The Ultimate Stride | Prince of Stride Fanfiction |

35 | A Wager

| {Reiji's P.O.V.} |

"Fifty more crunches, boys! We don't have time for weak tummies!" I barked, and a chorus of groans filled the vast emptiness of the training studio.

I probably would've contributed to the noise too if it weren't for my unrelenting determination at the time.

    "You're too cruel, Reiji! We've been doing this core workout for over twenty minutes. When're you gonna give up~?" Bantarō howled, and I crossed my arms over my chest in a manner of defiance.

    "Never. Not until we beat Hônan at the EOS semi-finals next week."

    Tasuku raised a curious brow in the midst of a crunch. "I know you're supposed to act this way because you're our team captain, but you've seemed more motivated as of late... care to explain why?"

My hand traveled to the back of my neck as I spoke. "You should know why... this is my last chance."

I felt Kaede fix his forest green eyes on me. "Your last chance?"

    "Well..." Now I was properly unsettled by the question.

Thankfully, Shizuma took the initiative to fill in the gaps of my explanation for me knowing all too well how much I hated the topic of the future.

"This is Reiji's last year as a Saisei Stride runner. If the team doesn't manage to defeat Hônan in the semi-final round, then his running career will essentially be over."

It stung to hear him say the words, but they were nothing short of the truth. The dependency of everything I'd worked for in my high school years all weighed down on this one, penultimate race.

I would've been less scared about such a thing if it weren't for the unexpected turnout of a peculiarly spunky little freshmen that went by the name of Kyouko Johnson.

    But, I wouldn't have wanted any other person to fill that spot in my fears.

    She's the reason why I've been improving so much lately...

    Asuma's voice brought me back into reality.

    "We knew it was you and Shizuma's last year, but we didn't know it meant so much to you, Reiji. Why didn't you tell us sooner?" he questioned, and a weak smile met my features.

    "Because I didn't want you guys setting the wrong expectations for yourselves. You should be focused on your own success, not mine."

    I almost jumped when the feeling of someone resting their hand on my shoulder registered in my head. I relaxed when I saw that it was just Shizuma.

    "I see what you mean by that, but it doesn't hurt to be honest about your intentions. Plus, we're your teammates. We want nothing more than to help you achieve your goals," he reassured me, and Bantarō paused in his workout to add some words of his own.

    "Shizuma's right about that. I want to beat Hônan more than anything, and now that I know your reason for wanting to win I feel even more motivated to succeed."

    Tasuku nodded as he wiped some sweat away from his forehead.

    "I'll always work my hardest for you no matter what the consequences are. Preferably, destroying Heath and that little pipsqueak of a girl would be the best way to end your season," he muttered, and Bantarō sputtered out an obnoxious laugh.