He fanned himself with his hand as he watched her run around the track; Yuta walked towards them holding three water bottles.
"Remind me why I'm here again" he said to Yuta taking a bottle, the dark haired boy sighed.
"Akemi dragged us here" said Yuta opening his own water bottle and taking a great gulp. Akemi jogged towards them with a smile on her face as she looked down at her watch her dark hair failing on her shoulders.
"I've scrapped a minute off my usual time!" she said taking the last bottle which was at Keisuke's feet. He lay back against the belchers as Akemi took a seat between the boys.
"A minute that sounds crazy" said Yuta as she finished her water bottle.
"It is, say we're still on for the beach tomorrow right?" she asked turning to Keisuke who had his eyes closed, opening one eyes he looked at her and nodded. Akemi smiled standing on the belchers.
"I'll go change" she said walking away towards the locker rooms. Yuta sighed turning to Keisuke who was finishing his own water bottle.
"You missed the past few weeks of school, we've been worried you know" he said concerned, Keisuke turned to Yuta.
"School's been boring, why would I want to go?" he asked Yuta looking up at the clear blue sky.
"Exams are next week."
"I know" said the blond standing up as they watched Akemi arrive her dark hair in a neat ponytail , she wore a tank top and a pair of shorts.
" My cousin's coming over, for tomorrow" she said as they walked out of the track and on to the streets of the city.
"With the black car?" asked Keisuke sticking his hand sin his pocket. She nodded, Yuta titled his head curiously. "If you ask what kind of car-"
Yuta chuckled at the disgruntled look on Keisuke's face "you know I want to ask, so what kind of car is it?"
"An S13" answered Akemi looking both ways before she led them across the street. "We'll be in eleventh grade soon" she added.
The boys followed silently Yuta sighed "yeah time flies by you know."
"You two will be in eleventh grade, I'll probably flunk the year" said Keisuke once they reached the other side of the street, Akemi turned towards him.
"No you won't just do your best, I'll help you if I have to" she said now standing between the boys. "Besides school sucks when you aren't around" she added as they entered a small café. The boys took a table as she excuse herself to go use the bathroom.
"How's the Fireblade?" asked Yuta as the waitress handed them the menus.
"It's fine, she hasn't given me any trouble" he answered failing to mention to Yuta how the other night the Fireblade ran out of gas.
Six months later….
His heart pumped even faster as he took weaved in and out of traffic his bike's engine roared in the middle of the night , behind him a couple of more bikes followed. He smiled to himself as they all turned to the right heading for a warehouse at the edge of the city, as of the late Keisuke had found himself hanging out with Yamada Isamu. They usually kicked back having a few beers and cigarettes. When they were extremely bored they held illegal fighting events in the warehouse placing bets on the winners.
Before he knew Keisuke was involved in the life of a bosozoku gang.
It had been weeks since he had gone to school, in fact he hadn't gone in since the beginning of the year. All he knew was that every day was still boring as hell, except now he had people who shared his same opinion.
As turned off his bike he could feel his cellphone vibrate, he ignored it following Yamada into the warehouse, inside there was at least ten others. Some smoked cigarettes while others played cards, but they stopped what they were doing once Yamada walked in.
"So boys what are we going to do tonight?" he asked taking a cigarette from someone nearby, Keisuke watched the others stop their activities for a moment; Yamada took a drag of his cigarette before answering.
"I'm in the mood for a brawl, what do you think Keisuke?" he asked turning to the blond who smirked nodding.
"Good, I took the liberty of inviting some friends" he announced and as if on cue the warehouse door flew open and in walked a pair of men, tall and broad shouldered, behind them an elder man his greying hair slicked back, a cigar hanging from his mouth.
Keisuke frowned turning to Yamada, but before he could ask anything Yamada answered. "That's Keichi Sakamoto, he runs this town, so stay on his good side kid."
Keisuke nodded but he couldn't help but frown, especially when behind the older man walked in a young man a year older than Keisuke his dark hair was messy and he too frowned as he noticed Keisuke's presence.
"Sakamoto, it's always a pleasure" said Yamada walking up to Keichi, the man took a drag of his cigar and nodded.
"Yamada, I see you have a new member" he said looking in Keisuke direction. The teen stood up a little straighter as Yamada beckoned him towards the group of men.
"This is Takahashi Keisuke, the kid's got more guts than the rest of them combined" said Yamada as Keisuke bowed, the man examined him as he stood up.
