Angst To Happy Ending - Tumblr Posts

Ryosuke Takahashi - I Won't Fall Apart

• Ryosuke Takahashi x Reader | Angst to Happy Ending | • Word Count: 5,574. • Synopsis: In which a sad incident breaks Ryosuke, causing his brother to worry greatly for his aniki's life, leading him to call a trusted friend to help heal the beautiful, broken man, returning him to his former glory and fall in love with the one who saved him.

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Ryosuke was broken and Keisuke didn't know what to do. It was always the other way around. When Keisuke was broken at a young age, lying on the floor, his eyes and cheeks filled with tears, Ryosuke would be there for him. His aniki would be the one to hold him, wipe his tears away, and tell him everything would be okay, that things would get better with time.

Now that Ryosuke was in his place, he didn't know how to handle the situation. Keisuke always wanted someone to be there for him in his darkest moments, but his aniki did the opposite and locked himself away in his room. He isolated himself from the world, making himself believe it would fix everything.

Keisuke was scared.

He was scared his brother would commit the same act his love did not even a month ago. Her death broke the normally calm and composed man. The situation was eating Keisuke alive, and he couldn't find a way to get rid of it. He tried talking to his brother, but he would never reply with words, rather he would shake his head and walk back to his room.

Every time Keisuke tried to lighten the mood and get his aniki to go out somewhere with him for the day, he did the same thing; shake his head and walk back to his room.

Keisuke had just gotten his beloved FD on his birthday last year and wanted to be a good a racer as his brother was. He practiced their home course of Akagi every night for hours, wanting to impress Ryosuke and make him proud.

Ryosuke was proud of his little brother committing so much time and effort into his driving skills, but the praise stopped after her death. He had lost most of his interests in everything, including racing.

Keisuke knew it wasn't his own or his brother's fault for not having the praise, rather, he was upset that his aniki's depression had caused him to lose interest and meaning in the one thing he loved to do the most.

No simulations, no practice nights, not even a word about cars in general. It was almost like Ryosuke had gone mute during the day, but the blonde could hear the quiet sobs of his brother through their bedroom doors at night.

Ryosuke's pain was hurting Keisuke more than he thought. Would anyone be able to pull his brother out of his depression? Could anyone help him, if only a little? Could they prevent him from dying like her?

Keisuke didn't know who to get in contact with. Their parents, especially their mother, were concerned for Ryosuke's well-being but they were constantly on business trips. He knew they couldn't help it, they had to be at those countless meetings to uphold the continuous progress of the hospital.

The blonde stared at the ceiling as he lied on his bed, thinking of any possible solution to help Ryosuke. Who could he trust to see his brother in his current state? Who could he trust to help bring his brother back to his former self? His mind went through the many people he's met and known in his life, searching for the right one. Then, it hit him.

His best friend: the one who found him in an alley after he had gotten himself into a nasty fight with someone from another gang back during his rebel days in Tokyo. The one who led him back to her apartment and patched him up. The one who listened to him talk about his problems, his worries, his fears, everything. Keisuke trusted her as much as he trusted Ryosuke.

(Y/N).

The blonde immediately got out of bed and headed towards the front door, then to his car. Pulling out his phone, he scrolled through his contacts until her name popped up. Pressing the call button, he waited through the rings until her familiar voice was heard.

"Keisuke?"

"Hey, (N/N)."

(Y/N) smiled, hearing the nickname Keisuke gave her.

"It's been a while, how are you?"

"I'm alright. Are you busy?" Keisuke leaned against the FD. (Y/N) noticed a small sense of urgency in his tone.

"No, I've been at home for a while, is everything okay?"

"It's... aniki. He's- he's a wreck." Keisuke looked down at the ground.

"What happened? Is he okay- physically?" her tone was laced with worry.

"For the most part, yes. But he's barely eating, he rarely leaves his room, and hasn't gone outside or anywhere, since... a bad incident happened," the blonde paused for a moment, "I was hoping you'd be able to come here and help him, if even a little bit. It would be easier to tell you everything if you were here. You did wonders with me; aniki needs the same..."

"It'll take me few hours, but I'll be there." She reassured him; determination set in her voice.

"I can come pick you up and drive you here, unless you're taking the train?"

"It would be quicker by train, only going one way, but I'd love the pickup from the station if you don't mind."

"Yeah, I can do that. Call me shortly before you get there, alright?"

"Will do, see you soon, Kei!" They ended the call and Keisuke let out a sigh of relief. He suddenly felt better, like he had a feeling that bringing (Y/N) here would work.

She was able to talk sense into him about leaving his gang life behind him, that nothing he wants to do in life will come to him by staying in that group. When Ryosuke found him to take him home, Keisuke did so easily. He found his passion for cars and racing, he found something that gave him meaning, thanks to (Y/N) quite literally smacking him upside the head and knocking sense into his thick skull.

If she could work her magic on a stubborn mule like Keisuke, she could help fix Ryosuke. She could take all of his broken pieces and put them back together again.

Keisuke went back inside and headed upstairs towards his room. He stopped in front of Ryosuke's, pressing his against the door, listening for any sound. He could hear the barely audible rhythmic sound of his breathing and guessed he was sleeping.

The blonde sighed lightly and walked to his room. She's going to save you, aniki.

Keisuke kept himself busy with the things in his room. Magazines, small car parts, manga, anything he could get his hands on to keep himself occupied until (Y/N) contacted him.

He jumped a bit when his phone beeped from a notification about an hour and a half later. Picking it up he saw a text from (Y/N).

"I'm about ten minutes away from Takasaki Station."

