Chapter 1 – His and Her(s) Circumstances
***
"How much does it cost altogether?"
"…"
"Tsukushi…"
"Eh?"
"The dango…"
"Dango? … Oh! Sorry! Which one would you like?"
"I've already chosen my dango…" the customer replied embarrassingly.
Upon realization, Tsukushi was unable to react accordingly and seeing how distressed she was, Yuuki quickly apologized on her behalf.
"Pardon her. That would be 500 yen altogether."
Tsukushi let out a helpless sign after the customer left the shop.
"I'm so sorry, Yuuki…"
"Come on! What are friends for?!"
"Yuuki…"
She has somehow… changed…
"Thank you." with that; Tsukushi gave Yuuki an apologetic smile. Yuuki was about to say something when a customer walks into the shop.
"Tsukushi?"
"Nani?"
"Gan ba te ne!"
"Hai. You too!"
"Hai."
"IRRASHAI IMASU!"
For the next two hours, both of them were busily attending to customers who flood into the dango shop from time to time. Finally…
"Woo! Business seems to be extremely good today!" commented Yuuki, who was wiping off beads of perspiration off her temple as the last of the customers walked away.
"Yeah... the dango are almost sold out" Tsukushi said as she stared at the almost empty display shelves of dango.
"Oh! I'll do the refilling then!" interjected Yuuki cheerfully.
Being busy is good… it takes my mind off the very fact that Doumyouji has forgotten all about me…
"Tsukushi?" a familiar voice broke into Tsukushi's thoughts. Looking down, she saw Yuuki looking back at her with questioning eyes.
"Eh?"
"Did you hear what I said?"
"Eh… no… what did you say?"
Noticing how her best friend's face had turned pale, Yuuki could not help but worry.
"Are you alright? You look pallid."
"Really? How could it be? I'm as strong as a cow!! Haha!" but the expression on Yuuki's face implied she doesn't agree with Tsukushi's statement.
"You know… there are only two of us here now… you can do whatever you want…"
"Do whatever I want?" Tsukushi couldn't understand what Yuuki was trying to say.
"I've heard about it… about Doumyouji-san amnesia…"
"Oh…" was all Tsukushi could say.
"You'll get him back… I know you will." Remarked Yuuki, with utmost confidence.
"I… don't know how…" replied Tsukushi helplessly.
"How about… follow your heart? Do what your heart tells you to… then I reckon you find your way out soon."
Tsukushi was absolutely moved at Yuuki's advice. Yuuki always provided a refuge for her.
She has really matured
Yuuki flashed Tsukushi a bright smile before continuing…
"Well! As I was saying, I heard that there is some sort of motor race tonight… that's possibly the reason why business is so good today."
"Motor race?"
"Yeah… it's getting rather common around this area nowadays… especially at the hill down the street."
"Isn't it illegal? Aren't they afraid they'll get caught?"
"Nah… they're always gone by the time the authorities are here." Yuuki bluntly answered.
"Tell you something… some of them are pretty handsome too!!"
"You're turning naughty, Yuuki!"
Both of them laughed at Tsukushi's comment. Just then, the door bell rings and two female customers walked in. Yuuki quickly positioned herself. "Oops. Time to get back to work!" "Irrashai imasu! How can I help you?"
"Mmm… let me see…" One of them lean forward towards the display to choose the dango while the other just casually propped her arms on the display with a poker face. Both of them are standing right in front of Yuuki and Tsukushi managed to shoot a glance at them, especially the one lounging on the display, since she was right in front of her.
Kawaii ne… this girl…
Tsukushi looked at the other one choosing the dango as she made conversations between Yuuki and her friend.
She's not bad too… what kawaii girls they are…
As Tsukushi darted her eyes back to the girl in front of her again, she began to wonder…
Wonder why there are such presentable girls like them… Arrgghh… God is so unfair!
She reminds me of someone... Who?... I couldn't remember…
Nowadays HA... everything seems... NA… to be.. ZA..in a mess.. WA.. around me... RUI!
