The Rise of Usui's Ghost

Chapter 27


Suzuki Motors, Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture

4:07PM

Sakumo parked his son's Sileighty in the nearest empty spot he found. Since the last time he visited the shop, business had picked up considerably from what he managed to observe, and it was unsurprising given someone of Masashi's reputation and esteem. In their younger years, Masashi had been one of the most highly coveted mechanical engineers to ever come out of Gunma. Nissan, Mazda, Toyota, Honda and a slew of other manufacturers had all wanted the man to work for them. During the 1970's and 1980's, Masashi had travelled the world many times, working for factory and privateer outfits alike with the number of connections he made.

His old friend was and remained a veritable genius mechanic, even if he now chose to settle down and operate a regular shop in anonymity. Over the last few years there had been multiple instances he had tried to coax Masashi out of his self-imposed 'retirement' to join him in Toyota Team Europe's Cologne headquarters but he had refused any offers Toyota had made to join their team. In part he could understand the sentiment given how grueling and demanding their schedules and time tables could be in the midst of a World Rally Championship.

Not long after Toyota's disqualification during the 1995 season he had been approached by the rallying division hierarchy with an offer he couldn't possibly refuse. For all intents and purposes, Sakumo was chief mechanical engineer for Toyota Team Europe and it was a job he absolutely relished even if he had zealously taken to his responsibilities in an effort to distract himself from the monumental loss his family suffered two years prior. The work was fulfilling, and the pay alone was more than he knew what to do with, but his return to Japan several days prior made him realize just how much he had been missing his home country and his children above all else.

It struck him hard. Despite all those cups, medals, and trophies he had acquired over the course of an illustrious eleven-year career, Sakumo came to the realization that he had also missed seeing his children grow up. He had missed Yuzuru's development; giving him the bare essentials and only a few pieces of advice to do with as he pleased the last time they saw each other in New Zealand and Reina had blossomed into an astonishingly capable and ravishing young beauty.

His daughter was incredibly intelligent, possessing an almost unnatural understanding of cars and pass racing even if she had yet to put her knowledge into practice. As a father, he was incredibly proud of them both even if he did not mention it to them, but sooner or later there would come a time he would ask for their forgiveness.

'I've been incredibly selfish,' he inwardly admitted. 'Elizabeth and I haven't been the best of parents over the last few years and we've missed out on so much because of our own self-centered decisions.'

Deep down, Sakumo knew that he and Elizabeth had tried to find an escape to their own anguish and pain by dedicating themselves to their work. For a time, he could honestly say that it was a welcome distraction from the chaos his family had been subjected to by reporters and acquaintances alike. In Japan, news of the incident had been detailed by various media outlets and many sought him and his wife out for comment. To some degree, their positions in Germany had granted them an escape from it all. Friends and co-workers abroad were more sensitive to their plight, offering well-wishes and expressing their sympathies when they could but the best part of it all had been the lack of journalists or reporters that hounded them persistently when they had last visited Japan two years prior.

With a sigh, the former rally racer exited his son's vehicle. He closed the door, the Sileighty's alarm beeping in response as it locked itself. He paused in his steps, glancing back at the Nissan before him with no small amount of admiration in how well the car was put together. The brakes and body were very well balanced, and there was absolutely no shortage of power either. The suspension alone must have taken his son countless hours to get right, especially for a course like Usui given its rather unforgiving reputation.

Prior to his drive over to Suzuki Motors, he had taken the car out for a spin on Akina and he was struck by how quick the machine was on the downhill. There was an ample amount of torque and acceleration provided by the lone Garrett turbocharger feeding the SR20 power plant, and the car was quite fetching aesthetically as well.

'He's built an incredible machine,' the Kurokawa patriarch inwardly praised. 'But it'll be years before I admit that to him. There's still some work that can be done on this car, and if he's due to race a Lan-Evo at Akagi then the least I can do for him is to tweak the suspension a tiny bit to help him along.'

Sakumo's inquisitive gaze drifted across the sleek bodywork, admiring every intricate detail of Yuzuru's rather conservative approach. The car really looked as good as it performed, and he had no doubt that his son was going to pitch a fit once he discovered that his beloved Sileighty was not waiting for him at home. He chuckled lightly, already picturing the boy's indignant reaction too given the simple note he left for him once he got home from work.

'Well, I wasn't about to pay for a cab ride all the way from Matsuida with two cars in the garage anyway,' he surmised. 'He's due to use the Eight-Six tonight too.'

Shrugging slightly as a smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth, Sakumo made his way over to the shop, spotting Masashi standing outside with a cigarette hanging from his lips and arms crossed. The veteran mechanic shook his head, unsurprised to see his old friend paying him yet another visit since his return to Japan.

At the very least the man had the decency to phone before he dropped in on him this time around. He and Bunta had always had this nasty habit of showing up unannounced in the most inconvenient of times but thankfully his staff was more than capable of handling the day's workload while he took care of the logistics of his business. He always hated the blasted paperwork, but he did recognize the importance of documenting everything that came his way.

"Well, well, well, look who's come crawling back to my shop. If it isn't the one and only Kurokawa Sakumo," Masashi greeted with a heavy trace of derisiveness in his tone.

"It's only been a few hours since I last saw you Masashi," the Tochigi native grunted as he stepped up to him.

"And yet here you are once again? Don't you have anything better to do than pester a man at work?"

In response Sakumo raised an eyebrow, cocking his head to the side and fixing the slightly older man with a deadpan stare. "I've already taken care of my errands for the day and forwarded the latest reports back to headquarters in Toyota City but I'm afraid I'm not really here for you today Masashi."

"Oh? So this isn't a social call?"

The former rally racer chuckled before stepping into the shop followed by his old friend. "No, I'm here to see one of your employees."

Masashi rolled his eyes at his comment, not even needing to guess who he was referring to. "Mayumi-chan."

"Hai," Sakumo replied as he lazily strolled through the shop with his hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans. More than a few stares were directed at him from the moment he entered the shop, and it was hard to miss the looks of admiration and respect he received from some of the younger members of the staff as well. In Japan, those who often kept up to date with the racing world were aware of his legendary status as one of their island nation's most respected professional racing drivers and while he had grown accustomed to them, at times it could prove a bit unnerving.

For someone who had always enjoyed his privacy, Sakumo initially struggled in getting used to all the looks he received as a result of his accomplishments during his youth but nowadays he simply dealt with them by smiling, winking or waving whenever they met his eyes. A few of Masashi's employees glanced in his general direction, more than a few of them inclining their heads in a show of respect which he returned as he scanned the spacious garage in search of his son's childhood friend.

Sakumo eyed the various lifts, noting that almost all of Masashi's crew was hard at work. Some were in midst of routine servicing. Others were conducting the standard oil change or tire rotation. There were a few who were assigned to the more arduous tasks which included brake replacements or much needed tuneups, but as he continued his search for the young woman Sakumo's eyes settled on Yuzuru's FD which currently lay underneath a black tarp in corner away from prying eyes.

Part of him was conflicted in the knowledge that the original 13B was nearing its end after countless years of hard racing, and he could vividly recall the time he first went to a Mazda dealer to purchase the car in Tokyo. It seemed like such a long time ago now, and while he certainly had plans for the car once the engine went, he knew the loss would be monumental in Yuzuru's eyes.

'Its fate is unavoidable now. All those years it's spent in New Zealand and after its return to Japan have done a number on it and there's no saving it anymore. My upcoming trip to Hiroshima with Reina should prove to be an enlightening experience. I just have to get that stubborn ass of a cousin of mine to part with one of those engines,' he mused.

"Easier said than done," he muttered under his breath as he turned away from the FD once again in search of Masashi's only female employee.

