{"id":115,"date":"2016-02-25T09:20:45","date_gmt":"2016-02-25T01:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/?p=115"},"modified":"2023-06-22T18:34:05","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T10:34:05","slug":"the-art-of-subtlety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/115\/","title":{"rendered":"the art of subtlety"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

1.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toudou had been in such a rush this morning that he\u2019d forgotten to pack his water bottle in his bag. Normally he could just grab a spare one from the club room, but they were all out – apparently he hadn\u2019t been alone in his forgetfulness. He was at a loss at what to do, Fukutomi wouldn\u2019t let anyone train without hydration.<\/p>\n

He joined the other third years who were currently getting ready for morning training. \u201cFuku, I forgot my bottle and there are none spare,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Fukutomi didn\u2019t even look up from where he was putting on his shoes. \u201cYou know the rules, Toudou. Sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toudou was just about to argue when he felt something cold press against his arm. \u201cHere. He can have one of mine. We\u2019ll make a pit stop at the vending machine on the way back,\u201d Arakita said.<\/p>\n

Fukutomi nodded. Toudou took the bottle and smiled. \u201cThank you, Arakita!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah. Just get a move on,\u201d he replied, but Toudou couldn\u2019t help but notice the small smile that graced the other\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There was ten minutes until history class started, Toudou was at his desk biding his time by texting Makishima. Irritated by the lack of response (although used to it) Toudou pocketed his phone and tuned into Shinkai and Arakita\u2019s conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean to say you didn\u2019t do the homework?\u201d Arakita said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNah\u2026 I did, but I think I got most of it wrong,\u201d Shinkai said through a mouthful of powerbar.<\/p>\n

Toudou perked up. \u201cWhat homework? We had homework?\u201d<\/p>\n

Arakita groaned while Shinkai laughed. \u201cSeriously Jinpachi? You\u2019re worse than me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cQuick, what was it? Maybe I can do some of it now,\u201d Toudou said while he rushed to open his notebook and pencil case.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Arakita said as he handed him his own notebook.<\/p>\n

Toudou\u2019s eyes widened comically as he looked from the notebook to Arakita. \u201cReally? You\u2019re a lifesaver.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTch, just hurry up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shinkai sat back in his chair and crossed his arms behind his back as he watched Toudou furiously scribble notes. \u201cYou\u2019re making a habit of forgetting things lately, Jinpachi,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Toudou sent a glare Shinkai\u2019s way. \u201cLast thing I forget,\u201d he said and then turned to Arakita. \u201cPromise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arakita crossed his arms and looked away. \u201cWhat ever,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3.<\/strong><\/p>\n

To say Toudou was embarrassed would be an understatement; he was mortified. Foolishly, he\u2019d looked back to the rest of the team during a fast descent from the peak of the mountain. He\u2019d known never to do this because when travelling downhill at such high speeds you needed to be focused on the front and aware of any kind of obstacles that lay ahead.<\/p>\n

Problem was that he was so familiar with their circuit that he had gotten cocky, what he hadn\u2019t accounted for, though, was a person standing by the side of the road taking photographs of the mountains. In a last minute attempt to avoid running the person over he ended up spinning out and was fortunate enough to land in the bushes that lined the outside of the road.<\/p>\n

The other third years raced across to help. Toudou assured them he was okay, despite the fact his knees and elbows were all grazed and would probably bruise. After helping him up and checking that his bike was still rideable they rode back to the school at a slower pace.<\/p>\n

Once their bikes were locked up, Toudou sat down on one of the benches. Fukutomi sent a stern glance his way. \u201cSave the lecture, Fuku. I know what I did wrong. It won\u2019t happen again,\u201d Toudou said.<\/p>\n

Fukutomi nodded, albeit reluctantly. \u201cGood. You\u2019re not to train with us again until your injuries heal,\u201d he said but gave Toudou\u2019s shoulder a small squeeze before leaving the club room with Shinkai in tow.<\/p>\n

Arakita emerged from the joint bathroom with a wet cloth in one hand and a first aid kit in the other. He crouched down on the floor in front of Toudou\u2019s scraped knees and gently got to work on wiping away the now dried blood.<\/p>\n

Toudou bit his lip as Arakita rubbed over the graze with an alcohol wipe. \u201cWhy are you doing this?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Arakita shrugged but didn\u2019t tear his gaze away from Toudou\u2019s knee. \u201cSomeone has to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not incapable of doing it myself, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust shut up and let me do this,\u201d Arakita said. Toudou didn\u2019t push the subject further, instead offered his elbows to him to look at when prompted.<\/p>\n

