III
32: The Trail Continues
III
Aisuke, Takihiro, Yakuma, and Daito were all in the galleries of one of Akagi's corners.
Aisuke was the first to notice how the orange S14 was following the yellow FD down the hill, both cars picking up speed. "Wow, talk about Keisuke really taking Kenta under his wing."
Yakuma smiled. "Funniest part is Keisuke's driving more and more like Ryosuke every day now."
"Their styles are completely different. Sure they both drive rotaries but ever since Ryosuke challenged the 86 I think Keisuke is just trying his best to imitate him." countered Takihiro.
Daito said nothing.
"I can barely remember the days when Ryosuke was called Akagi's White Comet. Seems like racing's come such a long way since." admitted Aisuke. "Knowing Ryosuke's racing for us makes me confident we can finally mark Akina's downhill under our name."
"In what way?" Takihiro asked.
"Well Ryosuke's been waiting a long time to put course records on Akina's hill. The way the guy knows things about other drivers before anyone else does is honestly a bit surprising. Makes me proud to call him our leader." Aisuke explained.
"Hey man," Yakuma said. "I was wondering if you can answer this question for me. It's been on my mind for a while now."
"Sure," said Aisuke.
"Do you think Keisuke will ever reach Ryosuke in terms of driving ability?"
Aisuke laughed. "Out of all of us he's probably the most likely. Ever since that FD lost to the 86 on Akina's downhill, Keisuke making it seem more and more everyday that he wants to redeem the name of rotary engines. But I guess we all know that's Ryosuke's job really."
"Sure would seem like it." agreed Takihiro. "It's almost like Keisuke really pushes himself to be as good as Ryosuke because it doesn't even seem all that impossible to him. When you think about it, Keisuke's ambition might be what made him want to flip the script so badly."
"Flip the script? How so?" Aisuke asked.
"You might've not known Keisuke as well back then. But the year he got his FD he was practically fresh out of highschool. He was a delinquent through and through." Takihiro said. " I'm not one to spread rumors so don't tell anyone. But this I'm sure of. Ryosuke brought Keisuke onto the Red Suns because he knew how badly he wanted to give him something important to dedicate himself to."
Aisuke crossed his arms with a nod. "Now that you bring it up again. I do remember what Keisuke was like. Reminds me of a more aggressive version of Kenta. Always wanting to race, scrappy, and with a loud mouth. Guess old habits die hard."
III
Itsuki and Iketani watched Kenji pull up to the gas station.
"Whatcha got there Kenji?"
"Check it out." Kenji withdrew a wrapped VHS tape from his glove box.
Itsuki nearly laughed in surprise. "Man am I glad the boss is on his break! We can watch this nudie movie now!"
Kenji scoffed. "Trust me, this is way better than whatever you're thinking about."
Inside the gas station's mini-mart, Kenji placed the tape into the VHS player and turned on the television.
Iketani only needed a few seconds to see what the tape was recording. "Huh, looks like a street race. Must not be on Akina."
"This is cool and all, but why'd you drive here to show us this?" asked Itsuki.
Kenji didn't even look at him. "Just keep watching."
The tape's camera panned over a white FC, and out of it stepped a 20-year-old Ryosuke Takahashi.
Itsuki spoke in surprise. "Holy crap that's Ryosuke!"
The following matches on the TV screen were all displays of Ryosuke's driving abilities. He was wiping the floor with whoever he was racing.
"Now I remember," Iketani said. "I was at that race like three years ago. God, street racing was a lot different back then. Not to mention the way everyone talked about Takahashi."
"Talked about him?"
"They used to call him Akagi's White Comet." Iketani said, the TV playing 'zooms' of cars flying through corners together.
"Badass nickname," said Itsuki.
"Not as badass as the way he can angle in from the outside like that. Beautiful." Kenji muttered.
Iketani kept speaking. "Back then Takahashi raced all on his own. The coolest and definitely the fastest racer around back then. And since no one knew a thing about him other than being the only person to really drive an FC, everyone just called him the White Comet of Akagi."
"So wait, if he raced without a team, what about the Red Suns?" asked Itsuki.
"Well because he was so respected back then, all sorts of drivers wanted to race with him. He got pro circuit racers, Nismo drivers, and even people who were called the fastest around to join his team. I honestly don't see him as anything other than Akagi's White Comet though."
