A/n: before you read the chapter, please read my foreword
Hello, everyone. I'm so glad to post this chapter. Hope you'll like it. But do not forget to review^^
Also, want to tell you something about my writing style so that you know what kind of person I am and how I write.
The problem with long-term fanfic for emotional writers is usually the same. We don't have enough patience for many-chaptered projects, we are unable to write them, unable to keep going as we're inconstant, unstable in behavior and our thoughts are fussy, so we fail to go at the same pace throughout the years, we cannot write on one and the same subject for years on end.
Emotional ppl abandon their projects once they lose interest in the subject or fandom. We flash up like a sparkle and carry on writing like men possessed only to completely give up one day. For that matter, such writers rarely (and shouldn't) write many-chaptered fics, opting for oneshots instead. And that's exactly my case. I used to be obsessed with writing Behind the Scenes but then it dawned on me that I didn't have time for it and then I supposed I wouldn't get back to this story.
Still, I felt the need for continuation for I rly liked it and put too much of myself into it. Now I'm putting my heart and soul into it, despite great quantity of work I don't stop and ch. 21 is already finished. I'm pretty happy about how it's going, but be warned, the style and manner of writing differs from what it used to be. 2 years have passed and of course I couldn't do the same, so yeah, from chapter 12 you'll apparently notice some changes, there will be more Japanese phrases as well. In many ways, I remind the character of Keisuke. Hot-headed, impulsive, wanting all and now, and, quoting the manga, 'One dark moment is enough to spoil his mood till the end of the day'. Oh, it is so like me!
And another addition.
Yesterday was one of the best days of this year.
With a splitting headache and a slight fever I had to work at the computer and while downloading a file, I decided to check on Koyasu Takehito's vids on Utube. How amazed was I after coming across a marvelous vid with Miki, Seki and Koyasu where they promoted IniD 3rd Stage (in 2001). They gave me a huge inspiration source. They behaved exactly like in my story Behind the Scenes. Ryousuke and Keisuke shared a kiss and in the clip, Koyasu and Seki kiss too! I was like, OMG, look-at-that-what-are-they-doing-are-they-kissing?!? Fancy that! It's like your fanfic characters becom alive, two men, Ryousuke and Keisuke, touching, embracing, kissing in RL. Thankfully, no one was around to hear my squeals)) My head still hurts but, heck, does it matter after what I've seen?
As usual, phrases in "..." mean direct speech, phrases in '...' mean inner thoughts.
VII. Painful Anticipation
With euphoria and expectation came the fateful Saturday. The before-arranged race on Mt. Akina involved all those amateurs who have just started their career together with those who were confirmed as professionals, RedSuns in particular. The unbeatable rotary engine kyoudai were the center of attention that night, crowds gathering in the galleries to at least take a short look at the non-residents. Akagi's racers arrival normally presupposed delight and shrilling cryes wherever they appeared. Gossip spread quickly, but even so, very few got to know about Keisuke's first defeat so fart, he himself hardly believed in his loss, a never-leaving feeling of pressure and anxiety wouldn't let the driver remain as unnerved and composed as the second brother seemed.
"Aniki, it's like a noose", his complaint went unnoticed after he came into his brother's study where the elder sat still at the laptop, his usual typing routine distracting him from the conversation. "It galls me that some creepy ate-up hachi-roku managed to outrun me!"
The other Takahashi swirled in the chair to face the blond, his eyes were closed, arms crossed on the chest, Keisuke waited patiently for another 'let-me-tell-you-something' of his aniki.
"Ate-up? My FC is outdated as well, your FD's destiny is the same. In a couple of years…" he opened his eyes and went on in a very even tone. "Won't it be old, too? Car is not that important, the driver is. Isn't it what I've been teaching you since you became fond of driving?"
The chair turned around again, while a perplexed FD-lover searched for a smart phrase to add. He found none, though.
