III
34: The Next Steps
III
A/N: This is just a re-work of the same chapter. The decision Ryosuke made has been removed, more context in the author's note at the end of the chapter.
III
On the morning of September 16th, 1996 at 7 AM, I began building my plan. After beating Takumi and his Trueno 86 on Akina, completing the Fastest Racer Theory would take months. In fact, it would probably take setting uphill and downhill course records on every mountain in Tochigi, weeks of work, before I was even close to finishing the first of several drafts.
I was sure beating Takumi would prove my fastest driver theory was correct, now it just took finalizing it into a complete essay. It would take the better part of a year to see it wholly complete.
Still, Tochigi would be the biggest challenge the Red Suns have faced. That I've ever faced. It made beating the 86 look easy by comparison.
It all really boiled down to two drivers. Tomoyuki Tachi and Kyoichi Sudo.
Both were far better downhillers than even Takumi when you really boiled it down to ability. Takumi was talented sure, and he did understand the downhill well after years of practice, but compared to the professional driving level of Sudo and Tachi, Tochigi was going to be incredibly difficult.
I discounted Kai Kogashiwa because while he likely was taught how Bunta was his father's biggest rival, Team Emperor was likely to defend Irohazaka instead. Assuming I caught Kyoichi on his backfoot by heading out to Tochigi in a week and a half, he would be forced to stay in Tochigi to prepare for my challenge the moment I set course records on the lower skill level mountains.
The moment Sudo realized what I was doing he'd scrap his plans to sweep Gunma until I was dealt with. In fact, probably the moment he realized I beat Gunma's downhill record by nearly ten entire seconds he'd stay in Tochigi. Otherwise he'd ignore a massive threat to his sweep.
After calling a few people in the loop about Tochigi's racing scene, they all said the same. Similar to how the Red Suns towered over everyone else here in Gunma, Team Emperor was clearly the best in the prefecture. No one came close, everyone who raced did so solo or on rather disorganized teams. In fact, the Seven Star Leaf had barely made a name for themselves, I had to ask a lot before finding out they even existed, there were just rumors about a red N/A roadster and a blue 34 racing together who were just friends not really a team.
Similar to the Akina Speed Stars, they were just a group of enthusiasts not exactly racers. This victory would be easy.
Momiji Pass would be ideal for a starting course. The Leafs were terrible. Daito and Kenta could probably beat them with just one practice run on the uphill and downhill respectively. Nakazato raced in his 32 miles ahead of Momiji's 34, both the uphill and downhill races would be easy.
In fact, Kenta would probably leave the red Roadster in the dust in the later hairpins. The Roadster's downhill abilities were really over-exaggerated in canon, both the car and driver operated on a whole different level than Kenta and his S14.
Especially if they raced in the rain. Even if they didn't Kenta would definitely beat him.
I had already run the simulation between Kenta and Momiji's red Miata Roadster. Kenta won 91 out of 100 times. All 9 victories for the Roadster were in the event that Kenta's suspension or gearbox or any other small component failed, just statistical probabilities.
Mountains Nyoho and Nantai would also be very easy warmups. Aisuke, Yakuma, and even Takihiro could probably beat the guys there from how unskilled they sounded.
Which left Enna, Irohazaka, and Happogahara.
Enna would be the easiest, although not by much. I would battle the Todo School's uphill and downhillers here, and beat both of them. Keisuke and I would have to race them, but after enough research and training, we could do it.
Irohazaka would be very tricky. Racing Sudo on Irohazaka would be canon's version of my race with Sudo on Akagi only with the tables turned. The pace would be high enough I would have to push the FC very heavily already from the first couple hairpins, but I would need to isolate the exact places where a component might fail or where Sudo and I would pass each other.
This race would be hard, but going off of canon, not impossible.
Assuming the Todo School responded to losing as they did in canon's fourth stage, I would have to race Tachi myself. And it would be even harder than my race with Sudo, by a lot.
This would be difficult as well, but not impossible.
