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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
- 15
- 16
- 17
CHAPTER 16

The countdown began as Fumihiro stood between their cars. Fujiwara used his turmoil over Akimoto's treatment of his lovers to push the last of his numbness aside. Even if it had only been meant to irritate Keisuke san specifically, Takumi was livid over the burly man's disregard for his loved ones. Akimoto's scornful attitude with people he loved reminded Takumi of Mogi's underhanded subsidy dating and betrayal. The burly street fighter became fodder to fuel his temper into a roaring conflagration that melted the numb cold trying to encase his emotions and his thoughts. Takumi's fury kindled the spark he needed to focus on the course. Focusing on everything he was doing to keep himself alive, and his car intact came forth like a crystal clear vision. Fumihiro's arm dropped and both cars shot forward together.

Takumi held back, and gave the lead to the EG6 going into the first turn. He followed close to the lead car, but was in no hurry to pass despite Ryosuke san telling him to run full throttle from the starting line. The downhill specialist recalled another EG6 he had faced. The bump technique that Shingo Shouji demonstrated so recklessly insured that Takumi was wary of a repeat performance. Until he was certain of the other racer's skill level, he would not take the chance of getting bumped entering a turn by a second FF car so early in this race. Protecting hachi roku was too important to obey Ryosuke's orders prematurely

Within a few corners Takumi recognized that this driver did not have the unsavory types of skill that the Night Kids' dangerous downhill specialist used against his opponents. Takumi passed his opponent, and set out to put distance between them in case he was misjudging the other driver. He drifted through the corner he had scraped a week earlier with only a small twinge of regret. Takumi buried it under a new wave of anger at Akimoto's treatment of his lovers. Fueling his anger kept numbness at bay, and Takumi knew he needed to stay focused on the race. Fortunately, anger sharpened his reflexes and eyesight.

The teen passed the rest stop where Keisuke had confronted him the week before. Takumi almost lost his focus as an unwanted image of Keisuke's haggard face sleeping next to his arm rose unbidden. Takumi forced the image aside as he continued to gain speed on the course with dogged determination.

Several sharp hairpins snaked hard and fast through this particular section of the course. Each reminded Takumi of Usui's C121 corner. No matter how large the entrances, the exits had very small margins for error. To screw up on any of the three consecutive serpentine corners could put him out of the battle and into the ravines below. All three would have to be entered at the highest rate of speed he could milk from hachi roku's engine, and drifted through with minimal slowing.

Takumi dove into the entrance, and gave the car more gas as the hachi roku's rear slid at an angle. He minimized the amount of brake applied as he continued to alternate the two pedals with his right foot. He nailed the first corner's perfect trajectory as hachi roku's nose pivoted into the tiny straightaway that led into the next vicious corner.

The Project D ace floored it to gain as much momentum as possible and set up the next hard inertial drift. He would have to grip the last one because of having zero straightaway. Takumi would not risk a spin out. He barely maintained enough speed to keep himself in alignment on the second hard turn as Takumi passed the two third's point on the second corner.

Takumi gripped through the last turn, a hard left embankment that had a slight downward slope on the outside lane. This particular turn was unique in its dangers. Not having a level surface because of the road's odd angle made it a difficult corner under the best conditions. Takumi had never encountered a corner which was not leveled for both lanes until now.

This pass was very old, and due for upgrades their rivals had mentioned the previous week. The road had been well maintained over the years so had very few potholes to interfere with his run. Takumi believed the Saitama prefecture should rebuild it as he felt slight slippage in his outside tires as he rounded that corner.

The next section was a steep decline that Takumi used to push his hachi roku hard. He had no idea where the EG6 was, as he had not seen its headlights since the triple serpentine. He pushed his concern aside as the next right mid-speed corner with an immediate left banking hard corner came up. He hit the brakes and drifted through it, and the next corner in one continuous inertial drift.

Takumi took the last few corners at a good pace and crossed the finish line as his rival's headlights came into view. He felt cheated at having gotten so far ahead of his opponent. The teen refused to give in to the swell of disappointment felt as he pulled into the base camp parking lot and waited the rest of Project D.

Tohji waved a victory sign at him. Takumi nodded to the older man's wave, unsure that he wanted to brave Tohji's ill mannered boyfriend a second time. Akimoto was obviously being kept away Takumi noticed with relief when Narise and Tohji both took hold of the big man's arms. He didn't like the burly street fighter even if his intention had been solely meant to push Keisuke san into making a stand instead of an honest pass because he liked him too much. Takumi liked Tohji san, and Narise san just fine, but not their inconsiderate lover.

