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“Little did I know that everything would be how it is now. Strange how one person turns your entire life completely upside down.”
_________________________________It probably should surprise you if this story begins with a fact, that back then, it wasn’t a cold night at all. Especially if we add that it was the end of November. But there was no place for the cold.It was the last race of the season and the air was boiling from all the tension, excitement, passion, motors and people.Half naked girls moving their hips to the beat, guys getting high or drunk. Y’know, the classic scenario.Even those who were not the biggest fans of racing, they were here tonight. To see who officially will become a champion of the year.If we talk honestly though, less naive and more realistic ones knew the answer perfectly without any doubts, yet they still came to enjoy the show that’s about to start.Indeed, no doubts.Champion of the year, 6th year in a row, if anything, is obviously Dolce Veleno.Or more simply out of the mask - Chūya Nakahara.“DOLCE, I LOVE YOU!!!”“DOLCE, PLEASE SIGN ON MY ASS!!!”“VELENO, SHOW THEM WHO’S THE KING OF THE STREETS HERE!”Such replicas were already part of his life. That’s how it is when you’re a quite big fish in these massive, labyrinth like streets, a star, and for someone - a legend.Chūya was completely used to these since he was a teenager, two years after he came here, yet he still can’t hide his smirk. His ego’s being fed well.He knows he is a King of these streets and even more. Confidence and adrenaline is boiling hot in his veins, making him even hotter himself, even though he’s wearing only a light t-shirt with ripped jeans while it’s actually not summer anymore.He swears he feels even like a goddamn God in moments like this.“Dolce-san, excuse me, please give me a minute-““Veleno, please, just one question!-““Dolce, what are your predictions for tonight?!”Chūya just huffs shaking his head and sighs before stopping, looking around all the naive and annoying reporters that are blocking his way. He pushes his bangs off his face, fixes the mask and leans towards one quite pretty girl, picking up the phone from her hands, which is most likely a “microphone” in this case.“There’s no predictions, sweetheart. We all know I am the one and only champion. If you’re the naive one, just get the fuck out of here. I’m in no needs of seeing stupid worms around here.”The girl feels chills all around her body as soon as the racer’s look pierces her soul. She’s definitely remembering this for a good while as she swears in another second her legs would’ve gave up.In a few moments, quite big part of the people surrounds all around the pale-skinned guy that was going to the same way as Chūya. Or at least was trying.“Bloody Mary! Please, one question!”“Just one minute, we just want to know-“The guy seems disgusted and even kinda lost, still trying his best to go through the mass of people grunting under his breath, at what Chūya silently chuckles shaking his head before speeding up to help his friend.“Yo, let the person go, assholes. If anything, we’re workin’ here! Y’all already got the answer, so fuck off!” Chūya shouts and surprisingly people indeed let them both go. It’s kinda already a fact that you shouldn’t fuck with these two, especially with the ginger one, if you wanna come back home healthy tonight.In a moment guys practically disappear from the view, going to hide behind all the mess and noise after increasing their pace.“Man, hah, you saved my ass again.” pale-skinned guy breathes out as he pants trying to catch his breath after taking the mask off and leaning against the cold brick wall.“I guess you’re in a debt again.”“Oh c’mon-“
“Dude, chill out. I wanted to vanish as well, you just helped me, so we’re equals.” Chūya giggles after taking off his mask as well and sighs leaning against the wall too, peeking at the guy.“So, Bloody Mary. What are your predictions for tonightt?~” Nakahara first breaks the silence teasing.Pale-skinned guy at first frowns peeking at him slightly confused, but then surprisingly huffs to himself and his lips corners move a tiny bit as if he’s smiling. He sighs and decides to bite back with a completely calm and serious face.“Ahh~, well that’s pretty obvious that Scorpion definitely will become a champion.”
Chūya immediately grabs on his own chest and gasps dramatically.“Ryunosuke Akutagawa! How dare you!”“What? You asked me for my predictions, so I answered honestly.”“Do you actually expect me to believe your bullshitting?” Chūya raises his eyebrow and crosses arms on his chest.“Are you offended that I didn’t feed your ego?” Akutagawa slightly smirks huffing.“Obviously no. I’m just flabbergasted that you underestimated yourself just like that. You’re always on the top among the best.”
