Chapter 4
Ryousuke casually approached the young woman sitting on the bench staring out at the milky green lake. She was on the phone he noticed. He paused and listened for a moment.
"No, I'm fine Satoro. I promise. Yes. I'll phone you tomorrow, okay? Don't worry about me. Yes. Goodnight." Mitsu ended the call and sighed.
He started towards her again and moved about the bench.
"Ryousuke-san!" She exclaimed jumping slightly in surprise. He had caught her off guard.
"What are you doing here alone Mitsu-chan?" He asked settling down on the bench beside her.
Mitsu watched him unsurely, "I... I was just visiting the area." She answered.
Ryousuke glanced at her briefly, "Don't worry about Keisuke. He jumps to conclusions very easily. A weakness of his at the moment." He didn't know why he was explaining things to her. He frowned. What was happening to him? He sounded like he cared about her feelings.
Mitsu turned to him surprised. He met her gaze briefly before turning to look at the lake.
"Why is he mad at me Ryousuke-san?" She asked softly.
Ryousuke remained silent.
Finally, Mitsu gave up on waiting for an answer. She sighed and turned to look at the scenery. Home...
"Missing someone?" He asked casually.
Mitsu nodded. They were silent a minute then she turned to him, "Shouldn't you be watching them practice?"
Ryousuke glanced at his watch, "They still have an hour and forty-five minutes to find a comfortable rhythm."
Mitsu nodded again and they were silent.
Ryousuke frowned. She seemed to understand what he was talking about. She knew more about cars then she was letting on, "Since you are driving tomorrow, you might as well tell me what kind of car you drive."
Mitsu smiled lightly, but Ryousuke sensed her apprehension, it radiated from her, "Why do you want to know so badly?"
He shrugged, "You know cars. I want to know what you chose to drive."
He saw her pupils dilated ever so slightly. A hit.
"My parents chose a car for me."
"No, they didn't. You know what you wanted and you got it." Ryousuke said as he held her gaze. Daring her to prove otherwise.
"And why would you think I know anything about cars?"
"You let things slip."
Mitsu could feel the butterflies flapping in her belly. How much had she let him see? What else did he know? How had she lost all her control? She searched her memory for everything she had ever said to Takahashi Ryousuke.
"I've watched races with my friends in Tokyo. I picked up a few things from them. They're big racing fans." She stated. She hoped he would fall for the diversion. It wasn't entirely a lie. She had gone to see many races, and she did pick up some information here and there. So it wasn't a lie she repeated to herself.
"Do your friends race?"
"One of my best friends does." She answered. There was no harm in telling him that.
"Would I have heard of them?"
"I don't think so. The Redliners?" She turned to see his reaction. Nothing.
"Mmm... A three membered team. Very local."
Mitsu looked at him in surprise, "Yes...It's okay, you can say that they aren't very good, but they're improving. They learn something new every time they race."
"You understood." Ryousuke said turning to look at the lake.
Mitsu realized her mistake then. She frowned. Since when did she mess things up so easily? The way she was going she was going to tell him everything. She stood up, "Please excuse me Ryousuke-san. I think I'm going to cal for a taxicab ad go home." She turned away and was about to walk away when Ryousuke called her.
"I will see you tomorrow morning. Same time."
Mitsu sighed and turned to him, "Ryousuke-san you know as well as I do that there some things you rather just keep to yourself. You do understand don't you?" It was more a statement that a question. A mysterious person like Takahashi Ryousuke had many secrets. They kept things inside, keeping it all to themselves. Ryousuke was staring directly at her, his face remained set in stone. But she knew that he understood. She nodded. He didn't have to say anything. She sighed, "I really rather drive alone." When he didn't say anything she gave him a small smile and turned to leave again.
"Are you shy to drive me Mitsu-chan?" Ryousuke baited.
She snapped back around, "Of course not!"
"Then why?" Ryousuke asked in infuriatingly calm voice.
"I told you why!" Mitsu exclaimed getting frustrated.
"No you didn't. Why?" Still that same calm emotionless voice.
"Because you're a threat to me that's why!" She blurted out. She gasped ad covered her mouth with both her hands. What had she just done? She was too shocked at what she had just done to notice that Ryousuke was taken aback.
The surprise was cleared from his features before Mitsu had recovered. He had not expected such a development. He had been so worried at the possibility that she was a threat to some aspect of his life that he had never entertained any other options to explain her strange behaviour. He was slipping up very badly lately.
"I have to go..." Mitsu said and turned to walk away very briskly.
Ryousuke stared at her a moment. She felt threatened by him? Why? He walked after her and easily caught up to her without looking rushed, "Mitsu-chan."
She ignored him.
"Wait." Ryousuke said taking hold of her arm.
Mitsu stopped and Ryousuke was able to turn her around, "Please let me go Ryousuke-san."
"Mitsu-chan."
She didn't look up at him. She swallowed, "P-Please..." She said her voice wavering.
