Hi again! It's me, JupiterHalo, back with the second chapter! I never thought that I'd get it out this fast, but I ended up writing this in about two to three days. And thank you for reading this and for the kind reviews everyone left! I'm so glad that people are enjoying the story so far. So, please enjoy chapter two!

Disclaimer: I don't own "Initial D," unfortunately. Shuichi Shigeno has all rights to the characters; I'm just borrowing them for a little while. :D

Thoughts are in italics. Scene changes are indicated by a >>>.

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After a long silence, Sayuki finally said "Well, the least you can do is thank me!"

Mako just gaped at her, continuing to sit in shock.

"After all, now you can finally tell Takahashi Ryousuke how you feel about him!"

"Are you insane?" Mako finally found her voice. "Sayuki, how could you do something like that?"

"What?" Sayuki looked offended. "All I'm trying to do is try to end your years of loneliness! Look," she said, closing her right hand into a fist. "Ryousuke Takahashi is a great guy." She began counting off on her fingers as she spoke. "He's handsome, he's rich, he's really nice, he's very serious-minded, and he's an awesome racer. What more could you ask for in a guy?"

"Well, I don't know if he's kind, or gentle, or if he makes me feel happy. And he's not-" Mako's voice trailed off, her cheeks turning red.

"Not that one guy you were interested in? What was his name, Iketani or something?" At Mako's nod, Sayuki sighed. "Just give it up, Mako. You haven't seen him in over a year; it's obvious that he's never going to call. You can't waste your life waiting for him to get his act together. I know how much you care for him, but you can't be in a one-sided relationship forever!" She shook her head at Mako, finishing off the last of her salad. "Mako, you're more than just my best friend; you're like my sister. I don't want to see you throw your life away on something that will only cause you pain."

"Thanks, Sayuki." Mako took a breath. "You're right. I do need to move on from this. What time is lunch tomorrow?"

"Takahashi-san said 3 p.m."

"I'll be there."

>>>

Mako patted her hair nervously as she took one last glance at herself in a store window before walking in to the tiny diner across the street from the hospital where Ryousuke was interning at. Taking on last glance at her watch, which read 3 o'clock on the dot, Mako took one last nervous breath and walked in.

She spotted Ryousuke almost immediately, sitting at the counter sipping a cup of coffee. Impeccably dressed, as always, Mako noted. Today he wore black pants with a light blue shirt, along with a black tie. His doctor's coat had been placed behind his chair. She saw him glance at his watch, and decided that stalling for time probably wasn't such a good idea. After all, putting something off only made a person regret it. She walked up to him, and cleared her throat. "Takahashi-san?"

He turned around in his chair, holding his cup of coffee in his left hand. "Yes, that's me," he said in that deep voice of his. "How can I help you?"

Mako bowed. "My name is Satou Mako, and I'm a friend of the person you were supposed to meet for lunch today. I'm terribly sorry, but she couldn't make it."

Ryousuke nodded. "I'm terribly sorry to hear that." He turned his piercing gaze to Mako, who blushed slightly. "Well, since you had to come all the way here, why don't you sit down? I'd be more than happy to buy you lunch." To her surprise, he stood up and pulled out the chair next to him, gesturing that she should sit.

When she had been seated, Mako murmured a soft "Thank you." She had no idea Ryousuke had such old-fashioned manners!

Ryousuke motioned to the waitress working behind the counter. "I believe my friend and I are ready to order. I'll have a bowl of chicken ramen and another cup of coffee." He turned to Mako and smiled tiredly. "Go ahead and order whatever you like. It's my treat."

She nodded. "If it's not too much trouble, could I get a glass of water and a salad, with Italian dressing?"

"Of course!" The waitress scurried off to fill their order.

Ryousuke gave Mako a puzzled look. "Are you sure that's all you'd like, Satou-san? You aren't one of those girls who starves herself, are you?"

Mako blushed. "Oh, no, Takahashi-san! It's just that," her voice lowered to a whisper, "I feel terrible for you paying for me, so I just wanted to get the cheapest thing on the menu."

Ryousuke's puzzled frown turned into a smile. "Ah, I understand. Please don't concern yourself over the cost; it's no trouble." At that moment, their orders were delivered.

As Mako stabbed her salad with her fork, Ryousuke took a sip of his fresh coffee. Black, Mako noted. He doesn't put anything in his coffee. She also took the opportunity to study his profile. Clear skin, beautiful eyes, gorgeous hair. Now I remember one of the reasons why I liked him for so long.

Ryousuke turned and noticed her glancing at him. "Is something the matter, Satou-san?" He asked this question gently, noting how she looked away quickly.

"Um, no! Nothing's wrong." Still looking away, she said "Um… Sayuki said that you had some questions about Usui?"

"Ah, yes! I was wondering…"

>>>

With a sigh, Ryousuke looked at his watch. "Unfortunately, Satou-san, it looks like my time is up." Just then, his beeper went off as well.

Mako laughed. "It seems like everyone needs you, Takahashi-san."

Ryousuke smiled apologetically as he laid some bills down on the counter. He stood up and put on his coat, then gently pulled out Mako's chair. As they walked to the door together, he turned and said, "Satou-san, I've never had better lunch company. Honestly."

Mako blushed and giggled. "Honestly, Takahashi-san, you're quite the charmer."

Ryousuke smiled back, holding the door open for her. Once they were out on the streets, he said "Satou-san, forgive me if this is forward of me. However, I really enjoyed our conversation, and I hope you did so as well." Mako nodded, and he sighed in relief. "In that case, would you like to meet me for lunch again? Same time and day, next week?"

Her heart skipped a beat. Should she take this chance? Courage, her mind whispered.

Taking a deep breath, she smiled brightly at him. "I'd love to."

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So, that's chapter two! I hope that everyone likes how the story is progressing so far. So, hopefully I'll have the third chapter up soon! It should be up by this Wednesday; at least that's the plan. So please review if you can, as I always appreciate it. See you all next time!

-JupiterHalo