A/N: Thank you for reviewing and subscribing everyone! Hope you enjoy this chapter, too! =)

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Hypothesis 2

"It's a promise!" The words echoed in Makishima's mind as he lied in bed, staring up at his white ceiling.

He held up his hand above his face and closed it into a fist, 'A promise, huh? I'm not really the type of person who makes those, am I?' he thought as he slowly brought his first down to rest on his forehead.

It had been a long day, the race was not only grueling, but the results were disappointing. Due to bad luck, bad weather and two flat tires, he was forced to drop out of the competition and forfeit his chance to race his rival at full force.

He sighed for what felt like the millionth time that day. It was unlike him to feel this depressed after a lost race. There was nothing he could have done to prevent those flats, he knew that, but his brain couldn't convince his heart to come to terms with the unfortunate circumstances. Usually easy-going and realistic, if this had happened in any other race, against any other opponent, Makishima would have let it go as soon as he was pulled off the road by the race's recovery van; it wasn't in his control, so it wasn't his fault. But he also knew it wasn't just any old race. It was the much awaited tie-breaker, the race to settle the score between himself and Hakone Gaku's Toudou Jinpachi.

Makishima bit his lip lightly as he remembered the dismay and despair on Toudou's face as he begged Makishima to continue while the rain poured heavily on both of them. Even at the distance he was from the headband wearing boy, he could see the helpless tremble of Toudou's lips as he repressed his bitter tears. The green-haired climber couldn't help but feel guilty somehow.

Just as he was about to roll over and attempt to fall sleep his phone vibrated. Makishima groaned as he reached for the green cell phone on his night stand, it seems his restless mind would be denied sleep a while longer. As he was about to slide the phone open he paused when he say the caller ID. It read, "Toudou Jinpachi" the last person Makishima expected to call him tonight, and the last person he wanted to talk to. For a moment he debated whether or not he should answer his phone but before he could choose, the vibrations stopped and the caller was sent to voicemail.

The tired cyclist exhaled in relief, glad the choice was made for him, until his phone began to vibrate once again. Makishima flinched and almost dropped his phone on the floor from the surprise. He hadn't expected Toudou to call him back so soon, he knew the violet-haired boy was persistent but this was ridiculous. Makishima was once again too indecisive to answer the call and before he had a chance to check if he had received any written messages from his rival, the phone began to vibrate again.

Deciding Toudou was most likely not going to give up anytime soon, Makishima begrudgingly hit the green 'answer' button and held the phone to his ear.

There was a brief pause and then an exclamation of, "Maki-chan?" on the other end.

Makishima rolled his eyes at his counterpart's excitement, "What is it Toudou? Shouldn't you be tired or something?"

Toudou laughed, "There's no way I'd be tired unless I raced against you the entire way. With no competition what is there to be tired for?"

The green-haired boy pursed his lips. He wasn't sure how to answer that, was Toudou still upset?

A questioning call of, "Maki-chan?" from the other end of the line, once again brought him back to the conversation.

He sighed, "Yes, I'm here. What did you call me for?"

Another small chuckle came through the receiver, "So direct Maki-chan, we can't even have a little small talk?"

"Not at eleven at night, no," was Makishima's curt reply.

He didn't need to see his violet-haired rival to know he was probably pouting. "You're no fun Maki-chan," the Hakone climber whined but resumed their conversation, "Okay, so I called you to tell you I left you something outside your house! I didn't see you at the races closing ceremony so, I went looking for you in the direction I had seen you leaving the race before, you have a huge house Maki-chan it wasn't very hard to find." Putting an emphasis on the word 'huge' Toudou animatedly recounted the adventure he had in search of Makishima's house, but the other boy wasn't as happy to hear the news.

"Why did you come all the way to my house without letting me know?" Makishima chastised over the phone, ripping his blanket off his body and hastily making his way to his front door.

"Relax Maki-chan, I was in a hurry to catch the last train back to Hakone, it's an hour away you know?" the swift climber stated off-handedly not wanting to waste time going over silly details, "That's not really important though, just pick up what I left you, okay?"

Makishima was rounding the corner after making it down the stairs and was about the open his front door when he answered, "If it's something stupid I'm going to throw it out."

Toudou laughed again, "It's not, it's not, I promise. I have to go now Maki-chan, make sure to read the note I left you too, okay?" His rival insisted over the phone.

"Yes, yes I'll read your stupid note and pick up whatever garbage you left at my door."

"Stop being so mean Maki-chan, it's not garbage," Toudou mumbled the last part with an annoyed huff, Makishima grinned despite himself. It wasn't like the other boy could see it after all. "Now, take care of it properly Maki-chan, catch you later beetle," with that quick and cheery goodbye, the line went dead as soon as Makishima opened his front door.

"Tsk, that guy didn't even wait for my reply," but Makishima's aggravation did not last long. As soon as he caught site of the golden chain gingerly placed at his door-step, all his previous irritation turned into surprise.

He lifted his rivals gain carefully from the ground and stared at it for a moment in the dim light offered by the hallway light in his home. His attention then shifted to the small paper attached to the little hook keeping the delicate chain together. He un-hooked the necklace and released the small, folded piece of notebook paper. The climber unfolded the note and read it:

'Dear Maki-chan, this is to solidify the promise we made today. Keep it as a reminder that you still owe me one more race. You can return this to me only if you beat me at this year's Inter-high. I'll be waiting for you at Hakone, Maki-chan, so don't forget!

Jinpachi'

'That idiot,' Makishima thought as he subconsciously clutched the necklace tighter in his left hand. The cyclist went back into his house and up the stairs to his room. He wasn't sure what exactly to think, but even though new questions popped up in his head he felt lighter and his mind, more at ease; he no longer felt confined by his frustrations. He once again lifted the necklace in front of his face, this time in the much better lighting offered by his room. He smiled.

'I suppose making a promises isn't so bad…'

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

A/N: Another one down and who knows how many more educated guess to go. =P Thanks for reading!