III

13: Akina

III

In my bedroom I uploaded my simulation of Akina's downhill run.

As canon's speeds showed on Takumi's tachometer in the first two minutes of the anime, Takumi maintained the same speed throughout the entire downhill run on Akina. Per my calculations, Takumi went around 120 to 130 kph on the straightaways, and between 110 to 120 kph on the corners.

Really pushed, Takumi could likely start racing between 140 and 160 kph.

The scariest part was that Takumi was just as good in the anime as he was here of course. Takumi's tofu store drift was just as refined in the anime.

Entering a hairpin at nearly 125 kph, Takumi's Sprinter Trueno AE86 wouldn't lose a shred of speed as he braked, downshifted, countersteered, and drifted without losing.

A. Shred. Of. Speed.

It didn't make sense how he could have executed a regular drift so well. That he could go full speed without losing barely any braking or tire potential.

At around LV 83, Takumi basically could scrub anyone on the downhill. Again, except for maybe me.

I wasn't much slower thanks to the Gamer. And I would likely reach LV 90, 7 levels higher than Takumi by the time we'd race.

Keisuke entered my room as I loaded up Akina's downhill simulation.

"Hey man. What're you looking at?"

"A simulation for Akina's downhill."

"Akina?" asked Keisuke. "When do we head out there?"

"Soon." I said.

"I heard they got a team. Why're we waiting?"

I kept typing on my keyboard as Keisuke closed the door behind him. "The Akina Speed Stars are a group of racing fans. Calling them racers is a compliment."

"But you haven't even seen them drive yet."

Sipping my coffee like Ryosuke always did, I spoke. "I got news for you, that's not really news. I know everything. About every driver. In the entire prefecture."

"Right." Keisuke said. "The guys are waiting on Akagi. Are we practicing tonight or not?"

Picking up my white coat I nodded. "Better late than never."

III

As I heard the tires of the Red Suns squeal, I took a smoke break as I spoke to Fumihiro.

"Everyone's cars are tuned up for the races ahead. Nothing seems out of order. Even Taki's old S13 is ready to go."

"Excellent." I said as I flicked on his cigarette for him.

"I heard you're dating the fastest driver on Usui. That true?"

I held my cigarette. "Yes. Why?"

"Yakuma's old coworker recognized you the other night from the magazines you and Keisuke've been doing. The night we all went out to Myogi."

I tapped my cigarette a little. "And?"

"Why haven't you let Keisuke know?"

"Because Keisuke would lose his mind." I said. "Mako's practically sisters with Sayuki. And Sayuki and Keisuke hate each other to tears."

"He needs to find out eventually." Fumihiro said.

Sighing, I put my cigarette back in my mouth. "I know."

Appearing from behind us at Akagi's peak, I heard the car and recognized it before I even saw it. Much how Ryosuke could hear an engine and know almost everything about it.

I spoke to Fumihiro. "Nakazato's grip 32 is approaching."

Takeshi turned off the powerfully tuned engine when he left it. "Afternoon gentlemen."

"Afternoon." I said as Fumihiro nodded respectfully to him.

"I wanted to apologize for Shingo's behavior the other night. That race in the rain was an embarrassment for the Night Kids." he said.

I crossed my arms. "I'm happy to hear it. But what is it you're here for."

"Sharp as always Ryosuke." said Takeshi. "I'm looking for a rematch. You, against me. In a proper downhill run."

"If you couldn't handle Keisuke on the uphill you won't stand a chance against me to be honest." I made Takeshi grunt and ball his fists in anger at this. "But I'll accept. Under one condition."

"Oh yeah?" Takeshi asked. "What's that?"

"There's a little tofu shop AE86 that's the fastest downhiller in Akina. Beat him, and you will have earned a rematch with the Red Suns. Until then." I got in my FC with Fumihiro riding passenger on my left. "Good luck."

III

After Ryosuke left, Takeshi squinted with one eye after the white FC. "Is that some sort of joke?"

Takeshi shook his head walking back to his 32. 'Tofu shop 86. What an idiot. He's out of his mind if he thinks I'll race a car that old.'