Hanazawa Rui!! Yes! She reminds me of Hanazawa Rui!
"How about this dango? It's of mint flavor and our shop's latest invention" Yuuki continues chattering away with the two customers in the background. But instead of replying to Yuuki, the female customer with a sporty outlook notices Tsukushi's intense stares at her friend, who appear oblivious to the uninvited attention.
"Is your colleague alright?" questioned the sporty one with a suspicious arched eyebrow.
"Eh?" Yuuki then realized Tsukushi was not only staring at her friend with full big eyes, she also had some weird indescribable expression on her face.
"Hmm… sorry… she..."
"I take this cake. The pink one." the female customer with an impassive cool face cuts Yuuki off at the same time as she points at an exquisite dango with her delicate index finger.
Even the way she speaks!
Cho… Chotto matte... is she looking at me?
"Tsukushi!"
"Sorry! Is this the one?"
Get a grip, Makino Tsukushi!
"Yes…"
As Tsukushi was wrapping the dango, the two began to make conversation…
"You're gonna carry that thing around while we're out on the town? Besides, I thought you don't eat sweet things?" Commented the girl with the sporty look, now lounging against the display.
"I just thought the dango is cute…"
"Ehh? Just that?"
Then she turned to Yuuki and Tsukushi…
"Don't you guys think she's a weirdo? Doesn't eat sweet stuff yet attracted by it… sometimes she even…"
"Shiori!"
"… …" the sporty one stopped herself midway and raised both her hands to signal 'Ook.. fine.'
Then the cool one turned to Tsukushi. "How much is it?"
Their eyes met for the first time…
"240 yen… "
Her eyes…resembles…
She then took out a big note from her pocket and gave it to Tsukushi.
But as Tsukushi took the note and calculates the change, both girls turned and walked away.
"Your change!!" Tsukushi thought they had forgotten about it.
But it turned out that they didn't… without even looking back, the cool one said… "Forget it…" Only once did the sporty one turn her head back and gave them a wink and said, "Take it as your service charges then! See ya!"
And they were gone.
Yuuki was the first one to recover.
"They sure are rich people, look at this…" Yuuki took the note from Tsukushi and checked whether it was a genuine note. Without waiting to Tsukushi to speak, Yuuki continues…
"By the way, did you notice that the charisma of the female customer standing in front of you resembles… "
"Hanazawa Rui…" Tsukushi interjected.
"So… you think so too…"
"Ahhh… makes me feel we have gone back in time…" Yuuki drawled as she went into her own thoughts.
"If really so, then thank God there are only two of them."
Realization slowly dawned on Yuuki as she grasps the meaning behind Tsukushi's words.
~*~*~
Not faraway, right down the street where the hill stands, another happening is about to take place.
"What's taking them so damn long?!!" Mitsuhara Sanako muttered, hot with impatience as she punched the numbers on her cell phone.
More and more cars could be seen driving up the hilltop and their intention is obvious – to watch the indisputable race.
This is of course a race that everyone was looking forward to. After all, the two racers tonight are indubitable infamous in their own ways – one is a longtime experienced champion who does unimaginable things… anything… you can or cannot think of… to her defeated rivals while the other… is the younger sister of another top-notch racer, Fujiwara Kiyoshi. Only God knows what he will do if anyone tries to hurt his sisters but getting back on the point… his sister is not someone that one can trifle with either…
But the focus of tonight's race is not their reputation or who they are… it's because both racers are females that draws the attention. Rarely do they get to see female racers competing on motor bikes… and outstanding ones for that. Each had own set of supporters as they bet on the winner.
Every spot on the hilltop is now occupied with excited audiences as they wait anxiously for the participants to arrive. Boisterous exclaims followed by a powerful screech of brakes indicate one of them had arrived.
Sanako glanced at the crowd to see who it was but instantly knew it couldn't be the one she's looking for the moment she saw the disgusted vanity in the way she stands by her motor bike.