Masashi remained silent, already accustomed to his old friend's quirks and habits as they reached a nearby Toyota Chaser that was nearing the end of its alignment process. He whistled at the car, admiring the sportiness and aggressiveness the bodywork displayed as his gaze finally settled upon the young woman standing by a computer next to it.

A small smile touched his lips, his heart swelling at the sight of his son's childhood friend now all grown up. He could almost scarcely believe how much of a beauty Mayumi had become. Possessing a lithe and athletic frame, curves in all the right places, toned legs, silky black hair together with warm and inviting hazel eyes; the little tomboy he had known all those years ago had grown into an incredibly attractive and captivating young woman.

Despite her alluring appearance however, Sakumo found himself taken by her hard-working and no-nonsense attitude. Like his son, the young woman could be stubborn and a bit prideful as well, but she was also an incredibly hard worker who gave her all to every task she possibly could. He already knew enough from Masashi to have an insight to her life after he had moved away from Japan with his family and to some degree, he felt quite guilty. He and her father had never gotten along when they were neighbors, and the man rightly deserved to be called an asshole given the way he treated his children back then.

While he understood it was not his place to reprimand or admonish the man for his cold and reprehensible behavior, Isayama Takeo was many things. Eight years had come and gone since the last time he had met the man, but he had dealt with him enough times to know how cruel and vindictive he could be if given the chance.

The fact that Mayumi still retained her bright and energetic demeanor irrespective of her upbringing truly struck a chord within Sakumo. It spoke of her tenacity and perseverance. Her strong desire to make it on her own and chase her dreams regardless of her own father's schemes for her.

In truth, he has always harbored a bit of a soft spot for her and her younger brother even if they had been mere children back then. There was something about her child-like curiosity, together with her warm and playful demeanor that he found utterly infectious to this day. Reina adored having her around, the pair getting along swimmingly and every time Yuzuru interacted with her there was an undeniable sparkle in his brown depths that was hard for him to miss. Despite reacquainting themselves only a few weeks prior, there was a chemistry between the two that he had picked up on very early on.

It was obvious that they enjoyed each other's company greatly, even if they were both a little oblivious to the obvious signs between them. Sakumo could only chuckle as he observed her at work, realizing just how much of a positive influence her presence was for his son. Whenever they were together, he seemed more cheerful, more upbeat and rarely dwelled on the negative emotions deeply entrenched within him. She was quite literally a bright light, capable of mending his tortured soul if he simply opened up to her a little more.

Among all his children, Yuzuru was by far the most stubborn of the lot and it served as a constant reminder in how much he took after him. It frustrated him to no end, but also gave credence to that age-old adage of an apple not falling far from the tree.

'I honestly don't know what she sees in that car-crazed son of mine,' he inwardly droned. 'But if he doesn't realize that she's so obviously interested in him soon then he's a bigger idiot than I gave him credit for.'

Mayumi turned on her heel after scanning the computer's readings with her clipboard in hand, her right hand twirling a black pen as she looked up to meet see her boss and Sakumo standing behind her with small smiles across their faces.

"Ah Tencho, the car's almost done with its alignment. A few more minutes and it'll be ready for balancing. It's good to see you again so soon Sakumo-ojisan," she expressed with a dazzling smile of her own.

"Great to see you as well Mayumi-chan," the senior Kurokawa expressed.

"So, what brings you back to the shop so soon Oji-san?" she asked.

"You," he said.

"Me?"

"Indeed. I wanted to speak with you alone and catch up over what I've missed in the past few years. Have you eaten yet? We can grab a bite if you're willing to humor this old man if you have the time."

At the prospect of food, the raven-haired mechanic immediately nodded in acquiesce. "Don't sell yourself so short Oji-san, you're only in your early forties last I checked. But I get out at four-thirty. Do you mind waiting a little?"

As soon as the words left her mouth Sakumo cocked his head to the side once again, his arms crossed as he fixed Masashi with another of his infamous deadpan stares. The veteran mechanic shuddered in response, remembering the countless number of times he, Yuichi or even Bunta had been on the receiving end of these looks. Even now, well over twenty-five years since they had all been street racers, Sakumo still retained his unnatural capacity to simply glance in one's direction and convey his thoughts on a particular subject without uttering a single word.

'And the scariest part,' he reminded himself. 'Is that both Yuzuru and Reina share the same exact trait.'

"I don't mind if you leave early for once Mayumi-chan, you usually come into work an hour early each day so feel free to take off. I'll handle the balancing myself," he offered.

The young woman was about to open her mouth in protest, having always disliked leaving any task or job she took without ensuring it's completion and while it was true she was typically the first one to arrive and usually the last one to leave the shop, the thought still didn't sit well with her. She was by no means a perfectionist, but always endeavored to do her job well and make sure that every customer left their shop happy with her work.

Easily sensing her distress, Masashi raised a hand before she could utter a word to object. "Don't worry about it, I'll make sure the car's done before we close for the day and enjoy your time with Sakumo. He hasn't been in Japan for a few years now, and I gather he does need to speak with you."

With no room for argument and her boss's approval Mayumi ultimately chose to relent. She bowed to him in gratitude, a smile playing at her lips as she met Sakumo's warm brown gaze. "Alright Oji-san, I'll join you. Just give me a moment to clean up and change. I'll meet you outside."

"Splendid. I brought Yuzuru's Sileighty with me today so I'm sure you won't miss it out in the parking lot. We'll be having sushi are you alright with that?"

"Sushi is fine."

Without another word shared between them, Mayumi handed her boss her clipboard with a look of gratitude before walking off to change her clothes. Since it would be a few minutes before the girl would rejoin him in the parking lot, Sakumo exited the garage with his friend in toe. He fished out the keys from his pocket, unlocking the car in the process.

Masashi whistled once his eyes caught the rather fetching marvel of engineering parked before him, now coming to understand what a Sileighty was once he took note of the aggressive front end S13 Silvia's were best known for, and the lustrous body of a 180SX.

'The ride height looks just right, and I have no doubt in my mind that the car's handling and balance must be superb all around. Lovely spoiler, bucket seats and a host of other upgrades. I'm keen to peek under the hood but I don't think I'll have the time for that now.'

"She's a real beauty," the shop owner verbally praised. "It still astounds me that he's capable of tuning a car so incredibly well despite how young he is. He really is your son Sakumo."

"Was there ever any doubt?" the former rally racer flippantly returned.

"Not at all. I'm just admiring his handiwork really. You've got to take me out for a spin on this a little later once I close up shop."

A devious smirk played at his lips once the words left the mechanic's mouth, knowing he would make the man regret his words later. His reputation as a mad man behind the wheel was something he found nothing short of amusing really, but he did have a certain image to uphold.

"I'll stop by after I drop Mayumi-chan off. Just don't pass out on me now," he chortled.

Opening the driver's door, Sakumo slipped into the driver's seat and hit the clutch to turn the engine. The car roared to life; an airy hiss released by the car's blow-off valve in tandem with the turbocharger's low whistle. The sound it produced was marvelous to his ears, and although he held a certain preference for naturally aspirated vehicles above all else, he wasn't averse to the sound of a turbo if the car was tuned properly.

Once the car was in first gear, he lowered the parking brake, easing it out of the space it occupied just as Mayumi exited the garage dressed in the same forest green jacket Yuzuru had lent her two days prior, a set of worn jeans that clung to her figure, and a pair of New Balances. Curiously enough, she had picked up her hair, fastened up in the back with a barrette in a style that had become quite popular recently as he had seen his daughter do the same.

'So, she's still got his hoodie and he hasn't even asked for it back. That kid must really be quite taken with her to part with it just like that. He's always loved wearing that thing.'

