Speed, Passion and Intensity

Chapter 2 - Intrigue

Hi everyone. I own nothing. I simply love the series and want to share my vision with all you :)

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GS gas station

"Hey, did you hear about the car Takumi's dad kept in a garage near their house?" Kenji's question caught Iketani off guard while he was cleaning try gas pumps.

"No. It's the first I hear of it," Iketani frowned. "I wonder why Takumi didn't mention it."

"Probably because he just learned about it a few hours ago." Kenji chuckled at Iketani's frown.

"Then how the hell did you find out about it?"

"I heard Yuichi say something about a dark red GTR Z-Tune to Takumi's dad over the phone when I went in to use the bathroom."

Iketani's head shot up. "Did you say a dark red GTR Z-Tune?"

"Yeah. Why?" Kenji frowned. Not understanding his friend's sudden interest.

"Don't you remember a few years ago, when we started the Speed Stars? There was talk of a dark red GTR defending Akina's home turf from outsider street racers. I think people even referred to it as blood red because it would decimate the competition like Itsuki's Levin going against Keisuke's FD."

"I heard that you jerks!" Itsuki yelled across the lot. Both snickered at Itsuki's angry face and continued on.

"Yeah. Actually now that you mention it, I remember now." Kenji's eyes widened. "do you think it's the same car? Why the hell does Takumi's dad have it?"

"I don't know. We could ask Takumi but I doubt he knows more than we do." Iketani's voice trailed off as he spotted a couple across the street, leaning against a car and kissing.

"Dude, just call her already. Anything is better than watching you mope around," Kenji's comment broke Iketani out of his thoughts.

"Hey! I don't mope!" Iketani yelled at Kenji. "I was just thinking," he huffed, crossing his arms.

"About Mako." Kenji raised an eyebrow.

"What did I tell you? Don't say her name!" Iketani could feel the tightness in his chest gripping his heart like a fist.
"Plus what good would calling her do?" Sighing in defeat, Iketani took off his cap and ran his hand through hair.

"You could, oh I don't know, talk to her. You know, where you form words and tell her how you feel,"

"After I left her standing by the billboard?" Iketani rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hand. Trying to rub away the sting he could already feel starting.
"She won't want to talk to me."

"And you know this how?" Kenji hated pushing Iketani, but he cared about his friend. Watching him pine for Mako was really taking its toll on Iketani.

"Would you want to talk to me if I was late by more than 2 hours?"

"No and I'd sucker punch you in the arm."

"Thanks. I can only imagine what Mako would do or say," Iketani turned away from Kenji and looked up into the afternoon sun, almost like he could see Mako's face in the clouds.

"Isn't her angry better than sitting here with your 'what ifs'?" Kenji could see Iketani's shoulders tensing. He put a hand on Iketani's shoulder and squeezed.

"Listen man, if she cares as much as you said she does, she'll want to talk to you, no matter what."
Kenji felt Iketani's shoulders shudder. He could tell he was trying really hard not to cry.
"Call her Iketani." With a smirk he continued, "if it goes to shit, you can use me as a punching bag."