Ryousuke frowned, "Come." He said and gently led her back to the bench over-looking the lake, "Please sit down." He helped her sit. Only then did he release her arm. He took a step back and looked at her. Her head was still lowered. He couldn't see her eyes at all. He silently took a deep breath then moved to sit beside her, "I didn't mean for you to feel this way." He stated softly.
"It's not you..." Mitsu said her voice still wavering. She looked up at him.
Ryousuke was caught off guard. Her bright blue eyes were brimming with tears. Something snapped within him.
"Ryousuke-san..."
The young man pulled her into his arms and before he knew it he was whispering softly to her. She melted instantly in his embrace. Her warm body and her overwhelming feminine scent sent his mind and his senses spiraling out of control. It confused him and more of a concern was that it scared him. But he couldn't seem to let her go. He didn't know how long he had been holding her, but she wasn't shaking any longer.
She pulled back gently and Ryousuke released her. She looked up at him. Her composure had come back to her, "Thank you."
Ryousuke simply nodded, "Stay. I rather you went home with us instead of taking a taxi-cab. I insist on it."
Mitsu hesitated then finally ascended and nodded, "Okay, Ryousuke-san."
The young man nodded, "I have to get back to the team. Will you be staying here?"
Mitsu nodded.
Ryousuke owed his head slightly and stepped back a few steps before he turned and casually walked back to where the vans were parked.
Mitsu watched as he walked away. His stride was long, casual and confident. She shivered, suddenly feeling cold. Her body was still feeling the effect of his warmth. It confused her. She sighed heavily and turned to look out at the lake. She had managed everything back in Tokyo, why couldn't she do it in Gunma? In all aspects, it should have been easier, shouldn't it? With its lower population levels, she should have been able to hide her secret with less difficulty. She would have to worry about less people. But no! There had to be someone like Takahashi Ryousuke here. Someone that seemed to be able to read her thoughts... She groaned as she recalled the information she had let slip out when Ryousuke was pushing for answers. For some reason he knew how to push her buttons. It made her feel... Vulnerable. That was the only way she could think of to explain it. She wrapped her arms around herself.
Back at the summit of Mount Shirane in the parking lot...
Ryousuke watched as Takumi pulled up towards them followed by Keisuke. Both drivers got out of the car and turned to him, "Are you ready?" He asked studying each face carefully.
Both nodded and by the looks he saw on their faces, they both thought they had achieved their rhythm, "After each run, stop and hear your time. Every run has to be faster than the next. Think. Improvise. Be aware of everything around you."
The two drivers nodded and got back in their cars. Ryousuke turned to Fumihiro, "Time them. Keep sending them down until they've 'both' bested their quickest time three times. Then come and get me."
The men nodded and watched as Takahashi Ryousuke went to one of the vans and climbed in. He reclined the seat and closed his eyes. He needed to rest. He needed to think clearly when he awoke.
"Three times?" Fumihiro repeated curiously. Ryousuke didn't usually put a number on the runs the drivers drove. He turned to look down the course. What was he thinking?
"Fumihiro-san."
The man turned to see Mitsu come to stand beside him. He offered her a smile, "Did you enjoy the area?"
She nodded, "There is a beautiful lake over there." She said nodding and gesturing to where she had just come from.
He smiled again and wondered suddenly if Ryousuke had joined her earlier when he had walked off without a word or left any instruction, "Did you see Ryousuke?"
She nodded, "Hasn't he returned yet?" She asked surprised, "He left quite a while ago."
Fumihiro nodded, "Oh no, he's back. I was just wondering if he met up with you. He's sleeping in the van."
"Sleeping?"
He nodded and studied her curiously, "He's not one to waste any time."
Mitsu just nodded. It was understandable. With Medical school and running two racing teams, "Fumihiro-san?"
"Hmm?"
"Why does Ryousuke-san not appoint someone else to lead the Redsuns while he's working on Project D?"
"He personally recruited those members. They are part of the team because they respect him. Some have enough experience to start their own teams but they choose to stay. I think its because they choose to stay with him, that he won't abandon them."
"Running one team is a lot of work, I can't imagine how much two teams and medical school would be. Where does he find the time?" She was mainly asking herself the last part.
"Anywhere he can." Fumihiro answered softly. He glanced at her and wondered if she had thought about what he had said about the 'Lone' White Comet of Akagi.
"So, what re they working on now?"
Fumihiro turned to her, "You're interested in racing?"
Mitsu shrugged, "My best friends runs the Redliners in Tokyo. I get dragged along most of the time."
He cocked an eyebrow, "Are you spying on us?"
Mitsu turned to him with a large smile, "That's right, because you know that they really have a shot at beating you guys!" She declared rolling her eyes and laughing.
"Actually, I've never heard of them."
"Really? Ryousuke-san seemed to know about them."
"Ryousuke knows a lot."
Mitsu smiled, "Well anyway, yeah, they've been around a few years but they're not as focused on racing as you guys are. It's more of a hobby for them."
"I see."
She sighed suddenly, "Watching you guys makes me homesick." She said softly.
