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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
- 8
- 9
- 10
CHAPTER 9

"So, how did it go, little brother?" Ryosuke swivelled his chair to look up from his laptop screen as Keisuke stepped into the hallway between their two bedroom doors. His brother did not leave his door open without a purpose. That could only mean that Ryosuke was waiting for him to report. Keisuke walked into the room, and back flopped onto his brother's bed. He turned his head toward his dark-haired sibling and began to talk.

"I found out that Fujiwara had a girlfriend who cheated on him with an older guy in a Benz. They split up when he found out about her dating habit. From the way he said things I got the impression that she still contacts him."

"Ouch. That's not a pleasant way for a relationship to end." Ryosuke's voice held obvious sympathy. They both knew how Fujiwara felt. They both had experienced the headaches and problems that were associated with gold diggers.

"Hai. Fujiwara's got a serious awe fixation over your brain. You appear to know everything in the racing world to him, Aniki." Keisuke frowned at the ceiling.

"I hope you aren't going to say that he has a thing for me, little brother. I know better than that." Irritation threaded Ryosuke's voice.

"iie. He said he feels like a complete baka around you, Aniki." Keisuke flashed his irritated brother a big grin. "I didn't try to convince him to get past that roadblock. Gomen, Aniki, but I still need every advantage I can find. Opening the door for Fujiwara to ask me questions about understanding your directions is a perk I can't pass up."

Keisuke rolled onto his side, and propped his head on his elevated hand. Ryosuke gave him a disgusted look. "If it makes you easier to live with, I'm not going to complain about your manipulation this time. Is that everything you managed to pry out of Fujiwara over three days?" Ryosuke went back to typing.

"Takumi mentioned that since we got him involved with Project D his otosān's proud of him. His okāsan left when he was three. It appears his otosān started drinking because of her leaving. Takumi said his otosān isn't drinking as much lately, and is happier now that Takumi's involved with street racing."

"Alcoholism makes for a miserable home life, Keisuke. But, that certainly explains Fujiwara's self esteem issues."

"Bunta came outside when Takumi got out of FD, but he didn't say a word when Takumi went inside. He has an even sleepier looking face than his son. My only impression of his otosān was that he's probably even quieter than Takumi."

"Hm, I noticed Fujiwara's ryōshin didn't have much to say when I called and gave him the news that his musuko was in an accident. If anything Bunta san was rather curt. Being silent when your musuko gets home from a three day stay in the hospital could be a sign that Fujiwara's otosān usually ignores him."

"Takumi mentioned that his otosān started talking about cars, and mechanics with him since he became actively involved in street racing." Keisuke offered as a weak counter.

"So, Fujiwara has a harsh home life, and a disastrous first romance that he's coping with lately. That does explain his being so withdrawn. It sounds like Fujiwara's not accustomed to having any positive influences either. That lack of positive feedback probably explains naze he honestly doesn't understand his driving skill is phenomenal."

"Takumi mentioned that he didn't think he could have decided on a career and get into that field without my pushing him to try. Kind of side swiped me when he said that telling him I planned to be a professional racer, and demanded that he come along startled him. Until I started pestering him to get into street racing, he never thought to set any kind of goals. He has serious respect for my focus, and claims that without us teaching him the steps to take, he'd never get anywhere."

"As an influence, you have serious power. Not bad, little brother."

"Domo." Keisuke shifted his weight as his elbow started going numb. He continued to watch the byplay on his brother's face.

"Numerous blocks exist beyond the gender issue. Are you sure you can handle them all, Keisuke?" Ryosuke tilted his head with a pointed stare.

"I don't know, Aniki. I can't change how I feel this late in the game even if I'm pissed about falling in love with him. The last three days around Takumi made me accept that I'm honestly in love with him."

"I'm not certain that your volatile temper, and Fujiwara's will work very well together. However, as I said before, he won't be after your trust fund, which is a very good change from your previous girlfriends. I believe Fujiwara will stand up to you when he needs to, so you won't get by with being so spoiled. Can you handle that, Keisuke?"

"It'll be tough, but, . . . I'm crazy about Fujiwara and can't shut it off, Aniki. The last three days have shown me naze I'm so attracted to him. This will probably turn sour, but I really need to convince Takumi to consider giving me a chance."

