"So that's how Arakita-san's jersey became like this…" Onoda's hands trembled over the casing. Yuusuke hummed.
"We didn't realize at first, but we saw the marks Arakita left on his way to the goal," Jin shook his head. "His blood was everywhere."
"Cycle Time actually published pictures of it, sho," Yuusuke uncovered the last secret of the packet, a copy of the summer issue. It split open at the article about the Inter-high, where photographs of the blood-streaked barrier and a fallen Yasutomo crowded a series dedicated to Hakone Academy's top three aces.
Onoda took it and cleared his throat.
"Tragedy at the Tournament," he read the abstract aloud, features tense. "Hakone Academy reigns victorious once again, but when it comes to the thrill of the final stretch, their professional finish was overshadowed by the blood-curdling death ride of Sohoku High School's dark horse, contestant Arakita Yasutomo, known as the Daredevil for his spectacularly reckless assist at last year's Nagatoroyama Hill Climb…"
"Told you, sho."
Naruko turned the page, then winced at a photo of his contorted, screaming senior being carried away by the third-years, their composition echoing a tragic renaissance painting.
"Reporters," scoffed Jin. "They're only after one thing."
"What about Kinjou-san and Fukutomi-san?" asked Onoda.
"They were only mentioned in passing, sho," replied Yuuuske. "The official version is that our ace injured himself and it drove his devout assistant mad with grief, so he lashed out at Fukutomi on a whim. Keh! Honestly, the way Hakogaku covered it up makes me want to tear my hair out, but it's hilarious how Yasutomo ended up stealing their spotlight, sho. The article is mostly about his final ride, and how Hakone Academy won by the by, sho."
"Maaan, Hakogaku must've been pissed!" squealed Naruko.
"Everyone except Toudou and Fukutomi, sho..!"
"Maki-chan… I apologize," said Toudou. "Arakita might have been harsh, but I realize now that we had driven him into a corner, and he still risked everything for you. I gained newfound respect for him… This is embarrassing, but may I shake his hand?"
"Sure, sho."
Toudou took Yasutomo's right hand. He stirred.
"You're not Yuusuke.. Who the hell are you…" he muttered. Toudou gaped, but Yuusuke snorted and reached out to switch with him, glancing to Toudou as Yasutomo's face brightened at his touch.
"Yuusuke.. my Yuusuke…" he purred through his haze.
Toudou shook his head in warm exasperation.
END NOTE:
On the last day of the term, Yasutomo thanked his followers for all the good luck charms they put on his Bianche, then told them to check out the summer edition of Cycle Time, because he just might be in it. Ironically, he was right, except instead of being featured as a member of the winning team, he was showcased as a bleeding mess. His followers were still incredibly impressed, though, and convinced their good luck charms protected the Youkai's mortal body from serious harm.
Toudou stayed at the Sohoku tent for a while longer to keep Maki-chan (and Yasutomo) company. In the end, he still maintained that Yasutomo lacked good looks and manners overall, but after listening to his affectionate (albeit drug-induced) ramblings, and watching Yuusuke's tender reactions to them, Toudou never questioned Maki-chan's choices again.
The last chapter of this companion piece will be bonus content, because I decided it was not enough to just hint at all the things Yasutomo said in his stupor while Toudou was there. If you want, once everything has been published, you can jump to the chapter titled "Extra" and read it, then jump back to Chapter VI, or simply wait until you reach the end to read about his delusional antics. Part of it was inspired by zenonaa's comment on one of my fics, so I'd like to thank her here!