"Answer my calllll, wherever you are!!" Sanako's frustration grew with each ring on the other side of the line. Suddenly, right behind her…
"Look who's calling me like it is the end of the world!" Onasaka Shiori exclaimed before taking a sip from her juice in one hand and the other, staring at her about-to-explode-from-umpteen-missed-calls cell phone.
"It will be! If Sakiyo isn't going to arrive any sooner!! Now where is that woman?!" Sanako scowled, stretching her neck high to see if she was behind Shiori.
"Hmm… she's not here yet?" Shiori remarked casually, her eyes scanning the crowd to look for a familiar figure.
Finishing her drink, Shiori said, "Have you tried calling her?"
"YES… for don't know how many times, I lose count… I think her voicemail is full of my exasperated messages already!" Sanako retorted, still looking out in the crowd.
"Don't worry, she will come." Fujiwara Sanako interjected, with confidence in her voice.
"Before that happens, we will have to deal with thaatt first…" Sanako drawled, her eyes implying that someone is walking towards them, greeting them with a sardonic smile.
"Well well well… looks like someone is missing." Hideaki Emi smirked, seeing there are only three of them. Shiori and Sanako both jerked their heads to their sides, not even bothering to speak. Only Sakuyo hold her stare.
"She's not backing out, isn't she?" Hideaki Emi took the chance to deride at them, making sure she's loud enough for everyone to hear. Most important of all, she wants to get back at them for being so nasty to her that day… after all, she is a well-known figure and older than them…they should learn to respect their seniors, in Emi's opinion. Though it's notorious the four of them always did whatever they want to whoever they like at whenever time that pleases them. Guess there's always the first time.. Emi disdainfully thought to herself as she imagined how she would punish them for the way they did to her.
"Are you?" Sakuyo knew Hideaki was somewhat fearful… of what, she doesn't know. Seeing she was rendered speechless for a second, a cynical lopsided smile was displayed across her face.
"Wh.. who.. me? Ha! What a joke!" Emi was about to say more when they heard a cry out from the crowd.
A bright beam of spotlight could be seen moving up the hill speedily and judging from the audiences' responses and according to the people who station themselves at particular spots on the hill reporting… it's becoming apparent who's coming…
Sanako and Shiori silently cheered while Sakuyo smirked. The one they've been waiting like forever is finally here.
Before they knew it, Fujiwara Sakiyo was right in front of them with her sparkling sleek black motorcycle.
"You should be careful on those wheels of yours!" Shiori exclaimed, seeing that the wheels was barely inches away from her when it stopped. Pushing up the window of her helmet, Fujiwara Sakiyo smirked.
"You should trust my driving skills." Sakiyo shot a glance at the irksome familiar figure standing beside them and pulled down the helmet window to hide her annoyance. Without saying anything more, Sakiyo positioned her vehicle in a racing stance.
"You're going to know what it feels like to be humiliated in front of so many people…" Emi scorned, positioning herself beside Sakiyo.
"Nah… humiliation is only meant for people like you." Sakiyo retort nonchalantly, before turning her head straight.
"You!!"
"Get Ready!!!" the starter shouts, interrupting Emi.
"You shall see who gets the last laugh!" Emi finally retorted in the midst of the roaring crowd.
"What do you think she's saying?" Shiori notices, looking at the two with questioning eyes.
"Who cares…" Sanako replied, fixing her stare on Sakiyo.
"That's not her bike…" Sakuyo interjected in point of fact.
"EH?!" was Sanako and Shiori surprised expressions.
"1!"
"2!"
"Shit…" Sakiyo knew something is not quite right as she stared down at her bike.
"The race is going to start." Sakuyo said, unable to hide the nervousness inside her. After all, one of the participants is her twin sister and she's only seventeen…
"MATTE!!"
"Ehhh?! What's wrong now?" Sanako exclaimed, already running towards her friend. Shiori and Sakuyo followed suit.