Itsuki watched the white FC beat other cars nonstop on the tape. "What a badass! And my own best friend is racing him!"
"I wouldn't be too happy about that," Iketani said.
Itsuki spoke. "Wait. Why not?"
"Well, Ryosuke Takahashi was such a good driver that people don't just call him the fastest in Gunma. Some think he might even be the best racer in racing history, easily the fastest. He set all sorts of records on both the Gymkhana and plenty of mountains around Gunma. And that was when he was as young as we see him on this tape." Iketani said. "Speaking of which, how'd you get this?"
"Some fans of his recorded all his races back then. Gotta be thankful for that because this is some great stuff for Takumi to watch." Kenji said.
"Takumi." Iketani sighed. "I don't know how else to say this guys. But Takumi might not walk away from this race without seriously getting hurt."
Itsuki balled his fists. "You gotta be more supportive than that Iketani! He's our friend, we can't just bail on him the second trouble comes around! He beat loads of people already!"
Iketani said nothing as Itsuki went on. "He beat Mako's Sileighty! And the Gum-Tape deathmatch!"
"Sorry but none of those races compare to Ryosuke Takahashi." Iketani kept watching the absolute domination of Ryosuke's opponent's on screen. Iketani went on. "The guy's unreal, and easily the most unbeatable racer in racing history. He hasn't lost a race once in well over three years, and he's only gotten better since then." Iketani sighed. "If you think Takumi broke ground in his 86, Ryosuke shattered it into some sort of earthquake during his own first years of street racing. I don't think there's been a driver like him to hold as many course records ever in both street and circuit racing."
"That's not even the worst part I've heard," Kenji said. "There's more."
Itsuki nearly winced in pain. "There is?"
Iketani nodded. "On top of all that. He's still never admitted to giving a race a hundred percent."
"Someone probably got lucky if they even saw half of what Ryosuke can really do in a battle," added Kenji.
Itsuki got a bit teary. "Well. I just want to support our friend. I can't believe you both wouldn't support our very own 86 as local racers on Akina's downhill and-" he got choked up, covering his eyes, not being able to watch the tape anymore. "I just want him to beat that damn FC!"
"Don't cry dude. It's embarrassing." Iketani said.
Kenji sighed, ignoring Itsuki's antics. "To be perfectly honest. I don't think there's a person around who can honestly have even a shot of beating him. Takumi's not even racing a guy just like him with a steering wheel and four tires. He's racing a legend, pure and simple."
"Now that's not true! This guy may be fast, but he's not that good! Right? Iketani? Iketani?"
Iketani agreed with Kenji again. "I hate to say it but you're right man. I couldn't have put it better myself. There probably hasn't been a driver as good as Ryosuke Takahashi in ages." he went on. "Takumi probably will have trouble not crashing to try and keep up. Much less beating him."
"Ryosuke Takahashi is ridiculously fast. Insanely fast." Kenji said quietly.
III
Keisuke walked out of his house to see his older brother staring calmly at his FC.
'He looks so calm and prepared for this race with the 86 it's giving me goosebumps just looking at him.'
Ryosuke said nothing, continuing to calmly study his FC as Keisuke continued thinking quietly.
'I get now why everyone still respects him so much. I haven't seen him so focused in my entire life. Is this even possible? My own brother is like some sort of enigma to me!? How can I be this surprised?'
III
"What're you thinking about Keisuke? You look like you've seen a ghost." I said.
Keisuke gulped. "To be honest. It looks like you're ready to take on anything. It's just a bit frightening to know how seriously you're taking the race against Akina's 86."
"Keisuke. Do you know what a dream is? What nostalgia is?"
"Of course I do," Keisuke said.
"Then you must know that racing this 86 on Saturday is like a nostalgic dream for me. I haven't been this into a race for so many years that I keep harkening back to when the entire racing world was calling me Akagi's White Comet. To me, I still prefer the name of the Rotary Brothers."
Keisuke's eyes widened. "You'll always be the legendary lone wolf from Akagi! What do you mean you prefer our new name!?"
"I mean that having you along as my anchor is the greatest gift anyone could've ever given to me," I said. "I could tune your FD past perfection. But you're only beginning to scratch the surface of your potential Keisuke."
Keisuke kept watching me in silence as I spoke. "Fortunately, my time as Akagi's White Comet years back has taught me one thing. Never misunderestimate your opponents. All drivers have their limits, and unfortunately so do I."
