Racing Hearts: Co-Authored by Seychella, Chu, and Sleek Stratos

A/N: hum.. ^_^ I was being evil to poor Sumi in this chapter.. read and you will understand what i mean lol..

Thank you reviewers, your encouragement is much appreaciated. yvonne be paitent lol.. we'll see what's going on in Usui soon.. hehhe.. tho not in this chapter yet...


Chapter Four

"Hey someone's coming!, it's not one of ours..." The racers on Usui quickly got off the streets to await the new arrivals.

"It's the Grim Reapers..."

"We knew they would come..."

"That black FC looks menacing..."

Three cars pulled up and parked against the guard rails. All of them were either black or a shade of dark grey, a rather fitting appearance to match their name. The drivers stepped out of their respective cars and swaggered over to the crowd. "We're the Grim Reapers as you know already I'm sure."

"Mah, looks like a bunch of losers, we don't have much competition here," one of them commented.

The local drivers were getting restless. Everyone has heard of the rumors of how good the new mysterious team happens to be, and no one was brave enough to challenge them.

"I heard of a team called Impact Blue. Supposedly they're the best on this mountain. Are there any representatives here?" When no one answered, the one who appeared to be their leader continued with a taunt. "Well, I guess they're just too scared to show their faces. Listen carefully." He addressed the group, "Give them this message. Tell them the Grim Reapers will be waiting for them here at 10pm this coming Saturday. If they don't show up, I'll just assume they were too cowardly to race us."

With that, they got back into their cars and drove off.

==

"Moshi moshi?" Mako answered the phone. "Oh Sumi! How are you?"

"I'm alright thanks," They exchanged their greetings casually. "Hey listen, the reason I'm calling is because, Sunday night, Daddy's got this big party thing at that hotel on Mt. Akina, it's just a bunch of rich, influential people... he wants me to make an appearance, but these events are so dull, so um.. I was wondering......... ifyouandSayukiwouldhelpoutapoorunfortunategirlandcomewithme...?" She said the last sentence so quickly that Mako hardly caught all the words.

"Slow down.." Mako chuckled, "Say that again? You have to go to a party and?"

Sumi repeated her words, this time much slower and with a sigh.

"Well, don't you need a date or something for those kinds of things?" Mako asked not wanting to make any commitments.

"Oh you don't NEED one..." but before Sumi could finish the sentence, Mako's door burst open to reveal a very excited Sayuki.

"There's been a challenge!. Mako, this Saturday at 10:00pm The Grim Reapers wants a battle on Usui."

Mako was rather stunned for a moment. She had not expected the challenge to come so soon. "They sure don't waste any time..."

"No doubt! But we're ready for them!" Sayuki declared determinedly, "Oh who's on the phone?" She asked while picking up the corded handset on the kitchen counter.

"Did you hear that Sumi, about the challenge on Saturday?" Mako inquired.

"Sumi!" Sayuki greeted cheerfully after realizing who was on the other line, you really should come cheer us on! Maybe have a few runs down the mountain with us, you might just fall in love with it again."

There was a pause as Sumi seemed to ponder this suggestion but she continued quickly. "mm Sayuki... I was just telling Mako about a really boring old people party that I have to go to... I'll make you a deal. If the two of you agree to come with me to the party Sunday night, then I'll come watch your race on Saturday."

"I donno...." Mako started but Sayuki cut her off. "Rich people party? Of course we'll come! You just make sure you're there on Saturday!"

"Alright it's a deal," agreed Sumi happily.

"But..."

"Okay! We'll talk later! Jia!" both Sumi and Sayuki paid no attention to Mako's uncertain complaint and hung up the receivers. She slowly shook her head. Mako had no idea how she always manages to let her friends put her in situations that she didn't want to be in. Well, at least it's just a party, how bad could it be?

==

Friday night found the three girls together once again. This time they were all squished in to Sumi's car. "I know this beautiful little dress shop in Akina, they carry the most gorgeous formal gowns. I'm sure you'll be able to find something there." She explained on their way.

Realizing that she was running low on gas, they pulled into a local gas station after entering the town.

"Irasshaimase."

"Full tank, high octane. Please and thank you."

Mako gasped as the gas station attendant came into view. Likewise the young man seemed to be frozen in place as well after seeing her.

"Ano... excuse me?" Sumi inquired.

"Ahh.. sorry.." he hastily replied snapping back to reality and getting back to work.

"What was that about?" Sumi questioned the other two girls.

"Remember I told you about that guy I met who helped me with my car?"

"THAT WAS HIM??? That bastard who stood you up? Oh my god! I will SO give him a piece of my mind!" Sumi announced angrily unbuckling her seat belt.

Mako all but threw her self at the driver to keep her in the car.. "Don't! please.. just leave it..."

At the pleading look on Mako's face, Sumi backed down but was nonetheless unhappy with the arrangement and didn't hesitate to state her opinion. They were surprised however when the young man in question came up to the passenger side window and addressed the occupant directly. "Mako-chan... can you give me a minute, I... I want to talk to you."

She nodded and exited the car.

Upon seeing the window washer, Sayuki suddenly squealed with delight. "It's Takumi-kun! Oh I gotta say hi." With that bounded out of the car as well. Sumi had no choice but to get out and see what was going on, not wanting to be left alone.

"Takumi-kun! Hisashiburi!. I didn't get a chance to congratulate you for winning that battle against the famed Takahashi Ryosuke." Sayuki greeted cheerfully.