Ryunosuke eventually smiles and looks away rubbing the back of his neck. It’s sometimes overwhelms him that only Nakahara manages to make him feel like this.“C’mon, we both know you’re the King of these streets.”“Haha, well yeah, of course. But if you win this one, you’ll be the new sensation of Setsuna. A new king, not just a prince” Chūya chuckles and sighs taking a pack of cigarettes with a lighter out of his pocket.“Don’t tell me you actually will give up so I can win. I told you I am perfectly fine with the second place.” Akutagawa peeks at his friend and sighs as well squatting down to take a minute of rest before the race.“Well. If you’re this stubborn, let’s just let the race decide who’s the winner this year.” Chūya huffs and looks at Ryunosuke genuinely concerned. “Are you okay though? Did you take the pills?”“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good. Just dizzy a bit, but you know how I am.” Akutagawa huffs and takes a breath before suddenly frowning and covering his mouth as he coughs a few times, eventually sitting down on the ground.Chūya presses his lips together putting stuff back in his pocket and sighs sitting next to him, leaning his head against the wall, but still watching his friend and shivering in a moment due the chilly wind.“Weather keeps fucking with ya, isn’t it?”“Talks the one who’s half naked during such cold night.”“I’m not half naked, what do you mean?! It was hot as hell among all of those fucks, c’mon-““And now you’re freezing.”“Nuh-uh-““You’re all covered in goosebumps, do you think I am blind or something?” Akutagawa raises his eyebrow trying to make a serious face, even though his throat’s been itching as hell, yet he still covers that the best he can.“C’mon, I’m fine, really. In anyways we gotta go soon and stuff, I’ll sweat as fuck during the race.” Chūya groans rolling his eyes.“Idiot, don’t forget you WILL freeze due the wind and speeding.”There’s a minute of silence as Chūya always hates to yield to someone. But that’s his best friend, he can’t say no. So he surrenders after sighing deeply.“Okay, fine. I’ll grab a jacket before the race. But you take this. Stop faking that you’re fine and grab pills before the show.” He hums before standing up and taking off the sweater that was wrapped around his waist, handing it to Ryunosuke.Another minute of silence that’s bothered only by Nakahara taking the cigarettes out of his pocket again and lighting one of them, inhaling the smoke and exhaling it deeply while resting his head against the wall to look up to the sky. Akutagawa at that moment hesitates for a good minute before taking off his jacket to put on the sweater that Chūya gave him, immediately sighing at the warmth.“Are you going to the after party?” Ryu breaks the silence first this time, humming while watching one spot and slightly playing with a corner of his jacket.“Are YOU going to the after party?” Chūya huffs in a moment after making another puff and peeking at his friend.“Honestly would go home to rest, but Atsushi wouldn’t stop whining about going together, so I guess the answer is obvious.” Akutagawa huffs too and relaxes slightly as he peeks up at the ginger guy as well.
“Well, I guess I can’t leave my buddy all alone in such trouble, can I?” He giggles exhaling the smoke and shivering from the wind again.“I mean, I perfectly know that for ‘Shi I won’t be really needed there, as he’s extremely all over the place during parties and stuff. So yeah, I guess company would be cool for an hour or something at least.” Ryu smiles barely visibly, but Chūya knows that it’s the most genuine smile he has ever seen. So he smiles back and nods.“‘m not into parties either, but I guess a bit of distraction and attention won’t hurt before the winter.”Akutagawa nods as well and sighs, suddenly shrugging as he coughs again, trying to do that as less loud as he can.“Are you sure you’re fine? I have extra meds, if anything.” Nakahara frowns a bit and presses his lips together getting worried.He knew Ryunosuke perfectly since childhood, and of course how good he was at faking. Yet he knew him perfectly. It wasn’t as easy to fuck up with Chūya.
“Y-Yeah. Yeah. I’ll be all good, I promise.” Akutagawa huffs and takes a breath licking his slightly dried lips.Chūya can tell he’s visibly anxious, but he doesn’t want to make a situation worse, so he just simply squats down next to him after throwing cigarette away and gently rubs his shoulder.“When are y’all going on vacation with Atsushi?” Nakara asks genuinely to make Ryunosuke’s bad thoughts vanish away.“Mm? Oh-“ Akutagawa blinks after Chūya touches him and stops zoning out shaking his head, taking a minute to understand the question.“Honestly not sure yet. Maybe before Christmas, so not really soon. We didn’t really decide yet.” Ryunosuke hums and peeks at Chūya who’s nodding.“What are your plans though? You didn’t really mention anything.”“Because I have no idea what I’ll be doing myself.” Nakahara genuinely chuckles and rests his head against the wall, watching the perfectly clear night sky.
“I honestly don’t know how not to kill myself out till spring, that’s crazy as hell, man.” He brushes his bangs back and blinks hearing Kōyō finally announcing the opening of the race.
“Shit’s about to start.” He thinks.
“You know Yosano will kill you herself way faster than you’ll think of it.” Akutagawa’s lip corners move a little again.
Chūya smiles as well.He loves the fact that Ryu feels safe enough to smile and laugh with Chūya. It’s all that matters to him. Making him at least a little happier in such shitty world.
“CHŪYA FUCKING NAKAHARA!!-”
Guys freeze for a moment after hearing a strong feminine voice yelling a few meters away from them.And then they genuinely giggle after looking at each other.“Why did you even mention her, idiot?”
