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

I Told You So (52)

The 2nd Stage: Across the Arizona Desert to Monument Valley. You, Gyro, and Johnny prepared yourself at the starting line to begin the second stage taking off in 5 minutes.

The goal is to reach Monument Valley, a distance of 1200km. (~745 miles). There is no set route as long as participants cross the checkpoint, so everyone can decide how many miles to travel per day and whichever lodgings to stay at throughout the route.

The three of you stood at the starting line as Johnny had a newspaper in hand and read out the Steel Ball Run section, "Oh, hey! Im the sixth most popular racer!"

Gyro glanced over at Johnny, "What about me?!" He said excitedly.

"Ninth most popular. Y/N is seventh." Johnny closed the newspaper.

Gyro and Johnny started to converse over candidates and possible strategies while you looked over and saw Diego. He looked focused and determined as he pushed up his goggles to protect his eyes.

The race was off and Gyro immediately pulled far ahead from the group, except, he pulled away from the sensible route and started traveling on a complete different route from the competition.

Johnny looked at you as you both nodded and decided to follow behind Gyro. The announcer mentioned how the three of you pulled away from the group.

After a bit of traveling, Johnny pulled out a map and it appeared the three of you may have been a bit lost. You sighed and took the map, "East is that way," you pointed, "The hot air balloon is still above us so we're clearly not going the wrong way."

Gyro and Johnny nodded as you began to travel the direction you pointed.

After moments of traveling, the three of you started being cut up and attacked by cactus needles while crossing the desert.

"Shit!" You yelled out as you started getting hit.

Johnny tried blocking the needles from getting his face, "Cactus needles?"

Apparently, trampling near the grounds of some cactus causes the needles to start flying out due to the vibrations in the ground.

Gyro looked over and saw a man with long flowy hair staring at them with a smirk, "It has to be that guy's doing! I'll take care of him!" He takes out the steel ball and races toward him to attack.

Johnny's eyes filled with blood causing him to fall off his horse, you quickly dismounted Lady Luck as you went over to assist Johnny.

Johnny tried wiping his eyes, "There's blood in my eyes. Just keep going, Y/N!"

"No, let's go. I'm helping you up." You wrapped your arms under Johnny's shoulder as you attempted to help him up. Eventually, you were able to get him back on his horse.

Turns out, it was a coordinated attack from a Mrs. Robinson. A guy who used his insects to trigger the flying cactus needles in hopes of taking out the three of you. Thankfully, Gyro was able to take him out.

———

It's now around sunset. Throughout the day you've travelled 95km. (~59 miles). You've decided to set up camp for the night. Gyro started a campfire as you went ahead and prepared some food over it for the three of you.

Johnny propped himself near you and pointed to Gyros luggage. He whispered, "Y/N, look at what's in Gyro's baggage."

You peered over and saw a newspaper article about a little boy who is being tried for treason. "Why would Gyro have that?"

"No, look at his letter holder. It's a 'Coat of Arms', only someone of a noble rank can have that." Johnny started to pull out the newspaper article from the baggage.