She opened the passenger door, slipping into the vehicle whilst Sakumo offered a wave in Masashi's direction that was quickly returned. There were a few ideas swimming around in his head regarding Yuzuru's suspension settings and if he would be taking the race to Akagi against the highly regarded FR killers known as Lan-Evos, then Masashi's input would undoubtedly serve as a definite improvement given his wealth of experience.

After veering onto the main road, Sakumo decided to break the silence. "It's been a while since I've really stayed around Shibukawa for such a prolonged period. It's odd really, since this city has always been rather close to my heart," he admitted.

Mayumi glanced at the man she had once considered a father figure. Back when the Kurokawa family resided in Shibukawa, things were so much simpler. To some degree, she found herself longing for those days. Growing up and living on her own since she first turned eighteen granted her an entirely different perspective nowadays, and while she certainly did not regret her decision to move out of her parents' home given her father's manipulations and cruel behavior, she could still vividly recall the struggles she experienced by having to fend for herself.

If it weren't for the few close friends she made during her high school days and Anzu in particular, she probably would have been forced to continue working two or even three jobs just to be able to rent a room and get by on the meager wages she earned before Masashi offered her a job with much better pay. Were it not for the kindness of a veteran mechanic willing to take someone as green as her back then along with Anzu's unconditional support, things would have been incredibly different.

Mayumi shuddered in her seat, killing the direction her thoughts were heading before giving the man beside her a reply.

"I always enjoyed spending time with you and your family Sakumo-ojisan. The reality is that you all gave me an escape from the strict upbringing my prick of a father wanted for me and I honestly can't thank you enough. You taught me a great deal in the little time you managed to spend with us, and both Reina, Yuzuru, and Kakeru always looked out for me."

A genuine smile spread across the Kuroakwa patriarch's face, his brown eyes twinkling with affection. "You four were inseparable back then. I can't count how many times you all would end up getting in trouble or the times you beat Yuzuru's ass when you were both taking Aikido classes. The mayhem you all caused was amusing to watch."

The raven-haired mechanic erupted into a wave of laughter at his remark, remembering the times they would end up playing on the streets and the resulting broken window as a result. By the time the homeowners ran outside to catch the culprits they had booked it without sparing a second thought.

"Those were the days…" she said with no small amount of fondness in her undertone.

Reina had been the youngest of their little group of misfits, but the one she had been closest to from day one, had been Yuzuru. Despite being known as a tomboy, she always gave as good as she got and was not someone to back down from a fight. To this day that part of her had not changed, but at the same time in the years that had come and gone she realized that some things would never be the same again.

In the last few meetings she'd had with Yuzuru, Mayumi came to understand that behind his kind and warm exterior lay an infuriatingly puzzling individual. He could be confident, witty, and a tad cheeky given how disarming he could be with that roguish grin of his but beneath it all, was a young man who seemed to bear a tremendous weight upon his shoulders.

For the life of her, Mayumi couldn't possibly fathom why someone so young and usually so full of life could appear to be so vulnerable. Each time she looked into his eyes there was a certain sense of loss and despair she found hard to miss. It surprised her really; and the more she thought about it, the more questions she had for him and his sister.

'And then there's Sakumo-ojisan,' she mentally added.

Mayumi glanced in Sakumo's direction once again, her piercing hazel eyes studying him with thinly disguised interest as he shifted the car into fifth gear. For a man already pushing his mid-forties, age had been rather kind to him even if there was a noticeable difference from the man she had known in her youth.

Although he still retained the same patient, insightful, and outspoken personality she remembered, time seemed to have also taken an emotional toll on him over the years that had become increasingly hard to ignore. There were now wrinkles around his eyes, and bags beneath them that indicated many sleepless nights or stress that had piled up. His once rich, jet black hair, was dotted with grey and it dawned on her then that the man appeared rather tired even if he seemed to hide it well.

Even though she was she was beyond overjoyed to have a man she considered something of a true father figure back in her life alongside Reina and Yuzuru, there were obvious signs that not all was right with him or his family.

As a child Mayumi could vividly recall the many times the legendary rally racer came home after spending weeks or months in Italy working as an engineer and development driver for Lancia. The unbridled sense of triumph, satisfaction and pride that permeated his aura had been incredibly difficult to miss in those days.

Sakumo was a man who had everything he could ever want in life. An illustrious career as a legendary rally racer who took the World Rally Championship by storm in the span of an eleven year career, a wife who also happened to be an accomplished musician in her own right and children who seemed to be well on their way to carrying on the family tradition in the world of motorsports. In her eyes, there was no reason why the man she grew to respect and admire more than her own father could carry himself so differently now.

Even if he had never been an overly expressive individual, Sakumo held a very different air to him now. Where there once was an immeasurable amount of pride, there was now a more tempered and solemn man who seemed to be struggling to keep himself composed. Granted, the elder Kurokawa still laughed, joked and took pleasure in annoying Yuzuru as best he could. But there was a crucial piece to the puzzle Mayumi knew she was missing and that bothered her far more than she cared to admit.

As if sensing the young woman beside him had retreated into the confines of her thoughts once more, Sakumo took that as his cue to begin the conversation he wanted to have.

"You must be wondering why I would show up out of the blue like this Mayumi-chan, but the real reason I sought you out today without bringing either Reina or Yuzuru along is because I have favor I need to ask of you and I honestly think you're the only person capable of doing it."

Mayumi immediately perked up at the mention of her name, slowly recouping from her inner musings before delivering a response of her own.

"You sound serious about this matter," she was careful to point out.

"I wouldn't have made the drive all the way over from Matsuida if I weren't serious about it," he evenly returned.

She nodded in acknowledgement, the corners of her lips turning upwards as she continued to listen to him.

"While I am happy to catch up and see how you've faired over the last few years, the biggest reason I wanted to come visit you because I only have a very limited amount of time left before I need to head back to Germany and prepare for the next rally. Yuzuru and Reina will effectively remain by themselves once again and while they are more than capable of handling themselves, I want you to look out for my son for me," he stated.

Upon hearing the man's request Mayumi's brows knitted in confusion. Once again, she found herself with more questions than answers, and her frustration continued to rise unabated as a result.

"Even if you had not asked this of me, I would have done it," she confessed with a sigh as the only indication she was unhappy with being kept in the dark.

"I know," the former rally racer countered with his own smile. "But what Yuzuru needs around him right now are true and honest friends. Ever since his return to Japan he's only made a small handful of them, but the real reason I ask this of you, is because he seems to hold you to a higher standard than most people he deals with on a daily basis."

"What makes you say that?"

Upon registering the girl's words Sakumo could only offer a slightly bewildered look in return. Evidently Yuzuru was not the only one of the pair to be rather obtuse from time to time. Hell, if his wife had been in the same room long enough to observe the two, he was sure she would have found the dynamic between the teenagers utterly adorable in some weird way.

"He treats you differently than his other friends," he was quick to point out. "At times it appears as if he's walking on eggshells around you because you're one of the few people who can read him like an open book aside from his family. I'm sure you've noticed by now that he has a hard time conveying what he's truly thinking or feeling, and this is a trait I honestly wish he hadn't inherited from me. Over the last two years alone he's endured some very difficult hardships and what worries me most is that I've yet to see him break down."

Yet again Mayumi found her inner frustration slowly rising to a boiling point. If there was one thing she loathed among those she considered friends or family, was being kept in the dark. She absolutely despised it, and was more likely to tear someone a new one rather than listen to them, but this time around she willingly chose to swallow her pride.

To some degree, she could see where Sakumo was coming from, and the reality was that she suspected that not all was as it should be when it came to Yuzuru. That night they visited Akina when the Emperors formally challenged him to a race had been a real eyeopener. The way his personality shifted from its usually witty and sarcastic self to a colder, darker, and more menacing disposition did not sit well with her.

'He was almost like a different person,' she deduced.