"What do you mean?"
"While I have indeed never admitted to giving a race my all. If there's anyone around who might push me to that limit. It would be Takumi Fujiwara."
"He can't be that fast."
I smiled. "He is. But from how hard I will have to push my FC, I've been forced to spend over half a million Yen renewing every single pin and plug in the entire FC's interior."
Keisuke kept looking at me in surprise. "Half a million Yen!?"
"Considering how much this race means to me this was just a small drop in the bucket honestly," I said, turning back to my FC. "While my FC is in fact my greatest achievement. I can't say it's the biggest contribution I've made to racing yet."
"What're you talking about? You're the best the sport's ever seen!"
I chuckled. "The real gift I've been able to give to street racing has been you Keisuke."
"Me? What, in my torqued-up FD? How can I ever contribute more to racing than you!?"
"You have the potential to be more than a professional driver someday Keisuke. You have the potential to be the stuff of legend. The potential to lead the Red Suns with me into becoming the fastest in Kanto. I wouldn't have chosen anyone else to do it with me but you." I said. "You give me pride to be your brother Keisuke. Nothing makes me prouder than watching you grow as a racer."
Keisuke put his hands in his pockets. "Don't go saying stuff like that around the rest of the team. It's embarrassing to see you praise me this much man."
I smiled at this. Keisuke wasn't embarrassed by anything really, shame was not part of him at all. However, seeing the humble way he accepted my compliments showed me just how far he came since first stepping into his FD.
"Fumihiro and the others are waiting for us," I said. "We shouldn't be late."
"Sure." said Keisuke.
III
Fumihiro closed his cell phone when sitting back in our booth with us. "That was another team wanting to know if you were interested. These guys were sponsored by Mazda Motorsports' Tokyo Division."
I put down my cup of coffee after sipping quietly from it. "Tell them no thanks."
"What!?" Keisuke and Kenta balked. "How could you just say no to them like that?" asked Keisuke. "I thought the Red Suns were all about professional driving! The least you could say is you'll think about it!"
"Ryosuke your brother has a point!"
"Look I've said it before and I will again," I said calmly. "You can learn a lot from racing on the circuit. But the street is the best way for any driver to express themselves as freely as possible."
"You got that right though!" Kenta said. "Which is why I know you'll beat the pants off this 86! You're the best driver Gunma's seen in years! And racing's seen, period!"
"I thank you for that assessment Kenta," I said. "But as I've already said. I only have one thing on my mind. Racing the 86 this Saturday."
Keisuke still wouldn't relent. "But why waste your talent big brother? I thought the point of the Red Suns was so we could all one day race in the big leagues. With the best of the best pros!"
"That's something I can see both you and Kenta doing one day," I said. "But until then the street still remains the freest way for any driver to fully express themselves."
"Wow Ryosuke," said Fumihiro. "Seems like you really have been waiting this whole year to race the 86 then."
"I have. And while Takumi Fujiwara is of current interest to me. It's his father that really is interesting to me right now in the long term." I said.
"Wasn't he that grumpy guy who runs that tofu shop? The one that's on the side of that 86." Kenta said.
"Right now the only driver I could find in Gunma who can honestly be considered faster than me is him. Bunta Fujiwara."
Keisuke coughed. "Wait. He's faster than you?"
"He's been driving Gunma's mountain passes since the 70s. According to my research, he's the only person I can really consider to be insane from how fast he can drive downhill. And when I mean insane, I mean that no other person alive would be at all in their right minds to be as fast as him on the downhill." I said.
Keisuke frowned. "Huh. Guess it makes sense he's retired then. A middle-aged guy probably wants nothing to do with street racing."
"Rest assured," I said. "I've done enough research to find that his son does not remotely match his skill. Simply from the sheer number of years separating them. Still, it tells you a lot about this 86."
III
Back at our home, Keisuke and I were speaking again in our driveway. "I still can't believe you lowered the horsepower of your FC by well over 140 horses. That's insane, still blows my mind."
"Which is why I've focused almost entirely on tuning it towards balance and control. Not power. Amazingly, my FC's stock horsepower output was 190 horses." I said.
Keisuke raised an eyebrow. "I don't get it. Is that supposed to impress me or something? My FD came stock at 350."
"It already came outfitted with turbos. Without them, the twin turbines of your FD only put out more or less the same as my FC."
