Here is my second chapter for the weekend! I hope the story is doing as well as I think. Thanks to those who favorited and are following c: Without further adieu here is the next chapter.
Chapter 11
"Okiro Natamura" said Ryosuke.
"This doesn't concern you Takahashi"
"I believe it does. The guy who just hit you is my younger brother.'
Keisuke noticed the condescending way his brother spoke to Okiro.
'Man, he must really not like him' he thought.
Ryosuke then turned to him and Kyoko.
"What's going on here Keisuke?"
"I went to meet up with Kyoko at her work. Then he started chasing us. Now here we are."
Keisuke felt Kyoko step out from behind him.
"Okiro you need to let this go. We already talked about this. I don't feel that way about you at all."
"No I can't do that. I'm not going to loose you; especially not to a Takahashi."
Keisuke was heated; he could hardly control his anger. His knuckles had gone white from squeezing his fists so tightly.
"Fine, you want to prove something? Let's settle this like men." he told Okiro.
"What do you have in mind?"
Keisuke could see the determined look in Okiro's eyes.
"We race. You can pick when, where, uphill or downhill, it doesn't matter to me. I win, you leave Kyoko alone and leave your job. If I loose then I won't come around her anymore."
Okiro's lips curved up into an arrogant smile.
"Saitama mountain, Kyoko knows which one. The uphill next Friday 10 o'clock. When I'm done with you I can have a rematch with your older brother. What do you say Ryosuke?"
Ryosuke let out a dry laugh.
"Yeah sure, but don't count on it."
"I look forward to seeing you more often Kyoko" he said sweetly.
"Go to hell and get out of here or I'll give you another bruise to match the other."
Okiro frowned.
He walked back to his car and took off.
Keisuke turned to Kyoko, he placed his hands on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes.
"Kyoko...are you okay?"
"Yeah I just need to get something to eat. Can we go?"
"Sure. Are you okay to drive?" he asked.
"I'm fine really"
Keisuke led the way to the closest restaurant to his house.
He held open the door for Kyoko as they entered the restaurant.
"Green tea please" Kyoko asked the waitress.
"I hope this can all be over soon." she whispered.
"Kyoko, you understand why I'm doing this right?"
"So Okiro will leave me alone." she said pointing out the obvious.
"Beside that. I'm doing this for us. Kyoko if I win this race then I want to be with you."
Keisuke saw Kyoko's cheeks turn the perfect shade of pink.
"You won't loose. I know you won't."
He smiled at her.
"Come on let's order"
An hour later both Keisuke and Kyoko were driving too Saitama.
He just wanted to make sure Kyoko got home safe.
Once they got closer to Kyoko's apartment Keisuke was watching the streets like a hawk. He was making sure Okiro was no where to be found.
"I told you I'd be fine" Kyoko said in her sarcastic sweet way.
"Just making sure. Do you mind if I stay tonight? Like the other night."
"No not at all. As long as you make some more tea."
"My tea is pretty good" he said smugly.
Kyoko left to go change and Keisuke prepared the tea.
When she came back out she was wearing the same tight shorts and low v-neck shirt from the night before.
"Here let me help." she offered.
Keisuke could feel his face getting hot. From where he was standing he could clearly see down Kyoko's shirt. He quickly looked away.
He cleared his throat.
"Yeah, here let's watch some T.V" he suggested.
Keisuke sat on the couch and Kyoko sat right next to him.
Kyoko put her head on Keisuke's shoulder as she sipped her tea. It was a casual sign of affection, but it made Keisuke feel even more comfortable with her.
The next morning Keisuke woke up to the sound of the chiming clock in Kyoko's living room.
"8 o'clock" he mumbled.
They seemed to be wrapped in a blanket with Kyoko still asleep on her shoulder.
'She looks really cute like that' he thought.
Keisuke stroked her soft cheek where the dark bruise was; it had faded several shades since the accident.
'Where's the bathroom?' he wondered.
Keisuke let Kyoko down gently on the sofa and went to search for the bathroom.
He followed the short hallway to the only bedroom.
Stepping into the room, it had Kyoko all over it: it was completely spotless, car magazines on her desk and it had a few more photos.
One picture was her and another girl who was slightly shorter than her. The bottom caption read 'cousin Ayame'.
Keisuke went to the bathroom and splashed some cold water on his face.
'I can't loose this. I won't loose Kyoko again'
He walked back to the living room and Kyoko was still asleep.
Keisuke knelt down next to Kyoko and gently shook her awake.
"Huh, hey Keisuke what time is it?" she mumbled.
"It's a little past eight. I need to get going and prepare for the battle against Okiro."
"Oh yes, of course but do you want some breakfast?"
"I'm fine really. I might not be able to come around for a couple days. I hope you won't be upset with me."
Kyoko put her hand on the side of Keisuke's face.
He couldn't help but love that. Her hand was so soft and warm.
