Disclaimer: Relax, I claim no credit for Mai Hime~
High overhead the full moon witnessed the gathering of rowdy, cheering youngsters who stood in loose clusters around sports-bikes and racecars. The mountain road vibrated with blasting music that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere. Occasionally, the music would be joined by hootings from the crowd following roars from engines of cars and bikes that lined the street.
"Niiiiice, this is my kind of place, alright. Let's get the partying going, Natsuki!" Nao encouraged as she tried to drag Natsuki away from her bike which she intentionally parked further away from the gathering.
Unsurprisingly, Natsuki did not budge. "You go ahead. I'm fine right where I am," Natsuki said stubbornly as she watched the crowd from afar. "Just let me know when the race is about to start. And find Midori for me."
"Always the party-pooper," Nao sighed as she walked away swaying her hips. Natsuki took the opportunity to check her bike and run the engine to make sure everything was working. When she was satisfied, she leaned against her bike with her arms crossed and waited. Looking over at the crowd, she counted the number of bikes parked. 10. Why are there 10 bikes? I'm SURE that Midori said there's only 4 other racers. Natsuki didn't have to wonder long though; Midori was already making her way through the crowd toward her. Nao was nowhere to be seen. She better not come back to me a drunkass or I swear I'll…I'll what? Damn her. If she didn't owe me money, I'm SURE I'd…I'd…aaaargh. Damn you Nao, you better NOT throw up on my bike again!!
Raising an eyebrow at the obviously frustrated Natsuki, Midori approached her and asked if she was really that nervous.
Smelling the alcohol in her breath, Natsuki leaned away and answered curtly, "No. I'm fine. Thanks."
"Hmmmm?" Midori mused, leaning in and trapping Natsuki against her bike, "Really…?" She hiccupped.
Flushing at the close proximity of their faces, Natsuki sidestepped away from Midori and asked hastily, "So why are there 10 bikes here? I thought you said there's only four other racers."
"Oh, the others? Don't mind them. They're just followers and gawkers. YOU will only be racing against four other armatures. Of course, your race won't be the only race happening tonight. Your race will only be the appetizer. The main course…" She trailed off as she pointedly stared at the incoming fiery red Ferrari as it was making its grand entrance flanked by two other jet black Acuras. Compared to the uproar the crowd made now, they seemed almost docile and tame before. Fanatics screamed and crowded around the Ferrari as it sharply parked along the side of the road.
Natsuki watched indifferently for a moment and then her eyes widened in recognition. It's that rich-ass from the interstate!
"Impressive, huh?" Midori said when she noticed Natsuki's gawking. "Her name's Shizuru Fujino. Yep, the same Fujino from the international Fujino Corporation. But I have to admit, she has made a name for herself here all on her own. She's one of the most amazingly skilled drivers, I've come across."
"Shizuru Fujino…" Natsuki hissed through grated teeth. "I'm gonna take you down!"
Surprised at the intensity of Natsuki's aura, Midori was about to question her when another bout of screams and shouts took her attention back to the Ferrari.
As soon as Shizuru smoothly opened the door to her car and her purple knee high boots touched the ground, the crowd went ballistic. Shizuru emerged in a tight-fitting purple jump suit that complimented her curves very well.
"Ara, how nice of all of you to show up tonight," Shizuru smiled to her fans. Her bodyguards from the two black Acuras were already holding hands and keeping the crowd at bay.
"Shizuru-oneesama, will you sign my shirt?" one fanatic pleaded as another spoke right over her,
"Shizuru-sama, I made you some cookies!" All at once, Shizuru was bombarded with requests and offers from the crowd. Although other racecars and drivers had their own crowd, theirs' looked almost pathetic and sad when compared to Shizuru's.
"Hai, hai." Shizuru nodded as she graciously accepted gifts and offered autographs. She inwardly sighed at the constant attention she had to bear. Suddenly, feeling hostile eyes on her, Shizuru looked up from the t-shirt she was signing. Curious ruby eyes met intense emerald ones. When their eyes locked, Shizuru was unable to look away from those unfamiliarly defiant emeralds. She took an involuntary deep breath at seeing eyes that finally challenged her--challenge the image and reputation that everyone else worshiped. Emerald eyes seem to pulled her back down to earth when gravity itself failed to. Under the torrent of unexplainable emotions, Shizuru tore her eyes away from the pair of precious emeralds lest her heart pounce right out of her chest. Scanning the lucky individual who owned such bold, beautiful eyes, Shizuru took in the flowing blue hair and the captivating china-doll face and smiled. And then it hit her. The bike. She had raced this delightful individual on the interstate.
"Ara, if I had known such cuteness lied inside the helmet; I would have introduced myself earlier on the interstate." Shizuru cooed as she ignored her fans and walked over to Natsuki.
Taken aback by the comment, Natsuki momentarily lost her fervor and flushed a healthy shade of pink. At the sight, Shizuru eye widened in wonder at how someone can be so darn cute especially when blushing. When Shizuru finally approached, Midori protectively stepped in between her and Natsuki.
"Fujino-san, Natsuki-chan's race is about to start soon. So if you don't mind, I'd like to take her to the starting point."
"Midori..." Natsuki said in surprise.
A little irked at how familiar Midori seemed to be with her green eyed angel, Shizuru's eyes tightened the slightest bit before returning to their normal pleasing look. Of course, Midori did not miss Shizuru's barest show of anger.
"Ara, I just wanted to wish Natsuki-chan good luck, Sugiura-san."
"Kuga." Natsuki said stepping away from Midori's protective stance, "Call me Kuga, please. Thank you for your well wishes, but I hope you know, I will be aiming for you next." With that, Natsuki and Midori tensely walked through the angry crowd who had watched the whole exchange. Only Shizuru and Shizuru's body guards kept them from attacking the two. But before Natsuki was out of hearing distance, Shizuru said,
"Kuga-san, I accept your challenge. Whenever you are ready, give me a call, please." Shizuru withdrew a personal card from her suit and expertly flicked the card to Natsuki who snatched it out of the air before one of the fanatics could. Shizuru smiled inwardly.
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