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As the Smoke Clears #4 in Rivalry Series	By : kurahieiritrJIO Category: +G to L > Initial D Views: 2635 -:- 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-As the Smoke Clears
- 2-Smoke 2
- 3-Smoke 3
- 4-Smoke 4
- 5-Smoke 5
- 6-Smoke 6
- 7-Smoke 7
- 8-Smoke 8
- 9-Smoke 9
- 10-Smoke 10
- 11-Smoke 11
- 12-Smoke 12
- 13-Smoke 13
- 14-Smoke 14
- 15-Some 15
- 16-Smoke 16
- 17-Chapter 17
- 18-Smoke 18
- 19-Smoke 19
- 20-Smoke 20
- 21-Smoke 21
- 22-Smoke 22
- 23-Smoke 23
- 24-Smoke 24
- 25-Smoke 25
- 26-Smoke 26
- 27-Smoke 27
- 28-Smoke 28
- 29-Smoke 29
- 30-Smoke 30
- 31-Smoke 31
- 32-Smoke 32
- 33-Smoke 33
- 34-Smoke 34
- 35-Smoke 35
- 36-Smoke 36
- 37-Smoke 37
- 38-Smoke 38
- 39-Smoke 39
- 40-Smoke 40
- 26
- 27
- 28
CHAPTER 27

Leaning against the wall outside Takumi and Itsuke's room, Keisuke waited to find out how Takeuchi and Takumi were doing. He had suspected the food was behind both of them suddenly doubling over and vomiting before they finished eating their breakfasts. Thankfully, the staff had answered his emergency call quickly, and whisked the remaining food away. The lab technician had already informed the attending physician that someone tainted the food. They had brought equipment into the room and slammed the door in his face. Now all he could do was wait for an update on their condition. Fury that both were getting attacked yet again blindly enraged Keisuke.

Although still exhausted from the marathon lovemaking Takumi had required to settle down from the last of his withdrawals, Keisuke was desperate to end the ongoing madness. Still uncomfortable with sitting after everything they had done over four days, he opted to stand with his fists clenched hard at his sides. How had anyone breached security to put poison into their meals?

"Here, looks like you could use it black. It helps." The older officer handed him a cup of coffee. Accepting the Styrofoam cup in badly shaking hands, Keisuke looked into the man's face. Sympathetic eyes that saw too much met his with unwavering calm.

"Domo, officer. Guess I must seem pretty flaky to you since the isha san made you drag me out of their hospital room a while ago."

He shook his graying head after a moment's hesitation. "Not at all. When I thought my wife was going to die a few years ago, I cried like a baby. Looking at you, I remember how I felt when the isha san couldn't tell me she was going to get better. I was fortunate because my wife did get well. Kind of drives home the point I suppose."

"Point?" His brows plunged to his nose as Keisuke searched the older officer's calm expression.

Looking toward the elevator the older man answered, "Not so long ago, I honestly thought men like you were . . . well, . . . different from the rest of us. Still, seeing you worry like we do, proves you aren't. Not really. You're acting just like I did when I doubted that my wife would survive. That's the point. Even if I don't know any words to describe two men that act like they're married, I do know the kind of hell you're going through. Your fellow is so bad off that you just don't know if you're going to lose him or not. I got lucky because my wife pulled through. She's always waiting at home for me when I get off work again. Yet this kind of mess hasn't got any lifetime guarantees."

Keisuke flashed a bitter smile. "We use terms like a life mate or life partner since no one allows us to get married. You would have been right about me being fundamentally different from the rest of you two years ago."

"Nani changed?" The older officer sounded genuinely interested.

Taking a sip of the hot drink Keisuke contemplated his answer. "I got my arrogant bi sexual ass handed to me twice on the same mountain pass within a single week. The man in the room behind me shredded me behind the wheel. Takumi was driving a ten-year-old antique that never should have challenged my finely tuned FD. From that moment on Fujiwara Takumi completely turned my world upside down and inside out. He didn't even know he was doing so at the time. I couldn't figure out how anyone could be so clueless about how phenomenal they are. He made me so mad, and I couldn't stand it." Memories crowded his mind with Takumi's more adorable reactions to his furious lectures.

"If he made you so mad all the time, how come you're with him?" The younger officer suddenly appeared by his partner's side.

