III
45: Tochigi's Last Defense
III
When I parked the FC off the side of the road and crossed the finish line, I ignored how ecstatic everyone there was. I only wanted to talk to one person, and no one could hear us talking luckily.
"That's another killer course record bro," Keisuke said after I left my FC. "I mean the Todo School guy isn't even here yet."
I shrugged. "You sound happy. But the rest of the gallery here seems to share that sentiment above and beyond." I said, turning to the rows of onlooking gallery girls. "But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."
"What is it?" asked Keisuke.
"These Todo School guys don't play dirty. But their tactics can disrupt your rhythm on the uphill."
Keisuke raised an eyebrow. "How so? And how do you know this?"
"Well from what I saw tonight, Todo trained Daiki Ninomiya very well. He can create some good tactics for his drivers like using braking to throw off an opponent's line. Through enough research, I've determined that Todo can use hillclimb tactics to have his students brake when being followed, forcing their opponents to brake themselves. The ideal place to do this is in the higher speed corners near the end of the uphill. As you're accelerating out of the turn, he can brake, throw you off your rhythm allowing him to pull ahead."
I normally wouldn't have been able to predict this. But again my knowledge of the manga and anime helped.
"That sounds really tough to time."
"It is," I said. "It takes some of the most precise pedal control possible to be able to time a brake to your opponent's change from braking to acceleration exiting a corner. While you will be able to recover from something like this and win the race, I instead have an idea. If you see him braking rapidly after a turn, don't hit the brakes. Just steer around him and pass."
Keisuke's eyes widened. "What? That's insane!" Keisuke said as the Todo School's EK9 approached the finish line from uphill.
"I know that sounds dangerous but you have to trust me. You have the reflexes to do something like this. First, even if the overtake isn't successful, you would have completely shattered his confidence. To be able to react to a very well-timed brake after a turn while passing is something that requires a degree of skill Sakai will know he cannot beat. He'll see that you not only predicted something like this, but knew how to react as well."
"Wait," said Keisuke. "Wouldn't waiting during every corner exit throw me off my game? I'm just waiting for the guy to hit the brakes instead of just focusing on my driving."
"Again, like I said. He'll only do this in the last third of the race. After you pass the third checkpoint, that's where he can try to do this."
Keisuke nodded slowly. "The third checkpoint. That's the sharp left after the curving straightaways following the two right turns. Huh, guess I got that makes sense then, thanks Ryosuke."
III
Nearly eleven seconds after Ryosuke's FC reached the bottom of the hill, Daiki's EK9 passed the finish line.
After Daiki parked his car, Smiley approached him. "Dude, what was that?"
"I know." Daiki turned to Ryosuke as he spoke to his brother. "As far as I can tell none of us had an idea of how good this guy really was. All we could do is guess."
Smiley turned to his own opponent. "I hear this guy on the hillclimb is fast. But I think I can ruin their win over you tonight by beating the FD tonight."
"Careful." Daiki nodded. "You can be confident but these rotary brothers are something else. From the moment I saw them I knew they weren't regular street racers."
A Todo School member approached them with his walkie in hand. "The guys at the peak say the road is clear to start the uphill. Whenever you're ready, you can get started."
Daiki ground his teeth a little. "These Red Suns sure do make me want you to teach 'em a lesson on the hill climb man."
"As long as he doesn't trip me up with someone strange. I should win this."
III
The FD and Integra DC2 were side by side at the bottom of the mountain.
Keisuke and Smiley were keeping their eyes on the track, with the white DC2 ahead and the yellow FD behind.
"Five!" the crewmember started. "Four! Three! Two! One! Go!"
Keisuke flew off the line just as fast as the DC2, surprising everyone watching except Ryosuke.
"Look at 'em go!"
"Holy crap Keisuke's FD3S is shooting off at the same speed as the Todo School!? What is going on!?"
Ryosuke chuckled watching his younger brother maintain his line at the same speed as Smiley. 'It's the drivers. Even with a 100 horses of advantage, Keisuke's FD won't be able to beat the Integra so easily like all the others.'
Keisuke tried to apply some pressure entering the first corner, but Smiley's braking was so good that he couldn't cover any ground between them. Both tires screeched as the FD and DC2 braked as they cornered.
Exiting the turn, Smiley's use of the accelerator was just as good as Keisuke's.
Keisuke grunted quietly, seeing the gap between them not expand or contract at all.
Pushing his DC2 harder, Smiley's shifting let him stay ahead easily, but didn't let him increase the gap.
The FD was unable to close the distance either, and Keisuke was already increasing the pace steadily to account for this.
A Todo School member raised his walkie seeing the DC2 and FD fly past him up Enna's hill. "First checkpoint here! There's no time difference at all between them but their pace is great! They're a solid two seconds ahead of the course record!"
Keisuke braked hard, gripped the steering wheel and turned in thought seeing how fast the Integra was uphill. 'Bro wasn't kidding. This guy is really fast, and every part of his driving is great. Even if I can match his rhythm, passing is going to be a problem.'
Keisuke upshifted and hit the gas leaving the corner. 'I've only got two shots max at taking home the win tonight for the Red Suns!'
Smiley saw how the FD's headlights remained well in his peripheral vision as he accelerated uphill. 'His technique is good. But with the trick I have up my sleeve, this will be over quickly.'
Keisuke braked as late as possible to get the best corner entry in the next right hairpin, but Smiley still held the lead calmly.
Not feeling any pressure at all after Keisuke began to exit the turn faster than him, all it took was Smiley accounting for an earlier shift and to hit the gas harder to regain the lost ground.
The white DC2 flying uphill, the B18C's turbocharger began to whistle with power, Smiley applying more throttle knowing Keisuke had done the same.
Keisuke's FD began to spool up, the 13B-REW's twin turbines spinning louder.
Both uphillers were entering their fastest pace, still, neither car was faster in either the turns or the straights, and the distance between the Integra and the FD remained the same.
The battle continued with both cars at full throttle, and even with Keisuke's horsepower advantage, it was offset by how well Smiley could shift, accelerate, and above all brake. Entering each turn, Keisuke and Smiley hit the brakes, the DC2 and FD facing the inside to clear the curves.
Keisuke only needed another five turns to grow accustomed to the rhythm of Enna's uphill in an all-out battle and how Smiley cleared each hairpin.
Smiley noticed something as they approached the midpoint of the course. The FD was steadily growing closer after each hairpin, and even at full throttle Smiley was having trouble fighting Keisuke off his tail.
'Either his braking improved or the now steeper hill gave him more of that horsepower advantage. If I don't do that brake feint he might win this or make this run a tie.'
Smiley kept smiling lightly as he noticed something else while the gap almost became nonexistent in the last hairpins before the second checkpoint. 'His corners have gotten even better now. Can he read my line now is that it? If I don't throw off his rhythm again I might lose this race.'
