Act 18

Word about Saturday's race had spread fast; almost everyone had come to see the race between the Hachi-Roku and the black FC. Ryosuke and Keisuke were already at the top leaning against their cars while Iketani and the Speedstars were huddled in a group discussing the challengers. Keisuke perked up when he saw two headlights approaching. Ryosuke glanced their way before once again settling against his car.

"It's only Seiji and Kyouichi," Ryosuke informed him.

"What are they doing here?"

"Probably to watch the team and issue a challenge."

As the LanEvos drove by, Ryosuke and Kyouichi locked gazes. Keisuke noticed the exchange.

"What was that all about?"

Ryosuke lit a cigarette. "Just letting him know I'll be keeping an eye on him."

"Uh-huh."

Ryosuke suddenly looked up. "They're here."

Keisuke looked to see five sets of headlights appear from around the corner. The two leading cars parked on the road while the others set themselves behind the rail. Ryosuke could here whispering up and down the galleries.

"Check out those cars. Anyone know what type they are?"

The drivers all got out of their cars and gathered around the black FC.

"Check out the babes. Look at that guy, I've never seen an African street racer before."

After getting out of her car, Alex headed straight for Aki who had assumed a position similar to that of Ryosuke's. Her arms were cross and her eyes were closed as she waited for the last player to arrive. Alex stood next to her.

"You know if you open your eyes you just might see something interesting."

"I don't consider Keisuke all that interesting," Aki replied. "Besides I know where everyone is."

"Really? Prove it."

"The Takahashis are to the left, the Speedstars are a little farther up the road. The Hachi-Roku isn't with them, meaning he hasn't arrived yet and there are two members of a team called the Emperors behind and to the right of us. The reason I know this and you don't is the simple fact that I take notice of things before I stop my car," she smiled. "Unlike you who was just looking for Keisuke's banana boat." Aki had pitched the last comment loud enough for Keisuke to hear. He glared to her and was about to make his way over. Aki smiled and pushed Alex towards him. "Time to make amends."

"Wh-what!?"

"Take the hint Alex. Go talk to him."

Alex smiled and casually walked over to Keisuke. Aki chuckled at Keisuke's expression and then glared back at him. Alex got his attention before he could make a scene. Aki turned form the pair and looked up at the sky.

//Beautiful as always. It really hasn't changed that much has it?//

Lost in her thoughts, Aki didn't notice Ryosuke chatting with Chris. The elder Takahashi had given his brother some time alone with Alex and had gone to look at some of their cars.

"You certainly are interested in cars aren't you?" Chris asked when he noticed Ryosuke checking out his car.

"More into the driving end than anything else," replied Ryosuke looking up.

"Same here. I just regret not being able to do it more when I was younger. It isn't as much fun for me anymore. With all the pressure and all. Driving used to be a treat for me. My friends and I all worked hard to buy our own car and we raced other teams in our area for money. It helped pay the bills in the end, but we rarely got to drive it. I had a knack for fixing things so I almost always was tweaking things on the car, trying to make it go just a split second faster."

"But aren't you doing that now?" asked Ryosuke.

"Yes but the scale is totally different. Before it was my own car that was maybe worth 1000 US dollars at most to someone else's car with someone else's engine that combined are worth at least 900 times that. Much more pressure."

"Understandable."

"They make a cute couple," said Chris after a few moments of silence. Ryosuke looked at him strangely. "What? I have played matchmaker for so long these relationship observations come easy."

Ryosuke smiled. "Oh. So who is your latest target?"

Chris looked over at Aki. "You know…..you two go well together."

Ryosuke snorted.

Chris laughed. "Just kidding. She is like a little sister to me and I have been trying to pair her up with someone almost as long as I have known her. I've given up a long time ago. She's too closed off that I can't read her," Chris said watching Aki at her car.

Ryosuke followed his gaze. "Not that closed off," he said half under his breath.

"Well you're welcome to try, just don't get you hopes up. She can be quite a bitch when she wants to."

Ryosuke remembering his discussion with her on Usui had to agree.

A cheer was heard in the galleries. Ryosuke looked over to see Aki strolling to the middle of the road. Takumi had arrived.

*******

Aki was relaxing against her car. Occasionally she would open her eyes and look around. She saw Ryosuke talking with Chris and looked behind him to where his admirers had positioned themselves. Half the girls in the galleries were as usual, mentally undressing Ryosuke as he talked to her team-mate. On the other hand, the ones who had set themselves up behind Keisuke looked as though they were about to kill Alex. Aki chuckled. Well what did she expect? Alex and Keisuke were into a conversation that involved a lot of blushing and not a lot of eye contact.

//Hmm, puppy love at it's finest.// Aki heard a shout from the crowd. //So he's finally here.//

She went to stand in the middle of the road, facing the oncoming lights. Alex ran up beside her.

"So how did it go?" asked Aki keeping an eye on road.

"I said I'd go out with him if he beat me in a race."

Aki laughed. "Really? So how long are you going to put it off?"

"I don't know," replied Alex nervously looking at the approaching car. "Aki, maybe you should get off the road."

Aki didn't reply and Alex slowly backed off. The Hachi-Roku roared past a few moments later. He was so close to Aki that the mirror almost brushed her side. Takumi pulled to a stop and got out of his car.

"So did you enjoy your little show?" asked Aki. Takumi just scratched his cheek. Aki smiled and gave him a hug. "Long time no see. I've heard a lot has happened while I was gone." Aki heard whispers going up and down the galleries.

"What is she doing? Do they know each other? They must, she seems to know him pretty well."

"Ah. Not really," replied Takumi.

Aki held him away at arms length. "Come on Takumi, it's been almost five years, something must have happened. I hear you are a pretty good racer. Honestly I never thought you'd come this far. You just never liked cars much as a kid."

"So why did you want to race me?"

"Cause I've heard rumours that you've gotten faster, and I want to see it for myself."

"Ah."

Aki headed towards he car. "Well let's get going, oh and Takumi. Don't hold anything back, I know this course just as well as you and I can still kick your ass."

Takumi got into his car and they both started before anyone could count them off. Ryosuke jumped in his car and followed.

A/N Up next….Aki's race with Takumi.