Because Takumi refused my offer, I couldn't safely create a sort of unofficial canonical version of Project D inside the official emblem of the Akagi Red Suns, making these plans of mine much easier and simpler to visualize both on the track and on the simulations had he accepted. This would be my greatest challenge, out planning and outstrategizing the sheer luck Takumi had in his races.
I had done it in our race but again, Takumi had raced far superior drivers in the series. And now I had to beat them instead.
Tomoyuki Tachi was going to beat Takumi but a cat appeared in the road forcing him to give room for Takumi to pass him. Kai Kogashiwa also happened to slide on some leaves during his race with Takumi, making him spin out and lose.
Every time Takumi was about to lose in the series, something really random and really strange gave him the win. Meaning I'd have to overcome these significant challenges he would've faced by using the Gamer, logistics, and above all going by my simulations.
Again, not impossible. Just extremely difficult. And the races would only get harder as time went on.
III
On the mountain course of Irohazaka in the prefecture of Tochigi, a man wearing a white head covering was speaking to a team of only Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions.
Kyoichi Sudo was speaking calmly. "I've gathered you all here because there is now a very real threat in Gunma. Ryosuke Takahashi has just set the best downhill record ever timed in a race. The Akagi Red Suns are going to come here knocking on our doorstep any day now. And we have to be ready."
One of his drivers, Seiji Iwaki laughed. "No stuffy perfumed rich ponces think they can actually be a threat to us. We're the fastest in Tochigi!"
"Besides he's driving an FC Kyoichi. How fast can he really be?" another Emperor driver asked.
Kyoichi sighed. "Did you forget when I said a second ago how he just set the best course record Gunma's ever seen? He's a very real threat. The biggest we'll see for a while. For now, consider him to be our one and only racer to beat. I'll take charge personally."
"What about the rest of his team?" asked Seiji. "Weren't we gonna go to Gunma ourselves?"
"Considering how skilled Takahashi and the Red Suns are, challenging them on their home course would be pointless. No matter how used to Gunma's drivers we get. We have to let them come to us. It may be a bit docile, but it's our best hope of beating them. I don't know this guy personally, but coming to them on their home course off the heels of their greatest win wouldn't be a good idea."
"But it sounds like we have a solid plan though." Seiji laughed again. "I can't wait to have that Red Suns sticker slashed on my wing. We can beat these guys, anywhere, anytime. Then we can really smash the rest of those Gunma punks."
Kyoichi snapped. "I said stop misunderestimating the Takahashi brothers! You all need to realize they stand a good chance at beating us, just as much as we have a chance of beating them. For now we're staying here."
"I thought we weren't supposed to race anyone here." said another Emperor driver.
"I know what I said." sighed Kyoichi. "We could go to Gunma tonight and we'd run into the same problem they would if they came here. No active racer around honestly is a threat. The Red Suns have spent the entire year embarrassing every other team in Gunma on their home course, and that was when Takahashi was getting warmed up. There's no reason I have to believe the same wouldn't happen here. From what I've heard, we stand on completely even ground with these guys. But don't worry, I will beat Ryosuke Takahashi myself."
III
I dialed Fumihiro's number calmly. When he picked up he spoke first. "Hey, Ryosuke."
"Fumihiro. Those parts I ordered, when should we see them come in?" I asked.
"Hm. Keisuke's improved turbocharger by the end of next week. All others should be in two weeks."
"Excellent. That was all I wanted to know."
Fumihiro kept speaking. "How're the plans for Tochigi coming along?"
"I'll explain properly at today's meeting," I said. "But I'll see you tonight Fumi."
"No problem. Will it still be on Akagi?"
"No. It'll be Akina, and I'll explain why when we get there. Goodbye."
"Bye Ryosuke."
I hung up before standing up from my desk. It was a very nice day outside, but I was so famous here in Gunma that honestly, I'd recognized by every other person out in public.
Made sense why I spent so much time indoors in canon, people probably wouldn't stop talking about me.
