Chapter 2. First Year Welcome Race 1
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Meisou University Cycling club meeting room
"This is the freshmen's application form." Said the male with red hair as he gives the men across him a pile of paper while chewing a piece of supplement bar. The former members of Hakogaku cycling club and the strongest sprinter Hakogaku ever had the famous Shinkai Hayato known as 'Hakone's Straight Line Demon'.
"Thank you, Hayato." The golden blonde male with a thick eyebrow, Replied as he receives the paper. He is the former captain of Hakogaku cycling, Fukutomi Juichi. He observes the submitted forms of application carefully until a familiar name caught his interest. "Imaizumi Shunsuke…and Naruko Shoukichi? It seems we have an interesting freshman."
"Imaizumi... that former ace from Sohoku?" Shinkai commented as he takes a good look on they're profile. "With them, we might be able to secure this year victory."
"I wish I can say that." Fukutomi said with his usual stern look. "You can't underestimate other school," however he doesn't against Shinkai opinion, having both of them in their team would definitely be a great advantage.
" I'm curious at how much they had progressed over the years." He held Imaizumi application form and let out an amused smile. "Maybe it's time to put that ability into test."
"What?" Fukutomi raise an eyebrow when he notices Shinkai watch him with a smug smile.
"No, it's just…rare to see you this enthusiast about something,"
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The Campus cafeteria always filled with people on break time because all students from different major department are gathers there. Sounds of people happily chatting filled the air and this kind of place really are not to Imaizumi liking, especially because he felt uncomfortable at the curious glare from girls around him. He just becomes a college student for a month and he already lost count of how many girls that confessed to him.
But he endure it since Naruko had gone all the way to invite him for lunch, seeing the red head happily chomping down the food across him.
"Do you already turn in your application form to Cycling club?" Naruko asked after he gulped down a piece of bread.
"Yeah, yesterday." Imaizumi answered without tear his eyes from his notebook. After the break he would have a test in the next class so he need to prepare himself, but his concentration keep breaking when Naruko is talking.
"Ka ka ka! It's quite a shock! I didn't think we'd be in the same team as Fukutomi-san and Shinkai-san!" Naruko laughter rang and still loud as ever.
"Yeah, it is surprising," Imaizumi, answer with a small nod. He never thought he would have ended in the same team with the former captain of Hakone Gakuen Cycling club.
"Did Kaburagi also invite you to watch the first years welcome race in Sohoku this week?" when receiving a low nod from Imaizumi, Naruko continue his sentences. "I really looking forward for it, Kaburagi sounds really pumped up, so probably there are skilled one among the first years," Imaizumi lip twitches upward, creating a small smile. He also looks forward to watch the race.
"He still conceited as ever, that brat!" Naruko refer to Kaburagi in playful but fond manner. "It's hard to believe he is the new captain of Sohoku bike racing club."
Naruko smirk getting wider when he seen a frown shown on Imaizumi feature and gone as fast as it's appeared. "What? Missing your title already? Ex-Captain?" The redhead asked teasingly.
"Shut up." Imaizumi huffed in annoyance.
"Do you think there will be a potential member we could recruit in the future?" Naruko put his finger under the chin in thinking pose with a smug smirk. Imaizumi and Naruko never expect they would ended up enrolled the same college. This was not in their plan at all, but their similar way of thinking might had been brought them together.
The amazing coincidence keep continue when they found out they were roommate in University Dormitory. Under all the fight and bickering they had, both of them secretly relief that they end up in the same place with each other, since they know each other long enough to have mutual understanding.
"Do you think Onoda-kun will come?" the redhead can feel the sudden tense from the man sat across him.
"It doesn't have anything to do with me." Imaizumi answered, plain and simple and begin to collect his books and assignments.
"Are you still hanging up on 'that'?" Naruko question receive immediate reaction from Imaizumi as the black haired male suddenly rise from his seat, a silent form of declaring he won't have this conversation any further.
"The test is coming up, I had to go back to class." Imaizumi said in a low tone almost whispers, find a perfect reason to excuse himself.
