Mount Akina, 9:46 PM Saturday.
Everyone turned to face the road, and Ryousuke calculated no fewer than six distinctly different engine noises. There were at least two Honda in the group, likely one of them was a EG6, Civic Type R. There was one that sounded like it could be an Evo, but that one didn't sound like it had been tuned for racing. Another one was probably an S series Silvia, maybe an S15. Not a 13. Maybe it was a highly tuned S14?
And then there was Keisuke's "favorite": one Nissan Skyline GTR. Early model, perhaps the 32 again, or maybe the vastly less popular 33. Not a 34, or if it was, it was poorly tuned. After hearing the melody of the R34 possessed by the God of Foot of the Purple Shadow, Ryousuke knew instantly this car was tuned by an amateur, probably its driver. Casting a glance at Keisuke and seeing the pissed-off expression the younger wore confirmed he'd correctly identified that one for sure.
And another one. The hum was throaty, even guttural to the ears. It could barely be called a hum at all; it was more like an old coal stove, something that could have sounded more at home belching thick black smoke from a factory during the American Industrial Age. That had to be the sound of the Mustang, because it certainly was different than the sounds of domestic engines Ryousuke was used to hearing as though they were music not motors.
Sure enough, a ghastly colored foreign car approached the summit. It was kind of a cross between yellow and green, chartreuse really, with gaudy racing stripes of purple spanning the car's nose to its tail. There was a minimal spoiler on the back, but that was the only subtlety about the thing. There were flames painted on the back panels of the car in fuschia and more purple, and the car had a scoop on the hood that, though obviously necessary, Ryousuke assumed, given that the motor was probably a hot-running V8, was absolutely hideous. Even Keisuke, who loved the flashy, was a little put off, and that brought a little chuckle to Ryousuke's throat, and, thankfully, took his mind well out of the gutter it had been in since he drove up to Akina in the first place.
"Well, would ya look at that shit," Keisuke remarked as Kenta strode up to the group. "I'm...I..."
"Speechless?" Ryousuke finished his sentence for him.
"Y-yeah. I mean, I like a tight looking ride as much as the next guy, but flames? Pink? Flames?"
Ryousuke chuckled again, and, by this time, Takumi and the rest of the Speed Stars had rejoined them. Takumi looked absolutely astonished. Beautiful, but astonished.
"Ryousuke-san?" he queried nervously. "Is that a Mus-tang?"
"It is," Ryousuke affirmed in a low voice.
Did you intend for that to sound seductive?! Or, am I just going crazy?
"You like that, Fujiwara?" Keisuke quipped. "All along we should have had pink flames on the hachi-roku! That would have looked so cute!"
Ryousuke rolled his eyes, but he laughed a little along with his brother.
"Who ever heard of a Pink Panda?" Takumi responded dryly. "You'd have been dead before you finished painting it. And don't look at the Imp either unless you want my dad to kill us both."
Ryousuke smiled and laughed lightly, and not his usual half-smile, half-smirk thing he usually did. Thankfully, everyone else joined in the laugh and only Keisuke gave him a look that said plainly "Who the hell are you?"
The visitors all stopped in the lot and alighted from their cars. Ryousuke had identified the models pretty accurately, and he was very pleased with himself. The other Honda was a EK9, and the Silvia was an S14 like Kenta's. The GTR appeared to be the 33. Ryousuke kind of felt sorry for the driver of that car, and he hoped the guy got a good deal on it. That car was really a piece of shit, Nissan's failed product in the line of GTRs in a miserably misguided quest to improve over the R32. Ryousuke thought that the model should be banned from the streets for good; no driver should have to suffer with the handling woes of that heavy piece of crap. No Mazda in the bunch, nor Subaru nor Toyota.
And, lest he forget, there was the Mustang. The assault on his vision told him that he'd not forget the comical sight of that "ita-sha", or "painful car" for many years to come. Unfortunately. He wondered if that kind of paint-job would be a common sight for him when he moved to the States. Maybe that was the custom over there for serious racers? Until this point, all the articles and forum boards he read online usually poked fun at people who had cars like that, calling them "ricers" not racers, in a sort of derogatory slight against fans of Japanese cars. In any case, people who had the most "tricked out", as they were called, cars seemed to have the most inferior drivers. At least, that was the conventional wisdom he'd observed in his endless trolling of racing boards in an effort to gain information on the scene overseas. "Real racers race with nothing but primer," he had read in a message from one of the people he'd struck an online friendship with who lived in Michigan and whose online screen-name had caught his eye. He made a mental note to try and take a discreet picture of the monstrosity with his phone to email to his friend "RX-7Steve". He ought to get a good laugh over it.
'Okay, boys,' Ryousuke thought toward his Aces, 'study hard.'
"Keisuke, Fujiwara," Ryousuke said in what he hoped was his Team Leader voice, "when they get going, we'll move to a good spot where we can overlook the pass. You know the one, right Keisuke?"
"Yeah," Keisuke said.
"You know too, don't you Fujiwara?" he said, mindful to keep his tone.
"Understood," came the response from Takumi, and his friends looked utterly amazed at the quick change in demeanor of the Aces. Ryousuke's Aces. The ones who would live the Dream.
The mirth they had over the paint-job of the Mustang was gone, having faded completely into the serious expressions of warriors going into battle. Ryousuke allowed himself to be awed by them all over again. Surely, this wouldn't be exciting for them, but it was good training, even if the idea had come to him in a hasty plan to get to spend precious more time with Takumi. He really did owe Keisuke one, he supposed. Maybe he'd spring for the latest new cell phone model, or maybe he'd add that obnoxious 10 CD changer sound system to the FD after all. As long as it didn't weigh much, only his sensibilities had kept him from allowing Keisuke to install it in the first place. Seeing the tacky car before him, Ryousuke was almost ready to give Keisuke free reign over the appearance of the FD. Almost. Keisuke's taste had always been extravagant, but the FD looked like a conservative family wagon in comparison to the Mustang V8 Shelby now displayed before him, practically glowing under the illumination of the streetlights.
After a few moments in halted conversation with each other, the American and the driver of the GTR approached the group.
