Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

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
- 6
- 7
- 8
CHAPTER 7

Two person Perspective

Takumi watched his team mate retreat from the room in a quasi stupor. Keisuke had given him the oddest look he had received from anyone other than Benika san. Like Itsuke's mother, Keisuke's odd expression had somewhat bordered on her more parental severity. It made Takumi aware that he was in the presence of someone older than himself, with more experience in life in any case. That thought chastened him. Keisuke san had leveled his apology with an accusation of a problem that needed discussion. The blond also said he was making things harder than they needed to be which unsettled the nineteen year old. Takumi knew he had sought to keep from making things difficult at every opportunity.

Takumi looked down at the tray of food in front of him. It looked bland to the point of inedible. He decided that he would eat the meal to appease his teammate no matter how bad it tasted. The teen wondered how long the doctor would keep him as he started to eat. If the main problem involved a concussion they would let him leave by evening. If there was more to his low iron count problem or stomach flu type discomfort than Ryosuke san mentioned, Takumi had no idea when the doctor would release him.

Takumi wrinkled his nose in distaste. His breakfast had less flavor than he had thought by how it looked. He wondered if there was any salt with the meal. He picked up the small pouch that contained a napkin and several small packets. He was relieved to find one with salt, which Takumi sprinkled over the rubbery egg and tofu based product on his plate. He continued to eat the bland meal while trying to piece together the strange turn of events.

Keisuke had stayed with him. He had calmed him down, and reassured Takumi while he was delirious which was hard to comprehend. Takumi had thought his teammate hated him. What exactly had he ranted while he was asleep? Keisuke had thrown his fear of not being good enough to belong on Project D's roster in his face, so Keisuke knew that much.

Takumi flushed over having revealed so much to one of the racers he held in awe. He often felt inadequate around Ryosuke san. His team's leader knew much more than he had ever guessed existed when it came to cars, strategies, and driving theories. His dark haired mentor never made him feel stupid on purpose. Yet, even when Takumi worked with Matsimoto to learn more about his Hachi roku's mechanical settings, he still felt obscenely dumb. Iketani sempai had done much to explain how an engine worked during lulls in his work schedule. However, knowing how the parts worked did not mean that he immediately understood which part was in need of replacement whenever his car started acting strange.

Takumi found himself even more intimidated by Keisuke san. The wheat haired blond he was driving with always glared at him. The man's dark blue eyes frequently burned holes through him whenever they were at a pass. Conversations stayed to a minimal, and yet Keisuke seemed determined to take charge of babysitting him. The older street racer had also demonstrated to him how far he had to go to become an adult. The man that hated him had ended up saving his life by sacrificing his own beloved car's front fender at the very least.

Takumi often found talking to either rotary brother difficult. Especially Keisuke san because he was so intensely focused, and knew what he wanted out of life. To have their obvious class, and age differences made concrete was not easy for Takumi. He also had a very irritated Takahashi Keisuke to contend with soon, and no game plan to escape the squirmish with his hide intact.

'I have to find a way to keep from becoming an even bigger burden to the Takahashi brothers. I'll offend them if I become an even bigger burden. I probably already have offended them badly by ignoring their advice last night. I respect, and idolize both of them. They're so awesome. Nani could I possibly say that won't sound stupid to Keisuke san? How do I not jeopardize my place with the team after this kind of unforgivable screw up? They've done so much for me, and I ignored them both when I really should have listened. How could I let them down like this? Keisuke san warned me that I was going to damage the team's reputation, and he was right. I should have realized that he was worried when he came down and yelled that he was taking me to the resort to get some sleep. I was so worried about losing because I didn't know the course layout that I wrecked hachi roku instead.'

'Since Ryosuke san spoke to the isha san and knows something is wrong with me, Keisuke must have signed me in last night. Ryosuke san mentioned filling out the rest of the paperwork. They're even taking responsibility for my medical bill which isn't right. It's my responsibility to pay for my own stupidity. I'll have to pay them back as fast as I can since this was my fault. Better pay for both of the cars repairs since I caused them by being too stubborn.'

