STREET
TALES: 'Legend Of Zui Hou R'
Final Gear: 'The Zui
Hour'
ACT 1 – 1000RPM 'Revelations Part II'
It
was one calm and sunny morning, Maya spent her time preparing out her
café as she roamed around the kitchen by herself deciding on
the specials for that day. The Koda's was quiet, as she had begun
to turn the fans on and airconditioning. She was dressed in her usual
sky-blue waitresses uniform, which were a white office shirt and a
grey blouse along with an apron. She took out a feather duster and
began to dust off the windows. As she returned back into her kitchen
to check on her refrigerator, Maya heared a faint sound of an
automobile, which had just parked out the back lot of the restaurant.
A customer at this hour?
Ignoring the sound for a
moment, Maya continued to take out some supplies and ingredients and
set them on the chopping board. She continued to humm to herself as
she reached for the knife. Wait a sec… why would a customer park
at the rear?
Maya had then walked away from the sink and took
a little peek out of the window near the back door overviewing the
lot. There was nobody there except for one car. Much to her surprise,
it was a white NSX Type R, which she had been very familiar
with.
Maya was a little cross toward her younger sister,
Minako for not coming back with her the other night, though at the
same time, was also relieved. She lay down her knives and slowly
walked her way out of the kitchen, as soon as she heard the main
entrance door open and close softly.
"Oh, how nice of you to
come back," said Maya with a light pinch of sarcasm.
"I'm
sorry, sis… I have no excuse," said Minako, who stood directly in
front of the door with a bit of a pitiful face. "I must've had
you worried." She wore the same waitress outfit as her sister, only
she was carrying her apron in her right arm.
"That's obvious
isn't it? I'm not mother, but I sometimes feel that I am
responsible for all your mischief," continued Maya. "And what
were you doing out the-…"
Maya had suddenly cut speech. She stood silently, staring ahead of her as she observed the doors behind Minako open slowly…
"He-he-he-hello… um… what can I do for you, mister?" said Maya playfully in an awkward tone, looking directly at the young man whom she had never expected to ever see again just enter her cafeteria.
Fu Huo stepped up from the
doors, walking past Minako. He was dressed in light beige slacks, a
cream coloured blazer with a blue office shirt and brown tinted
specs. His hair was a little shorter and thinner, though he still had
long fringes and thin sharp layers hanging down from the side.
Maya
thoughtlessly rushed her way straight towards Fu Huo and thrusted
against him with a great big and warm hug. She stretched her arms
widely, as she tightly hugged him playfully.
"Welcome home,
brother…" she smirked, and soon, small little drops of tears had
begun to crawl down her cheeks.
"It's good to be back, sis,"
replied Fu Huo, smiling to himself and glanced at Minako.
There was not a happier moment for those three. Minako cherished that moment, as she had never seen her sister so relieved. It was great timing, to take her focus away from scolding her. Though Maya never really showed it, Minako knew that her sister had also missed Fu Huo as much as she did. But that morning saw them all together once again – together as a family.
Maya stood back and asked Fu Huo
excitedly, "Can I get ya something, hun? Anything at all? I'll do
it for free too! Any meal you want!" she offered.
"I'll help
out too!" added Minako. "Let's have a party tonight or
something? Just the three of us!" she suggested excitedly.
"Sounds
good," smiled Fu Huo, taking his sunglasses off, "However, I'm
not really sure I can stick around right now. How about later
then?"
"Why…? What's up?" asked Minako.
"I'm
sorry. I feel like there's something I gotta do with KYOKO. I'm
really sorry, though I'd like to spend time catching up with you
guys… but I promise, by the time I'm finished, we'll have
something to really celebrate!"
"Well, I trust you…
You'll be okay?" wondered Minako.
"Ain't no stoppin'
him," added Maya, "Where are you going anyway?"
"I'm
going for a cruise along Route C4… I feel like I might… find
something there… in the hall of legends," explained Fu
Huo.
"You're going there during the day?" asked
Maya.
"What's the point? You're already the greatest there
is," complimented Minako.
Fu Huo closed his eyes for a
moment, and then momentarily stared out of the windows, thinking
about something. He looked back at the others and spoke, "No, I am
not… not just yet…"
"Why?" asked Minako.
"Because I
feel like there is one thing left I need to do. I haven't decided
what it is… but I think I could find it at Route C4…" explained
Fu Huo.
"Well you don't need me to tell you this, but be
careful okay? And come back soon! We have a lot to talk about,"
said Maya.
"Sure. I'll see you later then."
