Chapter Text
Vhrooom…!!!!
The engine of the bike Suzuki GSX250E that you were modifying and repairing from last one week roared to life. Seeing that you had successfully repaired the leakage and the dents on the bike brought an immense sense of contentment. You give an extra turn to the bolt with your spanner and keep it on the rack beside the bike while picking a water bottle from the table.
“Hufff…so finally it is over”, you mutter “Time to call Chifuyu kun and tell him to come over and check the bike”. If everything goes smoothly, he would be satisfied and what else would you want from your customer.
"But first I should get myself clean", You thought to yourself. After taking a quick shower you change into a casual checked shirt and a plain trouser. You quickly then call your customer.
A man picks up the call, “Matsuno Chifuyu speaking from XJ LAND. How can we help you”.
“Hi Chifuyu kun, this is Y/N. How are you?”, you smile. “OH… hi Y/N-chan” he replies, eagerness noticeable in his voice. “I am totally fine. How have you been?” he continues. “I am fine, thanks for asking chifuyu kun”, you reply with same enthusiasm. “The bike is complete. Please come over and check weather everything is according to what you said. I would like you to test drive it and give me your feedback.”
“Whoaaa..you already finished it. That was quick”. Chifuyu says gushing over you but then he becomes silent for a moment as though thinking about something. He continues after a moment ,“Unfortunately, I am busy today Y/N-chan. Would it be ok if I send my friend instead to pick my bike up? He would be able to check the modifications and repair done.
” Yep sure, you can send him. Please tell him to come any time after 12 pm in afternoon.” You reply smiling. Chifuyu agrees and tells you that he will send his friend’s contact details and will share yours with his friend so that he can contact you.
“And one more thing” chifuyu says suddenly,“ you promised me that you will come to our pet shop once you are finished with the bike.” And before you can say no, he emphasises on the fact that you had modified his bike free of cost. “You do know that I did it for free because I was interested in your bike. Right? One cannot find this model easily nowdays.” You reply.
“Yes I know that you are a bike freak” he jokes “ but still give me a chance to say thanks ”.
You think for a moment. Well, it’s not that bad to take a day off. You had been working continuously for some days now. You never consider yourself a workaholic because you like what you do. Bikes. You love them.
You agree after a moment of thinking and it was mutually decided that you will go to the pet shop with chifuyu’s friend who is coming to pick up the bike. This way you would also be able to check for any faults in the bike while sitting on backseat firsthand.
After disconnecting the call you go to your kitchen and prepare some food. After finishing your meal, you suddenly realise that you have not checked your message. You rummage in your pocket and take out your cell phone.
As you check your message, you see a photograph of a handsome man with long hair tied in a bun and two golden highlighted flicks shadowing his face. His eyes were sandy coloured and there was a beauty mark under his right eye and was wearing an earring in his left ear. His name was written in another message which read ‘Hanemiya Kazutora’ along with his phone number. “Shouldn’t have dressed this casually”, you sigh looking at the picture.
But before you can think about anything else, your door bell rang. “Shit, it might be him, should have called before at least.” You ran downstairs in your garage. You can clearly see the same man standing through the transparent glasses of your shop. You sigh. So he is here after all. Nothing can be done now. All right Y/N you can do it. Just behave normally. No cringing, just normal.
“Hello, Umm Hanemiya kun right?” you ask him after sliding the door open.
“Yes, kazutora is fine though. And you must be Y/N-chan.” he replies, his expression peaceful.
“Nice to meet you kazutora kun. Please follow me”. You say trying not to notice him too much.
Kazutora had a lean built and was taller than you. He had a tattoo on his neck which was partially hidden by the black turtleneck that he was wearing. He had tied his long hair in a bun, his yellow streaks clearly visible. He had a composed demeanour but somehow it made him look more rugged.
You took him to where the bike was standing.
“As you can see the modifications are complete.” you say looking at the bike. “I hope you like it and if there is any problem, I will fix it”.
” You really did fix it, so chifuyu was correct. You are indeed great” Kazutora was looking impressed, not to mention he was noticing you. But she was used to people doing that thanks to her tomboyish clothing and the fact that she was interested in bikes. He was obviously not staring at her because he found her pretty or anything. No, she never found herself pretty, how can she be with all those grease marks on her body and face, always invested in her work. Her work was always her priority. Men will come and go but not her years where she can focus on her career.
“So kazutora kun, would you like to check the bike” you ask pulling yourself out of the train of thoughts.
“Well for once we can both go to pet shop and you can yourself see it.” He smiles at you.
“Yeah, that’s what chifuyu kun said.”, You say looking at him. His smile is so pretty. What the hell were you doing. Focus Y/N. You thought to yourself.
“Omg, I didn’t even ask you? You suddenly walk out of the room leaving kazutora confused and return with water and some snacks for him. “I am sorry I forgot to ask you, would you like something to eat or drink ?”.
“No that’s fine. I had lunch just before leaving my home” he grins at you.
“He must be mentally laughing at me” you thought and sigh. “Let’s go kazutora kun, chifuyu kun must be waiting for us.”
After a few minutes you were riding to the shop while sitting behind kazutora on the same bike that you repaired. Well the engine was working just fine. Suspensions were good. Overall it was a smooth ride to the shop. Now lets wait for kazutora’s review. What would he say? You don’t want your first impression on him to go wrong. Why the hell you are thinking that? You were trying to restrain yourself from thinking anything stupid. But you forgot that you were bad with your expressions.