"Now if you'll accompany me up the stairs we'll be able to talk more privately" said Yamada shooting a warning glance at Keisuke before heading to the back where the stairs were located with Keichi and his men, only three stayed behind.
Yoshiro glared at Keisuke who glared back. "Yamada said there would be entertainment tonight" he said walking around Keisuke who plunged his hand into his pocket.
"Yeah, he said that to us too" answered the blond turning his eyes following Yoshiro movements.
"I thought he meant women" Yoshiro said pulling a box of cigarettes from his pocket. One of the men that had come in with him quickly reached for a lighter following Yoshiro over to an empty table. Yoshiro lit his cigarette. "Takahashi you still mad about the incident with your girlfriend?" asked Yoshiro blowing out some smoke, "c'mon take a seat."
Despite his it going against his instincts he walked over to Yoshiro and pulled out the chair in front of him. The two taller men stood behind Yoshiro arms crossed glaring at Keisuke who in turn glared at Yoshiro.
"You must have impressed Yamada if he's got you here" he began holding the cigarette. "From what I've heard he's got you collecting debts?"
"Yeah that's about it" answered Keisuke pulling his own box of cigarettes. Yoshiro watched him light and take a drag.
"I love fight nights, ever participated in one of those?" asked Yoshiro finishing his cigarette. Keisuke raised an eyebrow taking a drag.
Yoshiro turned to one of his men and smiled. "I'm bored say Kato, you think you could take Takahashi on?"
The man called Kato smirked looking down at Keisuke making sure to cross his arms emphasizing his size as he did so.
Keisuke stood up throwing his cigarette onto the floor. "I'm not here to entertain you Sakamoto" he snarled. Before he could turn away someone grabbed his shoulder causing him to turn around grabbing the person's wrist, it was then he found himself with a handgun to his face.
He released Yoshiro's wrist, the warehouse went silent as the others turned to see what was happening.
"It's alright" he said to the man with the handgun, who slowly put it down. Kato cracked his knuckles as Yoshiro smirked. "See my father is your boss's boss, so technically you are here to entertain me."
Around them there were whispers as Kato took a step forward pulling off his jacket. Yoshiro smiled taking a seat as a circle formed around them.
"Kato, make sure you break his wrist" called Yoshiro, Keisuke glared looking up at Kato. He took a step forward Kato was just as tall as he was.
"I'll give you the first punch kid" said Kato holding his arms wide open. Without a second thought Keisuke took the offer and punched the man in the face, he staggered backward wiping his mouth. The gang members all cheered, Keisuke watched as he stood at full height.
Kato threw the second punch hitting Keisuke's jaw but he didn't step back, kicking Kato's side. The man grabbed his leg and punched him in face again.
He fell back as Kato kicked his side repeatedly. He heard Yoshiro laugh and it was then Keisuke grabbed Kato's foot and twisted it into an abnormal angle causing the man to howl with pain falling back. Keisuke stood up only to hear the people around him cheer.
Yoshiro stood over Kato with a disgusted look. "And here I thought father only employed the best" he looked over at Keisuke who stood up holding his side. The crowd went silent again and stepped aside letting Sakamoto and his men through.
"Yoshiro what happened to Kato?" he asked as the man tried to stand.
"Nothing we were just entertaining ourselves" he answered his father's question. Keisuke watched as the older man glanced at him, from behind he felt a strong hand grab onto his shoulder. It was Yamada who held on to his shoulder.
"I see our boys started without us Sakamoto!" he said in a light tone of voice breaking the tense atmosphere.
Sakamoto nodded turning to his son "next time you want to entertain yourself, go get a woman, it less expensive than this" he said looking down at Kato's foot.
With that Sakamoto and his men left the warehouse, the others returned to their usual activities except for Yamada who turned to Keisuke with a stern look on his face.
"What the hell were you thinking?" he whispered, Keisuke frowned holding his side.
"I didn't want to fight, it was his idea, he threw that guy at me" said Keisuke as Yamada led him away from the group.
"You're crazy kid" he said removing Keisuke's hand from his side, ad lifting up his shirt. "That's a nasty one you got there, next time something like that happens-"
Keisuke looked up at him "I'm not walking away especially not from him."
Yamada raised an eyebrow "don't tell me you still have settled shit with Sakamoto's kid."