"Welcome," Iketani offered. "Nice to see you. Again," he added deliberately. Ryousuke actually liked his style. Even though the Speed Stars were friendly, and often playful and self-deprecating, Ryousuke was reminded of the very first meeting between them and the Red Suns that one summer ago. When it came down to it, Iketani assumed his role as leader beautifully, and Ryousuke could tell instantly that, though his skills might be mediocre, his passion for the togue was not. He assumed that Iketani was simply a true lover of the sport, and Ryousuke couldn't help but to have respect for that. Additionally, Takumi had told him that it was Iketani who had helped him to install the racing gauges and new tachometer into the hachi-roku when the engine had been replaced, and not even Matsumoto had to make any adjustments to the original installation.
The two probable opponents looked at each other, and the Japanese man spoke. "Yeah, I hope we're not interrupting some kind of party," he remarked.
"It's not a party," Iketani replied, "just a bunch of friends hanging out on a Saturday in Gunma. I know I introduced myself and my friend Kenji here the other day, but you didn't oblige us with your names, or the name of your team. Where did you say you guys were from again?" he asked coolly.
"Around," the Japanese man said cryptically. Ryousuke thought he heard a tiny little "tch" escape his brother. "The name's Morimoto Masato. This guy here is named O'Callaghan. We haven't picked a team name yet, so pardon the informality."
"No problem," Iketani replied. "Let's all be safe and have some good runs tonight, okay?" he offered.
The American named O'Callaghan looked a little wary. "Morimoto, ask...uh...these guys, uh..." he faltered in broken Japanese. Morimoto held up a hand signaling him to be quiet.
"I speak English," Ryousuke said, in Japanese, to Morimoto. "Do you?" he asked.
Morimoto narrowed his eyes. "Enough to tell him how to floor it."
"But, not enough to talk much. That's plain to see," Ryousuke remarked.
"Have at it, then, if you want. We usually just muddle through best we can," Morimoto said, but Ryousuke could tell he was acting rather suspiciously.
Ryousuke took the man up on his offer. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. O'Callaghan. It seemed like you were needing to ask something before?" he said smoothly.
Wow. He really can speak English fluently.
There it was. Keisuke finally saw the flustered reaction that had been missing from Takumi all evening long. Takumi was amazed by Ryousuke, but Keisuke just whispered, "That's just like him, friggin' show-off," a whisper which earned him another frown of disapproval from his Aniki and a shy smile from Fujiwara. But Takumi was still impressed.
The American's face lit up. "Holy crap. Finally, I find someone I don't have to make cave-man noises to. God. Okay. I'm Dave. Not 'mister' anything," he added with a light laugh.
Ryousuke laughed a little too, having a similar aversion to being addressed as "Takahashi-san". "I'm Ryousuke," he offered, seeing the look of astonishment from his friends and his brother that he'd simply give a stranger his given name only. Ryousuke decided he needed to remind the group that Americans sometimes thought it was actually rude to be addressed only by their last names unless there was a "Mr." or a "Ms." in front of it, or a "Sir" or "Ma'am" depending on the region. He had accepted that, and it didn't phase him much really. He sighed. America was going to suck, but he had to admit it would be nice to be known only as Ryousuke for a while, and not as "Young Master Takahashi". "Tell me what's on your mind."
"I was going to ask about cops. I'm only here because my dad dragged me over here to collect his new wife, only to find out that lady had no intention of leaving this place, so I'm stuck. And I really, really hate it here. I had to spend my life's savings bringing the car over, and I'm broke as hell because of that. So I really can't be getting arrested, since I haven't gotten my residency fully established. Do you understand that?"
"Yes. Clearly," the poor guy was speaking quickly, and telling him his whole recent life story as though he hadn't been able to talk to anyone in months. He was rambling in a way that made it clear to Ryousuke that he was miserable, and hadn't been able to say anything about it at all. Poor kid. Ryousuke wondered if he might feel the same way when he moved to Michigan for a while. He couldn't imagine going to the States to live without knowing English. It wasn't as though they taught Japanese as part of regular school curriculum over there, of that, Ryousuke was certain. "You won't have much to worry about here, the police tend to look the other way," Ryousuke assured the man, "As far as other courses, it depends where you go. I'm sorry to hear that your stay in Japan has been unpleasant so far. I hope it improves quickly."
A look of relief passed over the young man's face. Ryousuke figured him to be about Takumi's age. He had a lot of freckles, and kind of reddish hair. Kind of an Irish poster child, Ryousuke thought absently.
"Cool. Will you tell this guy I've been worried sick every place we've gone? Maybe he won't be such an impatient little prick!" he added strongly, gesturing with his thumb toward Morimoto, who looked like he wasn't amused.
"You sure you want me to call him that?" Ryousuke asked.
"Yeah. Go for it. He's in 'charge' only because my dad does construction work for his father's company. We're supposed to be...friendly," he added with a groan. "But," Dave added seriously, "as you can probably figure out, this baby's not exactly legally registered, so I really can't be getting thrown in jail."
"I wondered how you managed that," Ryousuke mused aloud.
"I kind of 'borrowed' the plates, if you get my meaning," he said with a wink.
"Indeed." Of course a car like that would get a ton of attention; no wonder the guy was nervous about cops. Likely, Dave O'Callaghan only brought out the car at night for one purpose only, and he probably kept it well hidden from view during the daytime. Wise.
Ryousuke thought Keisuke might actually get along with a guy like this, but likely, that wouldn't happen. The paint job pretty much sealed the deal for that. Although, he did see Keisuke eyeing, no drooling, over the tattoos the American had on his arms, easily visible under the short sleeves of his t-shirt. He'd have to have a chat with Keisuke about the many disadvantages to marring one's body with ink a little later on. Tattooing was still largely frowned upon in Japan, along with, Ryousuke ruefully thought, things like having a male lover when one was male himself.
He quickly perished the thought. This was business.
"Okay, if you say so." Ryousuke translated, apologizing first for the words, and everyone had a shocked look on their faces when Ryousuke calmly called the opponent a "prick" at the request of the man's own teammate. Most notably displeased was Morimoto.
"Well, you tell that Gaijin all he needs to do is put his foot on the damn accel and drive!"
Ryousuke was about to relay the message when the American stopped him. In Japanese, he told his teammate, "I know what 'gaijin' means, konoyarou."
"He knows how to call him a bastard too," Keisuke said lightly with a laugh which elicited a toothy grin from the fair-skinned foreigner. Apparently, the young man had picked up plenty of slang at least.
