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Kenta began noticing Fujiwaras change in fashion not long after the race with Tomoyuki. At first, he thought nothing of it. He knew Fujiwara was not very well off with money, so assumed he was buying from thrift stores, and there just so happened to be some coincidental similarity. However, as the season progressed, and as it started getting a bit more chilly at night as autumn drew near, he knew it was more than a coincidence. He knew that something was going on. Regardless of what people think, Kenta has a keen eye for detail. He didn’t miss as much as people assumed he did. Kenta is often off to the side just watching, learning…observing.
“Hey, Fumihiro, come here.” He beckons when Ryosuke, the drivers and the mechanics were all engaged in conversation. Fumihiro walks over to the blonde-haired teen, a confused look gracing his features.
“What's got you all panicked?”
“Haven’t you noticed?” Kenta deadpans, clearly very distraught by the fact that he appears to be the only person who has noticed this recent development.
“Look man, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Please just tell me what you’re flapping about today.” Fumihiro sighs.
“For fuck sake, I can’t be the only person who’s noticed!” The short blonde exclaims, grabbing Ryosukes attention with a stern look. Fumihiro silently apologises to his leader before turning back to the younger male, annoyance evident in his expression.
“Kenta, either tell me what you’re shouting about or I walk away.”
“Look at Takumi. That’s Keisukes hoodie he’s wearing – I know it is because I was with him when he brought it.” Fumihiro whips his head around to look at the male in question, head tilting ever so slightly as his eyes examine the teenager. Kentas right…that is Keisukes hoodie. He remembers the younger Takahashi wearing that exact piece of clothing 3 weeks ago during the team meeting. Actually, come to think of it, the week prior the brunette was wearing one of Ryosukes pullovers, a pale blue one. He knows it was one of their leaders items of clothing as he only ever buys from a particular brand. And, to be brutally honest, there is no way Takumi would ever be able to justify buying from that store. Hell, even Fumihiro himself couldn’t afford the items on sale in that store. The joys of being from a rich family… “You know, you’re right. Come to think of it, I’ve seen him wearing both of their clothes recently.” Fumihiro states quietly as he leans closer to Kenta to keep their talk low.
Kenta thinks for a minute “Hey, let's find out what's going on…I’ll grab Keisuke later, you try to get Ryosuke to open up.” Fumihiro agrees with Kentas plan, now just as curious as the younger male. He knew something was a bit strange with the relationship between the three males, but had never really thought to dwell on it. It is strange for Keisuke to take such a liking to someone who, only weeks prior, stated he hated and was his sworn rival. As for Ryosuke, outside of, what used to be, the RedSuns and a few other individuals, such as Koichi Sudoh, it’s rare that he would take such an interest in others. He would take interest in his opponents' cars and their driving styles, but would never actually hunt them down and provide them with his personal phone number for everything! Fumihiro put it down to Ryosuke seeing Takumi as a challenge to Keisuke and wanting to use him as a way to motivate the blonde to practice harder than he already is. But now? Now he’s not so sure it's all that innocent…A smack on his arm pulls Fumihiro from his thoughts. He follows Kentas line of sight, eyes locking on the sight of Keisuke resting his arm on Takumis shoulder, almost leaning against him. Something is definitely going on. “Hold off on your plan for now, Kenta, let me do a bit of digging before we confront them directly.”
The following Wednesday night, the team meet again, this time in the Takahashi Living room per Ryosukes orders. The meeting is regarding the plan for the next few races as well as a few modifications he is planning for the drivers' cars. Takumi, again, is wearing a hoodie that is clearly too big for him and is one that Fumihiro actually recognises as one Ryosuke likes to wear around the house. He wants to speak to the mechanics. He has to know what's going on. They spend more time with the drivers than himself, so they have to know more…right? They at least have to have an inkling of the situation between the Takahashi's and Fujiwara.
He bides his time, waiting for everyone to split from the meeting for a short break. Eventually, said break comes. And when it does, Fumihiro wastes no time in grabbing Matsumotos arm and pulling him onto the back patio, away from the rest of the team. “Care to explain what this is about?” The mechanic asks, clearly confused by the assistants' behaviour.
“Look man, I’m just gonna ask you straight out because this is driving me insane. Is there anything going on between the Takahashi and Takumi?” Matsumotos eyebrows shoot down into an expression of confusion.
