.
.
Chapter 2. Date Fiasco
.
.
It's a sunny morning on Sunday. Such a nice day to relax for peoples that been working every day from Monday to Saturday. Some of them choose to spend the day with their family and friends or even colleagues.
Onoda is standing at the front gate of train station; he's been waiting for half an hour. He deliberately decides to come early from the time they supposed to meet.
He really nervous, he's been fiddled the edge of his orange jacket with his fingers.
He wears a black turtleneck shirt and coated with his favorite orange jacket and a dark blue pants.
Onoda is grateful for Naruko hard work in changing his clothing style. The redhead might be not a fashion leader but at least he had helped him to not embarrass himself in front of Manami.
He is going to meet with Manami for about five minute later according to the text the blue haired male sent. The mere thought of it is enough to make him happy. He is going to spend the day, the entire day together with Manami.
He finally acquired the blue haired male numbers through Makishima and Toudou. He still remembers how much his hands are trembling when he sent his first message.
"Sakamichi-kun!" Onoda turn at the direction of the familiar voice called him. Manami just walked out of the station and proceed to walk to him. Onoda notice that he was wearing casual white T-shirt and blue jeans with accessories that appears to be a necklace with wood ornament.
"I am sorry for made you wait…" The blue haired male said sheepishly.
"No! No! It's alright, actually I had just arrive myself." Onoda shakes his head.
"Then, shall we go?" Manami asks give Onoda a cue to lead the way.
"Y-yes!" Onoda replied and then proceed to take a step first.
.
After they talked for a while to decide what they should do first, both of them agree to rent a sport bike and plan on biking to the top of Minegayama.
"Actually our first year race was once held in this course." Onoda informed when they about to enter the mountain path where the incline become ascending.
"First year race?" Manami asked, he seems fascinated.
"Ah! Every year our club always held a race for the new members that had recently joined the club." Onoda explained. "It's turn out to be their tradition."
"Heeh…sounds interesting…" Manami raise his acceleration when they almost reach the top of the incline. "We never had an event like that. It must be fun if we had one!"
"Actually, about that…" Onoda pedal a little faster, to catch up with Manami rhythm. "I'm always wondering about your biking club, Manami-kun."
"About, what?" The deep blue haired male asked without diverts his eyes from the road before him.
"Well, I mean like the club schedule or what you usually do in the club practice…"
"Club practice?" Manami put a finger on his chin and thinking for a while "Hmm…well, I don't really follow the club practice schedule."
"Eeeh?!" Onoda is surprise by Manami exclamation. He sounds like he taking the practice really easy.
"I always biking on my own and I think that the way I enjoyed the most. Fukutomi-senpai did say we have to practice in our own way. That's why he let me to biking outdoor by myself." He added his explanation when Manami notice the clear confusion in Onoda's face. "But now you mention it, we did have a large indoor exclusively for bike racing club and a private gym where we can receive a proper muscle training."
"It's sounds amazing!" If it to be compared with ours… Onoda smile with grim, knowing the visible-huge-different between their school club facilities. All they had was just a small clubroom with few training equipment's from Kanzaki shop.
"Well…I think that makes sense, after all Hakone Gakuen main sport focus are Bike racing."
"So, who won in the end?" Manami suddenly resume his earlier question.
"Eh?" However due to his slow thinking, Onoda seems unsure to answer Manami question.
"That first year race." Manami add a moment later when he receives no reply from the glasses male.
"Imaizumi-kun won the race, he is really amazing! I mean it's to be expected he is a cyclist with wealth experience and extraordinary skill compared with a complete amateur like me-"
"What did you felt about that?" Manami retort a question that automatically silence Onoda rambling about Imaizumi. Instead of hearing him praising his teammate are and belittle himself. Manami want to hear his honest opinion, about what he really felt regarding the race itself.
"I…" Onoda reduce his pace as he glance downside. "I felt…frustrated…for being the only one who left behind." The race ends up with result him being in the third place but somehow, remembering that makes the bitter feelings deep inside him resurface.
"I…see…" Manami decide not to ask any question and bike alongside Onoda in silence. In a way, he might felt guilty to bring up such heavy topic.
At the top of the fifth slope they've been climbing, they turn at the right and found a small resting place. There are a vending machine that sells various beverages and a small shop along with a small public toilet.
"Want to get some drink? I am quite thirsty." Manami asked and Onoda immediately response with nodded enthusiastically, gain a small laugh from Manami.
After they parked their bike, Onoda walking toward the vending machine and about to buy some drinks but he doesn't forget to ask Manami first. "Manami-kun, what kind of drink do you want?"
"It's alright, I don't need it. I already bought some popsicles," The blue haired male responds as he gives his money to the shopkeeper, an old lady with smile.
