Be My Babe | Initial D

Chapter 5

I shook Ryosuke Takahashi's hand, and as I met his eyes, I could sense a calm and collected demeanor in him. "Y/n Kogashiwa," I said softly, the sound of my own family name reminding me of the burden it sometimes carried.

The unnamed male in their group was taken aback by my name. "Kogashiwa of Katagiri?" he exclaimed, and I blushed slightly, nodding to confirm. "My brother, Kai Kogashiwa," I added, letting them know that my connection with the racing world wasn't as prominent.

Takahashi's reaction was minimal, which was a relief. I didn't want my family name to dominate the conversation. Takeshi Nakazato, on the other hand, seemed much more enthusiastic. He pulled me into a friendly side hug while introducing himself and commenting on my choice of car. "Takeshi Nakazato," he announced, and then remarked, "I'm shocked you've got a roadster if you're a Kogashiwa."

With a smile, I acknowledged our shared love for the unique design of pop-up headlights and patted my roadster's lights affectionately. Takahashi remained silent, seemingly unfazed by our conversation, and calmly walked away. "I'll see you both later," he said in his usual monotone voice as he returned to his car and left, leaving Nakazato and me to chat.

Nakazato and I continued talking about cars and racing, the conversation flowing easily. He shared stories about his experiences, and I listened with genuine interest, not feeling the need to prove myself as a racer. For once, I could just enjoy talking about the passion that brought us together.

As the night sky darkened, Nakazato eventually excused himself, mentioning he had to prepare for a race he was participating in later. We exchanged contact information, and he encouraged me to come to the race, promising it would be a spectacle.

After he left, I stayed on the Akina car park, feeling strangely content. The world of street racing wasn't so black and white. People like Nakazato and Takahashi had their own motivations and stories, and for a brief moment, I felt like I could be part of their world without my family name overshadowing everything.

I sat on the bonnet of my roadster, gazing at the stars above, contemplating the unexpected turn my night had taken. For now, I was just Y/n Kogashiwa, a car enthusiast who happened to be at the right place at the right time.

Time passed by, and the car park grew quieter as more racers left to prepare for their races or head home. I was in no hurry, content with the solitude and the stars above. As I sat there lost in thought, I couldn't help but wonder what the world of racing had in store for me. My earlier decision to keep my racing life separate from my school life had kept things relatively uncomplicated. But now, having met Takahashi, Nakazato, and their mysterious world, I realized that my two lives might not be as separate as I'd once believed.

Before leaving, I took a deep breath, savoring the cool night air. It had been an unexpectedly eventful day, and I couldn't wait to share my encounters with my dad and brother. I hoped they'd understand that my interest in racing was more than just a fleeting hobby.

With my heart and mind racing, I climbed back into my Eunos Roadster, ready to make my way home. I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for me and my journey through the world of street racing.

When I arrived back at the family house, the lights were on, but it was eerily quiet. As I entered, there was no sign of my dad or my brother. It seemed that they had already headed out for the night. A sense of solitude washed over me.