.

"Dear! I've been looking all over for you!" She laughs, Relon giving a twitch of the eye as he grumbles under his breath. "But we both know you're only an introvert when you're alone. Once you're with us or your parents, the real Relon shows. You have to admit that much." You looks to him, Relon quiet for a brief moment before speaking up.

"So what? Is that a bad thing?" He mutters glancing to You.

"Nope." She smiles looking forward. "It shows you're you."

"I'm me? Sorry, can you explain?" .

"Well... uh... huh. That's kinda hard to put into words." She laughs bashfully, the two stopping at a corner waiting as a car passes before continuing on. "Just know it's a good thing."

"If you say so."

"I know so. Just like I know we've already done four miles." She notes.

Looking to her in confusion, the scent of moistness in the air whiffs past his nose as he looks ahead to the now visible sea.

"We weren't even talking that long, right?"

"Time flies when you're having fun."

"That or we were unconsciously jogging faster than we intended."

"Details. Details. Come on! Miguel's isn't far from here."

"We definitely need to have that race. I've been waiting six years to beat you."

"Care to have a preemptive one now? First one to Miguel's wins. Think of it as the appetizer before I serve you that L."

Not bothering to respond, he goes quiet closing his eyes. About a minute pass, You looking at him with curiosity but before she can ask if he's still there, Relon opens them. You backs up from the sudden shift.

"You're on." Relon cuts through the silence, his voice matching the determination etched onto his face.

Reaching into his pockets, he pulls out a pair of black finger-less gloves.

"Whoa. So those are the gloves you mentioned back in America you put on when you get serious."

"I'd be lying to myself if I refused the challenge of a lifetime. That and..." He pauses getting into a runner's stances.

"And what?" She wonders copying the gesture.

"It'd be an insult to your skill as a runner if I didn't accept." He finishes, his focus on the road.

You at a loss of words can only look forward, her face becoming serious too readying a timer on her phone. 30 seconds it reads.

"First one to touch his mailbox wins." Is all she says.

Closing his eyes, Relon goes into thought as You begins the countdown. 30 seconds. The clouds covering the sun as they fall under the puffy vapor.

From here, the block we need to turn at is about 100 yards out...

27 seconds.

After that, a short stride's worth followed by a right turn is ahead...

23 seconds.

Then, there are a few shorter turns. Staying on the sidewalk is the safest bet...

20 seconds.

An after all that lies Miguel's. Which means...

17 seconds.

Going off memory, straightaways were always her specialty...

12 seconds.

My best chance to beat her would be right here before we reach the turn but...

7 seconds.

That was back then...

5 seconds.

Thing's are different...

3 seconds...

You's different...

2 seconds...

I'm different...

1 second.

And I'll prove it...

The clouds giving way to the sun as it bathes the teens in its warm radiance. The fresh shore breeze was the only sound to be heard before-

BEEP BEEP!

Right here! Relon internally shouts, eyes snapping open as he kicks off, You right next to him.

By the second step, Relon is already ahead of her. The blood beginning to once again flow throughout his legs.

Taking note of this from her peripheral, You grips her hands.

You're not the only one who's been training hard for this. The last race we had was back towards the stadium. I'm not giving you a two win streak! She arches her body forward slightly quickly beginning to catch up.

Seeing her, he continues his sprint, the two just reaching the 30 yard as indicated by a trashcan along the sidewalk. Relon narrows his eyes suddenly leaning forward as well added by throwing his bent arms behind slightly at his sides to You's confusion as he once again takes off ahead of her, the gap slowly increasing.

Focus. Concentrate on your breathing reps. Concentrate on not tripping. I'm in the zone!

Reaching the halfway mark, he doesn't relent. Only pushing himself harder and harder quickly reaching the 70 yard line he sees through his head. Just reaching the 50 yard point, You keeps up her pace seeing the boy ahead of her.

He's giving his all her because he knows shorter cuts and turns I'm more accustomed to...