Keisuke exited the turn at full throttle, almost tailgating the DC2 as the front bumper of the FD drew ever closer. 'Yeah keep smiling ya bastard. I'll give you this, I had no idea an FF could have this much grip. But I can still pick a line, you'll see.'
The FD's rotaries started to hum, and as Keisuke braked the pitch of the engine changed instantly to a lower roar.
As the tires of the Integra and the FD screeched, both drivers braking as they flew past the second checkpoint.
Yakuma raised his walkie. "Keisuke's closing the distance even though it looks like they're at full throttle! But that Integra is still holding that lead, it's really fast I'm tellin' ya!"
Smiley's speed picked up as the course evened out a bit and Keisuke's extra 100 horses of power began to mean less. The DC2 was able to pull ahead enough to shake Keisuke off its tail, but not enough to leave Keisuke in the dust. Smiley hit the gas, the DC2 accelerating with the FD hot on its tail.
As they entered the turn, Keisuke's FD failed to close the gap but now Smiley was unable to gain ground either. Through the next straightaway, neither car was winning again, and the DC2 stayed ahead with the FD not in attacking distance but close enough to stay a threat to Smiley.
Keisuke upshifted and hit the gas accelerating up the straight in thought. 'I gotta close this gap now!'
Pushing himself and his FD as hard as he could, Keisuke was throttling at full speed. He once more started waiting until the last second to brake before using nothing but the steering wheel to corner.
Keisuke didn't think at all about where to move or when to brake, shift, steer, and accelerate. It all came naturally to him from how he was able to react to the severity of the hairpin turn and the steepness of the prior straightaway.
The gallery gasped, Keisuke's cornering speed was already very high, but it began to crawl upwards slowly. The crowd, fans from all over Gunma and Tochigi were blown away by how fast the yellow FD was going.
It was all astonishing to them. The hiss of the 13B-REWs and how much power they had, how well Keisuke was able to brake and steer to complete the turn.
A crew member spoke into his walkie. "The FD is like an inch off the guardrail! It looks like it's got some sort of jet turbine under the hood or something because it just picked up some crazy speed! That guy is fearless!"
Through the next three corners, Keisuke's cornering speed was able to grow past his limit, and the slight gap became nonexistent.
Smiley's eyes widened, his smile faltering a little. 'He caught up to me again. How could he increase his pace so rapidly when I'm already at my limit? This next move is gonna finish him anyway. No driver can overcome the instant shock of trying to accelerate tailing a car that's braking!'
Keisuke saw a right corner approaching, knowing that if the same turn laid on the other side of its straight, Smiley's counterattack would arrive soon.
After he braked and steered to the right to complete his grip run, Keisuke's eyes lit up seeing a nearly identical hairpin at the other end of the straight.
'The third checkpoint is here! Any second now, I gotta keep my eyes peeled!'
Keisuke hit the gas staying attached to the DC2's rear bumper, and as the corner approached he did what would've been impossible for any other driver. Keisuke was simultaneously driving at full speed while watching the Integra's tail lights for even a hint of red.
Every time Keisuke hit the gas leaving a turn he had to both accelerate normally and prepare to steer rapidly to avoid bumping Smiley's car should it brake.
In the long curvy straight leading to the third checkpoint, Keisuke was as close to the inside as possible, hitting the gas while not keeping his eyes off the DC2's tail lights.
"There is no space at all between the FD and the Integra! They're now over four seconds faster than the course record!"
Braking hard, both Smiley and Keisuke turned to clear the third checkpoint's sharp left turn. Leaving the corner, Keisuke upshifted and kept his foot on the gas.
After both cars turned slightly to clear a light right turn, the FD remained on the DC2's tail for the entire straight.
To execute their grip runs, Keisuke and Smiley braked and turned hard to the left, their corners at high speeds. Upon exiting the corner, Smiley sprung a trap on Keisuke, and if he wasn't vigilant it would've worked.
Without any hesitation, the moment Keisuke saw the Integra's tail lights glow red as he left the turn, instead of hitting the brakes, Keisuke steered to the left and accelerated. Passing Smiley quickly, the FD flew past the DC2.
Smiley's signature smile slid off his face into a look of pure shock. 'What was that!? He passed me after I used the Todo School's unstoppable brake feint?'
III
"The FD just passed the finish line four seconds ahead of the course record! The Red Suns win!"
Dozens of people cheered at the bottom of Enna's hill.
I was very impressed by Keisuke's driving tonight. He had to juggle tailing Smiley Sakai and being ready to steer around the brake attack at any time. We could leave tonight with both course records in tow.
The Todo School was beaten. Tomoyuki Tachi was their last hope at beating me, and as the recession of 1997 hadn't happened yet, it was possible he might not even want to race.
III
"Thank you for your business!"
It looked like just another day at the Esso Gas Station in Shibukawa.
Fixing his cap, Itsuki spoke. "Wow, am I glad we watched the Red Suns race last night. The Takahashi brothers sure are fast!"
"I mean," Iketani muttered, sweeping some trash. "People have been calling the Rotary Brothers the hottest thing in racing for a while now. Ever since Ryosuke was known as Akagi's White Comet years ago people knew he was the best of the best."
Takumi shrugged. "They were fast, yeah. But it still doesn't make sense to me why Ryosuke Takahashi'd offer me a spot on their team."
Both Itsuki and Iketani reacted with shock.
"W-What?"
Iketani stopped sweeping. "What do you mean a spot on their team? You mean they wanted you on the Red Suns?"
"Yeah I mean-"
Itsuki grabbed the shirt of his best friend. "Ryosuke Takahashi, the most skilled, most popular, most badass racer Gunma's ever seen! Asked you to join his expeditionary team!? Full of the best drivers Gunma has ever known!?"
Takumi looked aside. "I mean yeah but I said no."
"You said no!?" both Itsuki and Iketani yelled at the same time.
Iketani sighed. "Takumi you were there that night the Red Suns drove over to Akina and kicked the crap outta all of us on the Speed Stars. They made everyone on Myogi and now all of Tochigi look like chumps too. You know these guys are the best of the best."
Takumi explained. "I mean. I thought he was offering it out of pity just because he'd beaten me. Like a sort of apology."
"Are you insane!?" asked Itsuki. "Does Ryosuke Takahashi seem like the kind of person to offer you a spot on the most badass group of drivers anyone's ever seen out of pity? As an apology?"
"If I agree with Itsuki," admitted Iketani. "Then you seriously messed up Takumi."
Itsuki pointed towards the road. "Go apologize to him right now! Beg for his forgiveness and that you'll do anything to be on his team!"
Takumi said nothing.
Iketani sighed. "Wait a minute, when did he ask you this?"
