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yui_miyamotofandom: Initial D
title: Invincible.
pairing: Ryousuke x Takumi
rating: pg-13 (we hope for now)
description: Ryousuke suddenly appears at Takumi ‘s house to ask him a favor, but is there something underlying his request? (Note: Shounen-ai)
Disclaimer – Initial D is a creation by Shigeno Shuuichi-sensei.
Invincible.
By Miyamoto Yui
Chapter 17 - Becoming someone different.
“See you later.”
Wataru and I headed home after our fistbump.
On my way home with my head resting against my right fist, I kept on glancing over at the brown envelope laying in the passenger’s seat with my phone on top of it. While approaching Takasaki, I dropped by a convenience store to get a drink. This time I pulled a bottle of green tea from one of the fridges and drank it in the Impreza.
Halfway through, I closed the bottle and held the dashboard with my right hand.
Just a few more days to go and we’ll be racing together.
Then, when it’s all done, I’ll be gone. I won’t have anyone with me when I go there. Well, I mean from the both of you and Dad.
Keisuke is around there, but it’s still going to be hard being without my family.
I’ve never been too far the ’86 and my dad…
I then reached for my phone.
Feeling like this, I should call Itsuki and Mika. Not him.
I pushed the phone icon anyway.
It’s half an hour past midnight. What are you doing, stupid?! / I can’t help it…
Please don’t pick up.
About to click off, his voice answered, “Hello Takumi.”
“Hi. I know it’s late, but I forgot my bag in your car.”
“I’m not at home right now.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it-“
“If you can stop at Takasaki, I can meet you there.”
“All right.”
“Go to the city hall and wait for me. I’m working near there right now.”
“Okay then. I can be there in half an hour.”
There were only a few lamps in between the two parks surrounding the city hall. Being the only car parked on that road, I found him leaning on one side of his car. His phone flashed against his face as he read something on his phone.
In the near darkness, I parked behind him and he came over to give me the bag. When he did, in patches of light, I saw something strange. Out of concern, I found myself catching his wrist to look it over.
There were scratches and imprints on the top of his hands and his palms were very red.
Unbelievably raw…
“What happened to your hands?”
“It’s nothing.” He brushed it off but didn’t hide his hands either. “Just part of the project I told you about.”
“Okay…” I wasn’t convinced as he took his hand back.
Taking the plastic bag, I thanked him. I stood there not knowing what else I was waiting for and still a bit anxious. “You’re still not well and you went back to work when I left you alone.”
“Don’t worry.” He reached out to hug me very tightly, whispering into my ear in a pleased tone, “As long as you’re with me, I won’t ever harm myself again.”
I nodded my head silently, feeling his breath on my neck.
“Did you come to give me your answer?”
Without warning, he kissed me on the curve between my neck and shoulder.
“Ryousuke-san…” My left hand grabbed onto the hem of his white blouse.
I am not even resisting anymore…and the more my guilt rises…
“Showing yourself to me like this…” His right hand went under my shirt.
“I-” I stammered as his fingers fumbled up each of my ribs.
“You must be doing this intentionally.”
“Ah!” I gasped as his finger rubbed against my nipple, flinching.
He licked my ear. “You’re breaking all my reserves.”
Much worse than short-tempered Keisuke…
My strength was really fading away. Desperate, holding onto the string of that bag and his blouse, I weakly pushed him against his car, but that backfired. It only made him place his leg in between mine, his left hand pulling me in even closer.
“Ryou!” I gasped breathlessly, clenching my hands onto him. The string and my fingers pushed onto his hip more and more. I couldn’t help but close my eyes as it became harder to breathe.
“I like the way you say my name.”
I won’t admit I wanted to test if you’d come see me…
Right then, my phone vibrated with a melody in my pocket, and he slowly pulled away from me. He opened his eyes to look at me as both of his hands gently hung onto my waist. His whole body relaxed, snapping out of his trance.