Keisuke texted back saying he was on his way. Grabbing his wallet and keys, he left his room, going down the stairs and out of the front door as quietly as possible, to not disturb Ryosuke's sleep.

Starting up his beloved FD, he pulled out of the driveway and onto the road heading towards the station. (Y/N) waited only a couple minutes before someone walked up to her, poking her with a can.

She looked up and met eyes with her blonde friend. "Keisuke!" She jumped up and hugged him.

He chuckled, hugging her back just as tight, "I missed you, shorty," he teased.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm not that short, you lanky tree." She rolled her eyes, playfully punching his shoulder.

"Lanky? I'm beautiful." He smirked proudly. They shared a laugh and (Y/N) gratefully took the small can of coffee from him. He led her back to the car, to which she complimented it.

During the drive, Keisuke got her up to speed about the situation Ryosuke was dealing with. She truly felt bad for him. He is going through so much and he's holding it all in. He's only human no matter how invincible and amazing everyone makes him out to be.

Ryosuke can only take so much.

(Y/N) has never met his brother, but she's grateful that he came to take Keisuke away from his previous life of gangs, fights, and other dangerous things that follow. She's grateful he got Keisuke into something else that he loves so strongly as well.

They arrived at the mansion and (Y/N) was amazed by the place. "It's beautiful here," she said lightly, taking in the beautiful surroundings of their home.

He showed her inside and to a spare room where she could put her belongings. She met Keisuke downstairs in the family room, sitting next to him on the couch.

"It would probably be best to wait for him to come out of his room on his own first before trying to talk to him. If we just waltzed in there it would be too intrusive and sudden for him." Keisuke explained and (Y/N) nodded in agreement.

In the meantime, they talked for a few hours, sometimes about themselves and catching up, and sometimes about Ryosuke. Dinner time came around not long after. (Y/N) helped Keisuke make the food and she set up the table while the blonde went to fetch his brother.

Ryosuke made multiple attempts at refusing to eat but Keisuke wasn't taking no for an answer. He didn't like to be forceful with his aniki for any reason, but he wasn't going to sit there and watch him waste away from starvation.

Eventually, both brothers had come down the stairs, Keisuke walking behind Ryosuke to ensure he didn't sneak back up to his room.

(Y/N) greeted them lightly with the table being set up nicely. "Aniki, this is (Y/N). She's the one that convinced me to leave the Tokyo scene behind and come back home with you. She does wonders with listening and talking with you about anything. I believe she can through to anyone; she got through my thick skull after all."

"It's nice to meet you, Ryosuke. Keisuke always talks about you." She gave him a warm smile.

Ryosuke nodded lightly and gave a soft, "You as well." They ate dinner quietly, Ryosuke only eating a small bit before quietly speaking to Keisuke and preparing to get up, "Thank you for dinner, Keisuke."

"I didn't make dinner, aniki."

Ryosuke stopped his movements, processing his brother's words. He didn't feel hungry, yet he was probably starving. It was also rude to eat so little then leave when someone else made their food. He didn't want to hurt the lady's feelings, either.

The older Takahashi stayed put, giving his thanks to (Y/N) and continued eating. She took his appreciation happily and it made him feel the tiniest bit better. Her cooking was exquisite, he hadn't felt hungry enough to eat everything for weeks until he tasted what she made.

Keisuke glanced at (Y/N) and gave a subtle nod and smile. His little plan worked. He knew Ryosuke wouldn't decline the food if he was told their guest cooked it.

To the blonde's surprise, Ryosuke stayed after dinner to help with the dishes and accepted (Y/N)'s offer for tea. She hasn't even been here for a day and she's made progress with Ryosuke that Keisuke couldn't even do in a month.

They sat on the couch, with (Y/N) next to Ryosuke. "So, Ryosuke, Keisuke's mentioned you're a huge book lover. Do you have any favourites?"

After he took a sip of tea, he thought for a moment and gave light voiced replies of a few well-known titles. (Y/N) knew two of them and asked what the other was about.

The older Takahashi brother told her about the plot of the story, the characters, their interests, and anything else that came to his mind. She listened to every word intently, a sweet smile gracing her features as she occasionally sipped on her tea.

Keisuke watched with a smile. His aniki looked better already. Not any major differences, but the food and some talking seemed to help take his mind off of his pain.

He snuck away from the two a few minutes later, leaving them alone. Ryosuke enjoyed their conversation, seeing as they ended up having quite a few things in common. He retired to his room when it got late and (Y/N) knocked on Keisuke's bedroom door, giving him a briefing of how Ryosuke did with their talk and that she was heading to bed.

The next morning, she woke up before the brothers and made them breakfast. Keisuke happily dug in before heading out to spend the day with one of his friends. She made a plate for Ryosuke, putting the still warm food on the dish and taking it upstairs.

She knocked lightly on his door, "Ryosuke? I made breakfast, would you like some?" she waited a minute before the door opened, revealing a pale Ryosuke with messy hair. He took the plate of food, thanking her.

He was about to close the door out of habit but stopped, asking, "Would you like to come in?"

She smiled sweetly, giving a small thanks and walked in. She noticed how clean his room was and the faint smell of vanilla. He motioned to his bed, telling her she could sit, and she did.

He sat at his desk and ate his breakfast. She was glad he was making progress already. Keisuke mentioned how he wouldn't touch his food or leave his room for it since the incident.

She could tell he was skinnier than he was supposed to be. His cheekbones were more noticeable, and his cheeks had sunken in some, due to his weight loss. His clothes looked a bit baggy on him when they were the type meant to fit properly. His skin was pale, he hadn't seen daylight in weeks. The bags under his eyes were a dark purple and his blue eyes were dull.

