August 16th 2013. 8.00 PM. Saitama Prefecture. Fatina was practicing in the mage course and wondered about Gunther
"Gunther-kun... He's going to Kanagawa tonight. Fatina... likes Gunther very much. Good luck Gunther-kun. Fatina will work hard as well.." Fatina wondered about Gunther and shot her weapon into the target
11.00 PM. Hakone Nanamagari, Kanagawa. The Project KB arrived at Nanamagari parking lot and met Team High School Star members (Except Emo Kid, because he was suddenly sick)
"I am the team leader Mouth. We are glad finally can met you guys." Mouth spoke
"Same here. My name is Chad Dylan Cooper from Team Project KB. These are our three drivers." Chad replied
"My name is Nue Houjuu."
"My name is Gunther Magnuson."
"My name is Kick Buttowski."
"Really... So this is the Project KB team. These two of three drivers aren't strange for me and I did recognize them, because we are attend in the same school, right?" Mouth replied and asked
"Yeah." Kick and Gunther replied
"There's one question that I want to asked all of you. I hope all of you can gave the honest answer by your heart. Racing... What does that mean to you?" Mouth asked sarcastically
Then Nue, Gunther, Chad, and Kick shocked
"Please answer. Let me hear from the person that I newly know, The Old Youkai #1 Nue Houjuu." Mouth asked Nue
"For me It's simple... I like being tortured." Nue replied
"Oh, interesting. Then how about you my schoolmate, Gunther?" Mouth asked Gunther
"To me, racing is a part of daily routine, just like washing my face and using my ghost power." Gunther replied
"Hmmm... You are the interesting half-ghost too. How about you my girlfriend teacher, Kick?" Mouth replied and asked Kick
"Not a long answer for me... It just like doing some stun." Kick replied
"Whohoho, Kick. That's unusual but interesting, too. And you're the last one, Chad Dylan Cooper." Mouth replied and asked Chad
"I am not the driver, do I have to answer?" Chad confused
"Please, I just want to know." Mouth sarcastic to Chad
Then Chad quiet for a while and answer "Dream."
Then Mouth shocked after heard Chad's answer. 15 minutes later. Kick and Gunther are practicing in the downhill while Nue practicing on hillclimb. Back at parking lounge Lucy and Mouth talked to each other
"Emo Kid still hasn't greeted them yet." Lucy asked Mouth
"He suddenly got sick after school was over and he can't go to this place and met his opponents. I pity him because he didn't realize at all that he will sick. I'll just let him to rest and make sure that he will be healthy by tomorrow night. Sorry to bother, I want to asked you something, Lucy. What do you think about Team Project KB?" Mouth asked Lucy
"They did give me the chills. They're winning battle by battle. And they're not arrogant about it. They're respect their opponent and don't put a hard pressure to them. And they're more like a full-legend than an actual semi-legend." Lucy replied
"It's true. Those four together makes a perfect street racing team. I've always want to test my Highway Theory. Today I'll finally get my chance... I'm going to clear my mind and spirit in order to prepare for this battle. I shouldn't have any worries... this way I'll able to drive at my full potential." Mouth spoke
Hakone Nanamagari second section checkpoint. At the same time. Gordie and Rester are talked to each other
"The air is damp... According to the weather forecast, It will rain tomorrow." Rester spoke
"Wet conditions roads must give the local racers the advantage. Because they're more familiar to the course." Gordie replied
"Normally that's true. But team High School Star's strategy is to build perfect racing cars. Rain might be not the best to them. If I had to analyze... The Project KB's S12 would be in trouble in dry conditions. Because the specs of Emo Kid's 180SX are far better than it's predecessor, the S12. If it rains, they may be even... Both of course there are other factors besides rain that will determine the outcome. When that time comes, can Emo Kid still beat the overweight kid from Project KB?" Rester spoke
Meanwhile at parking lot. Mouth was empty his mind and spirit, using his Highway Theory for tomorrow's battle. The next day. 7.00 PM at Project KB's cabin. Nazrin saw the weather from balcony and she saw the weather was raining
"Oh man, It's finally starting to rain." Nazrin spoke
"Really?" Then Murasa came to the balcony "Yeah, It's coming down really hard."