The phone continued to vibrate as he remained holding onto me.
“I’m sorry for what came over me.” He looked at me apologetically. “For acting that irrationally.”
The one who took advantage of your kindness was me. I’m a horrible person…
“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have interrupted your work.”
“No, I should know better.” His tone sounded slightly condescending.
Don’t treat me like a child.
He let go of me and stood in front of me again, steady as always: The Ryousuke everyone recognized. It was obvious to me now how much he restrained himself and pretended to be unemotional.
So this is how he normally is. Holding back or indulging.
There is no ‘in between’.
“When will you learn that it’s okay not to be perfect?” I stopped clinging onto him and stepped back.
To be one of us and be human…
Feigning composure, I pulled his collar with my left hand.
If you keep saying things like that, when will you get what you want, Ryousuke? Who am I to talk though?
Not being able to look at his eyes, I watched his lips. “Sometimes, people need to be selfish, Ryousuke-san.”
I threw his collar back at him and left, only to park just a few blocks away.
Breathing very heavily and grasping onto the steering wheel with what little strength I had left, I was barely holding on.
My body wants to jump into that river in front of me.
I held my knees together and gulped.
Not here. I’d kill myself from shame if I did anything here.
The ride home felt like slow torture. When I got there, I went straight into the shower fully clothed. The water dripped all over my body and I pushed my palms against the tile wall. I closed my eyes as tightly as I could while panting as slowly as possible.
It isn’t just you though. I become different too when I’m with you.
Finding someone completely different inside of me, I’m doing things I’d never have even thought about.
I stayed there for a while with the water running.
There was absolutely no way I could sleep tonight.
*/*/*/*/*/00000
“Your dad will be back soon. He just needed to talk with the shippers about the tofu supply,” Tachibana said as he stood outside.
I was about to cry because mom wasn’t there and I’d never been away from my parents except when I went to school. But today, Tachibana-san had to pick me up.
“Here.” He gave me some yogurt as I sat on the curb, next to one of the gas pumps. “You must be hungry.”
I ate quietly, but when I looked up to his face, he put his hand over my head.
This is Dad’s best friend. He’s silly like me though.
I turned into the gasoline station.
The sun was high and it was pretty hot by the time I parked.
Iketani came up to me. “Hey, thanks for coming. You didn’t have to be this early though.”
“It’s okay. I was already up.”
“Hey!”
Tachibana-san came out along with Itsuki and Kenji. As usual, we stood in the lane around the first set of fuel dispensers, ready for customers.
I’m lucky the swelling came down so they can’t easily see it, but it still feels raw. I don’t really want to talk about it right now.
“I was wondering if we could see one another before you left,” Tachibana-san said as he patted my shoulder blades.
“I’d never leave without saying goodbye to you. You’re practically my uncle.”
When my mother passed away, you were the one who came by to help my Dad even though you were very busy with this gas station.
You always took the time to look after me, and never thought I was a bother.
I’m really grateful to you for many things.
“That’s true.”
“Are you all set for next week?” He shook his head. “The one I’m wondering about is actually your dad.”
“I’m all right. And knowing how that guy is, I’m sure he’ll just miss someone to tease.”
“I’ll be prepared for it.” He chuckled, knowing all of my dad’s peculiarities. “So what brings you here?”
“The same reason I gathered you all here.” Iketani brought out a small white envelope his pocket and gave it to me. “It arrived on the day we went to the battle.”
I’ve seen this writing before.
I turned over the envelope to the return address. “Mako-san?”
Itsuki nodded his head quickly, then his eyes quickly widened. “What?!”
Kenji’s jaw dropped, completely speechless.
Tachibana-san nodded to himself as he crossed his arms. “Ah, youth.”
I read it aloud for everyone.
“Dear Iketani-san,
I am very happy to get your letter. There are many things I want to talk to you about since I’ve come to Tokyo. And I still have some things to ask you too.