"I'm not gonna let anyone play silly games with me this time. I tell you it was a mistake, I'm gonna win tonight," Ryousuke's room perused into silence soon after this sentence since the younger left the place totally annoyed but assured.
'He has a sense of impending doom, he sees it too brightly not to notice', the more reasonable of the two concluded shutting the computer lid. He had some business before the meeting. 'Business' being a secret word implying a much more private occupation.
Five minutes later, just before the customary 8 o'clock juice, one of the Takahashis slowly got into the bathroom, closing a white wooden door behind him, cool water switched on, he pretended to be taking shower while in reality this was far from true, what he wanted to see the least of all possible things was the reflection in the mirror at the moment. The image of him, a terrible sight of a bruised chest with livid marks and crimson lines, made him want to rub and scratch and massage the skin over and over again, there were so many bites that his torso now looked all grey and blue, incidental red cuts added to the horrible picture, he didn't suspect Keisuke's 'loving' attacks would look like an awful rainbow. Luckily, his neck was alright, Ryousuke sighed in relative relief. Thank god kaa-san and tou-san missed his occasional swearing whenever clothes came in contact with his hurting front. Anyway, he has taken care lest nothing touched his vulnerable flesh, wearing loose shirts and applying fresh medicine among such preventive measures.
'Che', Ryousuke cursed unable to keep his mouth shut from a cuss word as he removed the court plaster to examine the scars. Things were getting better of course, yet the process of recovering took too much time, in his op. after throwing all used bits and sticking new ones, the Takahashi pulled on his shirt and left the site.
"Living hell", a whisper escaped his lips once he crossed the threshold.
"A way of transmission when an infectional agent is transferred to another organism with sexual cells as its hereditary material is inserted in the host's chromosomes", read Keisuke, immediately slamming the hateful book and dropping it to the bed where he had taken it from a moment ago.
"Living death", he remarked, this way expressing his clear point of view on what he has just enounced, inwardly wondering what this tripe was about. "Must be a heavy load to bear".
He knew well how clever the elder was, how wise for his age, what appeared inexplicable was how he managed to be good at practically every field, all subjects seeming easy, understandable, especially the one which the book was devoted to. Keisuke never liked scientific subjects, not enough brains for this stuff, as he himself put it. Besides, he thought he would never be able to stay faithful to one and the same thing throughout his whole life, while Ryousuke was different, Anatomy being his cup of tea. But for Keisuke the elder brother would spend all time studying, reading, cutting frogs, but fortunately, this wasn't happening so far – racing saving Ryousuke from absolute obsession with medicine.
'There's hope for you yet', the young man noted under his breath, sitting down on the bed before lying down and burying his head in his brother's pillow. Its scent was sufficient to turn him on, sheer pleasure he has been deprived of recently. God… what was he doing?
"My pillow is no honey-pot", a soft deep voice mentioned with a small chuckle.
"Who said it's not?" Keisuke laughed off, a tad surprised at aniki's tendency to pace quietly, in addition, he didn't expect Ryousuke would return so quickly.
"What are you ding here? A secret crush on my room or…" he approached the bed and took the book in his hands, then raised one eyebrow. "On Biology?"
"You didn't know I'm gonna be a doctor just like you, aniki?" a funny retaliation provoked Ryousuke's giggle, he was glad to see his brother in high spirits.
The former all trembled, overwhelmed with fear and need, trying his best to not reveal it, sudden closeness, intimacy even, he could surely try another attack. Nonsense, he would not let his simple want ruin his love, not this time. The eye contact he was getting now, he wished the sparkle in aniki's eyes was that special sparkle, but it could not possibly be true, there was no way his beloved one was like him. Aniki was right and perfect with no hint at perversion, no such thing as desire of sinful brotherly love. Keisuke was deceiving himself and how damn sorry it looked! Still, no one dared to break the contact, two pairs of beautiful eyes – loving, hating, needing, despising… everything and anything. The younger swallowed,
"I shall win! Whomp the Speedstars!"