The EG6 pulled into the lot and the driver got out, looking disappointed with his performance. Takumi could feel sympathy for the other driver's defeat. He had tasted that feeling a couple of times. The other driver walked over to his car and held out a hand. "Domo arigato gozaimasu for the battle. I learned much about how far I still have to go before I become a truly great driver."

Takumi wondered if this opponent had mixed heritage such as Korean or Chinese since the man had unusual features, and a slurred accent. He almost sounded like Japanese was not his native language. "I've heard that FF's perform best with left foot braking. It helps to stabilize them going into turns."

"Guess you noticed my car's a bit shaky in the turns."

"Hai. You compensate for it very well considering you weren't using the left foot technique to stabilize. Perhaps you can read up on the left foot braking technique, and work on mastering it to improve your car's handling which will also improve your speed coming out of the corners. You won't be fighting to compensate for that small shake you experience on entry once you get used to using that technique." Takumi offered.

"I've heard of left foot braking, and have read a little bit about it. I haven't had time to perfect my use of the technique though. Domo for all of your advice. I'll make a point of training harder with it until I can master it."

"I'm sure you'll improve if you keep training." Takumi encouraged the other racer.

"I hope so. You're driving technique's awesome. I saw how far above me you were when you whipped past. I've never seen such an intense drift before."

Takumi's face flamed. He still found it difficult to accept compliments. Before he could reply, Keisuke's FD pulled into the lot, and parked beside his car. Takumi watched his teammate get out of his car, and felt the odd numbness creep back into focus. The blond had a big smile on his face as he stepped next to him.

"Great job, Fujiwara. You broke the current record well above Ryosuke san's expectations for an active battle." Takumi shrugged as he glanced back at the rival driver who held out a hand to Keisuke. The older racer took the hand and nodded.

"You were great tonight. Baku san is a difficult opponent. Nobody else here comes close to his skill."

"He was on my tail the whole way. His problem was a failure to maintain his tires correctly so they lost too much grip. I maintained my tires which allowed me to outrun him. If he were more aware of maintaining his tires' pressure and could judge the feed back through his steering wheel, he might have won tonight." Keisuke told the man he faced.

"I think Baku san would be pleased to learn that you felt he was a worthy opponent. Sumimasen, I should return to my team now. Domo arigato again for the opportunity you gave us to battle you tonight."

Takumi felt compelled to say farewell to the gracious young man against whom he had competed. "It was nice to meet you. Take care of yourself, and definitely keep training."

A final wave saw the gangly man across the parking lot and into his vehicle. The civic headed for the top of the mountain.

"Nice guy. Too bad other street racers aren't always as cool when we win, eh, Takumi kun?" Keisuke's head was near his own Takumi realized with a start.

"Uhm, hm."

"Are you ok, Takumi?" Keisuke frowned as he looked down at him.

Takumi nodded as he tried to find something he could say. It was difficult now that he understood what motivated Keisuke's concern.

"You're sure that you aren't still freaking out over Akimoto's behavior since they're over there?" The raw concern in Keisuke's voice reached through the rapidly returning numbness like a sharp knife.

Fujiwara looked up at his teammate who watched him. "I'm fine, Keisuke san. I just had a big shock tonight. Its not like I ever expected another guy to proposition me. It still feels very weird and a bit unreal."

"Gomen nasai, Takumi. It didn't really occur to me that Akimoto would take such a strong liking to you and make you uncomfortable. Had I known, I would have tried to keep him away from you so you didn't have to feel so uncomfortable."

'How long until Keisuke makes a pass at me? Matte! Who in the hell am I kidding? He already has. Patting my knee in the FD is a definite qualifier. He's been showing me how he feels about me since the accident, but I was blind over those three days he stayed at the hospital with me. Fear must have caused Keisuke san to stop in the middle of confessing that he loves me when he took me home. Of course Keisuke san's worried about how I'll react to him being in love with me. He doesn't even want to feel this way about me.'

'I have to sort out my thoughts, and feelings, before I see Keisuke san again. We race at a different pass next Friday, and Saturday. I have to have my thoughts organized before then, and come to a decision about how to handle this mess. This isn't a fault situation, and I know that too. Still, how am I going to handle being around Keisuke san every few days . . . knowing that he's fighting an attraction to me?'

Van number two pulled into the lot. It was time to head for home. Takumi wondered why he didn't feel any relief in escaping from Keisuke's attention as he nodded to Ryosuke san, and other teammates who congratulated him. Takumi kept his replies to a monotone, singular reply. His emotions were trapped behind a static, cold wall that he had no idea how to breech. It was a long drive home that night.
- 15
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A Rivalry Revealed Novel #1