"Anyway, Morimoto-san, O'Callaghan-san is worried about police. It seems his papers aren't yet in order. A prudent worry, don't you think?"
"Is that what he's been bitching about?" Morimoto asked, and Ryousuke nodded. "Tell him I know that. We're careful."
Ryousuke passed the message. O'Callaghan thanked him.
"Oh, and why don't you tell him who you guys are while you're at it," Morimoto added, "because don't think I don't know," he finished with disgust. To Iketani, he shouted, "What's the deal with them being here anyway?! That's pretty dirty, bringing out the wringers. I'm not a fucking idiot. I see the god-damn cars. These guys are exactly who I think they are, aren't they?!"
Dave O'Callaghan shot his teammate a desperate stare, and then another one at Ryousuke. "Iketani," Ryousuke began, but stopped when the Speed Stars Leader held up his hand.
"I'll handle this, Ryousuke-san," he said quietly.
"Of course."
Iketani looked indignant. "If you're challenging for fastest on Akina, you are challenging the Speed Stars, and no one else," he said evenly. "There's no meaning to these guys being here, other than that we're..." his voice trailed off as he looked over the members of Project D.
"Friends," Ryousuke finished. "It's a public road. We can come and go as we please and, as Iketani has said, it has no other meaning."
Takumi and Keisuke looked at each other, and shared a moment of tacit agreement: there wasn't any aura around these guys at all. To emphasize the fact that they indeed had other plans, Keisuke told Kenta to go and wait for them at the observation point. Kenta complied instantly, because he didn't much care for this team of nobodies disrespecting Keisuke, but had learned by this point to hold his tongue.
"Hey," Dave O'Callaghan appealed to Ryousuke, "What are you all talking about?"
"Your teammate is opposed to us being here," Ryousuke replied.
"Why?"
Ryousuke looked at Iketani and Morimoto. "These two guys next to me are the drivers of my team. Project D," he explained to Dave.
Dave looked aghast. Then Ryousuke could see him quickly scan the parking area, and he caught sight of the yellow FD and then he apparently found the Itsuki's hachi-go which was parked alongside Iketani's S13 a short distance away, probably mistaking it for the hachi-roku. For apparent confirmation, he looked at Morimoto who gave him a curt nod. "Holy...Jesus. For real? You're that Ryousuke? So that's the RX-7 and the Corolla?"
"You are partly correct; the Corolla isn't here tonight," Ryousuke said simply, not wanting to disclose anything about the hachi-roku either to these strangers or to anyone. He used the model name because he did know that Americans often referred to the cars by the name given to the model and not the chassis code. Somehow, calling the hachi-roku a "Corolla" seemed dreadfully inadequate, something suitable for a typical four-banger Grandma-car, which many stock Corolla models sold in the States actually were. At least the "Panda Trueno" name actually described the car well. He wondered what genius at Toyota's export division came up with such a lame name for a car.
"I've only been in this country for two months and I've gathered enough from asshat here," he said, motioning again to his teammate, "and from the computer to know that you guys were the street team in the whole country! Taking the place by storm then just recently calling it quits. It's poetic!"
"I'd like to think so. Define, 'asshat'," Ryousuke implored, amused that he might be able to give Keisuke a new colorful word to use.
Dave laughed. "Well, you know, a guy like this," he replied playfully. Ryousuke put the definition of the two words together, and came up with a ridiculous image of a person having a butt atop his head. A colloquialism in which meaning got lost in translation somewhere, he figured. Keisuke would love it.
"I'm so glad you two think this is funny," Morimoto interrupted. "I don't think I like the idea of the Speed Stars getting help from Project D, and especially not from Takahashi Ryousuke of all people."
Keisuke saw his brother narrow his eyes. 'Uh-oh. You're about to get a piece of his mind, dumbass.'
"Morimoto-san," Ryousuke began coolly, "once again, I should remind you that it is a public road. Anyone can be here, including us. My business here is with my drivers, and not with anyone else. In fact, our team has recently disbanded and we are winding things down officially soon so we are not a threat. I assure you, and Iketani will support me, that we have no intention of interfering in any challenges made between your team and the Speed Stars. Isn't that correct, Iketani?"
Iketani nodded. "What Ryousuke-san says is true. They're here for their own purposes, and that's all."
"How can I believe that when the downhill driver from Project D is from Akina togue? You really expect me to believe you won't bring out the hachi-roku to ensure the win? I know you've gotta be hiding it somewhere so we won't see it in advance of the battle!"
Eh?
Takumi immediately stared at the leader of the other team before shooting a silent question to the senpai. There was no way Iketani would ask him this time, was there? He didn't have the hachi-roku anymore, and using the Imp would makes things just too easy; he didn't like the idea of actually humiliating someone, and, in the Impreza, he knew he would. Iketani was getting better. He was. He could take this guy and his stupid GTR, couldn't he?
"I'm sorry," Ryousuke interrupted sternly, before Iketani could speak, "but, for the time being, Fujiwara Takumi is still associated with my team. I will not authorize him to take on any outside challenges at the moment because we are currently entertaining offers from legitimate racing teams. The same goes for my brother, so you have my word that we have nothing to do with this."
"Hmpf," Morimoto muttered. "Fine then. Akina Speed Stars, we issue a challenge for a week from next Saturday night at ten. You better play it clean. No wringers," he spat, eyeing Takumi up and down in a way that Ryousuke, in particular, didn't like.
Why is he looking at me like that? Just drop it and don't get Ryousuke mad, you idiot! He told you I can't challenge you already! And we won't even be here then!
"We accept your challenge," Iketani replied coolly. "And these guys have other plans that week, isn't that right, Takumi?"
"Yes."
Thank God.
"Hmpf," Morimoto repeated, walking closer to Takumi. Again, Ryousuke felt extremely displeased, and a pang of something unfamiliar came over him. He watched the man carefully.
"So you're the driver of the hachi-roku then," Morimoto declared.
"Yes," Takumi said quietly. Suddenly, Takumi had the feeling that the man was about to say something unpleasant to him. It was almost like he was being sized up as a person instead of as a driver.
Who does this guy think he is? Why is he looking at me like that?
"You got a problem with it, buddy?" Keisuke asked, stepping to Takumi's side.
Ryousuke shot his brother a look that said 'Cool it.'
"Takahashi Keisuke, I presume, is it?"