"It was the night we raced on Akina in the middle of last month. For some reason after we crossed the finish line, he made it clear he wanted to talk to me but couldn't then," said Takumi. "Then I found him parked nearby an old book shop close to my house with his hazard lights on and out of his car. I didn't know what he wanted, but it was clear it was important."
"Then it should've been obvious to you he was serious about the freaking thing!" Iketani barked. "You want to mess around with us on the Speed Stars when the damned Akagi Red Suns offered you a spot on their team? People kill for an opportunity like that and you turned him down? What is wrong with you!?"
Yuichi left the mini-mart speaking in a somewhat angered tone. "Iketani, I need you to pick up something across town. Now."
"Oh um. Sure thing boss." Iketani said.
III
A little while later, when Takumi was well out of earshot, Yuichi spoke to both Iketani and Itsuki.
"You know you two could stop trying to live through the poor guy for once," Yuichi said.
Iketani looked at him. "What do you mean boss?"
"As always I have to explain something so simple to you both. I can't blame Takumi at all for not taking that guy up on his offer. How did you feel when they all came over here to Akina a few months back? And how would you feel if they then wanted one of you to join? Like it was the oddest thing in the world?"
Iketani grunted. "Uh! Um. Yeah I guess you're right."
"When I saw those guys go by the gas station for the first time right around the beginning of the summer. With all those flashy red stickers on their cars and the fancy rides. I knew they were the kinds of people back in the day who everyone respected, but just needed to get put in their place. Takumi would never fit in with those kinds of people." Yuichi shrugged. "Especially because now they're shaping up to be the real deal apparently. If Ryosuke Takahashi was able to prove that Akagi's drivers are more than just a group of rich kids who can drive a little, and now end up being some of the best drivers around. Then you two need to end this anger you have at Takumi right away. I know I sure would be surprised too after all that's happened."
Iketani sighed. "Normally I'd agree with you. But Takumi always belonged with the Takahashi brothers. I mean before I didn't want to admit it, but after seeing how much he's missing out on every time the Red Suns race, it just pisses me off."
"Kenji defeated on the uphill, Takumi defeated on the downhill. Not to mention the Night Kids." Itsuki crossed his arms. "And now it looks like all of Tochigi ate the Red Sun's exhaust fumes just like the rest of us here in Gunma. I guess you're right, Iketani. They're just too fast, Takumi really missed out."
Iketani rolled his eyes. "Damn straight man."
"Your negative attitude strikes again Iketani." Yuichi waved a finger. "You forget that this is the first year Takumi ever started racing. Who knows, after a few more battles Takumi might have a decent shot at a rematch."
"It would be our duty on the Speed Stars to support him!" Itsuki said.
Iketani considered this. "Well. We wouldn't be able to do much. Not like we've got the talents of the Red Suns or anything close to that. But at the rate Ryosuke Takahashi is beating better and better drivers, I don't think it would be much of a race at all."
III
Laying on his bed at home, Takumi looked up at the ceiling in thought after his shift at the gas station was over.
It was the first time anyone was ever truly faster than him on Akina's corners. Ryosuke hadn't lost any speed or control over his FC for a split second throughout the entire race. He hadn't lost to Takumi in the slightest, and for the longest time, he was convinced there was no faster driver on Akina's downhill but him.
The screeching of the tires during his battle with Ryosuke rang through his memories. And then he remembered something truly painful, something the only driver who ever beat him said.
"I want you to join the Akagi Red Suns. You're an incredible driver Takumi. It would be a great honor."
And then what confused him forever.
"Takumi Fujiwara. You are very fast."
'How could he say I'm fast when he's faster than everybody else? He makes the best professional drivers on the circuit look like they're on his level I think. And he told me that I'm fast? Why?'
Takumi stood up in his bed in thought, holding his forehead.
Then he remembered how fast Ryosuke and Keisuke were. How popular they were. His memories of their races made him more regretful.
On Myogi's uphill against the black R32, on Irohazaka's downhill against the Evo III. The way the ever-growing crowds cheered, the way everyone respected them. And the way Ryosuke beat Daiki Ninomiya so easily just the night before.
'Stupid! I'm so stupid! Why did I say no?'
III
The Gamer had improved the rate at which I learned piano. I was already at LV 94 after a bit of refreshing my memory. I was already very experienced in the matter, but the Gamer prevented me from un-learning any skills I had made.
I could play Beethoven Moonlight Sonata in the 3rd Movement after just two days of practice.
I started to use the piano in the living room of the Takahashi Mansion more often. Sonata's 3rd movement was one of my favorite songs to play on piano of all time. There were dozens of notes every twenty seconds.
It was a song so precise and so beautiful that it generally took very experienced piano players at least a week to begin to get proficient at it. And I fell in love within minutes of reading the piano songbook I remembered Mother left somewhere in the house.
If played correctly, the 3rd movement lasted about seven and a half minutes and was nothing but the most exquisite musical notes ever written on piano. And the Gamer let me learn it all perfectly.
After medical school became a breeze thanks to the Gamer, musical instruments were now also easy. From how well I knew I could play 3rd Movement I was sure that I could take up the guitar or anything else and learn it slightly slower as I hadn't practiced as rigorously when I was younger.
Rounding out the last few chords of the song, I hit the keys lighter as I finished.
Before I could even get up from my seat I heard my brother's voice.
"Holy fucking...shit." I heard Keisuke say behind me.
I turned around to my younger brother. "Sorry did I interrupt something you were doing upstairs?"
"What? No, I just. I haven't heard you play that thing since I was eleven. And when you do now you sound like Mom when she used to play it. If not better."
"And?" I asked.
"And?" he gasped. "Why? Why would you relearn something that takes this much practice?"
"Well, the truth is I've never lost my abilities with the piano. Keisuke, have you ever known me to not rely on my memory for things?"
Keisuke shrugged a little. "True but still. Even with your freakish memory, this would still be hard for you. And you didn't answer my question. Why would you do this?"
"Mako."
"Right." Keisuke laughed. "That makes sense. You did this for your girlfriend." he nodded slowly. "I see now. Smart move bro, wish I was that smooth," he said half-jokingly.
"What? Keisuke it's not like that."
It really wasn't. I hadn't planned at all for Mako to want us to agree to sleeping together for the first time. Still, I didn't want Keisuke finding out as much as Mako didn't want Sayuki to either.
"Did you just want to listen to me play this old thing?" I raised a hand towards the piano in front of me. "Or did you want to talk to me about something?"
"I wanted to ask you about why you weren't impressed by what I pulled off last night against the Todo School. Daito couldn't have pulled that off in a million years and we drive the same car and he's much more experienced with the FD than I am."
I turned back towards Keisuke. "Look I knew you were going to do it."
