Heartaches

Chapter 57

By Kellyq

Jack, Yusei and Bruno practiced on and off for the upcoming race for the past four days. They wanted to make it all the way through and win the prize money to help Dorthey pay for remodeling and medical expenses.

Their other opponents: Taro, Yoshizo, and Jinbei from Team Taiyo, had their own reasons why they wanted to be part of the race.

Yusei raised a brow when Yoshizo was overjoyed that he finally got to meet him and shake his hand. Taro innocently asked Yusei if he could look at their only motorcycle. Jinbei wasn't thrilled at first, but Taro preached that their only motorcycle was the symbol of who they were. Yusei smiled and said that he would be happy to help.

After Yusei fixed their motorcycle, and Taro tested it out, he met Jean, Andore, and Breo from Team Unicorn. They were also honored to have shook Yusei's hand.

Nicolas, Hans and Harmann from Team Catastrophe just practiced instead of meeting other people out on the racetrack, claiming that they didn't have time to hang around losers.

Crow couldn't practice until he figured out how he was going to look after Kiryu. Yusei made sure that Jack didn't practice at the same time as Dragan when Harald gave Yusei Dragan's practice schedule, through text messaging.

Yusei walked into the hospital cafeteria and sat down near the window. He pulled out his father's diary and pondered if he should read the last few pages. After a few moments, Yusei sighed and glanced out the window, to see that it was still raining outside.

Yusei continued to stare out the window until footsteps reached his ears. He turned to see Harald make his way over, with two cups of coffee in his hand.

Harald sighed when Yusei turned his gaze back to the window. He placed the coffee beside Yusei and sat across from him. They both stared out the window, not looking at anything in particular.

Harald averted his gaze to Yusei and that's when he saw a diary under his fingertips. Harald had a feeling that there was something deeper that was bothering Yusei besides the race.

"Yusei's in here!" came Leo's voice.

Harald and Yusei turned their heads to see Rally, Leo and Luna making their way over with Aero and Blister close behind. Yusei smiled, got up and knelt down to hug the twins and Rally. Harald smiled. He had to admit that the kids were cute and Brave would've gushed over them if he was here.

Rally gazed at Harald with awe. He had to admit that there was a soothing and god-like atmosphere around him. "Are you friends with Yusei?" He finally asked.

Harald smiled. "You could say that I'm a close acquaintance of his. My name is Harald."

"Are you going to the race?" Leo asked.

"Yes I am," Harald answered casually. "I'm participating in it."

Leo whistled slowly. "You must have a cool name for your team!"

"Team Ragnarok," Harald shared.

"Ragnarok?" Leo repeated slowly, confused. "What's that mean?"

"It's mythology about three Gods, who fight every thousand years, right?" Yusei explained, giving Harald a sidway's glance.

He nodded his head. "Yes. That's correct." Harald got up and made his way to the door, but he stopped. "Things are going to turn out fine, Yusei. Just have faith in God, okay?"

A sad smile made it's way to Yusei's lips. "I'll try."

Harald nodded his head and walked out and made his way out of the hospital. Tomorrow is the starting of the race, Harald thought. I just pray that everyone will have a good time and play safe.

"How do you think you guys will handle Brave, Harald and Dragan?" Blister asked, after Harald left. "Their motives are the same as yours."

Yusei was slightly shocked. He read about them, but it wasn't quite clear why they entered in the first place.

"What about you guys?" Yusei asked Blister and Aero

Aero shook his head. "We're not going to enter this year."

Yusei nodded his head, he was going to have share this information with Jack and Crow.

"We already sent them text messages about what's going on," Blister informed.

That makes sense, because Jack has been a little more determined than he was to start with, Yusei thought.

Yusei turned to see Jack stomping his way into the apartment soaking wet. He slammed the door behind him. Bruno quickly turned the TV off, but it was already too late, Jack saw that they were watching the footage of his race against Dragan.

More anger flashed across Jack's face. He eyed them both, but Yusei saw past the anger, and it was misunderstanding. Jack lowered his gaze and made his way to his room and closed the door.

Yusei walked into the room a moment later to see his boyfriend getting ready to take a shower.

"Jack ..." Yusei called out in a soft casual tone. He walked up and started to help Jack peel his clothes off. "You need to stop thinking about what Dragan said to you. You wouldn't have us if we didn't think you cared about us." By this point, all of Jack's wet clothes were in the sink, and he was turning the shower on. "You can do whatever want..." Yusei continued to speak as he stripped as well, reading the vibes he got.

"That's not it," Jack said, stepping to the shower. Yusei joined him second later. "If I was told what happened, I could've waited until his father recovered, but he went ahead and had it anyways."

Yusei nodded his head and started to wash Jack's back. I see, Yusei thought. "Your pride was damaged, and you want your pride back, and you want to prove yourself ..."

Jack glanced behind him, and their eyes met. "Of cours I'm going to show him! I'm not the Master of Faster for nothing!"

That was three days ago and Jack had been increasing his skills since then.

To Be Continued ...