Keisuke leaned against a nearby wall, he rolled his eyes "if beating the shit out of him counts-"
Yamada shook his head interrupting Keisuke "don't ever mention that to anyone, if his father were to find out, hell I don't want to imagine what he'd do to you."
Keisuke shrugged pushing himself off the wall "I'm going to ride around for a while" he said nonchalantly walking away from Yamada, if he wanted to be told off he'd have stayed at home.
For hours he rode around the city, past cars and red lights. It helped clear his mind all he could hear was purring of his engine, and all he could feel was the wind against his bare knuckles. His mind wandered, for weeks he hadn't seen Yuta or Akemi.
He turned the corner unconsciously moving towards the Sato residence which was probably a mile away. Knowing Yuta he'd probably be up with his brother tinkering on the silver R32. He smirked at the thought as he arrived in fron t of the Sato's house and he was right in the middle of the night Kyo could be found under the hood of his R32 except he was clean shaven his hair was slicked back, Yuta was behind him his hair messy as ever. "Keisuke! Dammit it's really you!" he shouted as Keisuke parked the bike holding his side.
"You always come with some sort injury, what kind of crowd are you running with?" asked Kyo wiping his hand with a rag, Yuta rolled his eye guiding his friend inside.
"Socialites such as yourselves" answered Keisuke smirked as Yuta pulled him past the garage and into the house. Kyo chuckled as he followed the into the small living room for such a large residence.
"I'll go get some drinks" said Yuta as Keisuke fell into one of the sofas, Kyo took a seat in front of with a dark look in his eyes.
"Listen I know what you're getting into, and before you know it the people you love are involved, just be careful not to include my brother." Keisuke nodded as Kyo took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.
"Your brother won't be involved, ever" whispered Keisuke as Yuta brought them soft drinks taking a quick look between the two men.
"Oh c'mon don't tell me you need new tires!" said Yuta defusing the tension in the room, Kiesuke shook his head accommodating himself so his side didn't hurt so much.
"No but maybe an ice pack, my side's killing" Yuta chuckled but Kyo kept a close eye on him whilst smoking his cigarette.
Maybe he was right, though he would kill anyone who involved his brother, Yuta or Akemi for that matter.
*The day of the final exam*
Keisuke looked down at Akemi who furiously made some calculations. "You need a three hundred to pass to third year" she concluded looking up at him brightly, he sighed relieved, Yuta on the other hand looked as if he were to rip his hairs out.
"He needs 300 and I need three hundred and ninety, c'mon what kind of bullshit is this!" shouted Yuta slamming down his paper on his desk Keisuke turned to him pointing to his skull.
"Maybe I'm not as dumb as I look" he said smirking, Akemi chuckled.
"While you two bozos complain I only need a one hundred and I'm assured to get into third year!" she said smiling, the boy looked down at her as she stood up. "C'mon I've scored the highest of the three in all tests and unlike someone I show up to school."
Keisuke pursed his lips remembering his brother's words: "Score less than four hundred and seventy five and father's going to take away the bike."
Keisuke's eyes widened "Are you crazy that'll make me number one in the class."
"Exactly at Seika I was number one, so should you, despite your extracurricular activities."
"But you're becoming a Doctor-"
"And you should figure out what the hell it is you want!"
"Alright everyone in their seats" said their homeroom teacher as he walked inside Yuta took his seat in front of Keisuke while Akemi walked away across the room humming holding the pencil behind her back.
He ran his hand through his hair and bit the earser of his pencil. "Alright, I just have to remember what Aniki taught me last week" he whispered filling in the blanks to the given questions to his surprise he was done pretty quickly with all his tests giving him time to look around, Akemi kept banging her head against her desk whilst Yuta kept using his pencil scratch his neck other sneaked glances at each other as he leaned back on his desk but felt the sharp pain at his side and desisted.
"What the hell is that you do?" shouted his father at the dinner table as Keisuke rubbed the side of his face.
"It's a hobby father" intercepted Ryosuke before Keisuke could answer back.
"Well, you should stop it honey, such a handsome young man shouldn't dedicate himself to boxing-"
Keisuke nodded as his father snorted. Before he could speak he felt his father's hand under the table as if reminding him of the motorcycle in their garage.
"I should the friggin' old man, I'm not a dumbass, he'll see."
Hey reader should here's long awaited chapter eleven, soon we'll see more Takahashi family relations, and other exciting stuff in chapter twelve :)