“I guess you indeed are dead, man. She sounds furious as hell.” Akutagawa teases Chūya.“Dude, I’m getting my trophy in about an hour, why the fuck are you teasing me with death?!” Chūya rolls his eyes and groans standing up, fixing his hair and watching a young woman approaching them.“You mentioned it first and also you’re simply so funny when you’re frustrated, I can’t help it.” Ryunosuke huffs and sighs taking a breath as he slowly stands up as well. Blinking and leaning against the wall as poor health makes his vision pitch black for a few moments.“YOU MOTHERFUCKING ASSHOLE, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!?!-““You’re good?” Chūya huffs at the shouts and peeks at Ryunosuke seriously.“Mhm.” Ryu nods and deeply exhales opening his eyes, looking at Nakahara softly with slightly moving lip corners. “Gonna go prepare while you’re getting brutally killed.”“Oh wow, thanks for support, bruh.” Chūya rolls his ocean blue eyes and sighs straightening out after huffing again.“Take care and stay safe, Bloody Mary.” He puts a hand on Akutagawa’s shoulder and gently rubs it before tapping.“Long live the King.” Ryu eventually smiles and waves to Yosano after doing their handshake with Nakahara, putting on his mask before vanishing and leaving Chūya all alone with that furious woman.“I don’t believe in you, but Lord, have mercy on me.” Chūya huffs and takes breath straightening out his posture as the girl is only a few steps away from him.“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND OR WHAT??”Another moment and suddenly Chūya’s tightly pressed against the cold brick wall by his neck.Nakahara perfectly knew Yosano as well after all the years. Her physique and height being not as much of feminine was one of the things that made her different from all the other women.So he was fully aware of her strength and abilities to protect herself.Yet he still got surprised, but only by suddeness, since she’s not that kind of person to be rough or agressive.“Hey, hey! Easy there, what the fuck??” Chūya tries to push her hands away.“The fuck you mean easy, asshole?! What were you fucking thinking, idiot?! Wanted to get killed this much or what???” Yosano squeezed his neck harder, looking furious as hell.“Can you fucking explain the fuck you’re furious about instead of making a goddamn scene here?!” The girl knew how weak Nakahara’s nerves are, yet for a second she overestimated herself as now she’s the one pressed to the wall.
Getting shouted at.
Chūya being mad is kind of an intimidating thing, but she was never scared of him, since she knew he’d never hurt her.Yet shivers still run down her spine and she takes a breath licking her lips as Nakahara’s look literally pierces through her.“So where did all of your madness vanish, huh? Was it a goddamn necessary to make a fucking scene right before the race?” Chūya hums still staring at Yosano and not pulling away.Even though they had some height difference as Chūya’s quite short for a guy, still he had some serious strength in him.“It fucking was, because your stupid ass decided to kill itself on a race track.” Yosano mumbles and pushes Chūya away. “Fuck off, your intimidation and teasing doesn’t work on me.”By the fact that Akiko wasn’t that type of a girl to curse, it must’ve been a serious problem she’s talking about due the amount of curses she’s using at the moment.“Yet you do see me as intimidating though.” Nakahara smirks and picks another cigarette from his pocket lighting it up. “I was planning to do that during winter, definitely not before I pick up my trophy.”“You’ll see it in your ass with such responsibility of yours.” Yosano mumbles brushing her messy bangs back and steps closer to Chūya to pick a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.“Whoa, whoa, now excuse you, ma’am, the fuck you mean by steal my cigs when you don’t smoke?” Nakahara makes a puff and looks at the girl confused.“The fuck you mean by bringing an almost dead bike to the race?” Akiko lights up a cigarette and makes a puff as well, giving Chūya a death stare.“Excuse me?”“Don’t act stupid, ‘right? Did you actually planned to get killed or what?” Yosano peeks back as the speakers speak up.
“The race will start in 15 minutes! I hope y’all are ready!!” Kōyō shouts.
“For fuck’s sake-“
“Carburetor’s fucked, accelerator’s glitching, breakes are fucked as well, engine’s hell knows when was changed the last time-“ Yosano starts naming while Chūya’s just staring at her.“Don’t have anything else to say, huh? Acted all cool, but what the fuck is that? How the hell fo you expect me to allow you to race with such shit?”“Butterfly, c’mon-“ Chūya rolls his eyes.He knows he’s fucked.“Don’t expect sweet names to change anything. The fuck were you doing while Ryu was working a whole night to fix Rashomon, mm? What??” Akiko makes another puff.Nakahara stays silent for a moment finishing his cigarette, throwing it away and fixing his ponytail.He’s not explaining himself.
Yosano’s not his mother.
Indeed she’s not.
She at least cares for him.But if he explains himself, he’s not racing tonight due being actually killed.
“I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” Chūya eventually speaks up after taking a breath, but not looking at the girl.“You won’t.” Yosano throws away her cigarette as well and calms down in a moment. “If you go faster than 90 or 100 kilometers per hour, you’ll break-““I’ve survived bigger shit, ‘right? I’ll be fine. I have it under control.”“Were you having nightmares again?” Akiko hits suddenly. Concerned.It definitely hits the guy as he swallows harshly.He doesn’t want to talk.
He needs the speed.And he needs to win no matter what.
Of course he will.
“Did you pour some collant?” Chūya asks emotionless, cracking his knuckles and neck.Yosano stares at him for another moment and deeply sighs giving up. She steps closer to rub his shoulder.“Yeah.”“Thanks.” Nakahara nods and forces a smile, turning his head to give a reassuring kiss to the girl’s temple.He knew Yosano since he came to the Tokyo ages ago. At this point she became like a sister to him.Well, in some cases a mom, but that’s not the point.“I’ll be going now, a few minutes left.”“Don’t you dare to get yourself killed.”“I won’t, tesoro.
I promise.”
███ ██████████ ███████
“FIVE MINUTES LEFT!!”
Saying that the tension was insane, is the same as saying nothing.It’s really hard to say what was louder: music or the roaring of motors at the start line.
Scorpion.Shadow.Thunderstorm.
Bloody Mary.
Dolce Veleno.
Best riders in Setsuna. Most likely in a whole Tokyo and maybe even among some actually legal racers in Japan.Five of them, that survived this season and showed their best till this point, where they’re about to find out who’s the best one this year.Well.Majority of them is here.Normally, if the racer is not at the start line minutes before the race, everyone gets genuinely concerned.But not when we talk about Dolce Veleno.A few minutes are left and people’s heartbeats are racing like crazy as they’re waiting what did he prepare for them this time.
