Work Text:
The Longest Sprint to Nowhere
a semi-autobiography.
By Lorenzo Seiza A
Prologue
Haru is a confused boy; all his life, he’s been confused by how to socialize, crying at every joke, ghosting the people who don't understand him, and relying too much on the people who do. It doesn't look any better for his academic side; he barely grapples with the passing grade, almost always failing anything related to math, and is probably only good at art and English.
You and the Consequences
Haru comes home after getting his report card for the final semester. His mother has that empty look. She says, “It's okay! You can do better next semester!” but Haru knows he has failed her mother’s expectations, the look on her mother’s face stabs him in every part of his mortal body, and he knows this will also hurt him and his future.
Enter the Track
Haru enters his new senior high school, the place where he seriously needs to get SERIOUS. The first few months, it's a disaster. He’s still needy and stupid, but subconsciously figures himself out. The next few months are.. better at least. Tests start, and his grades are still down, but better than the standard. A few friends accompany him as he slowly starts to discover books that change his life. He starts feeling jealous for the first time in his life. Yearning as he usually does, he wants more. The last months. Will be the start of his rise in the world.
1..2..3.. GO!
It’s the last 2 months of the first semester, and Haru’s brain FINALLY! Clicks. He starts figuring out that he doesn’t get what he wants so easily, and you need to work for everything. How to study, how to socialize and talk more, how to get trophies and a better reputation. He figures it ALL OUT! His grades rocket, at the start of the semester, he was in the 18th ranking, almost nearing humiliation. But now.. now he’s at 9th. A fire starts to burn inside his soul. The goal is to keep. Going.
Overtake
The next few semesters, he rose and rose in the school rankings, from 9th to 5th, then 3rd, and finally, number one. 100/100 Papers stack on his table, Trophies and certificates start to get put up on his shelves, posters of incredible people are posted on his room. His mother slowly starts to get worried, and so do his friends.
Ran too far
It’s prom night, and Haru is sitting calmly for the first time, chatting with his friends and sipping the nice orange juice, but he knows this is all fake. He figures out the people around him, their personalities and how they can get him at an advantage. The childhood friend whom Haru always liked since he was a kid, Nagisa, approaches him, an obviously curious look on her face.
Nagisa: Yo, Haru!
Haru gives her a smile and a wave.
Nagisa leans on the wall, next to Haru.
Haru: What do ya need? Kindly, as an old friend.
Nagisa: Do you still like me after all these years? Fufufu.. I'd just like to know.
Haru: Mmpphh.. I still like you as a dear old friend, of course!
She’d stare at the floor for a second before looking up at him to say something.
Nagisa: I liked you back then, when you were still a dummy and didn't know how to even talk.
Nagisa: Why did you.. change?
Haru looks at her, his face slowly getting distressed, and tears start to drop. He looks at the floor, as if he were contemplating all his life decisions.
Haru: I..I don't.. know..
Haru: I-i need to go to the bathroom. I’m sorry!
Haru runs through people, crashing and bumping into them, shouting “I’m sorry!” each time he bumps into someone. Just like the Haru before.
Shark
Haru reaches the bathroom and dashes for the mirror, staring at himself.
The first reflection he sees is him from a few years ago. His expression is sad and disappointed at the same time (the reflection)
The reflection slowly turns into a shark, coming out of the mirror and circling Haru.
Haru: Wha-what is this? Wh..
Shark: This is no dream, man.
Shark: Was it all worth it? The glory, the numbers, the fame?
Haru: Wha.. Who are you!?
Shark: You.
The shark then continuously attacks him from all sides, jumpscaring him.
Haru: Of course it’s all worth it! My mother, my teacher.. Everyone loves me now! I’m human for once!
Shark: Is that what humans do? Calculate every person’s figure and personality just so you can use them as stepping stools? You're not human, at least not anymore. You're a BRAIN at this point. Look at yourself, your hair is graying, your eyes have GIGANTIC eyebags. You're only 17.
Haru looks at the mirror again, only now realizing what he’s done to himself.
Shark: She (the girl) liked you when you were still the boy who would cry when he would be joked about, the dummy who almost got 60 grades most of the time. She loved you even.
But you killed that boy.
Just because you couldn't bear to see the look on people's faces. Your face.
Now look at you. You're perfect, and you're alone in this bathroom.
The shark fades away as the door bursts open.
Nagisa: HARU! Oh god!
She’d hug him tightly, a warm feeling that Haru hadnt experienced for a long time.
Nagisa: What happened?
Haru: Nothing! I-i just had a bit of a panic that’s all!
Nagisa loosens the hug for a few seconds, before hugging him tighter, as if she were angry, crossing the line she’s been wanting to cross for a long time.
Nagisa: Stop it, Haru.
Please.
You’re hurting the people around you, your teacher, your mother and me..
And you too.
Please.
Haru would start genuinely crying, an emotion he hadnt felt for years, a warmth that comforted him and.. a plead to stop it all
Run
That night was the last time he would be vulnerable, and the last time he met Nagisa. He’d then go on to accept an international scholarship at a prestigious university. Get awards, nice grades as usual. But he would start to learn on how to be “human” again.
He walks through the biggest aquarium in the world. With only one goal, to find a shark identical to the one that haunts him.
He finds it.
It somehow recognizes him and glides past him, its predatory eyes staring right into his soul.
A shark is born swimming.
Some fail.
Some keep swimming and live on.
If it stops,
It dies.
THE END