Ryousuke looked blankly up at the house. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the pack of cigarettes. Pulling one out he lit it and leaned against the FC.
"Ryousuke."
The young man glanced at the figure walking towards him but made no move to acknowledge her. He moved the cigarette to his lips again.
"I'm glad you're home." Takahashi Emi said softly as she stood beside him, "I was worried. Your father was worried." She sighed, "He doesn't show it, but he is."
Ryousuke finished his cigarette and moved away from the FC. He turned towards the house, "I have to go." He said simply and walked away.
Emi watched her son go sadly. She turned to look up at the sky and sighed deeply before going to the house herself. Once inside, Ryousuke had already disappeared out of sight.
Ryousuke pushed open his bedroom door and stepped inside and closed the door. He placed his school bag by the desk and went to change. He had just changed into a pair of Khakhi pants when someone knocked at his door and pushed it open.
"Ryousuke." The young girl's voice called as she walked in without closing the door behind her.
She was walking towards him with a determined and worried look on her face. Ryousuke put on a smile for her.
Tsugumi frowned and wrapped her arms around him as she reached him, "Are you okay Ryousuke?"
"Of course Tsugumi." He returned her hug and put her at arms length, "Have you started your homework?"
Tsugumi nodded, "Aa. How you and Mitsu-chan can be thinking about homework right now is beyond me…" The two of them were similar in so many ways, yet also so different.
"School is very important Tsugumi." Ryousuke met her gaze briefly before turning back to his closet to look for a shirt.
"Wear the one Mitsu gave you."
Ryousuke grabbed the next available shirt and proceeded to change.
"Are you ever going to wear it?" Tsugumi asked going over to his bed and sitting down.
"Go finish your homework Tsugumi." He closed the closet and walked over to his desk to pick up his bag where he removed all the books, leaving only his laptop inside. He pocketed his car keys and glanced back at his cousin, "Homework Tsugumi."
The girl sighed and got to her feet, "I know." When she reached him she looked into his face, "Are you going to drive again?"
"Not me. The Redsuns are."
Tsugumi made a face, "Right. More driving." She said and stepped out of his room, "Is Keisuke going? Maybe Mitsu-chan wants to go too." She said and before Ryousuke could say anything she had darted into Mitsu-chan's room.
Ryousuke resisted the urge to sigh. He has been doing a lot of that lately he thought dryly.
He started down the hall when Tsugumi burst out of Mitsu-chan's room again and ran pass him towards Keisuke's room. He shook his head and made his way downstairs.
"Ryousuke! Wait!"
The young man turned to see his cousin rush down the room, "Keisuke's coming." She informed him.
He nodded and moved to open the door, "I'll wait for him outside." He turned to Tsugumi who was still watching him, "Homework."
"I know. I will." Tsugumi replied nodding. She still regarded him with that inquisitive stare.
Ryousuke turned and stepped out of the house. Shutting the door behind him he made his way to his car and placed his bag inside, then he leaned against it and pulled out a cigarette.
He quietly smoked, his mind running astray with various thoughts. School, the Redsuns, Project D, Keisuke, Tsugumi, His parents, Rotary Excellence, Fukotomi Mitsu… Mitsu…
"Sorry to keep you waiting Aniki. I didn't even know you were back." Keisuke said studying his brother as he approached.
Ryousuke simply nodded to acknowledge him. His eyes moved onto Mitsu-chan who appeared behind him with Satoro at her side.
Keisuke noticed and glanced back at the young lady. Neither she nor his brother said a word or made a move, "They're going to Yahiko." He informed his brother.
"Let's go." Ryousuke said putting out his cigarette and climbing into his car.
Keisuke turned to Mitsu and Satoro, "See you guys tonight."
Mitsu and Satoro both nodded and went over to the white SW20. The young man turned to Keisuke. Their eyes met and both shook their heads sadly before getting into the cars.
Ryousuke settled in the seat and fastened his safety harness before starting the FC. He glanced to the side where Mitsu and Satoro were securing themselves in the SW20. So she was going to Yahiko to practice. She didn't need to. From what he had seen during her only run at Akagi, when she easily past all of the Redsuns, she had the ability to adapt quickly to new courses. He pushed the thought out of his head and placed the FC in gear. Where and how she prepared for her battles was none of his concern. He glanced at his brother and motioned for him to go first. He watched the FD pull out and followed suit without another glance at the SW20 and it's passengers.
