"Let's do this." I gave my reflection a confident smile.
I grabbed my iPod and wireless headphones, walking out of my room and leaving the door ajar. James would know I had gone out for a run if he saw it open.
I walked over to our black fridge, pulling out the pre-workout shake I'd prepared during my painting break. I shook the bottle, chugging down the cool orange flavored liquid.
Once finished, I placed it in the sink, filling it up with water to soak so I could wash it when I got back. I took a final glance at the time.
Five-twenty. By the time I get to the trail it will be five-thirty. Perfect. I'll be back before James leaves. I headed out, locking the door and slipping my keys and access card into the pocket of my tights. I took the stairs down, loving the fifteen flight race to kick-start my adrenaline to train, something I didn't take advantage of often enough.
Within ten minutes I was on one of the many hidden trails around Nokamato. It ran through three different parks and had other shortcuts to different trails that wound through the outskirts of our city, which was filled with wondrous wildlife and shifters who roamed in their animal forms.
I began to run, doing my routine of five minutes of intense sprinting followed by five minutes of light jogging, while blasting my workout music— KPOP being one of my favorites. I knew some thought it was weird for me to like KPOP when I was Japanese, but my likes and interests were my own and I wouldn't let my choice of entertainment be tainted by the opinions of others.
I smiled as I looked at up at the sky, enjoying the transition of all the different shades as the sun began to rise along the horizon. I returned my gaze to the path, moments before I bumped into another runner— both of us tumbling to the ground.
"Ah, shit! Sorry!" I apologized, scrambling to my feet where I immediately bowed. It was a habit I'd gotten used to and I always forgot I didn't need to show the same level of courtesy to strangers.
"It's my fault. I wasn't paying attention," the soft voice admitted. "Don’t bow," she ordered.
I straightened to meet glorious silver eyes; my own turquoise blue ones grew wide as I took in the woman's appearance.
Her long silver hair was tied in a ponytail, the tips a sapphire blue. Her cheeks were flushed and her pink lips were coated with lip gloss. She wore black shorts and a white and navy blue tank top, short enough to show off her toned abs. I could see the muscle definition in her biceps as she lifted her hand to remove her white headphones, resting them around her neck.
I followed her lead, taking off my own multicolored headphones as I continued to gawk at her. No fucking way.
"Ah, I guess you realize who I am, Sealed One." She gave me a smile as her expression softened, her silver eyes showing hints of curiosity as she watched me.
Sealed One?
"Um. Yes! I'm terribly sorry, Miss Yuna. Please accept my humble apology." I bowed again, wondering if I should kneel before the strongest magician our community had ever known.
She laughed; the soothing sound calmed my frantic heart and nerves. I glanced up in confusion.
"Please, it's six in the morning. No need for such formalities. Especially in the middle of nowhere. What's your name?" she asked.
I rose up, trying not to fidget at her request.
"Crimson...Crimson Arashi." I felt ashamed of having to use my full name.
She frowned, noticing my embarrassment. "Why do you look discouraged? Arashi...ah. You’re Mosuki and Konashi's child. I was disappointed to hear you weren't attending the meeting." She looked curiously at me.
"Ah...well...you should know about my predicament." I lowered my eyes to the floor.
"Which is?"
"I'm human and have no magic abilities," I admitted.
She was silent for a moment. I looked up to see her eyeing me, her silver eyes glowing vibrantly, her head tilted in wonder.
"Are you sure?" she pressed.
"Yup. Can't do anything magic-wise. Not even a simple candle can be lit by me and I'm no shifter. Father...well, you know how it goes around these parts and in our culture," I explained, knowing Storm was also of Japanese descent, but had Caucasian heritage since her father was Irish and mother was Japanese.
"I know very well. Expectations and status are far more important than our surname," Storm mumbled, looking deep in thought.
"Very true. Ah... Well, I shouldn't interrupt your run any longer. You're a busy woman." I realized I was holding her up with my family problems.
"Crimson. Continue working toward what you want. And I suggest you have a serious talk with your father about your birth," she hinted.
I blinked, confused by her words. "Serious talk about my birth? Um...okay. Thank you, Miss Yuna." I bowed my head.
"You’re welcome, Sealed One. I'll be off. Have a pleasant day." She returned my bow with one of her own, a gesture of respect no one had graced me with in years.
I watched as she began to jog down the path, getting smaller and smaller until she was gone, leaving me standing in utter bewilderment.
"Sealed One? Is that a term they give to us humans? Keep striving... huh?" I whispered, lifting my hands up to stare at my palms, wishing they could do more than just paint. I longed to be as strong and confident as Storm and prove my father wrong.
I sighed, ruffling my black and silver locks in frustration. I looked up to the sky, praying for guidance from our ancestors who watched over us. I'll try and confront Father a couple of days from now. That will give me time to emotionally prepare.
I went back to my jogging, needing a few minutes to warm back up before I started running full force again. After my conversation with Storm, I felt somehow rejuvenated and could push even harder, sprinting for the remaining ten minutes until I reached home.
I smiled as I put my keys in the keyhole, opening the door and walking into my safe haven. I was so pumped from my workout, doing twelve miles in my allotted time frame. Even with running into Storm, I still managed to break my record.
"You look happy. Met a friend?"
I turned my head to see James in his training uniform. The combat gear was black with Japanese symbols in gold and red, a specific uniform given to those of high rank at his training facility.
"Hey. I did twelve miles today," I announced happily, placing my keys on the table and heading to the fridge to grab a water bottle.
"In the same amount of time?" He looked impressed.
"Yup! I even got sidetracked a little, but still was able to surpass my previous best. Maybe today is gonna be a good day," I rejoiced, drinking down the ice-cold water quickly. I sighed in relief, throwing the bottle in the recycle bin next to our garbage can.
"That's impressive. You haven't slept though, have you?" he asked.
"Nope. After you went to bed, it took another two hours to finish my latest piece. My client is in Nokamato and paid a large deposit for multiple pieces. I decided I wanted to get it out of the way this week," I explained.
James turned his head to eye the masterpiece, a smile forming on his lips.
"It's beautiful. I'm sure they will cherish anything created by you," he whispered.
"Thanks, James," I replied shyly. It wasn't often I received a compliment from him, unless he was drunk, that is.
"What time did I come home last night?" he asked.
"Around three. Was there a party?" I made my way toward him.
"Nah. I just needed a few drinks. Training is getting a little hectic and my family...well, ya." He sighed, fixing the long sleeves of his black shirt.
"Ah. Your father is still pressuring you to take over as his first in command?"
"Of course. He’s always nagging at me to stop acting like a child and take over like his other friends’ children have. I wish our families would think about our well-being, rather than this hierarchical political bullshit. I don't want to be a part of it. Not now, anyway," he huffed.