Summary: Rin digresses, going into racing might be considered the biggest mistake of his life. But, with his father’s shadow looming over him, it just makes him want to get even closer to the edge. Because, it’s not the numbers or the champagne or the winning. It’s getting in the car and meeting death face to face without fear.
Everything else is peripheral… except maybe one person.
Pairing: MakoRin, ReiGisa
ON AO3
Rin Matsuoka grew up with Formula 1 in his blood.
The noise, the growl of racing cars lulled him to sleep more than lullabies. The bright flashes of beautifully engineered machines were as natural a sight to him as road cars. While other kids got up at unnaturally early hours to watch cartoons or their favorite new anime, he woke up to watch his father – the first Japanese racer to make it all the way up to one of the leading teams in Formula 1 history – compete in the most prestigious competition in motorsport.
When he dreamed, he dreamed of his father’s smile as he climbed onto the podium with his trophy in his arms and champagne spraying all over him as he stood above his blood red car. Of himself, standing alongside him with an even bigger trophy driving that same car.
Rin’s dreams shift down a darker path after his father’s car – that same blood red – slid across the watery tracks colliding with another, creating a pile up never before seen in Formula 1 history.
The day Rin’s father dies in a crash, he supposes his dream should have died with his father.
And it would have… if not for Nanase Haruka.
At the age of fifteen Nanase Haruka got in his silver and blue car, his debut in Formula 2 just about as normal as anyone else’s, and broke the record for Sochi’s fastest time.
“I…” He stuttered, the first thing he’s said since his father died in that terrible crash. Gou and his mother turn to stare at him, eyes wide. “I can do that.” Rin said, his voice soft but steady as he pointed to the television where Nanase was addressing – or more likely ignoring – the press’ questions about the record he’d broken. “I can show the world what dad showed me… when he was racing.”
Rin’s mother looked on worriedly but handed him a slip of paper.
Rin flipped it over and grinned a wide toothy grin.
Samezuka Ferrari Junior Formula 2 Team
Nanase Haruka was a racing prodigy.
Haru hadn’t always known he’d be so good at racing. It wasn’t particularly popular in Japan despite their past successful racers. Kamui Kobayashi was one despite not being in a better team. Toraichi Matsuoka raced for Ferrari, a feat no one thought possible for an Asian. But, Haru hadn’t cared for them. He hadn’t cared for racing.
As usual, it was all Makoto’s fault.
It began on a hot summer day, Haru was up earlier than expected and couldn’t sleep. He’d gone to Makoto’s house in the hope that his friend was up and knew something they could do to pass time. He’d not expected Makoto and his entire family to already be awake watching television.
“Haru-chan! What a nice surprise!” He cheered, realizing something. “You have to come in and see this!” He insisted, pulling Haru into the living room where his family was sitting watching Makoto fondly.
“Oi.” Haru protested weakly, allowing Makoto to pull him down to the floor where they sat in front of the television. “Stop with the chan, alre-” He sighed.
Haru gasped softly, watching the red lights go out and the cars rush ahead each trying to get in front of the other. The speed at which they moved, cutting through the air, was so mesmerizing to watch that Haru couldn’t look away until the red car crossed the finish line followed by silver and blue.
Haru turned to talk to Makoto about it but Makoto’s face was scrunched up, only lighting up when a lone orange car finally crossed the finish line. “You know, Haru. He’s from Iwatobi, too.” He smiled at Haru. “He’s my friend! And he’s a really good driver!” He grinned.
“Oh.” Haru bit his lip, looking away. Had Makoto wanted better friends? Is that why he made friends with this… driver? Was he already bored of Haru?
“But…” Makoto said, pulling Haru back so he was facing him. “I bet Haru-chan would be a much better driver! The best in the whole world!” He said.
Haru hid his blush behind a throw pillow and frowned. “Stop with the chan and I’ll think about coming to the karting track with you.”
Makoto stared up at Haru before lighting up, throwing his arms around Haru.
“Thank you, Haru!”
As usual, it’s all Makoto’s fault, he decides. But he won’t blame him, not when Haru can use his winnings to buy more Mackerel and pay for membership to an indoor pool facility.
And when Makoto is invited to join Fox Sports Asia to cover Formula 1, Haru finally picked up the contract they’d given him a year prior and called Sasabe Goro.