♦
Waiting doesn’t last long. As soon as the iconic rock group’s of 70s perfectly known hit touch people’s ears, they all forget about other four left racers that are waiting at the start line.“Seems that the King has arrived just in time!” Kōyō announces full of excitement. “Show him how much we love him!!!”Chūya always took racing seriously as hell.
Maybe even too seriously sometimes.
Because he loved being extra.And he knew so damn well how to be the one.Each race was a like a performance to him. Maybe that’s why people loved him this much that they shout like crazy right now.Racing was like art to Nakahara. It was art, if more correctly. Because it seemed like every pre-race show was extremely well rehearsed, no matter that Chūya did them so damn effortlessly.As if he was born for it.
Because he was.
Just when the drums joins the guitar’s melody, he pushes the helmet’s shield on his eyes and turns on the red LED’s on his bike. Making a few louder roars to get more cheers from the crowd that feeds his ego so well.He modified Arahabaki basically from the zero once he came to Tokyo. By the appearance it was a newest Kawasaki Ninja R6, yet the only thing from that model that this bike has, was probably only the brand logo on the side.Chūya counted Arahabaki as a part of his soul now. They worked as one, speeded as one, breathed as one.Nakahara couldn’t hide his smirk at all from all the shouts for him. No matter that after the talk with Yosano, he actually is kind of anxious about how this race will go with a fucked bike. Which never happens.Arahabaki’s never fucked and Chūya’s never anxious.“Fuck it.” He thinks as he pushes the thoughts away and starts showing off his brilliant skills.“Akiko poured the coolant, ain’t no ways we’re burning tonight, yeah?” Chūya huffs after tapping the side of a motorcycle and sighs closing his eyes for a second to feel this beast.
To become one with it.
Drifting, wheelies, donuts, riding on a back or front wheel, no hands, standing on it, lying on it.
There’s probably no tricks that Nakahara wouldn’t know how to do on a bike.That’s probably what made him such special, fearless, talented and even intimidating rider and opponent.Some people already have lost voices by screaming his name while watching the show.The insane amount of smoke that makes Chūya look even more mysterious than he already is, the red LEDs, loud roars, matching the vibe music.Chūya was a legend of Setsuna. Maybe even of Tokyo. Nobody knows.Even though Chūya’s show lasts only a few minutes to warm up the people and himself, it felt like internity. Just him and his Arahabaki.Yet it seems it wasn’t enough for others as they shout “REPEAT” as loudly as they can, no matter that a minute left till the start.“Seems you’re in a serious mood today, man.” Chūya hears a chuckle in his headphones and turns his head to the side to look at his opponent.“It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t do such entrance.” Chūya giggles admiring a fully black and matte Yamaha MT07 that looks like it just left a salon.Ryunosuke was always extremely responsible and watched after Rashomon very carefully, so of course he got ready for this race really properly this time.
Not like Chūya.
Don’t take it wrong. Chūya cared for Arahabaki way more than he cared for himself. Because he never cares for himself.He just fucked up this time.He doesn’t want to think of it now, he cannot fuck up at the race.
He’ll let it out at the track.
“Are you feeling better?” Chūya asks.“Yeah, I drank meds and stayed with Atsushi for a moment, so now I’m all ready.” Nakahara hears a smile and excitement in Akutagawa’s voice.“I’m surprised you didn’t get killed though.”“We made a deal. Now let’s begin a show, shall we?” Chūya smirks and makes another few louder roars from impatience.“You actually put on a hoodie, huh?”“Let’s count as a sign of luck for tonight.” Nakahara smiles and peeks at the sweater that he gave Ryu earlier. “You didn’t take it off either, huh?”
“THIRTY SECONDS!!!”
“Sign of luck for tonight it is.” Ryu smiles comfortingly before exchanging a handshake with Chūya and covering his face with a shield of the helmet.Nakahara closes his eyes for the last few seconds that are left and listens to the even more intense roaring of motors.“Don’t you dare to fuck up today, asshole.”“TEN!!!”“You can’t fuck up, ‘right? You cannot.”“FIVE!!!”Nakahara swears he feels like it’s him who has the engine inside right now.
“THREE!!!”“TWO!!!”
“Non fare cazzate.”
“ONE!!!!”
♦
It’s a good question was the signal given faster or did racers move from the start line first. Because the only thing that was left, was the insane amount of smoke.Ironic or not, but Chūya wasn’t the first going ahead.
Nah.
He had a different plan for tonight.His bike’s fucked, he won’t win anyhow if he’s going by the track and depends only on the speed. He’ll only kill himself, and no matter how badly he wanted it, it wasn’t his plan for this race.So he keeps it cool at first.
“If you go faster than 90 or 100km/h, you’ll break” Yosano’s voice keeps going on repeat in Nakahara’s head.He needs to work smart this time.“You ‘right there, man?”Chūya’s thoughts get interrupted by Ryunosuke’s voice in his headphones.“Yeah, yeah. Don’t wait for me, go ahead, idiot!!” Chūya comes back to his senses.“You sure we’re not supposed to go together this time?” Akutagawa slows down to keep it equal with Chūya. He eventually gets concerned since Chūya never acts like this.“I’ll go through the detour, Rashomon may get stuck there.”“Arahabaki’s fucked? Why suddenly you decided on winning with mastery and not speed?”Chūya feels his heartbeat increasing. Not due the racing like always or due the feel of freedom.