Mitsu stepped out of the car and turned to the group of people standing on the other side of the parking lot.
Satoro joined her, "So?"
"They're coming over."
The two friends watched as Amaya-chan and Roku-san approached them.
"Mitsu-chan! How nice to see you again!" the young lady exclaimed smiling as she quickly looked over the girl. She looked tired today.
The young lady nodded simply, "What time will you be finished? We'll wait until your team is done."
Amaya shook her head, "We're done. Feel free to practice as long as you want." She waved her hand behind her at the group of people, "Most of them want to see you drive."
Satoro saw Roku-san smile beside his girl friend. He turned to Mitsu, "Well then, do you want to start? So we can have an early finish?"
His best friend nodded and nodded at the racers before them before turning away and climbing back into her car.
"Thanks." Satoro said politely before jogging over to the passenger side door and slipping into the car.
"Let's go." Masuko Roku said placing a hand on his girl friend's back and leading her back to her team.
"There's something different about her today." Amaya exclaimed as they walked back towards her team.
"Mm… I sensed that too. She's a monster behind the wheel, watch her carefully."
"Right." She looped her arm in the man by her side and turned to look at the white SW20 as it came alive and turned about it the parking lot. It stopped suddenly at the apex to the course it was about to run.
"I wonder what they are talking about." Amaya said softly.
"Maybe Satoro-san is giving her some tips."
"So he's the brains behind the Tokyo Phantom…" She watched a second longer before she felt Roku-san moving about beside her. She turned to him in curiousity, "What are you looking for?"
"Takahashi Ryousuke."
"Ryousuke-kun?" She also looked about, "Why?"
"When you mentioned the brains behind her racing, I just thought of him. I wonder why he's not here." He frowned, "If he's never seen her race, I would have thought he would have been here to gather some data on her driving ability."
Amaya shrugged, "Maybe Project D has other plans. None of them are here today."
"Could be." He pulled the young lady into his embrace and gently kissed her forehead, "There she goes." He said as the white SW20 pulled out of the parking lot.
Takahashi Keisuke stood staring at Ryousuke as Kenta stood to his left chatting off his ear. But he heard none of what the young driver was saying, his attention was so focused on the expressionless face of his older brother.
"Keisuke-san? Keisuke-san?"
The young Takahashi sighed and turned to him, "What is it?"
"Don't you think so?"
Keisuke stared at him a moment. What was Kenta talking about?
"Ryousuke-san, don't you think he's even more serious today?"
"Kenta!" As though on cue those dark eyes turned onto him, "You're wasting time."
"Hai!" he bowed quickly and ran off towards his car.
Keisuke smirked and walked towards his brother, "He thinks you're serious today."
"The Redsuns have a reputation to maintain and as long as I am leading them, I'll make sure they maintain it." Ryousuke answered without turning to his brother.
Keisuke nodded in silence. They watched the Redsuns descending Akagi.
"Aniki?"
"Hmm?"
Keisuke turned to his brother, "Are you and Mitsu okay?"
Ryousuke glanced at his brother, "You don't have to worry Keisuke. Just concentrate on your driving." He turned to look at the Redsuns again.
"You shouldn't blame her you know. It's not her fault." The younger Takahashi tried.
"I don't blame her Keisuke." He glanced at his brother, "Don't worry about it." He turned to observe the Redsuns again.
The two brothers stood in silence several minutes longer before Keisuke turned to his brother again.
"No."
Keisuke's eye narrowed, "You don't even know what I'm going to ask."
Ryousuke glanced at him. Those dark eyes fixed on his brother for a brief moment, "Then ask your question." He turned to look at the Redsuns again.
"Is school really that important if I'm going to go pro?"
"That wasn't your question Keisuke."
The younger brother chuckle briefly then shoved his hands in his pockets as he turned to look at the Redsuns as well.
"Look at Kenta. What is he doing in that corner?" Ryousuke asked knowing his brother's decision not to ask his original question meant that Keisuke knew that his answer would have been 'no'.
Keisuke frowned, "Uh….."
"I'm done Satoro." Mitsu said as she continued to drive as they finished what was to be the finish line for Saturday's battle.
"Ok. You seem comfortable with the course." When she didn't make a comment he glanced over at her. His best friend was staring blankly at the road in front of her, driving by instinct.
