voicemail.

[gachas]

(text) ♪ (voice) ♪ (video) ♪ (action)
#1456 holly heights

I can't get to the phone right now so I'm sorry to
have missed your call! If you could please
leave your name and message and I will
get back to you as quickly as I can!—

b e e p

Comments

[climber]

[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.]

[gachas]

[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.

[climber]

[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?

[gachas]

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?

[climber]

[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.

[gachas]

[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.]

[climber]

[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.]

[gachas]

[his eyes sparkle at just the thought of having such a close relationship like makishima and toudou have.] I hope so too! And eh? You think it might? Is that how yours and Toudou-san's rivalry started out?