'And you'll see my love for you, and accept me', he added to himself. Certainly, he wouldn't say it aloud, actions more important to Ryousuke than prattle. Keisuke had to prove his love by winning both tonight and his brother's attention. And he would definitely outrun his rival!
Later on that night the RedSuns gathered at their usual spot before driving to Akina, and each member of the team happened to get sight of Keisuke's obvious nervousness, that he looked pale about the gills, to what the racer found nothing to reply, why should he lie if it was true that he felt sick and nauseous, while his brother only gave him cursory glances time and again, afraid the otouto might say what he shouldn't say.
In the meantime the others prepared for the nightly event, everyone more or less calm and quiet, however, there was an individual different from the rest, the only person with an unchangeable get-up-and-go about him. No matter how hard he tried to brighten up the team number two driver's mood, it brought no result, energetic efforts falling flat. The younger Takahashi knew that many street racers had some romantic feelings towards his persona but could not reciprocate their affection, much to the men's displeasure. If only they were aware who his heart belonged to! Although the FD-owner and his sibling have befriended a lot of potentially talented drivers and even took several of them under their wide comfy wings, it didn't mean the latter could hope for more than a converse, a practice session or an occasional dinner in the company of everyone. No tête-à-tête talks, let alone unintentional contact, which those poor things so longed for, their vain expectations remaining dreams. And while one of the RedSuns went in circles around his dear Keisuke-san, the latter chose to do the same but in relation to the other Takahashi, and this sort of love triangle seemed to leave satisfied none of the guys.
The ghost of a smile appeared on one of Keisuke's admirers' upset face as he watched his idol sit in the car before starting the engine and joining the line of the group's vehicles, his own car following rearmost.
"I wish he would answer my plea", the driver sighed, catching up with the others.
Somehow, he felt a little scared, knowing that his godlike guardian was to participate in the race tonight.
As for Keisuke, he felt truly bold and brave, his ardor and zeal rising second by second, the closer they got to Akina the more courageous he became, virtually looking like an evildoer ready to jump at an unsuspecting prey, as even his yellow pride radiated partially wicked aura, undoubtedly noticed by the raven-haired leader. Riding the first in the car-line, he vividly sensed any mood's alteration especially that of his brother, he caught how cocky the younger behaved, how it affected the driving manner, a bit dodgy, impatient as it appeared. He grinned at the observation upon looking in the rearview mirror. In less than an hour, the RedSuns would get all or nothing, and he'd better hope for the first variant.
Curiosity could not but overwhelm them both, and while everyone else was concerned about what had happened during the last days, the kyoudai were still greatly intrigued by a mysterious downhill victor. Was he a local, an Akina Speedstar or a mere loner, what kind of driver was he, a young man or a middle-aged person, what did he look like, an ordinary guy or a prig, which proved highly unlikely due to Keisuke's description of the owner's car, a simple Trueno could hardly belong to a rich one. 'As if I care', Ryousuke meditated, listening to a more than slightly rancorous roaring of the RX behind. Akagi RedSuns will depose each and every king or queen and proclaim themselves the only unbeatable team in the whole Japan.
First noisy crowd signified they were nearing the location and the elder slowed down, this showing the rest to follow suit, while never-ceasing 'wow's' and 'oh-my-god-it's-them' were heard from here and there, galleries turning quite packed that night.
As mechanics tuned Keisuke's Efini for the battle, its owner stood on guard beside his treasure and close to his brother who chain-smoked, rubbing his chest every once in a while, unnoticeably for the rest, and this wasn't to the younger's liking as he winced, recalling the event's colorful consequences on aniki's body.
'Scratches must still hurt', he peeked at the other one once again, before averting his eyes and protruding a cigarette pack from his pocket, unconsciously rubbing his own chest as if suffering from the same raws. He then attentively watched the rivals, these soon-to-be beaten Speedstars with their obvious lack of skill… and money.