"What does the forecast say?" Nazrin asked Murasa
"We can't trusted it, especially when it involves mountain weather. The intermediate surface will be tricky. Either full wet and full dry is better" Murasa replied
"There's no need to worry about it. I kinda prefer the difficult conditions. I get more excited as the accelerator work gets more severe." Nue spoke
"Same like Nue-san. I kinda like slippery road because of road conditions, too. Because when you're drive 4WD it will be easier to control cars in the difficult road rather than dry. Especially for GT-R, ATTESA ET-S will detect the oversteer so it didn't make the car easily spin when you're start to lose tires grip. It just like playing games rather than having a difficult times to control cars." Kick agree and spoke
"I don't hate slippery roads either. People say It's scary because of you didn't know when you'll start to skid. But I've never felt like that when I'm driving my S12. I know how much I'll skid before entering the corner, so I just like drive like I usually do." Gunther nodded and spoke
"Don't get cocky." Then Nue took Gunther's beef burger from his meal box
"What!? Hey, that's my main dish! I was saving it for later! For youkai, you such a jerk!" Gunther angry to Nue
"Wee... What a loser!" Nue spoke
"Eh!? What did you say!? Oh, that's it! You big jerk!" Gunther more angry to Nue
Gunther and Nue still argue about food. Murasa talked with Wade
"They seem relaxed enough, although they're Project KB three aces...It's lucky we have this cabin. Wed don't have to sit outside during hot or rainy days. It's hard to sleep with wet clothes. In Saitama, we often got soaked and had to sleep in our cars." Murasa spoke to Wade
Kanagawa Mall. 8.00 PM. Mouth standing in front of the mall and saw the weather and it was raining
"It's raining after all... We can't do nothing about God's will. Poor conditions are perfect for Highway Theory. This is the suitable setup for a street racing where everything is unpredictable. And Project KB is the most suitable opponent for this... Especially, that Chad Dylan Cooper. That person has a something special, a special aura. Ambitious, Determined, Profound, and Gentle... But why there's a sense of sorrow on him? He's definitely someone that I can't ignore at all."
Back at Project KB's Cabin. Chad's room. Chad was searching Team High School Star data on his net book. While Murasa came to his room
"Hm... Hey, Chad. You're up early." Murasa saw Chad
"I can manage up even with 3 hours of sleep. Besides that, Murasa. I found something interesting about team High School Star's Mouth." Chad spoke
"Hm?"
"He published the Highway Theory for driving on his site, and it's quite unique. It's interesting because it has a lot of similarities to mine." Chad spoke to Murasa
"With your theory of fastest street driving?" Murasa asked
"This opponent will give Nue a very herd time. It's not going to be easy for win to her." Chad replied
"Oh! Hey, Hey. We have a chance to win, don't we!?" Murasa shocked
"Sure, It's my job to find it." Chad replied while typing his net book
While at Gunma, Gas Station. George, Michael, and Chowder standing in front of gas station and saw the weather was raining
"Geez, It's raining. It must be the same in Hakone." Michael spoke
"I hate rain in mountain passes. I can't never tell when my car is going to skid, and the brakes don't work into their should. Visibility is very poor, tpp" Chowder also spoke
"It's really strange. Night rain makes everything so dark, even with the headlights on." Michael replied
"I think you can only see half of what you can see on clear night. On top of that, the wipers block the view. Nothing scares me more than losing the visibility." Chowder spoke
"Speaking of which... remember when I got to ride with Gunther's S12 battle when he fought a rain battle at night?" George asked
"Yeah, Gunther was incredible that time. He totally owned his opponent with extraordinary speed." Michael replied
"I was watching Gunther's impressive steering work from the rear seat. I wondered why he didn't crash, even through he couldn't see a thing. He was going that out, and entered the corner sideways at incredible speed. I can't express how scary it was." George spoke
"Your facial expression is more scary than that." Chowder saw George facial expression
"I know it , too. After all, I fainted." George wondered
"It's more than driving skills, It's something special. I think Gunther can see... with some sort of special eye. And that eye sees his surrounding clearly. That's why I don't think rain will put him in a difficult position." George spoke in sad tone
Back at Kanagawa Gunther drive at Nanamagari with his S12 on rain. 8.00 PM. Nue arrived at bottom of Nanamagari touge with her FD
"Stop. How's the surface, Youkai-dude?" Wade asked
"I didn't see any water running down. The rain has stopped in almost every part of this course. I think it will stay like that." Nue replied
"The forecast didn't participate heavy rain, so I think the road conditions will remain the same." Murasa spoke
"Okay, we will go with the half wet pattern B. Nue, did you see any fog?" Chad replied and ased
"Well, it was misty here and there... but, not thick enough to block, my view." Nue replied
"I see." Chad replied
At the same time. Nanamagari parking lot. Mouth was meditate using his Highway Theory. Lucy came to him and knock his car window
"It is time already?" Mouth wondered
Then Mouth get out from his black Z33 Turbo
"I always wonder what's on your mind whenever your meditate." Lucy asked
"Nothing at all." Mouth replied
"Eh?" Lucy confused
"To meditate is to empty your mind. I intentionally didn't come up in any plans of this race. Desire for victory express human weakness. I'll just try to bring out the best of my car. When I manage to do so, the result will follow. What I need is a mindset of Highway." Mouth explained
Three hours later. 11.00 PM. Mouth and Nue started their engine. Then Mouth explained his rule to Nue before the battle was started
"I'll be lead for the first run. As soon as we pass under tollway overpass, go full throttle. Let's begin." Mouth explained his rule
