CHAPTER 1

UKYO AND THE RADIATOR

Ever since Ukyo's introduction with Iketani, and Itsuki the car molester, things had gone for the worse. Not only there was something faulty with his second-hand Starion, he had been kicked out of the job as a salaryman due to his poor performance. Income has been tight, and he had realized something; Ukyo would run out of money in four days' time. He needed to get a job, but where?

"How about working in a gas station?" potato faced Itsuki recommended with enthusiasm. "That way, Iketani-sempai can do something about that leaky radiator."

That sounds like a good idea, he thought. Maybe meeting these two was a blessing in disguise. Of course, at least, he thought so…

… … …

"I dumped the Sea of Japan into the radiator, and guess what? I formed another Lake Akina in the garage!" scowled Iketani, helping Itsuki's slurred, guilty voice.

Only two days have passed, and chaos had already erupted. While newcomer Ukyo was taught how to maintain the station by Iketani, Itsuki had sneaked into the garage, and chucked a running hose into the radiator in attempt to fill it up. However, the amount of water gushing out from the bottom was more than being filled in. Hence forth, Lake Akina was formed in the garage, courtesy of Itsuki's itchy hands.

Ukyo let out a heavy sigh. He knew better; he should not have bought that Starion. But what was done could not be undone.

"We'll make do with the old, 'egg' technique. It should temporary seal the hole," Ukyo insisted, since his income was coming close to an end.

Itsuki lit up, and scrambled into the store to get one. While doing so, Ukyo and Iketani observed the damage.

"Why does the words 'Pacific Ocean' come into my mind?" muttered Iketani.

"Beats me," replied Ukyo. "Come on, let's push the Starion out before a flashflood occurs."

As the two of them pushed the black Mitsubishi out of the garage, Potato face popped out of nowhere, chucking the egg into the radiator. An observant Iketani took notice of it, and questioned Itsuki.

"Was that a real egg or-,"

Itsuki cut off his question, answering it straight away, "Chocolate egg!"

Two pairs of eyes blinked repeatedly at Itsuki's reply. They swore the word 'chocolate' was included in the answer. Ukyo planted his face into his right hand. Iketani followed suit. They never knew Itsuki was a total klutz in such a way.

"Why not putting a chocolate factory into my radiator then?" Ukyo remarked sarcastically.

With Itsuki being chokehold by a furious Iketani, and Ukyo letting out a heavy sigh from a distance, a red Honda Civic EG6 dropped by, with a rather boastful driver behind the wheel. He got out from the hatchback, with a look enough to piss off anyone around him.

"So, Akina Speedstars; you got yourselves another idiotic member in the group," he mocked. "So, he drives this black Starion, eh? Don't disappoint me this coming Sunday. I'll be expecting you on the starting line."

That made Ukyo puzzled. He was mistaken as a member of Iketani's Akina Speedstars. Iketani and Itsuki froze, somehow shocked by Shingo's poor assumptions. However, once again, the short tempered person got into his hatchback, and sped off. Ukyo stood there, not moving a muscle. Iketani took a glance at his face. A total goner, he thought.

"I do have to apologise, Ukyo. Now, he, Shingo, has chosen you to be his opponent on the upcoming downhill battle in Akina Mountain," Iketani said with a tone of guilt.

However, Ukyo seemed a little happy about it. He glanced at Itsuki, then at Iketani, and finally at his beloved Starion.

"I'd like to know how I would fare. It's been a while since I was in a battle," he answered, re-adjusting the company's cap.

"When was that?" busybody Itsuki asked.

"About four months ago. I lost when I went against a black Nissan Skyline GTR R32 in Myogi downhill. His name was… Takeshi Nakazato, if my memory serves correctly," Ukyo replied, sitting on the hood of the Starion. "Those were the times."

Iketani and Itsuki paused. Somehow, there was something different about Ukyo. It was as if he used to be in Nakazato's Night Kids. Maybe something had occurred, resulting a new rivalry. However, that was not their main concern. Repairing the Mitsubishi Starion was the top priority. That is, until a weird stench came from the radiator was smelt.

"The chocolate egg!" Itsuki exclaimed. "It melted in the radiator!"

"You idiot!" Iketani swore under his breath, chokeholding Itsuki once again.

"Argh!" went Itsuki's remark.

Ukyo let out another heavy sigh. Things sure are lively with the duo around. Akina Speedstars, he thought. He may consider joining in the team, especially since Iketani and Itsuki helped him out het a job. Time to repay the favour, he thought. As Ukyo popped open the hood, a powerful stench crept up into his nose, staring his variation of a ruckus.

"Itsuki! Was that a chocolate egg or animal manure? It smells as if I've crapped in my radiator!"

"Sorry!" yelped the Potato-face.