V1C1 Part2

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

Prince of Stride - Up the Wind and Drive Your Emotions (Novel Series)

Step 01: Let the Wind Blow

《02》

♛

I had just made it on time for the bus. There was only one bus that goes to Hōnan. Despite that, however, not a single person on the bus I jumped on is wearing a Hōnan uniform. Maybe I’m late…. I became a bit discouraged, so when I spotted a boy in Hōnan uniform at the next bus stop, I was relieved.

But, the boy waved his hand to signal the driver that he was not getting on and then ran off. I took a look at my brand-new wristwatch (an entrance gift from Dad!!). I don’t think there is enough time but…is he planning to run the whole way?

Through the window of the bus, I followed that boy with my eyes. Even though it looked like he was lightly jogging, he seemed fast enough to keep up with the bus. He made it look like it wasn’t difficult at all. Everyone from Hōnan is fast….

I wanted to watch him until the end, but before I knew it, more passengers were getting onto the bus and I ended up losing sight of him.

♛

“Hurry up, new student.”

The voice of a scary-looking teacher with a crew-cut was urging me as I slipped through the gates. From behind, the school gate rattled as it gradually closed. The moment I gave a sigh of relief, I saw a boy running in on the other side of the closing gates.

It’s the same boy I saw a while ago from the bus!

“Watch out!”

There was no longer a gap in which the boy could go through the school gate. But despite this, the boy kept on running.

And then, he jumped.

“Oh~!?”

He alternatively stepped on a cherry blossom tree growing from the thicket, and then onto the school gate fence. He jumped nimbly over the height of the gate.

Incredible!

Unable to control his momentum at landing, the boy rolled and rolled until he hit a tree with a nice thump.

“Safe!” he yelled and stuck his arms out towards the sky while lying sprawled out.

I think he’s definitely out! Worried, I rush over to him.

“A-are you okay? Oh, you’re bleeding.”

The boy must have cut his hand from the leaves or something.

“I’m fine! It’ll heal soon.”

“But it won’t stop bleeding properly….”

From my pocket, I took out my handkerchief and held it out to him. It had the soft scent of Sakura’s nice perfume. The handkerchief was a gift from Sakura-chan, but stopping the bleeding comes first!

“You’re nice!” The face of the boy who received the handkerchief started to shine. “Thank you! Thanks for letting me borrow this.”

He had a friendly smile and his eyes looked straight at me like a little boy. I was a little surprised.

Then, the scary-looking teacher from before approached us.

“Hey, kids! Quickly look at the bulletin board and get a move on to your class!”

As the teacher urged us along, we headed towards the bulletin board to find our classroom. I looked up and immediately my name popped out to me. I was in class C.

“What class are you in?” the boy asked, looking back at me.

“Ah, it seems I’m in class C.”

“We’re together! I’m Riku Yagami. I look forward to working with you!”

His sudden politeness made me laugh.

“I’m Nana Sakurai.” When I introduced myself, he smiled. I was not acquainted with anyone in Hōnan, so it was my first time meeting a person who seemed like someone I could talk to.

“Well then, let’s go! Hurry!” We rushed into the school building.

♛

“ I’m Mr. Dan and I’ll be your homeroom teacher. I’m in charge of teaching modern language. I look forward to teaching you this year.”

Dan-sensei finished his brief self introduction.

Our teacher was quiet and had a calm presence. I had hoped our teacher would not be that scary crew-cut teacher. Thank goodness he isn’t!

But, I wonder why Dan-sensei is dressed in a jersey……? Surely wearing a suit would be more appropriate for the entrance ceremony. I don’t know if he was wearing it due to a policy or out of laziness, but somehow I don’t feel that these were the cases.

“I am Riku Yagami! My favorite yakisoba is yakisoba bread!”

Yagami-kun suddenly launched into his self introduction. The other students were breaking out in laughter. It seemed like Yagami-kun had many friends.

“Uh, I love sports in general and I think it’d be great to have an early sports festival! Nice to meet you!”

There was a boy with glasses who directed a sharp gaze at Yagami-kun. I wonder why? Do they know each other?

As I stared at him thinking this, our eyes met. Because of his piercing strong gaze, I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

Ah - what should I do….

Moreover, he suddenly stood up. I was surprised, but it seemed like it was just his turn for self introductions.

“Takeru Fujiwara. Nice to meet you.”

He said only that, and then sat down. It was quite impressive, though a little strange. And then, my turn came.

“I’m Nana Sakurai. I moved here from Hokkaido but I’m happy that Tokyo is warmer in comparison.”

I didn’t get any reception, but I smiled and continued. “I don’t know Tokyo very well, so please show me around the city and the places around here.” I finished with a bow.

Yagami-kun gave me a big applause, and I was happy.

♛

“Sakurai-san, have you decided on joining any clubs?”

After the end of homeroom, when it was time to leave school, the girl sitting in the seat behind me started to speak to me. She already remembered my name, but I didn’t know hers. I felt rather embarrassed about it.

“My name is Riko Kawarazaki. Nice to meet you. I’m planning on joining the newspaper club.”

Newspaper club? That meant she had a lot of important skills like remembering people’s names, making newspapers….

“Hey, what about you?”

The way Kawarazaki-san spoke was straightforward, so I had a feeling we would get along well.

“Ah, sorry,I’ve actually already made up my mind as well.”

I decided to boldly say it. “I’m planning on joining the stride club.”

“Is stride that sport where you run around the city?”

“Yes!…Although girls can’t stride, I absolutely want to be a part of it at this school.”

It was my first time telling someone about my determination besides Dad, Kō-chan, and Sakura-chan, so I’m a little embarrassed.

“That’s why I plan to do my best as a manager!”

However, I didn’t expect Kawarazaki-san’s reaction at all.

“We don’t have a stride club here.”

“Eh?” For an instant, everything went dark.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I don’t know the complete story about stride. Is there a stride club at Hōnan?”

“Yes, absolutely. I went to the EOS semi finals two years ago.”

EOS is ‘End Of Summer’ and as the name suggests, it was a grand stride tournament for high schools in Eastern Japan at the end of the summer. That video from before was a match that occurred during the EOS.

“But, shouldn’t you try for manager of the soccer team? Miyata-kun from Nagara Junior High came here.”

“Who?”

“The ace and good-looking boy from junior high school…. You don’t know him?”

“No, I don’t,” I said half-heartedly. My head was spinning round and round. I thought, stride is amazing, I must go to Hōnan! With all my might, I have to go to Hōnan to be close to that stride… That was my only thought.

“Also, if that bus boy is your boyfriend, he’s pretty cool.”

“B-boyfriend!?”

Seems like Kawarazaki-san somehow misunderstood.

“I-it’s not like that! For me, stride is enough.”

When I said this seriously, Kawarasaki-san was momentarily surprised. She looked satisfied.

“I see! You’re someone who loves stride with all her heart. It’s not a ‘become a manager, get a boyfriend’ type of story.”

“That’s what I said from the start,” I said, pouting.

“Ahaha! Sorry about that. Let’s be good friends from now on.”

Kawarazaki-san winked and extended her right hand.

“Call me Nana.”

I grasp her hand. Kawarazaki-san had a cool way of speaking, but her hands were surprisingly warm.

“Then, you can call me Riko.”

After exchanging a firm handshake, I headed towards the clubhouse building quickly. I wanted to know what’s going on with the Hōnan stride club.