Chifuyu vs Iris

A match-up nobody could've seen coming, Chifuyu against Iris. Since she usually keeps to herself, there's no way Chifuyu could've known Iris already tried to get this volume herself. It sold out instantly online, and select stores were also selling out fast. She'd given up hope, but a sudden chance has presented itself. Iris can't yield this opportunity, not even to her first friend, for this is one of the few things she wants in life. She only became a fan of this particular series last year, even so, her passion for it burns as brightly as any other day-one fan. Their destination is exactly 3.7 miles away, right on the outskirts of downtown in this district. Both contenders have tremendous physical capabilities, either one can claim victory. Leaving the last of their bags for Ariel and Kagura to carry alone, they run off.

3... 2... 1... Start!

Their starting point is on the third floor at the opposite end of the exit they're taking. Weaving through the dozens of people in their path, they'd think they'd just stolen some jewelry worth tens of thousands of dollars. Taking the ramp to the second floor, Iris notices Chifuyu climbing over the guard railing and leaping all the way to first floor, using a perfect barrel roll to cushion his fall. The 30 or so people who saw this are left speechless as he continued to make a mad dash for the exit. Not wanting to break her legs, Iris runs down the ramp and speeds to the closest escalator. Not willing to wait behind the rest going down, she jumps on the handrail and executes a few consecutive flips on it until she reaches the bottom. The onlookers had to assume this was some kind of professional performance. Unfortunately, no one had their phones recording.

Once Iris makes it out of the mall, she sees Chifuyu darting across the parking lot to the street. Lucky for him there were no cars passing so he's able to pick up the momentum. This road has a long stretch, so it's about 3/4s of a mile to the next light. Chifuyu's able to sprint knowing Iris has been left far in his tracks. That is, until he hears an engine roaring behind him. Looking over his shoulder, he sees a Scat Pack speeding at over 70 mph on the street. On its rear bumper is Iris. Chifuyu's shocked face gives her a little giggle. She was able to leap and latch on to it right as it was flying by, and the driver didn't notice because of how quick Iris was.

Chifuyu has to think of something fast. At this rate, he'll never be able to catch up. But, there's nothing he can do except kick into overdrive. The light's about a quarter of a mile away now, and he can see that it's about to turn red. If this light had stayed green for a few more seconds, Iris would've definitely been the winner. Now, they're both at the same point again. Chifuyu catches up to the light and looks at her with a smug face. Iris has no choice but to embarrassingly get off the car and go back to the sidewalk. They're on opposite sides of the road, perfect condition for the foot race. They eagerly wait to get the go-ahead from the pedestrian signal. Once they do, they make like the wind.

If it comes down to a straight-up contest of speed, Iris doesn't think she'll win. After all when they first met, Iris tried to run away from him and he caught up with ease. Looking at the GPS, they'll be turning right in less than a mile then going mostly straight for the rest of the way. If she wants a chance, Iris'll have to cut the distance diagonally. She's never done parkour, but she'll have to try it now if she wants this volume. A few meters in front of her is an apartment complex with 4 floors, and someone is coming out. Right before the door shuts, she catches it and runs in taking the stairs all the way to the top floor. Chifuyu can only wonder what she's doing. The ceiling only covers around the complex, as a result Iris climbs on the railing and jumps to the roof. She could only grab the edge first, so she pulls herself up as fast as possible. Looking in front of her, Iris finds out she made the right choice. This is the ultimate shortcut. Taking a deep breath, she takes off a full speed.

Iris realizes how much of a super athlete she actually is, leaping across several buildings like it's nothing. She lands herself in a residential area with smaller houses. Most of these houses have sloping roofs, so running across them would be a waste of time. Instead, she runs across the brick fences separating each house with great balance. Fast approaching downtown, she must continue the race back on the ground. However, she cleared a couple of miles in no time thanks to the shortcut and doesn't intend to stop there. Looking to her left, she sees a figure running at an incredible speed. Who else would it be?

"IRIIIIIIIS!!!"

Chifuyu yells her name for dramatic effect as he tries to catch up. Iris is in the zone now though, she will claim this victory no matter what. She continues her dash. Now that they're close to their destination, they'll be making more lefts and rights. If Iris can close the distance with more parkour, Chifuyu's defeat will be assured.

They've entered downtown, the end draws near. Cutting into an alley, Iris scales up a stairwell. Instead of running up each step separately, she leaps up and climbs the platforms that the stairs are built upon. Reaching the roof, she begins her second round of parkour. The first leap is 20 feet away, but the building is slightly downhill and a little shorter than the one Iris is jumping from, so she's able to make it flawlessly with the addition of a barrel roll.

Iris leaps.

She leaps.

Again.

And again.

She slides under a billboard. After one more leap, the destination is right below her. She's on top of a parking lot, running down as fast as she can, she gets to the tunnel leading to the underground mall. Seconds later, Iris arrives at the store.

"Huff... Huff... Huff... Hey mister, m-may I please buy your last exclusive Yona volume?"

"Ho.. Looks like you went through hell to get here. You got it."

Iris pumps her fist up. She is the well-deserved winner.

By the time Chifuyu gets there, his opponent is already walking out with the prize in her hand. Gasping for air, Chifuyu falls on his back.

"You beat me, huh?"

"O-Only cuz I cheated.."

"Ha! You didn't cheat. You hopped across buildings like a ninja from the hidden leaf village. I didn't stand a chance."

"No, if it we both raced on the ground then I wouldn't have stood a chance!"

"Nah, I ran full speed the whole time and still lost. I was confident I'd win. You beat me, Iris. You really are incredible."

"Heh. Thanks."

Both of them are remarkable. They ran a distance that would've normally taken around 40 minutes in just 15.

"Let me help you up."

Iris sticks her hand out to help Chifuyu off the ground. It's an epic moment, her face is saying 'I'm here for you. She's always wanted to do this.

"I'm good, I don't wanna move an inch."

But she is cruelly rejected. Tears flow as she's betrayed by her first friend. She just stands there looking at her hand in dejection.

While Iris contemplates life, Chifuyu calls Kagura.

"Hey, can you pick us up?"

"Sure thing."