They were truly a beautiful shade of blue and (Y/N) knew they could shine brightly again one day.

Ryosuke had finished all of his breakfast and noticed she was staring directly at him. Did he look repulsive in his state? Was it really this noticeable?

(Y/N) had come out of her trance when he made a small sound. She met his sad gaze with a smile, "You have beautiful eyes, Ryosuke. They're a brilliant shade of blue."

Her soft words surprised him. This was the opposite of what he was expecting her to say. It felt nice though, having someone notice something beautiful about you even when you look and feel dead. It made his heart feel lighter. It had been so heavy for a while that he felt it was slowly dragging him down to pure misery.

What else did she see in him that she found beautiful?

She clearly cared about his health and well-being. If she didn't, Keisuke wouldn't have been able to bring her here. She wanted to help him. Not just for his own or Keisuke's sake, but for herself as well.

She was an angel, a saving grace amongst broken humans. Ryosuke could feel nothing but pureness radiate off of her being. She would take his shattered heart and put the pieces back together, making it stronger as she does so.

(Y/N) is his salvation; she won't let him fall apart.

Ryosuke's shoulders started to shake lightly and his dull eyes formed tears that ran down his delicate cheeks. He put a hand over his mouth in attempt to stay quiet. (Y/N)'s features were quickly laced with worry as she got off the bed and scurried to him.

Ryosuke couldn't help but feel a strong pull of his heart that made him reach out for her. His hand grabbed the side of her shoulder as he tried to stand up to get closer, only to have his legs give out on him, bringing them both to the floor.

(Y/N) held him protectively with an arm wrapped around his back and the other gently cupping the side of his face as she wiped his tears away. He was shaking violently now; she knew he was trying to hold it all in like he had done so many times before.

"Let it out Ryosuke, it's okay," he shook his head quickly. He was too scared to do it. If he did, he'd have nothing left of her.

"You have to let it out, it'll help you, I promise." (Y/N) said and lifted his head to look at her. "You're not going to lose your memories, you don't have to forget about anything and you're not going to be hated for accepting reality," she reassured him, "but if you want the pain to go away... you have to let it go, Ryosuke."

At her words, Ryosuke finally caved in, the walls he built, broke, and the tears in his beautiful eyes ran down his cheeks like a stream. His sobs wracked his whole body, his arms held her tightly as he buried his face in the crook of her neck.

(Y/N) held him with one arm wrapped around him and soothingly combed her fingers through his soft hair. She rested her cheek on top of his head in a comforting manner as she whispered equally comforting words.

How long they stayed together on the floor, they didn't know. But it didn't matter; what really mattered was that Ryosuke had calmed down, his body was no longer shaking, and he did feel better, like she had said.

His heart was the first thing to feel lighter, now his body and soul did too. The aching feeling of missing her was still there, but it had lessened. He didn't hate it either.

(Y/N) was right, letting it go, letting her go, was the right thing to do, no matter how much it hurt before. He'd never forget her. She was his first love and always will be, but he knew she would want him to move on, not dwell on his pain and waste away.

He slowly pulled away from (Y/N) and met her soft gaze. "Thank you," he whispered.

She nodded with a warm smile and her eyes glistened with a small shine. "I'm always here when you want to talk or simply want someone next to you. No matter what it is, I'm here for you, Ryosuke."

He nodded at her words before she asked if he wanted water, considering how much the poor man cried. Ryosuke followed her downstairs and gratefully accepting the cold drink.

They soon found themselves on the couch in the same spots as yesterday and started a new conversation. (Y/N) asked what had gotten him into loving cars and racing, to which she noticed a small glimmer in those beautiful blue eyes.

Ryosuke told her the entire story, from the very beginning up to the present. The way he spoke about the topic was filled with passion. His tone was light-hearted and happy to speak of such a beloved interest.

Hours had past and their conversation about racing was still going strong. They had been so into it, that time flew by quickly and Keisuke had just gotten home from spending the day with his friend.

(Y/N) noticed him walk through the door quietly, not knowing where they were or what they were doing. She decided to take this chance to ask Ryosuke about Keisuke's racing and what he's learned from the older Takahashi.

Keisuke stopped in tracks and stayed silent as he listened. His aniki was speaking highly of him. He was telling her how proud he was and still is at his little brother's determination to improve his skills and pursue his dream of pro racing, and that one day he would eventually surpass him as a racer.

The blonde couldn't help but smile. Not only at his brother's words, but the change in his voice as well. It was... happier. (Y/N) did something with his aniki while he was away, and it showed.

He made himself known and for the first time in a month, Ryosuke greeted him with a smile. It was a small one, but a smile, nonetheless.

The three of them soon had dinner and Ryosuke had eaten everything he was given. The nightly routines followed as they headed to bed. Keisuke pulled (Y/N) aside and into the spare room she was using, shutting the door.

"I don't know what you did while I was gone, but thank you," he pulled her into a tight hug, "thank you so fucking much."

She returned the hug and said, "He did it on his own, I only gave him a little push." He eventually let her go, wishing her a good night and went back to his room.

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Ryosuke's progress had been changing for the better steadily. He opened his windows in the morning, letting in sunlight. He attended every meal, eating everything on the plate, and sometimes went back for a little more. He was more engaged in his studies for medical school, and small conversations about races came up when Keisuke mentioned it.

The Takahashi's, both the brothers and their parents, gladly let her stay as long as she liked. Their mother was the happiest knowing (Y/N) was playing a major role in her son's recovery.