After Arakita had applied the final band-aid he said, \u201cDon\u2019t do anything like that again. Idiot.\u201d But he left before Toudou could think of something to say.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

4.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean none of you can see the movie?\u201d Toudou said. All week he\u2019d been looking forward to seeing the newest big name film from America, but apparently his friends didn\u2019t share his excitement and were backing out of the plans they\u2019d made a week ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to feed my turtle,\u201d Fukutomi said, and what a sorry attempt at an excuse that was, Toudou thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cShinkai?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going home for the weekend. Sorry, Jinpachi. Next time,\u201d he said, and shot Toudou his signature finger gun pose.<\/p>\n

Arakita cleared his throat. Toudou wasn\u2019t sure he wanted to hear another excuse, but nodded at Arakita. \u201cWhat\u2019s your excuse then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have one,\u201d he said as he scratched the back of his neck. \u201cDo you still want to go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Toudou beamed. \u201cOf course!\u201d He\u2019d never gone to the movies alone with Arakita before, but he was certain it couldn\u2019t be much different from when they went in larger groups – if anything it may be better. No Shinkai crinkling a packet of crisps every other minute and no Fuku asking questions whenever he was confused (all the time). He couldn\u2019t recall Arakita having an annoying movie habit.<\/p>\n

The cinema they went to was quiet, only a few other people watching the film. Toudou had been right, of course. Arakita had been fun to watch the movie with. Once it had finished the two of them fetched some dinner from the convenient store and cycled back to school. They ended up turning their night out into a night in their dorm together by playing a new Playstation 4 game Arakita had bought.<\/p>\n

It had been a fun night for Toudou. He looked to see Arakita concentrating on the game, his tongue slightly poking out the corner of his mouth. \u201cUm. Thanks. You know, for coming out with me tonight. It was fun,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Arakita paused the game and turned to look at him. \u201cNo problem,\u201d he said and actually grinned. \u201cI had fun too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toudou nodded but retreated to the bathroom to splash his flustered face with water. When had Arakita gotten cute?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

5.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Makishima was leaving to move to England. This was news to Toudou, news that he hadn\u2019t been informed of until before the day Makishima flew out. Toudou was devastated; he wouldn\u2019t even get the chance to say bye.<\/p>\n

He spent the whole day in a silent daze, lacking his usual abundance of energy. At training when Shinkai asked what was wrong Toudou had said nothing, he just wasn\u2019t feeling too well. Shinkai had proceeded to pat him on the shoulder and wished him well. Everyone else left him to his own devices after that, though Arakita would occasionally glance over at him, a frown on his face.<\/p>\n

Toudou skipped the usual after training dinner the team went out for on Friday nights, calling for an early night. The team simply waved him off for the evening. Everyone except Arakita, that was.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll get sick staying too close to me, better you go off to dinner,\u201d Toudou had argued.<\/p>\n

Arakita shrugged. \u201cWe share a dorm anyway, if I get sick so be it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toudou showered and changed into his pyjamas, when he entered their dorm Arakita was already passed out on his bed. Toudou got comfortable in his own bed, unlocked his phone, and started re-reading past texts from Makishima. There wasn\u2019t many, most of their conversations had been one-sided on Toudou\u2019s part, not that that mattered to Toudou it just made him cherish each response even more. It proved too much though, as he found himself sniffling and fighting back tears.<\/p>\n

He was so distracted by his thoughts of Makishima that he practically jumped when he felt another body sit on his bed. It was Arakita. Before he could say anything though, his phone was snatched out his hands. Toudou scrambled out from beneath his covers to get it back but the damage was already done. Arakita had read the text from Makishima about leaving.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo this is why you were upset today,\u201d Arakita said as he handed the phone back. Toudou held it tightly to his chest and looked away stubbornly. \u201cOi look at someone when they\u2019re talking to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Toudou said.<\/p>\n

Arakita grabbed Toudou\u2019s face and forced it to turn to him. His face was slightly red and blotchy from crying. \u201cI know I\u2019m not the best at this stuff,\u201d he said and dropped his hands from Toudou\u2019s face, \u201cbut you can talk to me. I\u2019m not gonna bite.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toudou sniffled. \u201cMaki-chan\u2026 Maki-chan\u2019s leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arakita nodded. \u201cYou\u2019ll see him again. You\u2019re his best rival, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.. but he\u2019s going to England!\u201d Toudou said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGeez, it\u2019s like you\u2019ve forgotten emails are a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toudou perked up at that. \u201cYou think he\u2019ll email me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh? Of course he will, you\u2019re talking like he\u2019s some sort of unrequited love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toudou\u2019s cheeks went red as he smacked Arakita on the arm. \u201cIt\u2019s never been like that! He\u2019s my rival and friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arakita laughed and patted Toudou on the shoulder. \u201cYou\u2019re gonna be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