Voice soft, Keisuke tried to encapsulate more than a year's worth of ever shifting memories. "You're asking for a very complicated answer. I guess the simplest explanation is that Fujiwara's so honest, sincere, and genuinely humble that his personality completely bewitched me before I knew it. Representing Project D with him challenged me in ways I never dreamed possible. Hearing his heartfelt congratulations on my every win, but always believing his lack of mechanical knowledge made him a liability despite his own wins got to me. Everyone else got the credit for his every victory. Every battle Takumi fought on the mountain passes was for the team's pride, never his own. Once I understood that, I fell in love with Takumi because of his dream of making others happy."

The door to Takumi and Itsuke's room opened and Kokawa isha san stepped through the door. "There you are Keisuke sama. Both of your friends are going to be fine. We got their stomachs pumped in time. However, both will have Iv's for the next day or two. Flushing out any residual toxins is necessary."

"Domo arigato, Kokawa isha san. Can I see them yet?"

"Once the nurses remove the equipment and finish cleaning up. I'd say that both of your companions are going to have very sore throats, stomachs, and splitting headaches for at least a day and a half. Had the dose been smaller, and delivered over a couple of days, we never would have realized the food was poisoned in time. You should be glad that their poisoner is so clumsy."

Looking down into his cup, Keisuke spoke more to himself than the two officers, or doctor. "I'd rather break their twisted little neck instead of being grateful to them for hurting Takumi again."

"Keisuke sama?!" Looking harried a younger officer lunged out of the elevator and headed toward him. "Keisuke sama, you're needed in the lobby. Something's happening. The crowd's going wild in the courtyard."

"Damn! It sounds like Obāsan and hachi roku have arrived. Any suggestions about where I should park it, Kokawa isha san? I figure if nothing else, being able to see his car through the window should do wonders for Takumi's spirit over the next few days." Keisuke addressed the startled doctor.

The rookie officer was staring at him Keisuke noticed, yet he kept his eyes on the doctor. "I think I should go downstairs with you to make certain things are placed appropriately. Are you certain Project D fans won't damage his vehicle?"

"There shouldn't be any problem. Hachi roku's become something of an icon in the current street racing scene. Project D fans will probably be more inclined to protect it from damage if I ask them to help." Keisuke answered as they strode toward the elevators with the younger guard hot on their heels.

"Naze bring Fujiwara sama's car here, Keisuke sama? I'm only a street beat kēsatsukan, but we would appreciate knowing about such things in advance. We have to extend security measures you know." The youthful officer chastised him.

"Gomen nasai. Needing security for Takumi's car never entered my mind. Our intention wasn't to make additional problems for you officers. Due to this latest attack, Takumi's going to be even more depressed about everything happening."

"Leamas sama will probably increase Fujiwara's antidepressant dose once his system detoxes from this attempted assassination." Kokawa replied.

"We've already got three possible suspects. The security detail has a list of minasan that made deliveries in the last week also. We'll get whomever did this, Keisuke sama. But, could you explain the reason for bringing hachi roku here?"

"My needing a car with a back seat for my musuko prompted Takumi to ask my Obāsan to ship his car to Tokyo. He got angry when I said I was thinking about buying a sedan. Telling him that my FD has to be sold because of Hikaru sent him into a damned rage. So, to calm him down, I agreed to use hachi roku until everything gets settled. I was also hoping hachi roku's presence would lift Takumi's spirits."

Getting into the elevator with them, a big grin split the rookie officer's face. "I get it! You may be nuts to me in some ways, Keisuke sama, but you're also a genius. When I'm feeling blue, driving my car out of town and cruising through the countryside always cheers me up. That's a great way to help your life mate."

The young physician shook his head, looking bemused. "How many people do you honestly think would respond positively to sitting in their car, officer?"

"Well I know at least a dozen of my colleagues go for drives when they get stressed out, or depressed. There's just something about driving around for an afternoon that sheds the worries and bad moods. Even if you're just a passenger, going places is soothing."

"That information might come in handy if minasan came forward and told my superiors the same thing. We're going to have quite a fight to get Fujiwara san sitting in his vehicle otherwise." Kokawa replied.

The elevator doors opened and Kokawa disembarked. Keisuke followed. Their escort brought up the rear. Muffled screams and shrieks of excitement hammered Keisuke's ears the moment the metal doors slid back. Keisuke cringed as the full brunt of his grandmother's impulsive action hit home. His grandparents and a hapless flatbed wrecker driver were in the epicenter of all that chaos.

His hand rose to his face as Keisuke groaned. "Kami sama, I had no idea the crowd might get out of control. My grandparents are with hachi roku, damn it! I've got to get out there and try to calm minasan down."