Kenta watches as Fumihiro pulls Matsumoto outside and uses the opportunity to talk to Tomiguchi. He brings the mechanic into the dining room, away from the three males in question, not giving him any chance to ask Kenta what he is doing before he starts talking. “I don’t know if you have noticed, but both me and Fumihiro have. Takumi has been wearing both Keisukes and Ryosukes clothes lately. I am well aware that Keisuke is openly Bisexual, do you know if they are…how do I word this…involved in some way?” Tomiguchi looks at him puzzled, lips pulling into a thin line as he begins thinking about Kentas theory.
“He hasn’t said anything, but I have seen the three of them acting more friendly together than usual now that you mention it…do you think there’s something going on?”
Kenta sighs. “I can’t say for sure, but, I don’t know what other explanation there is.”
“Yeah, I agree…I wonder if-“ Tomiguchi is cut off by Keisukes annoyed tone reverberating around the bottom floor of the residence, calling them all back to the living room. “Oi! Come back, Anikis finished pissing so we can continue - ow!” Ryosuke clearly isn’t amused by Keisukes statement, hence the gasp of pain at the end. Sometimes Kenta forgets that they can both act like proper brothers sometimes, since Ryosuke holds up a serious facade in public, it sometimes comes as a shock to the teen when he lets down that barrier and jokes around with Keisuke…even if it does result in the blonde getting hurt. Everyone comes back to the living room reassuming their old positions as Keisuke grumbles to himself and rubs his arm - obviously where he got a slap or punch from his Aniki.
“That’s what you get for announcing it.” Takumi pipes up, chuckling away at Keisukes behaviour.
“Don’t side with him! He hurts!” Ryosuke only smiles proudly at his brother in response before continuing the meeting. Kenta, Matsumoto, Fumihiro and Tomiguchi barely listen to anything their leader says, instead they scrutinise Keisuke, Ryosuke and Takumi. Every so often they shoot each other knowing looks when they move ever so lightly, or the three males in question will exchange certain looks. On one or two occasions when Ryosuke looks away, Kenta will lean over and whisper to the mechanics and assistant, where they will all have to stifle their laughter. Keisuke notices this both times and just glares as a silent shut it.
Eventually, night hits and the younger of the Takahashi siblings orders some food in for everyone as ‘I’ve been locked in this room with you people for too long, I deserve a pizza’ Ryosuke agrees to this with the stipulation that Keisuke would get the food and pay for it when it arrives. He makes good on that promise when the doorbell chimes. Keisuke begrudgingly gets up to answer the door, Ryosuke whispering something to Takumi as he does, making the teen chuckle behind his hand before picking up his binder to free up the table. Right. That’s it. Kenta stands up quickly, startling Fumihiro who was sitting next to him. “Are you guys dating?” He blurts out. Fumihiro drops his head into his hands as both Mastumoto and Tomiguchi both look at the young blonde with shocked expressions, eyes wide and mouths agape.
“What?” Ryosuke asks, a slight tone of amusement in his voice.
“You heard me. We’ve all seen you guys.” He gestures to his teammates around him. “The way you three act just a little too friendly, the little jokes you whisper to each other, the fact Takumi is literally wearing your clothes!” Takumi blushes at this statement. Fumihiro muttered a quiet ‘don’t rope me into this.’
“What, you guys only just noticed?” Keisuke chuckles as he walks back into the room. “We haven’t exactly been subtle about this, come on.” He places the boxes of food on the coffee table that was previously covered in Ryosukes paperwork for Project D. Keisuke drops back down on the couch beside Takumi, throwing his arm around the brunette and pulling him into his side. “Wha-“ Kenta stutters out.
“Nakamura, you can’t be telling me that you’ve only just picked up on this. This has been going on for months.” Ryosuke shrugs as he flicks through the binder of information he has regarding the next few courses he's selected.
“Wha-but! You guys didn’t tell us!”
“I didn’t think we had to. If you don’t agree with it, then you have no place in my team and it's that simple.” Ryosuke shrugs, flicking his eyes up to look at Kenta, who was babbling away. “Good. I didn’t think you would.”
“Boss, if I may just ask, How does it work? Like, the dynamic and such?” Fumihiro asks, his cheeks flushed a dark red at asking such a personal question.
“We haven’t given it much thought. The fact is that we both have romantic feelings for Takumi, he feels the same way, so we just gave it a shot and never looked back.” Keisuke answers honestly as he grabs himself a slice of pizza, not waiting for anyone else to start helping themselves before he starts eating.
“Well, then what about you wearing their shirts and hoodies Takumi?” Kenta deadpans. Takumi shrugs in response, answering with a simple “Comfy.”
“I can’t believe none of you guys noticed sooner. Jesus, I should have just got a sign that said ‘we’re gay together’!” Keisuke laughs with a mouthful of food, Ryosuke leans over and smacks his brother's arm again.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”