This is one thing both of them knew well enough not to voice out loud, but Naruko took the chance.
The day after that 'incident', Onoda had asked to be forfeited from the race. Three years of knowing him, Naruko understood completely that incident would be a huge blow to good-hearted Onoda and would probably scar him forever.
That Image still fresh in his memory and be forever embedded in his consciousness.
When he heard about the accident, both he and Imaizumi rushed to the hospital, only to be greeted by the sight of Onoda bowed before Manami's room.
With his head touched the white floor of Hospital hall and a tears streaming down from his eyes down to the ground. He continuously chanted a word of apology.
He never saw Onoda looked so defeated before, and it pained him so much just to watch their best climber in such devastated state. Onoda refused to move from that spot for days until Manami regain consciousness.
When they receive the examination result, they found out that Manami's leg was damaged, permanently. Leading his life as cyclist to the end.
For Manami, cycling was everything for him. It was something he kept hold on to feel alive.
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To take that away for him, it is an unforgivable act
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The only thing he knew for sure, since that day Onoda hadn't been able to forgive himself. His despair has led to his resignation from the club; there are so many members that opposed Onoda resolve, especially Kaburagi. However Imaizumi choose not to make any comment and silently accept his decision.
Then after that, somehow bit-by-bit, Imaizumi and Onoda became distant with each other to the point Naruko need to be the mediator between them. They hadn't seen each other in a year and only relies on Naruko for source of information despite having each other mail-address.
He tired of their senseless silent to avoid contact with each other. Seeing his two best friends drifted apart and nothing he can do to change it made him felt left out and irked at the same time.
But…on top of that, it hurt…seeing them like that.
It hurt…knowing they won't be back to the way they were.
Imaizumi had change since then, and he won't consider it to the good way either. He still keeps his thought to himself, but turn into more secluded person than before, craving for victory more than anything else. It almost feels like he turns back into his younger self, the person before he met Naruko and Onoda, or might be even worse.
Onoda was not the only one burdened by that incident…
The First year welcome race was a tradition Sohoku bicycle-racing club held every year after they gather enough new members. The event will take place at tomorrow afternoon practice, after school. Kaburagi are over-pumped to test his Kouhai capability. This far they had two All-rounders, one Climber and one Sprinter.
The pink haired guy was the first one that arrive at the clubroom, while waiting his members to come he decide to doing a proper maintenance to his bike. Tomorrow his seniors will join him to watch the race; he is overjoyed especially because Onoda already agreed to come.
It's been a long time, Senpai… He smiles at the last picture they took together at his first Inter-high. Sohoku has won the Inter-high twice in the row, which was a glorious achievement to be able to defend their reign as kings. His smile falter when he remembers the time Onoda decide to forfeit from the race in their last Inter-high and then left the club.
He once confronted Onoda in order to asks the reason because he refuse to accept his resignation and Onoda simply answered that the third year exam are coming up and he doesn't have any confidence in biking anymore. He highly disappointed by Onoda decision and can't understand why Imaizumi refuse to confront him as the captain of the team at that time.
The sounds of creaking door opened interrupted his thought and he turn toward the source of the sounds and find Danchiku, the vice captain of the club just entered the room.
"I don't realize you'd be here early." He seems not expect to find Kaburagi there judging from the surprise look across his usually stoic face.
"Oi, oi, what kind of reaction is that? You should know the best! I am the captain now, I had a responsibility to act like one." Kaburagi replies with one of his smug pose.
"The second years will arrive shortly." Said Danchiku, completely ignore him as he watches the figures outside the window.
"Don't suddenly change the subject!" even after three years they're together, Danchiku personality still gets him every time.
After the second years finished changing to their jersey, they decide to help Kaburagi and Danchiku to take out the glider for the first years to practice. The practice began after all the first years arrive.
"So…tomorrow is the day, huh?" Danchiku said while move from his spot to stand besides Kaburagi, while he in the middle of examine the first years training.
"Yeah, they need to be in firm condition to compete. So today's practice are half time than usual."
"I want to surprise them in tomorrow race." Danchiku knew exactly what Kaburagi means by that and it's not like he doesn't have the same intention. His eyes focused intently on their climber that white haired boy with green strips.