I had a lot to think about, and I decided to walk around for a bit.
III
"Oh my god isn't that Ryosuke Takahashi?"
"I think he is. Wow. He's even hotter than Ayumi said."
Sighing, I ignored the pair of girls at the park as I sat down on a bench and enjoyed a nice bagel and a cup of coffee. Not everyone in Gunma recognized me, but from the forty people or so at the park, I had expected this as a few were bound to know who I was.
Chewing on my bagel, I planned the next few weeks ahead.
I had to keep the Red Suns in fighting shape, plan expensive and logistically difficult expeditions to various mountains in Tochigi, as well as doing a ton of stuff for med school as well as start the intern shift at Father's hospital. I needed to mostly plan appropriately for the weeks of practice leading up to the races in Tochigi.
I sipped my coffee as the same pair of girls gossiping about me approached.
"You're Ryosuke, right? Can we get your autograph?"
"Give him some space please." I heard Keisuke say respectfully.
I watched my brother approach in his bicycle store uniform. "Keisuke?"
"I'm on my break. I'm sorry ladies, but can you give me a moment alone with my brother?"
I was surprised how calmly Keisuke handled them, even after they walked off muttering and giggling excitedly.
"They're like ants. They're everywhere." Keisuke groaned when they were well out of earshot.
"I wasn't expecting on seeing you today."
"This park is like a block away from work. I heard you were around. But I had a question for you." said Keisuke. "Why'd you change tonight's meeting with the team to Akina?"
"We have to stop training on our own mountain. It's the only way we're going to get ready for our expeditions to Tochigi."
Keisuke sighed. "I still can't believe tofu boy said no to you. Shouldn't any kid still in high school be doing all they can to make money?"
"He is. But he already refused to take any money to join us on the Suns. Very honorable of him considering how young he is." I said. "We have to move on Keisuke."
"What about everyone in Tochigi? What'd you find out?"
"I'll tell you in just a second." I stood up off the park bench. "Can you take me to your job?"
"Sure but what do you need to go to a bike shop for?"
I explained. "To buy a bicycle of course."
"You have a car man. What do you need a bicycle for?"
"Multiple reasons actually. The first is it's a really nice way to get around town." I raised a hand towards the weather and Gunma's urban streets. "It's beautiful out."
"It really is. But that's really weird of you."
I kept explaining. "I need to clear my head and relax after working all the time. Bicycling seems like a nice hobby."
Keisuke laughed. "Akagi's white Comet, my own brother. Reknown bicyclist."
"It's good exercise too," I said. "Now can we go to your job now?"
Keisuke stopped chuckling. "Sure thing big brother. Now, tell me about Tochigi."
I looked around the streets for a second. Gunma really was one of the most beautiful places to live in the entire world. It wasn't too crowded, the streets were clean as they could be, I don't think there was a single part of Takasaki or even Gunma for that matter that wasn't nice to walk around in.
Waiting for the stoplight to change, I spoke to Keisuke. "Tochigi has two drivers who will be significant challenges. The only real threats we'd face are Kyoichi Sudo, the leader of Team Emperor, and Tomoyuki Tachi, should the Todo School decide to bring them in."
"The Todo school?" asked Keisuke as we began to cross the street.
"The Todo school focuses on things like braking, they're easily the best driving school in Tochigi. And perhaps one of the best in the country. Sudo is one of the best graduates they ever had, as well as WRC star Tomoyuki Tachi. They're both stellar professional drivers who like you said about me, happen to street race. Sudo will have no trouble defending his home course against us, and Tachi as well. They're the only real trouble I expect to face in Tochigi."
"That's it?"
I explained as we approached the bicycle store Keisuke worked in. "Everyone else doesn't really compare to the Todo School and Team Emperor. They're just insignificant."
"Huh. Thought Tochigi'd be tougher."
"It will be. Sudo alone will take a lot of preparation to beat. And so will Tachi if he does end up racing." I said as we entered the store.
