"We haven't slept together in a while."
Teshima almost jumped off his bench. "What?" Is Aoyagi talking about what he thinks he's talking about? In the middle of the Sohoku club room? Sure it was after practice but-
"Me and you. We haven't had a sleepover in a while Junta." Aoyagi leaned against the row of lockers and shifted his hair a little more in front of his eye, looking away. "You've been busy with being captain, I've been busy with sprinting. We hardly even train together like we used to."
Teshima slumped over elbows to knees and sighed. So that's what he meant. He looked at his hands, thinking. "Yeah. I guess we haven't."
Aoyagi glanced over at Teshima. He's noticed how overworked he's been. He always ties up his hair now and he has dark circles under his eyes. Aoyagi can't think of the last time he and Teshima sat down and had a conversation that wasn't about training or the team's progress. They used to be so much closer. They used to sleep over at each other's house almost every night to the point half of their closets were the other's clothes. Now it's as if none of that ever happened.
"This weekend? There aren't any races." Aoyagi tried not to sound too hopeful. He prides himself on being able to keep his emotions hidden and he's not going to break now.
"Sorry. I have an exam in English to study for then I have to plan training," Teshima looked up at his best friend, smiling sadly. "Have to keep the team in it's best shape to win."
"Ah," Aoyagi picked up his bag and walked to the door. He stopped. "I'm going to go home. See you tomorrow Junta."
"Yeah." Teshima watched Aoyagi close the door and leave. After he had ridden a safe distance away, Teshima put his head into his hands and sighed. "Damn it Hajime."
Teshima knew he had been distant lately. That's the most he's heard Aoyagi talk in weeks and once he realized it, it was too late. He is busy. Being the captain has a large share of responsibilities on top of transitioning from second-year to third-year. That plus his crazy training schedule to try to become a better climber like Makishima-san said…
Teshima stood up and started pacing the club room. "It's honestly becoming too much," he said, talking to himself. "I have to make sure we're as ready as possible for the next race! If I let my guard down, I'll be left behind. I'm already the weakest on the team, but I have to keep going! If I don't…" Teshima stopped.
"If I don't, I won't be able to keep up with you anymore," Teshima sighed again. "I'm happy for you Hajime, I really am. I just don't want to ride without you." He rubbed at his eyes and set a determined look on his face. "I'm the captain now and I need to be a good one." He hauled his bag onto his shoulder and strode out of the club room.