Warning: Contains Major Spoiler

Genre: Mature, Angst, Sport, Seinen

Yowamushi Pedal © Wataru Watanabe

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~ Prologue ~

I still remember that day…

The day I tore his wings off…

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Rains pouring down hard, coating the surface of the track road dampened them with endless liquid of water. Onoda Sakamichi were down to his knees, unable to do anything and only stare in disbelieve at the broken guardrail.

He tried but he can't seem to think straight.

His broken glasses were hanging on the side of his ears. He barely felt the cold sensation of the raindrops that touches his skin.

He can't believe what had just happened, he don't even understand what had happened before his body fallen on the hard ground.

He was too shocked and afraid to see what happened below there. They were in secluded area in the mountain route; they both are climber, this place supposed to be the main stage for both of them to show their best in their last Inter-high in high School.

Everything should be…if only not for one mistake

The Mistake that cost a heavy price

The mistake Onoda knew too well, was his to bear.

Their Last Inter-High was ended with a victory of Kyoto Fushimi

Leaving a deep regret from both side of Sohoku and Hakogaku…

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Ride 1. Haunted Past

It's been a year since the incident…

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Yonan University, April

A cool breeze blew through upper branches of cherry blossom tree resulting a few pink petals fallen to the ground, creating somewhat a beautiful scene to behold.

Onoda Sakamichi is now standing in the campus ground, it hard to believe is already been a month since he was accepted at Yonan university and had start his new life as a freshman in Faculty of Literature.

Time surely flew fast, after graduate from High School; he applied to Yonan University and somehow got accepted in the first try.

Over the years he had gain a good amount of height seeing now he is as tall as first year Imaizumi, leaving Naruko being the shortest out of the three. His once all round and child-like big eyes has turned much more sharper, although still maintain it's kind and gentleness vibe. His signature of spherical glasses and unkempt short hair are stay they way they were.

How's everyone been doing...? The thought crossed Onoda mind as he walked through the hall, toward his class. The first period is about to start and he hope he will not late for the class.

He hadn't heard much about Imaizumi and Naruko but the last time they met, Naruko said He would apply to the different University with a Road Racing club.

Although he still in contact with Makishima in England, he hadn't heard yet about Tadokoro, Teshima and Aoyagi. Sugimoto were off going to the college in Tokyo. The Coach Pierre had gone back to his country and Kanzaki Miki is now helping her family business, working part-time to help her brother. He heard that their junior Kaburagi Issa had become captain in Sohoku Bike Racing Club after Imaizumi graduated.

As for Midosouji, the last time he met him was in the last year Inter-high, after that incident he hadn't had a time to contact him since they haven't exchange mail-address yet.

Sometimes he will pass either Kinjou or Arakita in the hall and sometimes will join them for lunches, but that was all of it. He had refuse Kinjou request for him to join the bike-racing club. However he volunteer to be staff helper when a big race comes up.

Both Kinjou and Arakita knew and they respect his decision for not participate in any bike racing event any longer. That incident was too much for him to bear and he is not ready yet.

Everyone is doing their best, so I should do my best too! Onoda thought as he wrote down a summary of long and boring lecture from the professor to his notebook. Faculty of Literature is clearly one of the most unpopular subjects among the freshman's, judging by how small number of the student inside the class.

Most of the students aren't even paying attention out of lack of concentration. Being the good student as he is, Onoda try his best to catch up until something diverts his attention from the lecture completely. There, inside his bag besides him. He caught a glimpse of a familiar item, Hakogaku water bottle. The bottle that was once belong to the climber he adore so much.

Manami Sangaku

Hakogaku best climber and used to be one of the strongest. As an image of the cheerful blue haired male appeared on his mind, Onoda felt a massive pain struck his chest. He put his palm in his chest, felt his heart thumping. He looks at his palm with the expression that mixture of guilt and disgust.

That's right…this is my punishment…

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Yonan Bicycle Racing Club building

"Hoahmmm…" Arakita were yawning quite loudly as he opened the sliding door of the club practice room. "Today Seminar class is taking longer than usual, it was unexpectedly boring." He scratched his head as he grumbled.

