It was early. Fog crept off the lake and covered parts of the trail as the morning sun crept above the horizon. MC had come here to work out before. He’d often run a good portion around the lake but never completed the entire loop. Today, he and Aiko were planning to jog ten kilometers. It was an average workout for Aiko, but fairly light for MC.

MC stretched his legs while he waited for Aiko. She wasn’t late, he was just early.

Aiko arrived right on time. She’d picked out a flattering outfit of leggings and a tight T-shirt. She wore a smartwatch that helped her keep track of steps and distance. It also helped to serve as communication with Emi if the detectives were called into immediate action.

MC’s first impression was that she was wearing some makeup. Most people wouldn’t bother with that when doing a morning workout. The only girl he was regularly around was Sora and she hardly ever wore makeup.

“Hi, MC,” she said with a bubbly wave and smile. “Hope you weren’t waiting too long.”

“Not at all. I was just finishing up my stretching. I’ll let you get ready for the run too.” Aiko spent a minute stretching and fixing her shoe laces while MC did a few extra stretches.

“Ok, I’m all ready to go,” she said.

“Ok, I’ll match your pace.” They took off down the trail with the lake to their right and the forest to their left.

“You know, MC this definitely beats working out alone or with some of my boring coworkers like usual,” said Aiko. “I’ve always been a bit… different than them. I suppose you could say, I have more fun, but I get myself into more trouble too. I’m not sure what you’d call it exactly.”

“Sounds like you know how to live,” said MC thoughtfully.

“Yeah, maybe you're right. I like that,” said Aiko with a thoughtful expression. “So what exactly are you training for, MC?”

“Me? I’m not looking forward to anything in particular.”

“Oh come on there’s got to be something.”

“Well, I do have a boxing match coming up.”

“Boxing match?”

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“Yeah, a guy I know talked me into it. It’s just something I’m trying out. I’ve never done it before.”

“Wow, that sounds intense! I hope you do well and don’t get too hurt.”

“Me too. I’m a little worried since it’s something new. I feel like there’s a lot of pressure riding on me. Not my well-being or finances or anything, just… you know… things.” He didn’t want to say too much and reveal his exact reasons for the boxing match.

Aiko wasn’t entirely sure what he meant by that but decided she shouldn’t ask. He must be talking about his parents. He probably wants to prove himself by training hard and boxing. That’s how guys are.

She was half right. MC was doing this to avenge his father’s death and his mother’s health. The boxing match was partially to prove himself in a masculine way. He felt that he’d be happier if he could beat a strong opponent. That meant that his training and work toward taking out Jin was progressing.

They were both quiet and kept pace together for a while before Aiko realized that she was breathing a lot heavier than MC was.

“Hey!” How dare you go easy on me.”

“Huh, what do you mean?”

“You’re hardly even breathing hard. I can tell I’m slowing you down.”

“I don’t mind. It’s nice to have a lighter workout than usual.”

“If you say so,” said Aiko through rushed breathing.” Aiko’s watch beeped and alerted her that she was approaching the halfway mark for the workout. They were going to need to turn around soon.

“Hey you see that stump ahead next to the trail?” asked Aiko.

“Yeah, you want to turn around there?”

“Race you to it!” she exclaimed, speeding ahead.

“What?” said MC, surprised.

Aiko arrived first, slapping the stump with her palm. “I win!” she teased.

“Not bad,” said MC with a chuckle. “Want to take a rest?”

“Yes please,” she said, bending over and putting her hands on her knees. “Just give me two minutes, then I’m good to head back.”

“If you say so,” said MC, attempting to steady and slow his own breathing.

Aiko perked up and put her hand on her forehead, looking into the distance over the lake. “Sure is beautiful. This lake has been here since my great grandfather moved to Strongzinburg city. He was actually one of the people who helped build The North Dam that created this lake. I’ve heard stories about what the city used to be like back then. It was obviously much smaller than it is now, but still bigger than a lot of other towns that were near here.”

“For some reason I just assumed the North Dam had always been here,” said MC. “It’s huge.”

“Yeah, it’s actually one of the biggest dams in the world. Man made lakes sure are interesting. To think this would all be a much lower valley with a river at the borrow if the lake wasn’t here.”

“That’s enough history lessons for today, let’s head back or I’m going to be late for work.”

They were both a bit too winded to talk much on the way back to the parking lot. When they arrived back, they both said their goodbyes and agreed to keep in touch to do something like this again.