"What!?" gasped Keisuke. "You're saying that even being an N/A, completely stock. Your FC put out the same level of power as my beast of an FD!?"
"I am. It's been an absolute blessing to have an engine that handles as smoothly as mine." I said. "I've spent hours analyzing both 13Bs under my FC's hood. The only explanation I have for that kind of smooth yet high power gives me the exact kind of acceleration I need on the downhill. Speaking in technical terms, the only reason BT-1 and BT-2 can give me this kind of speed is just from how well designed the Infini Three series was just off the assembly line."
III
Keisuke again looked at both his brother and his car in silent awe.
'Is that even possible? How in the world can Ryosuke maintain his FC so well that in over six years it doesn't lose an ounce of its original power capacity!? Even I have to renew all sorts of stuff in my FD every month and I still can't keep it this efficient!'
III
"With the race with the 86 only three days away," I said. "You and I should go out to Akagi tonight."
"Right."
III
Keisuke followed Ryosuke downhill, the FD following the FC downhill.
'My brother doesn't have a chance at all of losing this.' thought Keisuke, accelerating down Akagi's hill. 'For him to lower his horsepower to just around 210 but still be this fast is crazy.'
Ryosuke himself changed gears and accelerated down Akagi's hill so much better than Keisuke that even with over 140 HP of advantage, Ryosuke still widened the gap.
'I've abandoned all pretense that I'm going into this race as Ryosuke Takahashi, leader of the Akagi Red Suns. On my pride as a street racer, on my honor as a driver, on my respect as Gunma's fastest. I must race the 86 as the lone wolf to be remembered by. Akagi's White Comet.'
Ryosuke almost squinted downhill in focus.
'Akagi's speaking to me. The place of birth of the legacy of my FC. She's telling me the same thing my FC is, as well as every instinct I have.'
Ryosuke let go of the clutch so efficiently his FC seemed to drift nearly on its own from how well he could control the brakes and gearbox.
'That this battle with the 86 has to be mine. Hands down it has to be.'
III
The following night, Keisuke was looking at his FD. Trying to imitate his older brother, stared at it quietly in thought.
'The race with the 86 is only three days away. Seeing how well Ryosuke understands his FC makes me wonder if I can do the same with my FD. But is that even possible? He seems to look at cars in a whole different way than anyone can.'
Keisuke balled his fists.
'No. He told me how proud of me he was for a reason. I can do anything with my FD, I'm sure of it.'
III
Takeshi Nakazato was leaning on his black R32 with a few other of the Myogi Night Kids.
Hearing the familiar roar of a rotary engine, Takeshi spoke. "Well, looks like Ryosuke's come back hasn't he?"
"That's Keisuke! Not Ryosuke!"
Takeshi almost dropped his cigarette. "What?" he almost ran to the guardrail. "No way!"
Keisuke flew past the Night Kids downhill in his yellow FD3S.
"You've gotta be kidding me! He's driving like Ryosuke is!"
"He's not," Takeshi said. "It's just a cheap imitation of it."
Takeshi watched the way Keisuke brought out the extremely high cornering speed of his FD. 'That corner though. While it's not even on the same level, it's the closest I've ever seen.'
Keisuke's eyes flicked between his stopwatch and Myogi's downhill.
'Aisuke still holds the unrecorded downhill record on Myogi's hill. Can I beat it?'
Keisuke flew out of a corner, shifting quickly before accelerating.
'Worry about these turns. Not your times!'
III
Keisuke's FD roared with power. He accelerated downhill turning left and right, the FD seemed to whip around the turns.
'This Saturday's race with the 86 should've been mine. I've never been more confident of my FD in ages. I feel like I'm on fire tonight!'
Braking hard, the FD's downshift seemed to change the entire pitch of his FD's rotary boost. Turning sharply, Keisuke cleared a hairpin easily. His traction was so strong that the moment he pressed the gas, the FD shot downhill.
'Low gear turn. Grip hard, then blast away at fourth gear!'
Keisuke changed gears before gripping fast. Then when he accelerated he was able to use the full acceleration power of his FD.
'If I'm the pride of Akagi. The pride of the Red Suns. The pride of my own brother, I have to beat this record.'
Then, Keisuke started tackling the turns faster and faster as they went on. His FD was able to blend its high traction and horsepower very well with how strong its FR layout let Keisuke go downhill.
