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Toudou, Jinpachi, thrice blessed by the gods, couldn’t believe what was happening. He was at this year’s InterHigh watching his underclassmen compete. Those brave enough to speak and not just stare at him in awe thought he was there to cheer his team on. Of course he was but he wanted to see his protege get his revenge on Sohoku’s glasses-kun. The fact that the battle didn’t happen that day was disappointing but not unsurprising. That was just how road racing was.
But at this moment he was pedaling up a hill using a borrowed bike and wearing a borrowed jersey. He had invited himself in to listen to Hakone’s meeting about the second day’s race and what the plans were for the third day. It was just a general meeting for everyone. He knew the main team would discuss plan’s amongst themselves elsewhere.
He had been planning to go listen in on the main team just because he was curious when his phone started to ring. He glanced at it and his mouth nearly dropped in surprise. He walked out into the hallway to answer the phone, not even looking to see if the meeting had finished or not. Before he could speak though, he was told to go to a specific location with a racing bike. The other person hung up before he could really respond.
He kept his cool but he was mentally screaming in glee. His rival had actually called him. His rival had actually challenged him. His rival was waiting for him only a few meters away. His Maki-chan was here!
“Anou Toudou-San!” Someone exclaimed from behind him. He glanced back with his usual charming smile to see who it was.
“Oh glasses-kun,” Toudou said. Not who he was expecting to see. The boy, Onoda, was stuttering about how it was nice to see him, which Toudou wasn’t surprised to hear. Who wouldn’t be happy to see him?
“Are you here to inspire Hakone?” Glasses-kun asked. Toudou laughed.
“I was going to, but I got a call,” He explained. “Now I have to ride with this borrowed jersey and bike.” He grabbed the jersey he was wearing with slight annoyance but he faced forward and grinned. “Im chasing after a man riding up ahead.”
“I see. Toudou-San, you haven’t changed,” glasses-kun said. “No, actually, you’ve gotten faster at climbing. Your auras gotten even more impressive.”
“That’s an honest impression, glasses-kun,” Toudou said while looking at the other boy. He then threw his arm up. “You’re correct. I, the thrice blessed Toudou, Jinpachi, have honed my speed and coolness even further!”
He laughed happily. Glasses-kun must be so impressed with him. Maybe he’ll impress the boy even more.
“Im in college now,” Toudou said. “Fuku, Shinkai, and Arakita are my opponents now. But don’t take me lightly, glasses-kun. They are my opponents only when we race. In the mountains, they are no match for me.”
He thought about his old teammates a lot when he trained. But he knew he could out climb any of them. That’s why you establish a rival! Speaking of rivals.
“It’s too bad you didn’t get to race against Manami in today’s race,” Toudou said, getting a sad yes from glasses-kun. “I was disappointed I didn’t get to see you fight, too. I was looking forward to it at the peak.”
“You were watching the race?” Glasses-kun asked.
“I wanted to see Manami get his revenge,” Toudou said, not even trying to mince words. Glasses-kun didn’t respond. “Oh, right. I don’t have time to chat.” Like he could even forget why he came out here.
Glasses-kun said something along the lines of an apology but Toudou was already speeding up. He was still polite enough to say bye but he was eager to get moving. Toudou was so focused on reaching his goal he was surprised when glasses-kun was suddenly behind him. Did he want to race with him?
“Are you sure, glasses-kun? You’ve got a race tomorrow,” Toudou pointed out. “Should you be using your energy here?”
“Tell me!” Glasses-kun said, almost demanded while staring down at the road. “Who are you chasing right now, Toudou-San?!” Toudou gaped at the boy for a moment and then looked ahead with a grin.
“A willful man. He went to England alone without consulting anyone,” Toudou said. “I hadn’t heard from him, but then he suddenly called to say he’d be waiting for me on Mount Haruna. Funny, right? After hearing that, I hastily jumped on a bike, and now I’m chasing after him. I wanted to push myself to the limit again.” He glanced at glasses-kun. “Who am I chasing? You should see for yourself.”