I’ll come at 11am to Takasaki station by train this coming Monday. Since you invited me, maybe we will have better luck this time.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Always,
Mako”
I looked up and saw his face. “You’ve been given another chance, Sempai.”
“So that’s why you were so secretive yesterday!” Itsuki pointed at him accusingly.
“You were with her and you didn’t say a thing?” Kenji exclaimed as he put his fingers on his temples. “Did you at least say something this time?”
In a daze, he nodded his head as if he still couldn’t believe it himself.
“And what happened?!” Itsuki took his shirt in between his hands and shook him. “Stop pausing!”
“Well, you know that after work, I drove almost every night that Tachibana-san was sometimes upset at me for being sleepy. I know that I’m not very skilled, but I wanted to improve myself and so I put all my time into that.” He looked away from us. “Back then, I couldn’t say anything when she left because I have a racer’s pride too. She left with my dream with her.”
Clenching his shirt over his heart, his eyes looked up at us again. “I knew very well it was a long shot, but seeing her face all the time on the websites…and then talking about Mika-chan and Takahashi Ryousuke, it got me thinking. So I wrote to her.”
“And the result!” Itsuki shook him again.
“Mako-chan didn’t say what happened in Tokyo, but when she rode beside me, it was like no time had elapsed between us. We ended up going to Akina and driving the pass several times. She was happy to know I was still the same person she knew. She knew her answer from just watching me. I had let her go for her dream.
“And then, we switched seats. While driving down the pass, she asked me what I wanted. I told her that even if it wasn’t glamorous, I really enjoyed my life here. I wanted to take care of my mother and settle in Gunma, taking care of the team. The team means everything to me. You know my Silvia will always be my first love.
“I told her that it is a simple dream, but I want to teach what I knew to the future members of Akina Speed Stars, like when I explained about mechanics to Takumi or talked about specs with Itsuki and Kenji. This team is full of my friends and I know they’d be my friends for life. So when a new generation comes, I’d like us to teach them about Akina.”
“Sempai has changed.” Itsuki slowly let go of his collar, seeing him with new eyes.
There was a part of me that worried over Iketani more than Kenji or Itsuki, but now, I didn’t have to.
Mako did really hurt him, but I now understood something as I watched myself with Ryousuke.
You can’t help it sometimes.
Being younger and unsympathetic, I can’t believe I said I didn’t know when he started to like her. Because seeing him like this, I think I can finally forgive her.
It wasn’t entirely her fault. I shouldn’t have blamed her for everything back then.
Kenji asked, “So what will happen now?”
“I’m going to leave for Tokyo.” He stood up straight with a renewed sense of confidence. “We’re going to try living together. After a year, we’ll decide if we should give up or get married.”
“Iketani-sempai…” I said.
I was happy for him, but I felt worse at how I’d been acting.
The uneasiness clawed away inside of me.
I’m finally seeing Mika tonight too.
“What? This is so sudden!” Itsuki put his arms up. “I’m happy for you, but how about us, Kenji-sempai!”
Kenji patted Iketani’s shoulder. “I know I made fun of you for everything, but I’m really rooting for you this time.”
“I’m proud of you, Iketani.” Tachibana-san nodded his head. “You’re finally ready to take the next step.”
“I will hold onto her this time with both of my hands.” He put his hands to his sides. “That’s why, until I come back, I’m leaving the team to you, Kenji and Itsuki. Please take care of it for me.”
They were ecstatic at the news, but my mind was tuning out and their voices were becoming a blur.
“When someone pulls up, the first thing you have to do is greet them…”
I remembered the first day Itsuki and I came to work here. Iketani had trained us. Even when we messed up, he never got mad or impatient.
Through everything, he always looked out after me. He was the one who told me whenever I went to battle, “Just come back safely.”
I maybe have been more talented with driving, but that was only that.
The rest, these people taught me.
And the reason I called him ‘sempai’ wasn’t because he was older than me.