I looked around where Keisuke had worked for well over a few years. It was a rather simple-looking bicycle shop.
The manager there straightened his apron from behind the front counter. "Welcome! How may I help you today?"
"Can I go back on shift? My brother here wants to buy a bike."
"Absolutely." the bald manager bowed his head. "Take as much time as you'd like to pick one out. The sale ends Thursday, you decided to buy one at just the right time Mr. Takahashi!"
Keisuke put his apron back on before leading me around the store. "We got bikes of all kinds. You looking for one made for the roads or planning on using them on an uphill or downhill type of deal?"
I looked around. They all looked nice, and the prices were competitive indeed. A bicycle just made for mountains was about 60,000 Yen, and according to the Gamer it could handle any sort of speeds either on flat or steep surfaces. There was one in particular with some great gears and it looked sturdy enough to handle me riding it in any fashion, for streets and any sort of mountain biking.
"I'll take this one." I pointed towards it.
"Okay." Unlocking it with a key he had in the pockets of his apron, Keisuke easily swung the bicycle off the hanging rack and placed it on the ground. "Good choice. It's a popular one." Keisuke walked with me towards the front counter.
"That'll be 61568 Yen please," Keisuke said as I drew my wallet.
I swiped my card, and quickly a receipt printed out. "Thank you for your business brother."
"You're very welcome," I said testing the bell that came with the bike. "See tonight."
He nodded. "Do you want your receipt?"
"No thanks. How much for a helmet?"
III
Taking a bicycle ride through Gunma's streets in the daytime was a great idea to relax. The streets weren't really that busy, and everyone respected the bike lane. A car never swerved out of line and I was never in any danger.
The Gamer actually created a bicycling skill for me, and it improved the way in which I learned how to ride a bike incredibly quickly. After an hour of riding my new bicycle, I could go very fast in complete control of it at all times.
While the skill was rather trivial, it did tell me something very useful about the Gamer. Should I ever become a doctor, anything from Diagnostics to even Surgery would be made easy to master no matter how difficult.
I didn't realize how fun it was and how much time had passed as I rode my bike through Gunma. In fact, I didn't realize I had gone from midtown in Takasaki all the way to Shibukawa.
I sighed, shaking my head at a stoplight.
I needed a coffee before I headed back home.
I used a bike lock I had purchased from Keisuke's work to place my bike in a rack and lock it in place. As I entered the coffee shop, a few people understandably recognized me.
The girl at the counter bowed her head. "Welcome! How may I help you today?"
"I'll just have a coffee with an extra shot of espresso."
"Absolutely. That'll be 307."
I handed her the cash, three Yen, and a 10 Yen coin. "Keep the change," I said putting my wallet back in my pocket. "It's no trouble."
"Would you like your receipt today?"
"No thank you."
"Your order should be out in a second. Thank you for your business!" she said quickly.
As I sat down to wait for my coffee, I saw a couple speaking to each other.
Sighing, I rubbed my eyes.
Sleep or lack of it didn't affect me as much as it did in my past life. Gamer's Mind prevented me from forgetting things or thinking without as much clarity, extremely helpful for the logistics behind much of our success as the Akagi Red Suns.
I shook my head seeing my coffee was handed to me still in thought.
I sipped my coffee, which ended up tasting really good, outside the store on a table outside.
I needed a solid week to complete my research into Tochigi before making the final preparations for the expeditions into Tochigi. It was nearly 8:30 and my shift in my father's clinic to begin my intern work began at 11:30. I had three hours to complete diagnostics on the FC, do some lab reports for school, and eat lunch.
I just spent an hour or so bicycling around Gunma because it was the only part of my day I had to myself.
III
We convened at the peak of Mount Akina, everyone on the Red Suns was there.
Keisuke closed the door to his FD. "So bro, what's going on?"
"Tochigi. I spent all of today gathering as much information as I can on every racer there. Here's how we'll approach our expeditions there."
The team listened attentively.