Then Mouth and Nue started their position
"This match is about to begin, Pro-KB and Team High School Star." Darren spoke
"Too bad the road is wet. I wanted to see their dynamic full-throttle hill climb battle. It's a battle between fast cars, but they can't open the throttle too much. Their top speed will be slower, too." Brad spoke
"No, I don't thin so. Their top speed might be slower, but it will be an exchange of high level skills. Under these conditions, those cars required to have a high level of total balance, instead of power. Depending on how look at it, It's going to be an interesting battle that will excite those with sophisticated eyes." Darren replied
Then Mouth and Nue started their battle and already entered two tunnel. Then both of them push into the limit and went fast. Meanwhile Emo Kid and Jessica in top of Nanamagari pass talked to each other
"The rain doesn't make me happy at all. If the road is wet, It's pointless to have a increased power and fatter tires." Emo Kid disappointed
"It stopped raining, so the surface should become somewhat dryer by the time the hill climb battle is over." Jessica replied
"I hope Mouth's race drags on for as long as possible. The drier the surface gets, the easier it is for me to race." Emo Kid spoke
Back at the battle. Both Nue and Mouth was braking and entered two mid speed corner. Meanwhile at low speed corner. Gordie and Rester watch the race
"Ho. It looks like Mouth chose to be lead. But why he do so under these conditions?" Rester spoke and asked
'Maybe because both Team 426 Ricky and Mellowbrook Halfas Brad were defeated as a chaser. Maybe because he's trying to break that jinx." Gordie replied
"Generally speaking, the lead driver will feel enormous pressure at beginning of a wet race. The driver has to build his pace while trying to figure out of the road conditions. It is the same for a street race. High School Star has a strong meddle." Rester spoke
While at the bottom of Nanamagari. Lucy was standing
"People thin we, team High School Star, are focused on tuning cars. It is true that we're picky about tuning, but it's not like we spend our money aimlessly. It's Highway's style to focus the approach of modification. We build cars with clear objectives, as if the car demands of particular driving style.. That's the basic of Highway Theory." Lucy wondered
Back at race. Nue and Mouth entered high speed corner
"The human mind is weak... because of emotions. Emotions hinder sound judgement and precise control. For example, this rainy condition... It causes frustration by not being able to step on the gas, as well as anxiety and fear of the slippery road. Those human emotions will lead to a mistake, and commit errors. So you have to empty your mind and listen to the voice of your car. Highway theory begins with the interaction with your car." Mouth wondered while driving
Both Mouth and Nue braking and entered the low speed corner
"This human kid is just not skilled, he's amazing. He's so stable on this wet surface. Is he trying to not skid the tires? But that doesn't mean he's driving slow. As a matter of fact, I'm almost losing control of my car. That means he doesn't have any wasteful accelerator work. His lack of eagerness is eerie." Nue saw Mouth skills from behind
Then both Mouth and Nue entered third low speed corner and passed Gordie and Rester
"The younger sister from Houjuu family is facing the wall... but there's plenty of time to see how she tries to fight Highway." Gordie spoke
Back at the race. Nue and Mouth braking and entered the fourth low speed corner
"A well-tuned car has its own soul... so the driver should be modest. Instead to trying to manage the car... and make yourself part of the car and drive as the car wishes. Emotions like anger, anxiousness, and haste will cause a negative result. Even fighting spirit is unnecessary for Highway driving!"
Then Mouth and Nue entered the fifth low speed corner. At the top of Nanamagari pass. Murasa asked Chad
"What exactly Highway Theory is? It sounds really ambiguous and I even don't know if I get it or not." Murasa asked
"My interpretation is that it's a theory of prioritizing a fewer mistake. Instead of letting drivers do as they like... assume cars have wills of their own, and let the drivers follow them." Chad replied
"That's the part I'm not sure about." Murasa confused
"To put it in extreme terms, they assume the emotionless computer-controlled car as an ideal example... then they try to suppress the driver's consciousness and emotion. Such an approach isn't wrong. Mistake are always caused by human emotions. I agree with idea of focusing on the interaction with the car... like the relationship between Gunther and his S12 Gazelle. A driver's skills are determined by the amount and accuracy of information he receives. Especially with wet road conditions like this, the information for the tires will is crucial." Chad replied and explained
"So our opponent has no weakness? Is there anyway we can break through his defense?" Murasa asked
"There is. It's impossible for a human to completely control his emotions. Highway theory even negate one's fighting spirit, but that's wrong. I don't buy it." Chad replied
Back at race. Mouth and Nue entered the 7th low speed corner. Nue already started to get confused with Mouth
"Very safe and stable. I don't like that type. He's an incredible technician since he's picking up the pace under these conditions." Nue confused
Back at the top of Nanamagari. Chad still spoke to Murasa
"There's something absolutely necessary for a driver to drive fast. The key word between Nue and I is... fighting spirit." Chad spoke
Nazrin was shocked after she saw the thick fog everywhere. While Gordie and Rester talked to each other
"Yesterday, you mentioned a worse condition than rain, and now it's become real. Hakone infamous... A white demon." Gordie spoke
(Side Note: See chapter First Day Back To School. Annabelle said to Kick if rain happened in Hakone, it will cost a thick fog that will make the visiblity drastically poor. And Gordie called it white demon)
Then Nue and Mouth entered the area that covered with a thick fog and very poor visibility.