"Still what's up man? I barely believed you when you said it."
"Keisuke compared to what you'll have to pull off later down the line, I promise you this is nothing," I assured.
"Is it?" Keisuke asked. "I mean he braked and I steered. Even if I knew that was coming I had to overcome the shock that came from needing to start braking instantly out of instinct. How much time did he give me to react?"
"About half a second at that speed with the distance between you two if you were at that section."
"Right." We both knew this estimation had to be very accurate. "Even for us, do you not consider the timing of that move to be impressive."
"Keisuke, it is impressive," I said. "I don't need to tell you that. But I do need to tell you this?"
"The whole team acknowledged it but you. Why do you push me so hard bro?"
"Because you miss very important details for the larger ones sometimes," I said. "Even though your overtake was great. You were able to increase your cornering speed in four hairpins and close a gap Sakai held very strongly. That's not just impressive little brother, it proves you can improve on a dime. It still proves to me that the only challenge you'll have will be in Ibaraki."
"So that's it then. Why don't you start training me for that guy if he's that good?"
I explained as I rose up from the chair in front of the piano. "Because Saitama comes first. There are only really two races that will be of any trouble to us. Their uphiller and Sakamoto."
"Will this be covered in the Winter training?"
I began to walk towards the fridge to get some water. "You know it will."
"So I can tell the guys to start buying some winter clothes then today? We were gonna meet up at our regular spot anyway."
"You can do that," I said. "But that doesn't excuse the fact that I still have to race Tachi."
"I thought that might not even happen."
"If it does, we'll win. I've already told Matsumoto and Fumihiro to re-install every part needed for Spec III. Combined with the morale loss of seeing the FC's upgrades, something else I have planned, and my simulation. It won't be easy at all, but I can do it."
Keisuke looked towards the clock we had in our kitchen. "That sounds great but if I don't get going I'll be late."
I watched as Keisuke began to leave. "Are you taking the FD?"
"Nah, I'm carpooling with Yakuma, should already be out front."
I chuckled knowing his Supra was probably already on the sidewalk. "Tell Yakuma he did great on the warmups before my race last night."
"Complimenting the others but not me. I see how it is."
"Keisuke, I already explained this."
He sighed. "It's fine, I get it. See ya man."
This sounded genuine so I accepted. "Have fun with them tonight."
After Keisuke left, I pulled my cell phone from my pocket walking up to where Keisuke held the keys to his FD.
"Ryosuke, how are you?" I heard on the line.
"I'm fine Tomiguchi," I said. "What are you up to now?"
"Fumihiro and I just got done outlining the new specs on Mito's Supra. We were actually gonna send it to you in an email if you wouldn't mind."
"I don't. But I can come by the shop and get it anyway, I wanted to discuss something with you." I said.
Tomiguchi's tone was curious. "Oh, what is it?"
"I had an idea to tune Keisuke's FD."
"Really? What did you have in mind?"
"He's not quite ready for the 100 horsepower upgrade yet. Not until after Saitama. However, we can make it appear like it's ready to battle Tachi instead of me. Just the exterior, that's all."
"Did you let Keisuke know this? You know how much he hates being kept out of the loop. And are you sure you want to change the aerodynamics of the car so soon after we just got finished with the last upgrade? Just to make it look like we're racing Keisuke against him?"
III
As the clock in the Todo School's lobby changed from 17:31 to 17:32, Tomoyuki Tachi sat in an official Honda racing jacket drinking some coffee Todo poured for him.
"Long time no see eh?" asked Todo.
"Mm," Tomoyuki said simply as he put his coffee mug down. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
"It's been a while. Don't feel like catching up with an old friend?"
"I'm not a kid anymore. You don't need to beat around the bush."
Todo chuckled. "Alright then. We got beaten last night. Badly."
Tomoyuki looked a bit surprised. "How? Kyoichi Sudo's gotten good with the Emperor's I know but he was always even with you guys."
Todo shook his head. "We didn't lose to the Emperor's. We lost to a team from Akagi in Gunma. The Red Suns."
"Well, that's unfortunate." Tomoyuki sipped his coffee. "Never thought you'd lose, to be honest."
"I have to confess about why I called you down here. We need another shot to take these guys down a peg. The whole prefecture just got beaten on their home courses, we're everyone's last hope to stop what you call in the pro circuit as a perfect season."
Tomoyuki scoffed. "See that sounds bad but I made it clear I want nothing to do with street racing. The moment I graduated from here I've always just wanted one thing, to make it to the top properly. Sudo's right about the street, nothing but a bunch of stupid amateurs doing flashy technique that doesn't do anything for speed."
Todo shook his head. "These two guys who race for the Red Suns. Their best. They're called the Rotary Brothers, sure you've heard of them."
Tomoyuki chuckled again. "Who hasn't? They're called the best drivers the RX-7 series has ever known apparently. Can't pick up a magazine about racing these days without seeing them in it. Even in the damned tabloids."
"Well, you can throw all your assumptions about street racing in the garbage when it comes to these guys. The Takahashi brothers aren't just fast, they do things no one should be able to accomplish in street racing in my opinion. Let alone with a rotary engine. Smiley told me that when he tried to use the foolproof brake feint to make the FD fall behind, the guy didn't just keep going. He passed him instantly."
Tomoyuki shrugged. "I don't get what makes these guys so special to you. They drive rotary engines and they caught Smiley and Daiki on the backfoot hard. So?"
"So no team has ever gone mountain to mountain across northern Kanto and started setting course records like it's nobody's business like these guys."
Tomoyuki sipped his coffee. "Don't see how that's impressive. It's just street racing."
"My point is that these guys aren't just street racers. They have the skills to beat us and the Emperor's. You have to have a good grip on being a seriously good driver to pull that kind of stuff off. Do you think you could do that?"
"Maybe. I don't know and I don't care," said Tomoyuki. "I'm in the best racing season of my career. I've got the K2 lined up next year, which is the biggest thing professional racing's seen for a while, and I'm competing with Usaya. I don't care about these stupid baby fights you've got going on in the mountains. I can't do this for you, not even for old times sake."
"Well if that's how you really feel." Todo sighed. "Then I'm sorry for asking."
III
At the family restaurant the Red Suns always went to, Kenta, Keisuke, Yakuma, and Takihiro were all sitting down drinking some water waiting for their food to arrive.
"How's your brother? What's he been up to after he beat the Todo School so badly?" asked Takihiro.
Keisuke sipped some water through a straw. "Playing piano."
The table was surprised. Kenta laughed. "You're kidding right?"
"It's none of my business. But my guess is Ryosuke really wanted to impress his girlfriend."
"What, being Akagi's White Comet isn't enough?" asked Takihiro.
Yakuma looked at him. "He was probably trying to be nice to her."