"That's right," replied toughly, unable to resist taking someone who thought he was a hot-shot down a few pegs.
"Everyone knows about the two of you," Morimoto said, motioning to both Keisuke and Ryousuke. "I'm more interested in this one, if you don't mind."
Me? Why are you staring at me? You're pissing me off!
"We do mind," Ryousuke calmly said, sensing that Keisuke was well on his way to getting hot under the collar, and, to his dismay, that Takumi wasn't far behind. Morimoto must have sensed it also, because he was almost leering at Takumi. Ryousuke really didn't like that.
"Oh, so not only will you not authorize him to take on any outside challenges to help out his Akina buddies, but I can't look at him without the permission of the team leader, Takahashi-san?"
"You wouldn't be trying to disrespect my brother, would you?" Keisuke asked with a sneer.
"Keisuke," Ryousuke said flatly, as another warning.
"What, Aniki? You gonna let him talk smack to you?"
"I'm not talking smack," Morimoto cut in before Ryousuke could respond. "I just wanted to see the Akina legend up close and personal. This is an interesting turn of events after all."
"You've seen enough," Ryousuke flatly replied. "I don't like the tone you're using with me either. You do know that I have a ridiculous amount of contacts in several prefectures. I'd hate to see your team disbanded before you even chose a name for it for lack of a course to call your own."
Stop talking about me as if I'm not even here. Let me take care of myself.
"Ryousuke-san," Takumi began, but Ryousuke held up his hand.
"Isn't he just a kid, Takahashi? He's kind of young. You should know better," Morimoto said, with a "tsk tsk" of his tongue.
"I'm right here, you know," Takumi said with an irritated tone before Ryousuke could open his mouth to speak. He cast a sideways glance to his friends who were motioning with their hands for him to calm down. But, Takumi didn't want to calm down.
Ryousuke frowned.
"You're very cute," Morimoto said plainly.
Cute?! Oh, hell no. You didn't just call me cute. Bastard.
Ryousuke was getting pissed off, and was about to say so when Takumi spoke.
"I'm not a kid," he said sternly, unable to shake the feeling of wanting to punch the guy's lights out where he stood. He involuntarily clenched his fist at his side. "And I'm definitely not cute."
"Fujiwara," Ryousuke warned. Sure, he certainly didn't like Morimoto calling his lover cute, but what the hell was Takumi doing, clenching his fist like that?
I can't believe he said that in front of everyone! I'm going to handle you myself.
"You are cute," Morimoto affirmed as he took a couple of steps back. "Things are starting to make a little more sense to me now. It was a nice coincidence that I got to see you and Takahashi Ryousuke both here at Akina. I'm actually very happy you're so adorable."
What the hell?
"'The hell are you playing at, dumbass?" Keisuke spat.
"Leave, Keisuke," Ryousuke said sternly. "You too, Fujiwara." To his utter dismay, neither of the Aces moved from where they stood.
"Don't disrespect our friends," Iketani responded, seeing Takumi's expression darken. "You'd better get back to your cars. I don't want any trouble here." Ryousuke was relieved that Iketani had spoken up because he certainly didn't expect a comment like that to be made, and he had to admit that it caught him off guard. But still, this was getting out of hand. He needed to order his own drivers back to their cars again too, since neither one of them seemed to have the sense to leave when told to do so.
"Your comments are inappropriate, Morimoto," Ryousuke said evenly.
"What part? The part about him being young, or the part about him being cute? Both, maybe?"
Ryousuke studied Morimoto. Who was this guy? Was the guy serious? Or was he just talking trash? Ryousuke suddenly wasn't sure.
"Take your pick," Takumi snapped.
"You're bothering us," Keisuke added. "Why don't you waltz on back to that tank of a car you've got before I get serious about not liking you."
"Keisuke," Ryousuke admonished.
"I'm already serious about not liking him," Takumi said plainly, not seeing the astonished look his lover shot him. What was wrong with the both of them?
"You know, Takahashi," Morimoto continued, "I'm glad you've moved on, though, isn't he a little too feisty for you? He's not very compliant. You wouldn't be having trouble handling him, would you?"
Moved on? From what? Handling me?
"And just what is that supposed to mean, Morimoto-san?" Ryousuke asked coolly.
"Aniki, don't even talk to this idiot anymore!" Keisuke shouted.
"Keisuke, I'm curious to know what he's talking about."
"I'm a student at Gundai too, you know," Morimoto offered.
"No, I didn't know," Ryousuke replied simply. "It's a fairly large University, so I don't think we've met."
"No, we haven't," Morimoto agreed. "But, let's just say we have a mutual acquaintance and leave it at that. I've seen all I need to see to go back to campus with a good mood," he added, taking another long look at Takumi which Ryousuke didn't appreciate.
"Good idea," Keisuke supplied. "Let's leave it at that and go, Aniki."
"No, Keisuke."
"Oh," Morimoto began with a little grin, "so you are curious."
"Maybe," Ryousuke said. Why was he doing this? Why wasn't he walking away? But, he wanted to know what was going on, to understand it completely. If there was anything Ryousuke couldn't stand, it was not knowing everything about every scenario. If he couldn't learn the facts, how could he think of a plan to shut this guy down for good?
"Does the name 'Isao' ring any bells, Takahashi?"
Ryousuke inwardly shuddered. Fuck. The realization of just who this person probably was washed over him in a sickening wave. He had to be the "on again, off again" lover of Isao, who had been one of the men Ryousuke slept with from time to time until right before D set out on its first expedition. And it appeared he was able to put enough together to guess that Ryousuke was now sharing his bed with Takumi. This was bad. Very bad. "I'm not sure I know to whom you're referring," he lied.
"Ah. I'm not surprised you'd say that in front of everyone, but I think you know very well 'to whom' I'm 'referring'," Morimoto replied in a mocking use of Ryousuke's own words.
"Whatever you're implying," Ryousuke said hotly, "has nothing to do with anything. If you're here to race the Speed Stars, you have no reason to be talking to Fujiwara, or to me."
Morimoto chuckled. "I get it. So it really is like that, then. I'm happy to be able to tell Isao-kun not to be sitting around waiting for your phone calls anymore."