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The Day of first year welcome race
"Here, take this with you. This is what you've been asking me to make, right?" a middle aged woman with punch perm hair stated as she give Onoda a plastic bag.
"Yes, thank you mother." Onoda put them inside his bag. "I'll be going now, I need to return to Shizuoka tonight." After entered college, Onoda decide to start living by his own. At first his mother were against Onoda decision to live by his own, knowing her one and only son is somewhat pretty clumsy and it worried her to no end.
"Wait!" she stop him with a stern voice.
"Y-yes?"
"Are you eating properly? You seem thinner than before." The middle-aged woman commented with a worry frown.
"Yes, there is nothing you need to worry, I am just a bit busy lately." Onoda waved his hand dismissed. She would certainly be angry if she knew all this time he's been living off convenience store food.
"You have to take care of yourself, I don't want you to get sick." She inhales deeply.
"I know, I will." Onoda scratches his head, a little tired hearing the same advice all the time even though he knew that means she cares a lot for him.
"How's your friends been doing?" Onoda taken aback by the random question from his mother.
"You know, the redhead and the tall guy with narrow eyes. I've never see them around anymore, you used to hang out with them all the time." It's natural for her to wondering what happened since Onoda used to talk about them a lot. "Are you having fight with them?" her tone became deeper almost sounds like she scolding him.
"No! No! We went to different University, so it's hard to find time to see each other…" He can only told her half-truth. It's true he's been busy by the first month he become a college student. Getting used to new environment takes quite a lot of time especially since Onoda never live alone by himself. Also he never missed his daily visit to Manami house.
To tell the truth, he may just make a convenience excuse to not seeing them. He still met with Naruko occasionally, therefore he knew that Naruko and Imaizumi going to Meisou College. He thought back as he walked the path toward his old school Sohoku High.
He is kind of nervous about meeting them; Kaburagi mentioned that he also invited Imaizumi and Naruko to watch the first year welcome race. He hadn't talk to Imaizumi for almost a year, they reunion will totally be awkward.
What should I said if we running to each other again…?
Onoda too absorbed in his own thought that he doesn't realize someone been calling for him.
Onoda quickly turn around when a loud sound of car honking distracting him from his thought and saw A white van a step behind him and Kanzaki Tooji waved at him from driver seat. The light brown haired male seems hasn't change at all since his first year in Sohoku.
"Do you also going to Sohoku High, today?" asked the older male when Onoda come closer to his van. Every year Kanzaki shop always provide Sohoku biking club with all supplies they're needed including event like first year race and Inter-high.
"Yeah, Kaburagi invite me to watch the race." Onoda nodded with his usual huge smile.
"Want a ride, then?" Kanzaki make a 'hop on' gesture with his thumb pointing at the empty back seat.
"Yes! Thank you very much!" without a second thought Onoda decide to take the offer and get inside the Van.
"Miki can't come today, she need to look after the store while I delivering all this things." Kanzaki Tooji said when he saw the question Onoda about to uttered from his gesture.
"Ah, so that's why…"
"What with that disappointment tone? Just you know, my sister had many admirers, it will be tough to win her over." Tooji commented in playful tone and restart the car.
"No, no, no, that's not it!" Onoda shakes his head with flushed face. "It just, it's been a while since we've met so…" Tooji chuckled when Onoda tried his best to cover his embarrassment.
"Come to think of it, he also invites Imaizumi and Naruko along with Teshima and Aoyagi." Onoda is slightly relived when Tooji suddenly decide to change the conversation.
"But Teshima and Aoyagi already refuse since they can't make it today." The brown haired male stops the car when they encounter a red light.
"How's Kinjou doing? Is he alright?" As Onoda thought, Tooji will ask about Kinjou sooner or later.
"Great! Kinjou-san and Arakita-san will participate in next month prefectural University race. They are training hard!" Onoda tell him with passion. He often caught them practice in the early morning.
"Is that so? That's good to hear." Tooji said with his signature smile with a relief knowing his underclassmen is doing well out there.