For just a moment Toudou spotted something out of the corner of his eye as he was talking to glasses-kun. So he lifted his hand up and turned forward. They were on a slight curve but he knew what was beyond that.
“After the turn up ahead, it’s a long straightaway. You’ll see him illuminated by the streetlights then,” Toudou said, as he lowered his hand. When he saw him he couldn’t believe it. “His long limbs and hair waving back and forth… Climbing with that unique form…” Toudou was actually tearing up in happiness. “That spider-like man!”
“The glow of the streetlight and the sound of wheels…” a familiar voice said along with that signature, almost derisive laugh, as the man turned to look at him. “How long are you going to make me wait, Toudou?”
Toudou’s entire focus zeroed in on Makishima, Yuusuke. Actually seeing that angular face and hearing his name said brought a euphoria that he only gets while racing for the peak. He completely forgot about glasses-kun until the boy yelled Maki-Chan’s name. He quickly used his Sleeping Climb to catch up to his rival.
“Sorry, glasses-kun. From here on out, it’s a race between me and him!” Toudou said. “I’m going on ahead!” He had to get to Maki-chan.
“Toudou-San! I-I hate to bother you but, um… Could I keep riding with you?” Glasses-kun asked.
“This is our race. However…” Toudou said. He couldn’t fault the boy for wanting to be here. It was a momentous occasion after all. He turned to look at glasses-kun. “Very well. History needs witnesses.” The boy gave him an ecstatic smile. “You won’t have time to blink, glasses-kun!” Toudou warned before finally catching up with Maki-chan.
“Maki-chan…” Toudou said. Maki-chan just did that “keh” laugh. “Maki-chan!” Toudou couldn’t help but yell happily. Maki-chan did his “keh” laugh but louder. This was really happening!
Toudou lifted his hand at the same time Maki-chan lifted his. He brought it down on Maki-Chan’s shoulder. He felt the weight of the other man’s hand land on his own shoulder. His rival really was here!
“It’s good to see you again, Maki-chan!” Toudou said.
“Yeah, Toudou!” Maki-chan responded. Toudou squeezed the shoulder under his hand, getting an answering squeeze in return.
“Why don’t you answer any calls or texts?” Toudou asked. The hand left his shoulder.
“I’m too lazy,” Maki-chan admitted. Toudou took his hand away. “Besides, what am I supposed to write back? I can’t think of what to say. ‘I’m doing well’? ‘I miss you’? Wouldn’t that be creepy?”
‘No,’ thought Toudou. Instead he said, “Your argument astonishes me. But what about the sender’s feelings, Maki-chan?” He pedaled until he was ahead of his rival. “We’re talking about glasses-kun. I’m sure he’s sent you countless letters. Mountains of letters!”
“That’s why I’m here!” Maki-chan said. Toudou heard the gear shift and suddenly Maki-chan sped passed him, doing his signature Spider Climb. “Are you disappointed, Toudou?”
“No! I’m totally satisfied, Maki-chan!” Toudou yelled out in glee. They both sped up at the same time. Their wheels collided making them both skid. But all Toudou could do was yell Maki-Chan’s name happily.
Of course Toudou was happy to see that unique form and had to gush about it. Maki-chan just mentioned his lame jersey. Toudou blamed Maki-chan for calling him out suddenly but admitted he didn’t care. He probably admitted it too passionately that he got to battle Maki-chan, which Maki-chan said was embarrassing.
He didn’t keep track of how long they raced. He only knew how much they raced by who won. Six races. Six races was too short. He wanted more from Maki-chan. Well, he always wanted more from Maki-chan. And since he lost they have to have another race to even the score.
“Maki-chan,” Toudou said as they sat on some stairs to finish cooling down. He wasn’t sure where glasses-kun got to. “How long are you here for?”
“The InterHigh,” Maki-chan said.
“No extra day?” Toudou asked.
“Looking for another race already, sho?” Maki-chan asked making Toudou laugh.
“Like I said earlier, you did just up and leave. Honestly, telling me, your rival, last,” Toudou said. “That stung Maki-chan.”
