So...tonight was the night. Why did Imaizumi feel so nervous? Sure his favourite blogger messaged him- wanting to become friends. And even though the gender of this person wasn't specified, it wouldn't matter to him because either way Imaizumi liked this person already and could barely hold his excitement. For once in his life, he was pumped up about something other than biking.

After practice, Imaizumi changed out of his jersey as fast as he could so he could get packed, get on his bike and go home. If he showered fast enough and changed when he got there, he'd have saved a good amount of time to talk to AnonNeko28.

Of course, this was the plan…but unfortunately something unexpected happened in the club room immediately after Imaizumi rushed out.

"Naruko? You have a flat tire?"

Onoda seemed to be more panicked about the situation than Naruko who was staring at his lopsided bike.

"Yeah, I guess I'll have to walk it over to Kanzaki's place" Naruko said while analyzing his tire.

"But, didn't you say you were meeting up with an old friend?" Onoda asked sadly.

"Yeah...hopefully this won't take too long..." Naruko replied feeling a bit gloomy.

...

It was 8:00pm and Imaizumi sat at home staring at his phone. Each time he got a notification, he grabbed it with energetic hands only to be disappointed. Did AnonNeko28 forget? Did something happen? Maybe they changed their mind?

Finally he received a message.


AnonNeko28: Hey! I'm sorry for the late reply, something came up...is it okay if we talk tomorrow instead?


Imaizumi felt his mood worsen. He let his hopes up go too high.


Ao_Usagi_2: It's okay, I actually ended up being busy today as well. Tomorrow should be fine.


Lying made him feel worse so he turned off his phone and went to bed early.

While on the other hand, Naruko was sweaty and dirty at his doorstep reading the seemingly sad message he had just relieved from Ao_Usagi_2. If it wasn't for his mom who was yelling at him through an open window, asking why he was late and to go clean up and eat dinner, he might have been able to reserve a good half hour to talk. But the walk to Kanzaki's took longer than expected and as he waited for his tire to get pumped since Teshima wasn't there at the school to do it for him, he tripped in a puddle of mud on the sidewalk. Not to mention on the way home he took a wrong route and ended up taking much longer than he should have. Today was not a good day for Naruko.

The next morning Onoda noticed that Naruko was looking pretty rough. Imaizumi seemed to be acting strange too, switching between moods. Maybe today will be a luckier day...or not...

Of all days, Teshima HAD to borrow Naruko's bike. There was no practice that day so when Naruko went to get his bike after school he found a note stuck to the place where it should have been.


'Sorry Naruko! Aoyagi is getting a new bike because his old one isn't in such great shape anymore so I let him use mine. And well...Imaizumi's bike was too big so I borrowed yours. Hope it's okay, I'll return it tomorrow! -Teshima Senpai'


Naruko kicked the bike rack and yelled, "Damn it Teshima!"

"Yo, where's your bike?" Imaizumi asked casually from behind.

"Perm senpai borrowed it! This sucks! I'm gonna have to walk home AGAIN!" Naruko yelled

"Again? Are you in a rush or something?" Imaizumi asked curiously.

"I just have something to do today okay? I was supposed to do it yesterday but I had a flat tire and then fell in mud AND THEN I GOT LOST ON MY WAY HOME!"

"How does someone get lost on their way home?" Imaizumi managed to tease with a smirk.

"Ugh, just leave me alone hotshot"

Imaizumi stared at him in a relaxed manner. Looks like Naruko was in the same sort of situation as Imaizumi, having promised something to only have it cancelled and postponed to the day after. Wait was Naruko. .. No there's no way. Just yesterday Naruko said he thought blogs were lame, so there's no way he could be AnonNeko28.

But still, Imaizumi sighed and sat in position on his Scott bicycle. He turned his head and gave the rear a glance.

"Get on"

The head-head stared in shock. "Huh?"

"I'm not going to ask again. There might be room behind me on the seat."

"No way"

"If you don't want to- then fine, I'm leaving. It's your choice."

It almost seemed as if Imaizumi pitied him. But both of them sitting on the bike? Like a couple? As if...but did Naruko really have any other choice?

"Fine...move over"

Sitting behind Imaizumi was weird. Naruko was always used to being in front. Here he felt almost as if he was hiding behind the tall back of the black haired boy. Once they started moving Imaizumi stayed silent. He also rode fairly slowly, probably because he was keeping his passenger's safety in mind. However he couldn't help but let five words escape his lips…

"Put your arms around me."

Naruko jerked his head forward and faced him. "Wha...NO WAY!"

Imaizumi picked up speed and purposely ran over a bump in the road. Naruko impulsively grabbed around his torso.

"You jerk, what are you doing?"

"It's no fun riding slowly, so just hang on."

"What if I don't want to?" That was a lie. Naruko didn't want to admit grabbing on felt more comfortable. It felt safe.

"I don't want you falling off." Imaizumi admitted.

That comment made Naruko blush. He didn't really know what to say, so the two kept quiet throughout the ride.

"This street right?" Imaizumi asked about 5 minutes later while pointing to the left.

"Yeah, and then the brownish house on the right is mine." He could hear Naruko mumble.

After Naruko got off, the sprinter thanked him embarrassingly and ran off inside.

Imaizumi then realized he was sweating. It wasn't very hot out though...so why? He didn't really overwork himself either. It's not like Naruko made him nervous or anything. There's no way. If anything he has feelings for AnonNeko28. Not. Naruko.

In that brief moment, Imaizumi's phone buzzed. He still hasn't left Naruko's street, so he stood up straight and checked his phone.


AnonNeko28: Hey I just got home, are you still free? :P


To be continued...