They drove in silence a few minutes before Satoro turned to his best friend, "I have to leave tomorrow."
Mitsu nodded simply then glanced at her friend, "Thanks for staying this long Satoro. It means a lot to me."
"You don't have to thank me! I'll be back for your race though! And if you need me before then I'll be come right back, ok?"
"I'll be ok Satoro. Don't worry. Nothing is going to happen." She adjusted her grip on the steering wheel, "Ryousuke-san and I have absolutely no intention of getting m-" she hesitated, "We're not doing it. Absolutely not." She finished.
Satoro glanced at her, "Is that a definite answer?"
Mitsu turned to him with a frown, "Get your mind out of the gutter Satoro."
"I didn't say anything."
"No. But I know what you're implying."
Satoro shrugged and turned to look out the window, "You like him."
"Drop it Satoro."
The young man turned to his friend. Her eyes were glued to the road and her body was erect and tense. She was definitely very serious. He turned to look out the window again. Ok that was enough for today, "Are you hungry?"
Mitsu shook her head.
"I am. Do you mind if we go for a bite or a drink?"
Mitsu turned to him, "No more talk about Ryousuke-san."
"Ok." Satoro agreed. No more tonight.
"Ok…"
Satoro watched as the tension seemed to drain right out of his friend's body.
Keisuke stepped out of his car and closed the door. He watched as his brother pulled up beside him and did the same.
"They're not back yet." Keisuke mentioned. He watched as his brother alarmed his car and made his way towards the house. He fell into step beside him, "Think they're ok?"
"They're fine." Ryousuke stated flatly as he pulled out his house keys to unlock the door.
The brothers entered the house and after Ryousuke had removed his shoes and stepped into his slippers he made a bee-line up the stairs.
Keisuke watched silently as his brother disappeared and he heard the soft click of his bedroom door closing shut. He sighed and went to the kitchen to get something to drink.
The next morning, Mitsu pulled open her bedroom door and stepped out, "Ryousuke-san." She said as she bumped into him in the hallway.
"Mitsu-chan." He said with a polite nod and motioned for her to go first.
She nodded back and turned to head down the stairs.
Both entered the Kitchen to see Satoro and Keisuke sitting at the table awaiting them.
"You're awake Keisuke?"
The young Takahashi gave her a smile and nodded, "Wanted to see Satoro off." He glanced at his brother and as usual saw no expression there.
"We made you guys coffee and tea." Satoro said motioning for the cups they had already placed on the table.
Mitsu smiled and moved to take the cup of tea.
Ryousuke did the same. The fact that the cups were placed so close together in front of chairs so close together had not escaped him. He took the hot mug of caffeine to the counter where he leaned and drank in silence. He stared down into his coffee mug, but from the corner of his field of vision he saw Mitsu-chan move to the opposite end of the kitchen to the window where she quietly stood to drink her tea. Obviously she had noticed as well. He finished his coffee and moved to put his mug away. Turning around he caught Mitsu's eye and she lowered them. Ok. He turned to his brother and their guest, "I wish you a safe drive home Satoro-san." He said with a nod.
"Thank you for your hospitality Ryousuke-san." Satoro exclaimed as he got up to bow to the eldest Takahashi brother.
Ryousuke nodded once and glanced at his brother a second before he turned and walked out of the kitchen.
Keisuke turned to Mitsu, "You guys are not going together?"
"No." She moved to put her cup away and went to Satoro, "I have to go. Come back soon, ok?"
"I'll be back for your race sweetheart." Satoro said grabbing her wrist and dragging her close to him.
Mitsu hugged him and pulled away, "I really have to go. Call me when you get home."
Satoro nodded and followed her to the door where she slipped on her shoes and pulled open the door. He handed her school bag and with a last goodbye she turned to leave. He shut the door gently behind her and locked it before going back into the kitchen to sit with Keisuke.
"Think they'll make it?"
Satoro sighed, "Who knows. She definitely gets uptight when I mention your brother's name" He turned to younger Takahashi, "What about your brother?"
"Doesn't want to talk about it." Keisuke answered. He finished off his coffee, "So one last game before you head out?"
"You're on." Satoro answered with a smile.
Author's Notes:
Sorry just a short chapter and a long time coming. Been in a slump I must say.
In any case, thanks for the encouragement everyone! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Years!
Forever a CelicaChick at heart