'Pups', he sniffed sizing the up as well as their means of transportation.
Although the Takahashi would never openly say such a rude thing right to his opponent's face, he was well-aware of the outcome, he could be smug, impudent, but their loss was an unquestionable fact, and not a matter of opinion. Still, he was confident the Speedstars were newbies and not his true enemy because he awaited a different man, anticipation resulting in a nervous tick under his right eye before a remark flew off his lips,
"Hachi-roku isn't there", immediately the phrase was commented on, as Ryousuke must have been musing on the same subject too,
"Dou yuu koto da?"
Even in the clamor and murmur of the excited public the 23-year-old guy would discern the vehicle his brother had described, the mysterious sixth sense let him know that amidst various cars and countless racers the hero was missing, however, that very sense didn't help him to pinpoint the time of his arrival or his appearance at least. The looks of the guy made Ryousuke particularly pry as he noted an uncontrollable twitch in his stomach whenever he thought about it, and stick after stick of harmful nicotine brought little relief, long drags useless while he waited in agitation for the trump card of Akina racers.
The clock hand implacably moved towards a cherished figure – 10 PM. Impressing the galleries with driving techniques was a tradition, the brothers' parallel drift went off smooth as they kept an ideal distance as well as equal speed while performing such a crafty manoeuvre, dozens of amazed eyes gazing at the two prominent Mazdas. Somebody – those regarding themselves potential competitors – grimaced and pshawed, seeing none other than facade in the Takahashis conduct, but most of the audience felt delighted by the opportunity to witness unforgettable moments of a first-class show, adrenaline pumping in blood, heads spinning, bodies strained, eyes wide open when the cars slid squealing towards the guardrail. One single slip and… Bang! They could crash into the metal railing. Despite fears, they skidded along mere centimeters away from it. The two were good at scaring the heck out of crowds, thus earning 'gorgeous!', 'awesome!', 'incredible!' from spectators. Their professionalism would never allow them to crash, especially during showmanship. In official battles they drove in a different way, of course.
Things got tangled minute after minute as the countdown man took his position between the two cars, both drivers sweating, even though the reasons for it proved not the same. Keisuke was sweating because he hasn't stopped thinking about the hachi-roku, not for a moment, furrowing his eyebrows, seeming so serious, expression stony as he mentally cursed himself for being that dependant on some freaking Trueno. Meanwhile the other man, a Speedstar guy who the Takahashi didn't even ask his name (so minor he appeared in his eyes) was sweating in utter fright, competing with a legend was surely an honor to him, yet being outrun by said legend in the first corner meant shame and remorse for the rest of his life. Besides that, what could sound worse than disgracing the team, earning it the reputation of a laughingstock. Furthermore, compared to his car, the rich boy's on the left seemed…
'Another creepy Nissan 180SX against my FD3S', the blond exhaled as though continuing his opponent's train of thoughts.
He kept his hands on the steering wheel, tapping fingers against its slightly wet surface as sweat drops had soaked in. The driver could look assured and confident but restlessness revealed through ragged movements, which amused Ryousuke, who found himself not less intrigued by the so-far-missing black-and-white vehicle, just like his sibling who sat impatiently as if needles were stuck in the seat beneath him. In contrast to the other, the elder stayed relatively serene, occasionally glimpsing in the direction of the men with walkie-talkies lest he slipped any significant change. He hoped the awaited star would display to get its shine nonetheless. Two minutes to ten… Something inside the genius racer kept on twirling, warning him about possible alterations, the mark he hurried to get rid of with the help of next cigarette before he looked at the blond who currently reminded him of a little puppy, whining because it didn't get enough attention. The younger's head was propped against the palm of his hand, eyes sorrowful.
"Don't pout your lips, dear", Ryousuke said in jest at the sight ironically, feeling somewhat sorry for both of them. "Guess, this Panda has turned yellow. Shame on him!"