Takumi's mind buzzed with concerns as he continued to eat at a slow pace, frowning as he considered his options.

'Keisuke san said I'm vital to the team's well being, but I find that hard to believe. Winning doesn't make me a great driver, only a very determined one. Is my determination to chase down the rival that impressive to the rotary brothers? Naze should it be impressive? I mean, they know so much more than I do in every way possible. They know strategies, the right settings, and all kinds of stuff that I still don't grasp. I'm still not very good at keeping mechanical things straight, so I do have a reason to say that I don't really belong on the team. I'm the only one that doesn't know how things should be done. '

The disgruntled amber haired teenager grabbed the small glass of juice on his tray. He wished for a moment that it was coffee. He needed his wits to keep additional, and unpleasant things from leaking out.

Primarily, Takumi wanted to avoid mentioning his sorrow over Keisuke's obvious dislike of his person. Ever since they first battled on Akina, Keisuke san had hated him. Yet, Keisuke san had also been the first person to push him into being a true street racer. All the times Keisuke san had pestered him at four A.M. had helped him embrace street racing. In a strange twist of fate, the man who hated him most, was the man who had turned his life around and given him a worthwhile dream. That one thing made the situation painful for Takumi. He swallowed another bite of his breakfast as a germ of an idea presented itself.

'I can't evade the subject. Keisuke san won't leave me alone just because I don't want to talk about feeling like a baka all the time. If only I knew how much I said. Looks like I have to admit to Keisuke san that I feel like a burden to Project D. They're paying so much of my car's tires, gasoline, and modifications and having to teach me how my car works. Will he get pissed off if I offer to repay my debt over time? I hate having to tell either one of them that I still don't feel like I belong on the team though. But, if I level with Keisuke san, perhaps it'll smooth things over. Then again, . . . he might just get madder.'

Takumi shrugged, deciding that unless Keisuke brought it up, he would avoid mentioning many of his beliefs that he did not belong on the team. Still, it was how miserable his presence made Keisuke san that kept Takumi feeling the most uncomfortable. The nineteen-year-old took a sip of the weak juice mixture and continued to eat his breakfast.

*******00O00

Keisuke knocked once before stepping into Takumi's room with his breakfast. Takumi was halfway through his meal. Relief thrummed through the older racer at the sight of his teammate's half empty plate. One thing he had been concerned about was how to make sure the younger man ate his meal without resorting to yelling.

Keisuke had considered how best to tackle the younger driver's lack of self esteem while he had been in the cafeteria. He had even thought on how to smooth things over in the aftermath of his outburst when Ryosuke was also there.

'I know that I pushed Takumi to get back into his car to escape me. He was mad enough to risk himself because of my temper. This really is my responsibility. Looks like I have to relieve the tension between us. Apologies aren't part of my normal philosophies, but I need to give Takumi one because of all the things I said last night, and this morning. If he was anyone else, I wouldn't care if he hated me.'

'Aniki said I have to work to make things move in the right direction. I have to keep my temper in check, and compromise to secure Takumi's trust and everything else that I want. Wonder if I can somehow get Takumi to understand that I don't say the right things when I'm worried without sounding like I'm making an excuse. That's one place I can start to repair the rift that I've created. I hope he'll forgive me. It would improve my chances of establishing a connection with him. Getting to know Fujiwara Takumi is the only option left. I have to know for certain whether or not I'm already in love with him, or can get out of this mess I've caused.'

Keisuke smiled at the unhappy looking young man who made a wry face at his plate as he looked at what was still there. "Glad to see that you've managed to eat a lot since I left, Fujiwara."

Keisuke sat in the chair next to the bed. He tasted his own meal, and tried not to grimace. The food was somewhat cold, had no flavor, and a strange rubbery consistency he discovered. His nose wrinkled without his being aware of it until he heard a melodic chuckle coming from Fujiwara's bed. It was the first time Keisuke had heard his quiet teammate's laughter. It was an enjoyable sound that made him desire garnering repeat responses.

