Chapter One: Survival of the Fittest.
Spring time… A season of growth and rebirth. Buds blossom into beautiful flowers and the old begins anew. Last spring, an assembled team, whom called themselves Project D, started racing everywhere outside of the Gunma prefecture. They raced areas such as Tochigi, Saitama, and Ibaraki. By the end of the summer, they had completed their goal, leaving a well-known legacy behind them…
…So was that the end of the story? No, not by a long shot. The team once known as Project D was slowly forming into the, "Takahashi-Fujiwara Racing Team" funded or sponsored by Marlboro Tobacco and Cigarettes.
Sounds like a happy ending, correct? Well why not take a look at what the lives of our lovely street racers are like now…
Keisuke Takahashi: The former uphill ace of Project D. He was 23 years old now, a good age for the younger brother to be starting a career in the Professionals. With a yellow envelope at hand, he walked out of his room and down the hall to his older brother's door. As always, Keisuke was eager to go forth and do what he wants. Arriving at the door, he stopped and knocked, waiting for an answer before entering the room.
Ryosuke was resting in his chair at the time, and it was obvious the older Takahashi was tired. Nonetheless, he opened his eyes upon hearing the knock and sat up some. "Come in." He turned his chair to face his desk, which was and organized mess of all kinds of papers.
Keisuke entered the room. "Hey Aniki." He immediately walked straight to his brother's bed and sat down. The younger brother took note that his brother appeared to be tired…but even more than that, he realized Ryosuke appeared to be dressed for work.
After Project D's end, Ryosuke finished school and did as his father wanted; that being helping out as a doctor at the family's hospital.
"The old man needs you at work today?" Keisuke asked out of his own curiosity. It was Friday, one of the few days Ryosuke was SUPPOSED to be allowed time off.
Ryosuke sighed, "Yeah that is what he claims. Apparently a lot of people have been coming in thanks to all that spring time pollens." He turned his chair so that he was facing his younger brother. "I'm not too thrilled about it, but I do get paid overtime."
"Tch! Like you really care about that Aniki." Keisuke shifted his eyes so that his gaze was at the ground. "I guess I didn't come in here to complain though." He looked up again, then reached out and offered the yellow envelope to him. "Here, take a look at this."
Ryosuke blinked some before leaning forward in his chair and plucking the envelope out of his younger brother's hand. Glancing down at it, he took a moment to open it then a few more to read over the contents of the letter. Finally, he spoke; "Well, I'll be damned." He placed the letter back into the yellow envelope. "You're getting one hell of a start, you and Fujiwara both." He handed the envelope back to Keisuke.
The letter that was just read was a confirmation for a sponsorship. The Marlboro Tobacco Corporation was offering quite the hefty amount; meaning Keisuke and the rest of the team were pretty much set for the whole entire racing season.
"I know, I was shocked when I read the letter for myself." Keisuke replied. "We should've waited to get the FD if we would've known that. Though with a sponsor like this….This car will truly be something by the time we're done with it."
"Speaking of that, how is the FD coming along?"
"It's coming along great. Takumi and I are supposed to go out to the track and do the first trial run this evening."
'The first trial run is tonight?' Ryosuke thought to himself. 'I can't miss that. Looks like I'll have to do a little sweet talking later…' Suddenly, his eyes caught sight of the clock. 'Well, looks like I'll have to tell him later… He doesn't need anything clouding his mind right now anyways.' He stood up from his chair, "I've got to run Keisuke." He grabbed his phone off his desk and walked towards the door. "Good luck tonight."
"Oh Thanks. See ya." Keisuke watched as his older brother left him alone in the room. After about ten minutes of sitting there rather bored, he got up, deciding he would go find something to do with himself till later.
"Alright Keisuke, looks like she's all fired up and ready to go." Fumihiro told the spikey haired blonde, giving him a thumbs up.
"Great, It's about time." The younger Takahashi was currently seated in an FD; not his own, but another. This one tuned specifically for the conditions a circuit track might offer.
"We'll see you after you're finished. Fujiwara is up after you. Be sure not to tear up the clutch or anything." Fumihiro joked a bit before retreating back a few feet.
Keisuke only nodded before pulling out of the pits.
Fumihiro decided to return to the others, whom were currently enjoying the nice air-conditioned area known as The Box. "He's off." He said, announcing his return.
"Alright! Let's watch him tear up that Asphalt!" Kenta called out with excitement, annoying almost every soul in the room.
Everyone watched as Keisuke slowly began to adapt to the new feeling of his vehicle. Though evident he wasn't used to the feeling just yet, each corner Keisuke's speed was just a little faster. Before too long, he'd adapt to the feeling of this new FD.
Suddenly, someone entered the box. "How much have I missed?" It was Ryosuke.
Everyone was a little shocked to see the eldest Takahashi here. "Nothing much, he just started not too long ago. He's just starting to adapt to the new FD." Fumihiro informed him.