By the end, Keisuke was covered in sweat, but his stopwatch shocked him.
In disbelief, Keisuke looked at his stopwatch. "I. I did it? I beat Aisuke's time?"
III
Aisuke Kano was on one of Nismo's test tracks. Revving the engine to the R33 Skyline GT-R, Aisuke already didn't like it.
'Even the 32 had better valve timing and horsepower efficiency. Whatever, gotta punch this clock.'
Aisuke nodded when seeing a crew member give him the thumbs up.
Accelerating down the long cube-like test tracks, Aisuke sighed.
'How can this 33 be such a downgrade from the 32? Why even call it a GT-R if it basically accelerates worse in every way?'
Keisuke watched from afar sitting on the hood of his FD.
Zooming past him, Keisuke watched how fast Aisuke was able to drive the 33 on his very first test drive of it.
'This guy's easily Nismo's best. Even if he's ranked lower than me on the Red Suns. How could I beat his times on Myogi's downhill, his very home course?'
Stepping out of his 33, Aisuke turned to the crew member who walked up to him with a clip board. As Aisuke took off his helmet, the man spoke to him. "Well Mr. Kano. How's she handling?"
"Terribly. Easily the worst car I've had out on this track."
"The worst!? This 33 might still be in development but how can it be that bad?"
Aisuke sighed. "Even my Type X handles smoother than this thing." Aisuke threw a thumb over his shoulder at the car he finished test driving. "This is such a huge downgrade from the 32 I don't even know where to start."
Jotting it all down on his clipboard the man spoke. "The more details the better please."
"Well for starters, this new gearbox is somehow worse than the older one. It's just less efficient, it also overheats way too easily. It can't handle any shifts higher than 7 or especially 8k, which is strange for having such a high rev engine like the RB series." Aisuke went on. "So the suspension needs to be entirely reworked, the gearbox also needs to be improved. And I can't help but feel like the 32 is just better in every way."
The crew member bowed his head. "Thank you. I'll finish the full report by tomorrow afternoon."
As he left, Keisuke approached wearing his grey Efini sweatshirt. "Mr Money-Bags over here." he joked seeing the 33 Aisuke just finished test driving. "Makes me wonder why you chose to drive a 180 instead of a 32."
"The 180 is just better made for the downhill," Aisuke said. "They let you in here?"
Keisuke showed his visitor's badge. "Said I was a friend of yours. Should've said teammate, but I don't know if your bosses know you race with us on the Red Suns."
"Oh they do. They see that Red Suns sticker on my car every time I park in the staff lot." Aisuke smiled. "What's up Keisuke?"
"Not much. I've been meaning to ask you. When's the last time you remember racing on Myogi's downhill?"
Aisuke scoffed. "Wow. Must've been well over two years now."
"And your best time, Myogi's undeclared downhill record. You still remember what that was?"
"Can't. Why?"
Keisuke passed Aisuke the stopwatch. "Here."
"What's this supposed to mean?"
Keisuke shrugged. "It's my current personal best on Myogi's downhill."
"It is?" Aisuke's eyes widened. "You didn't just beat my downhill best. You beat Kenta's."
"Wait, what?"
Aisuke nodded. "Yeah man. You just beat our downhill best on Myogi. Gotta say, you-"
"Mr. Kano!" a young woman in a Nismo-labeled hat and jacket approached. "Please keep all visitors away from the track during company hours."
"But I'm his teammate," Keisuke said. "We both drive for the Red Suns."
"I understand. But Nismo policy is to keep drivers focused on all test cars until their shift ends to maintain absolute efficiency."
Aisuke nodded. "It's fine. We can talk later."
"See ya when your shift is over."
III
The Red Suns were speaking to one another in the galleries behind one of Akagi's corners.
Kenta crossed his arms. "No way!"
"I saw that stopwatch with my own two eyes," Aisuke said. "He beat your downhill best on Myogi."
"But I beat that EG6 in the rain! That race was mine! I brought us our first downhill win!"
Takihiro sighed. "You still have kid."
"I'm not liking this. Not one bit." Kenta said.
"Look, us four are the Nissan drivers on this team. Well except for Yakuma over here." Aisuke said.
The Supra driver simply shrugged.
"Still, you got a reputation to uphold. Ryosuke's expecting us to drive respectfully at all times for the Red Suns. Take the loss Kenta, admit it."