As Takeshi started up his DETT-turbo engine. His eyes widened. 'Wait. Akina hasn't seen a top racer on the downhill in years. How the hell did Ryosuke know there was already someone sitting at the top there before anyone else did?'

'Was he just fucking with me or is he the smartest guy around? Either way, it's worth a ride to Akina at least.'

III

The Akina Speed Stars convened on Akina's peak, Iketani speaking to Kenji and the others. "I swear man. Clear as day. An 86 passed me and did a turn going like 100 kil an hour!"

"You've been raving about this all week." Kenji scoffed as the other Speed Stars laughed. "Bullshit." he said. "No way a car a decade old could pass you in your S13."

"No joke. It looked like he was gonna fly right off the guardrail. And boom. Fastest drift I ever saw in my life! I swear it guys! I swear!" Iketani repeated.

"You push 200 HP easy." Kenji said. "Right? How can a car without even a turbo pass you going that fast?"

Iketani saw headlights appear from behind him. Knowing a car was coming, Iketani pointed to his friend. "Just wait a second."

Kenji's eyes widened. "That's a sick 32. God look at the paint job on that."

Takeshi left his car speaking to the Speed Stars. "My name is Takeshi Nakazato. I lead the Myogi Night Kids. I'm looking for a tofu shop 86 here on this mountain."

Iketani's eyes widened. "An 86?"

Iketani felt electrified. 'No way! No goddamn way!'

"That's the one. An old AE86 apparently. I didn't believe it when I heard it myself, but apparently it's the fastest downhiller here on Akina."

Iketnai crossed his arms. "That doesn't sound too out of the ordinary after what I saw last night."

Kenji sighed. "Hold the phone one goddamn minute. This 86 is real apparently?"

"Oh it's real alright. The Realest thing I ever saw in my life." Iketani said. "Stupid fast. And stupid strong driving."

Kenji spoke. "Wait why do you even care so badly about this 86 anyway?"

Takeshi shook his head slowly. "I'm not here to waste my time with dipshits like you all. Where is this 86 and where do I find him?"

"You just kissed your help goodbye buddy. Where was that hotshot attitude when the Red Suns wiped the floor with you last Saturday night?" asked Iketani.

Seeing Iketani's team laugh at him, Takeshi balled his fists. "You'll rue the day you pissed off Takeshi Nakazato! That dogshit S13 is no match for my 32! None of you have even half the horsepower I do!"

"Whatever you say pal." Kenji wiped a tear away from how much he laughed. "God what a dick."

Grunting, Takeshi flew down Akina as fast as he could.

'86. Where are you?' Takeshi said. 'I know you're real now. Just where the hell are you?'

III

At Esso Gas station, Iketani spoke to his boss Yuichi. "The strangest thing happened to me last week, boss. I got dusted by an old as hell 86 going downhill on Akina. Could've sworn I was seeing things but then a guy showed up last night saying he was looking for him."

Flipping a page in his magazine, Yuichi spoke. "Hm. Sounds about right."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Smiling, Yuichi explained. "An old buddy of mine was the fastest around when I used to race back in the day. He still drives that 86 every night, rain or shine, and he's the fastest on Akina."

Iketani's eyes nearly bulged out of his face. "Are you kidding me!?"

"Nope."

"Tofu shop." Iketani snapped quietly a few times. "Tofu shop. Tofu shop. That asshole Nakazato guy mentioned something about a tofu shop and the 86."

"Well the only real place to get some tofu around here is the place over on 5th and 37th. Just take the main avenue towards the old library and keep going and then you should find it." said Yuichi.

Iketani nodded. "Thanks boss. I appreciate it."

III

Iketani looked at the AE86 in the alleyway of the tofu shop.

'The tofu shop 86. Can it be?'

Then a white FC pulled up next to the tofu shop.

III

The moment I stepped out of my car, I saw a familiar face talking to me. "Are you. Ryosuke Takahashi?"

"Yes." I said. "And who might you be?" I said, both the Gamer and the anime I had seen already telling me the answer.

"I'm Iketani. What're you doing so far from Akagi?"