Ryosuke had taken a liking to (Y/N) very quickly. He, more than anyone, was grateful for what she's done for him. Anytime he had an episode where memories would flood his mind and tears fell from his eyes, she was there. When he felt the need to talk about what was bothering him, she was there. She never interrupted and she never asked questions until he was finished.

This was the process both of them worked through for months together. (Y/N) told herself -and Keisuke- she wasn't leaving until Ryosuke's depression was gone completely. She wasn't leaving him almost whole. She was staying until his heart, mind, body, and soul were healed as a whole.

As time passed, and she spent more time with the older Takahashi brother, she started to fall in love with him. She's learned so much about him, seen him at his worst, and still thought he was beautiful. She's seen him overcome his nightmares, his sadness, and depression with such strength.

Ryosuke, much to his surprise, had also fallen for the girl that fixed his broken heart. With each piece she put back together, she made it hers. He wouldn't be his normal self again without her. He wouldn't have gotten his interests in racing, reading, and becoming a surgeon back again without her.

(Y/N) was his angel, his saving grace.

He wasn't sure if it was a sign, she had sent to help mend his wounds, or if fate had planned this out from the beginning. Either way, he was happy.

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"(Y/N)?" Ryosuke lightly knocked on the open door of her room, gaining her attention.

"What's up, Ryo?" she tilted her head slightly. Cute.

"I was wondering, would you like to go somewhere with me this evening?" his eyes held a shine of hope.

"Yeah, I'd love to! Where did you want to go?"

"I was hoping I could take you out to dinner."

(Y/N)'s eyes lit up as she nodded. She asked which restaurant it was but was told the location was a surprise and Ryosuke lied a dress on the bed that was covered by a protective casing. "You don't have to wear it if makes you uncomfortable. I saw it and thought you'd look beautiful in it." He spoke sincerely, giving her a charming smile before leaving the room.

(Y/N) turned around towards the bed and gently took off the cover of the dress. Her eyes widened at the sight of it. It was one of her favourite dresses she had seen in a magazine and circled it with a pen. It was the perfect shade of (F/C), too. Did Ryosuke look through the magazine and buy it specifically, or was it pure coincidence?

She took the dress to the bathroom that was attached to her room and changed into it. It fit her shape perfectly, gently hugging all of her curves and flowing smoothly. She styled her hair and applied light makeup that accented her features and the dress. Digging through her clothes bag, she found a pair of nice shoes with small heels.

Ryosuke was already downstairs when she appeared around the corner. (Y/N) was gorgeous, from head to toe. He was glad he chose that dress over the others she circled in her magazine. This one fit her angelic aura brilliantly.

(Y/N) thought the same about Ryosuke. He wore all black except for his dark blue button up shirt. His suit jacket was unbuttoned, allowing more of the blue to contrast with the black. His silky black hair was in its usual style, but she wouldn't have it any other way. Ryosuke's iconic style in both appearance and clothing, paired with his intellect, was what made Ryosuke, Ryosuke.

"You look gorgeous, (Y/N). I hope the dress is to your liking?"

"Thank you, and the dress is perfect! How did you know I love this one?"

"Oh, I have my ways," he smirked knowingly before asking, "are you ready to go?"

She nodded eagerly and they headed towards the door. Ryosuke, being the gentleman he is, opened both the house door and the passenger door of the FC for her. She thanked him graciously each time and he returned it with his handsome smiles.

His car was just as elegant as he was. It drove as smoothly as he talked, it was built as sturdy as he was, and each aftermarket part improved the car just as his intelligence improved with anything he learned about. Him and his FC were extensions of each other, inside and out.

Soon, they pulled into the car park of an extravagant building that appeared to be the restaurant. Once the car was parked and shut off, Ryosuke opened the passenger door for (Y/N) and offered his hand to help her out. It was a simple and kind gesture naturally, but she couldn't help but feel all giddy and warm inside when he did it.

Ryosuke had gotten a reservation for one of the few seats in the corner. They ordered their food and Ryosuke ordered a bottle of wine with a fancy name (Y/N)'s never heard of. They made easy conversation during dinner and afterwards were pleasantly drinking the wine.

"Thank you for all of this, Ryosuke. It's amazing." (Y/N) said sincerely as she looked into his gorgeous blue eyes. She noticed they were no longer dull and were shining brightly even in the dim light of the room.

"Actually, I should be the one thanking you. This night is completely dedicated to you." He took her hand in his, resting them on the table. "If it weren't for you, I would still be the broken, depressed man I was before you arrived. You took so much time out of your life to help me, to get me out of the grave I nearly dug for myself and break the walls I built that were meant to prevent anything from coming back into my life. You brought my interests back and gave me a meaning to live again. Thank you." Ryosuke gently lifted her hand and placed a soft kiss on the back of it.

"Ryo..." (Y/N)'s eyes glistened with tears.

"I also wanted to ask... may I get the pleasure of calling you mine?" he wore a soft smile and had a glimmer in his eyes.

(Y/N) lit up and she squeezed his hand, "Yes! I'd love that, Ryosuke!"

The new couple tapped their wine glasses for a small toast to themselves and drank until the bottle was empty. They left the restaurant shortly after and (Y/N) gave him a kiss on the cheek as he opened the car door for her.

They drove back to the mansion in a pleasant silence, enjoying each other's presence. When they arrived, they noticed Keisuke's car was gone. Seems like he went out to practice. Ryosuke noted and parked the FC.

Once inside, (Y/N) prepared tea and made her way to the couch. She sat next to Ryosuke, handing him a small cup. He wrapped an arm around her and leaned into her side with a hum. She rested her head on the side of his arm and held his hand that rested on her thigh.

