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A Rivalry Revealed Novel #1	By : kurahieiritrJIO Category: +G to L > Initial D Views: 2435 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Initial D, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-A Rivalry Revealed Novel #1
- 2-Riv 2
- 3-Riv 3
- 4-Riv 4
- 5-Riv 5
- 6-Riv 6
- 7-Riv 7
- 8-Riv 8
- 9-Riv 9
- 10-Riv 10
- 11-Riv 11
- 12-Riv 12
- 13-Riv 13
- 14-Riv 14
- 15-Riv 15
- 16-Riv 16
- 17-Riv 17
- 18-Riv 18
- 19-Riv 19
- 20-Riv 20
- 21-Riv 21
- 22-Riv 22
- 14
- 15
- 16
CHAPTER 15

"Fujiwara, here's a coffee for you." Kenta tossed him a warm can from the vending machine that Takumi caught by reflex.

"But, I'm not supposed to use caffeine." Takumi reminded the sandy haired S 14 driver.

"You've eaten, and drank enough water, Fujiwara. It shouldn't do any harm. I figure after that strange scene, you probably needed a treat."

"Hai. I've never had another man hit on me before. Domo for the coffee." Takumi felt heat flash up his neck and settle in his cheeks as he spoke. He looked at his shoes to avoid Kenta's eyes. The Akina ace sat on his car hood as the engine idled to warm up for his battle.

"Don't be so embarrassed, Fujiwara. It's quite a compliment." Kenta sounded positively sunny to Takumi's ears.

"A compliment? How do you figure that, Kenta?" He asked as he looked at the other downhill driver.

"Someone found you so attractive that they took the chance to ask you out. Akimoto said you were attractive outright which means he complimented you. Even if it was a shock, it seems easier to me to accept it as a complement instead of seeing it as some kind of horrible nightmare that can ruin your life. He's not going to bother you any longer so everything worked out fine."

"I guess, Kenta. But, it was very wrong of him since he's with Tohji san. That's ths most disrespectful thing I've ever seen anyone do to their partner."

"Well, Tohji and Akimoto are obviously in an open relationship. That's a fairly common deal with bisexuals, and gays. Since they like both men and women, they tend to keep their ability to get involved with both sexes open. A lot of gays have a similar attitude to keep their orientation hidden. Commitments lead to their getting discovered by homophobic people who react violently once they realize the truth. Akimoto san will leave you alone since you said iie. If he doesn't, Keisuke san will break his face, . . . if Tohji doesn't beat him to the punch literally."

"Naze say that? Keisuke san has no reason to get into a fight with his friend over me." Takumi wondered if he was wrong to say as much, but felt he had to keep his concern to himself for the moment.

An odd expression flashed over Kenta's face. "Keisuke san won't allow anyone to harass you, Fujiwara. I thought you knew that."

Takumi's thoughts whirled. 'Keisuke san wants to protect me. Naze would Keisuke feel like that? I don't understand any of this. Come to think of it, Akimoto demanded to know whether Keisuke san had any claims on me. Am I thinking too much about that baka's loud mouthed baiting? I should ask Keisuke san about his friend's accusation and get things cleared up.'

Kenta continued, "Keisuke san respects you. He won't let his friends make you uncomfortable. I know he scowls around you, but I think that's because Keisuke san wants to be someone you rely on. He isn't sure how to ask you if you mind being considered one of his friends though."

'I wonder . . . Nani's happening with Keisuke san? I don't know him as well as Kenta does, so I don't know nani I'm supposed to think. Akimoto's words are really bothering me. Should I ask Kenta nani is going on? But, that would be rude. I don't want to cause trouble for him.'

Takumi's thought train continued as he listened to the sandy haired man prattle on. "Before you had the accident, Keisuke san thought you'd take it the wrong way if he tried to talk to you about anything outside of the team's battles. You really scared him when you got into that wreck. I've never seen him so angry with Ryosuke san before. He looked like he was going to hit his older brother. Ryosuke san told him to stay, but Keisuke san ignored his brother completely and followed the ambulance."

