On the TV, a host was jabbering in Japanese, reporting the weather forecast.
Standing by the window, Chen Yu glanced out at the low-hanging, gloomy clouds.
The air was heavy with moisture as a torrential downpour raged outside.
Nearby, Liu Xiang was on a mat, stretching his muscles.
On a sofa to the side, Sun Haiping was on his phone, arranging for an indoor training facility. After a while, he hung up and said excitedly, "I found one! There's a high school's indoor training hall eight kilometers from here. We can borrow it, but the track is only 80 meters long. It'll have to do."
"Dr. Chen, let's head out now."
Today was May 4th. Tomorrow, the Mito leg of the Asian Grand Prix would be held, which was a prelude to the World Athletics Grand Prix in Osaka.
The three of them had arrived in Mito yesterday. To their surprise, a weak tropical storm had hit the area today, bringing a considerable downpour.