"Ahh.. it's nothing really..." Takumi answered modestly. "I really don't think I'm better than he is... just that.. I'm more familiar with Akina is all.."

"Mou! Don't be so humble.. you won and that's that!. Oh let me introduce you. This is my friend Sumi, and Sumi, this is Takumi... you know the famous 86 driver."

"Hontou ni!, You're so young! You can't be more than 19 years old!.. wow I am impressed..."

Their conversation carried on discussing the notable races in the last summer months. There was an air of causality while neither Sumi nor Sayuki could help smiling at the shy demeanor of the young racer before them.

"Oh!. I just had a thought... about the party Sunday night. None of us have dates.... Takumi kun! Will you be my date???" Sayuki asked eagerly while grabbing on to his arm.

"That's a great idea!. Mako can drag Iketani along.. and ... wait.. I don't have a date.." Sumi pointed at herself pitifully.

"Oi Mako!." Sayuki called. "We just had a great idea!...." As the other two approached the party, she continued to enlighten them with her plan.

"Ah.. I don't know if Iketani-san would want to come along I mean..."

"I'd be happy to escort you Mako-chan," He cut in quickly not waiting for her to finish the sentence.

Sayuki smiled knowingly and turned to secure her own date. "And how about you Takumi-kun... Will you come with me?"

"Well... I guess... I mean I don't think I'm busy on Sunday night.."

"But.. but..." Sumi cut in with falsely teary eyes... "I don't have a date.... you can't leave me by myself... Takumi-kun.. you don't happen to have any hot friends who's willing to be my date would you?" She inquired sweetly.

"Well... I think Itsuki would probably be happy to go with you... HEY ITSUKI!" He called.

From inside the station a short black haired boy with a square-ish face came strolling out. "Nani Takumi... I was almost finished cleaning the windows in th..." he stopped in mid sentence seeing the three girls. "Ahh Sayuki-san! Mako-san! It's so good to see you again!" He immediately bounded over to great them.

Sayuki almost laughed out loud when she saw Sumi's jaw drop. "Ne Itsuki, we were all heading over to a big party Sunday night and my friend Sumi doesn't have a date, would you be a gentleman and escort her to the ball?"

"HONTOU NI!!!! OF COURSE I'LL GO!. AHHH THANK YOU SO MUCH SAYUKI-SAN, SUMI-SAN!"

"Sayuki, you're so evil!" Sumi said unhappily when they got back into their car. "how come you two get the hot guys and I get stuck with.. that.. little.. boy..."

"Mou Sumi, Itsuki is a nice guy if you give him a chance."

"It's not that.. I mean I'm sure he's a nice guy.. but... he's.. shorter than I am.. and...oh man I really don't know.." she sighed. "Anyway, Mako, how did your talk with Iketani go?"

"Mmm... He said that at first he was jealous because I had told him I used to have a really big crush on Takahashi Ryosuke, about him being my sole motivation to become a great racer. He wasn't planning to show at first, but he realized his stupidity in the end and tried to come and meet me but was stuck in a traffic jam. By the time he got to our meeting place I had already left. I waited for him for three hours after our agreed time... it's not like I didn't wait...." She trailed off but suddenly started again. "And besides! Why are guys so clueless about these things, I told him because I trusted him."

Sumi only caught half of Mako's explanation after Ryosuke was mentioned. She had no idea that her friend was interested in him in that way and this was a big shock to her. She tried unsuccessfully to sort out her jumbled thoughts and listen to the conversation as well but failed miserably in both so she kept silent and stared at the road.

"Mako, you know how guys are... they're all clueless! This is one law of nature that you can't break." Sayuki offered. "So, are you gonna give the guy another chance?"

"It's odd, I wished so many times that I could talk to Iketani-san again and ask him what happened and sort things out. I WANTED another chance. But now that I have it, I'm afraid... I'm afraid of getting hurt again."

"That's only natural," Sayuki consoled, "but if you're not completely sure, you should think about it and don't rush into anything. I never understood what you saw in that guy anyway. In the meanwhile, you can keep gawking over Takahashi Ryosuke for a bit longer." She said with a teasing giggle.

"Ne, Mako, do you really like him? Ryosuke I mean." The question had been on the tip of her tongue and after Sayuki's comment, Sumi was feeling very insecure.

"Takahashi Ryosuke was just my motivation to start racing. I knew nothing would ever come of it. I mean I've never even talked to him before! He's way out of my league"

"That's just an excuse Mako, don't think so little of yourself. I'll rephrase the question then, if you found out he liked you as well, would you go for it?"

"Sumi, what's with this line of questions all of a sudden, of course I'd probably go for it! It's Takahashi Ryosuke!. I doubt there's a handful of girls out there who'd turn him down if they caught his eye." Mako answered exasperated.

"So Mako, when're you gonna make your move then?" Sayuki continued to tease.

"Mou, don't joke anymore, I'm sure he already has a girlfriend."

He can have anyone he wants... Sumi thought this over in her head, Of course he would already have found someone new, I was just chasing a faded dream. She decided at that moment to leave him behind. To move on with her lift and stop dwelling on something that can not be changed. She was determined not to let Ryosuke get the best of her. Suddenly she felt lighter, freer, as it a boulder had been lifted off her chest. Perhaps it will not be as hard as she always thought.

"Look, we're here!" Sumi suddenly interjected, not wanting to continue on the same topic any longer. "Anyway, now that we've all got dates," Sumi emphasized the last word through clenched teeth, "we better go take care of those dresses." The three of them exited the car and entered the small shop.


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