"Keisuke san almost hit Ryosuke san?" Takumi was appalled by the news. He took a swallow of his coffee, enjoying the warmth as he listened to the other racer.

"You didn't know? Keisuke san thought Ryosuke san did nothing to stop you from driving. So he got real mad, and jerked away from Ryosuke san with a raised fist. He didn't hit his brother, but Keisuke san sure looked like he wanted to."

'Keisuke nearly hit Ryosuke san over my stupidity? Is this for real? I caused a problem between them, and didn't know. Oh man, this is turning into a mess. Keisuke blocked his friend when he made a pass at me, and then got really angry when Akimoto asked him if he had a claim on me. Naze would that jerk ask Keisuke san that? Could Keisuke like me as more than a friend? Nani am I thinking? Keisuke san glared at me for so many months that it's not possible. Even if it was because he couldn't think of anything to say, glares are not normal if you like someone.'

Aloud, Takumi kept the conversation going in hopes of getting answers, or distracting himself from his thoughts. "Naze would Keisuke san think that Ryosuke san was responsible for my accident?"

Kenta seemed surprised by his question. "Minasan has noticed how closely you always listen to Ryosuke san. Keisuke san has even complained about it a couple times."

"Complained? Naze? Ryosuke san has to teach me about racing. I don't talk about anything else with him." Takumi felt his eyebrows drop to the bridge of his nose.

"Keisuke san has always wanted to be your friend. He wasn't certain how to make you aware that he likes you as a person, Fujiwara. He knows you aren't the type of person that wants to use others. Still, you're so quiet that it's really hard to talk to you because none of us know how to get you to talk back. We've all noticed that you only speak when one of us speaks to you first. You never volunteer any kind of information or opinions without being pushed to say something."

"Oh,. . . uhm. . . . Well, I've always been quiet, Kenta. Listening and learning from minasan on the team makes me happy. I also respect Keisuke san, so I would've been honored if he'd said something sooner." Takumi felt his forehead relax. Keisuke had lodged the same complaint with him at the hospital. Hearing Kenta saying the same thing eased his mind considerably.

"Keisuke san's a proud person, Fujiwara. He doesn't know how to say gomen nasai when he makes mistakes. He's kind of stand offish because he refuses to let his guard down. Keisuke san's not used to being ignored by anyone either. Others always make the first move when it comes to his friends. At least that's nani happened when I became one of his friends. I started most of the conversations."

Takumi's mind sorted out the things Kenta was saying and found several discrepancies. "Matte. Nani do you mean Keisuke san doesn't know how to apologize? He told me he made a mistake when he tried to stop me from driving last Friday night and made me mad."

"Keisuke san apologized to you?" Kenta's eyes widened.

"Uhm, hai." Takumi leaned on his car's hood as he nodded.

"Whoa! You've made a big impression on Keisuke san. Only Ryosuke san ever receives apologies from Keisuke san without having to demand one." The sandy haired blond stood slack jawed in front of him.

"Kenta, you've known Keisuke san for longer than I have. Would you mind if I asked you an odd question?"

"I don't mind."

Takumi fell silent as he tried to think of what he wanted to say without sounding offensive. He mulled over the phrasing as Kenta shuffled his feet looking concerned.

"About Keisuke's friends, . . . Does he share some of the same interests, other than fighting, I mean?"

Kenta smirked. "You want to know if Keisuke san's straight, bisexual, or gay, right?"

Takumi winced. "I guess that's one way to put it."

"Does it really matter?" Kenta evaded his question with one of his own.

"I'm not sure, but Keisuke san has been acting very different this past week. I guess I want to figure out naze because of the things his friend said tonight." Takumi admitted.

"You really scared Keisuke san. He was worried before you left for that last run since he always watches you closely. As for your other question, it's not my place to answer."

"Sumimasen. If I want an answer, I know I should ask Keisuke san. It just bothers me that his friend was demanding to know if Keisuke san had a claim on me. Forget I asked."

"Don't worry about Akimoto's baiting Keisuke san, Fujiwara san. He always does stuff like that when he doesn't see Keisuke san for a couple of months. I hope tonight doesn't leave you traumatized for too long." Kenta shook his head.

