A warm breeze blew over Akagi marking the fact that spring had come around again, even though the famous pass at Mt. Akagi was empty now soon it would alive with the sounds of racing. At the summit sat Takashi Sai, looking down over the pass that he stared up at for so many years, blowing smoke out of his nose he remembered the last time he looked up at this mountain.
Flashback.
It was his birthday, y having just got home from his part-time job he expected to see his family waiting for him just as they had when it was his older sister's birthday two months before, but like always he was disappointed. Opening the door he looked into a cold, dark, empty house; walking inside his head dropped low as he shook his head wonder why he even got his hopes up.
About an hour later he heard keys jiggling outside the door, as the door opened he looked over at his mother, father, and sister joking and laughing as they walked inside. His father again congratulated his sister Mae on getting her 1st when he looked over at Sai, who was staring at him with an angry look. "What's that for" asked Takashi Daisuke staring back at his son.
"Where the hells were ya'll" yelled Sai?
"Watch ya mouth young man" said his mind.
"Dad ya other daughter is on her period again" taunted Mae walking upstairs laughing.
"Fuck you" yelled Sai at his sister.
"What the hell are ya problem, you should be congratulating ya sister" yelled his dad steeping towards the angry young man. "You're just jealous of ya sister like always, it always got to be about you, so what is it this time huh what is so important that you need all the attention?"
"Its ma goddamn birthday you stupid bastard" screamed Sai standing up from the couch.
"And" replied his father?"
"Yeah baby you have another next year so calm down" said Sakura putting her hand on her sons shoulder.
"What the hell you mean not important, when Mae had her birthday she had a party and my birthday is unimportant" said Sai looking at his mother."
"See I told you jealous of Mae, mad you don't get what ma gets, you need to realize that you don't get everything she gets" yelled Daisuke.
"See you both like ha better, no matter what I do you like ha better and dats why I hate it here" yelled Sai stomping out the door, tears rolling down his face.
That day 4 years ago was the last time he saw or spoke to his parents or sister. After that day he moved to Osaka with his grandmother. But now he had returned, after the death of the only person in his mind who actually loved him he returned to Gunma prefecture.
Putting his cigarette out on the bottom of his boot and blowing out the smoke, Sai opened the door of his black touge weapon, climbing inside. Turning the key he heard the beautiful sound of the powerful SR20 growled quietly under the carbon fiber hood. Gently putting the gear into 1st he started downhill, pressing the throttle hard he sped towards the first uphill corner; griping it easily he flew down the short straight. Shifting to 3rd then 4th he approached the next corner, heel/toe downshifting he gracefully slid the lightened Mitsubishi around the corner.
Walking into the hotel he was staying at Sai felt his phone vibrate on his hip, checking the caller ID he saw the name "Matsumoto". Answering it he says, "Hey Matsumoto, how's it going?"
"Hey Takashi I heard you were back in Gunma" said Matsumoto?
"Yup man I'm back, but don't tell anyone especially ma sister" said Sai walking in to the lobby of the hotel.
"Aren't you at ya parents place" asked a confused Matsumoto?
"Hell no I'm staying at a hotel, until I can find an apartment or something" answered Sai walking up the stairs.
"Oh ok, but aren't you gonna go see them I would suspect that they missed you, I mean you have been gone for 4 years man" asked Matsumoto?
"They don't care about me or they would've found me at me grand moms, I mean you and Jai did no problem" stated Sai with growing annoyance in his voice.
"Yeah but dude their ya pa…." before Matsumoto could finish Sai cut him off.
"Yeah what ever man I'm about to go to bed, I'll stop and see you ok bye" said Sai before hanging up the phone and tossing it on his bed.
Laying down on the bed staring at the Sai thought about what Matsumoto said, "should I good she ma parents, did they even care that I left." Shaking the thought from his mind he kicked off his boots, pulling his shirt off throwing it on top of his bangs, before laying his head on the pillow; closing his eyes he slowly drifted off into a deep sleep.
Waking up early the next morning Sai jumped in the shower before getting dressed; putting on his black cargo pants, black boots, and white t-shirt. Grabbing his eyes he walked out the hotel room and onto the elevator.
Walking out of the lobby he walks across the parking lot towards his beloved GTS-t, opening the drive side door he looked over at a strangely familiar red Toyota MR2. Standing there pondering where he had seen the roadster before he was unable to remember were he'd seen it but was sure he'd seen it before.
Climbing into the car he started the engine waiting a moment for it to heat up before pulling off.
Pulling up to a garage named "Zero speed", Sai shook his head getting out of his car and walking inside.
The door chimed he walked in and the young man sitting behind the counter looked up from his magazine. "Hello sir can I help you with anything" asked the young man standing up.
"Umm yes I'm here to see Matsumoto" said Sai looking at the young man.