“Takumi. Respect yourself.” He sighed as he held my shoulders.
Itsuki, Kenji, and Tachibana-san weren’t around at that time and we were closing up the gas station together.
“Yes, that customer was being an asshole, but you’ve got to be professional. You can’t just suddenly turn like that.”
“I’m not giving up my self-respect to some jerk like that.”
“You don’t have to, but when you react, you do.”
In the end, without Tachibana-san’s knowledge, he quietly took that guy’s wrists and kicked the guy out of the station.
“I know you’re stubborn and don’t like talking, but remember this, I got your back. We’re a team now.”
Even if he failed himself, especially with Mako, whenever I needed his help or advice, he never let me down.
“Good luck, sempai.”
Tsuzuku…/To be continued…
--
Author’s note: It’s chapter 17. Something had to happen by now. ;_; Ryousuke and Takumi, why do you do this to me?!
-_-;;;;;;;;;;;
I should be reading the RX-7 book or looking up the new Toyota 86. (I already tend to talk too much about cars these days though.)
And usually, I totally keep with the canon, but this is the one time where I can’t comply even if I watched Extra Stage. There is no way I could leave Mako and Iketani up in the air. (A plot that, until now, still bugs me.)
I read a lot of discussion boards on them and learned so many things I hadn’t ever thought about, but…I love Mako! She’s the other character besides Wataru who grew in the ID world. And Iketani, he is a sweet guy and very hardworking too. (I have a soft spot for the same guy who went to Bunta with a broken body so that his team could survive.) I mean, Kenji and Itsuki are too because they are friends with Takumi. (Okay, I’m biased because I was helped by a cute guy who lived in Haruna/Akina Lake.)
There are mixed reactions because their circumstances were so strange too, but if Iketani hadn’t asked Bunta...
*lol* Okay, I’ll work on the next chapter.
Thanks for reading and hope you’re enjoying!
Love,
Yui
7/30/2016 10:18 AM – Los Angeles
7/31/2016 2:18 AM - Tokyo
title: Invincible.
pairing: Ryousuke x Takumi
rating: pg-13 (we hope for now)
description: Ryousuke suddenly appears at Takumi ‘s house to ask him a favor, but is there something underlying his request? (Note: Shounen-ai)
Disclaimer – Initial D is a creation by Shigeno Shuuichi-sensei.
Invincible.
By Miyamoto Yui
Chapter 17 - Becoming someone different.
“See you later.”
Wataru and I headed home after our fistbump.
On my way home with my head resting against my right fist, I kept on glancing over at the brown envelope laying in the passenger’s seat with my phone on top of it. While approaching Takasaki, I dropped by a convenience store to get a drink. This time I pulled a bottle of green tea from one of the fridges and drank it in the Impreza.
Halfway through, I closed the bottle and held the dashboard with my right hand.
Just a few more days to go and we’ll be racing together.
Then, when it’s all done, I’ll be gone. I won’t have anyone with me when I go there. Well, I mean from the both of you and Dad.
Keisuke is around there, but it’s still going to be hard being without my family.
I’ve never been too far the ’86 and my dad…
I then reached for my phone.
Feeling like this, I should call Itsuki and Mika. Not him.
I pushed the phone icon anyway.
It’s half an hour past midnight. What are you doing, stupid?! / I can’t help it…
Please don’t pick up.
About to click off, his voice answered, “Hello Takumi.”
“Hi. I know it’s late, but I forgot my bag in your car.”
“I’m not at home right now.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it-“
“If you can stop at Takasaki, I can meet you there.”
“All right.”
“Go to the city hall and wait for me. I’m working near there right now.”
“Okay then. I can be there in half an hour.”
There were only a few lamps in between the two parks surrounding the city hall. Being the only car parked on that road, I found him leaning on one side of his car. His phone flashed against his face as he read something on his phone.
In the near darkness, I parked behind him and he came over to give me the bag. When he did, in patches of light, I saw something strange. Out of concern, I found myself catching his wrist to look it over.