"Well that's just the thing. Akagi isn't all that far from here." I said. "I've been meaning to drive around here. Get a good look at Lake Akina during the daytime before I um." I didn't want me dating Mako to be so public yet in the racing community. "Well. Sorry. I was just hungry."

"Yeah. Hey I saw you at the gas station where I work only two weeks ago. What were you doing there?" asked Iketani.

"Just doing my part to make sure everyone is included in the racing community. If that's all I'd like to buy some tofu now."

"You're the leader of the Akagi Red Suns right?" asked Iketani.

"Correct." I said.

"Then what can you tell me about this old 86 in this alleyway? Is it really this beast on the downhill I saw?"

"I don't know what it is that you saw. But that 86' true beast is the driver like any car's. If you can take one thing away from what I told you today. It's the driver that makes the car. Not the other way around. Always." I said entering the tofu shop.

I saw Bunta look up from the bowl he was washing. "Ah. You again."

"That a way to greet a loyal customer?" I asked.

"Sorry, just hope you didn't have any more of those 'requests' you made last time." he said. "That's all."

"No worries." I said. "I'll have a box of fried tofu. And, could I speak to your son. Takumi please?"

"502." Bunta quickly handed me the box as I then spoke.

"Keep the change." I said.

Bunta then held the doorway to the tofu shop. "Takumi!?" he yelled upstairs. "There's someone here to see you!"

"Tell Itsuki we can hang out later!" he said.

"What am I your secretary!? Get down here!" said Bunta.

As I held my bag of tofu I saw Takumi approach. "Oh, hey Ryosuke, what's up?"

"I was wondering if you did what I suggested the other night."

"Um. Sort of. Just taking baby steps you know." Takumi shrugged.

"Understandable. Well, Fujiwara." I nodded to Bunta. "Fujiwara." I nodded to Takumi. "Good day."

"Thank you for your business!" Bunta and Takumi said together as I left.

Iketani walked past me as I got in my FC to drive towards Lake Akina to get a good look at it before I went on my date with Mako tomorrow.

III

Iketani spoke to Bunta. "Hey is that your 86 in the alleyway?"

"It is. Why?" asked Bunta.

"It passed me the other night." Iketani said. "I've been meaning to find who's been driving it."

"Well it's not me if that's what you're asking." said Bunta. "It's my son. Takumi."

Iketani's eyes widened. "Takumi drives your 86?"

"He does. Why?"

Iketani sighed. "Well can I talk to him."

"Mr. Popular over here." Bunta mumbled to himself before speaking to the boy cleaning the tofu machines. "Another visitor?"

"Iketani? God today really is just one racer after another isn't it?" said Takumi.

"You passed me on Akina the other night. Right?" Iketani asked.

"Yeah so?"

"So?" Iketani laughed. "Why didn't you tell me you could drive like that?"

"I never really got into racing that much. Ryosuke convinced me to start racing when his brother drove that fast yellow car at Myogi last week."

"Ryosuke? That's why he was here? He wants you to race?"

Takumi shrugged. "That's about the gist of it."

Iketani grunted. "Kh!"

'This is really bad.' Iketani thought. 'If Ryosuke wants to recruit Takumi onto the Red Suns the Speed Stars are finished. How does he even know he can drive that fast when he's not even a street racer?'

"Well if you want to join us for a few practice runs you're welcome too. No need to spook me acting all sneaky like you did last week." Iketani said.

Takumi spoke. "I heard you talk about it non stop at work but I didn't say anything because I thought it wasn't a big deal. You've been driving Kenji crazy about it too. What's the big deal about street racing?"

"You should know! You were there at Myogi apparently!" said Iketani.

Takumi remembered how Keisuke beat Takeshi on his home course. "Right." Takumi said.

III

I was sipping my coffee calmly as always as Keisuke burst into the room panting.

Gasping for breath, Keisuke leaned over panting. "Nakazato. Nakazato is. Nakazato is...Oh god. Why did I run here all the way from work?"

"Nakazato has challenged the 86 to a downhill run on Akina. I know." I said. "I imagined as much when I went out to Shibukawa this afternoon."