His pace quickened dramatically until Keisuke was sprinting toward the glass paneled front doors of the building. The need to give his grandparents some much needed help gripped the tall blond.

"Matte, Keisuke sama! It's too dangerous for you to charge out there without an escort," was bellowed at him.

Refusing to heed the policeman's warning, he wrenched the glass door open and shot through it into deafening pandemonium. The crowd was surging toward the east side parking lot on a wave of exhilaration. Leaping toward the same lot at the crowd's leading edge which suggested that was where he would find the hachi roku and his family, Keisuke lengthened his stride into a flat run.

Skidding and twisting, Keisuke avoided a car trying to escape the lot. With a quick shout of apology, Keisuke slowed his pace to a clipped trot. He continued toward the flatbed truck that was crawling to a stop because fans had already reached it. Curses flew from the blond's lips as he came abreast of the excited group. Their blatant adoration for Takumi's vehicle was providing a traffic barrier.

"Clear a path! Let the wrecker through, minasan!" He barked at the swelling throng. "Get out of the man's way before someone gets hurt!"

His voice managed to turn a few heads in his direction for which Keisuke was immensely grateful. Grasping his presence, Keisuke waved them to the side. Those who had seen his gestures or heard his commands began grabbing their companions' arms and pulling them aside. Undaunted as more attention shifted onto his presence, Keisuke continued waving the mass of humanity back.

Taking up position in front of the truck, Keisuke trotted further into the lot gesturing for the driver to follow. The wrecker's gears ground as the driver began creeping forward. Looking left and right for a place to unload Takumi's hachi roku, Keisuke kept a cautious eye on the excited onlookers.

Satisfied that they were subsiding, Keisuke motioned the truck to turn into the lot's pivot area and gave the hand signal to stop. With the engine spluttering a protest, the driver stopped in the turn around and leaned his head out of the window.

"Man, this is a wild crowd! Where do you want me to unload Akina's Phantom, Keisuke sama?"

His gruff bellow somehow made it over the crowd's combined din. Jumping onto the Isuzu's running board, Keisuke gave the driver instructions. "Gomen nasai for all the excitement. I had no idea Project D fans would be such a hazzard to you. We'll unload the hachi roku right here. There should be enough room to get it off your wrecker. Let me worry about parking it after you're free of this chaos."

A hearty chuckle greeted his ears. "Keisuke sama, I'm not afraid of a few excited fans. Hell, I'm one of them. Getting to haul the Akina Phantom all the way to Tokyo has been the highlight of my career. Told my boss I'd drive this wrecker without pay just to get him to take the contract."

Stunned, Keisuke studied the older man's face. "Matte. We should pay you for your hard work. Considering this crowd, you deserve hazzard pay on top of your normal wages I'd say."

A louder guffaw greeted his answer. "Let's get Fujiwara Kami sama's car off this wrecker, and then we can haggle over money."

The older man motioned for Keisuke to jump off the running board. The pot bellied man swung out of the driver's seat with casual familiarity. In moments the engine was throttling higher as the lift engaged, and slid back. Hachi roku rocked, and shifted, chains clanking and groaning resistence to the car's weight. The lift engine whined a higher pitched squeal as the front began rising and the rear angled toward the tarmac.

The little compact seemed feral, impatient for freedom as it shifted against the restraints holding it on the truck bed. Had it been a living being, Keisuke would have congratulated it for its enthusiasm. Even without Takumi behind the wheel, the little compact retained an aura that was almost palpable. When it came to fighting spirit, hachi roku was silently howling for Takumi's arrival so they could find a new battle together.

"Good heaven's, all this noise is deafening! How do you keep your hearing with all this screaming and shrieking going on?" He heard Obāsan 's complaint well enough over the continued smattering of excited squeals and shrieks.

"Ear plugs work. Gomen nasai for the trouble Takumi's fans are causing, Obāsan. Naze didn't you deliver hachi roku to Ojīsan's apartment? Where's Ojīsan by the way? I want to keep you close, so you won't get hurt."

The elegant woman gave him a startled look before turning to the side and scanning the row of cars. "Here he comes. Are you certain we're safe standing near you? After all, these lunatics are screaming your name, and Takumi kun's. I really want to know more about the Fujiwara Kami sama's hachi roku that some are chanting."

