Part 6: Secrets on the Road
Haruto staggered, the world tilting violently, before everything went dark.
"Stop!" Shin shouted.
Raizo slammed the brakes and jumped off. "Haruto! Are you okay?!"
Haruto didn't move.
Panic set in instantly.
"We're taking him to the hospital," Raizo said firmly.
Haruto slowly opened his eyes to bright white lights. His head throbbed, wrapped in a bandage.
"…Where am I?" he murmured.
Raizo, sitting beside him, laughed in relief.
Shin asked, "Why are you laughing?"
Raizo said, "Why are you asking who I am?"
Haruto blinked. "I asked where I am."
Raizo froze. "…Oh."
Shin sighed. "You're in the hospital."
Haruto frowned. "I don't remember anything."
They talked quietly for a bit, making sure he was okay. After some time, the doctor allowed them to leave.
Outside the hospital, cool air brushed against Haruto's face. He stretched slightly, still confused.
His eyes then fell on the motorcycle parked nearby.
"…Oh," he said suddenly. "Now I remember."
Raizo looked at him. "Seriously?"
Haruto nodded. "Yeah. Everything."
Raizo smiled. "Good. Then hop on."
Raizo drove, Haruto sat in the middle, and Shin sat behind. Since Haruto had never ridden like this before, excitement rushed through him, his hands gripping tightly as the wind swept past.
"This feels crazy," Haruto laughed.
"This feels crazy," Haruto laughed as the wind rushed past him.
After a moment, he leaned forward slightly and looked around. "I've never seen a cycle like this before."
Raizo smirked. "That's because this isn't a cycle. It's way better."
Haruto blinked. "Huh?"
Raizo pointed toward the side. "See this scroll?" He tapped it lightly. "This scroll generates energy on its own. The motorcycle doesn't need human effort to move."
Haruto's eyes widened. "Wow…"
Shin spoke up from behind, sounding proud but honest. "Still, it's not perfect. Raizo and I are working on it—to make it better."
Haruto smiled. "That's awesome."
Suddenly, his expression changed. "Oh—wait. I need to go."
Raizo glanced back. "Go where? It's just evening."
"Class 1 decided to hang out," Haruto said quickly. "So I gotta go."
Raizo nodded without hesitation. "No worries. Show me the way. I'll drop you at the place where you're meeting."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Raizo replied. "But first, we'll go to your house. Let's have some water, okay?"
Haruto smiled. "Okay."
The motorcycle slowed as they turned onto a familiar street.
Soon, they reached Haruto's house.
Haruto stepped inside the house and slipped off his slippers.
Before he could take another step—
Grab.
"Ouch!" Haruto yelped.
Akari appeared out of nowhere, twisting his ear. "Where do you think you're going, huh?! Why didn't you come home with Renjiro?"
"A-Aka, wait! I can explain," Haruto said quickly. "But I really need to go—I can't be late!"
He tried to dash past her, but Akari narrowed her eyes. "Then how did you get that injury on your head?"
From the sofa, Renjiro looked up sharply. "What? That wasn't there after the academy."
Haruto froze for a second. "I… I'll tell you later," he said, avoiding their eyes.
He rushed into his room, changed his clothes, and then came back with two glasses of water. He handed one to Raizo and one to Shin.
"Thanks," Shin said.
Haruto placed the glasses back in the kitchen, then suddenly turned around and hugged Akari and Renjiro.
"Please… just hope everything will be fine," he said softly.
Akari was startled. Renjiro rested a hand on Haruto's shoulder. "Be careful."
Haruto nodded and hurried back outside, sitting on the motorcycle.
Renjiro watched them leave and muttered, "I've never seen a cycle like that before."
The motorcycle started, and the kids rode off.
After a moment, Haruto spoke up, curious. "Hey, Raizo… can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"How did your parents allow you to ride something like this? Isn't it dangerous?"
Raizo's expression changed instantly.
Before he could reply, Shin leaned forward and whispered, "Don't talk about it."
Haruto blinked, realizing he'd crossed a line. "Ah—sorry," he said quickly, changing the topic. "So… how long did it take to build this thing?"
The tension faded. Soon, the three of them were laughing again as the road stretched ahead.
By the time they reached the meeting place, the sun had already set, painting the sky in orange and purple.
Haruto hopped off. "Bye!"
Raizo waved. Shin nodded. The motorcycle disappeared down the road.