Sakumo took her silence as means to continue and thus pressed on. "I hope that in time, Yuzuru will open up to you about what's transpired over the last two years and I hope you can forgive me for being so secretive as well. It's not easy for me to revisit those memories because the wounds are still to fresh so all I ask is that you be there for him. These last few months he's spent in Gunma has changed him for the better, and he's even mellowed out a bit as well. Having you back in his life has done a world of good even if you don't seem to realize it."

"But why me?" she asked. "I haven't exactly been around him for eight years and a lot can change in that time. Sure, he's still friendly and kind, but underneath that I sense that he's also suffered greatly. Why not someone like Aizawa-kun, or Ichinose-san? They seem to be good friends with him. I'm just an old childhood friend."

"You are far more than that," Sakumo immediately cut in.

"He sees you in a different light compared to them, and honestly part of the reason is because you remind him of what he's lost to some degree. You played together as children and were the best of friends. More importantly however, is that he sees a chance to pick things up where they last left off with you. Sure, he may be a car-crazed fanatic who only seems to think about racing or mechanics half the time, but deep down he's been forced to grow up rather quickly given the amount of time Elizabeth and I spent working abroad."

Mayumi turned her gaze to rest on Sakumo, who downshifted with his flawless heel and toe. The Sileighty's engine unleashed a low growl in response, as he guided it to make a left turn.

"I know I'm not getting the full story Sakumo-ojisan but I promise I'll be patient with him. I'm happy to have him and Reina back in my life and I'm also glad he's chasing his dream of going pro. The night I sat next to him in the passenger's seat of the FD I could feel just how important racing is to him, and after that ride to Akina I feel I can understand him better as well."

"Oh? How so?" the Tochigi native inquired with a smile.

"I may not understand the deeper nuances or the theory behind pass racing like Reina does, but Yuu-chan comes across as a driver who races based on both his state of mind and his very analytical approach. His emotions fuel his technique on the touge, and while he is also prone to being somewhat meticulous, his instincts also serve as a guide."

The raven-haired mechanic paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "It's somewhat hard to describe. But it's as if the words he doesn't speak are relayed through the car's actions. He may appear calm and composed behind the wheel, but all of his feelings, all of his emotions no matter how strong they happen to be, are unleashed through his driving."

Sakumo inclined his head in acknowledgement. 'Then you understand him better than most.'

"Then can you promise me to look out for him in my stead? My son may be stubborn as a mule and at times be rather withdrawn from others but it's trust and character that he needs around him more than ever before. He needs to learn that at times it is better to rely on others rather than himself."

Mayumi felt compelled to agree with her honorary uncle's assessment. "It's ironic really," she began. "For someone so kind and selfless, he's unwilling to ask for help when the situation calls for it."

"Hai, and that's why he needs someone aside from his sister to give him a swift kick in the ass whenever he loses sight of himself. I trust you're up to the challenge Mayumi-chan?"

The girl in question grinned. "Oh, absolutely."


Mt. Akagi, Gunma Prefecture

6:02PM

A loud roar reverberated across Akagi, tires screeching against the asphalt as Toshirō zeroed in on the sweeping left hander that was rapidly approaching. With extreme precision, the young adolescent kicked the clutch, downshifting with his well-practiced heel and toe in the process. An airy hiss followed as a result of the car's blow-off valve, the sound nearly making him shudder in his seat while his Evo III tore through the corner with extreme accuracy.

'It's only my fourth run of the afternoon,' he remined himself. 'But Kyoichi-senpai wasn't kidding when he said the slope on this course is more severe than that of Akina.'

Since his first encounter with Kurokawa on Akina a few nights prior, Toshirō thought it prudent to get as much of a head start as soon as he possibly could. It would have been remiss of him to say that his leader's reaction to the revelation that the driver rapidly becoming known as 'Usui's Ghost' and previously 'Kanagawa's Kamikaze' were one and the same, deeply unsettled the man.

He had seen the look in Kyoichi's eyes that night after Kurokawa departed and deep down, even he was slightly intimidated by the mere mention of that moniker bestowed to the hallowed FD that once roamed the prefecture. As things stood, he still knew very little about him, but two things were made abundantly clear that night. First, was that most of the rumors he'd heard together with the multiple sources his leader drew information confirmed that the Kurokawa who once raced in Kanagawa was a different animal to the one who now raced with a Sileighty. And second, he was utterly enthralled by the prospect that he would soon be facing someone who was most likely among the best drivers Gunma had to offer.

A rather large grin settled on Toshirō's features, the raw and menacing scream unleashed by his Evo III increasing as the needle continued it's climb to 8,500 RPM. He never tired of that sound, how fearsome and downright satisfying it was to listen to as the four-cylinder engine continued to beg for the next gear.

'The Lan-Evo really is a remarkable feat of engineering,' he surmised before downshifting once again for the incoming hairpin. 'Even when the car's weight is shifted to the front, the traction is still there because of its four-wheel drive system.'

Toshirō gunned the throttle as soon as the car reached the corner's entry point, putting into practice some of Kyoichi's advice. While he was acutely aware that turbocharged vehicles were usually at their weakest at the entrance of a corner, some of the observations his leader had made in Kurokawa's previous race introduced him to the technique he had used to cut down Iwamura's lead in the matter of seconds.

The high school senior began to lightly tap his brakes, exercising a cautious control of the throttle as soon as he reached the corner's apex.

'Normally I wouldn't even have the space to pull a move like this on Irohozaka. But here on Akagi, I have plenty of it. I really have to thank Sudo-senpai for showing me this trick otherwise I would have been scratching my head all night trying to figure it out,' he thought to himself.

Once the Evo III cleared the tight hairpin, Toshirō quickly marveled at the increase in velocity upon exiting it. It was a seamless execution of the rather infamous 'Double Apex'. With only a series of short bends approaching, he pinned the throttle once more, quickly shifting into third gear as he entered one of the very few high-speed sections throughout the pass.

His car's response was instantaneous, all 345 horses providing more than enough torque and acceleration to help him breeze through the small series of bends with little to no difficulty.

So far, Akagi was proving to be a rather challenging pass. It was not as narrow as his home course of Irohazaka, and the road was a lot bumpier which served as an important reminder that he would need to adjust the car's suspension to suit the road conditions. Currently, Kyoichi considered Simulation Three the best course of action in dealing with someone of Kurokawa's skill set; and he agreed.

The leader of the Emperors may have held some reservations with regards to his newest recruit facing someone of the brunette's caliber, but the reality was that he could also learn from watching and observing the intricacies of his opponent's technique. He was positively giddy with anticipation, even if there were still two more weeks remaining until their battle but there was no doubt in his mind that the challenge would be well worth the wait.

"Well done Naruse," came his leader's voice through the radio in his passenger seat. "Keep up the pace. I want at least another eight runs before we call it a night today. This is your first shakedown on Akagi so there's no need to go all out just yet."

"Hai-hai," he chuckled to himself.

At best, there were only a total of seven members of his team scattered throughout Akagi's checkpoints this evening. Kyoichi and Seiji were among them along with several of those belonging to the RedSuns. Over the previous three downhill runs he had begun to see more and more of them standing by with either radios or stop watches in their hands, and it spoke of just how serious they took the Emperors and their newest foray in Gunma.

Toshirō was acutely aware of the fact that he and his team were not all that well liked across the prefecture. Hell, one could say they would utterly despised by the many teams that dotted Gunma and to a certain extent, he could understand why.

No one liked it when an outsider decides to encroach on your territory. Especially if they embarrassed the daylights out of you on your own home turf as well. To some extent, he could understand and sympathize with their plight, but another part of him was quick to recall that as street racers, their pride, skill, and perseverance were all they really had if they wished to carve out their own legend.