There were scratches and imprints on the top of his hands and his palms were very red.
Unbelievably raw…
“What happened to your hands?”
“It’s nothing.” He brushed it off but didn’t hide his hands either. “Just part of the project I told you about.”
“Okay…” I wasn’t convinced as he took his hand back.
Taking the plastic bag, I thanked him. I stood there not knowing what else I was waiting for and still a bit anxious. “You’re still not well and you went back to work when I left you alone.”
“Don’t worry.” He reached out to hug me very tightly, whispering into my ear in a pleased tone, “As long as you’re with me, I won’t ever harm myself again.”
I nodded my head silently, feeling his breath on my neck.
“Did you come to give me your answer?”
Without warning, he kissed me on the curve between my neck and shoulder.
“Ryousuke-san…” My left hand grabbed onto the hem of his white blouse.
I am not even resisting anymore…and the more my guilt rises…
“Showing yourself to me like this…” His right hand went under my shirt.
“I-” I stammered as his fingers fumbled up each of my ribs.
“You must be doing this intentionally.”
“Ah!” I gasped as his finger rubbed against my nipple, flinching.
He licked my ear. “You’re breaking all my reserves.”
Much worse than short-tempered Keisuke…
My strength was really fading away. Desperate, holding onto the string of that bag and his blouse, I weakly pushed him against his car, but that backfired. It only made him place his leg in between mine, his left hand pulling me in even closer.
“Ryou!” I gasped breathlessly, clenching my hands onto him. The string and my fingers pushed onto his hip more and more. I couldn’t help but close my eyes as it became harder to breathe.
“I like the way you say my name.”
I won’t admit I wanted to test if you’d come see me…
Right then, my phone vibrated with a melody in my pocket, and he slowly pulled away from me. He opened his eyes to look at me as both of his hands gently hung onto my waist. His whole body relaxed, snapping out of his trance.
The phone continued to vibrate as he remained holding onto me.
“I’m sorry for what came over me.” He looked at me apologetically. “For acting that irrationally.”
The one who took advantage of your kindness was me. I’m a horrible person…
“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have interrupted your work.”
“No, I should know better.” His tone sounded slightly condescending.
Don’t treat me like a child.
He let go of me and stood in front of me again, steady as always: The Ryousuke everyone recognized. It was obvious to me now how much he restrained himself and pretended to be unemotional.
So this is how he normally is. Holding back or indulging.
There is no ‘in between’.
“When will you learn that it’s okay not to be perfect?” I stopped clinging onto him and stepped back.
To be one of us and be human…
Feigning composure, I pulled his collar with my left hand.
If you keep saying things like that, when will you get what you want, Ryousuke? Who am I to talk though?
Not being able to look at his eyes, I watched his lips. “Sometimes, people need to be selfish, Ryousuke-san.”
I threw his collar back at him and left, only to park just a few blocks away.
Breathing very heavily and grasping onto the steering wheel with what little strength I had left, I was barely holding on.
My body wants to jump into that river in front of me.
I held my knees together and gulped.
Not here. I’d kill myself from shame if I did anything here.
The ride home felt like slow torture. When I got there, I went straight into the shower fully clothed. The water dripped all over my body and I pushed my palms against the tile wall. I closed my eyes as tightly as I could while panting as slowly as possible.
It isn’t just you though. I become different too when I’m with you.
Finding someone completely different inside of me, I’m doing things I’d never have even thought about.
I stayed there for a while with the water running.
There was absolutely no way I could sleep tonight.
*/*/*/*/*/00000
“Your dad will be back soon. He just needed to talk with the shippers about the tofu supply,” Tachibana said as he stood outside.
I was about to cry because mom wasn’t there and I’d never been away from my parents except when I went to school. But today, Tachibana-san had to pick me up.
“Here.” He gave me some yogurt as I sat on the curb, next to one of the gas pumps. “You must be hungry.”