"Eh? What the hell is he talking about, Aniki?" Keisuke asked in an exasperated tone. He took the words right out of Takumi's mouth. Who is Isao? Another racer? Someone in Ryousuke's class? Takumi didn't know, but he could tell that Ryousuke was not expecting that name to come up. He could see a split second of surprise cross the elder's face upon its mention, and he knew Keisuke had to have seen it too. It actually looked as though Ryousuke was having a tough time keeping his cool, something that wasn't ever supposed to happen. Ever.
Silence reigned for a few desperately long seconds, and Keisuke could see that his brother was definitely pissed, and… uncomfortable? Keisuke saw his brother cross his arms; that wasn't an unusual thing. What made it so strange was the death grip he seemed to have on them, as though he was going to bruise himself with the pressure. It was probably too subtle a thing for anyone else to notice, but to Keisuke, this signified that Ryousuke was close to losing his temper, and that was never a good scenario.
"Nothing," Ryousuke finally responded. Keisuke saw him relax his grip a little, as if his elder brother finally succeeded in keeping something in check to his satisfaction.
"Aniki, calm down a little. We don't need to waste our energy on crap like this," Keisuke pleaded. The pressure was back as soon as it had left and Keisuke could sense that things were not going well. Even though the extent of Ryousuke's discomfort wouldn't be perceptible to anyone who didn't know him well, for Ryousuke, losing his cool even that much might as well have been a defeat by a car length on a mountain road.
"Yes, Takahashi. Do calm down," Morimoto added with a smirk, waving to his team members to tell them to get into their cars which they quickly did aside from O'Callaghan, who stood there with a confused expression, obviously not understanding the entirety of the exchange due to the partial language barrier. Once Morimoto heard the sounds of engines starting up he spoke again; it appeared he didn't want his own team members to be included in the conversation, but apparently didn't notice or didn't care that the American didn't get the hint to return to his Mustang. Obviously the body language was enough to convey to the young foreigner that this was sort of an argument, and maybe, a precursor to a fight, so he stood by his teammate but appeared to be more angry with him than ready to defend him. "Does my mentioning him really piss you off that much? Well I guess you wouldn't want to think about ancient history in front of him, I suppose," he remarked with another look at Takumi.
Don't keep looking at me!
"Stop talking," Ryousuke said quietly. Morimoto was saying plenty more with his eyes as he glanced at Takumi, and Ryousuke wanted to beat the living crap out of him. It looked as though Morimoto was taking a lot of mental notes to report back to Isao, and it really pissed him off.
"Aniki..."
Keisuke was growing uneasy and concerned. He'd never seen his brother get so involved with a complete stranger's stupid baiting, someone who should have no reason to talk to him anyway. Who the hell was this "Isao" guy to Ryousuke anyway, and who was he that Morimoto was so angry at Ryousuke? Unless... 'Oh lord,' Keisuke thought, 'was that guy some kind of past boyfriend or something? Ah jeez...'
"Let's leave, Aniki," Keisuke tried again. If Morimoto continued to blab, then wouldn't Ryousuke's "dirty little secret" get out? What the hell was wrong with Ryousuke that he couldn't see that?
Ryousuke only ignored him, putting the laser focus of his anger solely on Morimoto, to the point that the man's teammates looked like they were about to piss themselves even as they sat in their cars, and O'Callaghan kept looking back and forth between Ryousuke and his own team leader, desperately trying to piece together the exchange with a mental translation. If what Keisuke thought was correct, he really needed to get Fujiwara out of there. Takumi wasn't stupid. Keisuke thought he probably would put two and two together for himself and would want Ryousuke to explain himself and the whole situation to him. Keisuke was sure Ryousuke wouldn't exactly want to talk to Fujiwara about some guy he fucked between study groups, or whatever he did with this guy they were talking about. But, on the other hand, didn't Fujiwara deserve to know some of the truth? It would be only natural you'd want to know things about the person you liked, right? Even he had told things to Kyouko about himself, and they weren't even dating.
"I'm telling you, it's nothing, Keisuke," Ryousuke said again with almost a flat affect to his words.
"That's right," Morimoto supplied, "It was always 'nothing' to you, wasn't it, Takahashi? I was always telling him that, you know, and it always pissed me off that part of him didn't want to believe that. Now I can tell him for sure that you are," he paused, glancing again at Takumi, "otherwise engaged."
"Aniki?" Keisuke asked, putting a firm hand on his brother's shoulder. "Who is this guy to you really?"
"No one," Ryousuke replied in a pissed off tone, shaking off his brother's hand.
Morimoto laughed. "You really are the piece of work I always thought you'd be, Takahashi Ryousuke."
"Think what you want," Ryousuke replied flippantly, his words the mirror of something he had said to Isao the last time they had seen each other, the time when Ryousuke had made his decision to leave his affairs with men behind for good. That had been a dangerous night, a night when Ryousuke had lost his control enough to nearly utter Takumi's name as he, without much shame, hooked up with Isao in an effort to get inappropriate thoughts of Takumi out of his mind. Isao had figured out that Ryousuke wasn't himself, and Ryousuke had said the very same words to him dismissively in an effort to regain control of the situation. He had failed then, and one look at his new lover told him he was dangerously close to failing again. If even Takumi could tell that Morimoto was looking at him that way, this would definitely threaten the delicate balance of their relationship. He had to...
Wait. Stop.
He wasn't in a relationship with Takumi, was he? Ryousuke didn't do relationships. This was something else; something that was supposed to be as fleeting as it would be hopefully enjoyable. It was supposed to end anyway; Takumi was free to do as he wished once the year was out. Takumi would surely find another nice girl to keep him satisfied.
Why did it bother him so much to think about that? And why was it bothering him so much to have another man even look at him? Was this happening because Ryousuke had allowed himself to mentally admit that he loved him?
Why is this guy trying to make Ryousuke so upset? Who is Isao? What's ancient history? I don't know anything about Ryousuke and I don't like that at all! It's almost like he's checking me out or something. Is he?! If he is, then my friends will know for sure about everything! I really didn't want that to happen!
The Speed Stars were trying to shrink back from the conversation, but Itsuki went to his friend's side to try and calm Takumi down a little. Kenji thought that the more Takumi hung out with the Takahashi brothers, the more his life was starting to resemble a television drama. Did crap like this actually happen to people? If he hadn't been witnessing it along with Iketani, he would never have believed it. One look at his friend told him that Iketani was in definite agreement, and poor Itsuki was at a complete loss.