"The first two passes will be easy. Nyoho and Nantai pass have racers on par with the Speed Stars, if not worse. Our first real target will be the Momiji Line, also rather unskilled. Their team is called the Seven Star Leaf, also called the SSR. Their downhiller might know the course well, but he'll crack under pressure. Kenta, you'll take their red Miata Roadster on the downhill. I'll prepare you appropriately tonight."
"Right!" said Kenta.
"Daito. You'll face their uphiller. A grip tuned 34 with well over 400 horses of power. He shouldn't be anything tricky, you'll lose him after about a dozen turns."
Keisuke objected. "What? Our first real race in Tochigi and you're not letting me beat him. We're not facing the Speed Stars big brother, we're facing people from other prefectures."
"It's for that very reason I don't want you racing until we reach Irohazaka. After we beat the Leafs, Team Emperor will know they're next. Keisuke and I will have to take these races, and it'll be our actual debut into Tochigi. I don't want to reveal all the cards we have so early, so both Kenta and Daito need to be fully prepared for this race. Is this clear?"
"Yes sir!" the Red Suns said together.
"Excellent," I said. "Yakuma will handle the uphill battles on both Nantai and Nyoho. His high HP and traction will be excellent, and Aisuke, you'll handle the downhills. I don't want Kenta getting distracted by small races when he needs to stay focused. Tonight I want Yakuma and Daito testing each other on the uphill, Aisuke and Kenta, you both will be going downhill. First up is Daito and Yakuma, gentlemen. Start right now please."
"Understood!" the green FD and white Supra drivers bowed their heads before starting their engines and leaving downhill.
As they left, I drew a cigarette while Kenta approached. "These guys gotta know their courses backward and forwards. How do you expect me to beat this red Roadster?"
"I permitted Keisuke to train a driver as young as you to join our team for a reason Kenta. You need to focus on passing from a lower gear, your pace for this race should be fine. You should be even enough to stay close to each other for the first two thirds of the race, then you pass him."
"Okay, when?" asked Kenta. "You always know exactly where to pass and where not to?"
"Approaching Momiji's third checkpoint, he should get nervous and allow you to pass him. The race should be over by then. Aisuke, warm him up. You both need to be prepared for our first races in Tochigi. I want you on checkpoints to alert anyone training tonight of oncoming cars, when it's your turn to practice, switch with Daito and Yakuma."
"Roger that," Aisuke said patting Kenta on the shoulder. "Come on kid, we got a whole night of work ahead of us."
Kenta nodded. "But are you really sure I'll win this race? I haven't raced anyone on the downhill since I beat Myogi's red EG6 in the rain."
"I'm sure of it yes." I said nodding back to him.
Kenta understood my tone perfectly, getting into his orange S14 to train with Aisuke downhill.
The moment they left, Fumihiro approached. "Everyone's times are doing fine. And everyone's cars are in good condition for the expeditions to Tochigi." Fumihiro handed me a clipboard. "I've compiled a list of every single part you've ordered that should add some extra speed in these next few races."
I took a quick look at the list.
Even Takihiro's S13 should be ready for his occasional race in the next few weeks.
Keisuke spoke to me. "Shouldn't I be getting ready for my race this Friday? I'm looking forward to wiping the floor with those Speed Star punks again."
"The race will be over before it even started. You should set an unbeatable uphill record by the end of it, no trouble at all."
Keisuke grunted. "I don't care how bad they are. This might be the last race here in Gunma I'll have for a while, I need to-"
Fumihiro's walkie beeped, and I heard Takihiro's voice. "This is the bottom of the mountain. Daito and Yakuma just started their hillclimb."
Fumihiro clicked his stopwatch with a small beep. "Thanks."
"No prob." the walkie beeped again.
I sighed. "I understand your frustration. You can train when Daito and Yakuma are finished."
"Why are we even here?" Keisuke looked around Akina's peak. "I thought we were done with racing locally."
"We are," I said smoking quietly. "Myogi would've been a better start, and Usui is too far. We can go to Myogi next to prepare for our races in Tochigi."