He fails to fight the thoughts and gets genuinely anxious.“Yeah.” He mumbles seeing the road a bit worse due zoning out.
“Hey, hey! It’s not time for this, ‘right?! I’m joining you, keep them away!!” Akutagawa drives a little closer to his friend. He knows he’s gonna fuck up if Ryu won’t go together.In a moment he hears another line calling.“Ryu?? Is Chūya fucked? He’s not answering!!” Yosano almost yells.Akutagawa declines a line with Chūya to answer Yosano after turning to the forest following Nakahara.“I’m going with him, we’re fine.” He takes a breath trying not get anxious himself and keep it calm.“Don’t let him use nitro no matter what, understood?!”“Got it.”There’s a moment of silence between guys as Chūya tries to collect himself.
He’s fucked.He swears he wants to beat up hard the guys who chose this track for tonight. If they raced in the town, he wouldn’t be as worried. But it was chosen to avoid the police that was fully aware of tonight’s event.
On the other hand Nakahara is actually mad at himself for messing up this stupidly.
“Fucking piece of shit.”“You won’t come second if you follow me.” He calms down a little knowing he’s not alone.“I’m aware.” Ryunosuke comforts him.
“Why?”“Because I care about you and fun on a track more than about a medal.” He smirks. “Speed up grandpa, because either way Scorpion will grab your trophy.”“Oh fuck you, asshole.” Chūya finally grins and follows Ryunosuke that’s ahead. Feeling at least some relief and freedom.The detour they were going through was definitely not for the rookies or someone who has ridden only in the town.The whole point is that forest roads in here are so fucked up, since they were fixed ages ago last time. One tiny wrong move with the handlebars and you’re dead. Extremely wavy tracks and poor visibility are making the situation even worse.But Chūya with Ryunosuke have ridden for over ten years and they always ride here on free days or while practicing, so these roads are not a problem for them at all.
“Are we going to the left?”
“Gays to the left it is.” Chūya teases chuckling and overtakes Akutagawa going ahead to the left.“Now that’s iconic.” Ryu smirks speeding up as well. “What’s your limit?”“110.”
“If you go over 90 or 100km/h, you’ll break.”“Goddamn 110 on a harder track. At least we could go to the right then.” Ryunosuke sounds disappointed.“Haha, well none of us are straight, so right is forbidden, idiot!” Chūya giggles fully hiding his anxiety.“What about Scorpion that’s ahead us around half of kilometer though?”Madness in Nakahara awakes way too fast after this phrase. He cannot lose.“Are your absorbers clean?”“Yeah, why?”“We’ll go through Waterfall then.”“Wait, what? With city bikes?” Akutagawa’s body tenses more from hearing such news.“We’ll survive. That way we’ll reach the main track and be ahead a few meters. Then we push up with nitro and finish the race as champions.” Chūya’s voice steady and deep. Ryu can tell he’s mad as hell.And it’s bad when Chūya races while being mad.“Wait, wait, what nitro? Dude, you’ll burn-““I’ll fucking raise like a phoenix from ashes if I do. I will not fucking lose.” Nakahara grips the handlebars tightly and speeds up.95.“Chūya-““I will not lose or die tonight.” Nakahara’s voice sounds even more furious.Akutagawa knew that it’s pointless to even start arguing with this guy, so he just sighs and starts praying for him, even though he’s not religious.In another few sudden turns, they reach a road that goes straight for a few hundred meters before going higher forming a small mountain with a huge and deep hole below. Another mountain on the other side.From the side view indeed looking like a waterfall, since the other side is way lower.They have jumped through it not once quite easily after practicing for months. But not with city bikes.So it’s either fly or die now.Chūya feels the bike getting a bit hotter even though the coolant was poured.
Since he’s already going 115km/h.He won’t lose or die tonight.“Shitting pants already, huh?” Nakahara teases.“In your goddamn ass, motherfucker.” Akutagawa bites back. It’s not like he’s into this idea. But he’s not leaving his friend.
It was against their oath that they gave each other ages ago.
The roar of the engines echoed through the forest as in a moment they approached the mountain. The sunset that happened a while ago made the visibility poor.“Ready?” Chūya peeks back at Ryunosuke.“I go where you go.” Ryu nods.Their grip tightens on the handlebars. They both accelerated, the world around them blurring into a dizzying rush of speed and adrenaline. The cliff loomed closer, a yawning chasm stretching out before them.Nakahara was the first to take off. His bike sailed through the air, the wheels spinning uselessly against the empty space.
The wind whipped past him, a fierce gale that seemed intent on pulling him down into the depths. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a countdown to impact. Matching with his beast.That was the reason he raced for.
Freedom. Relief. Just him, his “brother” and his Arahabaki.
Akutagawa followed a split second later, his bike's suspension compressing before launching him into the void.
For a moment, they were both airborne, suspended in a moment of impossible flight. The sky above, the ground far below, and the sheer drop ahead created a terrifying panorama of extremes.Time seemed to stretch, each second an eternity as they hung in the air. The cliff on the opposite side rushed toward them, solid and unforgiving.Chūya adjusted his weight, angling the bike's nose upward, with fully empty mind.
He could hear Ryunosuke’s engine roaring beside him, the sound a steady partner in their shared peril.The landing was brutal.