"Ryousuke-san," Takumi boldly asserted. "I'm not going to let him be rude to you like that. Sorry."
"Be quiet, Fujiwara. I'm handling this."
He's mad. Shit. But I'm mad too! I can't let him say stuff like that, calling me cute and feisty and crap. I'm pretty sure now that this guy knows what's going on between me and Ryousuke. I don't know how he could, but he figured it out and he knows something I don't about Ryousuke. It's pissing me off!
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Takumi hissed to Morimoto, ignoring his team leader's orders.
"Don't get the wrong idea, Fujiwara-kun. I'm glad that you're around to keep Takahashi busy."
Does that mean what I think it means?! Why are you saying things like this out loud?!
"You shouldn't be disrespecting Ryousuke-san," Takumi seethed. "Especially in front of us," he added, motioning to Keisuke who suddenly looked as though he didn't really want to be involved.
"Fujiwara," Ryousuke repeated his warning. "You will let it go."
Why?! I don't want him even joking around about this! You shouldn't either, you know.
"I'm not letting it go, Ryousuke-san. If this guy has a personal problem with me, I'll solve it for him."
Keisuke could feel the tension building around his rival, and also around his brother. But Ryousuke seemed to be involving himself in this more than he usually would. Normally, he'd just walk away from an idiot like this. If anything, the fact that Ryousuke kept giving this guy his two cents was only making Fujiwara even more angry, and it made it obvious that this particular turn in the conversation was approaching a touchy subject. What the hell was wrong with his brother? "I gotta say, Aniki, I have to agree with Fujiwara here in this case-"
"You stay out of it!" Ryousuke snapped, cutting off his brother.
"How about you both stay out of it," Takumi said quietly. "If this person has an issue with me personally, it has nothing to do with either of you, or Project D."
"Fujiwara, while we still known as a team, it has everything to do with all three of us." To Ryousuke's chagrin, he only got a scowl in response.
It's only about D because you two showed up!
"Better watch out, Fujiwara-kun," Morimoto said with a little chuckle. "Probably not good to get your sponsor mad at you, because everyone knows that Project D was the property of the Great Takahashi Ryousuke. Which means, he owns ya, doesn't he? He's like that, you know. Likes to keep his options open. He'll replace you quickly once he tires of you."
"Shut the hell up," Takumi seethed in a hot whisper, but the words hurt. Takumi knew for sure now that this guy was not only talking about driving, and it was embarrassing. What kind of situation did Ryousuke have with this person? Why was he keeping this going?
The Speed Stars were astonished to hear the exchange, and they all made a move to go to Takumi's side, but the look they received from Takumi stopped them in their tracks.
He doesn't own me. Replace me? He's definitely not talking about driving or the team! My friends even picked up on it! Dear God, he knows I slept with Ryousuke, somehow, he knows! Who is this guy?! Shit!
"You need to stop talking shit about my brother and my teammate right now, dumbass," Keisuke commented hotly. "Or I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget!"
"Wow," Morimoto replied calmly, shaking off O'Callaghan who was trying to pull him back. "You're both scary, the Project D Aces. In different ways, of course."
"Keisuke, shut up," Ryousuke demanded.
"Aniki-" Keisuke tried to protest because he wanted to tell this guy to go fuck himself as much as did Fujiwara, but he knew it would be in vain. He saw "the look" and he knew he had to shut up, and that he wouldn't be teaching any lessons to this idiot tonight.
"Both of you get in your cars and go. It's an order from your team leader," Ryousuke retorted, emphasizing that this was not a request from him as Takumi's lover, but as the person in charge of D.
"Come on, Fujiwara," Keisuke whispered into his ear, "let Ryousuke handle this one, okay?"
You too? I'm not a damn girl! Since when am I some chick who can't fight? Especially know that he's definitely talking about something other than cars! He knows about Ryousuke! About me!
Keisuke got a wicked glare from Fujiwara, but then Takumi frowned at his brother. However, one look at Ryousuke told Keisuke in no uncertain terms that they'd better start moving. "Let's go. He's already royally pissed."
"That's the most intelligent thing I've heard from you two all night," Ryousuke remarked sarcastically. He took a breath. He could still smooth things over and take his leave quietly if he did it now. He softened his tone a little. "Get going. Don't worry, Fujiwara, I'll clean up here."
Huh? What the hell is that supposed to mean? I don't need you to take care of me like I'm some girl! He knows and I can't do anything about that. But I don't want you protecting me when I can protect myself and I can protect you too, Ryousuke! You have way more to lose than I do! Why don't you get it and just shut the hell up?!
To Ryousuke's utter dismay, however, Keisuke shot him a look that said plainly that he did not like what he had just said. The Aces seemed to have no intention of doing what they were told to do, and it pissed him off all over again. Wasn't he in charge here?
Takumi glanced at Ryousuke's expression which seemed to ask "Why aren't you two moving?" with a glare that could freeze hell. He didn't think Ryousuke should be stepping in to shield him from whatever this was. It wasn't like he was a goddamn girl-baby who needed her boyfriend to fight for her, or like some kid. No.
I can handle myself, you know. You're treating me like a kid! You don't treat me like a kid when you're in bed with me, do you?! I decided for myself that I wanted you, and I know it has to be secret and yet you're making it so that people know when I didn't want anyone to know! I thought you didn't want anyone to know! I don't understand!
"No!" Takumi asserted firmly, and Keisuke thought that he might fall over. He had been ready to go back to the FD but he stopped short. He turned to his brother and he felt himself cringe a little when the icy stare Ryousuke gave to him appeared as though it could freeze the very blood in his veins, and it looked like Ryousuke was almost beside himself with shock and anger that Fujiwara would stand up to him like that. For his part, Keisuke was stunned by it too, and he was literally frozen in place, not sure if he'd be able to drag the Downhiller away if he even tried. That temper of his was definitely not something to fuck around with; Keisuke had seen it before, and this was way worse than that.
"That's enough," Ryousuke declared to his lover. He didn't want to, but this was getting beyond personal. For now, Takumi was supposed to be his, damn it all. He didn't want another man to look at him they way Morimoto was purposely looking at him, not to mention the things he said...'Shit.'
He also didn't like Takumi talking back instead of walking away gracefully. "Fujiwara, Keisuke, get to your cars and meet me at the observation point, and don't make repeat myself again."