"Hmm? Kinjou hasn't arrived yet? And I'm pretty sure I already late for the afternoon practice…" he look out the window and saw Kinjou precious white Trek is still in the place he left it in the morning.

"Well, whatever, I guess I'll start practice alone." Arakita mumbled as he starts changing to Yonan university jersey. When he about to oiling his Bianchi, he saw Onoda walking pass the building. He seems too deep in thought to realize a soccer ball flew toward him and hitting him on the head.

There is one thing about Onoda that didn't change, it definitely his clumsiness. Even until now he still can't kick the soccer ball, seeing his failure attempt to kick the ball back at the Soccer club and resulted him falling to the ground with headfirst.

"Oi! Onoda-Chan! Here!" the younger male turn around to find the source of the voice and then walk toward Arakita.

"Ah! Arakita-san! Good afternoon!" Onoda greet him with a wide smile and although look annoyed as ever Arakita can't help but grin back at his Kouhai.

"Are you going to start practice for today?" Asked the glasses male as he look at Arakita attire.

"Yeah, I need to make the necessary preparation." Arakita bent down and start oiling his bike chain.

"Preparation?" Onoda asked while raise his eyebrow.

"For the next prefectural match, it's getting close you know." Arakita can see that Onoda cringe a little at the word 'match' that incident in his last Inter-high had left a deep trauma for him.

"Oh…so that's why, then…I'll do my best to support you guys!"

"Yeah…" His voice lacks the usual harshness. Arakita would never say it out loud but he and Kinjou actually very disappointed at Onoda decision. After all Onoda had a natural rare talent in biking and having him in the team would be a great advantage.

He is the first year that once leads Sohoku to victory at his very first inter-High.

"We might run into the others at the race, I can't wait to see how much the other had change over the year." Arakita smirk is getting wider as he remembered his former teammates from Hakogaku.

"Maybe we will meet with Imaizumi-kun, Naruko-kun and the others as well." Onoda thought of them and a smile of fondness appear on his face. "They must have developed much over the year."

"Does it ever occur to you that they might've been waiting for you to join the upcoming match?" Arakita sudden question seems threw Onoda off, based on the surprise look at the glasses face at the unexpected question.

"That's…"

"Don't get the wrong idea, I didn't attempt to make you join the race but are you sure to giving up bike racing you love so much?" Arakita cut him before Onoda can make any comeback.

"Yeah…I used to love them so much, biking is really fun." Onoda raise his fist and Arakita can see that it's trembling. "But now the only thing I felt every time I gripped the handle is fear."

When I face forward, the only thing I see is a droplet of rain and Manami's back…it awaken the memory I feared the most…

"Is this about what happened to Manami?" Onoda cast his glance downside. "You know…he never blame you, everything happened was not your fault."

"I…don't think I can agree with that." Onoda clench his fist in desperation. "After all…if it weren't for me…He would still…" Before he can finish his word, Arakita interrupt him.

"I can see you have an enormous potential, but if you never going to develop them it will only going to rust." Arakita then raise his fist and put it in front of Onoda chest. "That way, you may still exist." Arakita's Onyx eyes met Onoda's dark blue one. "But, bit by bit you will cease to live."

With that last word, Arakita off to ride his bike and start practicing leave behind Onoda that still stare at the direction he's gone.

"Hmm? Onoda what are you doing here?" Kinjou asked as he appeared from behind Onoda, startle the male quite a bit.

"Ca-I mean Kinjou-san! Good afternoon." The older male merely nods as he walked toward his bike.

"You about to call me captain?" Kinjou raise an eyebrow at Onoda way of address him.

"W-well, some habit is hard to change…" the younger male scratches his head.

"Even though that role already had been passed from Teshima to Imaizumi and now to your junior?" Kinjou add with amused grin before threw his glance outside.

"Arakita had already started practicing by himself?" Kinjou realize when he sees Arakita's Bianchi is not neatly parked outside the club building.

"Well, He tried hard for the upcoming match after all…" Onoda commented. "He seems really fired up."

"Of course, it's a given, we will competing to be Japan representative after all." Kinjou explanation makes Onoda turn at him. His glance filled with confusion is enough for Kinjou to understand he had no idea what he'd been talking about.