Ryosuke nodded and walked over to the window without another word. He wanted to watch this. It was just something that he felt he needed to do as Keisuke's older brother. It didn't take long before Ryosuke realized something: Keisuke was adapting to the new vehicle better than he had predicted. Sure, some would argue he drives an FD regularly. However, anyone with some background knowledge would know that Keisuke's FD and this one were two completely different cars. It's what's on the inside that counts.
Takumi, whom was standing right next to Ryosuke, had realized the same thing after closely studying Keisuke's every action. When Ryosuke saw him standing there, it sent chills through the older brother. 'That concentration…'
"He's improved so much..." Takumi mumbled to himself, not realizing someone was actually near him, much less watching him.
"So have you Fujiwara." Ryosuke spoke, bringing the space cadet back down to earth.
"Ah, Ryosuke-san! Sorry, I didn't realize you were there…"
He couldn't help but chuckle some, "It's quite alright, and I've been here awhile."
Takumi looked back out the window once again, "Well anyways, maybe so. I'm still impressed though."
"Have you driven the FD yet?"
Takumi shook his head, "Nope, not yet."
Ryosuke knew Takumi would have a harder time adapting to the new FD. Keisuke was used to the layout thanks to his own car, but Takumi was left at the disadvantage when it came to that. Still, the kid's adaptability level was unbelievable. There was no doubt he'd catch on quickly. "I'm sure you'll do great."
"Hey! He's back!" Kenta's voice called out, announcing the younger brother's return.
Ryosuke, along with the rest of the team, exited the box to see the blonde. Once outside, the eldest Takahashi took a moment to examine the vehicle Keisuke was making his way out of. It was an FD (obviously), yellow on the front and white on the back. The two colors were being separated by a thick black line that was running diagonally across the middle of the car. The racing number: 86.
Ryosuke really couldn't help but smile at the sight of his younger brother stepping out of such a lovely piece of machinery. It made him regret some of his past choices in life, and made him realize he missed his youth and days of glory as 'Akagi's White Comet.'
"That was quite something Keisuke." Fumihiro approached the blonde after he climbed out of the vehicle. "How did it feel?"
"It was great. Better than I expected." Keisuke replied, looking out to the other team members. When he caught sight of who he wanted, he called out, "Hey Takumi, want to come over here a second?"
Takumi blinked a few times as it dawned upon him that Keisuke wished to tell him something. "Uh, Alright, sure."
While the two team members talked some things over, Fumihiro made his way over to his former team leader known as Ryosuke. "So, is there a reason you decided to come out here tonight? Keisuke told us you wouldn't be able to make it tonight."
"I had to do quite a bit of persuading with my father for him to let me come here..." Ryosuke really did want to see his younger brother do this for the first time, but that was not the real reason he had been allowed out here tonight. "…However, I'm not just here for a good time."
"Why is that?"
Ryosuke's gaze went to where Takumi and Keisuke were chatting. "I'm sure you'll hear about it soon enough.
"You're WHAT?!" Keisuke exclaimed, making one of his well known, ridiculous shocked faces. "To who? WHY?!"
"Quit making that face Keisuke." Ryosuke sighed. "Father told me what I had to do."
"And you're just going to listen to him!?Aniki! You can't listen to him! Not this time!" Keisuke whined.
"Why? Because you don't want me to get married?"
Keisuke's expression only expressed pure shock at the question his older brother had just asked him. "Aniki…are you implying that you're not against this?"
Ryosuke sighed, "No, not completely. Don't get me wrong though, I'm not at all happy about this." He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
"Damn that old man…" he mumbled just loud enough for his older brother to hear. Keisuke knew exactly why his father wanted him to marry; to carry the Takahashi name. In other words… "I guess if you're ready for something like that Aniki. I cannot stop you."
"It's not that horrible you know." Ryosuke took a puff of his now lit cigarette. "At least he's letting me choose."
"Choose?" Keisuke looked rather baffled. "To choose what?"
"A wife."
"…" Keisuke wasn't sure what to say to his older brother now. Everything in his life was changing more and more every day. Something's he really didn't mind; like starting the professionals for instance. Though most everything else wasn't exactly how he liked it.
"Keisuke." Ryosuke broke the silence between them. "I want you to do me a favor.."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Live your life as you want."
"What?" Keisuke's eyes widened a bit at this statement. "Aniki…"
"I did not have the choice to live my life the way I would've liked to. That's the joy of being the first born." Ryosuke sighed. "Keisuke, I envied you. I just didn't feud over it like many would. If I could do anything, I wanted to help others achieve what they wanted in life…" He paused and took another puff of his cigarette, "Don't disappoint me Keisuke."
'What was the sudden confession for?" Keisuke thought to himself bluntly. "I won't Aniki, hell I owe you the like I have now! I wouldn't be standing here right now if not for you."
He smiled slightly, "Thanks Keisuke." Ryosuke helped his younger brother for many reasons… He had been headed in the wrong direction, yes, but even farther than that he was unwanted by their parents. Well close enough. Basically a classic 'Accident.' The lack of attention and compassion from both parents caused Keisuke to grow up and behave in the way he did. Ryosuke hated almost every day back then. He hated seeing his younger brother ruin his life and neither of their parents do anything about it. It's why he did what he did to change Keisuke's path in life. He never once regretted that choice either. "I think I should be heading back…" Ryosuke put his cigarette out using an ashtray that was sitting on a nearby table.