"Luckily you have some factors in your favor, Keisuke. Your choices have influenced Fujiwara. If he's not homophobic, it's possible that you can work around his initial resistance to your gender. Because Fujiwara has very little experience with feeling accepted, or even wanted, he'll need a very consistent approach to reach at all. On the one side, by accepting and wanting him for himself, you'll stand a better chance of winning Fujiwara over if he is open to suggestion. The problem is your notorious lack of patience. That will backfire badly if you push him into any corners, . . . Especially if he's homophobic."

"I don't know if he's homophobic or not, Aniki." Keisuke growled back.

"I think the high level of respect he has for you plays into your favor. If you can control your more reckless impulses so Fujiwara can get comfortable around you, there's a possibility you can sway his opinions enough to get the chance you want from him."

"I'm already working on the comfort factor Aniki. I told him not to feel inferior around me because I believe that he's my equal."

"If my theory about him is correct, Fujiwara will sometimes withdraw from you without warning even if he's bisexual. Are you certain you can handle the stress that will cause, Keisuke? The strong positive force you are filling in his life will make it harder for your downhill specialist to cut ties, but finding himself on unfamiliar ground will make Fujiwara back off until he gets comfortable with the changes you plan for him. All the subtle things I've noticed make me think Fujiwara has never been loved by anyone, including his ryōshin, Little brother. Small, emotionally manageable doses of affection, and stretching your patience as far as possible will be the only way to get him to accept you. Fujiwara will need frequent reinforcement that you do love him without you getting too forceful in demonstrating your feelings."

"I was thinking I'd have to reinforce the idea that I'm in his corner, Aniki. The rest will be even tougher. . . . But, . . . I don't even know if Fujiwara's obtainable yet. Can't the rest wait until I figure out how he swings? If he's hard core straight, there's nothing I can do to change his mind."

Keisuke understood some of the difficulties that existed in a relationship with another man. A heightened sense of anticipation over removing each obstacle that faced him was beginning to unfurl. The list of things he already knew would cause long term friction between them if he was not cautious enough. That did daunt him. Yet, his stubborn pride would not let him give up without a fight.

The disapproval of society was only one of many problems he had to overcome to protect his heart, and Takumi's if he was given a chance. Violence and hatred were frequent occurrences within the homosexual community. Bisexuals suffered whenever they were attracted to someone of the same gender. Having scars from his own lack of discipline made Keisuke leery of Takumi's reaction to his feelings also.

Ryosuke snapped him out of his thoughts. "Have you decided how you're going to tell Fujiwara that you're in love with him?"

"When we were talking the relationship subject came up, . . . so, I admitted that there's someone I'm interested in without mentioning any names. You could say I told Takumi that someone is making my FD into my second favorite passion. I lost my nerve after I admitted that much." Keisuke ran a hand over his face as he waited for the verdict.

"Very good. By omitting names you didn't back him into corners. At the same time it could give Fujiwara the impression that you're unavailable if he's a bisexual in hiding."

Frowning over his brother's verdict, Keisuke asked, "Hey, Aniki do you still have one of those questionnaires like the one I filled out for your one report?"

"Those questionnaires are online, Keisuke. The Kinsey, and Klein scales are famous researching tools from the nineteen forties that revolutionized how science views human sexuality."

The blond sighed as he ran a hand over his face. "I remember. We found out I had a very strong bisexual personality. We already knew I was drawn to a few men, but it helped to explain naze I was drawn to them."

"Obviously." Ryosuke's dry tone made Keisuke's brow twitch in irritation.

"Anyway, I just wondered how Takumi would score. Would he be in the strong androgyny range like I am, or a low end, like you? He mentioned he has an ex girlfriend, so I'm worried he's hard core straight."

Keisuke, I can't deny that there's merit in your idea, but don't you think it might alarm Fujiwara unduly if you sprang such a test on him?"

Keisuke surged upright, vexed by his older brother's pointed reprimand. "Well, then how do I get evidence to tell me if I can get past Takumi's defenses without backing him into any corners? Finding out if he's bisexual is my only option!"

Ryosuke stood, stretched, and walked onto his small balcony. He pulled out a cigarette as he turned and beckoned Keisuke to follow. "How about introducing Fujiwara to a situation involving certain people you know who are fairly obvious about their bisexuality?" He lit his smoke and inhaled as he stared out into the night.