After a few cups of tea, (Y/N) went to do her nightly routine and change into comfy night clothes. She was neatly hanging the dress up in the closet when Ryosuke came around and knocked lightly on the door. A few seconds later, the door opened and (Y/N) looked up at him with a smile.

Ryosuke had asked if she wanted to spend the night with him in his room, surprisingly very shyly, which was quite out of character for him. His cheeks had a light blush on them as he reassured her quickly that nothing 'weird' would happen, he just wanted to cuddle her. (Y/N) giggled at how cute he was and gladly accepted. He caught by surprise when she jumped into his arms like a child and grinned like one too. He chuckled lightly as he carried her to his room. They were quickly settled into his soft bed and Ryosuke held her with his arms around her sides and their legs tangled together as he spooned her smaller frame, quickly falling asleep.

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It's been three years and Ryosuke had already founded Project D and their twin aces, Keisuke and Takumi, had beaten every team they've come across on their expedition. (Y/N) was proud that Ryosuke had come so far and was finally fulfilling his dream. She tagged along to every race and helped Ryosuke and the others as much as she could.

She was a great morale booster to everyone even if it was just a simple talk, bringing them food and drinks, or giving them a little motivational speech. Ryosuke was happy she wanted to be a part of something so meaningful to him. She kept him levelheaded and in the best health she could to make sure he was sleeping and eating enough. It was a lot of work maintaining this project and keeping up with his medical studies at the same time. When they had come to the finale of their grand expedition and won their final races, everyone went out to celebrate.

But there was one more thing Ryosuke had to do before he considered his dream fulfilled.

Keisuke began to worry again just as he did three years ago before he contacted (Y/N). She tried to keep him calm, saying whatever his brother had planned, he was doing it for a reason. Ryosuke was smart and wouldn't let other things get the best of him. Keisuke would only sigh, wanting to believe her.

When Ryosuke returned with his beloved FC scratched up, Keisuke nearly went ballistic; berating his aniki for being so reckless and that he could've gotten himself killed. He merely waved the blonde off with a light chuckle, saying he would explain later. He came back to retrieve (Y/N), telling her he wanted her to meet someone important to him.

It was a long drive, but they arrived back in Hakone. They ended up in a small graveyard that was beautifully maintained. Ryosuke led her to one specific grave and she read the name, Kaori.

She stood silently as Ryosuke spoke to his lost love. He told her that his dream had been fulfilled, that he had once again found a meaning to life, and that it changed for the better because of (Y/N). He told her of everything she did for him to help heal his broken heart and shattered soul.

Small tears trailed down their cheeks at his words. When he was finished, he stood up and turned towards (Y/N). "Thank you for coming with me, it means more than you know." He said and gently took her hand in his.

"Of course, Ryo. She is beautiful, isn't she?" (Y/N) looked down at the framed picture that sat at the base of the headstone.

Ryosuke nodded lightly, "Yeah, she is." As the couple made their way back to the FC, a light breeze, followed by a flowery scent blew past (Y/N). Ryosuke didn't seem to notice it, nor feel the slight pull that made her turn her head around.

Only for a moment, she saw her. She heard a faint, "Thank you," before she faded away. (Y/N) turned back around and smiled, nodding lightly.

"Did you want to spend the day here? There's a few places I know of you might like." Ryosuke squeezed her hand gently and looked down at her, pulling (Y/N) out of her slight daze.

"Sounds great, let's go!" She eagerly pulled him along, getting to the car faster. Ryosuke chuckled at her childish side. Once in the car, she kissed him on the cheek and let him take her around the city.

Ryosuke wouldn't know what he'd do without her. Life would be dull and boring without her childish personality making an appearance. She was without a doubt one of the most important people in his life he would never give up.

She was his angel, his saving grace. A childish one, yes, but one he loved with his very heart and soul.

Shingo Shoji - Rage Your Dream

• Shingo Shoji x Reader | Angst to Happy Ending | • Word Count: 4,144. • Synopsis: In which a traumatic experience, and life of an innocent girl, leads to her being saved by an unexpected racer who helps rebuild her life, getting rid of her fears and anxieties, which allows him to be seen in a whole new light.

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He found her in an alley.

She was lying on the ground, surrounded by three men who took such unnatural pleasure in beating on her. What did she do? She was only walking "home" from a job interview before they pulled her into the alley, and now here she was.

She was scared- no, she was horrified. What else would they do? Would anyone find her? Would they even help her? She was on the verge of going unconscious but wouldn't let herself pass out. She didn't want to wake up in a strange place.

She heard yet another car engine echo through the streets. Another person to simply drive past, unaware of what was happening, she assumed, as more tears flowed from her eyes. It drove just past the alley and out of sight before she barely heard a quick screech of the tyres and the engine idling.

Her hearing was starting to fail, and her mind growing fuzzier. The only thing she could strongly focus on was the men's twisted laughter at her pain.

And then it stopped.

She heard what she thought was a surprised sound from at least one of them before multiple thuds sounded, then it went quiet. She didn't feel anymore kicking, but rather someone gently picking her up, clearly mindful of her injuries. She tensed up for a moment before relaxing at the soft touch.

The girl couldn't see or hear who it was. Her consciousness was fading fast. This person didn't radiate a dark, dangerous aura like her beaters did; it was the opposite.

She could only lie limply in their arms as the person carried her somewhere. She felt herself being sat down in something; the position felt familiar. She felt a vibration from her left, something closed, maybe? The same thing happened on the other side, but a little further away. Then there was a vibration she could easily make out as a car's engine turning on.