"Pretty bad isn't it?" Takumi's voice held a wealth of mirth.

"Naze must some hospitals think that the less flavor and stranger the texture something has, the healthier it is?" Keisuke shook his head in disgust. "At least at Otosān's hospital the visitor's cafeteria makes things with flavor. They must use the same kitchen for both patient meals and the visitor's cafeteria here." Keisuke shrugged and made himself eat the tasteless ration on his plate. He noticed that the smaller man began to eat again.

"Fujiwara, I know that I was way over the top last night. I shouldn't have said I'd kick your ass if you argued with me. Whenever I'm worried it comes out all wrong, and I take it my frustration out on people. Gomen . . . that I didn't handle things very well."

To admit that he had been wrong was difficult for the proud blond. Arrogance had made him many enemies over the years. Never before had he cared about who thought he was arrogant, or a jerk. Glancing at the shorter man resting his chin on his wrist gave Keisuke reason to rethink how he acted.

"Gomen that I took everything I was told last night the wrong way. I know I should've listened to you and Ryosuke san, but I felt so humiliated at being told I needed to rest by you and Ryosuke-san. Especially since I was having trouble memorizing the course and didn't want to admit it. I kept pushing myself, . . . thinking I was letting the team down unforgivably by not having my act together." Takumi flushed a deep scarlet as he stroked his chin while wearing a sheepish expression.

Keisuke's felt the inside of his chest do a strange lurch as the younger driver looked down at his plate. The blond found it easier to speak his thoughts because Fujiwara also accepted blame for the previous night's disastrous end.

"In other words, if I hadn't screamed at you, you would've gone along with everything I was saying. I'm not very good at saying things correctly when I'm worried. I don't have Aniki's talent with people when I get unnerved by things I see happening."

"Keisuke san, I don't see any problems with how you say things. You always focus on things you have to say and get understood." The younger man looked over at him with an odd expression on his face. "I don't usually have much to say since I can't really put my thoughts into words at all."

"You're fine, Fujiwara. I think you take too little pride in everything you already know how to do. I've never seen anyone who improves as fast as you do when it comes to driving skills. It's scary seeing how much you've improved in a few months. You had a great drift technique to begin with and the knack for controlling hachi roku like it's an extension of your own body. I didn't know your control could be improved on, but you've managed several times. Even I noticed when you figured out how to minimize under-steer to improve cornering speed. It seems that every battle improves your techniques at an impossible rate." Keisuke meant what he said as he watched the younger driver look startled at the honest praise.

"Ah, iie. I just drive to the best of my ability, Keisuke san. I don't know all the words that everyone uses to describe racing techniques, car parts, or how to make strategies. To be honest even looking at the parts on hachi roku, half the time I'm still lost on how they really make a car work despite Matsimoto san explaining things to me. It doesn't click in my head yet and I feel like a baka, or like I'm not paying enough attention to the things I'm being taught. I only know when hachi roku tells me I can do something. I listen to hachi roku and manage to win because of that, . . . and Ryosuke san telling me how to tackle an opponent and the course I'm on that evening." Takumi shrugged, pink cheeked as he scraped cold food across his plate several times over.

Keisuke shook his head over the other man's strange view of his hard core skills. Fujiwara's humility was obviously too strong if he could not acknowledge the things he did know how to do. The way he reacted was outside of the normal expectations of their society. To say one was less than proficient in something was normal, even expected. To be genuinely self degrading was a symptom of the very low self esteem his brother suspected was actively hampering Takumi's personality.

"Fujiwara, don't argue. It pisses me off when you beat down your driving talent so far. You're learning the necessary mechanics, strategies, and terminology so that doesn't count as a true weakness any longer. It took me a while to grasp the mechanics when Aniki started teaching me also. That's normal learning processes in action. Nothing is a once and you're proficient concept with automotive mechanics. It's a complicated kind of system. You're learning about pacing and tire management with every battle you get into, so that's not a big issue anymore. Hell, Aniki says you're a living ABS. That means something coming from him."