As the night progressed, both Daito and Yakuma improved their uphill skills. As well as Keisuke. All three of them had the best cars suited for the uphill. Aisuke and Kenta also did very well, and I looked forward to training with them on Myogi throughout the week.
Overall, I was very satisfied with how everyone had progressed. We were definitely going to be ready for Tochigi.
III
I typed on my new laptop while Keisuke knocked on my door. "Hey man, you in there?"
"Yeah, I'm here."
"Hey, big bro." Keisuke opened the door. "Heard these guys in Tochigi are tougher stuff over on Iroha."
"Then those rumors are true. But still." I kept working on my Tochigi simulations while I spoke to him. "I need to stay focused on my races with Sudo and possibly Tachi. They'll take every second of time I have, but I should still have enough for hobbies and such. Should tell Mako we can go on a date soon."
"She seems nice but, she is a really good way to get all our fangirls off your back. Now they'll be even more insufferable."
While Keisuke's comment was a bit rude, he wasn't wrong. "I think you're right. People will give me a week or two before beginning to waste my time with this nonsense."
I reached into my desk. "Here." I threw Keisuke a bundle of letters.
"What're these?" Keisuke asked looking through them.
"Offers for dates," I explained returning to my Tochigi simulation. "Prior to dating Mako I got all sorts of requests. All sorts of women wanted to date me after I took the Kanto Cup."
Keisuke shrugged. "Makes sense. I mean, all the tabloids call us Gunma's most eligible bachelors."
I laughed. "Hack gossip columnists. As for the fans you mentioned. They'll just waste my time at the clinic, they have enough respect to leave us alone in public and on the track. Word must've already gotten out my first shift is next week, won't stop them."
"Except they didn't. Don't you remember what happened yesterday at that park?"
I turned to Keisuke. "Has everyone agreed to meet on Myogi tonight?"
Keisuke shrugged. "Ryosuke if you want to meet anywhere on any mountain we'll all do it. Probably at any time too."
"Really?"
"I'm exaggerating but you get the point. But bro, are you alright? You seem kinda stressed, I know you're always focused, like all the time. But you've been off since beating the 86."
"I'm fine Keisuke. Thank you for your concern."
Keisuke looked at me. "What's really bothering you then?"
I sipped my coffee. "Kyoichi Sudo and Tomoyuki Tachi. Beating them will be even harder than beating the 86. We do have several weeks to prepare, but challenging them on their home turf might be the biggest challenge we face for a while."
"I mean you ordered all those parts. You got us training around the clock, what more can you do man?"
"A lot actually. I am going to practice increasing my stamina on the downhill, just driving on courses like Irohazaka such as Myogi would help a lot. Sudo's pace is going to be very hard to match. Being prepared in terms of tuning is just the start, logistically this will take a lot of preparation."
"Tell me about this guy," said Keisuke.
I put my coffee cup down. "His Evo III has an anti-lag backfiring system. Also called a misfiring system. Turning wise it gives him the entry speed of an N/A and the exit speed of a turbo no matter the corner, and he's been accustomed to this kind of acceleration for years. His speed will be strong, his braking, shifting, passing, tire management, all of it. Every part of his technique is refined to a competitive WRC level."
I went on. "Even though I disagree with his philosophy very heavily, I still respect it. His is the exact opposite of ours, that street racing will never match the speed, professionalism, and finesse of the circuit. In a way he's right, but it's why he wanted to sweep every team in Gunma including ours. To prove he was right, much in the way you and I wish to prove the dominance of the rotary engine."
"Huh. Sounds like a really stuck-up guy."
I shrugged. "I haven't exactly met him yet. But I don't think his teammates will be as level-headed as he seems to be. You'll race his anchor, Seiji Iwaki. He'll be tough, but you can beat him."
"Even on Irohazaka?" asked Keisuke.
"Yes," I said. "Even on Irohazaka. Now that you're here, it's been days since I've done something very important." I said closing my laptop.