'Either way, I'm gonna show these folks from Gunma that we of the Emperors don't mess around. I'm gonna come out of this race on top and prove that Lan-Evos are far more superior than an FR with a flashy drift.'

With renewed enthusiasm, Toshirō quickly caught sight of another sweeping right-hander coming his way. He still had a few hundred meters before the corner that marked the first checkpoint of the downhill run and promptly made the decision to test a different method of attack.

As the corner continued to draw ever closer, Toshirō continued to accelerate. All he could her was the sound of his Mitsubishi's engine beginning to ask for the next gear before his calculating gaze narrowed in recognition.

At best, he only had seconds to spare, and lightly tapped the brakes in preparation for a downshift. Where most drivers would have backed off when tackling such a perilous corner given the way it narrowed out, Toshirō held absolutely no reservations over his actions. Irohazaka had taught him very early on the importance of throttle control and how to combat his car's natural tendency to understeer depending on the severity and speed he entered a curve.

This instance was no different, and with careful precision Toshirō expertly guided his Evo III through the corner with no difficulty.

There lay little doubt in his mind that he had cleared the first checkpoint at a quicker pace for the fourth consecutive time over the course of the night so far, and not long after that was Seiji's voice confirming his assumption.

"Good stuff kid, you shaved almost nine seconds off your last run. I know I don't need to remind you to take it easy either. Tonight's more for reconnaissance and to get you familiarized with the course. Don't show your hand just yet."

At the second in command's comment Toshirō could only raise an eyebrow in response. Seiji had never been the cautious or analytical sort of individual, and it was a well-known fact that he at times lacked patience as well even if he was a good guy at heart.

"Speak for yourself Seiji-san," came the voice of Aoyama, their No.4 driver. "You're not exactly the sort of person that comes to mind when speaking of taking things easy. You're still a freak behind the wheel."

"Oi!" came the pony-tailed man's exclamation over the radio.

Toshirō fought the urge to roll his eyes at his teammate's antics over their shared frequency, slightly amused by their banter but wisely chose to ignore it in favor of the tight hairpin that would soon follow.

'These guys are one of the most feared teams in Tochigi, and they can still trash-talk one another without any hesitation,' he mentally droned.

He spared his gauges a quick glance before shifting his eyes back on the road. The roar of his Evo III continued to filter through his ears and deep down he knew he would never grow tired of that sound wherever he went. This was his first official expedition outside of Tochigi, and so far, he was thrilled with the new challenges coming his way.

Over the last few months things in Irohazaka had slowed considerably. Kogashiawa wasn't around as often to bug or annoy his team like he did before and aside from the period he spent climbing the ranks of the Emperors before his formal induction, the lack of skilled opponents left them in a bit of a quandary.

Since the emergence of Akina's Eight-Six the year prior and the inception of Project D, Gunma had also been somewhat lacking in terms of action. Kurokawa's arrival turned out to be a boon for all and especially to those who belonged to Usui's ranks of street racers.

Even as far as Tochigi, rumors spread regarding a blue Sileighty driven by a female duo claiming to be the fastest on Usui before they disbanded a few months prior and their loss had also left the locals reeling as a result. With Kurokawa claiming a string of victories against the Night Kids, many were beginning to flock under his banner. The night he battled Iwamura Keigo had cemented as one of the best up and coming drivers on his side of the prefecture, and as a result there were numerous eyes following his progress with keen interest.

'Some called him a monster. Others called him a freak of nature back in the day, but he's just one guy. He may be a hell of driver with a track record to prove it but even the most accomplished of racers end up losing at some point.'

"And I'll work my ass off to end that hot streak of his if it's the last thing I do," Toshirō said to himself over the piercing howl of his Lan-Evo.


Mt. Akagi

6:08PM

From a distance, Takahashi Keisuke watched the Monaco Red Mitsubishi clear a corner with an incredible amount of speed. His time racing in Gunma and the neighboring prefectures made him no stranger to seeing young and tremendously talented drivers, but in this instance Toshirō was starting to rub him in all the wrong ways.

He held nothing against the kid, and as much as he loathed to admit it Kyoichi certainly found a gem in the newly minted No.3 driver for the Emperors. But the degree of skill, let alone the balls it took to tackle the downhill at Akagi without any shred of fear despite this being only his first visit to the course set off quite a few alarm bells in his mind.

"Did you see that Keisuke-san? He was barely a few centimeters away from trading paint with the guardrail!" Kenta exclaimed in surprise.

The blonde Takahashi exhaled a breath of smoke from the cigarette lazily hanging from his lips, his hands scrolling through the frequencies before settling on the right one before placing the radio on the roof of his FD.

"I did Kenta," he steadily began. "He's countering his car's natural tendency to understeer and the turbo's lag by hugging the inside of the corner. No doubt he's using his left foot on the brakes as well to keep the boost steady."

Beside him, Iwase Kyoko stood with her arms crossed. She sent a brief glance in her own FD's direction parked beside Keisuke's, the ghost of a smile touching her lips before shifting her gaze back to the Evo III once more.

A ferocious growl assaulted her ears, the unmistakable sound of a 4G63 clamoring as Toshirō shifted the car into the next gear to pickup speed. For someone so incredibly young, she was forced to admit that his control was miraculous. There was a certain air to the boy as well, the kind that indicated that he would most likely go far if he continued at this rate.

"He's a cut above most street racers his age," she pointed out. "But attacking these corners with such aggressiveness after only three previous runs also speaks of his inexperience."

"Naruse is testing himself," Keisuke argued. "He's eager to prove himself but his technique is top notch. Over the last few runs he's been growing more accustomed to Akagi, but I doubt Kyoichi has him driving at his best yet. He's probably holding back a bit."

The Trio continued to watch the Evo III in the distance from the overlook, a fair amount of smoke billowing from its tires as it cleared the following hairpin with the aid of a power slide without even crossing the center line. It was yet another skillful display by the Tochigi native, and Kyoko found herself wishing she were the one chasing him to catch a better glimpse into the boy's personality behind the wheel.

She had to admit, she was impressed by what she was seeing so far. Her stint with the Northern Saitama Alliance coupled with her own personal experience, had taught her to never underestimate anyone she faced and Naruse was quickly gaining the attention of many in Saitama given the Emperor's reputation for stirring up trouble outside their native Tochigi.

'But then there's Kurokawa,' she quickly reminded herself.

Ever since Keisuke decided to reach out to her once more, she found herself spending a considerable amount of time in and around Gunma whenever she had the chance. In the past few weeks alone, she rapidly came to realize that rumors spread like wildfire across the local street racing community and Kurokawa's exploits were no different in this regard.

The Myogi Night Kids were considered the strongest team in the prefecture after the Akagi RedSuns, and while she did develop an interest in the driver who was merely a year younger than her as a result of his victories against them, it was only enhanced by the respect Keisuke professed to have for him.

Once again, the woman found her eyes shifting to the Yellow FD behind her, glancing appreciatively at the exquisite bodywork, paired with a completely re-worked suspension to accommodate the increase in power. It surprised her to discover just how proficient Kurokawa could be as a mechanic as well, and the handiwork really struck a chord within her.

'I have half a mind to make the drive all the way over to Matsumoto Speed to see what he's capable of doing to my own FD,' she inwardly mused.

Before she could continue her train of thought however, she was dragged out of her own musings by Keisuke's young friend.

"That Naruse kid really is no joke," Kenta thought aloud. "Few people have the balls to tackle Akagi at the speed he's entering them, and he's barely familiarized himself with the course."

Once again Kyoko was forced to agree with the younger man's statement, although she took it with a grain of salt. As exciting it was to see someone tear up the pass with such precision and skill, Keisuke had spoken highly of Kurokawa's abilities as both a mechanic and a driver. Her time racing with the Northern Saitama Alliance, and a fateful meeting with Keisuke served as one of most significant moments in her twenty years of life. The experience alone had been invaluable, and while she'd had her heart broken by a man she grew to love, she had bounced back from it with renewed zeal.