"We will participate in UCI and the champion will receive an honor as a representative from their country against other Asian country."

"It sounds amazing," Onoda sounds impressed and give Kinjou a dumbfounded look.

"And a lot more tougher than Inter-High, since we will have a match against other team from other country."

"Ah, it's already this late! I should get going now." Onoda looks at his watch, he about to get late for his visit.

"Be careful on your way back." Kinjou tell him out of concern.

"Yes, and good luck with your training." Onoda said before he walks away from there but Kinjou deep voice had hastened his steps.

"Onoda."

"Yes?" He asked as he turns around at the former captain of Sohoku Bicycle race club.

"Thank you for taking care of our club after I graduated." With that last word, Kinjou start pedaling his bike followed their practice route. Leaving the quiet Onoda stare at the empty ground.

A sound of the automatic door opens slowly and then followed by some peoples walk out from the train toward the Odawara Train Station. Onoda rise from his seat and followed a group of peoples that walked out the train since he already arrives at his destination.

He walked out from the station and keep continue his trip until he finally arrived at the house he's been looking for. There is a nameplate beside the fence, engrave with kanji 'Manami' on it's surface. With a little grimace Onoda ring the bell.

"Yes, please wait a moment, who is it?" a sound of a middle-aged woman can be heard before a sound of creaking door open.

"Good afternoon…" Onoda nod politely at the old woman who opened the door.

"Ah! Onoda-kun, please come in!" The woman let him in with a warm smile, a smile that resembles someone really important to him.

"Sangaku! There is visitor for you!" she rushed into the house to inform her son. Before Onoda enters the house, he caught a sight of Manami's old bike 'Look' neatly placed on the side of the house. The bike he always admires since the first time he saw it.

The pain and the burdens he felt is resurface, knowing Manami would never ride it anymore and now is nothing more than a display item.

"Just go upstairs, he is in his room." The old lady kindly offers him the way toward the stairs. "I'll bring you some tea." Followed her instruction, Onoda walked up the stairs.

One year after the incident, visiting Manami has become one of his daily routines; sometimes he extended his visit in the weekend. Offering his assistance in any way he could. He's always welcome by Manami's family since he is the only high School Friend aside from Miyahara that used to visit Manami frequently and help to cheer him up.

"Please excuse me," Onoda announce before he open Manami room door. The first thing he saw was the blue haired male figure that sitting on his bed with half of his lower body covered with blanket. He still wears pajamas, and Onoda had gotten used to see him in his pajamas than any other clothes this past year. His feature still as same as always, with a warm and serene smile that always put Onoda at ease every time he saw it.

"Oh, you came, Sakamichi-kun." Manami smile got wider and beckoned him to get closer.

"You finally came, Megane-kun!" Onoda a bit surprise to find another familiar voice. When he opened the door a little wider he can see Toudou sitting cross-legged at the small cushion beside Manami bed.

"Toudou-san! What a pleasant surprise!" Onoda wouldn't lie to tell it's actually a refreshing sight to behold when he saw another member of Hakogaku former bike club. Another frequent visitor were also Izumida and Arakita. Izumida gives Manami a small pot of Lavender flower, saying that plant can help his recovery faster. Its now resides at Manami windows and Onoda had been watering it almost every day.

"Long time no sees, how you've been doing?" Onoda look thrilled by Toudou sudden and unexpected visit and hurriedly took a seat beside him.

"Great! And because all my classes were canceled today I decide to give my Kouhai here a visit." Toudou point at Manami with his thumb.

"Toudou-san told me that Izumida-san and Kuroda-san had decide to enroll at the same college as him." With a happy smile he add. "And they were joined the bike racing club as well."

"Yeah, we will make a blast in this year match as well!" Toudou said with over-confidence stances as usual.

"Kinjou-san told me today that they will participate as well in this year match."

"Then you better told them to give all they've got because we won't be defeated easily!" Toudou said while pointing at Onoda with his trademark style as usual.

"By the way, how are things going with Makishima? Had he ever asked about me? We haven't seen each other in 2 years!" Toudou asked a little too excited with expression full of hope.

