Heartaches

Chapter 71

By KellyQ

The crowd wasn't that big. M.C expected that. When he announced that Team Taiyo was going up against Team 5Ds, the crowd didn't seem to respond. M.C shrugged and glanced at the crowd.

"Good afternoon, and welcome! Let's welcome Team Taiyo shall we?" The crowd clapped and a few said 'you guys have improved' or 'go for it! You guys can win!' Hearing that gave Yoshizo, Jinbei, and Taro hope as they walked toward their assigned pit stop. "Now! Let's welcome the winning team 5Ds who beat Team Unicorn and Team Catastrophe!"

The crowd cheered, clapped and whistled as Jack, Crow, Yusei, and Bruno stepped onto the racetrack. Carly and Mina jumped to their feet, encouraging Jack to win. He raised his right fist, hoping that they got the message he was going to do fine. Yusei glanced at Taro, Yoshizo, and Jinbei.

Yusei pulled to the side of the racetrack when he saw three teens taking turns riding on a green motorcycle that looked like it was going to fall apart.

"This isn't working!" Yoshizo said, parking the bike off to the side. Taro and Jinbei made their way over. Taro had his toolbox in his hand. He looked the motorcycle over and sighed. "What do you think we should do?"

Taro scanned the bike one more time. "Try not to rev the engine too hard and see what that does."

Yoshizo nodded his head and started the engine. Yusei cringed at first then he winced and stiffened at the sound. Carbon monoxide sputtered out of the green motorcycle. Yoshizo quickly got off as his other two teammates moved back. Jinbei let out a frustrated growl. Taro hung his head in defeat as Yoshizo looked like he was about to give up.

Yusei got off his motorcycle and looked closely at the tools and the green motorcycle. There was a Japanese logo of "Sunshine" on the side of their bike. They must be the team from the countryside: Team Taiyo, Yusei thought, walking up.

"Do you need help?" Yusei asked, startling them.

It took a moment for them to realize that someone had gotten their attention. They looked up and their eyes widened to see Yusei standing there.

Yoshizo was the first to snap out of his shock and his face lit up. "It's … Yusei Fudo!"

As soon as the name left Yoshizo's lips, Jinbei tensed up and stood protectively in front of the motorcycle. "We don't need your help!"

"Why not?" Taro asked, glancing at his blue-haired teammate. "He can help us find out what the problem is with our bike."

"What?" Jinbei was shocked. He pointed a finger at Yusei. "Don't you know who he is?"

"Why should it matter what type of person Yusei is?" Taro questioned, knowing what Jinbei was referring too. "Asking for help is not a bad thing! Besides, if we don't get our bike fixed, we're never going to get accepted by people in the city! They'll just think we're just a bunch of junkies!"

I know how that feels, Yusei thought remembering when he was picked on and teased. He was often beat up and called names by some of the other kids around the neighborhood all because he wanted to play with broken things and fix them.

Jinbei sighed after he looked at his teammate for a moment before he glanced at Yusei. "Fine. Do whatever you want."

Jinbei moved out of the way as Yusei made his way over to the motorcycle. He looked the tools over and grabbed a wrench. Jinbei watched Yusei's every move as he pulled out wires and hoses.

I can't believe that Yusei Fudo is here – fixing our bike! Yoshizo thought, trying to refrain himself from wanting to shake Yusei's hand and blurt out that he was a big fan. After a few moments, Yoshizo couldn't control himself; he reached into his pocket and pulled out what he thought was his small scrap book.

"Uhh … Yusei …" Yoshizo mumbled holding what were pictures of Yusei himself. "Can you sign this?"

Yusei paused and rose to his feet and looked closer at what he was going to sign. His eyes widened to see that it was pictures of himself.

Jinbei stepped up and yanked the pictures out of Yoshizo's hands. "What have I told you about leaving your fan stuff at home?"

Yoshizo looked down with shame and embarrassment. "I know. It's just that if we came to the city, I thought we might meet Yusei …" Taro listened wholeheartedly and smiled.

"Oh come on. He's an opponent we might have to face later!" Jinbei lectured.

"I – I'm sorry .. I'll do better next time …"

"It's okay," Yusei spoke up. They turned their attention to see that he was back in fixing their bike. "I'm flattered that you guys like me, and I can fix your bike." Yusei had a humble look on his face. "I know what it feels like to build things or repairing …"

"Really?" Yoshizo asked with interest laced in his voice.

Yusei nodded his head. "Yeah. I always loved to build things, and see what I can conjure up." He pulled back and stood up. "It should be fixed."

Taro nodded his head and started the engine. There was no popping sound, and the motor gave off a purring sound. Yusei smiled, knowing that he might have helped an opponent, but didn't care – he just wanted to make sure that they were to fulfill their dreams.

"Alright!" M.C.'s voice boomed, snapping Yusei out of his memory. "First up is Team 5D's Jack Atlus against Team Taiyo's Yoshizo! Competitors get ready!" M.C watched Jack roll his white motorcycle out onto the racetrack. One second later, Yoshiizo did the same. "On your mark get set, Go!"

To Be continued …