Chu awoke the next day, and checked his phone in the morning to see if any new messages had come in. Nothing, unfortunately. Chu felt a mild annoyance overcome him, seeing as Shiya hadn't texted at all. But he knew that it probably didn't mean anything, she forgot to text a lot, and Chu understood- or rather tried to understand why. She was busy with her events, something that Chu could semi relate to; with track and all.
Chu rolled out of bed and got dressed, another day, another school day. Another few days until the track meet....
Five Days Later
The morning of the track meet arrived with a sense of anticipation that hung in the air like the subtle tension before a storm. Chu had spent the past week in a rigorous routine, balancing school and training with a discipline that was second nature to him. He had crafted a carefully put together diet, making sure that everything was perfect for this competition- it needed to be. A ticket to an international competition was on the line, and as a 18 year old, Chu wanted to be one of the youngest runners to ever run in such a prestigious event.
As he awoke, the first thing Chu did was reach for his phone, a now poorly ingrained habit. The screen greeted him with the usual array of notifications, but his eyes searched for one in particular. There was still no message from Shiya. He felt a twinge of disappointment, but it was quickly overshadowed by the focus he needed for the day ahead. Chu understood the demands of Shiya's career, and he respected them, even if it meant enduring silences that sometimes stretched longer than he would like.
With a deep breath, he pushed aside any lingering feelings of annoyance. Today was not about text messages or the complexities of his relationship; it was about the track, the race, and the opportunity to qualify for an international competition. That was what was important right now, the rest would follow later.
Chu dressed in his athletic gear, a uniform that felt like a second skin, each piece carefully chosen for comfort and performance. He put on his warm-up clothes, his school track suit- pants and jacket with the school logo on the front and back. He packed his bag with essentials—spikes, water bottle, a towel, and a light snack. Glancing in the mirror, he saw not just a high school student, but an athlete with a fire in his eyes and the quiet confidence of someone who knows their own strength. He remembered his hunger, and thirst for victory as he stood there, letting the moment sink in.
The journey to the track was a blur, his mind already running through the race, visualizing each phase, from the explosive start to the surge of power in the final stretch. He arrived to find the stadium alive with the energy of competitors and spectators, the air thick with the scent of anticipation and the rubber of the track.
The smell of the track- mostly sweat filled Chu's nostrils. He looked around the stadium- looking at the spectators and listening to the announcer. He waited to pick up his bib number- number 367, complete with his last name Kochi.
After picking up his number he headed down to the athletes only section, where he began his warm up routine.
As Chu warmed up, his muscles responded eagerly to the familiar routine, each stretch and stride bringing him closer to the moment he had been preparing for. His muscles felt good- very good in fact. They felt almost perfect, and that brought a smile to Chu's face.
Finally, the announcer called out the Athletes names for the 1500 meter. As the announcer yelled, "The 18 year old prodigy, Chu Kochi!", he walked out onto the track, to the cheers of the crowd. He could feel the eyes of the crowd on him, some aware of his personal life, of the famous girlfriend who was absent, but most were focused on the athlete, the rising star in the world of track and field.
As the competitors were called to their marks, Chu took his place, his heart rate elevated, not from nerves, but from the sheer exhilaration of competition. The adrenaline that pumped through his veins and made his heart beat a million miles an hour. The stadium fell into a hush, the collective breath of the audience held in anticipation, waiting for the gun to go off.
"Runners take your mark" the starter said through a megaphone.
The other runners on the line jostled for position, as Chu followed suit and took a few steps forward. And then, suddenly, the starter's gun pierced the silence. Chu exploded off the line, his body a perfect harmony of power and practiced precision. The track beneath him was a blur, the roar of the crowd a distant thunder as he pushed himself one step closer to a ticket to the international competition.
The race flashed by as Chu hit all his splits, in contention for first place. The last 400 meters stood before him, as Chu started swinging his arms faster, picking up the pace. The roar of the crowd filled his ears as he charged around his competition, into first, as he rounded the bend for the last 200 meters. The final sprint was before him, victory was in Chu's sights as he raced towards it. His opponent keeping stride until suddenly, he broke, as if he had run into a wall.
As he crossed the finish line, the world snapped back into focus, the cheers of the crowd washing over him like a wave. He didn't need to look at the timing board to know he had performed well; he could feel it.
Exhausted but exhilarated, Chu looked around into the crowd, half-hoping to see Shiya's face among the spectators. As his eyes racked over the crowds of people, he didn't see her, he felt a pang of sadness, quickly quelled by the pride of his achievement. He had run for himself, for his own aspirations, and he had triumphed.
Whether Shiya was there or not, Chu knew that this moment was his, a shining point in time that would be etched in his memory forever. He had qualified for the international stage, and as he stepped off the track, he carried with him not just the promise of a exciting future, but the knowledge that he was more than just someone's boyfriend—he was Chu Kochi, an athlete in his own right, with a world of possibilities stretching out before him.
The announcer was yelling over the PA, announcing the results of the 1500 meter race that Chu had just finished first place in. With a time of 3:42:21, for a 18 year old, that was fast. It put Chu 23rd fastest in the world standings currently.
Chu felt a massive grin on his face, as interviewers called him over, the camera on him, as a live broadcast was being sent out.
"Chu! What an amazing performance from you today! Do you think you can match it in the international competition coming up?" The interviewer asked.
Chu grinned confidently and said, "Thank you! Yeah I really think I can go faster, I am really excited to see where my legs take me. I felt great out there today."
The interviewer smiled, and asked Chu a few more questions before saying, "Alright and lastly, since we need to let you go soon, but for all the curious viewers out there that were wondering. How has your relationship with Shiya affected your running?"
Chu's smile remained, but it was tinged with a hint of weariness at the inevitable turn towards his personal life. He understood the curiosity, the desire to weave a narrative that connected his athletic prowess with his high-profile relationship. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, ensuring his response would reflect both his respect for Shiya and his own individual achievements.
"Shiya is an incredible person, and she's been a huge support in my life," Chu began, his tone sincere. "But when it comes to running, that's a part of me that I've developed through my own hard work and dedication. She inspires me, for sure, but at the end of the day, my performance on the track is a result of my own training, focus, and the support of my coaches and teammates."