She spared the blonde man beside her an imperceptible glance, her mind still reeling from the fact that Keisuke had gone out of his way to still see her after his rejection of her still had her somewhat stumped. On one side of the spectrum, she was positively elated to have him back in her life, even if he had made it clear that he had no interest in dating at the moment given his responsibilities with Project D. The other part of her however, still found it difficult to comprehend this sudden turnaround. His rejection of her was still fresh in her mind, and the wound it left cut deep into her heart and it was why she chose to take things as slowly as she possibly could when it came to the younger Takahashi.

The reality was that Kyoko adored him; far more than she would have previously cared to admit, and her feelings for the young and charismatic man often left her at a loss. His presence, his aura, and talent as a driver served as a powerful motivator for her and spurred her desire to prove herself as a street racer, mechanic, and ultimately to the man she loved.

Over the course of the past few weeks she had often found herself racing across Sadamine in the dead of night or even Maze whenever she had the chance. She spent a considerable amount of time in nearby Shomaru as well, and had developed a strong camaraderie with her previous team members that remained just as strong even after their subsequent losses to Project D. Wataru and Nobuhiko in particular, had become fast friends with her, and shared a fair amount of their knowledge and experience with pass racing in their home prefecture.

Aside from her duties as a mechanic at the shop she worked at in her hometown, the last few weeks she spent in Gunma meeting with Keisuke had also proven to be an enlightening experience all around. Akagi had grown on her since that night she sat beside Keisuke in his brother's FC, and since they reconnected, she discovered that she had come to enjoy racing on the mountain. In the past, Kyoko had rarely ventured out of her home prefecture to scout for potential challengers or test her abilities against an unknown pass, but since Project D came to Saitama, she realized that there was still a whole lot more to see and experience.

If she wanted to improve and grow as a street racer, the only way she could succeed would be by broadening her horizons in neighboring prefectures and Gunma in this case, was the place to be. Although Project D was making a name for itself by racing outside of its home prefecture, Kurokawa's name had risen the previous month alone.

His victory against the Night Kids did much to garner the undivided attention of local street racers, and with a team like the Emperors led by someone as meticulous and sharp minded as Kyoichi, she knew this would be only the first test of many he would face in the coming days.

"Kurokawa is more than up to the challenge," Keisuke declared evenly. "If his meeting with Kyoichi on Akina was anything to go by, then he's not going to give them the satisfaction of claiming a victory in his home prefecture of all places. When those two face each other, Kurokawa will be representing Gunma as a whole and the street racers hailing from Usui in particular. He's not one to back down easily and my brother is confident he can pull a win against the Emperors."

"You said that he's not like most drivers around here Keisuke-san," Kyoko began. "Can you explain what you mean by this?"

At her line of inquiry, Kesiuke exhaled another breath of smoke, a roguish smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Kurokawa is the sort of driver who likes to analyze his opponents and builds his strategy over the course of a battle. He doesn't adhere to specific guidelines, and he adapts to any given situation thrown at him without a care in the world. In this sense, he reminds me greatly of my brother, but also shares that frightening similarity to pull things out of his ass out of nowhere with Fujiwara. It's a scary habit, but it's just the sort of thing that makes him a danger to Kyoichi and his plans."

"I'm keen to see him in action," she admitted. "I've heard rumors of his time in Kanagawa as well. But I never would have thought he would be the driver of that white FD people often spoke about the few times I ventured out to that prefecture."

"That doesn't surprise me," Keisuke returned. "It's not something a lot of people in Gunma know, and my understanding is that he may also wish to keep it that way. His battles back then were of a different nature altogether, and what little I know about them is that he was only seventeen when he began to face teams like Sidewinder or Katagiri all on his own. He didn't even have a license back then."

Almost immediately both Kenta and Kyoko turned to Keisuke with evident surprise written across their faces. The brunette's mouth opened in shock once she registered his words, and she could scarcely believe that Kurokawa could have been racing against some of the strongest teams in all of Kanto at such a young age. This fact alone intrigued her greatly, and to some extent she was also curious about his FD even if he had switched to a Sileighty by now.

"But still, to be racing at such intensity, let alone driving at that age isn't normal," Kenta argued.

"Kurokawa is far from what I would call normal Kenta," Keisuke snorted in amusement. "You've met him yourself and you've seen what he's like already. With the name he carries on his shoulders it should come as no surprise to you."

Kenta fervently shook his head in rebuttal, a frown forming spreading across his lips. "First Fujiwara, and now Kurokawa. Who in their right mind would hand the keys to a thirteen or fourteen-year-old kid without prior experience!?" he exclaimed.

"You said it yourself Kenta, no one in their right mind. But as you can see the results speak for themselves."

A strong breeze picked up, the blast of warm summer air prickling at Kyoko's skin as she stepped up to observe the Lan-Evo's headlights bathe the tree line while it continued to race down Akagi. The wind brushed her auburn hair, scattering it about without seemingly any reservations whatsoever but the Saitama native ignored it all the same.

The more she heard of Kurokawa, the greater was her curiosity. His tenure at the wheel of Kanagawa's hallowed FD was more than enough of a motivator to get to know him but hearing Project D's uphill specialist speak so highly of someone only a year apart from her solidified her interest in him.

"I want to see him in action Kesiuke-san," she declared. "You said he would be joining you all on your upcoming expedition to Ibaraki, right?

Keisuke allowed a rather brief chuckle to escape him. It didn't take a genius to recognize the look in her eyes, and it was one he held quite often whenever he was around Fujiwara or Kurokawa nowadays.

'Once I help Aniki realize his dream, I'm gonna end up racing those two, no matter where or when that will be,' he decided.

"My understanding is that he will be joining us on Saturday."

Kyoko remained with her back turned, the question she wanted to pose dying at her throat before she even managed to voice it.

Although they had spent a great deal of time in each other's company over the last few weeks, his rejection of her and his request to no longer attend Project D's races was still fresh in her mind. Despite the suborn and prideful woman Kyoko knew herself to be, she longed to see her Darling in action. Meeting Kurokawa would undoubtedly be a bonus as well but seeing his team in action and witnessing the staunch professionalism each member carried themselves with was nothing short of inspiring.

"You can come."

In an instant her thoughts came to crashing halt as an indescribable sense of warmth enveloped her. A dazzling smile spread across her face, the sheer joy she felt seemed almost palpable to those around her, but it would only last for a few moments longer as the attractive brunette regained her composure and settled for a nod of appreciation in Keisuke's direction.

She knew that there was no need for words between them, the moment in which their eyes met was more than enough for her to convey her message as well as her desire to prove herself to him and those around her. There was a reason why she was considered one of Northern Saitama's top uphill specialists, and she was not afraid to show the locals why this was the case.

Sooner or later, she would get to see Kurokawa in action and with Project D's expedition there was no doubt in her mind there would be enough time for her to gauge the sort of person the Gunma native was and the way he handled himself as a mechanic.

Kyoko decided right then and there, that her first course of action would be to observe Kurokawa on Saturday. There was still so much for her to do and even more for her to experience in Gunma, so she figured that sooner or later she would be able to test her own skills against someone of his caliber.

'I just need to be patient,' she gently chastised herself. 'Take my time, soak in all the details and focus on what's important. For now, I will remain Keisuke-san's friend and see just how far I can go against some of the top talent this prefecture has to offer.'


Nagano-Gunma Border, Usui Pass

8:12PM

For a Tuesday evening, Usui was utterly desolate. There were no galleries standing by the tree line, no cheers or chants around to distract him and no traffic to speak of. His experience racing on Usui nearly every single day in the previous six months granted him an understanding of his adopted home course in addition to the locals that frequented these parts.

