"Kinjou-san.. Arakita-san.." mumbled Onoda, his eyes drawn to Kinjou's jersey as Naruko forced himself to look away from it.
"The Snake of the Stone Path and the Daredevil of Sohoku," he murmured. "How did they get such flashy nicknames?"
"A journalist called Yasutomo a daredevil for his stunt at the Nagatoroyama Hill Climb, sho," explained Yuusuke. "Now whenever he's mentioned in articles, they use that nickname, sho."
"So cool..!" breathed Naruko and Onoda, the latter frowning in concern. "I'm sorry you had a fight, though.. did you manage to make up when Arakita-san came back?"
"Sadly not, sho," sighed Yuusuke.
"Yeah.." "Alright, sho.." "Thanks again, Toudou. I'll see you tomorrow, sho," Yuusuke pressed End Call, then turned to Jin.
"Toudou said their offer still stands. If Yasutomo catches up, they'll pull him along, sho."
Jin hummed. Yuusuke took a deep breath.
"Tadokorocchi..? I'm going to sleep now, sho. I'm a deep sleeper, too, so, don't bother trying to wake me up, okay?" his hands clenched by his thighs. Jin gave him a look.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying, Makishima?"
Yuusuke nodded, expression wobbly.
"Don't worry, then," Jin gave him a reassuring smile, "just leave everything to me."
When Yasutomo finally returned to their room, Jin bounded over with a forced grin, but before he could so much as make a sound, Yasutomo slapped a hand over his mouth and shook his head, his eyes on Yuusuke's motionless back.
"Humiliate him and I'll break you," he hissed. Jin surrendered, then watched with pained concern as Yasutomo kneeled down by Yuusuke's side, planting a shadow of a kiss in his hair.
"Sleep well, Yuusuke. Love you," he mouthed the words, then dragged his futon to the other side of the room and curled up, buried in blankets and regret.
"Ah, I see..!" breathed Onoda, moved beyond expression. "You tried to do what Arakita-san did during your first training camp, but he was too considerate to let Tadokoro-san expose you… Arakita-san is so nice.."
"He's too soft-hearted, sho," sighed Yuusuke. Jin nodded.
"And you didn't make up…"
"Well… after Tadokorocchi fell asleep, I did bring my futon over and tried to spoon Yasutomo, but he must've been asleep by then because he didn't react at all, sho.."
"So that's how you got on the other side," muttered Jin.
"Yeah.. and by the time we woke up, Yasutomo was gone, sho…"
END NOTE:
Yasutomo was still awake when Yuusuke put his arm around him and curled close, but was too ashamed of himself to react. He had set an early alarm and got up at dawn just to avoid his teammates until the end of the race, as he had promised himself that he would make up for yesterday's outburst by taking first place for Sohoku, and only face Yuusuke once he became champion.
While they were trying to reach Yasutomo, Yuusuke received a call from Kinjou, who told him not to worry, because "Arakita has made up his mind, and he will be at the starting line, ready to fight for Sohoku." He didn't elaborate, but Yuusuke had a hunch as to what might have happened, and thanked Kinjou for being there for his wayward assistant.
Koga was the only person to see Yasutomo in the morning, because he got up early to perform a last-minute check of everyone's road racers. While he still felt bitter over not being allowed to take over in Kinjou's place, he took special care to oil and tune the Bianche so their last hope would stand a fighting chance. When Yasutomo arrived to fetch his road racer, Koga asked him to carry his and Kinjou-san's wishes to the finish line. Yasutomo nodded, then said, "I know you still hate me, Koga, but I got no regrets anymore. If this race gets any worse, better me than you." Koga didn't reply, but the moment Yasutomo left, he collapsed into his chair, wishing he had never come at all if all he did was bring bad luck to his hard-working, determined seniors.