The lift ground into the pavement with a loud thunking groan heard over the crowd's babble. The sound swivelled Keisuke's head toward the truck bed. Climbing onto a tire, the driver began unhooking the last of the chains restraining the compact. The sound of the wench engaging a few moments later riveted everyone's attention to the panda's slow descent onto the ground.

"Takumi's fans consider him the Kami sama of drifting, Obāsan. Just like there are drivers in street racing known as Kami sama's Hand, and Kami sama's Foot, Fujiwara's fans have pushed hard for his elevation to a similar rank."

"That's the most preposterous thing I've ever heard. Takumi kun's a darling young man, not Kami sama living on earth, grandson." Obāsan's dry comment brought out an unrepentant laugh from the driver, and had Keisuke choking on his own mirth.

"Dearest, I'm sure the fans are not meaning a literal Kami sama when speaking of Takumi kun's driving. It's simply their way of complimenting his skill." Ojīsan pointed out as he patted Keisuke's shoulder. The twinkle in his eyes as Keisuke half turned so he could see his grandfather must have matched his own. Erika Ogino, his other grandmother stood next to his grandsire. She waved with one hand then placed it back over her ears to protect her hearing. Keisuke chuckled at her antics.

"Akina's Phantom Hachi roku is ready to roll, Keisuke sama." The driver bellowed over the crowd's noise.

"Domo Arigato." Turning to his perturbed grandmother Keisuke asked "Obāsan, you do have hachi roku's keys on you, don't you?"

Reaching into her purse, she pulled the familiar key ring out and placed it in his hand. "It also has a full tank of gasoline."

With a grin, Keisuke dropped a fast kiss on her cheek, and strode to the driver's side door. With a quick nod, the wrecker's driver gave him a thumb's up gesture and bent to put his hands against the front bumper. Getting into the car, Keisuke braced his foot on the pavement and heaved his weight against the tarmac. Hachi roku leapt away from the wrecker as if afraid. With a curse, Keisuke slammed his foot on the break to stop the compact from colliding with another car.

Perhaps it was his stress, and hopes coming out as Keisuke turned the key and the little car roared to life. If nothing else, the familiarity of battling with the light weight car had taught him great respect for how temperamental it could be. The demonic machine's aura surrounded him as he closed the door. For whatever reason, Keisuke felt compelled to speak to Takumi's pride and joy.

"Okay, I know you don't like me much since I'm not Takumi, but be gentle yoroshiku, Hachi roku. Otherwise, we'll never get Takumi behind your steering wheel again. He needs you to help restore his fighting spirit, Hachi roku. I'm counting on you to do the one thing I can't manage. Don't fail me, onegai."

As if the little compact heard and understood him, the engine tone settled into a steady rolling thrum. The vibrations flashing through the steering wheel and seat seemed to flow into him as if in welcome. Putting it into gear, Keisuke edged around the rapidly ascending wrecker lift to head down the row of cars. Keisuke was searching for a place to park.

Before he got to the end of the line, an officer was jumping into the thoroughfare and flagging him down. Applying the breaks, Keisuke rolled down the window and waited for the kēsatsukan. "Keisuke sama, park in the pull through in front of the hospital. That way we can keep an eye on it."

"Nani? That area's reserved for pick ups, and drop offs only."

"The hospital administrator said to park there so we don't have to call more kēsatsukan off the streets. It's the best solution. We're going to put an exemption tag on it, so you needn't worry about breaking the law. Go on and get it under the overhang and pulled as close to the building as possible."

Nodding his understanding, Keisuke rolled up the window and headed toward the main road to access the drive. To his surprise another officer was blocking traffic with a patrol car. Getting waved into the turn lane, Keisuke drove under the overhang's edge and got the passenger side tire onto the concrete lip to keep the car out of other traffic. Shutting the engine off, he caressed the steering wheel. "Domo, Hachi roku. Now all I have to do is get Takumi up, dressed, and out here to you."

So saying, Keisuke tugged the key free and opened the door. With sure motions, he locked the door and closed it. The patrol car slid past and parked on the other side of the entranceway's sidewalk.

"You do know the media's on the way to check out all the excitement, right? The grinning officer called as he got out of his patrol car.

Visibly wincing, Keisuke felt his expression shifting toward sheepishness as his dominant hand swiped through his hair. "Ah, well, gomen nasai for all the trouble I'm causing. None of my family expected such an extreme response."