"It's really been a while since we see you." The older male sudden comment has caught Onoda attention; his tone has indicated the nostalgic feelings inside. "I used of seeing you three practice together since first year, so when I caught a sight of Imaizumi and Naruko practice together without you."
"It feels like…something is missing." His face was calm and his voice is emotionless but there's a gleam similar of longings in Tooji brown orbs. The sight alone had made Onoda chest clutches in pain, he was never good dealing with other people expectation and knew that he was not the only one that disappointed at the decision he made.
A second had passed; both of them become silent, let the quiet atmosphere gradually become stronger between them. Neither of them had anything to talk anymore. Onoda cast his glance outside the window and to his surprise find a cyclist heading toward them when Kanzaki van takes a right turn on the road. The sudden appearance of the cyclist with black and white stripes on the left and right side jersey had surprised both of them.
He riding a black road racer that Kanzaki recognize as Trek branded bike.
"Kanzaki-san!" Onoda shriek terrified. He's more concerned of the cyclist chance of survive rather than both of them.
"I know!" The older Kanzaki growled as he quickly stepped on the brake and turn the wheel to opposite direction to change the van course. He had read many article about the death of cyclists resulted from traffic accident, his license might get revoked and he certainly don't ready to be the one took the responsibility over someone's death.
However Kanzaki were late by the second, Onoda's shut his eyes tightly when the front wheel of that bicycle almost crashed Kanzaki front car.
This is it! Thought Onoda and Kanzaki Tooji at the same time as they brace themselves for the incoming impact.
Instead of loud sound of crashing metal, both of the ex member of Sohoku cycling club were surprised by the scene before them. The cyclist lifts the front wheel of his bike and jump across Kanzaki van carbon fiber hood. It's hard to believe but it's real and happening right in front of them.
Only when the cyclist land on the ground across of them that Onoda release the breath he didn't realize he's been holding when he watching the unbelievable scene before.
"A-are you alright?!" Kanzaki exited his van and rushed toward the black rider followed closely by Onoda.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, am I damaging your car or something?" The cyclist asks with lazy tone. The cyclist seems fine or rather he is too calm after the incident that might take his life away.
"No…rather than that, are you sure you alright?" Kanzaki asks once again, making sure the cyclist is not injured or anything.
"I'm fine, it just…the last time I did that I broke someone front car glasses." He refers to the incident that had just happened earlier.
"That's a common sense! It was dangerous! You might run into serious accident one day if you keep doing that!" Kanzaki crossed his arms while scolded the cyclist, he only scratches the back of his head in response. "And to think that you can be so calm after doing such thing is unbelievable!"
"Actually, I'm really shocked when I saw your van suddenly appear like that and without thinking I jump over your van." Admitted the said cyclist. The brown haired male sighed; either this cyclist is just plain stupid of he might be the real prodigy. He never meet someone like this person all his life.
That skill he display is almost similar as the pro cyclist…this guy… Onoda about to ask the man some question when he suddenly interrupted their thought.
"Excuse me, but actually I'm in hurry…can we talk about this later? This is my number just call me if it turn out I'm damaging your van or something," He gave Kanzaki a piece of paper with a number written on them.
"I'll pay for it," He said before he pedals his black Trek bike forward away from there.
"What was that…?"
"Well, I'm just glad nothing happened to him, if he was injured or something my license will definitely get revoked and my parents and Miki are going to scold me." Kanzaki comments while scratching his head before turned his head at Onoda besides him. "Let's head to the school, I'm sure everyone would have been waiting for us."
"Yeah, let's go." Onoda nodded then followed the older male back to his car.
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When Onoda arrives at Sohoku high he notice that his old school still as same as ever. He helped Tooji carried out some equipment to the clubroom where the first years already do some warm-up with the rollers. Some of them still hadn't used to ride on it yet.
Kaburagi and Danchiku were watching over them and help to tend them when they falling from the rollers. They seems hasn't notice his arrival yet until a loud piercing-ears familiar voice announce it automatically when they caught a sight of him.