I ate quietly, but when I looked up to his face, he put his hand over my head.
This is Dad’s best friend. He’s silly like me though.
I turned into the gasoline station.
The sun was high and it was pretty hot by the time I parked.
Iketani came up to me. “Hey, thanks for coming. You didn’t have to be this early though.”
“It’s okay. I was already up.”
“Hey!”
Tachibana-san came out along with Itsuki and Kenji. As usual, we stood in the lane around the first set of fuel dispensers, ready for customers.
I’m lucky the swelling came down so they can’t easily see it, but it still feels raw. I don’t really want to talk about it right now.
“I was wondering if we could see one another before you left,” Tachibana-san said as he patted my shoulder blades.
“I’d never leave without saying goodbye to you. You’re practically my uncle.”
When my mother passed away, you were the one who came by to help my Dad even though you were very busy with this gas station.
You always took the time to look after me, and never thought I was a bother.
I’m really grateful to you for many things.
“That’s true.”
“Are you all set for next week?” He shook his head. “The one I’m wondering about is actually your dad.”
“I’m all right. And knowing how that guy is, I’m sure he’ll just miss someone to tease.”
“I’ll be prepared for it.” He chuckled, knowing all of my dad’s peculiarities. “So what brings you here?”
“The same reason I gathered you all here.” Iketani brought out a small white envelope his pocket and gave it to me. “It arrived on the day we went to the battle.”
I’ve seen this writing before.
I turned over the envelope to the return address. “Mako-san?”
Itsuki nodded his head quickly, then his eyes quickly widened. “What?!”
Kenji’s jaw dropped, completely speechless.
Tachibana-san nodded to himself as he crossed his arms. “Ah, youth.”
I read it aloud for everyone.
“Dear Iketani-san,
I am very happy to get your letter. There are many things I want to talk to you about since I’ve come to Tokyo. And I still have some things to ask you too.
I’ll come at 11am to Takasaki station by train this coming Monday. Since you invited me, maybe we will have better luck this time.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Always,
Mako”
I looked up and saw his face. “You’ve been given another chance, Sempai.”
“So that’s why you were so secretive yesterday!” Itsuki pointed at him accusingly.
“You were with her and you didn’t say a thing?” Kenji exclaimed as he put his fingers on his temples. “Did you at least say something this time?”
In a daze, he nodded his head as if he still couldn’t believe it himself.
“And what happened?!” Itsuki took his shirt in between his hands and shook him. “Stop pausing!”
“Well, you know that after work, I drove almost every night that Tachibana-san was sometimes upset at me for being sleepy. I know that I’m not very skilled, but I wanted to improve myself and so I put all my time into that.” He looked away from us. “Back then, I couldn’t say anything when she left because I have a racer’s pride too. She left with my dream with her.”
Clenching his shirt over his heart, his eyes looked up at us again. “I knew very well it was a long shot, but seeing her face all the time on the websites…and then talking about Mika-chan and Takahashi Ryousuke, it got me thinking. So I wrote to her.”
“And the result!” Itsuki shook him again.
“Mako-chan didn’t say what happened in Tokyo, but when she rode beside me, it was like no time had elapsed between us. We ended up going to Akina and driving the pass several times. She was happy to know I was still the same person she knew. She knew her answer from just watching me. I had let her go for her dream.
“And then, we switched seats. While driving down the pass, she asked me what I wanted. I told her that even if it wasn’t glamorous, I really enjoyed my life here. I wanted to take care of my mother and settle in Gunma, taking care of the team. The team means everything to me. You know my Silvia will always be my first love.
“I told her that it is a simple dream, but I want to teach what I knew to the future members of Akina Speed Stars, like when I explained about mechanics to Takumi or talked about specs with Itsuki and Kenji. This team is full of my friends and I know they’d be my friends for life. So when a new generation comes, I’d like us to teach them about Akina.”
