the first time you’ll meet takanobu aone is that one time you thought you can finally hit your new pr. that time you got too excited, too enthusiastic, even basking in the stares of the other people at the gym as you carried the rubber plates towards your bench.
you really thought you can hit six reps after just a week of progressing to five reps. but then, as you stayed flat on your back on the bench, lifting the weight above your chest and pressing it back down, you feel your arms wobble at your fourth rep.
but you have always been stubborn so you pushed through. fifth rep, you felt sweat trickle down your temple, and you gritted your teeth as pain shoots all over your torso. you’re not even chest pressing anymore, you have begun overcompensating using your forearms, and your shoulders.
your vision starts blurring, but as you tried to go for a sixth rep, you feel your grip slipping. fear ran through your veins now, and you were so sure you will drop this on your own body. this heavy weight. your breathing starts to quicken as you began to panic. your arms are shaking now and you try to look around for help. but everyone seemed busy in their own world.
you squeezed your eyes shut bracing for the impact of a hundred and ten pounds of barbell dropping on your chest any minute now. any minute now.
but then, you felt something lift the weight from your hands and you opened your eyes. the clink of the metal as it was placed on the rack above you was the first thing that registered on your mind.
then a face. a face you have seen multiple times in this same gym, but never had a chance to talk to. you have seen few people only talk to him because he towers almost everyone.
you remembered you got intimidated by him the first time you saw him.
but now, as he looked down at your surely pathetic figure, all you can see is your savior. the one who saved you from the unimaginable pain, and multiple surgeries for sure. all because your ego thought you could handle it.
you breathed out a sigh of relief as your aching arms dropped to your sides. your savior did not say anything, not until you sat up, wanting to thank him.
what you didn’t prepare for is the bile rising up your throat because of overexertion as soon as your body is upright. you covered your mouth in response.
you tried to run to the bathroom, but your legs cramped. god, you were screwed. you closed your eyes to steady your breathing.
you heard a faint rustling, and then the smell of mint calmed your senses. a hand rubbed your back, and when you opened your eyes once more, you see that same man who saved you from your egolifting.
“take deep breaths”, you heard him say concisely. you knew this guy—aone?—never spoke at all. even with his friends surrounding him weeks back when they were training. even when you see him handling a difficult set.
his voice, nonetheless, sounded deep but calm. it weirdly soothed your nerves, and you followed his advice.
you inhaled, and exhaled. you kept going until your vision starts to clear. you can see him more fully now. his large hands held yours as he had you hold the smelling mint stick instead.
he spotted your tumbler beside the bench and he handed it to you. you took it, drank, and wiped your sweat with the back of your palm.
“thank you”, you finally told him. he only nodded in reply. he left the gym wordlessly after a few minutes, towel on his shoulder, duffel bag in hand, leaving you the comforting smell of mint on your hand.
the next time you saw him was on the weekend. you both got out of the locker room the same time. the instant you locked eyes with him, you gave a smile. aone bowed at you.
you searched your pocket for the stick he gave you back then. but this time, it’s new. you replaced it. you reached your palm towards him.
“about last time, thank you”.
his large hand wrapped around yours and closed your open hand, and he pushed it towards you instead. he shook his head gently.
he then reached toward his own pocket and showed you three smelling mint sticks. you blinked, then let out a giggle. he was the opposite of what you thought him to be. he was what they call—
“—a gentle giant”, you blurted your thoughts out loud. he seemed to be a bit shocked at what you said, and his eyes widened a bit. your hand flew to your mouth, and you folded your body in half as you bowed at him in apology.
“i’m sorr—“
“aone”.
you slowly stood upright and stared at him. you were never sure of what his name was. only heard from his friends who talk to him.
“takanobu aone”, he continued speaking. he held out his hand, and when you realized what he was trying to do, you grinned up at him. you shook his hand, and told him your name as well. “l/n y/n”.
and that was the fateful day you gained a gym buddy who spots you everytime—
—and your sweet, and one of a kind boyfriend of three years.
