I'll prove I am good enough

Preparation to an Unexpected Race

Kenji...

I was walking along with Makoto, Kakeru had accompanied Sho into tuning his bike. It was a big race, even though Sho was better than me, Gabu Samajima was the leader of one of the top MTB teams. Makoto's face was giving a slight hint of worry and tension. Kyoichi knew about this and I don't know what he's gonna say.

When I was at the front door, I could smell good food, so I dashed in, but as soon as I saw Kyoichi sitting with folded arms, I stopped. He lift his head and looked towards us, Makoto tried to protect me and went ahead and said " I presume you know all that happened....you can't blame him for that..." she hadn't finished when Kyoichi raised his arm, gesturing to stop, he then smiled and turned towards me, " at least you've been taught the basics, have your dinner now, I'll start training you from tomorrow, you can choose your style of riding, whatever you choose, inform me before going to bed." I was struck, so was Makoto, she slowly turned towards me and raised her shoulders and then ran towards the table. I stood there for a moment and then realised that brother was no longer angry with me. I smiled and went to the table and then I remembered Sho's race "Hey Kyoichi, tomorrow is Sho's race. Would you mind if we start from day after tomorrow." Brother smiled and said, " Sure."

Kyoichi...

'Kenji's made a lot of good friends. I've seen them all, they're a good sport, all four of them, Sho Yamato, Kakeru Sakamaki, he's become much frank with Taiga and last but not the least Gabu Samajima. If I had not personally seen and heard Gabu today, I would never get to know his bright side. Sure he's ambitious and sometimes a little egoistic and egocentric, but today he's proved all my conclusions wrong. It took him time to accept his fault but he rectified it and I am sure one day Gabu will be one of Kenji's strongest allies. I guess someone did say the truth, MTB does help us make friends and together improve.

However, the current situation of Kenji's skills are totally basic, the moves and skills are performed by sheer luck not by instincts, so I'll have to make his basics as quick as a reflex and as firm as velvet. Tomorrow's race is an important one and a one that Kenji can learn a lot from, both Sho and Gabu are excellent riders with high level potentials, however Gabu's got more experience and maturity so he'll perform better. But, the decision of victory is a hunch, the one who can use the other's weakness as his own strength will win. I wish, I could watch this race it's a pity to miss this one. Nevertheless my practice is important, but I hope I'll be able to make it in time for the race.

Taiga...

I was lying on the top bunk of our double-bunk bed. Gabu sat below, he was silent, a bit more than usual I'd say, but I guess Sho Yamato was not someone who he wants to underestimate. He's probably thinking how the race is gonna turn out.

But after a while I feel like actually talking light-heartedly to my brother, as the leader of the team I often have to talk to him as an actual boss and during the Trial-Course championships I felt like I was talking to someone whom I had never seen. But after a while he seems the same person to me, the person whom I have known for so many, long years. Today was so astonishing I had never expected something like that from Gabu, especially after Trial-Course Championships. I guess he was under too much stress then and I believe that he thought a lot and finally concluded to this choice. But, why does he insist on being cold hearted, is it because what I said to him? I don't know?

Gabu...

I can't afford to be weak and naive again. I remember, there was a time when I was like Sho but I had to pay the penance for that. Never again.

I used be like Sho, confident and passionate, no matter who I was against I knew I could beat that person. I trained hard, I was relentless. I did the moves confidently and the ones that were strictly forbidden to me I tried them even harder. I saw Sho trying the Jagnite turn that day, it was not the first time I had seen it. Taiga had shown it to me once, long ago, since then I always practiced that move behind his back. After months of training, I was finally able to do it. But I hadn't mastered it and that was my gravest mistake. So no more mistakes now, now absolute perfection and planning. 'Fighting with your heart' this was a pathetic thought, I was naive enough to believe it earlier, never again. Tomorrow will be Sho's defeat and he will always symbolize that the people who fight with their hearts always lose. So you try your best Sho cause that will make my victory even more satisfying.

In the meantime...

Kakeru and Sho were giving it their best to prepare Flame Kaiser for the race. But as they were going to face such an experienced advisory they were unsure of themselves. No matter how much they consoled each other in their hearts they were unsure. As the clock struck eight, the telephone rang and Kakeru stood up and said "That'd be mom, sorry Sho but I really have to go now."

" No problem, you've done your best, if I can improve these changes, I will but you should go Kakeru as I'll need loads of your help tomorrow." With these statements Kakeru took his leave wishing Sho good luck.

Sho's mother, namely Masumi Yamato came in "Sho..dinner is more important than MTB." "No mom... I've got a big race tomorrow.... the last thing I can imagine is to waste my time on insignificant dinner." " In that case, Ayumu and I will finish our dinner. Yours will be on the table. Finish that cycle modification and eat up." Before Sho could correct her, Masumi left.

" I wish dad was here, I could really use his help. But, he will there during the race, he's living on inside me and you Flame Kaiser, so we're gonna win ths race for dad" said Sho with a slight expression of sorrow, yet consolation for himself.

The night was spent emotionally by everybody. Gabu and Taiga were awake till almost 1:00am. The last Shido sibling to fall asleep was Kyoichi at around the same time. Sho slept at 1:30 after tuning his bike and Kakeru fell asleep at around 12:00am. All these people had different motives and perspectives but if there was one thing common about them it was the fact that they were all looking forward to the race and this kept them all, sleepless for quite some time.