ACT 16 – 16000RPM 'Tournament Conclusion'

Very bold of you, Fu…
Kumiko had successfully managed to keep the shock at bay, cleaning the next corners cleanly, upping her pace against her opponent with wild beats blasting from her vehicle – Over The Rainbow – Initial D

Kumiko's driving began to drastically change. It was a mixture of her usual smooth entries, except this time, it was matched by unpredictable lunging from the outside to the inside.

'Over the rainbow… over the stars…'

Fu Huo did not let up for a second, fully aware of Kumiko's plight, almost without lifting his foot from the accelerator as he used hard left-foot braking techniques and feint movements to quickly change his vehicle's behaviour.

'I gotta tell you now
I wanna show you how
You can imagine what I like
You're makin' me hot... with your desire'

Fu Huo struggled to keep the lead without any chance of pulling away. I'm so lucky to be in this position. We could have crashed otherwise… It was all too close…

The next few sections of F5 were a mix of high-speed and low speed corners. At this point in time, the gap between both cars widened and shortened each time once again.
There's nothing more I can do… I have to keep up this pace no matter what… Fu Huo did not have any more time to waste.
The finishing point seemed so close yet so far away.

'Sharing the passion
You got inside
Until the storm has gone
Sticking around me
Open your eyes... I'll show you baby'

On the other hand, Kumiko had trouble with her concentration. Maya's predictions and assumptions came to a shocking reality. Kumiko had beared such a weight within her heart. Will my legend finally end…?

Kumiko throttled harder, again, changing her driving maneuvers. She was ready to let go of her pride, as long as it was to somebody like Fu Huo. She also wanted her long-time student and old friend to excel past her limits. She did not want Fu Huo to hate her by hogging the spotlight.
Should I just let him win…?

'Over the rainbow
Feeling all right
I was looking for love anytime for catching you baby'

Fu Huo took a quick glance at his mirror, and noticed the GTO almost falling back away much to his confusion. "What's going on, Ku?" Is she letting me win? No… she wouldn't…

The GTO suddenly popped up behind the Lancer again.
Hm… maybe she is. She's not trying to attack. Yet she still keeps on. Maybe she's trying to make it look more realistic…

The next S curve was rather wide. Fu Huo did not accept the fact that Kumiko was giving it away. It just was not worth it.
He wanted to make a statement. Fu Huo aggressively blocked the inside.

'Over the rainbow
Over the stars
I can find all your love & desire... into the rainbow'

However, Fu Huo did not notice the gap that he opened on the outside, nor how wide the road was.
Another mistake, Fu. That'll cost you…

The GTO shot past the outside, passing the Lancer easily in almost a straight line, rather than drifting.
Kumiko lightly tapped on the brakes and lost less speed than Fu Huo as he slammed the brakes to turn into the other direction.

A faint smiled came to Kumiko's face. It was naïve of you to turn into that corner at such an angle when the road was big enough to glide through straight. It looks like you still need a little more training on your perceptions…

Fu Huo rocked his to the opposite direction, snapping sideways in the attempt to close in on the GTO.
But it was too late, Kumiko had already nimbly sped along and tried to pull away.

It's not over yet! Fu Huo did not give up the fight and kept pressing on at Kumiko on and on.
Recovering from the slight loss in speed due to the miscalculation of his turn-ins, he speedily shot back straight behind the GTO.

That's good. Not giving up yet, I see. I like that, Fu… That quality of yours'll really help you in the future…
Kumiko began to lighten up, and gain a little confidence as she cleared the next section flawlessly.

Damn, I can't count on her making any more mistakes… What can I do…?
Fu Huo braked hard to avoid colliding with the GTO. Kumiko had purposely slowed down to block him and throw him off guard at the apex of the next turn just to distort him a little.

Kumiko was getting unpredictable now, which was another factor working against Fu.
I'm sorry Fu. I know that there is little more you can learn from me…

The GTO pulled away all of a sudden, disappearing from Fu Huo's view into the next blind corner.
But you still have much to learn…

Fu Huo tried to follow the last sight of the GTO's taillights and took the same line.
Surprisingly, his opponent did not get very far.

Still won't quit… Maybe he will find a way. If that's the case… then I'd really like to see this… Kumiko teased Fu Huo with her fishtail blocking and sudden actions.

Little by little, the gap seemed to close once again.
It really doesn't seem like I can do much… But I have to try… No matter what, it's worth a try… Isn't that what you've always taught me, Ku? Winning is never the point. Is to do your best no matter what, right? But I'm confused, master… I still don't know… Is this the best I can do…?

In one swift move, Fu Huo slammed on the throttle.
No… I have to defeat you, Ku! Not just for myself, but for you and everyone else! Or else, what good would our training be?

