[7/27/09 9:27 AM] As promised, something a little light-hearted after Realization. Here's my take on how Keisuke tried to borrow Ryousuke's FC in the Fourth Stage. Of course, we all know how it ended up. But ain't it fun to speculate?

Some spoilers galore for those who haven't watched it! Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: The characters are creations by Shuichi Shigeno from the manga/anime series, Initial D. No copyright infringements intended.

Drawing the Battle Lines

It was a battle he was sure to lose.

He had learned over time to never entertain the prospect of losing, no matter the circumstances. And it was with this way of thinking that brought recognition to the name Takahashi Keisuke. For no matter the odds or the capability of his opponent or their cars, Keisuke displayed extraordinary talent and grit that made his victories almost effortless. He and his bright-yellow Mazda RX-7 FD3S were the ones to beat in the uphill races.

But now, he admitted to himself, no amount of horsepower, determination, or even skill could get him out of the tight spot he was in. Because, though Keisuke has had a brush of the same experience many times in the past, he always hoped he never had to go through it again.

Because nobody experiences Takahashi Ryousuke's brand of bull-headedness relatively unscathed.

His older sibling's room had been a witness to many a battle of any form, be it during its planning stages for a street battle, or its execution when it came to a word war. And such wars were the type Keisuke would rather avoid completely when it comes to his brother.

At present, he was staring at his opponent's back almost pleadingly, while the latter was occupied with what was displayed on his computer screen. Brother Ryousuke seemed either preoccupied or too complacent his point will win out, the picture of calm and cool collection.

"Do I need to get on my knees and beg?" Keisuke prompted, breaking the silence.

His brother didn't even turn. "Don't bother," he answered, Keisuke detecting the smirk in his tone; "because the answer's still no."

"But Aniki [1]! We owe it to her! We couldn't have won without her FD," he reasoned.

"You can say that it was partly that reason," Ryousuke admitted. "Yet, I don't see why my FC will play party to your debt to Ms. Iwase."

Why he even bothered pursuing the conversation, Keisuke still wondered. Three days! It could have been out of persistence or spite, he told himself. When it came to giving aid, or whenever or whatever Keisuke asked, Ryousuke was more than willing to comply—most of the time. There were times that Keisuke was asked to exert some effort for the favor asked. He might grumble, but it was only natural for little brothers to do so.

What he had forgotten in this instance was that he was involving his brother's FC. And when it came to borrowing Ryousuke's beloved car, well, one needs to have a full arsenal of reasoning and wit to come out successful.

Ryousuke turned to glance at him, brows raised expectantly at Keisuke's sudden reticence.

He squirmed under the intense scrutiny, momentarily regretting his request. But persist, he must.

He rubbed a hand over his mouth. "I'm-gonna-take-her-out-to-the-city-then-have-dinner," he got out hastily.

That definitely got Ryousuke's attention when he actually turned his back on his work, swiveling in his chair to face his younger brother.

"In popular culture, it is called a date." His head tilted thoughtfully as he gazed at Keisuke.

He bristled at the implication. "Don't you put words in my mouth, Aniki!" he retorted. "It's simply returning a favor I owed."

"You owed." There was a glint in the older Takahashi's eyes that put the younger brother on edge. "Your words. Which meant it was your idea in the first place. You challenged my decision and used her FD, which means that my car and I have no obligation to her."

Keisuke sat back, fuming. He hated his brother's way with words when it's used against him.

"Why don't you wait for your FD to be fixed, then ask her out?" Ryousuke proposed.

The younger sibling's eyes dropped to the tips of his slippered feet. "I don't want this to drag on longer than it should," he admitted, voice low.

Curiosity lit his brother's eyes. "You don't like her?"

"It's not that. It's just…" he floundered for a few moments, all of a sudden unsure. He hadn't really thought beyond this point of his FC-borrowing campaign. It was then, he recalled, that candor would be the best approach when talking to his brother.

"I don't want to drag this on any longer and keep her hopes up," he managed to say at length.

Ryousuke eyed him keenly through narrowed eyes as if pondering his words. "But you're not saying you don't like her."

Keisuke found himself frowning. Trust Aniki to latch on to some minor detail he thought was important! "You're starting to sound as nosy as Tsugumi [2], you know."

His brother's response was not forthcoming as he leaned back and crossed his arms without a word. When it seemed that Ryousuke was content to let the conversation die slowly, Keisuke mussed his hair in frustration.

"Is this what it takes to borrow your FC for one lousy date?"

Oh, if only he could take back those last words, not liking how one dark brow rose at his poorly chosen word.

"Yes," was his older brother's glib reply.

"Okay. Fine." Keisuke sat up, giving up the game. "Let's just say, hypothetically, I like her." He gave pause at his brother's infuriating smirk. To wipe that off his smug face… "Are you gonna help me out?"

The elder brother's smirk softened to a grin. "You know I would," he answered, then he turned business-like. "I'd advise you to give a good impression, which means you should be at your best." He sat back languidly as he went on. "Which also means that you would be in your element if you pick her up in your FD. Or, better yet, you can borrow Father's W126. [3]"

As he listened, Keisuke pictured himself bashing his head against the wall, something he considered to be a lot easier than arguing with Ryousuke. But the last suggestion came unexpectedly.

"The Benz?" his asked flatly, blinking. "You're joking, right?"

"You want to look your best, don't you?"

He couldn't believe his ears. Takahashi Ryousuke, a demon on the downhill with his FC, suggesting a Benz?

"She's a racer!" he all but exploded in disgust.

Ryousuke was not ruffled in the least. "You two aren't exactly racing," he pointed it out nonchalantly.

"It's a freaking hearse!"

"A V8 engine with 295 hp [3]? I don't think so."

Keisuke was starting to feel he was fighting a losing battle, and he was losing fast. "I get to ride with you in your car!" He inwardly cringed at the panicked pitch in his voice. "Kyoko would be no different! Why can't I do the same for her?"

His response was smooth as ever. "Yes, it is different." Ryousuke turned back to his neglected work. "I won't be driving my own car."

Damn it! "Anikiiiiiiii!"

Points go to Ryousuke in this round. But what makes you think Keisuke didn't try again? :)

Notes:

[1] Aniki – "older brother". But most of you folks now that by now…

[2] Tsugumi is the brothers' younger cousin. She appeared in the manga at least twice.

[3] I took some liberties on the Takahashi dad's vehicle. Anyone who can accurately identify the actual model and power specs, let me know!

Reviews are always welcome. Thanks for reading!

PS -- My thanks to Meteor for the correction on the Benz model! ^_^