That Blonde Guy

Chapter 8

I had no memory of ever riding a motorbike before.

It was simply because I had no family member that owns a motorbike--and I didn't have friends back in Wakayama that own one, either--so I basically have never had a chance to try to ride on passenger. That's why when Manjiro Sano told me to 'get on' as he tapped the passenger space behind him, I was petrified for a few seconds. I stood there like a stupid monkey who didn't know what to do.

There was one thing that had been boggling my head that moment after I awkwardly mounted the bike and positioned myself behind him: our destination. Where the hell were we going? And why did I get on without even asking him first?

I wanted to ask but I didn't. Had no idea why. I was distracted. Distracted not just by the fact that there's almost no space between his back and my body, but also because of the fact that he smells like a baby. His scent was filling my nose. It was masculine yet gentle, mixed with the faint smell of sweet shampoo from his blonde strands. So good. Kind of addicting, if you'd ask me. There was a faint urge to lean closer so I could smell him even more, but good thing I was still in my right mind so I shook my head and discarded the thought. What the hell Nika, that's creepy!

I came back to my senses when he suddenly took both of my hands and wrapped them around his torso. My eyes widened.

"Safety first," he said. Low and lazy.

Oh. Of course.

I paused and gulped, and that's when I officially became a marble statue. His stomach felt warm against my cold palms. Hard. Almost like my hand was resting on a soft stone. What the fuck is this? Why am I sweating?

I wasn't sure what I was thinking at that moment and I just remembered hearing his voice telling me to hold on tight before the sound of the motorbike's engine filled my ears.

And suddenly, I was.. flying.

Not literally, though.

It was the air. The calm and cold air of the suburbs of Shibuya gently brushing against my face, and as I felt it blowing my hair backwards, a smile formed in my lips. It was incredible. I was floating!

I told you, I had no memory of ever riding a motorbike before.

That's why I was like a child at that moment, smiling like a complete idiot as the unfamiliar thrilling feeling filled up my whole body. Mesmerized by the wind and the hypnotizing blur of trees. Like a child making excited little noises whenever the bike would turn to a certain direction, and unconsciously tightening my hands on his stomach whenever we would go through a bump on the street. For a moment, I suddenly forgot who I was riding with and why I was riding with him. I was just focused on the excitement and the unexplainable happy sensation that I was feeling--which was cut off a few minutes later, when the bike stopped in the silent street under a big, shady tree.

I was drifted back to reality. The wind was gone, and my hair was all tangled up. My helmet even bumped to the back of his head in a soft thud because of the sudden halt and when I uttered a silent 'sorry', he turned his head and looked at me. Realization hit me when I saw his face. Oh, yeah. It's Manjiro Sano. I blinked numerous times. I'm with him, and I'm riding his motorbike.

I gulped, not breaking the eye contact. Wait, why am I with him again?

I got off first, trying to ease the awkward air with a couple of fake coughs. As I was trying to collect myself, he positioned the bike to the side and put it's stand, then he started walking with a paperbag on his hand.

I just realized that we were in a deserted street near the river. The ride wasn't that long so I was sure that we were still just around the area. I stood there for a moment and watched him walked towards the grassy area by the river, before I decided to follow. He spread his black jacket on the grass and laid there, both of his arms under his head while his right leg was resting on his bended left knee.