"Sempai you have a visitor" yelled the young man.
Walking from the back Matsumoto saw his old friend Takashi Sai. Hugging the white haired man Matsumoto walked wit him towards the garages.
"Wow Sai ya hair has finally gone totally white" taunted Matsumoto. Pushing his friend away Sai walks into the garage looking at the different cars.
"I see your doing well ya self Matsumoto, huh I see a Nismo R32; Mugen NSX; EVO VII; and a…wow you got a 995 GT."
"Yeah I'm doing pretty good, working hard" said Matsumoto running his hand over the Porsche.
"How bout you Sai, I heard you went to college for business or something" asked Matsumoto?
"Yeah I'm a stock broker, its ok I make pretty good money" answered Sai leaning against a table.
"So Matsumoto, what's the race scene like around here now? I heard Ryosuke and Keisuke Takahashi retired as well as Takumi Fujiwara. So who's on top now?" asked Sai.
"Well on the uphill it's a new kid from Akina named Takashi Oni, he drives a 3000GT, and on downhill…well…it's ya…Sister Mae" replied Matsumoto looking down at the floor.
"Oh really and what is she driving" asked Sai with a smirk on his face.
"A 2001 MR2, I think ya dad built it for her" said Matsumoto
"I expected nothing less from them" said Sai looking at his watch. "Damn Matsumoto I gotta go."
Matsumoto yelled as Sai ran out of the door, "you should come up to Akagi tonight!"
Later that night Matsumoto sat at the top of Mt Akagi leaning against the hood of his Evo V watching the wannabe's and kids powerslide up and down the pass. Its was only 9:30 so none of the real racer had started to come out yet.
Hearing the sound of screeching tires and the whistle of a blow-off valve coming towards the top he looked towards the last down downhill turn to see Sai's R32 come drifting around the corner to the amazement of all the high school kids.
Pulling into the parking lot Sai parked his 32 next to Matsumoto's Evo, climbing out he looked out at the kids trying to drift.
A blue S13 came around the corner and began to drift but the inexperienced driver mashed the gas to hard and to early causing the engine to sputter loudly then spin 360 degrees with a big smoke cloud.
Sai shook his head looking at all the young drivers, "So this is the touge scene in Gunma, huh Matsumoto? I hope ma sister is better then these kids."
Matsumoto chuckled lightly, "yeah I think Mae's a little better then a bunch of high school kids."
As they talk the driver of the S13 walked up to them, "Matsumoto-sempai how was that, am I getting better?"
Both looking up Sai let out a small chuckle, "sempai Matsumoto, HAHAHA"
"Yeah your getting better Ken you just need to hold off on hitting the gas for a second longer" Matsumoto glared at Sai who was still laughing hysterically.
Finally calming down Sai looked up at the young kid, "Kid you also need to change spark plugs and maybe get better gripping tires. That'll stop ya engine from sputtering when you do get on the gas."
"Thank you sempai" then the student ran back over to where his car and friend were standing.
At that time the sound of a group of cars could be heard coming up the mountain, all the high school students turned waiting to see what team showed up tonight. Sai and Matsumoto looked to the road and saw; a S14; S15; RX8; and a Z32, they all were lead by a red Z30.
All the high school kids and onlookers murmured looking at the team "Razors Edge", stepping out of their cars with practiced precision, the members of RE all crowded around their leader waiting for an opponent.
"Wow that was cheesy as hell" laughed Sai as he put on his glass hiding his eyes. Leaning against her MR-S Mae scanned the crowd looking through all the posers and high school kids.
Looking in the direction of Matsumoto she didn't recognize the man he was talking with or the gun-metal grey R32. Motioning with her hand she sent he #2 Makoto over to see who he is.
Watching the man walk towards them Sai folded his arms, "Matsumoto I see your still baby-sitting kids", stopping in front of them Makoto looked over at the R32.
"I'm just here imparting a little wisdom, educating the next generation"
"You didn't introduce me to your friend, hi I'm Makoto Saito nice to meet you" as Makoto holds out his hand.
"Nice to meet you to" as Sai kept his arms folded.
"You know it's polite to tell someone your name when they tell you theirs" Makoto looked at Sai after his impolite action.
"And"
"Wow Matsumoto you really need to teach ya friend manners before he gets into trouble" Makoto turned to walk away.
"Trouble wit who…you?" Sai stood up unfolding his arms.
Stopping in his tracks Makoto turned with a smile on his face, looking at Sai.
Walking to his R32 Sai looked at him, "how about a race, or do you have to ask ya leader for permission."
Climbing into the 32 Sai fired the powerful RB26 engine driving to the line. Makoto running over to his red S15 driving up right next to the 32, revving his engine had looking over into the dark tint of Sai GTS-t.
