Disclaimer: I don't own Initial D. The original characters are mine.
CHAPTER ONE
Fourteen years ago
Hideki Watanabe flopped onto the couch and sighed. His seven year old daughter, Miharu, giggled at her father and imitated his actions. Hideki smiled and ruffled the little girl's hair. "Aren't you full of energy," he said lovingly.
"That's because she slept the whole flight here," a female voice from the kitchen called out.
Miharu bobbed her head up and down, "Mommy said I have to sleep so I won't feel my ears popping."
Hideki chuckled, "So that's how you did it, Junko."
Junko entered the living room with a tray filled with refreshments. "Anyway, we must thank the Takahashis for taking care of everything for us here in Japan. The house looks exactly the same as when we had left. I can't believe it's already been six years since we moved to the United States. Not to mention that the fridge is completely stocked."
As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Junko set the tray down and hurriedly rushed to the door. When she opened it, she exclaimed, "Oh, Daisuke, Akiko! Come on in! Hideki, the Takahashis are here!"
The Takahashi couple entered the house. "I saw the taxi pull up in front of your house and I just had to see you right away. It's so great to have you back!" gushed Akiko.
Daisuke walked over to where Hideki was. Hideki stood up and gave Daisuke a big bear hug. "Been a while, Daisuke. How are your boys?"
"They're growing up just fine, Hideki. You must come over for dinner tonight so you can see them. Bring Miharu along, she and my sons will get along just fine," said Daisuke.
"Oh that's a wonderful idea, honey! Keisuke will be thrilled to have a playmate the same age as he is. I remember Junko and I being as big as elephants back then." said Akiko
"And drove Hideki and me nuts. I was so glad when you gave birth first," grinned Daisuke.
Hideki groaned, "Oh, don't remind me. Junko kept me running around for two more months before she gave birth to Miharu."
"Try having to go through two pregnancies," countered Daisuke.
Junko laughed, "Have you forgotten that we're just here and can hear everything?"
Akiko approached Miharu and said, "Hi, Miharu-chan. How are you?"
"I'm OK. I'm seven!" said Miharu proudly.
"My son is the same age as you are. Would you like to come over and play with him?" inquired Akiko.
Miharu looked at her father, asking for approval. When her father nodded, she said happily, "OK! Can we go now?"
Junko laughed, "Not now, honey, you'll have to wait until tonight."
"Well, we just dropped by to check if everything's OK with the house and all. We'll give you guys a chance to rest up and we'll see you tonight for dinner. Is seven o'clock fine?" Akiko asked.
"That sounds great, Akiko. We'll see you later," confirmed Hideki.
"Aww mom, why do I have to wear this itchy shirt?" complained seven year old Keisuke.
"Because we're having some guests for dinner and I want you to look your best," explained Akiko patiently.
"We're going to be entertaining dad's best friend from college, his wife and daughter. We have to be on our best behavior," nine year old Ryosuke said.
Akiko smiled at her eldest son, "Yes dear, that's right. Now I want you to watch over your brother and Miharu-chan when she gets here, all right?"
"OK, mom," nodded Ryosuke.
"It's not like I'm a baby that needs to be watched, mom," grumbled Keisuke.
Just then the doorbell rang. "That must be them. Let's go, kids."
Akiko ushered her children to the living room and stood there as her husband opened the door.
"Is that Miharu?" whispered Keisuke to his older brother as a girl wearing a pink frilly dress entered the room with her parents.
"My guess is yes," replied Ryosuke sarcastically.
"She's pretty," Keisuke whispered back, ignoring his brother's sarcasm.
Junko led her daughter to where the boys were standing and said, "Miharu, these boys are the Takahashis' sons Keisuke and Ryosuke."
Miharu performed a little curtsy and said, "Hi, I'm Miharu."
Keisuke eagerly approached Miharu and said, "I'm Keisuke. Do you want to go upstairs and play?"
Miharu happily nodded. Keisuke grabbed her hand and pulled her upstairs to his room.
"Hey, wait for me, Keisuke! I'm supposed to be watching you guys!" Ryosuke shouted impatiently, hurrying to catch up.
Their parents simply laughed and started talking, leaving the children to themselves.
Ryosuke sat on Keisuke's bed, reading a book while Miharu and Keisuke played with toy cars on the floor. Miharu stole a glance at Ryosuke and Keisuke whispered to her, "You know, you've been looking and looking at Aniki since we got here."
Miharu blushed prettily and said, "I can't help it. Your brother looks like a prince from a fairy tale."
Keisuke burst out laughing, catching Ryosuke's attention. "Keep it down, I'm trying to read!" said Ryosuke in an annoyed voice.
"Sorry," chuckled Keisuke.
Once Ryosuke had turned back to his book, Keisuke whispered to Miharu, "He doesn't act like a prince, though. He's so boring and grouchy."
Miharu giggled, "I don't think he's that bad."
"But he is!" insisted Keisuke.
Miharu again gazed at Ryosuke who was still absorbed in his book. Keisuke sighed dramatically and said, "Look, it's obvious you have a crush on Aniki. It can't be helped then."
Miharu turned back to Keisuke and asked, "What can't be helped?"
"I'll have to be your best friend, of course," said Keisuke as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Miharu looked confused at this, "And why's that?"
Keisuke grinned mischievously, "Well, you'll need someone to protect you from all the other girls who like Aniki. Besides, I'm going to make sure you don't make goo goo eyes at him and act all stupid like all the other silly girls."
"Why would you do that?" Miharu said, still not sure what's going on.
"I like you. You're the only girl I've met who's not scared of bugs and plays with toy cars," said Keisuke smartly.
"I'm scared of spiders though, does that count?" asked Miharu innocently.
Keisuke thought about this and said, "Well, nobody's perfect."
Miharu and Keisuke laughed together, signaling the beginning of a wonderful friendship.
"Kids," Ryosuke muttered distractedly.
A/N: I don't know if there was any mention of the parents of Keisuke and Ryosuke so I just took the liberty of naming them myself.