Keisuke followed me downstairs. "What is it?"
"Diagnostics on your FD," I said. "You know the drill. If you fail, you're suspended from practice until we've fixed everything."
I connected my laptop to the FD and ran the diagnostics.
Every system was unchanged and I then turned in our garage chair to Keisuke. "You've been keeping her in good condition. You passed very well."
"Ever since you had to change the entire gearbox settings I've had to ease up on her," Keisuke said. "But I still can't wait to cream those Akina losers on their own hill. Gonna be so satisfying to beat them."
"Don't take pride in beating such unskilled opponents. These kinds of drivers couldn't beat these records not even on their best day, your times are symbols of your progress Keisuke, not things to smother in people's faces."
"I'm not like that anymore. At least, not as much as before." Keisuke said.
III
As the week went on, I pushed the Red Suns to their limits in training on both Myogi and Akina. Both teams there knew we were better than them, so they couldn't object. I only trained once a night when everyone had already finished, only by myself doing simple checks on my times.
Everyone else still didn't disappoint. Kenta and Aisuke were coming along very well, Kenta beating Aisuke twice on the downhill for every one time Aisuke beat him. Daito beat Yakuma on the uphill 6 times out of ten, and Keisuke beat Daito on the uphill nearly every time.
Unfortunately, no one on the Akina Speed Stars or the Myogi Night Kids felt like training with us, they wanted nothing to do with us and weren't seen anywhere near the pass when we trained. Not that it would've mattered, out of all of them only Nakazato would've been a serious threat and Keisuke had improved enough to probably beat him completely.
A rematch between them would've been a really one-sided race at this point, heavily in Keisuke's favor.
Our times were improving, but my objective was to get the team used to other mountains. I did manage to train their adaptability enough by doing this, and I knew the first three races in Tochigi would be in the bag from how well everyone was performing. Takihiro even managed to set a decent downhill time on Myogi.
My own training was restricted mostly to the Abyss on both Myogi and Akina. I didn't beat my personal best all the time or something crazy, but I still kept myself in shape. I made sure to do more than just keep track of my times, focusing on things like acceleration and braking, things I know I would need to beat Sudo.
III
On Akina that Friday night, the Red Suns met with the Speed Stars at the foot of Mount Akina. I was watching calmly and noticed how Takumi and his 86 were nowhere in sight.
Fumihiro spoke respectfully. "Thank you all for coming tonight. This will be a classically timed uphill race. We'll put crew members from both teams on every corner to officiate times for the race. Keisuke and his FD will be driving for us tonight. Who'll be representing you?"
Iketani pushed Kenji forward with his shoulder who cleared his throat nervously. "I will."
"Great, the race starts in ten minutes. For now, we need to prepare the course."
The engines of both the Red Suns and the Speed Stars roared to life, driving uphill to help prepare the course.
Keisuke sat in his FD smirking calmly.
'That precious 86 of yours was just beaten last weekend by my big brother. He can't help you losers tonight on your own uphill.'
Keisuke saw Kenji and his 180SX pull up alongside him. He scoffed, complaining to Fumihiro loudly. "Is this some sort of joke? This loser against me?"
Fumihiro sighed. "Ryosuke said you have to race Keisuke. No excuses."
"Fine." Keisuke leaned back in his bucket seat. "God you've gotta be kidding me."
Iketani spoke to Kenji. "Dude you've gotta look tougher."
"These guys beat Takumi. What am I supposed to do against them?" he asked nervously.
"Intimidate 'em!" said Iketani. "None of us on the Speed Stars can match your uphill speed. You and your great SR20 single turbo have got this, you've just gotta toughen up."
I knew this race would be over in about a minute and a half. On the downhill, Keisuke could beat Kenji quite easily, but on the uphill, it would be even easier. Not only did he have another turbo, about 150 extra horsepower, and loads more traction, but Keisuke had beaten Nakazato, a far better uphiller than Kenji.