She noted the car had a nice scent and a hint of tobacco before she finally passed out.

--------

She woke up in the hospital not long after her saviour brought her there. She looked at her right arm, seeing an IV line connected to it. She had bandages wrapped around herself in some areas and others had bandages patched on top of the cuts and bruises.

(Y/N) heard movement in front of her and quickly looked over, seeing a man with black hair that reached just below his ears, and was wearing a red hoodie. Was he the one who saved her?

"How are you feeling?" he asked lightly. She only nodded with a barely audible hum. She looked out the window, seeing it was still dark out. She found a clock on the wall and checked the time. It was eight-thirty. It's only been two hours.

"Do you have anyone you can stay with?" his sudden question made her jump. (Y/N) shook her head immediately. He noticed how she instantly paled and seemed scared at the question. She didn't have any parents to go home to; they died two years ago. She especially didn't want to go back to the hell she lived in at her "boyfriend's" apartment.

He was sadistic and controlling of every aspect of her life. He got rid of all her friends, not allowing her to have any new ones. She wasn't allowed to talk to others unless it was strictly for work, but she was fired because she wouldn't come in most days, due to him. He forced her to clean everything around his apartment. If she screwed up one little thing, he'd abuse her either verbally or physically, sometimes both, then proceed to lock her in her room. He controlled when she could be let out, and when and how much she got to eat. Everything. She wouldn't be surprised if he set up the alley incident.

"Do you want to stay with me, if you're comfortable enough?"

The girl thought about it for a minute. As of right now, she trusted him more than anyone else. He saved her from potentially being beaten to death, and took her to the hospital rather than taking her to his own place or somewhere else she would be scared to be at.

She nodded again. Normally, he would be annoyed by the fact someone wasn't giving him a direct answer, but he was different with her. He knew there was a reason she was too scared to speak. He'd let her take as much time as she needed to get over it and feel comfortable around him.

"I'm Shingo." He smiled lightly.

"(Y/N)..." her voice was a whisper, but he heard it just fine.

Shingo left later that night to let her rest and allow the doctor and nurses do what they needed to before he brought her home. He visited her each day for a few hours to help get her used to being around him and warm up to each other.

A nurse brought a notebook and pen for her to write on, seeing as she was more comfortable to communicate with that method. Shingo initiated most conversations and she either replied with head movements or wrote out her replies. She knew a good amount of Japanese but was fluent in English and tended to write most of her responses in it. Luckily, Shingo was also fluent and she was much more comfortable interacting with him that way.

She thought Shingo's voice sounded nice when he spoke English as well. They conversed for hours and (Y/N) relaxed fairly quickly around him. He didn't press on questions she didn't want to answer, instead switching to a different topic with ease. When she wrote a question asking about what he liked to do in his free time, he said he was a street racer that raced on mountain passes. He got into the topic very quickly and had a small sparkle in his eyes as he talked.

It was cute to say the least. He was like a child talking about his favourite toy or video game. She also found his hobby quite interesting, racing sounded fun. When he finished his very detailed explanation of nearly all aspects of racing, he asked what she liked to do.

You'd think it would be as easy to answer as he did, but she had a hard time coming up with one. She hadn't done anything fun in two years. She eventually wrote down she liked to draw on occasion and go to the beach.

Shingo was slowly piecing together what he thought made her so... nervous? Finicky? Whoever she's been around before he showed up had a negative influence on her daily life and left some kind of trauma.

When she was comfortable enough around Shingo a little over a week later, she was discharged from the hospital by the doctor. She waited at the entrance while Shingo went to his car. He pulled up next to her making it easier on her bad leg.

It was also comforting to know that the car held the same scent as the one from last week. A small detail, but comforting to know. What did he say the car was again? An EG6? It fit his type pretty well.

The ride was silent, but not awkward or tense. (Y/N) watched the scenery pass by and got scared for a minute as Shingo drove towards a familiar road but passed it, getting on the highway, and driving the opposite direction. She mentally sighed in relief, her worry washing away.

Shingo took an exit off the highway about thirty minutes later. She was wondering just how far his place was from where she lived- well, previously lived. She was happy to know it was quite a distance, it made her feel safer. He followed a series of roads until he pulled into an apartment complex that was a lot better than where she came from.

Shingo helped her out of the car and to the staircase, having her get on his back to carry her up the three flights of stairs. (Y/N) blushed, hiding her face in the back of his hoodie. It only made it worse. He smelled nice, whether it was his natural scent or a cologne, she liked it.

He set her down gently at the door then unlocked it, helping her in. She was settled on the couch, taking in the appearance of his apartment. The walls were the typical white colour, but most of them in the main room were covered in various Honda cars, especially EG6s and Mugen posters. He really loved his car, didn't he? She smiled slightly, this place was bright and filled with the passion of everything he likes.

The apartment she used to live in was blank, dull, and to her, who knew better, was the worst place imaginable. This was definitely a nice change. Shingo came back with food, handing her a plate as he sat down next to her. She gratefully took it and her eyes widened seeing how much was there. This was more than (Y/N)'s ever gotten in a day.

Her expression didn't go unnoticed. Shingo was getting closer and closer to figuring out this puzzle. If he ever finds out who treated her like an animal, there's going to be hell to pay.

(Y/N) ate happily, soon finishing everything and drinking all of her water. He looked her over, seeing she was much skinner and pale than she was supposed to be. How long had she been like this?

"You want more?" Shingo asked, motioning to his food. She shook her head lightly, "I'm not hungry anymore, thank you." Her voice was still low, but louder than it was at the hospital. He told her she was free to eat anything she wanted at any time, that there were no restrictions.