"Y-yes, he asked about you a lot in his letter…" Onoda said make Toudou smile smiled brightly although inwardly he think, I'm sorry…Toudou-san! He never once talked about you but I can't bring myself to destroy such hopeful expression on your face…

"Hey, are you remember the time when we receive invitation from Toudou-san?" Manami said, brought back the memories of when the last time the three were together.

"Ah, When we were forced to ride at Kanagawa Toll road in winter. It was harsh." Onoda replies remember when Toudou told them to cycle in the cold weather.

"It just a friendly match, it's not a big deal." Toudou just shrugged with light-hearted tone.

It will be a big deal if we end up injured or worse! Onoda and Manami thought at the same time remind the time they cycling through the harsh weather and hardly can see anything in the road in front of them.

The three had discussed many topics mainly about Toudou and Onoda life as University student, how Onoda manage to cope with his new life as Yonan University student along with Kinjou and Arakita. Manami seems pleased to know that everyone hasn't change over the year and Onoda is excited to get the news about of the others from Toudou.

"It's already this late, I guess is time to go home." Toudou commented when he saw dark skies outside of Manami room window.

"Yeah, I have to go home now." Onoda said as he zipping back his bag pack zipper.

"You want to go home already?" Manami asked with a hint of bit disappointment in his voice.

"Oi, oi, this won't be our last meeting, I will visit you when I can." Toudou assure him when he saw the neglected look at Manami eyes that closely similar with kicked puppy face.

"I'll come again tomorrow, do you want me to bring something?' Onoda asked as he sat himself down at Manami's bedside.

"Well, can you bring me, 'that'… you know the usual?" Manami said while scratching his cheek and a little embarrassed to say his request out loud.

"I know, I know, my mom home-made Onigiri." Onoda sighed with a small smile at Manami 'I can't help it, it so delicious!' pout. He doesn't mind doing whatever Manami requested him to do as long all those things make the blue haired male happy.

His smile had turn into sad smile when his hand accidentally brushed at the surface of the blanket that covered Manami legs.

Their last Inter-high has left his legs incapacitated permanently.

The unbearable agony in his face was pretty obvious that even Toudou can see them from the place he's been standing.

"Well then, I'll be leaving, take care of yourself." Onoda said as he rises from the place he sat and followed Toudou to exited Manami room with a small 'bye-bye' wave from Manami.

"You want to go home already? How about stay for dinner?" Manami mother greets them when they walking down the stairs.

"I am sorry, maybe next time." Onoda said as he excuses himself. He used to stay for dinner when he has sleepover in the weekend.

"Thank you very much for your hospitality, but I need to rushed home." Said Toudou as he followed Onoda toward the front door.

"Have a safe trip home." The middle-aged woman escorts them until front lawn.

"Thank you for your concern." Toudou and Onoda said at the same time before she closes the door.

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They're trip back to the train station were quiet as both Onoda and Toudou doesn't have anything left to talk about. The silent had made the cold air in the night had become colder. Onoda can feel his hand shivering a bit; he let out a sigh of relief when they reach the train station.

"I hear that you reject Kinjou request to join the bike racing club." Toudou suddenly started a conversation when they about to enter the station. He might think this will be the chance to bring out the topic before they going on they're separated way.

"I know, you wouldn't want me to bring this topic in front of Manami," Toudou said. His tone is deeper than usual.

"Yeah…thanks, I appreciate that." Onoda nod, he knew Toudou would ask about this sooner or later.

"You still bear a deep regret from the last Inter-High, aren't you?" Toudou doesn't need to ask his reason, what he witness previously is enough proof to explain Onoda reason.

Onoda choose to remain silent, after all he don't have any excuse to say, Toudou was right.

"Do you remember what I said to you back then in our first and last Inter-high in your first year?" they remembered the time Toudou approach them after the first day of inter-High match.

Hang on until the end, you can still grow stronger…

"Yes…" Onoda nod a little.

"What I said at that time…I meant every word…" Toudou sighed before he continues. The usual over-confidence tone of his has been replaced with flat tone.

"I respect you as an opponent and I really am looking forward to race with you one more time."