"Though I guess it makes sense why you two soak up all the attention from the fangirls," Takihiro said, nodding towards Keisuke. "You both take on all the tough opponents. Akina's 86, Sudo's Lan Evo, and now the Todo School. Just wished we were as good to have our own races of that caliber. I don't want to be stuck doing warm-ups prior to all the real races before we're done competing, you know."
"Well, what were you thinking about?" asked Keisuke.
"It's Saturday. Sure the Speed Stars are training. I don't know, we could head up to Akina or Myogi and get a few practice runs in." Takihiro answered.
Yakuma shook his head. "I don't think Ryosuke would appreciate us training outside of his schedule. It's in the rules."
"I can just call him," Keisuke said. "Then we can figure out what we're gonna do."
Kenta shrugged. "From what I remembered from when we raced them. The Speed Stars were awful."
"They are, it's not the team I want to race against. It's the course." Takihiro said. "If we can get a few good runs in I feel like we can improve. I think that's the real reason Ryosuke wanted us to go there in the first place. He knew how bad the drivers were, just wanted to give us a new course to improve on."
"I'm in," Yakuma said.
"So am I." Kenta agreed. "Keisuke?"
Everyone at the table looked at him, the anchor of the Red Suns surprised by this. "Um. What are you all looking at me for?"
"We need your approval as well as Ryosuke's to do this," said Yakuma. "I don't like breaking rules and especially going against what he asked."
Keisuke nodded. "Well yeah, we can do this. Just gotta give him a call."
III
As I watched Tomiguchi and Matsumoto begin to change the hood and exterior of the FD I got a call on my cell phone. "Keisuke?" I said after seeing who it was.
"Hey bro. We were thinking of going up to either Akina or Myogi tonight and getting some practice in after dinner. Is that cool with you?"
I chuckled at this. The same person I was on the phone with would've easily gathered as many Red Suns as he could and snuck off to Akina earlier this year on his own without a hint of my approval.
"Ryosuke?" Keisuke asked.
"Well, I don't see why not. The only thing is all the mechanics are busy, as am I. Daito is also out of town."
"Can I get my FD?"
I looked at the car I was currently working on. "It's fine. But just in case Tachi ends up racing for the Todo School, it needs a few changes."
"Okay." from his tone I knew Keisuke didn't like this one bit. "So we're good then?"
"As for the local teams you can race whomever you'd like however you'd like. It's well established we've beaten them so go on ahead."
"Thanks. Oh and Ryosuke, you weren't serious about getting Tachi involved right?"
"We can talk later Keisuke. Good luck tonight."
"Night."
I dialed a different number, one a few people involved in Kanto's racing circuit had given me.
"Hello."
"Tomoyuki Tachi?" I asked.
He spoke calmly. "Speaking."
"This is Ryosuke Takahashi of the Akagi Red Suns. I got this number from those involved with the racing teams involved outside my prefecture."
There was a bit of silence but Tachi kept speaking. "How can I help you?"
"Has Todo reached out to you to represent his school for a street race?"
"He has but, how did you know this?"
"Well, I've done my research on the Todo School. The most notable graduates are you and Kyoichi Sudo, so I believed you were the most obvious choice. I just wanted to call you."
He sounded a little angry. "Quite frankly I've already said no. And if I won't do it for an old friend I sure won't do it for you."
"Well, he must've forgotten to mention a few things. Namely that at the heart of every driver lies the innate desire to improve and learn. It's consistent with racers of all kinds."
"What's your point?"
"I'm sure Todo has explained to you what my brother and I have done with rotary engines. But I don't want you thinking he's the only one who wants this race. I'm challenging you, man to man. Racer to racer. To race the Red Suns."
I could tell Tachi was surprised by this because he said nothing.
"Not as a street racer because I know you don't wish to be one. But as a driver who takes part in any form of motorsports. One who must actively seek out any and all ways to grow and improve his driving. That is my challenge to you."
"What're the details?" asked Tachi.
"My team and I will need some time to get accustomed to the new course. Then I will have to make the choice to either race myself or my brother against you. Either way, the race must start at eighty thirty sharp next Friday night, the 25th."
Tachi grunted quietly. "Fine whatever," he said quickly before hanging up.
I turned back to Tomiguchi to continue to help him change the FD's hood and other parts.
III
"Guy challenged me. Normally I wouldn't care. But the way he said it convinced me. These two RX-7s are worth my time to race."
Todo looked up from his newspaper in surprise.
"I'll do it," Tomoyuki said. "I don't care if I only have a week to prepare because so do they. I'll race these Takahashi brothers."
Todo chuckled, standing up. "I'll let everyone know. We can go over to Happogahara pass right now if you'd like."
"Absolutely."
III
Daiki and Smiley were all white as a ghost when they saw who approached them on Happogahara's peak.
Kozo Ikkiyama was pale. "Uncle is that who I think it is?"
Todo nodded. "It is."
"Tomoyuki?" asked Smiley.
"You two got beaten." Tomoyuki crossed his arms. "By a pair of rotaries."
"We didn't-" Daiki said.
"It doesn't matter now. The point is we move on." Todo cleared his throat. "The older Takahashi brother challenged Tomoyuki directly over the phone. He must've caught wind of what we were doing and didn't want to give us more than a week to prepare. Fair, but very crafty. You three will help everyone else prepare Tomoyuki for this battle. All of us are going to help."
The three Todo School students bowed their heads. "Yes sir!"
"These guys might act like professionals with all their rules and the tuning behind their cars," Todo said. "But Tomoyuki here has actually been competing on that level for years. We can't mess around with the Red Suns still. None of that brake feinting nonsense. Just cold hard speed and getting Tomoyuki ready technique-wise."
Tomoyuki watched as a Todo School member brought a yellow EK9 to the peak. "This is the car that gives me the most pride every time I look at it," said Todo. "We call it a demonstration car, but it's really a Spoon type of car. Every part of it has been modified for peak performance. All we need to do now is have you drive it and we'll have it fit whatever you need."
Just by looking it over, Tomoyuki could tell how well-tuned the car was. Everything from the rims, to the muffler, to the hood told him the same story.
A Todo School member wearing glasses walked over and placed it in Tomoyuki's hand. "You'll make us proud out there. I know you will." Todo assured.
Kozo walked forward and spoke. "Wait. I thought you didn't want to street race anymore."
Tomoyuki barely looked at him. "Ryosuke Takahashi issued a very formal challenge to me. But it was just the way he said it, he was right. I do want to learn from racing this guy. Whoever he is. More importantly, I want to show something people shouldn't forget. The Todo School doesn't train drivers you can just walk all over."