Keisuke stared at his older brother. "Matte. Are you suggesting that I introduce him to Akimoto, and Tohji?"

"Hai. It might give you an answer without risking a broken nose. Depending on how Fujiwara deals with an obvious same sex couple, you might learn enough to discover whether he's open to suggestion. It might also help to avoid a vacant slot for a downhill specialist in Project D if he's closed minded."

"Aniki, we're talking about Akimoto, and Tohji. They're very forward about their status. Worse Akimoto's liable to hit on Takumi if he thinks he's hot." Keisuke snarled at his brother in return.

"That could prove useful also. If Fujiwara doesn't react enough to give you a definite answer in such a scenario, then there is little reason to fear he's homophobic. Besides, your interaction and attitudes that bisexuals, and gays are people worth knowing might relax some of the attitudes that he's learned from social molding in his lifetime if he's uncomfortable around them. You said he admitted being influenced by your choices."

"Akimoto's great to have at my back when a fight breaks out. I wouldn't mind having the extra fighter on hand when we're too far away from home to call in reinforcements. But I don't know if I can keep from beating the crap out of Akimoto if he gets too friendly with Fujiwara."

"Do not get violent, Keisuke. I doubt Akimoto will try anything if he's aware of your attachment to Fujiwara."

Keisuke scratched his head as he considered the possibilities. "If they brought their new girlfriend along, I can probably relax more. But, knowing Akimoto, and his greed complex, Fujiwara might not be safe, even with two lovers trying to keep him in line, and my prior interest in Fujiwara being known."

Ryosuke smiled as he looked at him with an odd gleam in his eyes. He tilted his head at an angle and his necked popped. He stretched his arms outward to relieve kinks in his back. "Consider it more data to see how Fujiwara reacts if Akimoto does get a bit pushy. Fujiwara is not the type to be coerced into anything, and strangers are not going to get anywhere with him. That much I can guarantee. Have a talk with Akimoto and Tohji beforehand. It should make things easier if they are aware that you have very specific plans concerning Fujiwara."

"Nani do you mean by specific plans, Aniki?"

"Akimoto and Tohji should be able to tell by Fujiwara's reactions whether he's open to suggestion. They're both accustomed to finding short term partners of the same gender. By specifically asking them to help you determine whether you can win Fujiwara's affections, they'll know Fujiwara's as good as taken. Their insight would prove invaluable, Keisuke."

'How can I keep this meeting peaceful? Akimoto can get extremely pushy. If he thinks Fujiwara's good looking, he'll hit on Takumi. I don't have any solid claim on Takumi yet. That means I can't make Akimoto keep his hands off of him. there's not an ounce of leverage in my favor because Takumi doesn't know I'm interested in him. Akimoto wouldn't think about chasing Takumi if I was with him. Since I'm not, Akimoto can cross the line if he finds Takumi's hot enough to push things.'

Aloud Keisuke grumbled, "Even so, I'm not sure I want to tell my friends that I need them to show up and freak out the man I'm interested in dating."

"I didn't say they should freak Fujiwara out, Little brother. My suggestion is for Fujiwara to meet them and see how he handles their presence. The data will show if you'll get your heart broken, Keisuke. Seeing him interacting with them will most likely answer all of your questions about Fujiwara's orientation, and ability to accept same gender relationships."

"Aniki, Fujiwara's hiding a very bad temper under that wimpy looking expression he wears all the time. He might just tear into Akimoto if he's phobic and gets hit on. Akimoto's vicious when it comes to fights. If Fujiwara has a problem with Akimoto, we have to make sure Fujiwara walks away. Seeing Akimoto and Takumi fighting will force me to take sides." Keisuke sighed in frustration.

'Tohji's never a problem. I should talk to him about my situation. I know he'll help me without scaring Takumi out of his wits, or insulting him. Tohji would talk to Takumi without hitting on him once I let him know that I'm interested in him. Maybe I can keep Akimoto distracted from Fujiwara if he tags along the way Aniki wants. The only problem is how fast things will go to hell if Akimoto looks at Takumi and decides that he's hot. Damn it! How can I keep Akimoto away from Takumi?'