Kenta still crossed his arms. "I want to hear it from Keisuke himself."
"Speaking of which…" Takihiro said while seeing the yellow FD pull into the gallery.
Keisuke turned off the twin rotaries in his FD. He then stepped out of his car, before closing the driver's side door behind him. "What is it pipsqueak?"
"You're what it is! Why didn't you tell me you broke my downhill record on Myogi?"
"I just told Aisuke this morning. Not like it's a big deal."
Kenta spoke. "It is a big deal. My downhill race in the rain was my debut with the rest of you guys here on the Red Suns! It's my best accomplishment so far!"
"Cool it kid," Aisuke said before Keisuke could respond. "That was a timed event with plenty of spectators and a working crew for the race. Myogi's best is still yours."
"Only officially!" said Kenta.
"Look Kenta. I'm your teacher on the downhill, don't worry about it." Keisuke said.
"Well did you tell Ryosuke about this?"
Keisuke sighed. "He's gotta stay focused on the race this Saturday with the 86. Doesn't need all of us getting him involved with this nonsense."
"Ryosuke chose him as our anchor for a reason," Takihiro added. "Besides Kenta, you're overreacting."
"It's not everyday Keisuke sets a downhill record," Kenta said. "I'm just hiding how surprised this really made me feel I guess."
Aisuke shook his head. "Keisuke's right. We can't be bothering Ryosuke with all this stuff about course records when he's got his own race in two days."
Takihiro chuckled. "I can't speak to any of this respectful driving stuff you mentioned man. But it's still really hard for me to believe the only real competition left here in Gunma is Akina's little 86."
"Not really. When considering how much of a non-threat the Myogi Night Kids and especially the Akina Speed Stars ended up being." Yakuma said.
Takihiro spoke. "Speaking of which. How come we still train so often here on Akagi? I thought we weren't supposed to race here anyway."
Keisuke answered. "Of course racing on Akagi's is something you can't get excited about. But Ryosuke hasn't been looking to stir up any trouble with any other teams until this race with the 86 is finished."
"Guess that makes sense." Aisuke shrugged. "Considering going to Akina and Myogi and beating those teams again is just a pointless rematch when you think about it."
III
"Keisuke, you're up late again. Something wrong with your FD?" I walked out to our driveway to see Keisuke by himself.
"I've been thinking. It's been on my mind for a while I-. Nevermind, it's sounds really stupid when I'm about to say it out loud."
I still paid attention. "Talk to me brother. Speak as freely as you want."
"I don't know how else to explain it. But the pride you've shown in me by making me your anchor has inspired a whole new level of my driving. I didn't want to take your focus away from the race with the 86 tomorrow but." Keisuke gulped, as if he was afraid to admit to himself. "It's like I can hear my FD speaking to me. I heard it speak to me on Myogi during my race with the 32. And again last night, and again today. This dream we started, it can't end on Akina this Saturday."
I said nothing, I had never seen Keisuke act like this. Making a fist, Keisuke stood in front of his FD. "Nothing has ever given me more pride than being able to follow in your footsteps big brother. I don't care how foolish it sounds, but my FD's telling me to follow my gut! And my gut says you can't lose! This race will be yours Ryosuke, I promise you! I haven't been more sure of anything in my whole life! You're going to win this race!"
I smiled. "Thank you Keisuke. But this isn't as foolish as you're making it out to be."
"Huh? It sounded ridiculous to me, how could it not be to you?"
I turned towards my FC. "I'm not lying when I say that my own twin rotaries have been saying the same thing. Our complete and total domination of Gunma's racing scene will be decided tomorrow night. When a driver is in good enough sync with his car to determine a race, then he will have reached the beginning of his true path in his driving ability."
"Are you saying that you've felt this connection to your car too?"
"In a way. The same way boxing champions needed to look into their mirrors before a bout to realize if they had what it took to win that night. You need to drive your own car and decide if you really have what it takes to do the same. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't amazed by what you've told me Keisuke. You're just starting to realize what you and your FD are capable of. And it's truly a wonder to behold."
Keisuke bowed his head in respect. "Older brother! Thank you!"
"If you've realized the true potential of your twin rotary system by simply asking yourself if our cars had what it took to beat the 86. Then I promise you, I will deliver on this oath. Right here and now." I said. "If I don't win tomorrow night, I can't pursue the Fastest in Kanto project. I will retire from racing entirely."
