For almost two years now, I've passed through the halls of this school building countless times. I've seen it during sunny, rainy, and snowy days. But I never imagined I would one day be sprinting through it at full speed while being chased by a crazed psychopath. Given how attractive Takamoto actually is, I wouldn't mind it at all if this was some romantic chase scene like the ones you see in anime. But nope. This is a full on fight for survival.
After making it to the second floor, I look back to see if she's still firmly on my tail. Sure enough, she's just made it past the stairs and is still making a mad dash towards me. There's I think one classroom worth of distance between us. I got a good head start, but the school's lay out really screwed me over. You see, the stairs to the first floor is on the opposite end of the second floor. Meaning that from the third floor staircase, I need to run by three classrooms to get to the stairs leading down to the first floor.
And to an athlete like Takamoto, a one classroom head start means nothing. I need to run faster than I've ever had to if I don't want to end up in a wheelchair.
"Please move out of the way!"
I shout in advance to get the other students to step aside so I don't collide with them. After passing the second classroom on this floor, I spot Kurebayashi exiting the last classroom. She glances over at my direction and is understandably surprised when she sees me barreling down the hall with Takamoto trailing close behind. I obviously can't stop and explain to her what's happening, so I opted to just tell her one word as I pass by and hope she understands.
"Gym!"
That's the only thing I can afford to say as I continue to run by her classroom and practically leap down the stairs to the first floor. Luckily, the exit is dead ahead and from there, it's a straight sprint through the courtyard.
Upon stepping foot outside the school building, I hear a loud thud coming from inside. I briefly turned around just in time to see Takamoto landing on both feet onto the first floor hallway. I can only guess that instead of running down the steps, she literally jumped over them. And I wouldn't be surprised if that's what she actually did. You would think that she would be at least a bit staggered after doing something like that, but nope. She immediately regains her footing and resumes the chase. Regretting my decision to turn around, I start to run faster; reaching speeds I never thought I could achieve.
"I guess primal fear can really bring out the best in someone, huh?"
Too bad no one is around to hear that quip.
As we reach the courtyard, I could imagine that someone looking at us from afar would think that this is a rather wholesome scene. Two teens running around, basking under the golden glow of the autumn sun, living out their youth as high school students should. In reality, it's far from that. This is a predator chasing down her prey type of situation. I'm a bunny being hunted down by a direwolf, so don't get it construed with youthful exuberance!
Halfway through the courtyard, Takamoto may have noticed that there's no other students around. So she gained enough confidence to scream at me.
"When I get my hands on you, I'm gonna make sure you can't eat solid food ever again!"
That's an oddly specific threat. It kinda makes me think that she's thought about this before and actually does have a way of doing that. Not wanting to end up like a glorified test dummy, I continue to run; ignoring the fatigue and the cramps I'm feeling on my legs.
After making it across the courtyard, I finally arrive at the gym entrance. I immediately reach for the door handle. But to my horror, I couldn't turn it open.
It's locked.
I frantically think of what to do when I suddenly hear something from behind me.
"GRAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!"
Acting on instinct, I duck and roll out of the way of Takamoto's flying kick. Instead of my torso, her foot lands on the locked door, practically breaking it open. Not expecting to hit the door, she landed awkwardly on the ground. I take this opportunity to jump over her and enter the gymnasium. In the center, I see Suzuki looking flabbergasted at the scene that just unfolded. I start to slow down a bit, thinking that the worst is over.
"You little fuck! Come here!"
I didn't even bother to turn around after hearing these words. I just ran at full speed towards Suzuki. Without any knowledge of what's happening, he panics and starts asking me what's going on. I can't answer you man. All I can do is give you a pat on the shoulder to tag you in before making a beeline towards the gym's emergency exit. But before I left for the relative safety of the outdoors, I noticed Takamoto's fast paced footsteps echoed throughout the enclosed space until it got noticeably slower and slower; coming to a full stop a short distance away from Suzuki.