INITIAL D: DRIFT KINGS D Selection
ACT 6:
Mt. Akina, 4:12 AM:
Drew shifted up, then back down rapidly as the engine over-revved for a split second as he drifted through one of Akina's tight corners.
Try to remember what Takumi told you. Try to hold it steady. Try not to turn so hard. Let off the gas.
Memories of the previous day's conversation filled his mind, guiding his movements, leading the Celica down the mountain. On these return runs to the tofu shop, he needed to learn as much as he could about driving this mountain. He pressed in the clutch and downshifted as he headed into another corner.
LATER THAT MORNING:
Grant pulled into the Esso station where he'd be working from now on. He parked along one side, right behind a lime-green two-tone S13. As he shut the door of his Supra behind him, he noticed the bright yellow sticker on the rear fender of the Nissan parked in front of him.
Speed Stars? So I'm back here, eh? Some irony
As he walked to the main building of the station, two men, both of whom looked oddly familiar, began coming toward him.
Grant waved quickly, "Ohayoo gozaimasu. Hargus-desu."
The taller, and seemingly older of the two, gave him a nod, "Iketani Kouichiro-desu. And this is-"
The person he began to introduce suddenly caught sight of Grant's car and, with an amazed an delighted whoop, sprinted toward it. He reached the car and began running his hands over the hood, the mirrors, the doors, the small stock spoiler, and the roof. As he peered inside, he suddenly jumped back a few inches.
"EH!! Iketani-sempai, this is left-hand drive!!!"
Grant looked at the kid, then back at Iketani, "Umm...who is he and why is he groping my car?"
Iketani let out an exasperated sigh, then smiled, "That's Itsuki."
"Yeah, well, can you tell him to be careful with my car?"
Iketani laughed, "That's just his way of welcoming people. So, what can we do for you?"
"Actually, I'm here for a job. I talked to the manager recently and he said there was an opening."
"Okay. He's inside."
"Thanks."
Grant walked through the sliding glass door into the interior of the station, heading for the older man in a green-on-blue uniform who was smoking quietly in one corner of the room.
Grant cleard his throat softly, "Sumimasen, Tachibana-san?"
The man looked up at him, "Oh, it's you!"
"Hai, I do start today, right?"
The man nodded, "Your uniform's in the back room."
Grant thanked him, then went to get his uniform.
Later that evening, the three Americans were again clustered around the small kitchen table in their new apartment. Drew layed a handful of bills on the table.
"Here's what I got for the tofu run this morning. Unfortunately, I won't have work for a few days, Project D returns tomorrow."
"So, how much'd you get," Andrew asked.
"'Bout 1500 yen."
The other two men winced sharply at that. 1500 yen wouldn't keep the electricity on long.
Andrew broke the uncomfortable silence, "It's a good thing the rent isn't due for three weeks. We'll get our paychecks by then," he said, glancing at Grant as he did.
There was several more seconds of silence before Drew spoke up suddenly, "This is random, but didn't we come over here to drive? Shouldn't we try to, say, join a team, or something? Let's at least challenge someone."
Grant's face brightened, "Y'know, I work with two guys from the Speed Stars..."
Drew's face also lit up, "Yeah! Rematch!!!"
Andrew grinned ferally, "Let's show 'em what we can do."
Drew raised an arm, "All in favor of us challenging to Speed Stars to a rematch."
Two more arms went up.
"All opposed."
All three arms went down.
Drew smiled, "Then it's decided. Grant, you talk to your guys and set up a race. As soon as possible, Akina downhill."
TO BE CONTINUED