"Osu! Onoda-kun! Long time no see!" Naruko suddenly wrapped one arms over his shoulder and pull him to a friendly headlock, while Onoda put his hand around Naruko arms to prevented being choked since they had quite a gap difference in their height now. Forcing him to bend down on head level with Naruko.
He still the same old Naruko Shoukichi after all.
"Aha,ha,ha, Naruko-kun, it's really been a long time," Onoda was glad the redhead seems to be in a pretty high spirit. However, Imaizumi are nowhere in the sight.
"Senpai! You came!" Kaburagi proceed to rush and greeted his most admired senior with Danchiku following closely behind him, after Naruko release Onoda from his friendly Head-locking.
"Kaburagi-kun, Danchiku-kun, thank you for inviting me over. I am really grateful." Onoda said with his usual excite smile.
"I should be the one that feeling grateful, senpai!"
"Onoda-senpai, thank you for coming today."
"Danchiku-kun! Long time no see!" Onoda turn aside toward the black haired third years flashed him his signature cheerful smile. "I haven't congratulated you yet for being selected as the vice-captain of the club." He extended his arm and Danchiku happily receive the handshake.
"Yes, thank you very much…" Danchiku replied with a small smile.
"I heard you also invite Imaizumi-kun."
"Yeah! He just around here before…maybe he is going to the toilet."
"Come on! Who cares about annoying-Izumi? Let just watch the first years practice!" Naruko suddenly grabbed Onoda by his collar and pull him along, Kaburagi took it as his usual sarcasm toward Imaizumi of their love-hate relationship but Onoda realize that Naruko hide something, but decide not to question him.
"Right! I want to introduce you to someone interesting!" Kaburagi lead both of them toward one of the first years the male with white colored hair and emotionless facade.
"Noguchi-kun!" Kaburagi called him make the white haired male stop pedaling and turn around at them.
"What is it, Kaburagi-senpai?" He asked, while get down from the rollers.
"This is the person I told you before, Onoda Sakamichi, my upperclassmen."
"Onoda-san…eh?" He nodded a bit toward the taller male showing his respect but with a tone as flat as his expression. "The climber that lead Sohoku to victory in his first Inter-High when he still an amateur first year?"
"Eeeeh?! N-no! Is not because of me, we won the Inter-High! It's because of everyone else effort…I really didn't do anything that great…" Onoda shakes his head while waving his hand in the air as modest as ever, whenever someone brought back his first victory in the Inter-High.
"This person is Noguchi Takahiro." Kaburagi add with his signature-bemused smile. "The best climber we had in our club."
"Heeh? This midget?" Naruko take a step closer to take a good look at the white haired male.
"You shouldn't be the one to talk, Naruko-san. There's not much difference between you and him, anyway." Kaburagi pointing at the obvious fact that Naruko hasn't grown an inch since last year.
"What's that?! You wanna go?!" Naruko replied, as hot head as ever. He tends to easily get annoyed at the way Kaburagi mocking him.
Climber… Onoda observe the white haired boy carefully. Somehow he is a little curious of the ability this first year climber possessed; it might be his instinct as a climber kick-in.
"What is it?" Noguchi turn at Onoda when he notices the older male intense look focused at him.
"No, no, I am sorry for staring at you." Onoda humble apologizes for his unintentional rudeness.
"So, as I mentioned before. He is the best climber we had." Kaburagi tone is brimming with confidence. "You'd better watch him carefully in this race." Both Onoda and Naruko understood, this freshman were not an ordinary cyclist to receive such approval from Kaburagi.
He might be as well a Prodigy!
The warm-up preparation last for another 10 minutes before Danchiku assembles them together for briefing them the race detail.
The course stage was the usual race stage. First stage is down the main gate slope and through the town. The second stage they will pass Minegayama challenge of steep climb, the third stage will be taking place in Kazakami Tunnel full-speed required and the fourth and last stage is circle through Kameishi Dam, total stage is 60 km in distance.
The total participants of the first year race this year are 4 people; two All-rounders were Tamura Hokuto and Okuda Genjiro, then a sprinter Tsukishima Ryuusei and the climber, Noguchi Takahiro.