Very few people if any, ever came for a drive at this time of night. With numerous contributing factors such as poor visibility, unforgiving road conditions and an incredibly narrow series of twists and turns, many approached Usui with a healthy dose of respect. Only those who constantly raced through the pass and drove through the course frequently were courageous enough to tackle its corners without a single shred of fear, and Yuzuru was one of them.

The brunette drew in a breath from the driver's seat of his father's Eight-Six, his thoughts and emotions swirling around in the confines of his mind after the rollercoaster of a day he did not expect to have. Between his meeting with Shiori, his upcoming duties with Project D on Saturday, the FD's pending diagnosis with Masashi that his father had yet to deliver, and the challenge of breaking his downhill record, one could say that he had a whole lot more on his plate than he could have envisioned.

Not even the sight of an empty spot where his Sileighty should have been parked and a hastily scribbled note resting underneath one of the Levin's wipers was enough to get a rise out of him. He was far to emotionally spent to care and it had taken all his combined effort to keep everything he felt bottled up inside. All he wanted now was to go out for a drive, and it provided him the perfect opportunity to cut down his time and give everything he possibly could to breaking his record.

He sighed, ultimately choosing to kill his train of thought before glancing out the window of his driver's side. Only a few meters away stood Tatsuru, who was leaning against his S2000 with his arms crossed engaged in pleasant conversation with Kaede who had parked her Evo VI on the shoulder of the road behind the yellow Honda with its blinkers on.

In truth, he had not expected to have the Todo School Graduate or Shiori learn of the daunting task his father had set for him. In his eyes, the challenge was something he wished to accomplish on his own given the rather short time frame he had left. As things stood, he only had four days left and Saturday would be a bust due to Project D's race. But all it took for him to change his mind and allow the two to join him tonight at Usui had been a look Shiori gave him once Kaede insisted they come along.

Despite having met only a few hours prior, Yuzuru felt entirely at ease around the senior mechanic and the thought alone was rather sobering for him to admit. The feeling was hard to describe really, but it was the same every time he interacted with Tatsuru as well. Already he could feel a tremendous amount of respect for both individuals flaring within him not simply because of their accomplishments and talent, but also because they were a link to someone he would always hold dear to his heart.

Without a word he grabbed the radio beside him and switched to frequency Reina had decided on for the night. A faint smile touched his lips, recalling his younger sister's first meeting with Shiori and Tatsuru not long after she arrived to pay him a visit at work.

To say that Reina had taken to Shiori rather well would have been a severe understatement on his part. It didn't take a genius to detect the subtle makings of a strong bond between the two, and their interaction had been almost as emotional as his own had been with the Yokohama native. Seeing his beloved little sister be rather open with someone other than Mayumi and himself had been a refreshing sight and it wasn't lost on him how the quickly the two got along.

With Tatsuru on the other hand, Reina had been her usual quick-witted self. It amused him to no end when a girl only sixteen years of age proved capable enough to respond to his teasing remarks with an equal amount of jest that left the young man rather flustered in the end and their onlookers laughing in response. Between the pair however, he could also see that the pro-racer was already growing fond of her. Reina's fiery disposition and willingness to give as good as she got was legendary after all, and it was rather infectious to witness.

Yuzuru exited the vehicle with his radio in hand and held it up before pressing the button to speak through it.

"All clear at the starting line. Everything good on your end Reina?"

"Finish line is all clear Onii-chan. Ryuji's here with me too," came her voice.

"Great, then I should be good to go."

As soon as the words left his mouth all eyes were trained on him and Shiori immediately approached him. Her eyes rested on the Eight-Six for a moment, doing a quick mental run down of the car before speaking her mind.

"If you hadn't told me about the challenge your father set for you earlier, I probably would have questioned why you'd be driving this car instead of the Sileighty you've become well-known for around these parts but in all honesty it's all the same to me."

The Gunma native chuckled lightly, laying a hand on the idling vehicle as he admired the very conservative look it possessed.

"This car is where everything began for us," he began. "Before we were even old enough to know the difference between a socket wrench or a torque wrench, my old man would often take us out for a spin in nearby Akina in this very car. It's been in my family for many years now, but she's a tough girl to drive and doesn't give anything for free either."

Shiori inclined her head in acknowledgement. Unlike most of her fellow mechanics or street racers, she viewed the Eight-Six as a machine that was capable of incredible feats in the right hands. Project D's Fujiwara Takumi was a testament to the fact. Akiyama Wataru was also another driver that came to mind when she considered the notion, and if she were completely honest with herself, not any person could tame such a difficult car.

Where many were often dismissive of the Eight-Six, even going as far as labelling it a 'shit box on wheels', Shiori was acutely aware of the damage a well-experienced driver could do if one was not careful. The right setup, suspension settings, modified gear ratios and generally light frame rendered it an extremely brutal cornering machine and this particular Levin before her, had the look that it was just that.

The raven-haired mechanic greedily soaked in all the details she possibly could. Everything from the car's ride height, down to the new set of vented brakes visible through the gold Work Equip 03 wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan tires, and the prominent TRD N2 rear wing was carefully scrutinized.

'A kouki model,' she deduced after catching whiteline tail lamp design. 'But it's got the red and black interior of the earlier zenki models.'

As if the conservative and aggressive bodywork were not enough, Shiori immediately reared back as soon as she caught sight of how strong the car's aura was. The air the Toyota had was far more sinister than she was first lead to believe, and the exhaust note alone should have been enough of an indicator for her to realize that she was in the presence of a true sleeper in every sense of the word.

"You said it's got no power steering correct? No ABS either?"

"Indeed," Yuzuru confirmed. "The steering is a little heavier than I'm normally accustomed to, but it also allows me to really get a feel for the road and its conditions."

In response Shiori approached the passenger's side, grasping the door handle before fixing the teenager with a serious expression.

"Well then, let's not dawdle any more than we have to. You've got a course record to break and I want to see how you drive at full throttle. Hold nothing back and give it everything you've got."

Yuzuru offered her a grin once he registered her words as he recalled his father's piece of advice a few nights prior. It was time for him to let go of his inhibitions and focus on delivering nothing but his best on the touge. A brief shudder of excitement coursed through him, knowing he would be relying on his instincts and emotions to fuel his technique.

Racing in Kanagawa had taught him a great deal, and in many respects, it also served as a reminded to curb his inner recklessness. Part of the reason he focused on a calmer and more collected approach behind the wheel was because he enjoyed weighing his options. He preferred the spontaneity of building a strategy on the spot rather than using the same tried and tested methods day in and day out, and to this day this system had served him rather well.

'But there's a certain edge I had that I've been lacking as of late,' he reminded himself. 'I've grown too complacent, and my switch to the Sileighty has also thrown me off my game for a bit while adjusting to the new quirks. But enough is enough. If my old man says this car is enough to pull off the task he set for me, then I'll do my damnedest to accomplish it.'

"Alright," he declared.

The pair slipped into the waiting vehicle, Yuzuru into the driver's seat and Shiori in the passenger's seat respectively. Once settled, he handed her the radio without a word, and almost immediately Shiori was struck by the change in his demeanor as soon as the 4A-GE sitting under the hood went from a calm idle to feral growl as he gave the engine a few revs.

Yuzuru dipped the clutch, setting the car in first gear and lowering the parking brake before beginning a mental countdown of his own. The sound of the naturally aspirated inline-four filled his ears, the marvelous exhaust note generated by the Levin revealing a wonderfully tuned car.

Shiori watched the brunette with undisguised interest as the Eight-Six short forward with a copious amount of smoke billowing from its rear tires. Yuzuru pinned the throttle as the car continued to gain speed, pausing only to shift gears each time the tachometer redlined at 8,000RPM.