"What's the matter?" asked a concerned Sanako when she came up by Sakiyo's side.
"There's something not quite right..." Sakiyo replied truthfully while looking down at her motorbike.
"Where's your original bike?" Sakuyo inquired, her questioning eyes poring on Sakiyo.
"I…" Sakiyo stammered, not wanting to tell the truth.
*Flashback*
"What?! You can't possibly be serious!" a ragged tall-looking guy with tousled hair exclaimed. He's a charming guy in Sakiyo's opinion, if not for the smudges all over his body, including his face, which is caused by the long hours in the garage.
"Do I look I'm kidding?" Sakiyo actually came to her brother's garage to collect her motorbike but something caught her attention while she was waiting for her motorbike to be pulled out in the hide. When Sakiyo pulled down the covers, it was a sleek black polished bike, looking ready to conquer the world. One look at it and Sakiyo just fall absolutely in love with it.
"Trust me, that bike is not meant for you… the air filter has just been modified and has not undergone any tests yet... Besides your brother will kill me if he knows about it!" Hisashi Hideto was one of her brother's buddies and due to their common interests in cars; they decided to invest some money in a garage, along with some others who are not in Japan at the present. And now he got this one big challenge – to persuade this young woman in front of him not to take the bike.
"A. You own a hospital so I don't see any problem with that. B. You said if my bro knows about it, so I think there shouldn't be any problem too if you managed to keep your mouth shut." Sakiyo retorted nonchalantly, folding her arms and flashing her picturesque smile.
"No." was a firm reply from Hideto.
"Come on! You said this bike hasn't undergone any tests yet right?!"
"Yeah." With an eyebrow raised, Hideto folded his arms to wait for an expected answer.
"So… let me do the testing!! I can do the testing for you!!" suggested Sakiyo with sparkles in her eyes, thinking that this idea of hers is perfect.
Just then, the phone rang and Hideto ran to pick up the call. It was her brother, Kiyoshi, calling from NY. Sakiyo knew if she was to argue heads-on with Hideto, the argument will be endless and just at that moment, one idea pop up in her willful mind… her mischievous cells probe her to do the one forbidden thing that would face undesirable consequences – steal the motorbike.
*End of Flashback*
And now here she is… at the racing ground, knowing the bike is indeed not meant for her.
He's right… he's ALWAYS right!!! And I hate it!!
Sakiyo's grasp on her steering gets tighter every second as she silently regrets not heeding to Hideto.
"Can we start now?!!" The starter shouts.
"Any moment!!" Emi smiled sardonically at Sakiyo knowing her circumstances.
Sakiyo shot daggers at her.
I can't care much anymore… come what may… so be it!!
Sakiyo thought to herself as she prepared for the worst.
"Wait a sec!!"
Sakiyo looked over the shoulders and saw it was Hideto running towards her.
Her worries were immediately eliminated.
Hideto came up beside her, fixing his intense stares knowingly at her. Girls nearby were openly staring and talking about him, though he was used to this kind of attention and couldn't care much.
Sakiyo pushed up the window of her helmet.
"What?"
"So…" Hideto drawled, knowing that Sakiyo knew he was right.
"How's the test?" Teased Hideto, knocking her helmet hard with his knuckles.
"That... hurts!"
"Serves you right! You little imp!" Hideto immediately rejoinder and lean forward to check the bike condition. Girls nearby were green with envy that Sakiyo actually got so up close and personal with this hunk.
"Hey! You're delaying the race, Hisashi!" Emi complained, jealous of the fact that Sakiyo got help.
Hideto shot her a lazy glance. "You can back out if you feel it's getting late..."
"ArggMmmm…"
"Sakiyo…" Hideto turned back to Sakiyo with a solemn expression. Sakiyo just looked at him without saying anything. She reckons he must have something important to say, given the solemn expression displayed across his face.
"I want this bike back in the condition as it is now."