Ryosuke turned toward him with a considering look. "I'll tell Fujiwara that you trust Akimoto's ability to protect your back, and don't care about his unusual sex life. That should help prevent his lashing out if he's homophobic, little brother."

"So you've decided that you aren't going to leave this to me and Fujiwara to sort out like you said at the hospital." Keisuke looked at his older brother, confused by the change in heart.

"I'll help you learn the truth about Fujiwara's orientation. I'm only doing this much because this needs to get resolved for Project D's success. If Fujiwara reacts badly to meeting Akimoto and Tohji, I'll be here for you. However, with that said, I'll expect you to leave Fujiwara alone until we complete the Kanto Project." Ryosuke snuffed out the cigarette in his outdoor ashtray, and moved back into his room.

Keisuke let his head fall against the wall as he stared up at the full moon that hung low in the sky. He found himself considering everything his brother had offered in advice.

'I expected Aniki to be upset for a while longer before he became a source of support. I can't deny that it makes life easier if he gives me ideas on finding a solution. Aniki's accepted this odd turn of events with more grace than I have so far. Aniki surprised me this time. He isn't upset that I'm in love with Takumi. Maybe he really does see merit in a relationship between us. I hope he's right. Now, if I can figure out how to pull this off, I might learn how to mix two things and keep both moving forward for the first time in my life.'

"Domo, Aniki."

"It's nothing, Keisuke."

"I found out some things about how Fujiwara's otosān taught him to drift like he does."

'Aniki'll forget all about his paper for this information. He's always looking for clues about our enigmatic nineteen-year-old super genius driver's evolution.'

Ryosuke came back outside and faced him as he had expected. "Really?"

"His otosān decided that if Takumi could drive with a cup filled with water in the dash, and not spill a drop, he wouldn't damage tofu shipments. Making the water roll inside the rim without spilling is how Takumi mastered his drift technique. That's how his otosān taught him brake control too."

Watching his brother's eyes widen, Keisuke fought the urge to grin. "Whoa, that would definitely force Fujiwara to create such awesome drift control. How long has he been driving with that water cup?"

"He'd been doing the morning deliveries for five years when we challenged him to race the first time. He said it took him three years to be able to drift with the cup in his dash. That means that he's used this cup method from the beginning I'd say. Takumi told me about having damaged a tofu delivery during one of his earlier runs. Oyaji san came up with the cup as a deterrent to further damaged shipments." Keisuke snorted. "Fujiwara said he only learned how to drift because he got so bored driving the same route, and wanted to get home so he could go back to bed for an hour."

Keisuke saw the focused look Ryosuke wore as he made mental calculations to unlock more secrets to the younger driver's technical prowess. "Fujiwara had to become very aware of every part of the hachi roku to pull that technique off. He had to feel beyond his seat, and steering wheel vibrations to notice the exact angle of g forces whenever he drifted if he wanted to control the water in the cup. That's how he got so awesome at his age. The brakes are only a very small part of the things that cup has taught him. Very delicate weight shifting is required to keep the water stable inside the cup."

"Nani do you mean he had to be aware of ever part of his car to pull it off? It's about the car's balance, weight shifts, and how hard to hit the brakes when you turn. You feel all of those factors through the seat's vibrations, pedals, and steering wheel."

"iie, Keisuke. Fujiwara has to push his body awareness much higher to encompass the very front of his car to the very rear end of it. That's the only possible way to pick up the more subtle G forces at work in the car's movements. He has to balance very subtle elements to maintain the tension of the water's surface. It's an advanced physics concept that involves inertia, gravity, centrifugal force, and the physical size of the vehicle, including every gram of its mass while in motion. To be honest he may be demonstrating some very hard to define laws of physics. The law of relativity comes to mind because of way he has to balance the cup's water rotations while in motion."

"I can see that he needs to pay attention to the g forces, and how the car is balanced because of where the weight is when he tackles corners, but I don't follow you beyond that, Aniki. You can tell those things from the seat, steering wheel, and pedals. So I don't get your meaning about sensing the whole car." Keisuke leaned forward as Ryosuke steepled his fingers while he relaxed against the balcony rail.