"And you." Keisuke was in great shape but he had clearly run a long time at full speed. "And you didn't think to tell me?"

"After our victory at Myogi last weekend." I said letting Keisuke catch his breath. "We can start getting Takumi Fujiwara warmed up. Little by little."

"Warmed up." Keisuke swallowed, quite tired. "Warmed up for what?"

"If Nakazato somehow loses this race." I said. "Considering the incredible advantage in drivetrain, power, and grip he has. Then his anchor, Shoji will follow. And then slowly but surely, he'll find his way to my other protege on the downhill. Mako most likely. And then."

"Then what?" Keisuke asked.

"I can't risk the perfect record of the Red Suns. We'll schedule our first time attack on Akina. I'll face the 86 on the downhill. If he can prove himself." I said.

"All this?" Keisuke caught his breath. "Just to recruit the guy?"

"Not necessarily." I spoke in half truths again. "This 86 hasn't yet raced. But when has this been scheduled?"

"Saturday the 3rd. At 10 o'clock." said Keisuke.

I spoke. "We're taking the entire team with us to go watch. We won't miss this race for the world."

"No way I won't. I can't wait to see that little punk get dusted by that beast of a 32." Keisuke chuckled.

"The racing community is practically exploding with life now." I said. "After the last two years of my rise as the White Comet. And our new name as Gunma's best. This 86 will soon grow as the only real threat to us."

"The kid's still in highschool. Why're you acting like he's so important?"

I knew how Nakazato vs Takumi played out in canon. "Trust me. This race will be nothing like you'll be expecting." I stood up to get ready for my date with Mako. "I have to go."

"Big brother." Keisuke said. "Where are you going every week that's not training or school?"

I still wanted my relationship with Mako to be a secret for now. "None of your business little brother."

"Ryo. Come on."

I said nothing, leaving quietly.

III

"Wait." Mako said in the car as we drove towards Lake Akina. "It was your idea to have Myogi's 32 race that kid?"

"I thought you didn't want to talk about racing when we went out on dates."

"Yeah but. That just makes no sense. No one knows who this 86 even is, and you're pairing him up against an R32." said Mako. "A GT-R."

I nodded. "If it's reached you, someone out in Nagano, then it's had my desired effect."

"Which is?"

"Needless to say, but an AE86 is a decade old. No one drives it. While a 32 is one of the best cars ever made. Its ATTESA drivetrain combines everything that makes an FR and AWD good and removes all the weaknesses. And Nakazato's grip order on it makes it the perfect car for speed."

"Yeah, the 86 stands no chance." Mako said. "So?"

"So. I was hoping to generate some diversity in the racing community. This race on Akina tomorrow night has everyone talking."

"I still don't get why someone like you of all people would waste Nakazato's time with a car that old." Mako said.

"Grip is a very fast racing strategy. Especially on the uphill. I just want Nakazato's pride to be humiliated once and for all."

"His pride?" asked Mako.

"Keisuke's FD is the best domestic cornering car on the market today. Losing to it is no big deal. But losing to an 86. Hm."

Mako laughed a little as we approached Lake Akina. "That's if he can lose."

As we left the car Mako gasped a little. "It's beautiful."

"I know." I said after locking the FC in the parking lot.

Lake Akina was calm and serene.

"Ryosuke." Mako looked away from the fantastic view. "Why're you really interested so much in this 86? No one even knew what it was before you started talking about it."

I looked out over Lake Akina. "There isn't a racer in Gunma who stands a chance against me. Creating the Red Suns, I've proved that. This 86 is the only driver around who will ever stand a chance of beating me. It's time to get him to start racing."

"But. How do you know that?"

"Like I keep telling Keisuke." I said. "I know everything, about everyone."

"And what about me?" asked Mako.

"You and that Sileighty are an unstoppable duo. I imagine-"

"I wasn't talking about racing. What do you know about me?" Mako said. "You could've gone out with any girl in the whole country. And you picked me."

I sat down on the bench overlooking Akina, watching the paddle boats float quietly in the dock. "Well. I don't often see people like you. People as kind, honest, honorable, and sweet."