'The first corner is quickly approaching,' she noted. 'Let's see just what you're made of Yuzuru-kun.'

The closer the car drew to the upcoming corner, Shiori quickly came to understand just what made Usui to perilous for those who lacked the proper experience in pass racing. At best the first corner was only a very slight left, but with the car's high-beams bathing the road before them in a bright white light, she could clearly discern a narrow stretch of s-turns that led to a sharp right in the form of a hairpin.

With very well practiced ease, Yuzuru guided the Eight-Six through the first series of corners without any difficulty. His continued use of the throttle as the curves came up provided the car with more than enough response to power through them with almost minimal counter-steer.

Only the slight screech of tires against the asphalt, and the sixteen-valve motor's continued growl gave any indication of its driver's actions, and Shiori could only marvel at how well the teenager's command behind the wheel really was.

'Most people would have lightly tapped the brakes in this situation, but instead he chose to press on and avoid any unnecessary loss of speed.'

She gripped the grab handle above her, already feeling the slight lateral G-forces building before she suddenly felt the car's entire attitude change before her very eyes. Up until the very last possible second, Yuzuru hit the brakes and downshifted with the aid of his heel and toe. The transition between revs and the car's powerband remained smooth and seamless despite his actions, but nothing could have prepared Shiori for the sudden jolt she felt as the car shifted from its previous line on the left, to the right as it gained momentum.

Everything down from the car's balance, and the miraculous degree of control was laid bare for the Yokohama native to witness, and the sight alone was more than enough for her to feel a fresh wave of nostalgia strike her to the very core as the Eight-Six swerved back onto it's original line to initiate a beautiful drift using inertia.

Throughout the whole process, not once did Yuzuru lift his foot off the gas pedal. Over the last few days he had initially grown frustrated by his inability to tackle Usui at the speed he was normally accustomed to, but tonight he would choose not to worry or care about the matter and focus exclusively on what he did best.

Drive.

Shiori could only watch in awe of what she was witnessing. Each corner Yuzuru took, displayed a confidence and degree of meticulousness she had not seen in two years. The way the young man beside her carried himself was nothing short of breathtaking, and she could scarcely believe someone so young held such a raw and intoxicating aura that seemed to intensify with every passing moment.

'It's almost as if the car were an extension of himself,' she deduced in amazement. 'Every single change in line, every single shift of the car's mannerisms is fueled by his emotions. I can already feel that he is giving his all and we're only at the beginning of the downhill run.'

The brunette behind the wheel of the Levin continued his run unabated, piercing brown eyes narrowing in concentration as he tore through the corner and exited with a slight flick of the car's rear end before pulling out and accelerating once more. Throughout it all, he continued to gauge the car's subtle quirks and the way it reacted to Usui's numerous bumps. Cracks and ripples permeated the touge and if one weren't careful the tires would slip rather easily.

Experience told him that there was a lot less usable road in Usui than there initially appeared, and this was a detail that even the locals took to heart. In this case, Yuzuru was absolutely no different and remained entirely at ease. Usui was his home course. It was where he came to train, where he defeated two of the Night Kids' most seasoned members, and he would not allow this challenge to discourage him by any means.

In order to compensate for the shortcomings of the Eight-Six, Yuzuru already knew he would need to rely exclusively on his technique to make up for the differences he was accustomed to in his Sileighty. For this reason, he decided to forgo caution and give this run everything he had.

'People may have referred to my FD as a monster during its days in Kanagawa. The same can be said of my Sileighty to some extent, but I've also come to realize that the monster isn't the car, but the driver.'

Without a single shred of hesitation, Yuzuru quickly zeroed in on the upcoming hairpin. A loud and vicious roar echoed across Usui; the unmistakable sound produced by the 4A-GE powerplant fueling his desire to drive his absolute best. Once more he tapped the brakes, downshifting to third gear in preparation for the incoming corner thus shifting the car's weight load to the front as the rear lost traction.

'Drive,' he mentally chanted to himself. 'Don't think about anything else. Forget about Team Emperor. Forget about your duties or Project D.'

'Just. Drive.'

Yet again Shiori found herself astonished by the dazzling show of skill the elder Kurokawa allowed her to bear witness to. The inner struggle Yuzuru once had, the frustration, and negative emotions she could clearly see he'd been bottling up were unleashed the moment he began his downhill run. Outwardly, he may have appeared calm and composed. But already she could see the signs that the monster who once roamed across Kanagawa was still alive and well within him. The air around him was different now. She could feel it, and it was that surprising for her to see that it wasn't as cold or malicious as Tatsuru initially described after their night on Akina.

The raven-haired mechanic could only stare in in wonder as the Eight-Six entered the corner with an incredible amount of speed, propelling it through the hairpin with the aid of a four-wheel drift. Already she could see the signs that Yuzuru had surrendered himself entirely to his instincts, and despite all her experience as both a street racer and mechanic at that very moment Shiori could only help but think that Kakeru had been right all along.

'By entering corners at a higher speed, he's utilizing the Levin's lightweight body to his advantage. He's braking at the last possible second before each corner, using the grip of all four tires to achieve maximum cornering speed,' she assessed.

Now she understood more than ever that Yuzuru had the makings of a true racing genius. The astonishing rate of adaptability the young adolescent exhibited together with his sixth sense for the downhill were nothing short of miraculous.

What struck her the most however, was not the boy's physical resemblance to Kakeru; but rather the strong similarities their inherent styles shared. There was a certain edge of aggressiveness that was decidedly hard to miss, and with each passing corner she could almost feel as if she were in his presence once more.

Her breath caught in her throat, and the woman suddenly felt tears run down her cheeks. The young man beside her had suffered greatly in the past two years, perhaps even more so than she did given the haunted look his eyes carried whenever he was left to his thoughts for too long and yet here he was, racing with the same intensity, elegance, and ferocity that he had inherited from the one person they had considered their greatest mentor.

Despite the deeply rooted sense of loss and despair within him, his resilience, and will to carry on were utterly inspiring to observe. She could sense his love for pass racing, his strong affinity for mechanics, and his desire to prove himself. No words were needed between them, and it now seemed that the fire that had dwindled to mere embers when she first saw him, was now smoldering once more.

'You're amazing, Yuzuru-kun. I'm so glad to have met you.'

For Shiori, it was difficult to describe the strong myriad of emotions now coursing through her but perhaps something akin to joy and euphoria could be considered an apt description for her. Over the sound of the Eight-Six's high-pitched exhaust note she was reminded of the dream and vision she, Tatsuru, and Kakeru all once shared, and she knew that there simply was no need for her to ask a question she already knew the answer to.

"Yume," she whispered to herself as the Levin continued its assault on Usui's downhill.


A/N:

(2/21/20)

Well, in this chapter we can see what some of the other characters have been up to. You guys have no idea how long I've been waiting to write a segment with Kyoko in it and I'm excited for what's in store form here.

Despite her rather brief appearance in the manga and anime, Kyoko instantly became one of my favorite characters because of her outright skill as a driver. If you guys take a look at the manga and check the layout for her home course of Sadamine, you can really get an understanding of how talented she is as a street racer. Keisuke may have beaten her by throwing her off her game, but make no mistake, her technique is top notch and the manga really shows it.

Aside from that, as you can see Yuzuru is beginning to get out of that rut he's been in lately, and part of it may have to do with Shiori's appearance as well as his unrelenting desire to persevere.

Next update should be sometime in early March I expect. I've had a rather difficult time as of late between assignments, work, and the loss of yet another family member even if this one was expected. Cancer really blows. Either way, life waits for no one and all we can really do is move on from the things we hold dear as hard as it may be.

As always, feel free to leave a review as they are what keeps me going and gives me an insight to the thoughts of my fellow readers.