*Multiple sweatdrops arise*
"Aren't you going to tell me to be careful or something else similar?!!" Sakiyo retorted, raising her voice.
"Instead your bike is more important than me?! I'm… ITAI!!"
Sakiyo was 'hit' by the head again by Hideto.
"This motorbike is in the best condition ever and whatever problems you have would only be your ability to control it." Hideto said as a matter of fact.
"So ka…" Sakiyo drawled, thinking Hideto's words made sense.
"But…"
"So… our Sakiyo-sama has become a wishy-washy girl after a stay at France…" Hideto scoff at her with the intention to raise her confidence in winning this race. After all, his reputation, along with the whole Marcoss's is at stake if Sakiyo loses the race.
Instead of flaring up, Sakiyo questioned "You trust me?"
"I trust my foresight." Hideto suavely shoved his hands into his pockets while thinking the fact that he was the one who taught Sakiyo all the driving skills. He could still remember the young lass pouting alone at a corner when her brother doesn't allow her to follow them to the racing grounds. What Kiyoshi done is out of brotherly love but what he neglected is Sakiyo's potential in racing. Like brother, like sister… Hideto thought. And since he was responsible for teaching her, he should also ensure her safety in every race she participates.
"Besides… you are not my type so don't make me take the blame for you for the rest of your life." Hideto added, thinking if she really meets with undesirable consequences, he might need to be accountable for it.
Sakiyo sweats "Don't worry; I'll kill myself before that."
"Do us proud, Sakiyo!!" "Yeah! I know you will!!" Sanako and Shiori both added, before Sakiyo gets ready in the position.
"Be careful of her tricks…" Sakuyo warned.
"I will."
"Sakiyo… be real careful at the curves… I don't have a sister to pay back to Kiyoshi if something really happens to you." Hideto then taps on Sakiyo's shoulder to give her some form of encouragement.
With that, the aroused crowd gets even more boisterous as the two bikes sputters off upon the waving down of the flag. Hideto and the three of them then walked to a spot where they get to view the whole hill from the top.
"What are the chances?" Sakuyo asked, her stare not leaving Sakiyo's silhouette moving spirally down the hill.
"Since she can make it here, I think she can make it through the race too."
Hideto commented, knowing Sakuyo's worries.
Silence surrounds the four of them as they anxiously waited for the outcome.
"Hideaki is still leading at the second bend down the hill but Fujiwara is not taking any chances… EH!! What was that?!! Fujiwara trying to overtake Hideaki unexpectedly but to no avail… ohhh!! How is Fujiwara going to overtake Hideaki when she is guarding her no. 1 position closely?" the reporter enthusiastically chatters away in the midst of the roaring crowd.
"Who do you think will win tonight?"
"Perhaps Hideaki…"
"I doubt so… Fujiwara seems rather aggressive too."
The four of them listened to the nearby tittle-tattle as they watched the race.
"I'm starting to worry for Sakiyo…" Shiori's hands were in knots as she feels the butterflies in her stomach. Gosh! Even her first time is not as nerve-racking as this. She silently thought to herself.
"She will be fine… they have not reached the crucial bend yet…" Hideto assured, his eyes concentrating on the two motorbikes speeding swiftly in the shadows.
"Which is at the second last bend, right?" Sanako interjected.
Sakuyo nodded. They were pretty confident that Sakiyo will definitely be able to swerve smoothly at the second last bend, which is also the most difficult bend as it is pretty steep.
"Yesh!!!! Fujiwara finally overtakes Hideaki!! And is speeding away to the second last bend, with Hideaki catching up closely behind her!! OH MY GOD… will Hideaki's defending champion status be broken tonight?!! What an exciting race we have here tonight!!" the reporter continues chattering away, bringing the latest results to the roaring audience at the top of the hill.
"YESS!!!!" Shiori and Sanako jumped up, relieved to hear that Sakiyo is finally in the lead. But Sakuyo thinks otherwise. She thought it was too early for Sakiyo to…
"AH… Eh..? Nani?" the reporter suddenly lower down his voice to listen to what other correspondents at other spots of the hill reports through his walkie-talkie.
