Series: Initial D
Disclaimer: Initial D does not belong to me, more's the pity. I'm just using the characters and concept for a little nonprofit fun and will return them to Shigeno Shuichi relatively unharmed. ^_______^
Rating: G (for now)
Warnings: NON-YAOI
Genre: romance
Author's Notes: chapter titles are lyrics to the song , "Don't Stop the Music" by Lou Grant, featured on the Initial D Selection CD.
*** denotes thoughts and/or random stylistic elements. ^^;;
Feedback: craved and coveted!!! heiwanakokoro@hotmail.com or leave a review here.
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Title: Don't Stop the Music – chapter 1
Keep on Movin' – Start the Motion Jumping with Emotion
Author: kokoro
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***
I remember speed.
I remember flying down the mountain, tearing through the night.
I remember the sound of engines revving, tires squealing, my heart pounding.
I remember the music of the race.
***
Despite the fact that I knew I was late, I drove at a fairly sedate pace. It had been several years since I'd been in Akagi, after all, and I wasn't too sure of the roads.
***
Besides, everything reminds me of Him.
***
I fought back tears as I drove past our favourite hang-outs. There was the mall, the park, the gas station where we first met. I couldn't, for the life of me, think of a reason why I had left. Then again, if I had known that returning would be so painful (and I had), why did I return?
Shaking my head to dispel these dismal thoughts, I concentrated on finding my way to the restaurant.
"Chez Pierre… Chez Pierre…" I mumbled to myself as if saying it out loud would magically conjure up the building.
However, after only a few more minutes, I was pleased to discover that my sense of direction had not failed me, and I arrived safe and sound at the fancy French restaurant. I handed my car over to the valet, straightened my dress and ascended the small flight of stairs up into the dining establishment.
Once inside, I scanned the fairly empty room for the person I was meeting. Because the lighting was dim, he ended up spotting me first.
"Keiko-chan!"
I blushed at his loud outburst. Still the boy had not changed. I had hoped that he would have matured enough by now to appreciate a little fine dining. Otherwise I would have just arranged to meet him at Family's for a burger or something. In any case, I flashed my little cousin a bright smile and hurried over to greet him before the maitre-d could fully turn his haughty glare in my direction.
"Kenta…" I said warmly, giving him a light hug. "How have you been? I'm sorry I'm a bit late. I had to make a little stopover on my way over…"
Kenta nodded understandingly. "That's okay, I haven't been waiting long."
I slid into my chair and gestured for him to sit too. "So, have you had a chance to look over the menu?"
Kenta wrinkled his nose. "It's all in French!" he protested.
"Of course it is, dear. This is a French restaurant. If I have to come out here from Tokyo, I'm going to get a good meal out of it."
Kenta nodded again, but this time there was definitely less understanding.
"Don't worry about it Kenta, I'll order for you." I signaled for a waiter. "We'll both have the Duck a l'Orange," I told him. Then I turned and whispered to my cousin, "That's duck with orange sauce."
While we waited for our food to come, Kenta caught me up with the recent family news. I was surprised to learn that he was so into street racing. I listened patiently to his proud monologue about his S14. Apparently, he had it custom painted orange. I remember when he was a little boy his favourite story had been Cinderella. Apparently now he had his own pumpkin carriage. It was cute really. I just hoped that Kenta would find his Princess Charming soon. From the sounds of things, he was just a little *too* close to his car.
"And I'm in the best racing team in Akagi!" Kenta finished his story with flourish.
I smiled indulgently. I knew he was really proud of himself, and, truth be told, I was proud of him too. It wasn't too long ago that I had been tearing up the streets of Akagi in a white Acura Integra, myself.
"And you know who runs the team? The TAKAHASHI brothers!" he practically screamed in ecstasy.
I nearly choked on my water.
Kenta was instantly on his feet and at my side, rubbing my back concernedly. "Are you okay?" he inquired.
I nodded, but I wasn't "okay". Kenta, my *cousin*, was involved with the *Takahashis*. More specifically, he was involved with Him.
"Um… Is he… I mean, is Takahashi Keisuke on the team?" I asked as innocuously as I could manage.
Kenta nodded vigorously. "Keisuke-san is the second in command of the Redsuns! He's teaching me to drift *and* he's my best friend!"
I looked at Kenta's smiling face and I patted him lightly on the head. "He sounds like a wonderful person, sweetie."
Still beaming, Kenta bounced back into his seat and proceeded to extol the virtues of one Takahashi Keisuke. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I knew all about his idol and nice though Keisuke was, he didn't deserve the shining, unconditional adoration that Kenta was showering upon him.
***
Takahashi Keisuke, just a man…
***
Our food arrived and I ate silently, lost in thought. Kenta ate with relish, enjoying everything on his plate, right down to the garnish. All through the meal he kept up his running commentary on the glory that was "Keisuke-san."
"Kenta?" I finally broke into his fantasy world, having listened to enough of Keisuke's praises. "Is there a reason you wanted me to come out to Akagi?"
Kenta swallowed his mouthful of food before answering. "There's going to be a big race on Friday and I need to practice more. I know you're a really good driver and I wanted to you to help me practice…" His voice trailed off.
I sighed. "Kenta, you know I have to go back to Tokyo after lunch…"
"But Keiko-chan! It's already Wednesday!" he protested. "Besides, it's just summer school, right? Can't you just skip your afternoon classes?"
I looked sternly at Kenta. "Kenta! I have to take my studies very seriously! I want to be the best fashion designer in Japan someday."
***
Takahashi Keisuke, just a man I happen to love…
***
I tried to cover up my apprehension by glaring extra hard. I couldn't let Kenta see how fast my heart was beating, how short of breath I was becoming. I couldn't let him know that I could never race again, and I especially could not go anywhere near the Redsuns.
***
Takahashi Keisuke, just a man I happen to love and yet I left…
***
Abruptly, I stood up from the table. Throwing a Y1000 note on the table, I stormed out of the restaurant.
"Keiko-chan!"
I ignored him. I could feel my face burning, my eyes watering. If Takahashi Keisuke really was "just a man," why was I reacting like this? I didn't know, and I didn't care.
"I'm late for class, Kenta! Call me later!" I called over my shoulder as the valet pulled up with my car.
I was so angry. I wanted to smack Kenta for being so naïve as to worship Keisuke. I wanted to smack Keisuke for apparently forgetting all about me. But most of all I wanted to smack myself for not being able to forget him.
~* TBC *~