“Maa, I did try to tell you at the Hakone festival but we got interrupted,” Maki-chan said while doing that thing he did when he was embarrassed, where he put his hand on his head and kind of hid his eyes.
“That’s why you wanted to talk to me…” Toudou said surprised. “Maki-chan! Text back! I know I said glasses-kun was the one that was hurting from you not responding but…”
“Jinpachi…” Maki-chan said. They both looked up when a bike approached them. It was glasses-kun.
“U-um, excuse me. I just got these at the bottom of the mountain. You must be tired. These are for you,” glasses-kun said while holding out two bottled drinks. He finished it with a bow.
“Why are you standing so far away, glasses-kun?” Toudou asked. The boy was standing almost four bicycle lengths away from them.
“How are we supposed to get them?” Maki-chan asked.
“Um, you’re just so awe-inspiring! It’s difficult to approach you. After a battle like that, I thought I’d be bothering you. Um…” Glasses-kun explained while waving his arms around and hiding behind the bottles. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen or talked to you, Makishima-San. I’m nervous.”
“Keh. I’m not that big a deal,” Maki-chan said. “I’m just your senior who came to Japan to watch the InterHigh and happened to be wandering around a nameless pass.”
“You’re Makishima-San,” glasses-kun said happily and a little reverently. Maki-chan looked surprised.
“You’re idealizing me too much. You can call me scary,” Maki-chan said sounding slightly embarrassed. Toudou let out a small laugh.
“While chasing behind you earlier, I kept wishing to never wake up, if this were a dream. The situation was so incredible, I thought I must be dreaming,” glasses-kun said. Toudou felt the sentiment deeply.
“Is it a dream or not?” Maki-chan asked.
“Thank you for letting me ride with you!” Glasses-kun yelled and then bowed towards them. He finally ran closer to them and offered the drinks within range. A sports drink for him and a lemon drink for Maki-chan.
“Thanks, glasses-kun,” Toudou said.
“They’re cold,” Maki-chan said making glasses-kun extremely happy.
“Yes!” Glasses-kun yelled.
“Stop shouting,” Maki-chan said, sounding more amused.
——————
“Well, I’ll be heading back,” Maki-chan said after they had finished their drinks. He just watched the other man as he stood next to his borrowed bike. “Kinjou and Tadokoro are waiting. I forced Kinjou to lend me this. See you later, Toudou.”
“Yeah,” was all Toudou could say. He watched Maki-chan fondly. He was sad this had to end. He could race Maki-chan forever.
“Um, I…” Glasses-kun said.
“Thanks for the letters, Sakamichi. Thanks for telling me about the club, the new members, and your practices. I’m relieved to hear about them,” Maki-chan said fondly. “But… you don’t need to tell me about that anime character named Kumotaro.”
“Oh, really?” Glasses-kun asked surprised. “You seemed very interested in him when I gave you that present.”
“No, I wasn’t,” Maki-chan said flat out. He let out a small laugh. “It’s very like you to include that, though. Are you uncertain, Sakamichi?”
“Huh?” Glasses-kun asked.
Toudou wondered if they had forgotten that he was there. Talking about letters with each other seemed personal. Then Maki-chan explained that feeling of pressure as a second-year. Toudou remembers what that was like. For someone who was bad at communicating, Maki-chan knew the best way to say things.
“See you later, Sakamichi, Toudou,” Maki-chan called as he pedaled away.
“Yes,” Glasses-kun said.
“Yeah, Maki-chan,” Toudou called back.
‘I lit a fire inside glasses-kun. Maybe I shouldn’t have let him ride with us. No, that’s not right. You always want to fight your rival when he’s in top condition. No one wants an opponent who’s uncertain or depressed. The stronger, the better. Isn’t that right, Manami?’ He thought to himself.
Toudou watched glasses-kun pedal away. He was impressed with the boy but annoyed that he barely had alone time with Maki-chan. He looked up at the night sky as he placed a hand over his heart. Overall he felt elated. His Maki-chan actually called him for a race… His Maki-chan?
“Oh…” Toudou said as he just realized.