(Y/N) nodded, thanking him gratefully again. Things were looking better for her already.

"There's only one bedroom, so you can sleep in there with me or I can set up the couch for you, whichever you're more comfortable with. You can always change your mind." He said as he took the dishes and glasses.

"The couch would be great, thank you." She smiled lightly.

Shingo brought out multiple blankets and a couple soft pillows for later. He took her back out to get clothes, ignoring her small 'protests' of not wanting him to spend money on her. He easily countered them by saying, "You're not going to wear the same thing for who knows how long, are you?" and smirked in triumph when she knew he made a good point.

--------

(Y/N) spent the next few days getting accustomed to the apartment, still finding the new freedom strange, but great, nonetheless. She spent most of the day by herself while Shingo was at work, but when he'd get home they would often sit and talk for a while. (Y/N) was really warming up to him; he was always kind and patient with her, never getting angry with anything she did.

Shingo decided to get her out of the house to help get her comfortable around people without fear of punishment. Later that day, he took her out for dinner at a small restaurant he often goes to before or after his races.

She hadn't been to a restaurant in years.

"How come?" Shingo suddenly asked, an eyebrow raised in confusion. Her expression turned surprised; did she say that out loud?

"Oh, um... my "boyfriend," she said quietly and quoted with her fingers, "he wouldn't let me do anything after he kept me in his apartment for the last couple years." She said softly, looking around nervously.

'So, it is someone. Tch, what a pathetic piece of shit.'

(Y/N) had relaxed some when she didn't find who she was looking for and explained everything that happened during the last two years. The puzzle Shingo was piecing together over the last few weeks finally came together, and it all made sense. That bastard better pray to whatever god he believed in that Shingo doesn't find him.

--------

When they got back to his apartment, he carried her on his back from the car to the door on the top floor. Her leg was getting better, but Shingo insisted to carry her, so she didn't accidently strain it. She wasn't going to lie, she liked it. She had her arms wrapped over his shoulder and her hands lying loosely over his chest. She liked how it felt. She liked how strong his arms were, but also gentle with her. She liked how calming his scent was. Everything about him, she liked- no, loved.

(Y/N) loved Shingo.

Over the course of a month, he wanted to get her more accustomed to being able to do things freely. He worked on getting her out of her scared shell and to open up without fear of being hurt. She still wrote a large majority of her questions and replies in a notebook but was starting to speak more often.

She was still in the habit of cleaning the entire apartment every day, even though it was already clean, when Shingo went to work. She had done it continuously for so long that it's proven to be a difficult habit to break so far.

(Y/N) didn't hear Shingo unlock the door, open, shut it, and relock it while she was excessively cleaning the kitchen. He wasn't aware she didn't hear him and said "Hey" from behind her, scaring her that she ended up dropping a plate, the glass shattering across the floor. (Y/N)'s eyes widened and face paled as she whined quietly, backing herself into a corner, and curling up.

Shingo had knelt down to her level as he calmly moved towards her. She flinched instinctively and he stayed where he was, his hands open in front of him as a non-threating gesture. His expression held no anger as he lightly said things such as, "You're okay", "You're not in trouble", "I'm not gonna hurt you", and "I'm not angry."

(Y/N) relaxed after some coaxing and the silence of just being near him. Shingo never moved from his place and only made slow movements if he went to adjust his sitting position. She was eventually sat on the couch as he cleaned up the broken shards.

Throughout the rest of several more weeks, things progressed well. No other incident had occurred, and Shingo had teasingly suggested that she could help him wash his car if she wanted to clean something so badly. She found it quite enjoyable, relaxing, and satisfying. As she was hosing off the soap, she quickly redirected the water at Shingo before moving it back to the car. He let out a surprised yelp at the cold water and gave her a look that said, 'Really?' She giggled and that was the first time Shingo had ever heard her laugh.

As adorable as he thought it sounded, he was still getting his revenge. He ended up getting her back with the hose when she set it down to wash another part of the car. By the end of their water fight, they had been completely soaked. It was almost like they got more water on them than the car did.

As (Y/N) cleaned one of the wheels, Shingo knelt down next to her on her left. She looked over, curious as to what he was doing, and froze when his lips met hers for a quick peck. She blinked a few times and he said, "You're adorable", making her blush heavily. When he saw no sign of anxiety or fear, but rather a smile creeping onto her features, he leaned in again.

When their lips met, she melted easily into the kisses. His were gentle, not crossing any lines. He tilted his head slightly, bringing his hand to the side of her face, lightly rubbing her cheek several times before his hand rested at the back of her neck.

They pulled away for air a few moments later. Shingo looked into her eyes asking, "I'm not pushing it, am I?"

"Not at all," she shook her head, "I-I liked it." She lightly stuttered, her cheeks turning pink again.

He smiled, giving her one more peck, but on the cheek this time. He told her she could go inside and take a shower, that he'd finish up with the wheels. By the time she finished and walked out of the bathroom door, Shingo had just gotten inside. After he showered, (Y/N) had food on the little table in front of the couch. She lightly patted the spot next to her and he joined her.

As the hours passed, the two kept themselves occupied with watching TV, to (Y/N) reading a manga series about street racing, and Shingo looking through his car magazines. Any time she came across a sentence in the manga she didn't understand, she asked Shingo what it said. She found it cute how he muttered it in Japanese before saying the translation in English.

--------

After they did their nightly routine Shingo was pleasantly surprised to see (Y/N) sitting on the edge of his bed. She sheepishly asked if she could sleep there for the night. He told her she could for as long as she wanted, to which she smiled and thanked him, scurrying under the covers happily.