Keisuke nodded, "Alright. Thanks for coming out Aniki."
"No problem. See you in a bit Keisuke." Ryosuke replied, walking out of the building.
"Good luck."
'Survival of the fittest…pfft. That saying is rather ridiculous…' Ryosuke was thinking to himself as he drove his FC down the road. 'If that were true; Takumi, Keisuke, and myself would've all been dusted long ago.'
He was referring to how in nature, creatures with muscle would have the advantage in any situation. In his mind, the 'muscle' was the vehicle your opponent was driving. The technique of the driver excluded. If that was the case, and it was just car vs. car, then he couldn't name how many times he himself would've lost races. But then again, if that was really how racing worked, then what fun would that be? Everything would be predictable.
When you throw technique back into the equation though… that changes everything. It's the reason both his FC and Keisuke's FD lost to Takumi and his eight-six on Mt. Akina two years ago.
'That's why Survival of the Fittest doesn't fit into the racing world.'
Suddenly, Ryosuke's "check engine" light flashed on with a ding. His FC was really beginning to feel its age as time continued to push forward. It was getting harder and harder for him to keep up with it. He would keep this car running as long as he could though; no way was he going to let it go easily.
He flashed his hazard lights and pulled over to the side of the road. Wanting to take a look at the engine, Ryosuke pushed himself up and got out of the vehicle. If it was something serious he didn't was to risk driving the remainder of the way back to Takasaki.
He walked to the front of his FC and lifted the hood, quickly realizing he couldn't really see anything in the night time darkness…. He sighed, "Well, this isn't really convenient…' He was about to pull out his cell phone when something else caught his attention…
…The sound of an approaching car.
It was coming from down the street, and to his surprise, it slowed down and pulled over behind Ryosuke's FC.
'An MX-5?' That was right; A purple MX-5. Ryosuke watched as the driver to this rarely seen vehicle climbed out. It was a young woman, brown wavy hair and bright blue eyes. She was dressed in a green sweated and a simple pair of jeans.
"Excuse me, are you alright?" She spoke in a shy, but kind tone.
"Uh, Yeah, I'm fine. Just trying to make sure my engines alright before I finish the rest of my journey home."
She peaked around him and looked to where he had the hood popped up. "Can you see what you are doing? It looks pretty dark over there."
Ryosuke made a face, realizing how stupid all of this must sound to her. "No Sadly. I was just about to call my brother and ask for some help.
"well that's no good… " She thought about the situation for a moment before reaching a conclusion. "Oh, I've got it! How about this; I'll pull my car around and you can use the light from my headlights to see?"
Ryosuke blinked, "You would do that? I-I mean, I would deeply appreciate it."
"No worries! It's not a problem at all!" She smiled, walking over to her MX-5 and climbing inside. It had only taken her a few minutes to move the car, and she made sure he lights were on so he could use them.
Once her car was in place, Ryosuke nodded to her before directing his attention to his FC's engine.
A moment later, the girl got out and walked behind him, watching him from behind. 'That's a rotary engine…' She thought to herself. 'So he drives a Mazda too…' She decided not to point it out though; she was only a woman after all. She felt that pointing out something about that cars would seem awkward for them both.
It didn't take to long for Ryosuke to check the important areas of the engine. Once he had completed the examination, he closed the hood.
"Is everything alright?" The woman asked, taking a step forward.
He turned to face her before nodding, "Everything is fine for now. I'll take a better look at it tomorrow when it's daylight."
"That's great. I'm glad to hear it's alright." She smiled. "I'm Ganazo, Ganazo Aniko." She introduced herself with a bow.
"Takahashi Ryosuke." He bowed in return. That's when he noticed the girl had Saitama places on her MX-5. He returned to his normal position when she had as well. "I noticed you're quite a ways from home."
"Oh me? No…not really. I moved to Gunma last year. I've just been too lazy to get my plates changed." She laughed nervously. "Been really busy and all, you know what I mean?"
He nodded, "I know exactly what you mean."
"Before I get the chance to thank-you for your help?" He blinked. 'She seems to be in a hurry.'
"I'm sorry Takahashi-san, but I really must go…"
"Here..." He pulled out a card from his pocket and handed it to her. "This has my cell number on it. Call me sometime, I really do owe you…"
She took the card from him and nodded, "See you around."
"See you around Ganazo-san." Ryosuke watched as the girl got into her MX-5 and drove off. He couldn't help but think this girl was weird. Maybe she was late for a date or something? He wasn't sure of the reason, but he couldn't be more grateful that she had stopped and helped him though.
Little did he know that her real reason for bolting like that was because she thought he was extremely handsome.
A/N: Woot! About time I got to type this! This has been on notebook paper for a month now. So glad I could do so :) please R and R! I hope you enjoyed it.