As everyone at the peak listened attentively, Tomoyuki gripped the keys to the Todo School's Spoon Civic EK9 in his palm. "How can I call myself a man, or a driver for that matter if I brush off a direct challenge so easily? To ignore my own pride completely." Tomoyuki chuckled quietly. "Enough of that. I want to beat them, so let's get started."
He opened the door to the EK9 and stepped in, keying the ignition.
III
Tomoyuki drove down Happogahara's hill at full speed, hitting the gas and shifting to a higher gear he quietly took notes on the car's performance.
Everyone from the Todo School who watched was astounded by how fast Tomoyuki was driving the EK9 downhill. His timing was perfect, and his speed very high.
The way the EK9 cornered so sharply and smoothly, how well the clutch responded to Tomoyuki's shifting. At full speed, Tomoyuki was driving faster than anyone the Todo School had seen go down Happogahara's hill.
Daiki was shocked. "How could he learn how to drive it so quickly? This is the first night he's ever used it!"
Smiley shrugged. "My guess is he understands FF drivetrains so well that all he has to account for is the horsepower and suspension."
As Tomoyuki cleared Happogahara's rough and sudden corners like they were nothing, he thought of nothing but the course. Staying completely focused.
By the end of his run, Tomoyuki pulled up to where Todo was waiting for him with a cigarette in hand. "Well?"
"The balance, power, and speed of the car are all right. If I could just add more rear swing recovering from a corner I should be good."
"That's it?" asked Todo. "No other adjustments?"
"Like you said this thing performs well," Tomoyuki said. "I was just wondering which car the Red Suns were going to choose to race against us. Seems like you'd be able to predict it well."
"Takahashi was smart about telling you he could choose either his brother or himself to race against you," Todo said. "His brother has the better car for this type of course and he himself is the better driver. However, it's more likely he'll choose the FD. As even as they are, that slight advantage in times might help the FD better overall. Which is why the suspension and the entire car is tuned better for the uphill."
Tomoyuki nodded before opening the door to the EK9 again. "I'm actually liking the car a bit. I want to test it on the uphill now and then head back down."
As the tires to the EK9 screeched, Tomoyuki flew uphill.
The rest of the night the entire Todo School, the best driving school many argued, stood in complete silence watching how well Tomoyuki drove the EK9.
Uphill, downhill, during a straight or a corner. It didn't matter, none of them had seen anyone ever drive so fast on a mountain pass. His handling of the car was perfect, how he steered, shifted, or braked. His technique was flawless beyond even what the Todo School considered.
And the way he brought out every ounce of speed the EK9 had in only a few hours astounded them even more.
III
When I got back home from working on the FD with Fumihiro, it was only seven-thirty PM. The FD was only supposed to look like it was gonna race Tachi after all.
I entered my room and began to work on the last simulation for the entire year. My race against Tomoyuki Tachi of the Todo School.
The strategy included two parts. The first was to pull the FC from the part of the peak without any light having it be hidden a bit and reveal all the upgrades to its exterior. Then to wear the professional racing uniform I wore when I won the Kanto cup.
This would prove that the Red Suns had anything the Todo School had. If they had a professional driver we would too. If they had a circuit-ready car as well-tuned as possible, so would we.
It would also heavily throw off their strategy because not only would the FD be the more obvious choice, but having it appear like it would be the one to race would have them believe Keisuke would race until the very last second.
Because our speeds would be very similar as our levels were so close, winning would come down to technique and strategy.
The second part of the strategy was using Tachi's own tactics against him. As I remembered his race with Takumi in the anime and manga very well, he knew how to use the bump and run as well as the invisible line attack.
The bump and run is one of the oldest overtaking techniques in racing. Entering a corner or even in a straightaway, you need to bump your opponent's car a bit and use the instability it causes to pass. It wouldn't necessarily cause a spin-out, but it would be enough to pass.
As my race against Rin Hojo proved I could both react to and recover from bumps against the best who knew how. I could both dodge bump attempts preemptively as well as stabilize the FC regardless of the power of the blow.
The invisible line was a bit trickier, and it took incredible timing and very precise execution. You would have to enter your opponent's blind spot and use the split second of time you had to take a line your opponent couldn't see to slip past undetected and invisible.
Using the invisible line was simple, however regardless of how difficult it was to perfect, I would just practice it in the Abyss against a simulated version of Tachi until my skill was leveled high enough.
There was a third option but I don't know if I should use it. If Tachi is following me, using the brake feint Smiley Sakai used to disrupt an opponent's rhythm wasn't really my style at all but it could be very effective. Especially because no one would expect me to use a Todo School tactic at all, much less against the Todo School.
However, my simulation proved that I could beat Tachi without the need for the brake feint.
After spending a few hours mastering the course in the Abyss, I could overcome how rough the rhythm was. The corners were laid out like a professional circuit like Irohazaka and the steepness of the hill was so uneven it had to be broken up into parts to create an uphill and downhill section again just like Iroha.
Compared to my race against Takumi Fujiwara, this would actually be much simpler and straightforward. Because I didn't have to worry about things like my tires or engine randomly overheating, I could just focus on improving my driving.
My simulation was as straightforward as it got. At the beginning of the downhill, I would need to hold back in order to let Tachi take the lead. From there I would need to use a strategy I hadn't used since I raced Aisuke Kano on Usui three years ago.
I would have to conserve my tires until the final section but stay close enough to observe the entire time. I would need to start applying pressure around the time we went around the cone marking the turn we would need to take to continue the downhill run.
Observing while following would give me a lot of information. I could see everything I needed to know about the EK9 as well as how strong Tachi's technique would be. I don't think I would find any weaknesses but even if the smallest line appeared I would be able to exploit it and use it later on.
The Gamer did give me a very high-level Observe skill that was at LV 111 after nothing but use for years. But while that was helpful, watching it perform under stress was equally useful for me.
From there I would need to position myself so close to Tachi's bumper he would have to both defend his line at all costs as well as be able to clear the corners properly. Even for him, this would not be able to happen.
I would pick an invisible line and pass. As was stated during his race I remembered well in canon, even professionals like Tomoyuki Tachi couldn't defend against an attack so precise.
At that point, Tachi would need to pass me in return or lose the race with the finish line a minute away. He had two places to do his 'bump and run' either in the highest-speed corner in the whole course following a tight series of S hairpins or immediately after entering another turn near the last third.
With those overtake attempt points isolated the race was mine. All I had to do was worry about the possible cat waiting to cross the road at the final corner. This could be solved by checking the guardrail with some cat treats.
If the cat was going to ambush me regardless I would, unfortunately, have to keep going instead of letting Tachi pass me from the inside.
For now, the race was going to be mine for sure. My computer simulations assured me that it was likelier I would beat Tachi than Akina's 86, so I decided to make myself something to eat.
As I walked downstairs my phone rang.
"Mako. Hi, how are you?"