"Alright then," Onoda shrugged then proceed to decide his choice from the available beverages. "I guess, I'll pick orange juice." He enters some coins and pressed the button. After a while He heard loud audible Clang when the canned drink hit the bottom of the vending machine.
"Over here, Sakamichi-kun." He glace toward the direction Manami called him from. He had found a comfortable bench to sit on.
Apparently they are the only customers at the time so they can take their time and relax.
Manami takes the popsicles he bought and unwrapped it and took a first lick and then shudder from the cold sensation and sweet taste. "Hmmm…eating ice is definitely the best during sunny days like these!" Manami exclaimed before start to dig in.
"I also like eating ice, but I always get headache whenever I eat too fast." Onoda sighed, that's why he prefer cold beverage than ice. "Aren't that the popsicle with prize? It's very hard to got the win Popsicle, I never got them even once!"
"It's alright, I'm really good with stuff like this." Manami said with confidence.
"Well… you welcome to try, but I am sure only someone really lucky can obtain it…" Onoda momentarily stopped. Stunned by the sight before him.
.
The blunette opened his mouth, let a pink tongue came out and touch the tip of the purple colored Popsicle.
The glasses male swallowed thickly at the sight, seems unable to tear his eyes away from the view.
Cautiously and slowly licking all the way down before put it inside his mouth, between that soft and plump lip. Swirl it once and then proceed to sucking on it.
Onoda had break into sweat, he didn't realize he already sweats a lot. He had squirm uncomfortably in his seat.
Occasionally pull the Popsicle out for a brief moment before pushing it back inside, almost in teasing way.
At this rate, Onoda can feel unwelcome tingling sensation downside, near his under region, somewhere between his legs.
.
NO!NO!NO!NO!NO! Calm down Sakamichi! You must calm down at time like this! Onoda thought as he tried hard to focus his minds somewhere else-mainly anime- to erase the event he just witnesses.
Date or not, inappropriate thoughts are certainly forbidden! It's completely off limit!
Too absorbed in his own thought, Onoda completely missed the twitch on the corner of Manami lips, as it's gradually become a playful smirk as he enjoyed watch the four-eye squirming and flustering in his seat.
"Look! I told you, I'm good at stuff like this!" Manami said happily while waving the thin flat piece of wood stick with 'Kanji' Win on the surface.
Manami exclamation has grabbed Onoda attention.
"Uwaa! That's great, Manami-kun! Congratulation!" Gasp in surprise, Onoda congratulate him while clapping his hands.
"Here," Manami said as he hand Onoda the wood stick. "It's for you, you said you wanted it."
"Eh?! But it's pretty rare, are you sure?" Onoda sounds reluctant to accept such rare gift.
"Of course, also I'm already full so I don't need it anymore." The blue haired male shrugged and put his empty hand inside his pants pocket as he rise from his seat.
"Thank you very much, Manami-kun! I am so happy!" He smiles a little at the sight of Onoda who burst in joy just for such insignificant gift.
"Then, shall we move on?" Manami suggest as he walked over to his rent bike. "We need to reach the top before sunset."
"Oh! Of course!" Onoda rise from his seat and shoved the piece of wood stick inside his pocket before following Manami footsteps.
The gentle wind breeze through the branch of the trees surrounds them as they keep pedaling in moderate speed. Sunlight pierce through the crevice of the woods and leaf, illuminating them with it's light.
Biking side by side, Onoda and Manami quietly enjoying the beauty of the nature of Minegayama Mountain.
"Ah, we're almost there!" Onoda said as he raises his cadence by 20rpm and rushing ahead to the top of the mountain. Accepting his non-verbal challenge, Manami trailing closely behind him, waiting his chance to surpassed him.
A little race to the top had begun between them, with 3km left they racing each other.
Both of them were smiling widely as they try to pursuit each other. It's an intense rivalry and both of them refuse to yield to one another. However it's different from the Inter-High. They are not striving for victory, more likely this race was just a friendly race they did as both of them prided themselves as experienced climber.
.
The race ended with Manami on the lead. Onoda were only drop behind by a second before Manami.
Beads of sweat were dripping from their forehead as they come down from their bike.
"Haah, Hah, haah…that was fun!" Onoda let a content laughter as he tried to walk with wobbly legs toward the road rail.
"Yeah, that's definitely fun!" Manami add, still on his place. Tried to regain his breath.
"Come here, Manami-kun! This is the scenery I wanted to show you!" Manami immediately stand from his place after he heard Onoda calling him.
He then stand besides Onoda, he raise his head to get a better look at the view. Manami blue eyes get wider as he witness the scenery that literally taken his breath away by its mesmerizing beauty.
"It's…" Manami exhale, takes a long deep sigh as he watches over the breath-taking scene of Chiba town.