"EH???!!! There's a car coming up the hill!!" the reporter suddenly reports, making everyone gasp in surprise.
"What the hell?!" Hideto was in absolute astonishment. Shiori and Sanako gasped in shock while Sakuyo falters. Different thoughts run across her mind as she thinks what would happen to her twin… death is the first thing that came into her mind. Suddenly, there was a pat on her shivering shoulder.
"She'll be alright… she will be… yes… she will be…" Shiori stammered while Sanako hugged Sakuyo for comfort.
Hideto was already striding towards the reporter who was then shoved at the collar.
"Didn't you guys made sure there's no vehicle coming up beforehand?!!!"
"Give me the walkie-talkie!!" Hideto snapped, making the reporter terrified, at the same time, speechless.
"Stop the car at all costs!!" Shivers run down his spine as he bellows over the radio.
A trembling voice was heard replying Hideto. "We can't… the car is moving up fast… Hmmm… it's a Porsche… a… a black Porsche… and Fujiwara is…"
~*~*~
HA! Trying to overtake me?! Wait for your next life, you ugly old cow!!
Just a while ago, Hideaki is close to Sakiyo's tails… so close that she always managed to bump into Sakiyo's back and every so often, she would somehow appear by Sakiyo's side and if she had the guts, Sakiyo would have already been kicked. But now Sakiyo managed to surpass her, thanks to the modified air filter which Sakiyo found very useful but at the same time, careful. She expects to win for sure as she is approaching the second last bend but what she certainly did not expect was a car driving speedily towards her…
"WHAT THE?!!!" Sakiyo was totally caught off guard by the scene in front of her and a vague glimpse at the driver who was flashed upon by her dazzling spotlight indicate he was as surprised as she was.
Everything came too fast as she swerved left while he swerved right…
~*~*~
"What's the situation now?!" Sakuyo was teary-eyed when she looked at Hideto. It pains Hideto to the max when he saw Sakuyo and co in such a miserable state.
"I… don't know…" The radio was somewhat dead as no response was heard from the other side. Deadly silence fills the atmosphere as all waits for the reporters to speak. It would sure hit the headlines of all media tomorrow if something fatal happens to Fujiwara Sakiyo tonight. Hideto slapped himself on the temple as he thought of Sakiyo struggling by herself down there. He should have stopped her!
"Wait for me here." Hideto's tone was somehow commanding instead of informing. Only Sanako managed to find her voice.
"Where're you going?"
"I'm going to down to see what actually happens."
"I'll go with you."
"No. Stay."
"She… she… she managed to swerve past the Porsche successfully!!! And is catching up fast with Hideaki who zoom past her during the collision!"
All were relieved to hear from the reporter about the sudden good news as they cheered for Sakiyo.
"Goodness GRACIOUS... OH my… Sakiyo… Jesus…" Sanako snickered while Sakuyo and Shiori embraced each other with their tears of joy. Hideto's weight immediately diminished along with it. Now is the ultimate time to decide on the winner tonight. Whoever swerves past the second last bend first would be the winner tonight. He silently cheered for Sakiyo, hoping she catch up fast before Hideaki arrive at the second last bend…
~*~*~
"What was that…?" Sae stared blankly ahead of the dark surroundings, lighted up dimly only by Akira's headlights.
"How the hell would I know?!!" Mimasaka Akira recalls the situation that he was in just now. He was that close… that CLOSE! To that motorist!! And then there was another one! Zooming past him like a bullet with a whoosh sound. Damn! He could have been dead, if not for his fast reflexes! When Akira looks out his car window to catch a glimpse of that motorist who almost collides with him, all he could see was a middle finger directing at him as the motorist swerve smoothly down the hill…
"I had IT!!" Akira ducked back into his Porsche and changes the gear to reverse the car in the direction of where the motorist is heading. How dare he point his middle finger at one of the F4 members! He cursed the motorist who was nowhere in sight as he sped down the hill, greatly pissed off by the fact that THE MOTORIST spoiled the whole romantic evening that he took great pains to plan for Sae.