"I'm shocked, and kind of embarrassed. But, . . . But, I'll be fine once I wrap my head around it."

"You know, three years ago, Keisuke san had this girlfriend who made his life hell. Mitani san used underhanded guilt trips, and schemes to keep Keisuke san under her thumb. She wouldn't let him get into street racing with Ryosuke san or anything outside of the gang world since she was a die-hard Yankee. Keisuke san dumped her, but, Mitani left behind some bad scars. He's still a mess over everything she did, but I think he's too proud to admit it." Kenta offered.

"Keisuke san said he had someone he was in love with the day he gave me a ride home from the hospital." Takumi pointed out as he watched his teammate's reaction. Kenta's brow furrowed slightly as he gave an absent nod of his head.

"I thought so. Keisuke san must have loads of anxiety about it. He's confident about his driving techniques, but not his love life."

"Keisuke san said that the person he's interested in won't have a problem with him being a street racer. So this lady's different from the one before. He should go for it."

"Uh, Fujiwara, things are very complicated I'm pretty sure. Keisuke san doesn't know how the person I think he likes would react to being asked out. He's probably panicking right now and trying hard to hide it. That means Keisuke san's fallen deep in love this time which he didn't want to happen before he went pro. I've been in his situation, and I can tell you that it's not pleasant." Kenta scraped his foot across the tarmac.

"I know about rotten relationships. It's hard to believe others are trustworthy after things fall apart."

"Fujiwara, could I ask you an odd question?"

"Sure."

"Although you told Tohji you don't want to offend bisexuals, are you really alright with bisexuals or gays?"

"Like I said, this was the first time that I knew I was around anyone bisexual, or gay. I'm not really bothered by anything other than couples being too forward about their status. It's one thing to say you are with someone, but completely wrong to throw your relationship in minasan's face by making out in public." Takumi told the other downhill driver.

"That's a huge relief. I'm actually bisexual, so I was afraid you'd hate me if you ever found out. People assume things that aren't true around me, like they're in danger of catching bisexuality or gay, or something even stranger. People don't deal well with people that find their own gender attractive. Nobody but Keisuke san, and now you even knows that I'm bi. Would you not tell anyone else, yoroshiku?"

"Are you interested in Keisuke san? You do hang around him a lot." Takumi fished for more clues about Akimoto and Keisuke's argument earlier.

"Well, I'll admit that Keisuke san's one of the most gorgeous men I've ever seen, but, iie. I've already got three years invested with Sugisaki, and I don't have the open relationship mentality. Sugisaki was into all of that before we got together, but things changed when we started seeing each other. Besides, I'm not the right kind of person for Keisuke san."

". . . . . ."

"If I didn't already love someone, I might have tried to find a chink in Keisuke san's armor. It's very thick since he's gotten burned so badly. Keisuke san would be worth putting in the effort to get under his defenses though. He's the type of man that would make whomever he was with very happy I think. Then again, considering his ex girlfriends, Keisuke san tends to get involved with people that have pretty serious attitude problems." Kenta volunteered after a few moments.

Takumi shifted to find a more comfortable position on his hood. Kenta's observation made Takumi wonder about Akimoto's comments again, yet he had nothing concrete to go off of to decide if it was an honest demand, or purposeful goading.

Aloud he answered, "Uhm. I suppose that's possible. I don't know enough about Keisuke san's life to be able to say anything."

Kenta watched the other team shuffle around their cars with fans who had shown up to watch the battles. It surprised Takumi when Kenta spoke again.

"One reason I hang around Keisuke san is because he has an open mind. He doesn't care about orientation. He doesn't have any problem admitting a man's attractive, the same as he like watching hot girls. That's a relief for someone like me that notices hot men without meaning to be obvious about it. It's not like Keisuke san would ever make any snide remarks, overtures, or anything like that."

Takumi's head spun. He stopped breathing as Kenta's words sank deep and something almost audibly clicked inside his mind. Like a puzzle, everything seemed to drop into a very distinctive pattern that made a crystal image emerge from the chaotic jumble of his thoughts.