The younger officer that had accompanied him in the elevator stood near the glass front entrance. He called out. "Man, but his car really has a menacing presence up close. The way it moves is downright scary, Keisuke sama. You really are doing something impressive for Fujiwara sama. This is sure to end his being so depressed over his captivity that he's not eating enough. I think you're right that if anything can re ignite his fighting spirit, Akina's Phantom Hachi roku can. There's not a better remedy for the blues than a good drive and we all know it. This is sure to turn Fujiwara sama around so he recovers quickly. Don't you think so too, Mori san?"

The spectators closest to the hospital heard his enthusiastic chatter. Hands flew to open mouths. Rippled sounds of dismay flowed. News of Takumi's lack of appetite was sure to spread far and wide in a matter of minutes.

The patrol officer tilted his head and looked him over closely. From his quick scan of the crowd to judge their mood, Keisuke expected it when his voice carried. "Makes fine sense to me. Too many people from the compounds have been dying off in hospitals across Tokyo. They lost hope somewhere along the line, Keisuke sama. Who knows, maybe you shonen can put some missing pep back into the other victims while you're at it?"

Following the older kēsatsukan's lead, Keisuke also made his voice carry. "I'm terribly embarrassed over causing such a scene, Mori san. Gomen nasai gozaimasu for my carelessness. It didn't occur to me that seeing Fujiwara's hachi roku would cause this much excitement. Domo arigato for your faith in this effort, despite all the trouble."

A smattering of chuckles greeted his ears. Other uniformed kēsatsukan had left the lobby to stand unobtrusive guard outside. Their expressions held fond exasperation, as if they thought he was incapable of preventing himself from getting into trouble.

It was stretching his previous plan greatly, and yet the thought of reaching others had a powerful appeal. Once he got Takumi back onto the road to full recovery, would it be possible to reach others? He looked at the panda Trueno thoughtfully as he considered steps to making such an expansion work. Mind made up, Keisuke turned back to the small cluster of uniformed men.

"I know Fujiwara will want to help lift minasan's spirits once he gets stronger. To Fujiwara, driving is as natural as breathing. Four months of never sitting in hachi roku's driver seat has sapped his spirit like nothing else can. After he gets to sit in the driver's seat and turns it on to hear the engine idle a couple times, he'll be ready to take on the world again. Once Fujiwara's mind is clearer, we can focus on helping other compound victims. Minasan's hopelessness has badly affected Fujiwara. Making people happy is actually very important to him. Give us any suggestions you have for cheering the other patients up, and we'll consider how to implement them."

Kokawa lifted his hands in distress and jumped into the conversation. "There's something you've forgotten, Takahashi san! Fujiwara san still needs permission from his attending isha san to get out of bed. Unless he gets that permission, sedating him will become the normal routine prescribed to keep him there."

"I'm not worried, Kokawa san. Leamas sama will know best. He's a very smart man who sees the value in different approaches. Otherwise, he wouldn't be one of the greatest medical experts in the world today." Keisuke felt his lips twitch into a confident smile. "In fact, I think I'll give officer Mori san's suggestion to Leamas sama. Bet he'll know how to use Hachi roku's presence to lift minasan's spirits."

"That's ridiculous! It's a car, not a medical treatment! Although I can see the positive effect on Fujiwara because he has so many good memories involving this vehicle, he's the only one it can benefit." Kokawa was on the verge of spluttering indignation.

Mori san shook his head and walked over to the bristling physician. A hand clamped firmly onto the other man's shoulder. "Don't get out much, do you?"

"Nani does that have to do with this, . . . this, suggested mockery of modern medicine?" Kokawa had slid into spluttering outrage.

"Driving around in a car, even at a slow speed, calms the spirit and gives a sense of freedom to many people, Isha san. Taking my kodomo on a drive is the surest way to get him to go to sleep whenever he's cranky. Ask around this crowd if you can't take my word on it. You'll find that a lot of us working stiffs drive when we're upset, or depressed if we're lucky enough to own a car. It isn't a cure by any stretch, and nobody's suggesting it is. Riding around in a car helps us think about things differently. How many victims in this hospital would benefit from some really fresh air, and a change of scenery? . . . Most of them, I'm betting."

Mori san's voice was calm, yet held a powerful purpose that captured his audience easily. Wisdom rang in his words.

"I've heard Takumi kun talk about his heart onīsan's philosophy about cars. It happens to be rather profound. Considering how profound his thoughts are, I think these kēsatsukan are the ones who happen to be correct in this instance."