Any participant that no longer qualified to continue will be picking up by the recover vehicle.
The race surely brings back memories; however instead of participate in race. Onoda and Naruko are now watching the race from inside Kanzaki van, following the first years from behind.
The first years started first as they already race to the down the main gate slope, after a while Kanzaki Tooji started the van signaling they will start follow them from afar.
"Naruko-san, is it alright not to wait for Imaizumi-san? He also wants to watch the race didn't he?" Danchiku decide to ask before Naruko entered the van.
The redhead male merely glances at Onoda and Kaburagi where the glasses male literally being shove into the van by over-pumped Kaburagi.
"It's fine…he won't show up anyway." Naruko simply state without facing the confused Danchiku as he made his way toward the van.
At the start of Minegayama phase, they notice that Noguchi in the last position in the race make both Onoda and Naruko wondering what makes Kaburagi put that much confidence in this first year skill. Not only he is in the last position he also getting left behind more far away when the others gaining pace.
"Kaburagi, I hate to break this up to you, but are you sure that kid going to be alright? No matter how you see it he seems ready to get picked up any minute now." Naruko point at Noguchi that seems to have a hard time keeps up with the others.
"Don't worry," Kaburagi retaliate with ease. "That kid maybe a slow starter but he is genius once it comes to slope."
"What? Are you saying now that he had inhuman high Candace like Onoda-kun, here?" Naruko raise his eyebrow and point at Onoda with his thumb.
"Eh? I-Inhuman?!" Onoda seem surprise by Naruko comment on his skill.
"Well, you just have to see it with your own eyes then." Kaburagi replied with confident smirk, he closed his eyes and crossed his arms; refuse to give any more clues.
I don't think his strength point is his Candace… Onoda thought as he watching Noguchi pedaling the bike in slow pace. He curious at the first year ability especially since Kaburagi put much confident in this particular newbie skills.
They about to enter the second phase, Minegayama course where Noguchi true ability finally can be revealed in this stepper hill.
"This stage sure brings back memories, don't they?" Kanzaki Tooji suddenly commented. Onoda and Naruko understood completely what he meant by that; this stage is the places where they witness the intense race Onoda go against Imaizumi at full power. He won by a single inch in the neck-to-neck race with Imaizumi.
To Onoda that was the very first victory he ever achieves in his life, and to Imaizumi Onoda was the person that beat him for the first time, fair and square.
"It's starting." Kaburagi smiles widened receive attention from both Onoda and Naruko. "Look at him." He gestures at the direction of the white haired male.
From the moment he enter the slope road his speed keep increasing. Before they know realize he already passed two first years.
He is fast! There isn't even a minute and he already passed the other two! Onoda stare I disbelieve at the scene.
His style is similar to my sprint climbing style…but… those movement… Naruko eyes widened when he sees Noguchi style.
"That's Noguchi specialty, adapt ability." Kaburagi explain after see the dumbfounded expression on his upperclassmen's face.
"Adapt ability?" Onoda turn at him with confusion clearly written on his face, with a big question mark above his head.
"He able to adapt with any slope and hill and keep gaining speed. He can quickly spot his opponent weakness and made a way to passed them from their blind spot vision, the higher the slope the faster he'll ride." As Kaburagi explained his junior skill, Naruko and Onoda notice Noguchi already passed three more people and has now leading the race in the first place.
"But, even if he can exceed his speed in the slope, he can easily beaten on the flat road isn't?" Naruko crosses his arms while keep watching the first year.
"No, as a climber the more distance you put between you and your opponent on the slope the greater the advantage you receive in the flat road." Onoda said, not once taking his eyes off of the race. "The greater the distance the more his opponent having a hard time catching up on him."
"At this point, his cadence is 20%rpm." Kaburagi mentioned as they getting closer to Minegayama Peak.
"20?! Only that much?" Naruko astonished by Kaburagi explanation.
"Interesting! He really is interesting!" A small smile appears on Onoda face then gradually getting wider.
The very same smile he had whenever he climbing the mountain road or when he chasing his opponent, the smile that represent the joy of cycling. Naruko eyes widened slightly when he caught the sight of Onoda expression; he never sees that smile for a long time.