For a split second, Relon sees a tiny insect, maybe a fly, get in his way. The only thing he can react to do is close his eyes feeling his it hit the skin protecting his right eye before opening them once more.

Stay focused! Breath through my nostrils and out my mouth. Don't give in no matter how much is aches! He reaches the 80 yard point, his eyes shifting to the turn up ahead. Almost there...

You having just passed the 60 yard point, takes in Relon motion his arms further behind him.

What is he...? Her eyes go wide as he reaches the 90.

Now! Swinging his arms behind and then forward lifting them over his head, he jumps forward over the whole 10 yards rotating his body slightly to the left as he lands on his right foot, heels up as he pushes off disappearing behind the corner.

He jumped?! Stunned by the action, You regains her focus soon reaching the end of the their straightaway turning and booking back into the residential district.

Quickly hit the corner, Relon jumps off running down the sidewalk having to go on the edge of the road as to not crash into bystanders every now and then. Quickly coming on another corner, he swing his arms lifting his feet to soar for only a moment before landing to push off.

To civilians taking sight of the two running, they would only give to the thought of them for a moment before they would go back to their own thoughts. Yet, to Relon Lucinance and You Watanabe, these two were thinking only of themselves and each other. Even if they weren't thinking it, the idea and image was there. And that was plenty to keep one another going as neither wanted to lose. After all, they were childhood rivals.

Where one would be ahead for a moment...

Relon jumps approaching another corner. Just as he lands keeping with his momentum, he catches grey mixed with brown out his left eye on the other side of the road quickly coming up on him.

The other would be close behind.

Giving no chance to be taken aback, determination once again becomes etched as he looks in the direction where You is about to turn and takes off. Both reaching the corner at the same time running side-by-side.

Running together, both breath heavily, the sound of their feet clapping against the concrete was what one could describe as intimidating. Any civilians who saw the two quickly got out of their way, neither backing down. Straight ahead lied their destination, both knowing this as their arms swaying back and forth in a rhythmic pattern moving at the same rate.

Both widen for a fragment of a second as amongst a row of houses lies a single grey mailbox standing out from the rest being white.

Almost there! Just a little more! Both think putting their all at the last burst.

Years of training suddenly bursts to mind.

I refuse to lose here! Both internally shout lunging forward stretching out their hands.

Time seems to slow as their fingertips near the metal container before...

Tap.

Relon on one knee and You with her legs sprawled both heavily panting. Glancing, they both take sight of their hands. Both next to the other firmly attached to the side of the mailbox.

"We..."

"Tied...?"

"Yep." A third voice confirms gaining their attention.

Sitting on the front porch steps of their home is a male teen having answered with an Italian accent. He has dark brown hair, silver eyes, and is noticeably taller than the two ahead of him.

"Miguel!" Both exclaim joyfully though tired.

Walking over, he extends both hands, the two gratefully accepting as he lifts them up.

"About time you guys got here. Been a year since I last saw you, Relon. Huh, you've gone through another growth spurt."

"As have you by the looks of it." Relon responds, tone full of sarcasm as he rolls his eyes.

"Aye, You! It's been a while!"

"You're right about that! See, Relon? He has no problem tossing the honorifics aside."

"Give me a break." He sighs.

"Eh, give him some time. You know how his mom drilled it into him."

"Yeah, I know..." She glances to the boy, Relon looking away to the two's amusement. "So, how have you been?"

"Same old. Same old. Rarely going out. Being the techno hermit that I am."

"Yeah, I'm surprised you're actually awake, Aniki."

"Had a feeling you two would be on your way. As did I have a feeling you two would race. Speaking of which, you two don't look at all tired."

"Why would we?" They both ask.

"Ah. Never mind. You two are the same as ever.

"And I don't plan on changing anytime soon." Relon states.

"Neither do I." You agrees. "And you better not either Miguel."

"Me? Change? Ha, I've been wearing this same outfit five days in a row." He laughs.