Both cars exited each corner and insane speeds once again, and it was clear that both drivers are aware of the stakes involved, without awareness of any dangers as they pushed and pushed on.

I have to prove to you how well you've trained me, Kumi! I've always wanted to thank you… and this is the best way to show you how much you've meant to me!

"This battle was so close, yet Kumiko seems to be the one who's gonna come out on top from the looks of it…" predicted Raide. "I feel sorry for Fu Huo. Working so hard, yet he's only recently declared along the ranks of his instructor…"

"Hey… it's still not over. Remember, Fu Huo could still rip something out of nowhere… Just like he did during his last two races…" objected Hokuto, as the two cars sequencially flew past the galleries.

"Yeah… but how can anybody manage to break through when the torment of Route F5 itself wouldn't even let you catch a single breath?" added Raide. "But I believe in them both. Nobody can tell until its truly over."

Fu Huo was indeed a new face to the entire underground street-racing enthusiast, although Kumiko on the other hand was no stranger to automotive magazines and certain video series under the Zui Hou R collection.

Defeating a legend like Fukada Kumiko would be a milestone for any road racer. Though the odds are seemingly far too much to chew.

The only thing Fu Huo was able to do at this point was close the gap. There just did not seem to be any opening for him to strike.
His expressions sharpened as he flung his vehicle further and further, revving his car at insane levels.

What's wrong with you? Concentrate Fu! You're moves are becoming sloppy! Kumiko noticed her opponent understeering on some corners, with the Lan-Evo entering almost too fast.

Damn… the faster I go, the further away she gets…
Fu Huo steered hard and covered nearly more than half of the road with his vehicle's body.
In a matter of moments, Fu Huo soon realized what he was doing wrong.

She's truly amazing. Kumiko's able to pressure me even from in front… The tailwhipping of her car… It's as if she's telling me to concentrate more…

Fu Huo slowled down his pace just a little, and glided through the next curve, and once again, closing the gap between him and the GTO.

It's like how teachers scold their students when they aren't paying attention. She's really trying to chew at my pride here…

The Lan-Evo caught the GTO fairly easily on the straightaway. It was evident that Fu Huo's vehicle had more power than his opponent.
However, he was so easily lost within the corners.

Fu Huo geared down, sent his revs flying as he attempted to regain his oversteer, taking the inside just before the apex.

Damn, hurry up! Fu Huo continued to hold down the throttle. I've always had this slight lag problem before… But it never really bothered me because I've managed to cope with it…

Fu noticed the GTO's taillights slipping away. I need the boost now! Well, I'm sure she must be suffering from lag too.

Kumiko continued her fishtail blocking strategy to ward off Fu Huo on the mild straightaway, glancing at her rear-view mirror once in a while.
He still has a chance. I can still be defeated. He's already proven a lot at this point. I thought my way of conveying my emotions through driving would eliminate all barriers in limit. Yet his emotions seem to overcome mine as if his actions on the road are showing me an entirely new perspective. It is rest assured that he has a lot resting on this. He is much more interesting that way…

Kumiko sped up, which seemed to have no effect, which only gave Fu Huo more room to squeeze forward. Realising this, Kumiko reverted back to continue her blocking strategy.

However, Fu Huo was already used to this array of maneuvers from his previous bouts. He was able to use this tactic to backfire on Kanae when she used it during the battle at H3.
Although it was much different, Fu Huo could not gain enough momentum to actually get ahead.

Hm… he's beginning to improve so much at such a short period of time. He's already beginning to mimic my style…
Kumiko quickly glanced back ahead, and noticed a blind hairpin a little too late.
She slightly understeered into the curve, while the Lan-Evo took advantage and stole the inside.

The GTO's nose slightly motioned into the apex, blocking off any of Fu Huo's chance of pressing further.
I understand now…

Both cars exited at similar speeds, with the GTO taking the lead once again.
It is actually not the most ideal way of countering the pressure. I was wrong in thinking about driving through my emotions. It also has a great downfall…

The GTO absolutely did not give the Lan-Evo any chance of getting further. Fu Huo skillfully avoided tapping Kumiko's rear bumper, as he continued to keep the gap to a minimum.

It was my age-old weakness that I used to have trouble with back then as I was racing alongside Maya…

The corner entries of both cars during the next few S curves differed from each other at this point, however. Fu Huo managed to take better lines than he did during the previous section, not even letting such constraints as turbo lag hold him back no matter how much he ran out of options.

Driving while bearing heavy burden can be a big distraction after all. Not only that it can affect one's concentration, but it can also alter one's actions. I thought my feelings were greater, yet it is apparent that Fu carries a much greater cause. I thought this was an advantage at first, but Fu Huo actually inherited my own weakness, in which I had to cope with back in the old days…

The final sets of curves were coming up. Fu Huo did not hold back for a second.
He paralleled Kumiko in each and every angle as he pushed harder and harder.