"Akira-kunn… you're going too fast!" Sae cringed to her side, grasping tightly at the hander. But Akira seems to be oblivious to her as he is determined to find the motorist and teach him a real good lesson… for pointing his middle finger at him… that will be the last time his middle finger stands up! Akira thought smugly to himself.
Akira definitely did not expect to encounter such a situation when he left Tsukasa's mansion. Tsukasa was in his usual temperamental bad mood when F3 went to find him. Umi… Makino… and last but not least… his authoritative irritating mother…
Tsukasa revealed some form of familiarity when they mentioned about Makino but could not tell for sure with his nonchalant expressions. Based on Akira's observations, Tsukasa seems to keep things to himself these days…
And there they parted, where each had own set of activities to attend. Rui obviously had a date with his dreamlanders while Soujirou went to find his girl. And he decided to spend a romantic evening with Sae at the peak of the hill where they could spend hours cuddling together without the expense of privacy. But now… IT HAS BEEN RUINED!
Reaching at the base of the hill, Akira saw a familiar figure standing by his motorbike at the side of the road and when Akira got closer, Akira knew distinctively it was the motorist! But he was not alone; he was with many others and he seems to be conversing with the other motorist who zooms past him just now. When Akira got down from his car, he realized that the 'he' was actually a 'she' when she took down the helmet, letting her long auburn hair cascade gracefully down her shoulders. Akira thought she was quite lovely from the side angle that he was looking at. Although she seems to be at odds with the other motorist, her every stance kind of attracts Akira in some way or rather… familiar to him.
Hey! I'm supposed to get even! Not to comment whether she's a beauty queen or not! Besides, Sae is with me now! What am I thinking?!!
Akira slaps himself on the temple to clear himself of the prohibited thoughts that ran across his mind just now.
"What's the matter, Akira-kun?" asked a concerned Sae.
"Nothing's the matter, darling… wait here." Replied Akira as he swaggers towards auburn girl.
I'm here to get even… I'm here to get even… who cares if she's a girl…
Akira reminded himself.
"Bleh!" the girl suddenly made a face, stopping Akira in his tracks.
There is definitely something familiar about her…
Akira thought to himself as he saw the stuck-out tongue.
"It's a tie!!" A guy beside her shouts over his radio.
With her ending up a tie with a greenhorn like me… It's obvious her defending champion status is broken… by me… HAHA!!
Sakiyo thought to herself conceitedly as she runs her fingers across her tousled hair.
"Hey you."
"Hmm?" Sakiyo turned to see a rather tall-looking guy with shoulder-length red hair looking down at her, with a scowl displayed across his face. She immediately grimaces as a response.
"YOU!"
"Hmm?!"
"What do YOU think you were doing JUST NOW?! YOU almost KILLED ME!!" Sakiyo flare up, raising her voice from time to time.
"Ah… Like YOU almost KILLED ME!" Akira retorted, thinking this girl is absolutely ridiculous. He was actually planning to loosen the reins, seeing that the motorist was actually a girl. But that statement totally pissed him off as it sounds as if he's the culprit for the whole collision incident.
Ignoring what Akira said, the girl continued her reprimanding, "I almost lost balance and tumble over the hill, if not for my quick reflexes! Don't you know you are not supposed to travel up the hill?!"
"Look who's talking about traffic rules HERE! Do you actually know I can have you up for illegal racing?!!"
The girl was about to rebut back when Akira interjects.
"Look at you…" Akira scanned her from up to down. "I bet you haven't got a license yet… and here you are, thinking racing is a fun thing to do, especially…" Akira stopped in his words, trying to find some suitable words to shut her mouth for good. "Especially with this cheap bike of yours!" There! It shut her up. Well, at least for a second. She shoves Akira aside and strides towards his Porsche… using her keys, she scratches a few X marks on the front of the car. Sae grasp in shock.