Fujiwara blinked at him as if floored by the news that Ryosuke thought well of his driving skill. Takumi's blush started to deepen again. "He thinks I'm good at braking?"

Keisuke paused to fight down an unwelcome surge of jealousy that sought to raise its head over Takumi's physical reaction. Keisuke was careful in how he phrased his response to keep his brother from being their dominant topic.

"He's said that I could learn from you about how to fine tune my foot work. I thought I could master it on my own by yanking the fuses out of my ABS computer systems between battles. But, I'm not having an easy time mastering your level of technique."

"Oyaji got mad at me when I wrecked a tofu shipment. He made me drive with a cup of water in the cup holder after that. If I don't spill the water, the tofu won't get messed up. I had to be careful when I used the brakes, or shifted because the water would explode form the cup which meant the tofu was getting damaged. It took three years to be able to drift without spilling the water. The water swirls around the top, so as long as I don't do anything to jerk the car, it won't spill." The nineteen-year-old stared into space as he spoke.

"Your otosān's a genius, Fujiwara. I doubt I could drift with a cup of water in my car after ten years of practice. That requires advanced knowledge of the car's balance and weight distribution. You have to be aware of every vibration from the seat, steering wheel, and even your pedals. If any element's off, the water's going to explode from the cup because you won't shift the car's weight correctly." Keisuke watched the man he was getting more certain that he had fallen in love with give him a startled look. It was as if Fujiwara never considered how hard it was to do his training exercise. Knowing the space cadet of their team, Fujiwara probably did not recognize the truth.

The teenager frowned. "Are you serious, Keisuke san? At first it was really hard. I had to drive a lot to get the hang of it, but after a while . . ."

"There you go again. Fujiwara. Naze do you have to tear yourself down, and actually mean it?" Keisuke complained. He couldn't prevent the frown of irritation that he felt settle on his features as his eyebrows twitched. His voice had come out harsher than he intended, yet Takumi truly angered him by being so sincerely vicious toward himself.

"Gomen, Keisuke san. I honestly don't see how it's all that big of a deal. You could probably learn it faster than I did. I can show you the water trick if you want me to. Though, I don't know that it would help you very much." The younger ace looked at the blanket covering his legs, and squirmed under his gaze.

The blond snorted over how difficult Takumi found it to accept that he had real talent. "If Aniki told you that he thought you had real concrete driving ability, or explained how hard it is to do what you do as a training exercise, would you accept it from him?"

Keisuke heard his own harshly sarcastic growl leaking out of his mouth, but found himself needing to know where he stood with Fujiwara. He had to know if his older brother held all the credentials with their quiet downhill specialist. If Keisuke had any chance to gain Fujiwara's confidence, or eventually, his sincere affection, he had to know the balance point between himself, and his older sibling.

"Uhm, it wouldn't make any difference. Although, I really respect everything Ryosuke san says, I feel like a baka whenever I'm around him. Don't' get me wrong, I'm grateful for all the things that he's teaching me. But, I don't have his kind of smarts. He says things, and I spend hours trying to figure out Ryosuke san's meanings. Gomen that I don't get his meanings very fast. Guess it just proves that I'm sometimes a burden to the whole team." Takumi's expression had turned pleading as he spoke.

Keisuke chuckled with genuine relief. "I understand your problem understanding Aniki's instructions completely. Aniki makes me feel like a blind baka at times too. We're in the same position on that score, Fujiwara. But, you have to admit, without him pushing us to think so hard, we wouldn't be half as good behind the wheel as we are, Fujiwara. He's the reason we battle so well at every Project D expedition. Although, having a walking computer for an aniki has several more disadvantages that you don't have to deal with on a daily basis."

Keisuke felt his chest's constriction ease as Fujiwara nodded.

"Whenever I'm around Ryosuke san, I feel awkward. I don't mean that in a bad way. But, I can't help but feel like I'll say everything wrong around your onīsan. I respect him. Still, I can't get comfortable because Ryosuke san seems so far above me."

"Aniki does affect some people that way." Keisuke agreed readily with the younger man's confession.