Keisuke would lose the 180 in the first five hairpins, gaining a second at every corner. By the sixth, Keisuke would now all that he had left to do was go on his best time.
At that point, heading into the first checkpoint, Keisuke would be about well over six seconds ahead. A gap not even the best uphiller could hope to beat. I wondered if the best uphillers around could even overcome a six and a half-second gap.
Fumihiro's walkie beeped. "Checkpoint one, all clear."
"Second checkpoint, we're all ready."
"This is the third checkpoint. We're ready too."
"Finish line, road's clear."
Fumihiro spoke. "This is the starting line, all clear. I'm starting the countdown!"
Everyone watched as Keisuke and Kenji prepared to battle on the uphill.
"Countdown starts in ten!"
Keisuke's 13B-REW dwarfed Kenji's SR20DET in revs.
"Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Go!" Fumihiro announced into his walkie.
Keisuke shot off the starting line like a jet plane taking off, instantly taking the lead while Kenji's 180 looked like it was standing stock still.
III
After a few turns, Keisuke was racing against himself from how good of an uphiller he was. His twin turbos roaring, he left Kenji in the dust after the first hairpin.
Failing to keep up, Kenji's 180 and the way he drove it was very slow on the uphill compared to Keisuke's FD.
Kenji's car disappearing from his rearview, Keisuke smirked.
'Ryosuke already said we're leaving Gunma. If this is gonna be my goodbye, Akina's gonna remember this course record. I owe it to my big brother and as the anchor of the Red Suns.'
Pressing the gas, Keisuke widened the gap even further, his excellent use of accelerator allowing him to go even faster uphill. Changing to a different gear, the white 180 remained well out of his sight.
Keisuke shifted twice, clearing another corner quickly, making the crowd gasp from behind the guardrail.
"Keisuke's FD is so fast on the hill climb!"
"Look at 'im go!"
A girl cried out as her friends screeched next to her as well. "Keisuke!"
"Stupid Takahashi brothers..."
His tires screeching as he finished the turn, Keisuke opened the throttle, changing gears before flying uphill.
On the long three-lane straightaway the yellow FD was so far ahead of Kenji that Keisuke was able to widen the gap even further. Using his horsepower and the straight to his advantage, Keisuke appeared in front of the crowd well before the white 180 did.
Flying past the crowd, Keisuke showed off, whipping the tail of his FD around the turn, his tires screeching loudly from the power over. His tires turned in the opposite direction of the corner, as Keisuke cleared the turn with counter steer.
Changing gears, Keisuke accelerated when he entered the straight.
His speed on the straights was high but despite his pace, he barely needed to slow down on the corners, understanding the turns of the uphill extremely well.
Clearing corners one after the other, Keisuke's yellow FD swung left and right.
Yakuma looked at his stopwatch after Keisuke flew past him uphill. "This race is over man, Keisuke just passed the first checkpoint by himself! I don't see that 180 anywhere. And he's beating the course record by three seconds!"
Continuing to zip uphill, Keisuke knew he had won the race, only trying his best to set the best uphill time he could.
Keisuke's yellow FD screeched loudly, maintaining his pace.
He opened the throttle on another straightaway in thought.
'Tochigi will be ours. It'll belong to the Red Suns! If I stay on top of my game like I am tonight, everybody in Tochigi will know my name.'
III
I heard Fumihiro's walkie beep. "This is the finish line! Keisuke just beat the course record by four and a quarter seconds! I think that white 180 is still somewhere downhill but it's over man!" said Takihiro.
Kenta laughed. "Then that's it! Tochigi here we come!"
I had calculated Keisuke to beat Akina's uphill record by four point two four seconds, so I assume Taki was rounding it. Still, we needed to set our sights on Tochigi. Nyoho and Nantai would be easy, Momiji would be a bit tougher but still a definite win.
Irohazaka, Enna, and Happogahara would be the hardest races I have ever faced. I needed to keep training, I needed to continue to prepare for them. Sudo, the Todo School, and possibly Tachi would be extremely difficult to beat.
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