"This…is amazing!" he said in an amazement tone, enchanted by the wonderful scenery before him. A smile almost childish-like smile appeared on his face as he curiously peered around. "The building seems pretty small from the distance, I can't even spot the peoples!"
Onoda was glad that he'd be able to show Manami this scene. He always loves this expression. The perfect description of curiosity mixed with excitement and happiness.
He long to see that expression on Manami's face every day. He wants to be the only one that able to witness that expression. Sometimes, he thinks it's pretty selfish for him to have such thought.
He wants to know more about Manami-kun. Much, much more than anyone else.
"Sakamichi-kun." Onoda raise his eyebrow when Manami suddenly turned at him.
"Thank you, for bring me here." Ah…that serene smile again. That Manami trademark smile that leave him flushed and speechless at the same time with his heart beating fast.
However the moment were cut short when Onoda heard a loud growl. He stare at the blue heard before him seems a little embarrassed.
"Um, I'm hungry…" Manami said as he put his hand in front his stomached and scratch his head with the others. "Is there any place we can find good food around here?"
Smiled knowingly, Onoda replied, "I know a good ramen place around here, they sell delicious bean paste there."
"It's decided, let's go there!"
"But we need to get down from here first…"
They then decide to get down from the mountain and by the time they reach the down slope, the sun is almost set.
The streets are not as crowded as it were before; mostly people are on their way home. There are only a few vehicles on the roads make it easier for both of them to riding their bike through the town.
"Move out of the way, dumbass!" Onoda startle by the loud yelling and car honking from the distance. Instinctively he raises his head to see what the fuss all about in front of him.
Some guy wears sunglasses while smoking. He rides a flashy yellow sport car. He snapped angrily at the pedestrians that trying to cross the street because they're blocking his way.
Eh…I think I've seen that scary guy somewhere before… Onoda think as he tried to recall when he had seen that man.
That sunglasses guy then grumbled when he had to stop at the red traffic light in the crosswalk. He certainly is pissed for those people who blocking his way earlier. If it hadn't been for them, he wouldn't need to stop.
"What are you doing Sakamichi-kun? Hurry up! I'm starving!" Manami declare as he passed Onoda slightly raise his speed acceleration.
"Eh? Wait! Manami-kun!" Onoda tried to warn Manami but it's too late when the blue haired male accidentally bumps on the yellow sport car and leave a trail of scratch mark across that exquisite body of the car.
Both Onoda and that scary guy face turned horror at the incident.
"OI!" Manami turn on his right side when he heard the unfamiliar snapped directed at him and found an odd looking guy walks toward him, with an expression that ready to beat him to pulp.
"Yes?" Manami asks and slightly tilt his head. He obviously not aware about what he had just done.
"What the-!" That man knows that his car just being bumped earlier but he did not expect to find the sight of long trail scratch mark across his beautiful yellow sport car that cost him millions.
"What have you done to my beloved car, you little shit?!" Fumed with rage. He grabbed Manami by the collar of his shirt and forcefully drag him closer, ready to give him a lesson.
"Wait, wait, wait, please wait a moment!" Onoda suddenly interrupted, try to settle things out before this event turn bad.
"Ah!" The man releases his grip on Manami collar when he recognizes Onoda. "You're that shorty with that little red-haired twerp!" He pointed accusingly at him.
"Red hair…" suddenly Onoda remembered when he heard Naruko description. He is that scary looking guy he once encounters in Akiba when he first met Naruko.
"What? Is this guy one of your friends too? You're really unlucky to befriend with troublemakers." That guy scoffed despite a vein of anger popped on his head.
"Please calm down, it's just an accident! I'm sure he didn't mean it!" Onoda waving his hand in surrender, terrified. He tried not to evoke his anger even more.
"Accident or not, doesn't change the fact he leave such ugly mark in my beloved beautiful car!"
"Please calm down, it's all my fault…He didn't have anything to do with this." Manami quick to react when he saw the man intimidated Onoda.
"I'm sorry." Manami may sound calm but they notice there is a menacing tone in his voice as if challenge him if he dare to do anything.
If anything, his sincere apology only fuel the man anger even more. "You think everything is over once you apologize?!"
Onoda eyes widening when he realize what will going to happen to Manami the moment that guy raise his fist, ready to deliver some punch and without thinking he quickly positioned himself between them.
The next thing he knows he heard a loud crunching sound when the man knuckle sinks unto his face. Followed by excruciating pain that spread from the point he gotten the direct hit.
He is staggered back and then fall on his back with headfirst bumped the road because of the overpowering blow he receive.
He can heard a surprised gasps from the pedestrians around them and worriedly shout from Manami, calling his name.
The only things went across his mind before he felt his consciousness left him is…
Aaah…so this is the feeling when someone getting punch I often seen in Anime…
It's…hurts…
.
End of Chapter 2