Hearing his grandfather's richly resonant speech, Keisuke spun toward the older man's voice. With a serious expression, and erect, authoritative posture, Tatsuhiko had donned his medical professional's air of assurance. His grandmother likewise had donned her most aristocratic bearing. Her demeanor made her impossible to ignore as she stood beside her husband. Sobo Erika stood on his grandfather's other side.

"Who are you?" Kokawa bit out, looking perturbed.

"Takahashi Tatsuhiko isha san, founder of the Takahashi medical clinic, and head administrator of that same facility. At your service, young man." His bland tone belied the steel in his eyes. For whatever reason, his grandfather had decided to take sides in this impromptu, yet obviously public debate.

"Kokawa isha san des."

"Kokawa isha san, a pleasure, I'm sure."

"I fail to see how our esteemed kēsatsukan's opinion about cars is a useful therapeutic tool, Takahashi isha san." Kokawa bit out.

"Only because you did not let me finish explaining the theory, young man. Takeuchi kun feels that cars open doors and additional freedoms to minasan that gets a driver's license. Placing your hands on the steering wheel of a car empowers you literally and symbolically to take control of you life. Driving brings out the sense of personal control and freedom needed to breathe more deeply of fresher air as he described it. Even if you only drive to the corner store for a bottle of juice, you have effectively taken control of some aspect of life. I can certainly appreciate Takeuchi kun's sentiments as a fellow isha san. Naze do you seem to find a simplistic concept so difficult to recognize and utilize within reason?"

"Takahashi san, that isn't the issue. The issue is how fragile Fujiwara is right now. Anything strenuous could be dangerous to his health. Fujiwara san is very ill because there was another murder attempt on him this morning! It is nothing short of a miracle that he survived the compound considering the amount of physical damage he sustained while in captivity. I know the value in boosting his spirits, believe me. The greatest concern is whether his body can tolerate any form of strain right now."

Sobo's hands landed on her hips as she interrupted. "Let me tell you something, young man. My grandson isn't in the habit of adoring weaklings! My Keisuke only adores people with courage and strength. Takumi's got enough of both qualities to keep my headstrong grandson in line. You haven't seen Takumi tell Keisuke off and make it stick. We have."

"That isn't the issue here, ma'am. Fujiwara san's health is at stake. There is a difference between mental and physical condition. Wouldn't you agree, Takahashi isha san?""

"Tatsuhiko san is my preferred address when my grandson is present. It prevents undue confusion. As to your point, I understand that Takumi kun is gravely ill. However, as a man who vowed to preserve the lives of minasan asking for my care, I believe in using whatever tools come into my hands. A patient's mind is integral to healing their body. In my own practice I discovered decades ago that patients heal faster when they get to pursue a hobby, or have an object that they love close at hand. If sitting in his car, turning on the engine, and simply listening to it idle will strengthen Takumi kun's spirit, getting him into a wheel chair is worthwhile. Wouldn't you agree?"

The mildly phrased rebuke was very effective. Kokawa paled visibly. Keisuke felt sorry for the other young man. "Everything he said isn't necessarily Kokawa isha san's personal feelings, Ojīsan. His superiors are all traditionalists, so he has to oppose any hint of a potentially radical method. He could lose his residency if he is too outspoken in favor of using Hachi roku."

Obāsan took up the argument thread. "Tradition has a valuable place in medicine. However, there is always room for improvement, and change in all the medical fields. Unusual ideas that prove therapeutic must be pursued within reason. Takumi kun's greatest passion is driving that little car. Using that passion to our advantage will spark his will to fight much harder to survive. Mark my words. I will not tolerate any member of my family dying without utilizing every tool available."

"Look, I understand that you wish to help Fujiwara san. However, to the best of my knowledge, . . . he isn't actually related to any of you."

"Fat lot you know, youngster. This family will fight tooth and nail for Takumi because Keisuke is willing to settle down with him. That's all this family requires to acknowledge Takumi as one of our own!" Sobo countered with zeal.

A smattering of cheers greeted her announcement. Keisuke rubbed the back of his neck as he wondered if things could get any more complicated. Takumi was not going to be happy about Sobo's thoughtless announcement in front of the hospital. The only good thing was how Sobo phrased her announcement.

"Minasan, calm down!' Keisuke barked while glaring at Sobo Ogino. "This isn't the time or place to be arguing. Unless he gets well soon, there won't be any possibility of Takumi becoming a member of this family. He'll be dead if we fail to stop these attackers from poisoning him! That slaver and her cronies are doing everything in their power to kill Takumi!"

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As the Smoke Clears #4 in Rivalry Series