"Don't act ridiculous! You can't say things like that the night before a race."
I sighed. "I meant it wholly in truth Keisuke. I understand how important it is to win this race. Everything we've worked towards for years, our teams, our driving. Has all been to make Gunma's drivers the most respected around." I looked Keisuke in the eyes. "Look at me brother. Do I look like a man ready to lose this battle? To lose everything we ever worked towards?"
"No! Of course not but-"
"Then silence your worrying!" I said. "If you don't see Akagi's White Comet in me. If you don't see the victor of tomorrow night! Then I can forfeit the race without the need for a battle! Tell me Keisuke. Do I look ready to lose?"
Keisuke gulped again. "No. But, from what you've told me. I can't be the one to answer that. Only you can decide that for yourself."
If my jaw could've dropped before I hesitated, it would've.
Keisuke had learned a lesson I had barely been given the time to teach him.
"Take one last drive with me brother. This one last race down Akagi's hill." I placed a hand on Keisuke's shoulder. "So long as we still race together, I have faith we will do nothing but bring pride to Gunma. Let us remember tonight as the last night we have still racing locals here in Gunma. The pursuit to become the Fastest in Kanto truly begins tomorrow at 10."
Keisuke just responded by drawing the keys to his FD. "I just ask for one thing. Let me lead this time. I want to show you you still have a reason to be proud to call me your anchor Ryosuke."
III
Going downhill on Akagi, Ryosuke watched quietly, observing Keisuke's drift.
'Stunning. He's not imitating my style. He's created his own driving from it, using my own as a template. Impressive to say the least Keisuke. You've really made me proud tonight.'
Keisuke changed gears, the Rotary Brothers doing their famous twin drift together on another one of Akagi's corners.
'Ryosuke, for someone as damned smart and fast as you are. There probably isn't a racer who can walk this earth who can hand you defeat anywhere at anytime. I get now why you promised me to retire should you lose.'
Keisuke didn't even look in his rearview, downshifting loudly in his FD, the tires of both the FD and the FC screeching into the turn.
'Because it simply cannot happen. Not when everything we've ever worked towards as street racers will be decided. Victory and my older brother are practically the same word to me now after all these years.'
III
When I woke up the next morning, I knew the day had arrived. Saturday, September 15th. I was to race Takumi in about fifteen hours on Akina pass.
I drank my coffee shortly before I got dressed. I had my outfit picked days in advance, I needed to emulate a huge amount of the psychological part of my strategy just by how I looked.
I wore a blue button up shirt with a white sports jacket and pants. As well as my usual white dress shoes I always wore.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I looked the exact part I needed to in canon. From my clothes to my hair, it was all the same. I remember in my past life, how boxers like Ray Leonard looked in the mirror for "Sugar Ray". How Mike Tyson looked for "Iron Mike."
Today I saw the lone wolf "Akagi's White Comet." And he was staring back at me.
I saw my own mouth move as I spoke to myself. "I'm ready."
A short tuning session later, I renewed every tiny component that might overheat during the race. Down to the tiniest of parts, the interior of the FC was ready. Then I put in a fresh set in all four tires.
As I looked at my FC as it sat in my driveway, I knew today would be the day my race truly began. Not just against the 86, but against the entire racing world. I would prove how rotary engines, and that Gunma's drivers were the best in the world.
And it all began tonight.
I checked my watch, the mountain would only start to see people around an hour and a half before 10 o'clock when the race began.
Until then, I had plenty of time to clear my mind.
Instead of training my head off, I needed to relax. Drink tea or coffee, read, do some med school work. I had already done everything I could to ensure I would win this race. All that was left was to battle.
III
There were so many people on Akina that night every gallery was packed shoulder to shoulder with people.
Just as many had expected, no one had seen a crowd so large gather anywhere during a street racing event in Gunma for years.
Street racers of all sorts from all over Gunma came to Akina, and so many had come that they began by warming up the track by going downhill together.
III
People cheered for me as I passed with the rest of the Red Suns. I was here at nine forty five, I expected it to take ten minutes to prepare the course for the time attack.
The amount of excitement I could feel Gamer's Mind hold at bay in my head put every race I'd had prior to shame. As I saw Akina's peak and the water tower nearly bursting with people, there were lines of people here like there were at any other part of the course.
When I parked the FC and got out, I heard several people, primarily girls cheer.