"Keisuke like you've said before, I'm not any normal girl. I'm a street racer and I completely understand."
He smiled at her. Keisuke put his hand over hers and squeezed it tightly. He led Kyoko to the front door not letting go of her hand.
"Thank you" he told her.
He pulled Kyoko in slowly and hugged her. She hugged him back tightly.
Keisuke stroked the top of her hair and kissed it.
"I'll call you soon okay"
Keisuke drove away and watched Kyoko from the rear view mirror. She looked genuinely happy.
Kyoko was sitting in her apartment bored out of her mind. It was Wednesday and it had been four days since she'd seen Keisuke.
She pulled out her cell phone and called her friend Yumi.
"Hello"
"Hey Yumi are you busy?"
"No not at all. I'm pretty starved, let's meet at the usual spot."
"Yeah sure. Be there in five"
Kyoko grabbed her keys and ran out the door.
"Kyoko!" greeted Yumi.
"Hey Yumi, how are you?"
"Oh you know same old same old. What about you? I haven't seen you since you were in the hospital. You've been M.I.A lately."
Kyoko smiled just a little.
"Well... I've been spending most of my time with Keisuke."
Yumi practically chocked on her soda.
"What!" she yelled.
"Woah calm down" said Kyoko.
"Tell me, tell me everything!"
Kyoko explained everything to Yumi; every detail including the race on Friday.
"Wow Kyoko I'm so jealous! Two guys fighting for your love. It's so romantic."
"I guess so. I just hate dealing with Okiro at work. I know Keisuke will win though."
Later on Kyoko had dozed off in front of the T.V for a few hours.
-ring ring-
"Ahh! Oh geese it's just my phone"
"Hello" she yawned.
"Isn't 7 o'clock a little early to be sleeping?"
Kyoko literally jumped up.
"Oh! Keisuke, yeah I fell asleep on my couch on accident."
"Good then you're not busy" he laughed.
"Huh?'
"I thought I'd come over and we could go out"
Kyoko felt her energy level triple as she heard Keisuke was coming over.
"Sure. What did you have in mind?"
"There's this restaurant and bar right next to the ocean. I thought we'd go there"
"Yeah that sounds great!"
"Be there in fifteen"
Kyoko hung up her phone and jumped off the couch. She went straight to her closet to see if she had anything to wear.
She managed to pull out a dress she hardly wore. It was more of a 'night out' dress. The dress was black, sleeveless, with a short tulle bottom.
Kyoko heard a light knock at the door. When she saw Keisuke she immediately smiled.
"You look really beautiful" he told her.
Kyoko blushed.
"You don't look half bad yourself" she said as she winked at him.
Of course that was an understatement.
As they drove closer to the beach, Kyoko opened her window to smell the sea air.
"Do you like the beach?" Keisuke asked.
"I think like isn't enough. I love the beach, the sea breeze, cool water, and the warm sun."
"We can go take a walk later after dinner."
'Good thing I'm dressed enough' Kyoko thought as they pulled up to the restaurant.
The restaurant was right on the cliff over looking the beach.
"The line seems kind of long Keisuke"
"Don't worry about that" he said as he grabbed her hand and towed her to the front of the line.
"Go ahead Takahashi. What table do you request?"
"The window over the cliff"
"Yes, yes of course. This way."
'He has a lot of connections' Kyoko thought.
As the host led them through the restaurant, she noticed how 'posh' it seemed. It was like those places only famous people and more connected folks ate and drank.
"Here you are Takahashi and miss"
The hose gave them their menus and bowed.
"What sounds good to you?" he asked her.
"Hmm this steak sounds delicious"
"Get whatever you want"
Kyoko looked up from her menu to look at Keisuke, when she noticed the way he was looking at her and it made her shy.
"What?" she asked smiling.
"Nothing, nothing" he said nonchalantly.
"Sorry to interrupt you sir but are you and your guest ready to order?" asked the waiter.
"I believe so. I'll have my usual"
"Yes of course and you ma'am?"
"I'll have the kobe steak" Kyoko said.
"Excellent choice. It will be out shortly."
"So what'd you do today?" Keisuke asked.
"Just did some errands and had lunch with my friend Yumi"
"Oh, is she the one you've known since you were young?"
"Yup, me and Yumi have known each other since we were five. She's like the sister I never had."
"That's nice. I don't think I have any friends like that. Those friends I had in high school aren't the company I'd like to keep myself around anymore."
"At least you have Ryosuke right? Kenta seems pretty close to you as well."
"Yeah I wouldn't be doing any of this without him. Kenta is kind of like my little brother."
"Your order sir" said the waiter.
"Thank you" the both said.
"This is way to fancy Keisuke, you really shouldn't have."
"You deserve it so don't worry about it"
Kyoko couldn't say it but as she spent more time talking and being with him, she knew her feelings were true.