Class 3-A filed out the back of the main building to a small lot area where Project D was parked.

"These are the cars we race with." Ryosuke pointed to the small, black and white car. "Takumi drives this one, the 86. We use it specifically for downhill battles. It was originally his father's car, and we made several modifications to it as our team progressed."

Ryosuke then turned to the yellow, tricked out car. "And this is my brother Keisuke's car, the FD. This is for uphill battles."

The class was in awe at the vehicles before them. Most of the girls found Takumi's car cute because of the flip-up headlights and the fact that it looked like a panda. Takumi blushed slightly from the girls crowding around him, asking if he was available for dates. Keisuke also got a fair share of girls asking him out as well.

Nodoka and Yue stood off to the side. Nodoka was blushing with shyness, and her bangs were covering her eyes just like the day Negi arrived at school, while Yue calmly sipped a juicebox of "tofu milk".

"So, watcha think? Who's the hottest?" said Haruna in a singsong voice. Both of them jumped.

"I dunno, that Takumi guy looks kind of my type," shrugged Yue. Nodoka said nothing, instead beginning to blush more.

Keisuke spoke up. "Are there even any race courses around here? This place is pretty huge."

"I think there's a mountain road near the shrine Tatsumiya-san works at." said one of the Narutaki twins.

Mana nodded. "Yeah, it's never really been used by civilian traffic in a while."

"We barely have any cars here to begin with since public transportation is easily accessible," said Satomi Hakase.

"How about tonight you bring the class up to watch us drive the course?" said Ryosuke to Negi. "I don't see why not." Negi replied.

"Maybe then…we can find that mysterious racer."

As night fell, the sounds of car engines could be heard in the distance, near the Tatsumiya Shrine.

"Whoooa!" The 86 came barreling around a tight turn in a controlled four wheel drift, amazing the group of girls standing next to the guard rail. "It's so FAST!" shouted Yuna Akashi, ever the hot blooded one. "The way he controls the car around that turn…it's like he's dancing." said Makie Sasaki.

"Are you KIDDING ME!" yelled the class representative, Ayaka Yukihiro. "Dancing! That's hardly dancing, it's just a car going sideways on the road!"

"But the movements, the grace with which he turns the wheel…it's like he's trying to waltz with the car." Ako Izumi agreed. "It's quite a feat."

"Hmph."

"I guess Iincho isn't a big racing fan." said Makie.

On another section of the course, the FD was doing a hill climb run, accelerating madly out of a high speed turn.

"That car is WILD!" said Kazumi as she snapped photos. Sayo nodded in agreement.

"He has some talent, that one." nodded Evangeline A.K. McDowell. "I heard he used to be a gang member, I doubt he could beat ME in a one on one fight though! Mwahahahahaha!"

"Master…" Chachamaru sighed.

Ryosuke and Negi were at the top of the mountain along with Asuna, Nodoka, Setsuna, Konoka, Yue, and Haruna. "No sign of that mysterious racer yet…" said the elder Takahashi brother. "Negi-kun, you said you knew a person who owned a car around here. Who is he?"

Setsuna spoke up. "I think Takahata-sensei owns one."

"Yes, he had a…what was it…a Viper." said Negi.

"LEAVE TAKAHATA-SENSEI OUT OF THIS!" shouted Asuna loudly.

"What's the deal with her?" Ryosuke asked.

"Asuna-san's kind of in love with Takahata-sensei," Konoka remarked. "'Kind of?' Hello? I went on a damn DATE with him!" Asuna barked loudly. "What does he have to do with some stupid racing legend thing anyway?"

"If this Takahata guy is who we're looking for…" said Ryosuke, "….we have a race to run."