Disclaimer: I obviously own none of the following Mai Hime characters
Everything here, I've thought up on a whim. So don't kill me if you don't like it.
Pushing herself out from under the car, Natsuki grabbed Nao's proffered hand and pulled herself up.
"So what's up with the Mazda?" Nao asked tilting her head toward the gleaming, black RX-7.
"It's just old. Much of the equipments rusting away as we speak." Natsuki murmured while walking off toward the garage's office.
"Well, at least the shell still looks new…" Nao's eyes gleamed as she said slyly, "So…does that mean, we're not gonna waste our time trying to fix it?"
Ignoring Nao, Natsuki picked up the office phone and dialed a number listed in the garage's customer directory.
"Hello, Midori Sugiura speaking."
"Hi, this is Kuga from HIME Garage. I have just finished inspecting your Mazda RX-7."
"Oh, yeah?" Midori said only half-listening as she continued typing up her research paper.
"Much of its engine parts and equipments are old and need to be replaced. Although HIME Garage can obtain and replace the parts for you, the bill is going to be pretty hefty. I don't want to waste your money. My suggestion to you is to sell the car since it's considered an antique and there are collectors out there who'd buy it." Natsuki said in her most professional voice.
"Hmm…is that so..." Midori absentmindedly murmured and then excitedly asked, "Can you believe that the Egyptians still have working traps after all these years!? Imagine all the history they must be hiding!"
"……" Natsuki felt her blood pressure building as she took a deep breath and said in a constrained voice, "Sugiura-san. What do you want us to do with your car?"
Surprised at the tone of voice, Midori sheepishly apologized, "Heh, sorry. I got too caught up with my research. You said I should sell it? Yeah, it is pretty old. Belonged to my dad back in the day. He used to drag race that thing with not a care for his safety. Alright, I'll pick it up tomorrow as soon as I finish this report."
Eyes widening, Natsuki forgot her professionalism and said excitedly, "Wait! You said your dad use to race? Where at? Do they have motorcycle racing!?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Calm down Kuga-chan."
Feeling heat rising in her face and ears, Natsuki coughed into her hand and tried to recover herself, "Don't call me chan."
"Hai, hai, Kuga-chan. When I swing by tomorrow, I'll tell you all about it. You know, since it IS illegal racing, I'd feel more comfortable telling you in person rather than over the phone. K? Later!"
"I said don't—" Natsuki found herself talking into a dead line and slammed the phone back into the receiver. How rude. She thought, but she couldn't keep herself from grinning at the idea of drag racing for a little money.
"What are you so happy about, dork?" Nao asked, leaning against the door frame of the garage office.
"Nao…" Natsuki whispered while still staring at the phone. Nao arched an eyebrow in confusion. Finally, looking up at her, Natsuki held up a shaking fist and excitedly threatened, "You better be working your ass off to pay off your debt. Cuz I'm gonna need that money soon to upgrade my bike!"
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeh!?" Nao exclaimed.
The next day:
Off in the distance on the other side of Kyoto, a particularly beautiful woman with long, light brown hair and ruby red eyes ran a hand lightly across the hood of the latest Ferrari in the lot of the Ferrari dealership.
"Fujino-san," a skinny young man with perfectly combed black hair bowed as he opened the door on the driver's side of the Ferrari and motioned Shizuru in. "Please, take it around for a test drive. I'm sure the car will meet your every expectation," the salesman offered smoothly.
"Why, thank you," Shizuru smiled as she gracefully stepped into the car in her violet-colored, leather outfit patterned with stripes of white that fit snugly against her body. Her knee high purple boots also trimmed in white rested against the gas pedal as she waited for the salesperson to settle into the passage seat.
As soon as the salesperson had his seatbelt on, Shizuru fired up the Ferrari and spun out of the lot. Wide-eyed and mouth agape, the salesman whimpered as he watched the woman next to him effortlessly maneuvered amongst people and cars with one hand and expertly switched between gears with her other hand. Outside, most people were screaming and scrambling to get out of her way. But some just stood there shocked and rooted as they watched the red Ferrari race toward them.
"Fujino-san…" He managed while gritting his teeth and gripping the door handle. Without breaking a sweat, Shizuru deftly dodged the bystanders at the very last second.
