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[This feels like some sort of sick and twisted joke going on, which Makishima is sure the Landlord intended. He was the one stuck with Onoda at some point, teaching him the skills he'd need as a Climber. But at least Onoda knew how to ride a bike at that point. Now he's like a complete beginner. He really doesn't need to be taught by his own underclassman.

Makishima covers his face to hide his humiliation.]

No one knows about this, not even Toudou. He could figure it out eventually but if there's a chance I can learn again before that then I'd rather... pick you, to teach me.

[what was that? he has to strain a little to hear maki say the last part of that sentence. but once he's heard it a giant smile graces his lips] Makishima-san...! Of... of course I'll help you learn how to ride a bike again! And I'll keep this between us Makishima-san, so you won't have to worry! [he nods his head.]

Alright, so let's begin!

[Maki is barely even paying attention to what Onoda is saying, he just wants to get this over and done with. Thankfully he knows enough to get his leg over onto the other side of the frame, managing to sit himself down on the saddle, but once he gets that done he just... stands there. And stares at Onoda intently.

Help.]

[he waits for makishima to get settled on top of his bike before he continues on.] Okay that looks pretty good! Do you remember how to pedal, or was that one of the things you forgot about? [which... ideally would make sense, he just wanted to double check!!!]

Of course I do, you just have to...

[He stares down at his feet, and then at the pedals. How does he get his feet to stay on those things? How is he supposed to move so the bicycle moves? And how is he supposed to sit on this thing and not fall over when his feet aren't both on the ground? And how is he supposed to hold onto the handlebars? Why are they shaped so weirdly? He already feels like he's too high off the ground. The saddle is uncomfortable. He doesn't want to do this. He feels stupid.

Makishima lowers his head in shame. He seriously doesn't remember a single thing.]

I don't remember...

Edited 2015-04-11 07:04 (UTC)

[he looks worriedly to and fro the bike that makishima is sitting on and the bike he has in his hands. he gently rests his bike against the closets wall and then turns his attention back towards maki.] It's okay! I can help! [encouraging smile, get!!! and with that he takes hold of one of maki's hands and places it where it needs to go on the handlebar. he does the same thing for the other hand as well.] This is probably the best place to have your hands resting on the handlebars? That way they're closer to the brakes.

Do you remember how to move the pedals?

[Makishima's a little startled when Onoda grabs hold of his hands, but he doesn't protest or struggle when he begins to move them. He's only doing this to help him, and so he cooperates. The placement feels a little awkward for him but he reminds himself that this is how things are supposed to be and that the sooner he remembers all these things he forgot then the better.

As he stares down at the handlebars, Makishima tightens and loosens his grip of them, just to get a feel of it before he looks back up.]

I think so. I tried it out this morning but I kind of... panicked, when I almost fell over.

Okay! Then if you don't mind pedaling a little I'll push you from behind. [because this is what his.... parental unit did for him whenever he tried learning how to ride a bike! they pushed him from behind to make sure he wasn't going to fall over or run into anything he shouldn't.

though this might be a little more challenging for him and makishima because of the height difference... but you know what? he's gonna do his best rah!!!]

[That would be a good idea in theory but considering their size difference and the fact that Onoda is younger than him, Makishima really doesn't want to go through it.]

W-wait, you don't have to push me. I'll just try going by myself.

[Hoping to beat Onoda before he can move behind him, Maki puts a foot on one of the pedals-- but misses. He tries again and succeeds, but he just stays completely still. He can't lift his other foot up. He's too worried about falling.]

Oh... okay if that's what you want to do we can try to do that! [he smiles encouragingly at his senpai. YOU CAN DO IT. KOUHAI-CHAN BELIEVES IN YEEEWWWW.

but then he doesn't. so he does his best to support makishima's weight.] Try putting your foot on the pedal now? I've got you balanced, so now you should be able to try!

You don't have to hold on to the bike. And don't stand so close to me! [Makishima's voice is uncharacteristically wavery, and he could probably panic at any moment. But the longer he stands there then the less progress he's going to get. Oh well, might as well go for it.

And so after closing his eyes, Makishima lifts his other foot and manages to get it on the opposite pedal, and his legs move up and down in order to try to get the bicycle to move forward. Is he going to do it? Will he make it this time?!]

But I want to help you out as best as I can Makishima-san! [and holding the bike up properly is probably the only thing he can do since he's not super athletically inclined and can't keep up once he started pedaling.

will he tho? will makishima be able to make it across the road without falling over?! find out in the next thrilling episode. yowamushi pedal: relearn!!!!]

[Queue the next episode preview where it shows Makishima falling over. Because that's exactly what happens in the must unattractive fashion possible.]

Gya--!

[AT LEAST HIS HAIR IS OKAY???]

[if you thought you'd get away without onoda not freaking out about makishima falling over than you thought wrong.]

M- MAKISHIMA-SAN!!!! Are you okay?! [he rushes over to where the other had fallen.]

I told you, it's really hard! [His face is burning red from embarrassment but other than a sore shoulder he seems to be okay. He's pretty hasty in trying to get back up and put his bike up on its wheels all by himself, and he refuses to look at Onoda.]

This is stupid, this is really stupid. I don't want to do this anymore.