Looking at the surprised Sae, Sakiyo said, "Never saw a pretty lass scratch your man's car before? Guess there's always the first time."
Smiling sarcastically to Sae before turning to Akira, she said, "Your car is not that impressive either."
"You! Oh!" Akira couldn't hold back anymore. That was his newly-bought Porsche! And to top it off, that Porsche was of limited edition. So far, Japan has only two.
He have never seen a girl as brazen as her before. He storms towards the girl who was smiling derisively at him. She's going to be the first woman he's going to smack, he decided.
"SAKIYO!!" a voice behind her call out. He then saw three girls and a guy coming out from an Evo behind her. He thought the name was relatively familiar.
"Are you alright?" The girl with shoulder-length blonde hair asked anxiously.
"Stop touching me all over the place! Shiori! I'm okay!"
Shiori…
"Are you sure?! Or we go see the doc right away for a full body check-up?!" This time, it is the one with long raven tresses who speaks.
"Stop scaring us like this, you little imp!" the guy then pulled her close to give her a bear hug.
Sakiyo then tries to struggle out of his hug. "I can't breathe!"
The other girl who looks exactly like her just smiled. Now all these are getting real familiar to Akira as he saunter towards them.
"Are you Onasaka Shiori?" all turned to look at him.
"You are…" Shiori arched a questioning brow as she thought this gorgeous guy in front of her was pretty familiar. Could it be one of her ex? Nah… though she had many, she was sure she had not dated him before.
"Mimasaka Akira." The girl whom Akira thought is unreasonable immediately light up. He finally knew who she was but decided not to probe first.
"AKIRA!!!" Both Shiori and Sanako exclaimed, happy to see an old friend here.
"How have you been?" Sanako flirtatiously poke him in the ribs.
"Pretty good." Akira then flashed a bright smile at them.
"Akira-kun…"
"Oh! This is my girlfriend, Sae." They then introduced each other.
"Wow… what a great taste, Akira!" remarked Sanako and Sae smiled sheepishly while Akira just laughed.
"Say something, Sakiyo!" Shiori nudged Sakiyo by the arms as she notices she is unusually quiet now.
"Ahem…" Sakiyo clears her throat as she looks at Akira in the face, face blushing as red as an apple. She then looks away to her side; her fingers keep running across her hair, a sign to indicate she's embarrassed about something.
I hope he doesn't remember!!
Sakiyo silently prays to herself that this wish of hers comes true but…
"A Ha! Sakiyo couldn't be thinking of the rejected confession, are you, Sakiyo?!" teased Sanako who elbow Sakiyo by the ribs. Old lovers' reunion is always one of her favourite scenes.
!!
Sakiyo was like given a punch in the face.
Akira just smiles awkwardly at Sanako in response while Sae gets suspicious. "Rejected confession?"
"Don't worry, that was ancient history, Sae.. Now..."
"Now I already have a boyfriend." Sakiyo eyed Sanako knowingly while gliding her hands into the coat of Hideto, who was responsive of her actions and embrace her by the waist.
"I've heard about you. One of the F4." Hideto tries to make conversation to ease the awkwardness between the both of them, especially Sakiyo who was tightening her grasp on his waist.
"Yeah… you too. One of the bad brothers."
"You two already know each other?" Sae probed, thinking it was such a small world.
"Nah… .." Hideto stated as a matter of fact.
"I'm in Eitoku High while he's in Eitoku U."
Taking a peek at the Porsche, Hideto suddenly remembers seeing Sakiyo making a few marks on his car.
"Oh! By the way, I'm sorry for my girl's behaviour. She shouldn't have done that to your car. I shall pay for the damages."
"Oh.. It's alright. It doesn't cost much anyway."
"Actually that was what I thought."
Both men laughed.
***
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