"Ryosuke san's the driving genius, not me. I drive based on my gut instincts so I wonder how I won a battle against him every time he gives me instructions about how to beat my opponents." Keisuke felt a tight clench in his gut as Takumi continued to speak. "Ah, iie, that didn't come out quite right." The smaller racer was stroking his chin as he scowled. "I hate talking because nothing ever comes out the way I mean for it to, Keisuke-san." He shook his head. "The way you get the things you want done is amazing. You're way out of my league too, and I know it. It makes it hard to talk to you because I feel like I'm sounding like a baka to you right now."

Those words startled Keisuke. To learn that his crush held him in a position of awe was unexpected. Keisuke wondered how to close that gap. He had to find a way to make Takumi see him as ordinary. To be placed on a pedestal was unexpected, and certainly not what the blond wanted to discover.

"Fujiwara, I'm the same as you. Hell, I screwed up royally last night when I was only trying to help you. I'm not above you in the least. Don't you ever think that way again!" Keisuke bit out before he could check his annoyance.

'I need to find a way to get through to Takumi that he's not inferior. Takumi's hero worship with Aniki keeps him from getting too comfortable with my brother. That can be used to my advantage. If I can break down these barriers I have with Fujiwara, I could forge a strong friendship with him. With patience, maybe I could make him mine. Too bad I really suck at being patient. Got to work on that problem so I can somewhere with Takumi.'

"But, Keisuke san, you knew you wanted to be a professional driver, and chose a way to achieve that goal. I didn't even believe I enjoyed driving until you yelled at me to accept the race with the GT-R. You're the one that made me consider racing as a possible future profession. I never had any dreams until you showed up and started pushing me to accept that I'm a decent driver. I always thought I'd take whatever full time job I could get, and stick with that. That's exactly how things have gone so far too. Moving furniture after i do the morning deliveries is the best I can do for now." Takumi stared at his hands as he spoke. He looked up seeming uncomfortable with his own thoughts.

Keisuke felt like he'd been sideswiped at high speed. He felt as if he had been punched in the gut as his voice slipped past his suddenly constricted throat on a current of air. "Matte. You're saying you didn't know that you like driving when I yelled at you to take on Nakazato? You weren't putting me on that morning just to piss me off?" Fujiwara shook his head, meeting his gaze.

"So you never considered professional racing until I told you I was going for the pros and invited you to battle me after Project D finishes its objectives?" Again, Takumi shook his head.

Keisuke knew he must look shocked because of the way Takumi's face shifted to a darker rose as he toyed with his blanket. The blond had never guessed that he wielded any influence over the younger driver's choices. It had never occurred to him that his older brother wasn't the only person to whom Fujiwara listened. The younger man informed him of the truth with a mind-blowing confession. Keisuke felt pride swelling because he had made a difference in Fujiwara's life.

"Ah, Keisuke san, your focus, and drive to achieve things, . . . it's pretty formidable. I've never met anyone like you, or Ryosuke san before. I wouldn't know where to begin to make a dream come true without the two of you showing me how to do things to get there. I know I annoy you a lot, and I don't mean to do that. Gomen that I don't do or say things the right way. I'm not very good with people and I know it, Keisuke san." Takumi stroked his chin again, as they locked eyes.

Keisuke had never considered his ability to open doors' through planning anything unusual. Having this amber haired man telling him that his ability to achieve goals was something rare made the spiky haired blond want to jump out of his seat with glee. The younger man's words showed Keisuke why Takumi had somehow stolen his heart.

"Then I'm glad I helped convince you to join Project D, because I've never had any intention of leaving Akina's phantom downhill specialist to get moldy in the back woods. I need a strong rival in the big leagues. I also need a real friend when we get there, Takumi kun."

Keisuke held his breath as he shifted from the normal way he addressed the younger driver for a more familiar endearment. Takumi rewarded him with a slow smile, and a nod of acceptance. It was all that Keisuke could hope for under the circumstances.
- 6
- 7
- 8
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

A Rivalry Revealed Novel #1