Furuhashi is well-established, renowned and adored in these circles already. He's cocksure and brazen and dripping with self-confidence, lazing comfortably in his seat, joking with the reporters. They love him, they hang onto his every word. Reno is feeling more and more like he's an unfortunate sidekick; a lesser-known painting left to hang beside the Mona Lisa. Why were they picked to do this together? "If I may be frank," a journalist up the back intones, struggling to hold the microphone in one hand while the other balances a notepad and pen, "there's been a lot of tension between you two, historically, and it's still present now. Your fans are constantly fighting online, despite how you compete in completely different divisions. Do you happen to know each other outside of a professional context? Is there bad blood here?"
Reno picks up his microphone at the same time as Furuhashi. "Uh—" "Well—" They pause and glance at each other, eyes comically wide. Even when he's washed out under the white spotlights, Furuhashi seems to be bathed in a golden glow— he's pretty, okay, even Reno can admit that. But it doesn't change anything. "Please," Furuhashi says before Reno has the chance, gesturing for him to answer as he lays his microphone back down. Reno swallows his trepidation as the snapping of the cameras seems to double for every second that they hold each other's gaze. Fucker, he thinks viciously, sighing deeply when Furuhashi flashes him an innocent smile. The one time you choose to be polite is when it suits you, huh? Bitch. Dick. Bastard.
"Well," Reno continues measuredly, finally glancing back out, squinting into the spotlight. "We've both been in the industry for a long time, and it does get to a point where everyone knows everyone. We have mutual connections. Sometimes we train in the same places, at the same time. It's a small world." "Would you call yourselves friends?" the same journalist asks, her tone dripping with skepticism. "Sure," Reno says. "No," Iharu scoffs simultaneously. Reno snaps his jaw shut with an audible click. Cameras flash and pens scribble and laptop keys click at double-speed. "We're friendly," Reno corrects after a long moment, then carefully places his microphone down. His ears ring a little, but it could just be the whine of feedback.
I have a big wip to celebrate :3 so excited for this #ihareno motosport au hehehe
![Leah [Comms Open]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/avatar/plain/did:plc:f5axvpxb7xzqesynxnbnpzhm/bafkreielgapbm7byd3rkkkf3tzeypb3vunive2qp6rlnkc7wcgix3vk5lu)