"You really feel that way?" Mako sat down next to me.

"It's the way I've felt since we met." I said.

Mako withdrew her wallet, handing her picture of me to me. "Here. I don't have a need for it anymore."

"And that is because?"

"I like you." Mako said. "No need to make it a secret anymore."

I laughed. "I thought you were shy as could be."

"Not anymore." she said. "At first I thought you were just dating me as a thank you for letting you train us. Or to test the waters between us. But now."

I still made Mako blush with what I said next. "I like you too. You're beautiful. And strong. I'd date you every day of the week Mako Sato, if I could."

Mako smiled shyly. "Thank you."

"So. Is Akina what you thought it was?"

"It's gorgeous but." Mako admitted. "It's not what I'm thinking about."

Mako looked down at her lap. "Ever since you started dating me, I've realized how I felt about you since I first saw you years ago. When you were a lone wolf."

I said nothing as Mako kept talking. "I realized why I kept it secret for so long. Because I was terrified of what you might think. But now that you're not making me feel embarrassed or ashamed of how I feel. It's time I should confess."

Mako looked at me struggling to speak. "I. Ryosuke I. I love you."

I blinked, quietly thinking.

In Japanese, 'I love you' and 'I like you' mean the same thing 'Suki' or 'Suki-dayo'. But the context in which she said them was clear.

"I love you as well Mako." I said.

I looked at her as the sun kept shining over Lake Akina.

Back in the FC, Mako buckled up as I spoke. "You ready to go?"

Mako sat still with her hands in her lap. Then, she moved towards me. Mako leaned over out of her seat and we had our first kiss in the FC.

What I remembered was that it must've only lasted about fifteen seconds or so. But it lasted an eternity to me. Because I wanted it to.

III

The next night on Myogi, I took the Red Suns to Akina.

At the peak, I saw the Speed Stars were all there.

"The Akagi Red Suns." I heard Iketani say.

"Where are the Night Kids?" Keisuke wondered.

"Not here yet." I said. "The 86 isn't here either."

"Probably scared shitless. The little punk." Keisuke said, reaching for a cigarette I handed him.

I sighed. "The mountain is packed with people. Word travels fast."

"Yeah about how destroyed that 86 is gonna get tonight." Keisuke said as I leaned on the drivers side door of my FC.

I saw how excited everyone looked at the start line. "This race peaked a lot of interest go figure."

"Sure it would." said Keisuke. "A decade old car going up against one of the fastest cars ever made period. Shit this place is gonna be packed for sure."

"It's the Night Kids!" I heard someone say.

Since we were already parked behind the guardrail, the Night Kids took the part of the road available.

Takeshi left his 32 looking right at me. "I'm ready to schedule this rematch the second this race is over."

"First you have to win."

"Please." Takeshi said. "Some 18 year old kid driving a clunked out old 86? I'll be surprised if he lasts five hairpins."

I said nothing as Keisuke lashed out. "Maybe you should keep talking shit after you've won a race for once."

"You should watch your goddamn mouth blondie!-" Takeshi said.

Shingo put a hand on his chest. "Save it. First we've got to win this."

"Wait. You're actually rooting for me?" asked Takeshi.

"No." he said quickly before leaving to lean on his EG6.

I checked my watch. "Race starts in 15 minutes. That 86 is nowhere to be found."

"Probably off shitting himself." Keisuke chuckled. "That Nakazato guy might be an ass. But that car of his. Mm."

I remembered how much Keisuke liked the 32 in canon.

Time ticked by, and soon, the race was about to begin in three minutes.

The walkie's beeped. "It's the 86!"

"Finally." Takeshi said. "Move your asses! Go!" he barked to his team. "Get the course prepped!"

Iketani spoke. "If you wouldn't mind. This is our mountain. Could we help too?"

"Whatever." Takeshi muttered as Iketani left. "Damn Nismo fan."

I considered going off to observe Takeshi and Takumi's race like I did in canon. But I decided against it.

Keisuke smiled when he watched Takumi emerge from his 86. "This is gonna be so much fun to watch."

"I agree." I said to my brother.