The Lan-Evo was just inches away from poking its bumper ahead of the GTO.
Impressive! He's still able to make use of every opportunity he gets and just wouldn't quit the fight! Kumiko struggled to keep the lead.

A few more corners to go, and Fu Huo's heart were set in claiming absolute immortality.
The ever-resillient Kumiko persistently tried to stop him dead on his tracks.

The GTO's rear was gliding sideways at one position, then suddenly jolted back into the opposite direction, positioning itself to both get into the next curve, also blocking the Lancer.

Both cars exited the final corner at a closely similar speed.
The Lancer's power gave Fu Huo a slight advantage on the straightaway.
Though the GTO also had much power just as well.

The racers dragged through just before the finishing point, with the Lancer slightly behind and gaining more and more on the GTO.

Come on! Go, my Evo five! Go!

The finishing touch was serenaded through the sound system on 'Colour Of Soul' – Koda Kumi as the Lancer began to slowly pull up beside the GTO at last.

Neither driver took their foot off the accelerator for an instant.
The two cars blasted through and finally reached the finishing point, with the GTO slightly having a portion of its body ahead of the Lan-Evo V…

The crowd was stunned and petrified on the shocking, yet predicted result of the final bout of the BXD tournament. Nevertheless, the galleries echoed and fans cheered, as the spectators had finally greeted Kumiko at the finishing point, branding her the true undisputed champion of all road racers.

'Tokidoki kangaeru jibun ga nan na no ka
Kimi wo honki de suki na no ka'

Dozens of fans and opposition alike crowded around the 3000GT, lining to beg for Kumiko's autograph.

'Jareatte iru noni hitori ni naritakute
Ude no naka yoake wo miteru'

Kumiko slowly stepped out of her vehicle and was heralded by the sea of chants, "Kumi! Kumi! Kumi!" as the women drooled at her car and the men drooled at her beauty.

'Ashita ni naranakucha WHAT IS LOVE?
Wakaranai kimochi ga aru hazu sou futari nara'

A reception of BXD staff had greeted Kumiko with a shiny championship badge containing the BXD logo and a set of decals containing the BXD trademark and certification of coming 1st place on the overall BXD street racing tournament, as well as the prize money.

'COLOR OF MY SOUL ai shite iru sagashiteru
Arinomama no tamashii no iro
Hadaka no kuchibiru kasanetai yo'

The chants continued has Kumiko began to pack her winnings into her car, as she noticed the black Lan-Evo V park across on the other side of the path and remained motionless.

'Uso wo tsuitemo sunao demo zenbu ga watashi to uchiakeru
Tagai no mirai ga chigau keshiki demo
Yuku dake '

Fu Huo sat in his car, still stunned from the after-effects from such a tight battle as well as being overwhelmed by the course itself. However, the loss at such great stakes hit him hard.
He refused to come out of his vehicle and sat alone, thinking to himself once again. Was this the best I can do?

A moment after, a soft knock tapped on Fu Huo's window, as he turned to his side and saw a rather beautiful face.

Kumiko kindly asked him to step out of his vehicle to have a word. It was not like those other times that Fu Huo had lost to Kumiko. This time was rather different.

Fu Huo stepped out of the Lan-Evo, leaning on the door with a slightly glum look on his face.

"Master…" Fu Huo could not bottle it up much longer.
"Fu…"
"I'm sorry, Ku…"
"Sorry for what?"
"I've failed you, Ku… I wasn't good enough…"
"Oh Fu…"

Kumiko moved closer to Fu Huo and gave him a warm hug, leaning his head against her chest and pat his back gently.

"It's okay… Fu. You did well. You did very well. I only got lucky, no joke," Kumiko held Fu tightly, hoping to cheer up her long-time student and old friend.

Fu Huo sobbed on her, gripping her lower back and motioning Kumiko closer to him.
"I just wanted you to be proud of me! I have trained myself endlessly, practiced like no tomorrow… only just to impress you!"

"Fu… listen to me. I am impressed. And I really am proud of you already. You're already a little better than I am…"

"I don't need to be patronized, Ku…" sobbed Fu.
"Fu Huo… I'm not trying to patronize you. You're the absolute best I've ever battled since Maya. You two are the only people I've met who can defeat me…"

Kumiko motioned his head and stared at his face, looking directly into his eyes. "It was a lot of fun Fu… It really was. I hope you feel the same way too, because I think this is probably the last time I'll ever do this…"

Fu Huo let out a little smile as Kumiko gave him a friendly kiss to the cheek. "I had fun tonight, Ku… Thanks. It was a great pleasure, and an honour… But what do you mean, the last time?"