A few minutes after Shingo got in bed, she moved closer until she was cuddled up to him, her arms resting between their chests, and her head just below his. It took him a good minute to process it before humming and wrapping an arm over her side.

He never thought he'd be so content with having a girl, he'd only known for about three months, live with him, let alone sleep with him. There was something about her, he thought, that he just really liked. Was it her shyness or appearance? Or the fact he found her in such a bad predicament, which led him to be so protective over her?

Either way, he knew at this point that he loved her. Helping her get over her anxieties, unintentional bad habits, and getting her comfortable to talking around other people again only brought them closer. If she were anyone else, he'd most likely just ignore them or say, "Do it yourself." Everyone who knows Shingo, knows he doesn't have much of a patience to begin with, but he's been the exact opposite with (Y/N).

He may act like a bitter guy on the outside, but he's definitely a huge softie on the inside.

--------

(Y/N)'s progress had suddenly advanced greatly after her ex was found and arrested. He was also responsible for her parent's deaths and she was given the option to press charges, which (Y/N) immediately did. Her parent's will had been found in his apartment and she was given everything they wanted her to have, including their financial savings. When it was all over and done with, she felt like she didn't have to look over her shoulder in constant paranoia anymore.

Shingo was happy to see her suddenly become talkative and excited to go out places again. They spent more time out of the house, Shingo driving her anywhere she wanted to go to or see. She was ecstatic to see the beach after so long.

It had been nearly a year since Shingo found her. With his patience and her strong will, she was back to being herself again. (Y/N) got a good paying part time job and had been thinking of going to college to pursue her dream career. The money her parents had left was more than enough to pay for all of her classes and she could buy herself a car.

Shingo's love for cars had rubbed off on her and he was constantly suggesting that she should get a civic because "Nothing is better than v-tec and driving in the red zone." She would roll her eyes with a smile and remind him she wasn't going to be racing.

He would only shrug and say his suggestion still stands, going back to what he was doing. When she had doubts of college, Shingo told her she had time to think about it, but don't pass up her dream simply because of a second thought. "You'll do just fine," he would say, giving her a nudge on the shoulder.

He knew when she was determined to do something, she wouldn't stop until she was finished. All she needed was that little push to get her into it. Eventually, she was admitted into a high-ranking college that was in downtown Shibukawa.

They went out to a restaurant to celebrate and surprisingly, Shingo is an absolute lightweight when it comes to drinking. After his third beer, he could barely stand. (Y/N) giggled when he would mumble random gibberish with his face completely flustered. It was extremely adorable. (Y/N) decided it was time to leave when he was having trouble keeping himself awake. She helped him to the car, which was pretty difficult, but hilarious.

This would be the first time she's ever driven his car. She always wondered what it would be like. She turned it on and released the handbrake, putting it in gear. Just as the car was about to move it forward it jolted and shut off.

Shingo started chuckling.

"Hush, you. It's been a while." (Y/N) huffed and turned the car back on. She successfully moved it forward on the second try and the rest of the shifting went naturally. When they were halfway home, Shingo half-consciously mumbled, "You're fucking hot driving my car," (Y/N) looked over with a surprised expression before looking back at the road, "when you're not stalling it at least." He lightly chuckled again and turned his head forward, most likely falling asleep for the- what, seventh time?

She smiled and rolled her eyes, turning down several more roads until they reached their apartment. (Y/N) parked the Honda in its usual spot. Now it was time to try and get Shingo's heavy ass up three flights of stairs.

She nudged him awake and he groaned. "C'mon Shin, we're home." (Y/N) unbuckled the harness and helped him out. She locked the car and quickly made her way back to him. Shingo was leaning forward against the side of the car with his forehead pressed again the edge of the roof. She was quite sure he was trying to fall asleep again.

(Y/N) wrapped her arms around his waist and nudged him towards her. He hummed lowly and leaned against her instead, walking as best he could. Shingo made it up the stairs and through the door surprisingly well. She helped him down the hallway, but he ended up turning too early and ran into the wall. He gave a short, "Ow", his tone sounding like he was almost offended. (Y/N) couldn't help but laugh lightly as she got him around the corner and to the bed properly, where she let him fall onto it.

He sighed contently and (Y/N) changed clothes before she joined him. Shingo pulled her to him, his arms wrapped around her side with her head on his chest. The smell of her hair quickly lulled him to sleep, (Y/N) falling asleep not long after.

--------

"Is anyone else seeing this?" Takeshi asked in pure disbelief.

The rest of the NightKids nodded, adding in a small, "Yep", "Yeah", and "Mhmm" as a response.

"It's almost scary." One of them piped up.

"Who knew he was capable of that?" another guy said.

They all watched in disbelief and amazement as Shingo was leaning against the side of his car holding (Y/N) around the waist with both arms as she leaned against him, a smile on her face. He gave her multiple kisses on her head, cheek, and lips when she looked up. He didn't even pay attention to his team staring at him and his girlfriend with wide eyes.

She wanted to see a street race from the starting line now that she was comfortable around people again. All of the other times, they watched from an empty corner of the pass. This was the first time anyone from the NightKids had seen (Y/N), let alone heard of her. The team, especially Takeshi, were starting to wonder why he seemed nicer than usual throughout the last few months.

He still had his sarcastic attitude, but it just wasn't as... prominent as it used to be. Now they all saw why. Their next question was, what the girl saw in Shingo. Whatever it may be, Takeshi was just grateful that he hadn't been given a headache from Shingo's bullshit in a long time, and most importantly...

She can keep him.