Toudou train is arriving after a while and before Toudou step in the train he glance back at Onoda and said. "You used to have a very nice eyes, but now…it looks dull and plain." Toudou sent him a sympathetic look. "I hate to tell you this…but it looks like you had lost you spirit."

The automatic door of the train is closed, that empty word had marked their last meeting.

Does it ever occur to you that they might've been waiting for you to join the upcoming match?

Arakita word rang in his head. Toudou wouldn't be the only one that hopes to see him in the race again. Onoda would be lying if he said he doesn't want to be in race anymore. He wanted it, in fact he yearn it more than anything in his life. But that incident had deeply scarred him.

He tried riding his old Mommy bike once and can't even take one pedal forward. It felt like a heavy pressure, reject him to move forward. The memories of that day plagued him to his very core, maybe for the rest of his life.

Flashback

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What…had just happened…?

Onoda tried to reach his glasses and it took him a few second to realize his glasses were broken when he fall to the ground after Manami pushed him out of the way.

The sky was dark as the weather gone bad by the time both climbers reach the slope and droplet of water begin pouring down.

The last thing he remembers is his tire slip in the wet ground resulted him losing balance when he took a turn on the curve road. He about to hitting the guardrail, hard! He terrified at the thought of he will fall down out of the guardrail and down the cliff.

As a climber he had responsibility to win this match to lead his team closer to victory and to think he will fail them by fall off the cliff, Onoda close his eyes frightened to what will await him.

The dark steep cliff underneath filled with cold hard rocks. He probably won't make it if he were to fall here.

That's when he felt a hand grabbed him by the back of his jersey and push him aside, making him fall to the ground. The last thing he saw before he fell is a white feather and for a moment he thought an angel had come and rescue him.

When He come back to himself it took him a moment to figured out what happened, his body went numb and his mind became blank. Onoda can only sat still in the place where he fell until the medics arrive.

Panicked shouting soon filled the air as they hurriedly giving instruction to lift the injured Hakogaku climber.

Onoda immediately turn his face aside when he caught a glimpse of severely injured Manami. It's like his worst nightmare has come true.

'This hasn't happened!' no matter how much he repeating the word, as hard as it was to believe, he could not ignore the reality of the present situation. He knew it happened and it was his fault.

That incident had take away his life as a Cyclist and there is nothing he can do about it.

With my own hand…

I had take away the only thing that keeping him Alive…

Onoda cellphone is ringing with love hime opening ringtone when he just arrives at his home. He immediately answers them, thinking it probably one of his colleagues that inform him for the next schedule of their group work assignment.

"Yes? This is Onoda, what is-"

"Hello, Senpai."

Onoda eyes widened when he heard his word were cut off by a familiar voice of.

"Kaburagi-kun!" Onoda beamed at this unexpected but more than welcome call.

"It's been a year since you graduate eh? How're you doing?" the red haired male from the other line replied.

"Same old, same old, how are you? I heard that you become the captain of the club, congratulations!" Onoda remember when Kaburagi told him the news last week, other senior are receiving them as well. "Too bad, I can't congratulate you in spot." He felt a sense of pride when he receives the news.

"It's all because of your guide Senpai, thank you very much!" Kaburagi respect Onoda very much and he probably the only senior Kaburagi admire.

"No! No! No! It must have been because Teshima-san and Imaizumi-kun, I didn't do anything at all!" and as polite as he was, Onoda giving him a humble reply.

"By the way. I call you to tell you something very important!" Kaburagi's word filled with excitement.

"What is it?"

"Next week, we will hold the first year welcoming race, will you come to watch?" Onoda can hear a hopeful tone from his word. Kaburagi must have really wanted him to come.

"Of course," he can't find any reason to refuse his Kouhai request, in fact he looking forward to see his other junior ability.

"Really?! Thank you! I guarantee you won't be disappointed!" by confidence of his usual passionate junior, Onoda can tell he must have been working hard to gather the best among the first years.

A line beep on the other end signaled Onoda that Kaburagi already hang up the phone. He slowly put his cellphone down and stares at the small empty screen layer of his cellphone.

A first year welcome race…eh? I can't wait to see.

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To be continue