Then he saw a smirk formed in Kaburagi feature when the red salmon haired male steal a glance at Onoda and instantly get the meaning behind that smirk.
So this is your plan, Kaburagi? Naruko can't help but let out a low chuckle as well. Kaburagi probably had planned this all along when he invite Onoda to watch the first year race.
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The first year race ended with Noguchi in the first place, he won by 2 second difference with the sprinter Tsukishima despite the distance Noguchi manage to put between them on the second stage, the light brown haired male quickly catch up in the flat road.
Noguchi were sitting on the flat road, tried to regain his breath after the tiring race that replenish all of his stamina, he barely have any strength left to take another step.
He startled by a water bottle that appear right n front his face and then look up to find Onoda staring down at him.
"Good work." Onoda said kindly offered the water and Noguchi thanked him with a small nod and takes the bottle. "You were amazing back then, as a climber."
"Thank you." Noguchi replied in low voice at Onoda praise.
"Noguchi-kun, do you like biking?" Onoda asked out of the blue, to make a little talk.
"No, not really." The white haired male merely shrugged with bored expression. Judging from Noguchi answer he doesn't even bother try to sugarcoating his words.
"Then…what motivate you to join the bike racing club?"
"Kaburagi-senpai, he is the one that encourage me to join." Noguchi stare at Onoda for a moment before continue. "He often talk about you, he really admire you Onoda-san. I think that understandable, you were only a first year when you won your first inter-high."
He take a sip before continue. "I thought you were a prodigy or something." Noguchi places his thumb and point finger under his chin in thinking pose.
"Eh?! Th-that's not true! I never joined any race before the Inter-High!" Onoda shakes his head clumsily.
"Ah? is that so? So you kept your talent hidden?" Noguchi asked.
"…Actually…I never realize I had a talent in cycling before join the club." Onoda admitted a little embarrassed. "I used to ride a bike to Akiba because that's the only way I can save some money to buy some figurine."
"Akiba? That's impressive…by the way what Anime figurine you buy?" Noguchi asked seems to more interested at the Anime rather than the fact this glasses geek ride his bike from Chiba to Akiba.
"Eh? Ng…Love Hime, Torakon, and Manyu-Manyu are the frequent ones." Onoda explained counting them one by one. "I also was buying many Blu-ray and CD character."
"Torakon huh? I've heard they going to release the ultra rare Blu-ray from the movie trailer last summer." The white haired male trailing completely oblivious at the wide-eye stare he receives from Onoda.
"They've been talking about it a lot at the forums so we can expect a lot-"
"Noguchi-kun, wait a moment!" Before Noguchi continues even further Onoda decide to stop him there.
"Are you an Otaku?" Onoda asked in trembling voice, his bangs covered his eyes.
"Y…yes…" Noguchi admit truthfully and then a second later taken by surprise at Onoda outburst. He cornered him with sparkling big eyes.
"Finally! Finally! I can find an Otaku in Sohoku!" a light from the sky come down and shine over Onoda feature as he fall on his knee to show his over immense happiness. "But…why did it have to happen after I graduated?" the light of overjoy turn into self-pity in a second.
"Personally, I don't think it's a big deal, Onoda-san." He may be an Otaku but he rather indifferent about it. He occasionally talks about anime with other Otaku but that doesn't mean they were friends or anything. He can't understand what makes Onoda so happy about meeting another Otaku; they were scatter everywhere in Akihabara.
"It used to be a huge problem for me!" Onoda grabs Noguchi shoulder out of desperation. "When I first started high School I always wanted to join the anime club! I even go as far to revive the club when it being closed due to the lack of member!"
"But, overtime that problem become really insignificant that it went off my mind completely." Onoda chuckles a little. "It all started when Imaizumi-kun challenge me to a race and then Naruko-kun encouraging me to join the club."
"I am really grateful for those two, because of them I learnt the joy of cycling and comes to love it with all my heart." The glasses male smile as he remembers those old days. "I may not join the anime club but I have people I can call friends, and to be able to ride together with them is the happiest moment in my life." He become quiet for a moment before continues. "I think that the most important thing."