"Um, Ryosuke. A huge number of big events need my aunt's flower shop to help. I'm going to be busy this week. But, I don't want to put that er, thing we planned on hold."
I was surprised. Mako typically was a lot more confident about this kind of thing over the phone. "When should you be available?"
"Saturday night. Is that out of the way for you?"
"Not exactly. I could make it at nine-thirty. Where do you want to meet?"
"How about someplace off the radar but still comfy. I don't know Gunma so what're you thinking?"
"There's a popular acupuncture clinic in Annaka with a cheap motel nearby we could use. Is that an um, bad idea?"
Mako laughed a bit over the phone. "Not exactly. It's exactly what we need I suppose. How is the team?"
"They're up on Akina right now. Or Myogi. I was surprised, Keisuke actually asked for my approval."
"Did he? Doesn't sound like him."
"Well, I think that deep down he never knew if he could take Akina's 86. I don't blame him, he never specialized in downhill racing. In fact, I don't know if Keisuke's fully recovered from that."
Mako stayed quiet for a second over the phone. "Are you worried about him?"
"No," I said. "The day I completely lose faith in Keisuke is the day the Akagi Red Suns are finished. I only push him so hard because I'm so proud of him. He's the best driver I've met. Is it offensive to tell you that, being the driver of Usui's Sileighty?"
"Not really," said Mako. "Keisuke's your brother and you always wanted him to anchor the Red Suns right?"
"I did. His technique has gotten really good. In fact I-" I sighed. "You called to know how I was and here I am going on about my family."
"That wasn't why I called entirely, it's part of it but still. It was about what we just planned. I'm glad we decided to go through with it. I just get nervous every time I think about it."
"I'd be lying if I said I was experienced in the matter Mako," I said. "It's alright. I understand."
Mako breathed a sigh of relief. "Great. Are you nervous?"
"A bit. But I just miss you, that's all. However we spend the night is fine with me."
"I appreciate that. But." Mako chuckled. "We're still gonna. You know. I'm sorry, I'm too embarrassed to actually say it over the phone."
"It's fine. How's the flower shop?"
III
Kenta was pushing his S14 as hard as possible against Takihiro's S13 on Akina's downhill. With the straightaways longer and the hill a bit more even in some areas, the higher-performing S14 beat the S13 in some sections.
Takihiro grunted quietly while thinking, watching Kenta pressure him hard on a right hairpin. 'His whole clutch and gearbox is way better than mine. Probably because it's newer. I've gotta talk to the mechanics about getting an upgrade. I'm sure Ryosuke would let me after how hard I've been training.'
With better traction and stability exiting the corner, Kenta's S14 was now tailgating the S13 downhill.
At the peak, Keisuke was chatting with Yakuma.
"Been a while since we've been up here. I always felt a bit bad for these Akina guys, like they didn't stand a chance." Yakuma said. "Even back when Takihiro wasn't as skilled, he still beat them all very easily."
Keisuke smiled. "You're too nice a guy for your own good man. You can take the hill climb better than Daito sometimes, and you still look like you want to buy him a sandwich despite how hard you guys spar on the uphill."
"I've just got a better engine than him. I hear Ryosuke wants to improve both turbos again, get better grip for it, and bring up the power output to 500 horses." Yakuma waved a hand towards his white Supra. "Even with that FD of his, Daito's skills have always been better than mine on the hill climb."
"You're too modest. Regardless of car performance, your technique is superb Yakuma."
"Really? Means a lot coming from you."
Keisuke shrugged. "Of course I do. It always has been, even when you were racing on Usui."
Three cars were approaching the peak from the other side of the mountain. Keisuke turned and was surprised to see Shingo Shoji's red EG6 followed by a black S13 and orange 180SX.
"Night Kids," Yakuma said. "Strange to see them up here and not the Speed Stars."
Shingo parked his EG6 by the guardrail on the other side of the road from Yakuma's white Supra. His two friends got out with him and Shingo instantly drew a cigarette while speaking. "Well isn't this a nice surprise. The one and only Keisuke Takahashi without his precious FD."
Keisuke balled his fists. "We wanted to use the mountain to have a relaxed training session. No mechanics, no stopwatches, nothing, we're using the pass right now. And I don't want you bothering Kenta or Taki when they're practicing even if this is informal."
"Doesn't sound like you Red Suns without all your rules." Shingo shrugged. "Strange that's all."
"What're you guys doing so far from Myogi?" Keisuke asked.
"Could ask the same of you." countered Shingo. "But I was hoping for a rematch with the Speed Stars since I know we'll never get one with you guys. I guess I can make do with your sidekick. Speaking of which, where is he? You know, the one with the bad tan and the squeaky as hell voice and dumb hair?"
As Shingo's friends chuckled, Keisuke grunted. "His name is Kenta. And you sound a whole lot more confident since he and the 86 both beat you."
"I should be more confident. Don't think I've been idle since then. What're you gonna do about it? Don't have your car or that kid you're constantly babysitting with you. And it doesn't look like you can drive your buddies Supra here. Pistons are a whole different song than rotaries you know."
Keisuke walked forward. "Your car isn't that fast on the downhill. Kenta beat it in the rain in our very first race."
"Exactly. In the rain." Shingo said. "I underestimated how much skill he had in the rain. But tonight is quite dry, in more ways than one. What do you say? Just me and him. No time attack, no crowds. Just us?"
Yakuma looked at Keisuke. "You wouldn't like the result. Now I suggest you get out of here. You tried bumping Kenta off Myogi's downhill. Even if that was months ago, you're lucky I didn't kick your ass for it, no one gets away with that. Now go, before I change my mind."
Shingo turned towards his friends. Both of them looked like they were in no shape to fight Keisuke and weren't willing to try. Shingo as well knew this would be pointless.
Shingo kept speaking. "What makes you Red Suns so high and mighty compared to the rest of us? You're just street racers with more money and time behind the wheel than anyone else yet you act like you're so much more."
"For starters, we try to teach the exact opposite of what you try to spread. The Red Suns have never once bumped another driver during a race or caused a crash. We haven't had one race where safety wasn't our priority. That's more than I can say for the Night Kids. All you guys seem to do is cause crashes, but you seem to be the only ones getting hurt. I can make that happen again right now, only I won't need my FD to do it."
"Fine." Shingo opened the door to his EG6. "You Red Suns might be all the rage now. But one day you'll eat your words I promise you. The Myogi Night Kids will be the best in Gunma when you all aren't capable enough to stop us."
Yakuma watched as the three Night Kids left while speaking to Keisuke. "I know you want to protect him. But you seriously think Kenta can't handle that guy?"
"I don't care if he can or not. Kenta always didn't care about how dangerous that guy was. He had his chance, we were lucky he didn't get hurt the first time."
