Racing Rivals, Racing Hearts ☆ [Diego Brando x Reader]

I Hear You, Father (10)

The grand estate pulsated with life as the sound of laughter and animated conversations filled the air. It was a night of celebration, where your father's estate held a gathering of family, friends, and acquaintances. These events, held every few years, were not only a means to maintain relevance in the racing community but also an opportunity to forge new connections and strengthen existing ones.

As the evening wore on, your father's voice echoed through the halls, summoning you downstairs to join him in greeting the guests. Dressed in an elegant gown, you descended the staircase, to assist your father in greeting the guests. The vast crowd seemed overwhelming, a sea of unfamiliar faces dotted with... a few familiar ones.

Guided by your father's confident strides, you stood at his side as he introduced you to the arriving guests. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation, the air filled with conversations and the clinking of glasses.

Amidst the mingling crowd, a distinguished noble family from America made their entrance—the Joestars. Your father, the epitome of charm and grace, approached them, and you followed closely behind, your eyes catching the gaze of a young man in a wheelchair alongside his father.

"Allow me to introduce my daughter: Y/N," your father announced with a touch of pride in his voice. "She possesses great potential as a jockey, much like your esteemed family." The Joestars introduced themselves.

Johnny Joestar's eyes met yours, and a glimmer of recognition sparked within them. "Y/N," he repeated softly, as if trying to place your face within the tapestry of his memories. "Ah, I remember now. You're the jockey who has been making waves on the tracks."

A smile played at the corners of your lips as you nodded in acknowledgement. "Yes, that's me. And it's an honor to finally meet you, Johnny. I've heard tales of your remarkable talent as well."

His wheelchair-bound presence was a testament to his own journey through the trials and tribulations of racing. There was an unspoken camaraderie between you, a shared understanding of the sacrifices and triumphs that came with pursuing greatness.

———

As the formalities subsided, you found yourself making way to the bustling kitchen. You noticed Johnny struggling to reach a bowl of fruit from his seated position. Without hesitation, you approached him, extending a helping hand. A smile of gratitude graced his features as he accepted your assistance.

"Thank you," Johnny said sincerely, his eyes reflecting a genuine appreciation. "Sometimes, the simplest tasks can become quite the challenge." He chuckles.

You shrugged, a sympathetic smile playing on your lips. "We all face obstacles in our own ways. It's the determination to overcome them that truly defines us."

The conversation flowed naturally, as if you had known each other for years. Eventually, you and Johnny shared stories of racing experiences. His voice filled with a mixture of nostalgia and longing. You listened intently, hanging onto his every word, as the connection between you deepened.

Then, amidst tales of victories and near misses, the topic shifted to Diego Brando, the shared rival between you and Johnny. There was a flicker of curiosity in Johnny's eyes as he leaned in, his voice carrying a note of intrigue.

Leaning closer, Johnny's voice softened as he brought up a familiar name. "Diego Brando... a formidable rival on the tracks. Our races were always a battle to the wire, with him consistently inching ahead."

Nodding in agreement, you replied, "Yes, Diego is undoubtedly a skilled jockey. His strategies and tactics are formidable. But the racetrack is where our rivalry lies, nothing more."