What?! No! I need to make sure this guy doesn't start rumors about either one of us!
"Now!" Ryousuke shouted to his Aces when they didn't move. This was unacceptable. How could Keisuke and Takumi continue to defy him like this?
This was an unprecedented disaster. He mentally cursed Isao for telling Morimoto about him, to the point where Morimoto knew his name and that they had sort of a "friends with benefits" arrangement. He wasn't supposed to be doing that. It sure looked like he might have been the subject of more than one fight between them too. Fucking great.
Did Isao not know that Morimoto was a racer and that just his name alone might be recognized by another Gunma area driver? That, though the chances were very slim that they'd be traveling in the same circles with racing, it would still be possible that one day they would run into each other?
He cursed himself too, because what Morimoto said was painfully true. He did always keep his options open. He never committed to any one person; that had become sort of a sticking point between himself and Isao at times during their involvement and Ryousuke had to put a stop to that at the time. He didn't want a relationship, so he let it cool off and saw someone else. When Isao wasn't available when he needed him to be, Ryousuke simply called the other. In any event, he needed to get rid of Morimoto quickly, especially since he knew for sure that he wasn't imagining the insinuations Morimoto had made regarding Takumi. If Morimoto had gotten even an iota more specific, Takumi might have lost it. He was still dangerously close, and it looked like Takumi had figured it out now anyway. This was bad. Really bad. Why wasn't Takumi just leaving? Why wouldn't he let him handle this for him? He could lie his way out of it, do some damage control, and no one would ever believe Morimoto over him.
But, shockingly, for the first time when it concerned an intimate partner, he didn't want to lie about this and deny it. Part of him wanted the whole damn world to know that he had claimed this precious person as his. Dear God, things with that dangerous downhiller were causing him to have these unprecedented thoughts, these ridiculous feelings of jealousy and desire and recklessness. Why couldn't he just shut his mouth and walk back to the FC and forget he ever laid eyes on this fucking asshole?
No. There had to be a way to talk them down from this. Nothing overt was said, the guy didn't outright say that he knew that Takumi was his lover. The insinuation was clear enough to everyone present though, and there was no way Ryousuke could ignore that now. Takumi might be embarrassed too; these were his friends, the people with whom he was most comfortable. After all, Ryousuke himself didn't believe Takumi was the same as him for one fucking second. He was sure that Takumi wasn't going to broadcast their intimacy to his friends, but now it had pretty much been said anyway.
He also didn't want to lose Takumi again because of his own past indiscretions. Fine then.
If Morimoto was expecting him to play the role of the selfish prick, he'd play it. He was good at that anyway. If Morimoto was satisfied that he was a complete dick, he'd leave wouldn't he? Ryousuke took the chance. Maybe then his Aces would get it into their thick heads that they needed to get the hell moving.
The elder Takahashi had now left the world behind save for the man he had in the crosshairs of his anger. Keisuke had seen that look more than enough to know that it was definitely the worst possible scenario for whomever the unlucky bastard on the receiving end happened to be. He should know, having been the recipient of that same look on plenty of occasions. This guy sure deserved it though for basically leering at Fujiwara like he was some hot piece of ass that he himself wouldn't mind tapping. Ack. What a thought! Was Fujiwara emitting some kind of "come fuck me" pheromone that got smart Gundai guys all hot for him or something?! What was it about this weirdo?!
"If Morimoto-san here wants to tell the group at large about what an asshole I am," Ryousuke continued curtly, "he can do as he pleases because it's no secret. But that is separate from the reason you're here. You're here to drive, are you not?"
"Yeah," Morimoto agreed. "But, since I'm here and you're here, I couldn't pass up the chance to confront you in person. I've had a lot to put up with because of you, and you should take responsibility for it."
"I take no responsibility for the fact that someone else interpreted the situation differently from what was clearly explained to him. I'm sure you understand my meaning, don't you?" Ryousuke said coldly.
"You really don't think you've done anything wrong, do you, Takahashi?"
"That should be as you expect, isn't that right?"
Morimoto chuckled a little. "Yeah, it's exactly as I expected. Asshole."
"That's it," Takumi growled but he was immediately stopped from raising his hand by a very painful grip to his forearm. He looked up and saw Ryousuke give him a look that told him to shut the hell up and stay still. But Takumi didn't want to shut up. God, Ryousuke was a lot stronger than he looked. A whole hell of a lot; Takumi thought his forearm might just break off right then and there. Was this part of the real Ryousuke? Did this guy Morimoto know the real Ryousuke? If so, how exactly were they connected?
"Ryousuke!" Takumi shouted desperately, shaking loose with strength of his own, not even realizing he dropped the "-san" from his lover's name. "Tell me what the hell is going on with you and him right now!"
Takumi saw the utterly flabbergasted look Ryousuke gave him, and it quickly shifted to a look of irritation that Takumi never wanted to see cast in his direction. "Fujiwara," Ryousuke seethed quietly, "you are testing my patience. Do...you...understand?"
Takumi scowled, and stood his ground, even though he knew Ryousuke was extremely displeased.
You're testing mine! Tell me what the hell is going on because I'm not leaving until I know!
"Mmm, Takahashi," Morimoto continued to bait Ryousuke even as the rest of his team aside from the Mustang driver had moved their vehicles off to the Akina starting point to prepare for the descent. He dared to step closer to the elder Takahashi but not so close that the remaining group wouldn't be able to hear. "Now I really see his appeal. Complete package," he said softly, but not too softly, "Fantastic driving, a hot temper, and, well, the boy has plenty of 'attributes', doesn't he?" he added with another sweeping of his eyes over Takumi.
"What the hell did you just say?" Takumi spat, blushing because he thought he might know exactly what the guy meant by "attributes". Was this guy some jilted lover of Ryousuke's? Takumi didn't think so, but he didn't know.
I don't know anything damn it!
"Don't look at him," Ryousuke snapped icily to Morimoto, gripping Fujiwara's arm again when Takumi tried to step forward once more.
"Aniki," Keisuke commented sternly, "Let Fujiwara handle himself for God's sake. If he wants to punch the guy, fucking let him!"
"Absolutely not!" he retorted to Keisuke. Turning once again to the offender he spat, "And you, Morimoto, will not even think about touching him. If I catch you even looking at him like that one more time-"
"Ryousuke, shut the hell up!" Takumi yelled. Immediately, his senpai grabbed him under the arms, sternly admonishing him to calm down.