Nakahara’s bike hit the ground hard, the suspension absorbing the impact with a bone-jarring thud. He skidded, dirt and gravel spraying in all directions as he fought to regain control.Ryunosuke landed mere moments after, his bike wobbling before he steadied it, tires gripping the loose earth.They sped onward, the cliff behind them now just a part of the past. Chūya glanced over at Ryu, who’s trying to catch his breath.“Shat your pants?” He teases chuckling.“I thought I saw a heaven for a moment, man.” Ryunosuke huffs.“Dude, that was fucking the best thing I’ve experienced in a while!!” The guy grins happily. “We need to repeat that more often, dear Lord-““Idiot, Yosano’s gonna kill us!”
“She won’t, if you don’t tell her! Speed up, old ass!!”
“I’m younger than you!” Akutagawa shouts, but seems that Chūya is in his own world already to hear that.It actually warms Ryunosuke’s heart seeing Chūya happy at least for a bit. That dude went through way too many shit. So he lets him be.
As soon as they reach the main track, guys start speeding up.As Chūya said, they indeed are ahead from the other a few hundred meters, which is an easy win for them, since others reached their top speed already.“I can already smell the trophy.” Chūya swears he feels blood literally boiling in his veins from all the exploding emotions.“Do you remember your speed limit?” Akutagawa starts slightly struggling to keep up with Nakahara due his heaving breathing.“Can’t hear you!!” Nakahara laughs and keeps speeding up.
110.
115.
“Chūya, you’ll reach the finish without speeding!!” Ryu attempts to reach him again, but fails. “AT LEAST DON’T USE NITRO, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!”He gives up on keeping up and just prays, so Nakahara doesn’t
break.120.Bike’s heating up more and starts letting out silent, weird noises somewhere from the engine.“C’mon, c’mon. Don’t disappoint-“
125.
“I know you wanna win as much as I do, yeah?”
That was the moment.As soon as a few meters left till the finish line, Chūya reached that peak of euphoria.When he felt nothing more, but the wind, freedom and how he becomes one with Arahabaki.
A beast.Akutagawa decides to stay third this time. He’s completely okay with letting his Prince name rest for a season and politely allows Scorpion to the second place.
Even though they all were opponents, they were polite sometimes, so Scorpion thanks Ryunosuke and follows Chūya to the finish line speeding up.300 meters left.130.“We won’t burn tonight. But if we do - we raise from the ashes as we always do.”
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“I FUCKING TOLD YOU NOT TO GO FASTER THAN 90, OH MY GOD-““Butterfly, c’mon, chill out!! We won, WE FUCKING WON!!” Chūya starts singing under his breath happily and hugs mad Yosano swinging with her.“We are the champions, my friend~”Ryunosuke grins happily as well. Which is a weird view, but he cannot not do it right now.“He’s right, Akiko, we stayed alive and it’s all that matters.”“Yeah, right, and I’ll be the one to suffer with fixing the bike.” She mumbles.“Chill out, sweetheart~ We do celebrate today and have a whole winter to make that babe even better.” Chūya gives a long peck to her cheek and takes off his hoodie before approaching Aku.“After party?” He smirks.“It’d be a shame to not celebrate such race, man.” Ryunosuke gives him a soft smile.“It’d be a shame to not celebrate you smiling~” Nakahara chuckles and rubs his friends shoulder before leaving. “I’ll join a bit later, gonna go meet ‘Hara.”“We’re gonna be closer to the scene from the right side, find us!”“Will do!”Chūya waves to them happily and heads to the garages picking a phone from his pocket to call Tachihara who answer only a few moments later.“Yo, man, you hear me?” Chūya nearly shouts so Tachihara can hear him through all the blasting music in the background.“Barely, but yeah! Congrats once again, dude!” A guy chuckles.“Thanks! Are you free for a smoke?”“Gonna be there in 10, I just finished warming up the public.”“Waiting then.” Nakahara smiles and deeply
sighs leaning against the cold brick wall looking up at the dark night sky.Surprisingly it was a clear night for the end of November as it tends to rain almost everyday now. So it was like an ordered weather for today.“You could fucking die and kill other two people, asshole. The fuck was in your head?!”Yosano’s words fly through Chūya’s head.Indeed he almost made such amazing day into a whole tragedy.If not enough amount of coolant that Akiko poured before the race, after reaching 110km/h, Arahabaki would’ve have literally exploded due fucked details, that Chūya didn’t fix for a good while now.He would’ve died. And killed
Scorpion with Ryunosuke.
“Fuck the Scorpion.” He thinks. He wouldn’t be the first that Nakahara killed in his life.If he killed Ryunosuke, he swears he’d slit his own throat by his own hands the very same second. Because they’re brothers after all. Who cares that not by blood.
“I fucked up as hell, didn’t I?” Nakahara looks at the brightly shining moon and swallows harsher as he finally feels at least some relief since the race is behind. “Thanks that at least we won, but goddamnit-“He covers his face and squats down feeling the shivers running down his spine due coldness of the wall.Thoughts start running through his mind.Pictures from the past flashing in front of his eyes.All the worst memories and words he have ever experienced and heard.“Worthless piece of shit.”Chūya will not cry now.But he wishes he could.He wishes he could erase himself from his world.Or at least he wishes to be a human.
Not a beast.