'Oh Shit! Keisuke san's bisexual. So then, all the things this past week could mean something way different than I thought. Fuck! The pat on my leg, and things that happened at the hospital. He hugged me while I was out of my head, didn't he? Damn it! Keisuke san's been open about so much this past week. Naze didn't I think about how much he told me about himself? He stayed behind when there wasn't any need. Then his friend that has known him for years asked if he had a claim on me because he knows. How could Keisuke be interested in me?'

"Fujiwara, are you ok? You're getting very pale." Kenta sounded worried as he stared at him.

Takumi pulled his focus back to his teammate with effort. He felt as if Kenta had hit him in the stomach with a crow bar. A sense of the surreal was taking hold as so many small things that had happened since he first met the Takahashi brothers rose to the surface with new possibilities and meanings attaching at specific points.

His voice was soft as he swallowed his pride, and forced the issue. "I'll be fine in a moment. Kenta, you said you know who Keisuke san is in love with, didn't you?"

Kenta hedged. "I have a hunch because of how he's been acting lately. But, Keisuke san hasn't named anyone, or told me anything specific, unlike you, Fujiwara."

The images and coincidences solidified in Takumi's mind. "I think you had better tell me who you think it is. I think I just figured out the answer, but I'd like to be sure."

"If you already know, then nani good is my hunch?" Kenta tried to evade.

"Don't mess with me, Kenta!" Takumi snapped.

"Fujiwara, you look angry. Looks like I've already said too much." Kenta stepped back with eyes as wide as saucers.

Takumi had the other man by his shirt before Kenta could escape. "It's me, isn't it? That's naze Keisuke san's been acting so strange all week. I got hurt, and he couldn't handle it. Am I right, Kenta?"

Kenta swallowed hard with fear shining in his eyes. "Look, Fujiwara, I hope you remember nani you said to Tohji. . . . iie, Keisuke san didn't handle your accident well at all. Using FD to push the hachi roku back toward the mountain was a suicidal move because FD's a light weight vehicle. He knew it was suicidal, but did it anyway to save you. That's when I realized how he feels about you. FD was the vehicle that almost went over the cliff, Fujiwara. Still, the only thing that mattered to Keisuke san was that you were hurt and Ryosuke san didn't stop you from driving."

Takumi let the other man go and sank onto his car hood as Kenta confirmed his suspicion. Takumi closed his eyes as he tried to cope.

"Onegai, don't be angry with Keisuke san. He's been fighting his attachment to you very hard for a while I think. That's naze he's looked so angry all this time, Fujiwara. Keisuke san's not happy about how he feels toward you. He has tried to convince himself that if he could make himself resent you enough, his feelings would fade. Your wreck made the truth that he can't resent or hate you much to real to him." Kenta wheedled.

"It's fine, Kenta. I'm not really mad about any of this. I'm just . . . very stunned about this whole mess." Takumi opened his eyes, and saw that Kenta was visibly shaking next to his front bumper. His own legs felt like limp noodles so Takumi could not blame the other man for being so unsteady on his own legs.

'The last few pieces fell into place with frightening clarity. I wish I could confront the rotary brothers right now. This explains those odd things that seem innocent enough on the surface. When Keisuke san said he knew I loved racing, and told me to take the GT-R on, he was right. I do love to drive. I had no idea that it was fun because I only saw the chore Oyaji made me do. He saw everything I couldn't with such ease.'

'When my engine blew, it was Keisuke san who said the race didn't count. He said that he and Ryosuke san would avenge hachi roku. Keisuke san came to the gas stand just to give me the message. He had no reason to do that. Did he do that because he knew how much it hurt to lose hachi roku? Or, was he there because he wanted to see me? Had he already begun to feel like he does now?'

Kenta's voice dropped to a drone in the background as Takumi wrestled with his thoughts. 'Keisuke demanded I join Project D to become a professional grade driver on the heels of Ryosuke san's invitation. Was Keisuke san already interested in me? Could that be part of Ryosuke san's reasons for taking me under his wing? Does Keisuke san want me to become a professional just so he can still be around me?'

"Are you listening, Fujiwara san?" Kenta's panic laced voice brought him back with a snap.