Ken watched the to cars sitting at the start line as he walked back over to Matsumoto with all his friend in toe. "Matsumoto-sempai do you think your friend can beat Makoto, he's good"
"Hmmm Sai hasn't changed a bit and from what I heard from my contacts in Osaka this should be good" Matsumoto thought as Mae walked between the cars raising her hands.
Ken stared at his sempai waiting for an answer as Mae began the count down.
5 4 3 2 1 GO! The S15 shot of the line rocketing into the lead to the amazement of all except Matsumoto.
With a predatory smile on his face Sai pulled his R32 behind the S15 as they raced uphill to the first corner. Both griping the first corner the 32 easily pulled within inches of the Silvia's bumper as the began downhill.
"Matsu-sempai shouldn't the GTR have took the lead easily with its AWD?" Ken looked at Matsumoto with the same confused look as the rest of the high school kids.
"That's not a GTR it's a GTS-t, and to answer ya question Sai got behind on purpose" Matsumoto smiled shaking his head looking at the confused looks on hi student's faces.
Back in the race Makoto in the S15 looked in his rearview mirror seeing how close the R32 was to his bumper. Shifting into 4th he approached the 1st downhill corner. Downshifting into 3rd then 2nd he began to drift taking the inside line.
Sai copying the line of the s15 down shifted one gear into 3rd drifting only inches away from Makoto bumper, accelerating coming out of the turn, flying down the small straight rocketing towards the next corner.
"He's not bad but this is ma home pass no way some new comer is gonna beat me no way!" tapping his brakes Makoto brake drifted through the next corner accelerating hard at the exit.
Left foot braking Sai mimicked his line again accelerating harder racing down the lion straight easily pulling long side of the Silvia as the Twin Turbo howled loudly.
Looking over at Makoto he braked early coming into the corner falling behind the S15 again before pulling up on his bumper again.
Watching the R32 fall behind Makoto brake drifted again then kicked the clutch sliding around the second corner.
Going down the next straight Sai's eyes narrowed as he began to sway behind the Silvia pressing the gas down harder shifting into 4th.
The hairpins loomed as they approached at suicidal speed. Makoto watched the R32 sway in his mirror, the hairs stood up on the back of his neck and he could Sai's piercing eyes watching him.
Going into the he downshifted into 2nd and smoothly took the 1st hairpin, looking over the R32 was door to door with him. Drifting into the next hairpin Sai took a wider line sliding just inches away from the guardrail sending the little spectators jumping away.
Back at the top the radio came alive, "HOLY SHIT THE R32 SLID INCHES FROM US". Grabbing the walkie talkie Mae spoke, "what's happening down their".
"Well the R32 driver seems to be toying with Makoto; he'll pull alongside then pull behind on purpose. Also he's doing this weird swaying thing behind him"
Everyone looked at the radio confused, and then Mae looked towards Matsumoto who just smiled over hearing the radio message.
In the R32 Sai was beginning to get bored as he pressed the throttle down approaching the next S-turn. "Well I guess I'll end it now"
Taking an outside line Sai barely tapped the brakes sliding outside then kicked the clutch throwing the car in the opposite drifting alongside the S15 with only mm separating them. Mashing the accelerator Sai slowly began to pull ahead, but unwilling to give up the lead Makoto slammed his shifter into 5th clawing to keep the lead. Coming into the corner in 5th Makoto braked hard downshifting to 4th then 3rd, but he saw the R32 forge ahead drifting in front of him taking the lead
"OH MY GOD MAKOTO WAS PASSED, MAKOTO WAS PASSED!" yelled the man over the radio.
All the members of Razors Edge stared at the radio in disbelief. The high school stood in front of Matsumoto mouths hanging open but Matsumoto just laughed a little before leaning against the door.
He looked up just in time to see Mae and the rest of Razors Edge walking towards him, folding his arms he looked at the leader just barely holding back his laughter. "So who's ya friend Matsumoto?"
"Oh just a guy I know from a longtime ago" Matsumoto knew that wasn't what she meant but liked to see the frustration on her face.
"Yeah whatever well tell him to watch his back" then turning on her heel she walked back to her car followed by the rest of the group and they took off down hill.
Makoto was frantic as he tried everything he could think of to catch the R32, drifting around the next corner he still couldn't see the it anymore.
Crossing the finish line Sai pulled off to the side parking as he took his soda out the cup holder take a long drink.
30 seconds later Sai watches Makoto's S15 drive across the finish line parking in front of him. Climbing out of his car Makoto walked angrily towards Sai's car only being stopped by the members of his team that were at the bottom.
Laughing Sai picked up his cell phone looking at the caller I.D. see it was Matsumoto. At that time the rest of Razors Edge came down driving past him. He looked and saw the angry eyes of his sister looking at his tinted windows.