“Hey, man!”Chūya’s thoughts get interrupted by a cheerful guy’s voice.He met Tachihara a few years after coming to Tokyo, once he was in a desperate need of a job, no matter legal or not. So since then they have become quite close friends.Nakahara blinks and takes a breath before standing up and greeting another ginger guys happily. It was quite a rare thing for a Japanese person to have naturally ginger hair, so when they first met, Chūya was actually surprised by it.“Why so upset, dude? Isn’t it time to celebrate our King’s victory, huh?” Tachihara chuckles.“Yeahh, that’s true.” Chūya huffs awkwardly and rubs the back of his neck. “I was thinking about suggesting you to go to the club tomorrow, I’m not much in a mood today to do shit.”“Some shit happened?” A guy asks and picks up a grinder with a small packet of weed from his pocket.“Yeah, I kind of fucked up due chilling with you yesterday.” Nakahara admits a bit guilty. He hated to blame other people on shit that happens to him, but he also deeply despised lying.“Oh fuck, sorry, dude, I didn’t think of it-““Nah nah, it’s alright. Nothing serious happened so it’s all that matters.” Chūya smiles comfortingly. “Let’s just not use shit next time right before the race, ‘right?”“Sounds like a deal.” Tachihara smiles as well and picks up the rolling paper to roll two joints.“How was the warm up?” Chūya leans against the wall again and stuffs his hands into the pockets while watching his friend.“The amount of people this time is actually insane, man. I was genuinely impressed.” Tachihara chuckles. “Honestly they’re so energetic today, so it was really nice.” He hums thinking and gives one joint to Chūya.“But?-“ He nods thanking and takes a lighter.“I’m pretty sure they’re this excited and there’s this many people not only because their King won tonight.” Michizō smirks.
“Excuse me?” Chūya gets genuinely offended after taking a puff and feeling some relief filing his body.“Haha, chill out, King.” Tachihara giggles and lights up a joint as well. “Apparently No Longer Human is performing tonight here, so they’re wilding due that.”“Who the fuck?”“Oh, you don’t know him?” Ginger guy blinks in confusion as well.“Another boring pop prince?”“Not really, to be honest. He’s actually good as hell. Believe it or not, but an idol.”“Are you kidding me?” Chūya almost chokes on the smoke, squatting down due slight, pleasurable dizziness. “From where such money and how’s police not here?”“From the bets.” Tachihara squats down as well taking another puff. “Organizers apparently were saving up during a whole season, plus today dudes were betting as fuck, sooo-““Damn.” Chūya huffs and brushes his bangs back closing his eyes. Feeling his body getting a little lighter as the weed finally hits in.He was never really a fan of k-pop or any other asian music, just one or another song in his playlist, so it’s not like he actually cared and will run immediately to look what fuck did come here.He was just impressed by the organization getting wilder each year, because after all it was not legal racing.“I guess I should go and check what ass is performing then.” Nakahara huffs again and sighs in relief after finish a joint.“Wanna go to my place before that?”“Dude, we both know how a short visit will end up at your place.” Chūya shakes his head. “Let’s leave it for tomorrow.”“C’monnn, it’s a celebration today after all.” Tachihara makes a last few puffs as well. “Max an hour, I promise!”“Uhhh, you suck, man-“ Chūya groans rolling his eyes and sighs again slowly standing up.“You wouldn’t survive without me though.” Ginger guy winks teasing and chuckles standing up too.“Oh fuck you, asshole.” Chūya eventually laughs as well and punches his friend. “Fine. But an hour and not more.”“You’re the best!”“Oh I know.”
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“Sorry, I’m late.”“Dude, I thought you already killed yourself.” Ryunosuke huffs after Chūya greets with everyone.“That would be iconic as hell, man.”By his slightly red eyes, dilated pupils and extremely nice behavior, he can easily tell where Nakahara was all this time, so he’s not even asking.“HOW COULD YOU MISS NO LONGER HUMAN, OH MY FUCKING GOD, NAKAHARA!!!” Yosano practically yells.“Chill out, woman, you’re a goddamn lesbian and taken, how do you simp on a random guy? What will Kōyō say, huh?” Chūya giggles looking at the tall, red-haired woman standing next to Akiko.“Believe me, I’m fully used to this already.” She grins holding her arms wrapped around the smaller girls waist.“LOOK AT HIM, HOW CAN YOU NOT?!!”“That was the last one for tonight! Thank you so much, y’all!! I couldn’t be more grateful to be included here tonight, hope to visit y’all another time again!!!”
