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Admittedly, Zach hadn't been training for this particular event for any appreciable amount of time. The fact that he'd been an active senshi for the past year and a half, to him, was training enough. After he saw the ad in the local paper, Zach knew he had to try out this course just to try and impress his girlfriend in a stereotypical male display of physical prowess and testosterone. He immediately went out to the shops and replaced his beaten-to-hell running shoes with a new pair that didn't sport holes in the soles where ventilation wasn't supposed to be.

And old but well-loved tank top and some athletic, tight-fitting jogging pants completed the look. Nervous and excited, Zach stood near the beginning of the course, waiting for his turn to run it. The crowd standing around the edges of the course, fenced off in safer areas, was a healthy number. People cheered and shrieked, some jeering at the less successful contestants. Would he make it through to the end? This was only the qualifying round, after all!

Sun high in the sky and with a well-hydrated body, Zach rocked back and forth on his heels, trying to keep busy while he waited. Peering out into the crowd, he tried to spot the familiar blonde.

~~~

Meanwhile, tucked in Melody's cross-body bag, Itsuki poked his head out from under the flap. "Psst, Melody-san~ Do you think people would hear me if I shouted GANBATTE~!? Maybe I shouldn't do that? Still, Zee-chan always wanted to be a knight or a ninja or something. Maybe this will be a good time to watch him not break his face off, right? Fufufu~"

"Hai, Melody-san. Can you cheer for me~? I'll just watch from here!" The Mau snuggled himself into the bag, which Melody had padded with a sweater for his comfort. She was the best, really. Itsuki was incredibly happy that things had worked out the way they did. "Ganbatte~ Ganbatte~"

Soon enough, Zach was called to the beginning of the obstacle course, the young man's eyes skimming the crowd for a few moments before spotting the blonde and the telltale bag next to her on the stand. Zach waved to Melody briefly but was ushered to the start of the course to keep things moving smoothly. There were, after all, many other contestants waiting in the wings. While the announcer was busy explaining some basics about each contestant, Zach stretched his legs by leaning back and forth until it was time for him to run.

"Go!"

The Floating Steps were the first obstacle, something Zach had seen on television. Hopping from step to step, perhaps it was his fresh energy that made things so easy? Focusing hard, step, shift, step, shift your weight, don't come down too hard, keep moving!, the boy managed to flawlessly clear this section of the course. Perhaps it was all that time spent running around as a senshi on platform shoes? His heart was pumping but thankfully, he wasn't winded. There were still five more sections to go!