“Did something happen?....Y/N-chan?” kazutora asks you looking at your expressions while stepping down the bike?
“Motion sickness” ,you reply out of the blue. Motion sickness seriously Y/N what were you thinking.
Kazutora was observing you closely. “I will get you water once we are inside. Lets go.” .
*******
“Hello chifuyu kun, how are you?” You happily ask when you see him while opening the door of the shop. " Hello Y/N-chan. I am good”. He replies cheerfully. “I thought you were busy chifuyu kun”, you ask grinning at him. “Nah, it was the only way you would have come to our shop. I just wanted to thank the pretty lady personally who repaired my bike free of cost.” He exclaims his eyes shining. Your ears go pink.
“You shouldn’t be flirting with our guest chifuyu”. Kazutora jokes casually with him.
“So, what would my beautiful guest like to have?” asks chifuyu ignoring kazutora.
“How about some water first”. You say looking around the shop. You stop at a particular spot where there were photographs pinned to the wall. You could see chifuyu there. “You had a different haircut back then kazutora kun. You are quite unrecognizable. If it weren’t for your eye color I wouldn’t have recognized you.” You look at him. You shouldn’t have said that. He might think that you are noticing him. Idiot Y/N.
“Yeah I had a different look back then", he says, his expressions unreadable.
When chifuyu hands you a water bottle, you drink profusely. “Tell me chifuyu kun, from where did you brought that bike. It’s not new I can tell that much. It is ten years old atleast.” Suddenly the atmosphere of the shop changes,“Yeah, it belongs to my old friend and mentor Baji san. He died few years back. So now we take care of his bike.”, he replies sadly.
A look of total pain crosses kazutora’s face and he shifts uncomfortably. He picks up the bottle from which you drank and whispers something about filling it up while leaving the room.
“Is he ok?” you ask chifuyu worriedly. “I am sorry I didn’t know or I wouldn’t have asked you.” You continue. “it is ok don’t worry about it.”, He replies while looking at kazutora.
You and chifuyu talk for a while and then he shows you around his shop. “This place is so peaceful and it also smells good not like other typical pet shops. You both take good care of it.” You say looking around the shop.
When you come back to the counter you see kazutora watering the plants. Chifuyu goes into the kitchen to get some snacks for you.
“Kazutora kun?” you call him.
“Hmm” he says still watering the plants.
“Do you also have a bike?” you ask excitedly
He looks at you, a sudden gleam in his eyes which do not go unnoticed by you. “Yes, would you like to see it”, he asks plainly as though trying to restrain his thoughts..
“Yes please..!!” you nod happily.
******
After ten minutes you were standing in their garage gaping at the shining yellow bike with your jaw dropped open. You were looking nothing less than comical to kazutora. He restrains himself from smiling and says “It is HONDA CBT400T with top speed 145 km per hour. I was 13 years old when I first bought it.” “What?” You give him a look of total appreciation as though he was nothing less than a god.” “Damn, no wonder you are so cool”, you say excitedly. “Can I please have look at it.”
“Yes, why not. Feel free. But unfortunately, it does not run anymore” kazutora says sadly. “Oh, I can fix it don’t worry about that.” You say gushing over the bike. Suddenly the expressions on his face changes. “No, I don’t want to fix it. I showed it to you because you were interested, that’s all.”
“But, but… you kept it for all these years right? Doesn’t it mean you actually want to ride it? Come on let me do it. Please.”, You request him making puppy eyes. “No”, he shakes his head and turns to leave. “We should get back to the shop, chifuyu must be looking for you”, he turns back, his expressions unreadable.
“Yeah..” you say disappointed. Giving a last look to the bike you return to the shop with kazutora.
“Y/N-chan, where have you been. I was looking for you” chifuyu looks suspiciously at you and kazutora as you both enter the shop. “kazutora kun was showing me his bike, nothing else. I wonder where did you get these bikes. They are just insane”.
Chifuyu and kazutora smirk at each other. “Here is your strawberry milkshake Y/N-chan.” chifuyu says suddenly changing the subject. “How the heck do you know I like strawberries.” You ask him looking at the pink coloured shake. “Well for once, you look like one.” He replies smiling at you. This time you definitely blush. “Th-thank you chifuyu kun” you stutter.
“You are going overboard with her chifuyu. You are such a cringe.”, This time kazutora closes his eyes and shakes his head as though thinking why was he hearing such fluffy things in first place..
After finishing your shake and snacks you decide to leave, as it was getting late.
“You sure you don’t want chifuyu to drop you”, Kazutora asks you with concern. “No it is fine and I need to pick up some stuff on my way home too.” You reply. Damn it why can’t YOU drop me home kazutora. “You ok?” he asks. You realize you have been staring at him for a while and shake your head. “I am sorry... I was zoned out thinking about stuff I need to buy while walking home.” You reply coming back to your senses.
“So that’s it then. Thanks for today chifuyu and kazutora kun. Nice to meet you. Please call me if you ever need anything. You can visit me anytime you want. It’s nice to have friends in a place like this.” You smile at both of them.
“Same goes for you Y/N-chan. And please we ARE friends. Take care of yourself and call immediately if anything happens on your way home. Remember to call back when you reach home too.”
You smile and nod at both Kazutora and Chifuyu,“Bye then, see you soon”.
*******
After you leave, chifuyu glances at kazutora,"Isn't she nice?" Kazutora does not reply. He was in a deep thought. She could repair that bike she had said.