He moved to stand but Toudou grabbed his wrist first. \u201cThank you, Arakita,\u201d he said as he pulled Arakita down to his level, embracing him in a tight hug.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s\u2026 whatever,\u201d Arakita mumbled into his shoulder, but even Toudou could hear the smile in his voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

+1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fukutomi was hosting a birthday party for his turtle. It was meant to be a relatively calm get together for the cycling club members, but things had soon turned rather wild when Manami and Kuroda had rocked up with a crate of alcohol. As it turned out, Fukutomi and Toudou were the only ones not drinking. Fukutomi because he didn\u2019t want to suffer a hangover since he would have to clean up the mess, and Toudou because he didn\u2019t want the empty calories.<\/p>\n

It was amusing seeing the rest of the club members sloshed. Shinkai was wearing bunny ears (where had he found those?) and trying, but failing, to chat up a very sober Fukutomi. Manami was having an animated conversation with Fukutomi\u2019s turtle, while Kuroda was dancing with Izumida who was dressed in nothing but tight jeans and a lacy pink bra.<\/p>\n

Toudou was startled out of his musings when he felt an arm drape over his shoulders. He turned to see Arakita next to him. Arakita offered his drink, but Toudou shook his head. \u201cAnd why aren\u2019t you drinking, cutie?\u201d<\/p>\n

A blush rose to Toudou\u2019s cheek. \u201cIt\u2019s not healthy,\u201d he said. Just how drunk was Arakita?<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about YOLO?\u201d Arakita said.<\/p>\n

Toudou laughed. \u201cYou must be really drunk to even suggest that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEh, you\u2019re probably right – but I need the liquid courage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I like someone and want to tell them,\u201d Arakita said.<\/p>\n

Toudou\u2019s eyebrows shot up. \u201cWouldn\u2019t you rather confess when you\u2019re sober?\u201d<\/p>\n

Arakita started rubbing circular patterns onto Toudou\u2019s arm. \u201cProbably, but if they reject me while I\u2019m drunk maybe I won\u2019t remember embarrassing myself in the first place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not going to reject you, Arakita,\u201d Toudou said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toudou grabbed Arakita\u2019s bottle from him, took a swig and smirked. \u201cYeah I do,\u201d he said and passed the bottle back before removing himself from under Arakita\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

He started to walk away but Arakita didn\u2019t let him get very far as he pulled on Toudou\u2019s wrist. \u201cWait, Toudou!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI like you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Toudou laughed, laughed so hard that he had to hold his gut. When he looked to Arakita he immediately stopped, Arakita was frowning at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGeez, you\u2019re just gonna laugh? Real smooth, Toudou. Thanks.\u201d Arakita turned to leave but was stopped by Toudou who spun him around a planted a kiss right on his lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was wondering when you were finally going to confess,\u201d Toudou said, a grin on his face.<\/p>\n

Arakita furrowed his eyebrows. \u201cYou knew? But you didn\u2019t say anything!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t certain, but you haven\u2019t exactly been subtle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAhh, fuck,\u201d Arakita said, but he laughed all the same.<\/p>\n

Toudou noticed Arakita starting to sway and took his beer away from him. He led him to a chair and sat him down. \u201cWe\u2019ll talk more about it in the morning, when you\u2019re sober.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arakita nodded and looked like he was about to drift off to sleep when his eyes shot open. \u201cWait! You never said whether you liked me back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought kissing you would\u2019ve cleared that up,\u201d Toudou said.<\/p>\n

A slow \u201coh\u201d formed on Arakita\u2019s face as he processed what Toudou had said. He reached for Toudou\u2019s hand and stood up. \u201cCan we go? I\u2019m tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

They said their goodbyes to everyone and left the party. Toudou had to link arms with Arakita to prevent him from falling over his own feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou – you better not let me forget this in the morning,\u201d Arakita said once they were back in their own dorm.<\/p>\n

Toudou smiled. \u201cToo late for take backs now. You\u2019re stuck with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Five times Arakita thought he was subtle and the one time he wasn’t.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[31,7],"fandom":[11],"rating":[3],"ship":[12],"class_list":["post-115","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-m-m","tag-5-times-things","tag-canonverse","fandom-yowamushi-pedal","rating-teen","ship-aratou","wpautop"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=115"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":116,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115\/revisions\/116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=115"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=115"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=115"},{"taxonomy":"fandom","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fandom?post=115"},{"taxonomy":"rating","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rating?post=115"},{"taxonomy":"ship","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ship?post=115"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}