"I had no idea you cared so much about him."
Keisuke looked at him. "Yeah well, whatever."
III
Fumihiro was about to shut his family auto body shop up when a familiar hum of a CA18DET approached. He turned to watch Takihiro emerge from his silver S13.
"Oh, Itsu," Fumihiro said formally, having never gotten to know him even after years. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Kenta was faster than me whenever he shifted or accelerated. Which is weird, ever since I started feeling like my technique was getting better, my car lets me down. And this is even weirder too because my ride has never let me down." Takihiro waved a hand towards his S13. "I guess three years ago this thing could compete with anyone on the downhill. Maybe not beat them, but even the paint job is starting to wear off."
Fumihiro nodded, rolling up the garage door to his shop. "Alright. Well I can take a look at it."
After Takihiro pulled his S13 into the mechanics shop and parked it, Fumihiro raised the hood and gave his assessment. "Well the turbocharger seems to have aged. Wait, you're still using the stock turbo that came with the car?" he asked.
"You guys are the ones tuning our stuff all the time. Shouldn't you know?"
"Yeah but it just hit me from the way the boost pins are connected to the engine bay. Ryosuke must've never wanted to improve it because he probably never thought you needed the extra horsepower."
Takihiro shrugged. "I mean he's the one who made his engine the best I've ever seen for the downhill. And he doesn't need a turbo anyway."
"Exactly." Fumihiro said. "As far as I can tell. The entire turbo system is as old as the car itself, meaning it's well over 8 years old. No matter how well you've maintained it, both the turbine and the boosters are going to wear down. The only way I can see fixing this leading to your improvement is to just buy one that matches the old turbo but is brand new."
Takihiro sighed. "Can't you guys just improve this one?"
"It's too old." Fumihiro shook his head. "It's dragging the whole engine down. Everything from the crankshaft to the overhead cams are becoming more and more efficient as you continue to use such an old turbo."
Takihiro looked a bit sad. "Fine. What else do you want to see?"
"I think I can help fix the acceleration advantage Kenta has over you. That just means I'll have to lower the suspension to have the S13 grip the ground better and then get the turbo I just suggested. The next part is to improve the shifting, move it over to the dynamo please."
Sitting on the dynamo, Fumihiro just sat next to Takihiro as he prepared to rev his S13 up.
"Just take it all the way up to third and then back down okay? That's all I need to get a feel for how the car shifts."
Takihiro nodded, pressing the gas as the CA18DET's pistons began to sing louder. After revving it up for a bit, Takihiro floored the gas and let the rev tachomter climb upwards, the autobody shop becoming filled with the noise of the S13.
Fumihiro watched how the gearbox responded when Takihiro hit the clutch and moved to second and then after some more accelerating third gear.
When Takihiro took his foot off the gas beginning to shift down into second and then first, Fumihiro spoke. "I see the problem."
Takihiro shut the engine off, pulling the keys from the ignition.
"It says a lot about the entire clutch assembly when the metal the clutch pedal is using looks nearly a decade old." Fumihiro said pointing to it. "We'll have to reset the entire gearbox settings. Install a whole new clutch, then retune the gearbox to match it. This S13 of yours is indeed well tuned, and you've maintained it very well over the years. But it's just really, well. Very er."
"Old?"
"Old." Fumihiro chuckled at this as his sentence ended. "Kenta and Aisuke are driving much newer cars than you. Your S13 is the oldest car on the Red Suns Takihiro, it was bound to have some issues. I'm just glad we caught them early before you had any major battles."
"What should I be expecting?"
Fumihiro shook his head. "With how well you've been driving it lately. Consider this upgrade on the house."
"No, I meant for the car. What will change?"
Fumihiro exited the S13's passenger side door explaining. "Well getting a new turbo won't be cheap. But added with the suspension change acceleration wise you'll be on par with Aisuke's 180 and Kenta's S14. As for the clutch, the car will be much more responsive when shifting. But I have to honest, with how good you're getting. I have to suggest something."
"What is it?" asked Takihiro.
"Are you sure you want to continue using this S13? The S14 and S15 handle almost the same according to Aisuke and he test drove them for Nismo, only with much higher performance. Acceleration, grip, horsepower, everything. We can talk to Ryosuke about getting you an S15, and you'll be unstoppable on the downhill."
Takihiro chuckled. "No. This is the same car that got me on the Red Suns in the first place. I can't turn my back on her now." he looked at his S13. "Why get a better car when I know I can compete with the car that got me here in the first place? My S13 hasn't ever let me down. I don't care how much better everyone's cars are, but tuning or not, I can't ever part ways with my S13. I'm going to train harder and harder, and this S13 of mine will stop being the car on the Red Sun always looked over."
Fumihiro nodded. "I understand. We'll get started right away. I'll give Kano a call to pick you up."
III
Seeing the white 180SX pull up in front of the mechanics shop, Takihiro flicked his cigarette down and pushed it under his heel.
"Still wearing that long hair cut I see." joked Aisuke when he rolled the window down.
"Says the guy who almost got a perm and was about to go blonde." chuckled Takihiro as he rolled his eyes and got in the passenger seat. "You guys saw it yesterday against the Todo School like any other day. What changed today?"
"What I can't joke around man?" Aisuke waved a hand as Takihiro. "Still. You look like something's on your mind Taki."
"Well," Takihiro spoke as he buckled himself in and Aisuke began to drive away from the Red Suns' main tuning shop. "Oh one second, head to 2400 Imakoda."
"Yoshioka? Huh you actually don't live too far from where I work. I could give you a ride tomorrow morning."
"Thanks," Takihiro said. "But anyway I wanted to ask you. You test drove the S15 right? Fumihiro mentioned it."
"Did I? One of my all time favorites I ever drove. Let's see, I drove the S14 back before it first came out and I liked it a lot, but it didn't come close to the newer version. And the S15 was ready for testing just three weeks ago, one of the few cars I can remember looking forward to driving every morning. You're getting better Taki, I can see you driving one easily."
Takihiro raised an eyebrow. "Is it really that good?"
"What part of it isn't good honestly." Aisuke chuckled. "A driver of average skill could give you a decent race in an S15, even if you're a seasoned Silvia veteran. You'd still win, but that's nothing to say of someone who might actually know how to drive one."
"Huh." Takihiro frowned. "Really."
"Don't feel bad man. Cars get better every year, and the S15 is meant to be the best in the entire Silvia series. Which, as someone who drives an S13, is saying a lot for you."
Takihiro sighed. "I think I'm gonna tell you what I told Fumihiro. I'm still gonna use the S13 moving forward."
"To stay competitive it's gonna have to be tuned even better," Aisuke said. "But I never realized something until just last night really."
"What's that?"
Aisuke braked in front of the stoplight. "