"You said that you didn't think I should blame Ryosuke san for being wary of my reaction once I figured this out. Sit down before you fall over, Kenta. Sumimasen for scaring you so badly."

Kenta looked relieved as he leaned against hachi roku's fender a moment later. "I know Ryosuke san will try to keep Keisuke san from getting involved with anyone that might make him miserable again. He knows how Keisuke san got burned when he was involved with Mitani Akiho. So don't be angry if Ryosuke san does something rash because he thinks you plan on turning on Keisuke san."

"I'm too numb to get angry. I never thought of this ever happening to me. Those three know which explains naze the big guy challenged Keisuke san's claim over me specifically. He was trying to force Keisuke san into a corner."

"That's very possible. Akimoto, and Tohji san have been good friends of Keisuke san for several years. He might have mentioned his situation to them because he's trying to figure out how to shut his feelings off. Keisuke san's always very protective of anyone he cares about, Fujiwara. I could see Akimoto trying to push him into reacting to get you two together. He would automatically assume being with you would make Keisuke san a lot happier."

"How long have you known?" Takumi felt compelled to ask.

"I started wondering about a month and a half before your accident. He was still doing his damndest to stay in heavy denial until you passed out behind the wheel. It was very obvious that Keisuke san can't handle you getting hurt. So I guess I knew when Project D really started to pick up speed." Kenta admitted.

"I don't know nani I'm supposed to do about this. How should I react around him now that I know?" Takumi hid his face in a hand as he muttered his complaint.

"Perhaps the best thing to do is concentrate on your battles. We leave right after you finish if you break the current record during your battle, so you won't have time to talk to Keisuke san. Leave things alone for a few days so you have time to think about everything before you decide to do anything."

"I never expected to have this kind of situation happen to me. There's nothing I can do because I don't know a damned thing about nani is supposed to be done in this kind of mess." Takumi heaved a sigh and shook his head as he lifted his head from his hand.

"If you can't feel the same way about Keisuke san, don't hide it from him. Tell him nani's on your mind. Far as I know, Keisuke san's determined to stay away from you, so it probably isn't an issue unless you decide to make it into one. Try to be gentle when you turn him down if he ever brings it up, Fujiwara. Yoroshiku?" Kenta squirmed as they heard the screech of tires.

"They're coming up." Takumi managed to squeeze past his tight throat.

"It's a good thing I gave the stop watch to Matsimoto before I got you a coffee. I missed the run." Kenta blurted.

Takumi frowned as he listened to the hard revs of twin engines. "I wonder if Keisuke san can win this time? He was really angry when we left. I don't know if he's the type who gets stronger focus when he's angry, or if it shatters."

"I think Keisuke san will put everything aside long enough to get this battle out of the way. He has an amazing talent for shifting his focus to only one thing. After his battle, things may be different. Speaking of which, are you going to be able to focus for your battle, Fujiwara?"

"Hai." He nodded crisply to back his response.

"Are you certain? I mean you received several shocks in a row tonight." Kenta sounded uncertain.

"I won't let Project D down. I made a commitment to the team, and the team is larger than the rotary brothers." Takumi bit out with genuine feeling.

"Domo, Fujiwara. I hope things work out between you and Keisuke san without messing up Project D."

"Me too, Kenta." Takumi hoped with all of his heart that things would work out.

The yellow FD shot past the parking lot with a dark S13 hard on its rear wheels. Takumi was up, so he shook off the icy fist that held his stomach hostage with deep breaths as he got into hachi roku. He swallowed hard while he tried to focus on the task of winning his battle. The teen had great respect for the Takahashi brothers. He had no idea how to feel about this development, except that he had to sort his own feelings out.

Takumi watched as the yellow FD pulled into the lot. He had never paid attention to his team mate's looks before. He had been too busy feeling out of his element whenever faced with the level of focus and drive for success that Takahashi Keisuke displayed. Now he tried to see the image the other man projected. By many people's standard Keisuke Takahashi was quite obviously an attractive person.