"Ara Taekawa-san, you were right. This Ferrari is meeting my expectations." Shizuru mused softly, "Hmmm, I wonder how it would fair on the interstate though…"
"Uh-oh," was all Taekawa managed to say before he was thrown back into the seat as Shizuru propelled the car into the interstate at suicidal speed.
Wiping beads of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, Natsuki watched as a navy blue Ford Mustang pulled up to the garage. Turning to Nao on the other side of the bike, Natsuki tossed the wrench to her and told her to finish up with the oil change.
"Ai ai, captain." Nao said rolling her eyes. Ignoring her, Natsuki walked up to Midori as she was stepping out of the Mustang.
"Another nice ride?" Natsuki nodded toward the 1997 Mustang.
"What this old thing? It's alright. Got it cheap from a friend. I'm afraid it's not fit for any drag racing though." Midori said as she lovingly caressed her old car.
"Speaking of drag racing, can you tell me more about it?"
"Someone's a little impatient," Midori said jokingly as she took it upon herself to walk out of the sun and under the roof of the garage.
Slightly embarrassed, Natsuki motioned for Midori to sit down on the old couch against the wall of the garage. Then she pulled up a stool and sat across from Midori.
"Sorry." Natsuki said briskly as she waited expectedly for Midori to begin.
" Don't sweat it." Midori brushed off, "Tomorrow night—midnight, there's a race on the mountain road behind the city. Around 4 bikers are expected to participate. If you're interested, I can sign you up, but let me warn you," Midori looked intently into the emerald green eyes across from her, "the mountain road is dangerous. Even by day, it is dangerous. But lucky for you, the racers, as far as I know, are armatures."
Smirking, Natsuki can already feel the adrenaline pumping in her blood. "Sign me up."
Eyes gleaming, Midori clasped hands with Natsuki and said simply, "That's my girl."
Nao curiously watched the two in the garage as she mindlessly worked on the bike. When she couldn't stand not being included anymore, Nao walked up to the two and said just that.
"Nao, I'm gonna try my hand at drag racing. What do you think?" Natsuki grinned.
"Ah, that's why you've been smiling like a fool." Nao said nodding.
Glaring at Nao, Natsuki spat, "I have not been smiling like a fool."
"Uh-huh…," Nao hummed sarcastically, "Exactly what will you be using to race?"
"……………………….." Natsuki stared at her dumbly.
Resting her head in her hand and dramatically shaking her head, Nao chuckled and Midori giggled with her.
"SHUDDUP!" Natsuki's face turned a healthy shade of pink and she abruptly stood up and paced around the garage. "Hm…Sugiura-san, you think I can race with my bike?"
"Just Midori is fine, Kuga-chan. And what kind of bike do you have?"
"Natsuki. Call me Natsuki." Natsuki insisted heatedly, "I have a Ducati DRIII."
"You think that old thing can beat anyone?" Nao goaded
"Is that a challenge?" Natsuki said raising her fist.
"Now, now girls. Nao, right? Have more faith in your friend. I'm sure she'd do just fine. The bike may be an older model, but with skill Natsuki-chan may even come out first place." Midori smiled
"HA! So I CAN use my bike!" Natsuki threw her arm up in triumph before running to the back to retrieve her bike.
"Hey, HEY! What about me!?" Nao complained following her.
"Take care of the garage, Nao! You still owe me money! Don't you forget!" Natsuki hollered over her shoulders.
"I can't do everything by myself!"
"Call Sasaki in to help you!" Natsuki said as she came back around the garage pushing her bike with her.
"I guess I'll be seeing you tonight, Natsuki-chan. I have a friend coming by to tow the RX-7." Midori said as she got up to leave.
"Thanks for everything. Yeah, I'll see you tonight." Natsuki said, giving up for now on correcting Midori about not calling her chan.
"Nao, I'm gonna take the bike out for a bit. I need to get warmed up. Don't worry, I'll be back to close the garage." Natsuki said as she put on her helmet.
"Don't bother. Between Sasaki and me, I'm sure we'd be able to close the shop by ourselves." Nao said indifferently.
Staring at Nao suspiciously, Natsuki hesitantly nodded and started her bike down the road and onto the interstate.
Nao watched from the garage. Finally, Nao thought, it's been over a year since she has found something to be excited about. All that mopping was getting on my nerves. Damn Mai for leaving Natsuki like that.
I've decided to combine ch.1&2 because ch.1 seemed too short.
Review please~