"Fujiwara has to turn the hachi roku into a perfect centrifuge to make the water roll inside the cup without spilling. He has to prevent the g forces, bumps, and gravity pulling at his car, from disturbing the rolling action he creates inside the cup. Like the law of Relativity suggests, energy is always equal to the mass and circumference squared of any object that is in motion. That's the basic unconscious level physics Fujiwara is manipulating without even knowing he is to maintain the water's tension inside his cup. That takes a subtle precision that I can't imagine ever harnessing personally. Weight shifting, and everything you can imagine to factor into the equation plays a roll in keeping hachi roku perfectly stable. Fujiwara has to be aware of his car from the front bumper to the rear literally, Keisuke."

"You've said that he controls hachi roku like its his arms and legs. So this water trick is how he got that way?"

"Probably. Fujiwara certainly controls hachi roku through a much higher level of body awareness than either of us have ever developed, little brother."

Keisuke nodded as he contemplated the chance Fujiwara gave him to learn his technique. His mind pondered whether higher body awareness had other benefits before he could stop the thought from shaping. He grimaced as his mind tried to side track the technique he was discussing with his brother toward sexual benefits he wanted to discover by playing with Takumi. Forcing his mind back to the topic at hand was difficult.

"Takumi said he'd show me how he does the water trick if I felt like going for a ride with him. He said he'd try to teach me how to do it if I thought it would help me get a better idea of how to brake like he does."

Ryosuke looked unusually envious. "Take him up on his offer, Keisuke. I'd love to sit next to Fujiwara while he did that trick just to try and figure out precisely how he does it."

Keisuke pursed his lips as he considered the value of the offered lessons. "If I can figure out Takumi's actions when he does it, I could try to copy it in FD."

"Perhaps Fujiwara can explain the things he feels as he does a drift with the cup in his car. You can try to sense everything he does as he describes the sensations he's picking up on. Be aware of where the gravity, and other forces in play are while he does it so you can get a better understanding of his weight shifting."

"I'll try to get a feel for how he keeps the water inside the cup."

Ryosuke gave him an odd look. "I'm hoping you can focus on the water technique more than the driver who's trying to teach you something so valuable."

Keisuke snapped, "Okay, Aniki. I'll admit that it's also a great excuse to spend time with Takumi. But, I also want to learn better foot control. He's definitely got the better trained right foot and we both know it. "

"I'll be happy if you can focus on something other than lusting after Fujiwara. Knowing you, Fujiwara's in for a lot of manipulating and conniving to get him to do things your way in the near future." Ryosuke pointed out with a raised eyebrow that challenged him to deny the charge.

"I'm not going to be a baka with this opportunity to learn something that will make me a better driver, Aniki! I'll be sure to have Takumi drive a couple rounds so whatever I miss the first time, I'll get a feel for on the second, or third trip." Keisuke growled with a glare.

Knowing that Ryosuke was teasing him over his new found emotional attachment did not make it any easier to take. He had said he would not get involved before he signed on with a professional team. Now Keisuke's irate vow was haunting him because Ryosuke knew he might soon be breaking his promise to remain single. Taking back his words was not something Keisuke often had to do.

"Try to sense beyond seat vibrations, Keisuke. Also be sure to try to learn something other that Fujiwara's expressions when he's focused on his techniques." The undercurrents in Ryosuke's voice could be taken to mean several unrelated things when he said techniques.

"Che. Aniki, you're getting on my nerves." Keisuke glared at his older brother's obvious enjoyment of baiting him with double-edged phrases.

"I'm simply pointing out that your head tends to be a mess whenever you are around Fujiwara right now." Ryosuke's feigned innocent look had Keisuke clenching his hands as he fought down the urge to retaliate.

"I get the point, Aniki. Just, don't expect me to be able to explain anything Takumi does when he drives with a cup. I'm not a walking computer like you. I'll pay attention to Fujiwara's driving. Damn, I wish you hadn't figured out that I'm in love with him before I did. You'll never let me hear the end of this."

His older brother chuckled at his complaint. 'Doesn't matter how much subtle teasing I have to endure, I know Aniki's in my corner. Aniki will help me get the information I need so I can figure out how to approach Takumi. Now I have to figure out the best way to convince a quiet, and very stubborn downhill specialist that I'm worth taking a risk on if he doesn't flip out completely around Akimoto and Tohji.'
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A Rivalry Revealed Novel #1