Mogi had always been pretty to look upon and Takumi had known that also. To him, her best feature had been her personality. He had enjoyed talking to her whenever they were together. It had been who she was that reeled him into her poisonous net. He had seen much of Keisuke's personality over the last week, and it did intrigue Takumi. In that respect the spiky haired man was also attractive. Keisuke san had proven that he could be fun to talk to once Takumi found enough words to speak to the blond. However, Takumi had no idea how two men could even get involved with each other logically. He knew about normal relationships. Everyone had classes in biology that also covered sex education chapters.

Yet, Keisuke san was unhappy about falling in love with him, and he had recognized that even before he had any idea that Keisuke was trying to tell him that it was him. Takumi wondered if Tohji san had experienced a similar problem. The nineteen-year-old let his head rest on his steering wheel as he tried to clear his mind of the thoughts swirling like an uncovered blender flinging liquids far and wide through his awareness. He had to focus on his battle, so did not have the time, or luxury of comparing Mogi Natsuki and Takahashi Keisuke.

"Fujiwara, are you all right?" Keisuke's voice reached out and wrapped around him. That voice held genuine concern that Takumi heard loud and clear. The tall dark-blond driver rapped on the window to gain his attention.

Takumi rolled his window down, and answered as he looked at the Civic that was moving toward the starting line. "I'm fine. Just thinking."

"Gomen nasai over all the bull shit Akimoto said to you. Look, try not to let his behavior get to you. He's normally harmless, except whenever someone tries to slug him. I promise he won't ever bother you that way again, Takumi." Keisuke's voice held a soothing note that surprised Takumi. He had expected the older racer to still be mad.

"Akimoto already has someone, so he shouldn't pick up someone else while he's with them. That's the most disrespectful thing I've ever seen."

"I know how you feel. Akimoto's very weird. His lovers also have flings since Akimoto is something of a genuine nymphomaniac. Tohji and Akimoto agreed to keep an open relationship years ago because Akimoto simply can't keep his hands off of other people. That is the one thing that has always bothered me about their relationship."

Takumi focused on something about which he could safely get angry. The wrong done to Tohji san, and Narise san helped generate a hot wellspring of his desire to right what he felt was unforgivable. The anger melted the cold shock of his night's revelations.

"Well, I don't like seeing that guy treating his lovers that way. It's wrong and cruel if you ask me." Takumi felt safe talking about his feelings on the other man's behavior for some reason. He understood that Keisuke hadn't asked for this emotional attachment with which he was struggling. That knowledge made it easier to speak so long as he stayed away form the one topic he could not yet handle.

"Like I said, it bothers me too. But, they have their way of doing things, so I decided to leave them to their choices." Keisuke gave his ready agreement with a sad twist in his tone.

"I'm still pissed at how Akimoto was treating Tohji san, and Narise san. Tohji san even admitted that he loves that big jerk. It seems so wrong that your friend Akimoto could be so callous to someone that loves him. Makes me feel horrible for Tohji and Narise. That must hurt like hell to see over and again."

"I know where you're coming from, Takumi. Akimoto can be a hugely thoughtless baka but he does adore Tohji in his own way. You may not believe it, but he does all he can to spoil Tohji frequently to make up for being such a jerk the rest of the time. I don't know Narise, so I can't say how he treats her yet. Still, Tohji has spoken well of her so they may very well build something permanent that Akimoto can't commit to in the end."

Takumi snorted at Keisuke's remark. "It would serve the jerk right if they do dump him over how he treats them both."

"Forget them and focus on your battle. I know you'll beat that EG6 if you simply put your mind to the task, Fujiwara."

Takumi nodded, and rolled up his window. He pulled out into the street, and lined up with the other car. He felt a little better for having spoken to Keisuke. Still, Takumi was unable to figure out how he should deal with the new reality before him. He turned his mind to the course he had driven a couple of hours before. He had wrecked his car on this mountain a week ago. Now, Takahashi Keisuke was blind siding him in a very different kind of wreckage. Takumi wanted to get this battle over so he could leave this mountain pass for good. No matter what the next few days held, he felt he would remain forever ill at ease in this place.
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A Rivalry Revealed Novel #1