I ignored them all, I needed to speak to no one other than Fumihiro, Keisuke, and Takumi tonight.
Keisuke crossed his arms as I leaned on my FC. "Must be rather hard to prep the course with so many people out here tonight."
"That's why we have time," I said. "The 86 does like to arrive last. It's true. But we still have time. He'll be here."
Keisuke sighed. "You didn't really mean what you said about retiring?"
"I didn't. It was more of an honorary oath if anything. A symbolic oath to prove your worth to me as a driver. Of how much upholding my reputation in street racing means to me."
"It's quite a reputation," Keisuke said. "But you don't make idle promises. Why say something like that? Even as a gesture?"
"Isn't it obvious?" I said. "It's because one day you'll be the Rotary Brother everyone remembers."
"What!?" Keisuke gasped. "What're you talking about you're the best the sport of racing has ever seen! How can you say that!?"
"Because professional driving doesn't interest me. You will one day take the rotary engine into the future. All those top-tier pro teams will get tired of being rejected by me and other drivers like me someday, and they'll turn to you. I've never been more sure of it until this past week Keisuke."
Keisuke would've spoken but the hum of the 86' engine interrupted him.
"Brother, I-"
"Save it," I said. "We can speak about it after the race."
As I saw Takumi approach, just by looking at it I could tell Bunta had made the same adjustments to his 86 as he had made prior to our race in canon. Meaning my simulation was going to proceed as planned.
I saw Itsuki laugh as he jumped off the guardrail and onto the asphalt of the peak. "He's here! Oh man, I knew he'd come!"
As Takumi slowed down to park his car in front of me, I saw his friends surround him. I saw Takumi emerge from his 86 as Itsuki nearly jumped on top of him.
"Way to show some guts dude!" I heard Itsuki say as he hugged him. "You came out here!"
Iketani nearly shoved him away. "Dude, he's gotta race. Let him breathe."
"You're early," Keisuke said. "Shocker for someone who always likes to show up late like you."
I leaned off the FC, walking past Keisuke. "I've been waiting for you."
I walked forward. All eyes were on us. The entire peak, dozens and dozens of people all looking at me as I approached Takumi.
I stopped walking, putting my hands in my pockets as I spoke to him.
"I've spent years searching for the driver to embody what I've been trying so hard to tell the racing world for so long, one out of what everyone expected. One like you. That hard work and skill beats tuning and budgets. Especially someone as young as yourself."
"I'm not that good, I'm just used to Akina. No big deal."
"I will say this. There's not one thing about you that isn't refreshing because of how unique it is to see. That's what you should be remembered by. Your uniqueness." I smiled. "Your modesty is something I want all street racers to strive for as well." I turned and walked towards Keisuke, taking off my white sports jacket and throwing it onto my brother.
Keisuke spoke as my jacket fell onto his shoulder. "We're starting?"
"It should be a fun experience for us," I said opening the driver's side door to the FC. "But yes. We are."
The moment I closed the door to the FC, I heard Keisuke bark orders.
"Move! All of you! Get your cars off the track immediately!"
III
Keisuke spoke to Iketani. "Both our teams need to help coordinate the times and safety lights for the duration of the race. Can you help us officiate the battle?"
"Absolutely." said Iketani.
Yakuma spoke as multiple engines sprang to life. "We got this right Keisuke?"
"Focus on getting to your post man. But yeah, there isn't a driver alive who can beat my brother."
People began to snap photographs loudly of Takumi's 86.
III
As I saw Fumihiro speak outside on his walkie, I couldn't pay attention to what he was saying. While I waited for the course to be prepared, I lightly touched the steering wheel of my FC.
Nothing felt wrong with her. Nothing would go wrong with her. I wouldn't dare damage her tonight, no matter how hard this race could push me. My only fear tonight was how I could damage my car. I couldn't let anything happen to this FC. Punishing her wasn't fair.
As I saw Fumihiro motion with both his hands I knew the course was seconds away from being fully prepared.
This race down Akina would begin in under one minute.
As I keyed the ignition, I heard the twin rotaries spin.
By listening to them, even by the way the FC's muffler was probably moving. No, definitely moving. Everything was ready, I was ready.
I made a silent challenge to both myself and the driver of the 86 next to me, one I couldn't speak on to break the silence we both must share before the race:
Takumi Fujiwara. Show me your speed.