“Sempai has changed.” Itsuki slowly let go of his collar, seeing him with new eyes.
There was a part of me that worried over Iketani more than Kenji or Itsuki, but now, I didn’t have to.
Mako did really hurt him, but I now understood something as I watched myself with Ryousuke.
You can’t help it sometimes.
Being younger and unsympathetic, I can’t believe I said I didn’t know when he started to like her. Because seeing him like this, I think I can finally forgive her.
It wasn’t entirely her fault. I shouldn’t have blamed her for everything back then.
Kenji asked, “So what will happen now?”
“I’m going to leave for Tokyo.” He stood up straight with a renewed sense of confidence. “We’re going to try living together. After a year, we’ll decide if we should give up or get married.”
“Iketani-sempai…” I said.
I was happy for him, but I felt worse at how I’d been acting.
The uneasiness clawed away inside of me.
I’m finally seeing Mika tonight too.
“What? This is so sudden!” Itsuki put his arms up. “I’m happy for you, but how about us, Kenji-sempai!”
Kenji patted Iketani’s shoulder. “I know I made fun of you for everything, but I’m really rooting for you this time.”
“I’m proud of you, Iketani.” Tachibana-san nodded his head. “You’re finally ready to take the next step.”
“I will hold onto her this time with both of my hands.” He put his hands to his sides. “That’s why, until I come back, I’m leaving the team to you, Kenji and Itsuki. Please take care of it for me.”
They were ecstatic at the news, but my mind was tuning out and their voices were becoming a blur.
“When someone pulls up, the first thing you have to do is greet them…”
I remembered the first day Itsuki and I came to work here. Iketani had trained us. Even when we messed up, he never got mad or impatient.
Through everything, he always looked out after me. He was the one who told me whenever I went to battle, “Just come back safely.”
I maybe have been more talented with driving, but that was only that.
The rest, these people taught me.
And the reason I called him ‘sempai’ wasn’t because he was older than me.
“Takumi. Respect yourself.” He sighed as he held my shoulders.
Itsuki, Kenji, and Tachibana-san weren’t around at that time and we were closing up the gas station together.
“Yes, that customer was being an asshole, but you’ve got to be professional. You can’t just suddenly turn like that.”
“I’m not giving up my self-respect to some jerk like that.”
“You don’t have to, but when you react, you do.”
In the end, without Tachibana-san’s knowledge, he quietly took that guy’s wrists and kicked the guy out of the station.
“I know you’re stubborn and don’t like talking, but remember this, I got your back. We’re a team now.”
Even if he failed himself, especially with Mako, whenever I needed his help or advice, he never let me down.
“Good luck, sempai.”
Tsuzuku…/To be continued…
--
Author’s note: It’s chapter 17. Something had to happen by now. ;_; Ryousuke and Takumi, why do you do this to me?!
-_-;;;;;;;;;;;
I should be reading the RX-7 book or looking up the new Toyota 86. (I already tend to talk too much about cars these days though.)
And usually, I totally keep with the canon, but this is the one time where I can’t comply even if I watched Extra Stage. There is no way I could leave Mako and Iketani up in the air. (A plot that, until now, still bugs me.)
I read a lot of discussion boards on them and learned so many things I hadn’t ever thought about, but…I love Mako! She’s the other character besides Wataru who grew in the ID world. And Iketani, he is a sweet guy and very hardworking too. (I have a soft spot for the same guy who went to Bunta with a broken body so that his team could survive.) I mean, Kenji and Itsuki are too because they are friends with Takumi. (Okay, I’m biased because I was helped by a cute guy who lived in Haruna/Akina Lake.)
There are mixed reactions because their circumstances were so strange too, but if Iketani hadn’t asked Bunta...
*lol* Okay, I’ll work on the next chapter.
Thanks for reading and hope you’re enjoying!
Love,
Yui
7/30/2016 10:18 AM – Los Angeles
7/31/2016 2:18 AM - Tokyo