"Why did you come then?
"It's familiar and it reminds me of home."Fumihiro frowned. She was contradicting herself.
Mitsu saw it and smiled, "I know. Strange. But even though it makes me homesick, I still like to think of home." She shrugged and turned to watch as Keisuke's FD appeared over the ridge and came to a stop. His mechanic went over to him.
After a minute or so the man straightened and looked over at them, "Mitsu-chan." He said and waved her over.
Mitsu turned to look at Fumihiro confused. He shrugged, "Go."
She walked over to the driver's side as the mechanic gave Keisuke final instruction and walked away. She stepped up to the open window, "Keisuke-san..."
Keisuke looked up at her, "I'm sorry for my rude behaviour earlier Mitsu-chan. I jumped to conclusions. I thought you were spying on my brother."
"Spying on your brother!" She gasped, "Why?"
Keisuke shrugged, "It's happened before."
"I see..." She sighed, "Well I'm sorry too Keisuke-san. I didn't know."
Keisuke nodded, "I should get going or we'll be here forever!"
Mitsu smiled and nodded, "Be careful."
Keisuke frowned. It was such a girl thing to say, but he nodded anyway and took off again.
Mitsu watched him and walked back towards Fumihiro.
"Everything okay?"
She nodded with a relieved smile, "Yes." They stood silent a minute, "So, you never said what they were working on."
"Timed runs. They both have to best their fastest time three times before they can stop practicing."
"Really? That's a strange way to approach things. I've never heard anyone practicing like this."
"I think Ryousuke is trying to make them think a lot more. Then again I can't be sure. Only he knows the true reason for making them do what they do." He shrugged having gotten used to the way Takahashi Ryousuke operated. There were always surprises though. It only showed how much more people didn't know about him.
Mitsu continued to watch as the two drivers repeatedly came back to check their times. She wondered how long they could keep this up. She looked about and noticed that everyone looked tired. She yawned then. Even she was getting sleepy. She glanced at her watch. It was just after one am. It was very late. Takumi pulled into the lot followed by Keisuke.
"Finally!" Keisuke's voice could be heard.
She smiled, "I guess they're finished!"
Fumihiro nodded and walked off towards the van. She saw him knock on the window lightly. When the door slid open she turned away but watched from the corner of her eyes as Ryousuke exited and the two men walked towards the exhausted drivers.
"Good work." He pulled out a CD and passed it to Takumi, "Footage of the course. Study it as much as you can. Keisuke I have one for you too. Let's go home, it's late." He then turned to the hachiroku's mechanic, "Matsumoto, ride back with Fujiwara." He said then walked back to the van.
Takumi glanced over at the mechanic who nodded and turned to him. He shrugged and walked over to him, "I guess I'm coming with you!" The two climbed into the car.
"Mitsu-chan." Keisuke called looking towards her.
"Coming!" She said and rushed towards his car.
She climbed in and buckled her seat belt.
Keisuke watched her, "You know, you might be the only girl that's been in this car that hasn't had problems with the belts."
Mitsu laughed, "My best friend had these in his car." She turned to see him staring, "He races for a hobby back in Tokyo. And no his team is not as good as yours."
Keisuke frowned, "How did you know, I-"
Mitsu's laugh cut him off, "My best friend races remember. You all think a like!"
Keisuke rolled his eyes and placed the car in gear. They started for the exit.
They spoke very little on the ride home, just about a few things such as what they liked to do in their spare time. When Keisuke noticed that she was nodding off he slowly allowed for more time between topics until she was sound asleep. He glanced at her now as they pulled into the driveway of his home. She wasn't drop dead gorgeous but she was quite pretty. And innocent looking. He frowned. Was his brother right about her being a threat? It didn't seem possible. Could his brother be wrong? No, that couldn't be! What was he thinking! Ryousuke was never wrong about people! He parked the car and left it idling as he quietly unstrapped himself and stepped out, leaving Mitsu sleeping in the passenger seat.
"Aniki." He said walking over to his brother who was just exiting the van, "I'm going to take Mitsu home."
"How are you feeling?"
Keisuke looked at his curiously, "Fine."
"Okay." He relented. He glanced passed his brother to his car, "Are you getting along now?"
Keisuke nodded, "Did you know her best friend races? He's on a team called the Redliners."
"I know."
"You already know?" Keisuke smirked. He shook his head, "Well I'm going then!" He said and turned and left.
Ryousuke watched as the yellow FD left again. He turned to the Hachiroku, where Matsumoto was stepping out of the car and bidding Takumi goodbye. The driver turned to him. Their eyes met and Ryousuke nodded. Takumi nodded and backed out of the driveway. Ryousuke also watched him go before turning to everyone else, "Thank you all for coming. See you all tomorrow at the same time."
"Okay!"
"Goodnight!"
"Bye." The remaining people called as they gathered in their respective cars and started down the Takahashi driveway. Ryousuke watched as they all left the property before he headed inside to his room. He was tired. He had a lot of work to get done for tomorrow.