But... But Makishima-san... [he frowns. he doesn't want to pressure maki, that's the last thing he wants to do. but he really believes the other will get it soon!]

[He feels incredibly pathetic, falling over on his bike like he's some sort of newbie, and right in front of Onoda just makes Makishima feel even worse. He's such an idiot. He wants to quit. He just wants to go home. He--

For a brief moment, he starts to think that he might not ever be able to learn to ride again. But his hands tighten on the handlebars, and he grits his teeth. What in the world is he doing?]

Onoda...? [Makishima mumbles under his breath in the form of a question before swiping away strands of hair across his face, ignoring the ache in his shoulder at the movement.]

[he looks at the other hopefully. he knows makishima can pull through anything, and he definitely doesn't want to see the other quit so early.] Yes?

[Makishima takes a deep breath before lifting his head, and he gives out a loud balk of a laugh before looking over his shoulder at Onoda.]

How many times do you think I have to fall down before I can't get up anymore?

[This is a dangerous test for him to mess with, but Makishima doesn't care, because he hasn't felt this challenged since his last race with Toudou. He's been here so long that he barely remembers the trip to Hakone for the Inter High. What did they say the temperature would be like? What had he packed? What had Sugimoto rambled about on the bus? What had been Tadokoro's meal on the ride there?

They've struggled so much to get to that point. He's been waiting so long. If he can't do this then he doesn't belong on this team. Toudou wouldn't deserve a rival like him. Onoda wouldn't be here with him now.]

[he's not sure if this is a trick question, or what.... he looks at the other curiously as he thinks on the matter seriously.] Uhm.... well... it took me a while to finally get the knack of riding? I fell down a lot, but I.... [he suddenly finds his shoes to be really fascinating] got back up because I wanted to be able to ride with some of the kids from school.

[Of course, the question goes right over Onoda's head, but Makishima doesn't mind as he turns the bicycle around and wheels it over to Onoda. He remembers when he was his age, with nothing but his bike at his side, no one to ride with. When he'd entered high school he'd been so excited to be able to join the bicycle club and be able to ride with people with the same passion as him, people who were vastly different from him but understood that sensation of freedom when your feet are on those pedals and your hands on the handlebars, the wind in your hair and the scenery passing you by.

He'd fall over a million times just to be able to have that feeling.]

That's not what I meant, but it's a good enough answer. But tell me. Are you able to ride with anyone you want now? And how does it make you feel?

Oh...! [hurk. oops, but at least he managed to get makishima to smile, and that's all that really mattered to him. he remains silent as he listens to the next question. as he's doing so he beams brightly up at him.] Yes, I have! It's... It's a really nice feeling being able to ride along next to someone else.

[he thinks back on how neck and neck he and manami had been at the interhigh and how much he had enjoyed being able to race along side the other, and it brings a tear to his eyes.] It makes me feel really happy. Do you ever feel like that Makishima-san?

[Just as usual, Onoda's quick to brighten the mood, and he can't help but smile as he listens to him and understands how he feels completely.]

The reason I'm a climber is because I enjoy climbing the most. It's a style that fits me.

[Any regular person can ride a bicycle. Not that being a sprinter or an all-rounder doesn't have any merit or skill to it, but for someone like Makishima who's average at best on flats, exceeding on something that's definitely complicated to other riders gives him a sense of accomplishment that he's never had. No one can compete with him on mountains other than other climbers, and when his team needs him, he can conquer any peak for them.

Climbing is a part of his life. He can't imagine it otherwise. And it's not something he always has to enjoy on his own.

His words are slow as he continues, awkward and hesitant with the sort of weight truths he's never said before tend to have.]

I like climbing. Before you joined, no one else could really compete with me. I didn't mind or anything. Riding on my own is fine. ...then I started racing Toudou.

It was weird. Having someone there with me. Wanting to keep up with me. Wanting to beat me. Calling me their rival. [Having an exact equal who would never leave him. Even without the two of them dating, Makishima appreciates Toudou so much, even though he's never said it out loud.]

Climbing with Toudou, now... I like that a lot too.

[wait... does this mean makishima finds him to be a challenge??!?!?! his eyes widen a little as he looks at the other in awe. but he listens to the other quietly and nods along.] You and Toudou-san have such a good friendship. [he looks down at his shoes and smiles.] I hope to be able to find someone like that as well... Someone who pushes me and makes me want to chase after them.

[he'd say that he has one, but he's not sure if manami would be down with it. because at least toudou-san is a-okay with the rivalry he has with makishima.]

[Makishima almost cringes when Onoda says the word "friendship", though he knows better than to correct him. Regardless of the relationship that he and Toudou have, he's a great rival, and he couldn't think of replacing him with anyone else. He's been an amazing influence on his skills and has pushed him to his limits, more than anyone ever has. He can only hope that Onoda will be able to find someone just like that.

...well not exactly the same as Toudou. But a rival would be good for him. After all, he'll only be able to ride with him for a short amount of time.]

I bet you'll find one. You're still a first year, so you have plenty of time. It could happen without you even knowing. [He'd like to be able to meet them. Whoever manages to keep up with this amazing rookie climber of his.]

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gachas - 2015-06-03 14:58 (UTC) - Expand