Oh shit! Does he know what the hell he just said?! He pretty much just admitted everything! That's too dangerous for you, Ryousuke!
Ryousuke reacted as though he'd been slapped. What was he doing? How could he make such a huge blunder?! He'd just practically announced that he and Fujiwara were together in front of Takumi's friends. Keisuke's jaw looked like it was about to scrape the pavement, and Takumi looked as though he was about to either implode or explode in extremely large fashion. Where had this insane jealousy come from? Was Takahashi Ryousuke actually threatened by some other man even looking at Takumi? He took a deep breath, and tried to reign it in.
"I'm not gonna touch him, Takahashi, don't worry your pretty little head about it," Morimoto said quietly with a little laugh.
Ryousuke stared hard at the little prick in front of him. Isao really ought to have had better taste than this. Fuck. Why the hell couldn't he get it together? He forced himself to calm down. This was so unlike him, it was terrifying. He fucked up. Big.
Calm down.
He took another calming breath. Okay.
"We've gotten too carried away here. I apologize. If you have a personal matter that you wish to discuss with me, perhaps we could meet by the campus and settle it properly," Ryousuke offered coolly, ignoring Morimoto's statement and the anger flashing across Takumi's beautiful face. He saw that Keisuke was having a really hard time restraining himself, but he remained quiet. Thank God, because it felt sickening to utter an apology to this guy. This was way too public. It needed to end. Now.
Finally, the Speed Stars had managed to keep Takumi under control. God, Ryousuke felt like an idiot. He'd pretty much outed both himself and Takumi in front of the guy's best friends, when no one was supposed to know about them. Where was his Father's fucking damage control when he needed it anyway?
Damn. Damn. Damn.
"Keisuke, Fujiwara. We're leaving." Ryousuke was about to turn away and herd his drivers back to the cars when Morimoto just had to open his trap again.
"Hah! I'm not the one who you should settle things properly with, and you know it!" Morimoto threw at his retreating back.
That did it.
"I settled it with him months ago and he should know that." Ryousuke could hear the sound of his own voice and he saw the look of disbelief cross his brother's face that he was continuing to act so recklessly. Where the hell was his self-control? It had been irrevocably compromised ever since Takumi kissed him in the car that night, ever since he'd had that gorgeous body with his own, ever since he decided it was okay to allow himself to love him. He wanted not only to love him, but he wanted to possess him. Since when did he think he had the right to that?
Ryousuke knew he didn't have the right. He knew it intellectually, but that apparently wasn't enough to keep him from wanting to put Takumi out of the sight of anyone else but him.
"Don't call Isao ever again," Morimoto warned. With another measured look toward Takumi he added, "Have fun playing with your new toy, asshole."
This is bad! God Ryousuke you...idiot! My friends will know for sure with him saying that stuff! There's only one thing I can do. I have to do it. I don't want to, but...
"Nobody owns me," Takumi said quietly to Morimoto. "I do whatever the hell I want."
"Sure you do."
Takumi turned his attention to Ryousuke, and Ryousuke could feel the searing heat of his anger. Takumi's look was downright murderous, and his friends were trying to lead him away but he shrugged them off wordlessly one by one. "You don't own me," he said simply, "our relationship is Team Leader and Driver only, isn't it?"
"Fujiwara-"
Just deny it like you're supposed to! This guy means nothing to me and I don't care what he means to you!
"Isn't it?!" Takumi shouted.
Ryousuke stared wide-eyed at his lover, and the fury in his eyes seemed to also have a layer of desperate anguish in them. He was trying to save the situation, even though Ryousuke knew that he'd already done more damage than could be fixed, right? Could the huge slip-up he made really be erased so easily?
Takumi's answer was simple. So simple. Deny it. Nothing was supposed to have changed. Why was it so damn hard to deny it when that was obviously the best and only option? Why didn't he do that moments ago? Why did it seem so easy for Takumi to do, and so hard for him to do himself? What the hell was wrong with him?
He fucked up. No denying it, and no fixing it. Takumi was not only angry, he was embarrassed by everything that had just been said by Morimoto and, especially, by Ryousuke himself..
Mortified in front of his friends and this complete stranger because Ryousuke lost his control and slept with him. If he'd never wanted him, if he'd never desired to touch him, if he'd only just dated one of those "nice young girls" Mother knew instead, none of this would have ever happened.
'Damn. I've really done it.'
Takumi needed him to deny it, despite the fact that it probably wouldn't matter. It was the only option now if he wanted to keep Takumi by his side. It terrified him to think that he might have just sabotaged all the wonderful things that had happened the day before. He'd do it, and ignore the involuntary tightening that was starting to grip his chest.
"Yes. That's the extent of our relationship," Ryousuke said evenly.
"I hope that's crystal clear for everyone," Takumi affirmed for the benefit of his friends and for the two strangers as well.
I'm sorry, Ryousuke. But I had to do it. I had to fix this. We need to keep this quiet, don't we? And you're messing that up!
"Whatever you say, Fujiwara-kun," Morimoto offered with a chuckle. "Nice job, Takahashi. Told you he was too young. Heh."
Ryousuke could only frown in response, his anger bubbling under the surface like molten magma as Morimoto walked back to his GTR and got in and started it up, peeling away to slide the car in the first position in front of his waiting teammates at the starting line. He stared at the license plate, and memorized it. With that and the man's name, he could be found at school. He could be deterred from talking. He could call Isao and lay into him for talking in the first place. Unfortunately, he couldn't tell Takumi that until they were alone. Shit.
Crap. It didn't work; he's still talking shit! Damn it, Ryousuke. Now all my friends...they know I...they know that you and I are...
"Come here, Fujiwara," Keisuke said quietly, absolutely stunned at seeing his brother have the fuck up of the century right in front of him, his friggin' boyfriend...in front of some complete stranger. He went over to Takumi's side when his rival didn't move. Takumi just stood, and he had an eerie calm about him now, and that was almost more scary. Ryousuke should have just bought a damn billboard saying "I'm Fucking My Downhill Ace"; it was like the guy was in shock. "There's no point to us sticking around now," Keisuke said in an almost gentle tone. Then, in a voice raised a bit more to make sure Ryousuke heard it, "Because I guess only the Leader is allowed to act fucking stupid."