"I should have already retired long ago. The reason why I still race is because of you, Fu. I want to make sure that I can finally hand it all over to you… And you've already found my answer for me. It's about time that you've taken my place."

"No… you can't retire, Ku… I don't understand…"
"There's nothing more I can teach you, Fu. I have already reached my limit, but you still haven't reached yours. Use whatever you've learned from me and take yourself even higher…"

Fu Huo had a loss for words, yet deep inside, he felt pleased and content, even though he lost.
Kumiko let go of him briefly, and took his hand.

She raised Fu's arm high in the air, as the fans began to chant his name; "Fu Huo! Fu Huo! Fu Huo!"

Several moments after the tournament's closure and the streets have cleared, the staff and spectators were to be on their way home from such an electrifying night.

"So Kumiko won after all…" commented Raide.
"The lion truly is no match for the serpent…" added Hokuto.
"What lion…?" asked Raide.
"Um… It was just a metaphoric expression…" explained Hokuto.
"No… your metaphor was way off…" said Raide, as they both walked over to their vehicles and ready to return home.

"The Neon Serpent had barely even defeated the mighty Sky Dragon…" briefly commented Raide as he stepped into his S2000.

Moments passed as Route F5 quickly emptied itself as quickly as it built up an audience.
The Bu Xia De officials have already left the premises a long while ago, along with the rest of the competitors and spectators.

The race was truly an intense and startling mainevent.
As the sidelines emptied, Route F5 seemed almost dead compared to the ovation that filled routes with echoes. It was almost empty.

However, Fu Huo still remained, and stood by his black Evolution V, even as the galleries emptied.
Yet, he was not alone. Nearby, was an aqua coloured strawberry-faced Sileighty.

"You were really great there, Fu…" complimented Kanae. "I'm so proud and happy for you… I'm glad you made it safely…"
"I appreciate your concern…" said Fu in a soft, somber voice. "And I appreciate you returning the pills back."

The two hardly wasted any time for talk. Before they knew it, they began to pash at each other, chewing at each other's mouth like they both starved for each other.
Fu Huo pulled Kanae closer, motioning her lower back and held her tightly in his arms.

Kanae let herself be taken, as she placed her arms on Fu's shoulders, leaning against him as she kissed him on.

After a few long and dragging minutes, Fu Huo halted, and held back.
Holding Kanae in his arms, he spoke softly; "This is the last time I'm doing this."

Confused, yet shattered, Kanae replied, "Really? How come? I don't understand…"
"I have already taken back KYOKO… Though I wasn't supposed to do the things that I did. I apologise for that…" explained Fu Huo.

"But…! I don't get it…" whimpered Kanae.
"I'm sorry. I am finished now. And I am also unsure where my feelings truly lie. I'm with Zui Hou, and much of me that have already been exposed wasn't supposed to. I have a long way to go, and other promises to fulfil."

"Fu Huo…" a small tear fell from Kanae's eye as she had ran out of things to say.
"I thank you for all of your kindness and for keeping your word. I've had fun battling with you, Kanae… Take care of yourself, ok?"

Kanae sobbed, "You too, Fu. And thanks for everything…"
"I'm sorry…" Fu had finally closed the door, and started his engine.

Kanae struggled to hold back her anguish as she watched the black Lancer speed off into the night, never to be seen again in the annals of Route F5…

Hours later, Kanae had gone home and remained in her room as she switched on her computer once again. It was around 1AM and was unable to catch a good night's sleep, as she logged on and connected to her chat program.
Despite her fatigue, she kept the lights dim, and typed away, chatting nearly endlessly as much to her heart's content.
She sat on her seat comfortably again, keeping her hands busy as she stared on at her computer screen.

KaNny: hey…
Resurrection: hello, Kanae, how r u?
KaNny: I'm fine… Can't sleep again
KaNny: how about u?
Resurrection: I'm ok too
Resurrection: u must be very tired huh
Resurrection: what've u been up to?
KaNny: Nothin much… I was just at F5 today…
Resurrection: oh ok
KaNny: The final round of the tournament was held there
KaNny: Fukada Kumiko won
Resurrection: I know
KaNny: You know?
KaNny: Hey wait a sec, you told me a couple of days ago that we would meet?
KaNny: Where were u?
Resurrection: I was there
KaNny: Were you? I didn't see you
Resurrection: Are you sure?
Resurrection: Well, I was there.
KaNny: Oh well…
Resurrection: I told u I'd go to the tournament this time, didn't I?
KaNny: Yes u did say that
Resurrection: And I was there
KaNny: Oh… I'm sorry, I must have missed you…
KaNny: BTW, I was the girl in the aqua Sil80
Resurrection: Yeah, I know
KaNny: U knew?
KaNny: What car did you have, anyway?
Resurrection: A black Lancer Evolution V…