Speed, Passion and Intensity

Chapter 4 - Unforeseen introductions

As always, I own nothing except for my characters :)

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Takumi arrived home from his practice with Keisuke, just in time for the early morning deliveries.

"Do I need to get toothpicks to keep your eyelids open?" Bunta asked, cigarette dangling from his lips.

"No dad," Takumi yawned. "I'll be fine." He rubbed his eyes, counting his change for a coffee from the vending machine at the base of Mount Akina.

"What about some company?"
Takumi frowned at his father's question.

"What? You never come with me?!'

"And I don't plan to anytime soon," Bunta's lips twitched in mischief at the confused look he was getting from his son.

"Then wh-,"

"Hey Takumi," a soft feminine voice he hadn't heard in a long time sounded just behind his father.

A slender woman with ice blonde hair stepped out from next to Bunta, her stormy grey eyes, unsure, hoping he would remember her and let her come with him.

"Makita! When did you get here? I thought you were arriving tomorrow?"

Before Makita could answer, Bunta cut in.

"How about you two catch up during your deliveries." He tapped the ash off his cigarette and gestured for his niece to go join his son.

"Yeah, sure!" Takumi was actually somewhat excited now. With what he'd just learned about his cousin, having her as passenger gave him someone new to talk to about street racing.

"Thank you," Makita hugged her uncle briefly. He wasn't the touchy feely kind of guy, but he loved his niece like she was his own daughter.
He'd never let his son or Yuichi know, but he loved her hugs. She reminded him of his sister who was a very affectionate person.

She ran over the passenger side of the 86 and hopped in.

Before strapping in, she hugged Takumi tightly, whispering "I missed you so much," into the soft skin of his neck.

"I missed you too." Takumi returned the hug and then smiled at his cousin.
"You better strap in. The 86 isn't the same machine you rode in 3 years ago. She's a real beast now."

Makita smiled at how fondly Takumi spoke about his car. Bunta had given her the gist of what happened in the past year with Takumi and his 86. Emphasis on his.

"I can't wait!" Makita strapped herself in and laughed softly at the glass of water Bunta gave his son.

"I'm glad to see some thing never change."

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"Your driving is incredible!" Makita said in awe.
Takumi was pulling off techniques and drifts she'd seen semi-pros work on for weeks to master. Takumi pulled them off like they as simple as breathing.

"Thanks." Takumi could feel a slight blush on his cheeks at his cousin's praise.

"Your dad was telling me about an expeditionary team your part of. That's amazing opportunity for you."
Makita saw a ghost of smile show up on Takumi's face.

"Yeah, they're a great group of guys." Giving his cousin a side glance, he continued. "They're the ones who tuned up your car."

"Really? Uncle Bunta didn't tell me that." She looked down at her hands. Wringing them out in worry.
"The work that was done was professional grade. I have to pay uncle back."