Chūya turns to look at the guy speaking from the stage.Brunette, shoulder length messy and curly wolfcut, tall and with hella neat physique.“Once again, LONG LIVE THE KING!!!” A guy chuckles and waves to the audience before leaving a whole crowd shouting “REPEAT” nonstop. For not long, since Tachihara comes back to the DJ remote. Where he belonged.Chūya could feel a weird feeling after hearing that weird, yet extremely attractive guy saying that phrase.“Who’s that No Longer Human again?” He eventually asks.“NAKAHARA, OH MY GOD-““Sweetheart, calm down, shhh.” Kōyō hugs Yosano’s waist tighter and softly pecks her bare shoulder to calm her down, turning to look at Chūya. “No Longer Human, or else known as Dazai Osamu, is a well known idol from Los Angeles.”“An idol from America?” Chūya gets a bit confused.“Well, he’s technically even from Japan, but as much as I know, he went to train to Korea, failed and stuff. Eventually succeeded and went to America. His story’s kind of fucked, so you know.”Chūya listens carefully and tries to put everything to shelves in his head due being high and after seeing not a disappointing guy at all.“Alright, thanks, walking Wikipedia.” He smirks teasingly.“Oh c’mon.” Kōyō chuckles.“Are you staying for the rest of the night?” Ryunosuke interrupts.“If you are.” Nakahara chuckles.“We were planning to leave with Atsushi, I’m kinda tired after all the stuff.”“Oh that’s perfectly fine. Sorry, for not coming earlier though-“ Chūya looks away slightly guilty.“It’s alright. Take rest today, we’ll celebrate on the other day.” Akutagawa reassures Chūya by rubbing his shoulder. “See ya later, guys!”“Have a nice rest!!” Yosano waves to leaving guys before glancing at Chūya. “Are you leaving too?”“Gonna give the lovebirds some space.” He smirks, but then step closer to give a quick hug to her. “Sorry for the shit.”The girl eventually smiles and hugs him back sighing.
“You’re forgotten. Text me once you’re rested and ready to work on Arahabaki.”“Got it. Have a nice night, y’all.” Chūya pulls away and shakes hands with Kōyō before leaving the mass of people, heading to his bike.He already imagines how well he’ll sleep tonight after a good mix of drugs. Free from all the paranoia, anxiety and in general fucked feelings from the past weeks.As soon as he reaches his bike after small talking with a few other guys, he takes a last cigarette out of his pocket and lights it up taking a puff.
He sits on Arahabaki and closes his eyes tilting his head back to feel that good feeling of relief and calmness that runs through his blood. With completely empty and silent brain.Just music and peace.That unfortunately gets interrupted as he hears some steps approaching him, which makes him kind of pissed.
“May I have light?” Strong, yet soft voice reaches Chūya’s ears from a few steps away.He groans under his breath and sighs opening his eyes to look at the motherfucker who dares to interrupt his peace.To his surprise, it was the same not disappointing guy from earlier.
Now that he sees him from closer, he must admit that this guy was hot as fuck. But obviously he was. An idol after all.Chūya zones out for a moment staring at him approaching, but then blinks and decides to bite. He’s not allowing heroin to play with him dirty tonight.“Such a star and don’t have a lighter, huh?” He smirks.Dazai gets caught off guard, but doesn’t get lost and smirks as well biting back.“Seems I stepped in a private territory, didn’t I?” He steps closer.“Seems you have enough balls to stay in it.”“What a meanie. I genuinely expected a question about an autograph and stuff.” Osamu chuckles.“You dare to interrupt my personal space, have balls to ask for a lighter and now you’re complaining about me not feeding your ego? Man, you’re full of shit.” Chūya takes another puff analyzing the guy.
Indeed he was hot as hell.“Okay, okay, sorry, mister Angry Bird. If anything it’s such a relief to not be simped over.” Dazai pushes his wet from sweat bangs back and flexes his bare arms in process.
Which is not helping Chūya at all, but he’s acting cool.Ain’t no ways he’ll simp over a such guy.
He eventually gives a lighter to Dazai after giving him a death stare and straightens out pushing his bangs back as well.“Thank you, sir.” Osamu teases lightning up his cigarette and takes a puff sighing in relief, giving back the lighter.“Fuck you.” Chūya mumbles not taking it. “Leave it to yourself, seems you don’t get enough money to buy one with your silly pop.”“Woah, woah. You’re saying you didn’t like the show??” Osamu’s eyes widen in surprise as he dramatically acts offended.“Didn’t even come to listen, man.” Chūya smirks.“Damn, you’re a serious bully.”“And your balls indeed are squeezing your brain that you’re still here.”“Wanna check yourself? Or your balls are as small as you?” Osamu seems fearless at this point. Choosing a beef with Nakahara himself. Especially while having such face.“Excuse me?? Is that a fucking sweet way to ask to beat you up or what?!”
Chūya’s damn mad now. Everybody knew that Nakahara didn’t have mercy on people who play with him.Yet he holds himself, because beating up a celebrity was not needed in his crime records at all.“You wouldn’t do that, you’re way too into me.” Dazai purrs making another puff and grins.That was what caught Chūya off guard.The dimples.Osamu’s smile was fucking gorgeous.“Indeed fuck you, man. I hope you get hit by a truck.”“Well wow, thank you, sweetheart.” He blows him a kiss and winks.“What the fuck is wrong with this guy, jeez-“There’s a moment of silence and tension between them as Chūya feels rage
in him.“You’re the King everyone’s talking about tonight, aren’t you?” Dazai stop the silence first.“Upset that you didn’t get my autograph?” Nakahara mumbles finishing his cigarette and hoops off the bike to sit on it properly, taking the keys out of his pocket.“Honestly yeah, after all I came all the exhausting way here to you. And you didn’t even show up.” Dazai finishes his cigarette as well making sad puppy eyes.“Go cry to your mother now.” Chūya grins widely at the view and turns on the engine making a few louder roars before moving out of the parking spot.“Tell me your name at least, so I know who to cry about!”
Chūya thinks hesitating for a moment, because why the fuck would that asshole need his name.Yet he decides to be surprisingly nice.“Chūya!” He shouts before leaving the guy in a cloud of smoke from his bike with a sigh of relief, knowing that they’ll never meet again.
Thank God they will not.