"But, you decide to quit the club right?" Noguchi statement caught Onoda off guard. "I don't know what happened but I just can't understand, why would you quit at something you really love."
Onoda bit his lip as the cheerful look on his face replace with remorse. "I…" He started. "I used to admire one cyclist very much, he is the reason I joined the Inter-High." Onoda cast his glance at the ground. "At the last Inter-High, I make a mistake that cost him something irreplaceable."
He let out a sigh. "You may think this is stupid, but for me…this is my punishment."
Because no matter what, I can't turn back the time…
"Ah! There you are Onoda-san, Noguchi-kun!" Before Noguchi can say anything to reply, Kaburagi already walked toward them and yanked him from the back collar of his jersey.
"Come here! We need to congratulate you for being in the first place on the race." Kaburagi pulls the staggered Noguchi toward the other first years, ignoring his complain.
Onoda can only watch the scene with a small smile.
"A little advice for the new climber, I see…" Familiar voice startles Onoda.
"Uwaa! Naruko-kun! Since when did you standing behind me?!" the glasses male quickly turn around to find his redhead best friend who chuckle in reply. His smirk slowly replace with serious look.
"So…you also still hanging up on that incident…huh?" the atmosphere getting heavier when the redhead brought back the topic.
"Naruko-kun…I…" Onoda seems hesitate to continue.
"You are not the only one that still bound by the past." Naruko lowered his head until his bangs covered his eyes and Onoda about to say something before his blue eyes caught a sight of familiar figure standing a few meters ahead that left him speechless.
His eyes grew wide as he slowly recognizes the said figure.
Imai…zumi…Kun…
The man standing before him is the very same Imaizumi Shunsuke he saw a year ago but at the same time he is a completely different person, something that Onoda can't exactly put into word.
"So you came here today, Onoda Sakamichi." Imaizumi said as he takes a step forward. The very first sentence he uttered at Onoda for the first time in a year and the Sohoku ex-climber remain speechless by his sudden appearance.
From the corner of his eyes, Onoda notice Naruko gritted his teeth in disdain, this must be not something he look forward.
Onoda was taken by surprise. Not only Imaizumi addresses him with his full name for the first time but also the way he pronounces them. It was the coldest tone he ever heard Imaizumi used.
Imaizumi halted his step when he and Onoda standing facing each other. Now that there almost no difference gap between their height, Onoda can see Imaizumi at the same eye-level.
"At next month prefectural match, I challenge you to race against me." Onoda eyes get even wider at Imaizumi statement. This is the second time Imaizumi had challenge him to a race.
Naruko remained silent; he knew this race is important for Imaizumi to get over the past. Imaizumi will bet everything he had in this race since this is the only way he can overcome the past, the taste of defeat that still lingering deep inside him.
"Whether you come or not, I'll be waiting." Imaizumi stated as he walked past Onoda. "That race will determined, who is superior between us."
Onoda turn back and witness Imaizumi walk further away from him.
"Onoda-kun." Naruko take a step closer at Onoda to stand beside him. "If there is someone who can stop him now, you are the only one." The redhead voice is hollow and empty however there's a hint of desperation behind them, this must be a huge pressure for him too. He then raises his pace and followed Imaizumi to the direction he gone.
"Imaizumi-kun…Naruko-kun…" Onoda whispered as he watch the figure of two people that used to be his closest friend slowly getting further away from him.
To be Continue…
A/N: I have to thank all the people that fave and follow my story. I am really grateful knowing that my stories are being read and liked, despite I know it still filled will many flaws here and there. I love writing so much and I've been wrote many stories but I didn't have a courage to publish them yet. I will try my best for the next chapter.
P.S : I am aware there are some Oc I made for this chapter. I am sorry for such crappy character profile since I made them in rush because the sole purpose they exist is only to fill the gap character in first year race and also serve as a bait to awaken Onoda desire for cycling and dramatic moment in the race. They won't appear on later chapter, from now on the story will focus on Onoda character growth.