Fu Huo stepped out of Koda's, slipping his sunglasses back on as he slowled walked his way back to the NSX-R. He slowled opened the door, smelling the soothing aroma of the Honda interior as he stepped in anxiously inside a car that he had yet to rightfully call his own. However, he was on his way to change that.
The car had slowly rolled out of the driveway, signaling its turn and moving its way on to the city streets. It was an early morning, as Fu Huo had manually activated and opened a song file on his vehicle. ( 'Drive Me Nuts' – Cyber X feat. Tomiko Van)
The NSX-R continued along, accelerating at a medium pace. Fu Huo moderated his speed, totally in control of KYOKO as he continued through the near-empty streets of the city at dawn. The sun lit magnificently on the bright white body of the NSX-R as the shine covered the vehicle in a manner that pictured it as a great light, traveling across the bridges and highways.
'Sakihokoru...'
As Fu Huo exited
along the ramp, nearing his way closer to the highway area, he had
then begun to accelerate a little and lift up his speed. He geared up
to third and focused ahead in style. With loud trance music and
expensive shades, Fu Huo very much had the all-eyes-on-me
approach.
Cruising the highways further along, he began to
question KYOKO at what his true objective must be and what he needed
to completely satisfy whatever they may be.
Without a single
doubt, Fu Huo knew what he needed to do, although nothing could
prepare him an answer of whether he could actually do
it…
'Sakihokoru mirai wo sora takaku
Ima ijou kore
ijou negau'
The NSX-R soon picked up quickly and boosted through the lanes as the sudden increase of pace in the music kicked in. Fu Huo geared up as the soothing voice of Van Tomiko along with the rushing beat of trance serenaded the cockpit while the revs flew as if sequential to the beat.
'I will expect
tomorrow
which can always shine'
Fu Huo was fully aware of his newfound abilities and felt so right to him. Cruising past initially starting off at Route D1, the NSX-R cruised along swiftly. His purified heart and soul poured into each bend, sending his ride of divinity across the valley.
'It says good-bye
to the worries any more'
For a moment, Fu Huo had begun to think about Minako. At this point, he not only had a reason to become a better competitor, but also to become a better man. He had hoped, prayed, and dreamt for so long to have Minako back by his side once again. They were the only to things that mattered to him – his girl and his pride.
Several moments later, Fu Huo had made his way into the empty streets of the inbound section of Route C4, where he had planned to foresee his answers. Finding a way for him to pour his heart into the system, KYOKO responded. The NSX-R dived into the S curves as a sign or method to massage on his feelings. Feeding from the trance and engine noise, it felt good to tackle each corner at an angle and distance close to the edge.
'Dou
demo ii koto de fuan ni natte ita
Jibun no SUTAIRU nakushite tada'
Fu Huo began to turn up his pace, not worrying about any commotion or traffic. At this point, he did not care about the traffic rules. He hardly ever did. Though only for this moment, he would push his fate a little bit further. Just this once…
'Me
no mae no genjitsu wo miru koto dekinai
Sabitsuku kimochi mo
koroshite mou'
Fu Huo took a chance. He geared up,
accelerating his car madly out of the curves and into the next. These
new tyres are fantastic. It's almost as if I can just skate through
the bends and glide my way out…
At that moment, he thought,
there was nothing wrong with a little temptation. Revving his car
smoothly, the NSX-R picked up speed rather quickly. Fu Huo set his
sights into the wide hairpin curve coming up next. To this point, Fu
Huo had now pushed his vehicle at great speed. He continued on,
sending his vehicle into the corner without slowing down.
'Drive me nuts…'
Instantly, Fu Huo released the throttle and steered in swiftly while his car entered at such great speed and began to understeer to the extent that exceeded his tyre's normal grip. The sudden loss of throttle and the quick change in momentum as Fu Huo steered caused a break in his vehicle's traction, momentarily nullifiying the car's grip and sent into a wild slide.
'Dore dake jibun wo kurushimetemo
Nani mo umare ya
shinai'
Fu Huo quickly kicked into the throttle again,
sending power into his wheels and began to spin as he excitedly began
to counter-steer. I've been trying to do this… for such a long
time. All my life, I've practiced endlessly… just to perfect this
technique…
Maintaining its great speed on entry, the NSX-R
shot past the apex at an angular position while exiting right back
into position as if thee corner was not even there.
Fu Huo revved up and geared back up, smiling proudly at himself for finally being able to execute the kansei drift for the first time.
'Kagayaku mirai no tame ni hashiru
Yasashii kao ni mo
nareru'
With KYOKO providing him details of his speed, accuracy, and angle, Fu Huo had continued swiftly while increasing his speed. Everything he had struggled relentlessly to do in the past had now seemed right in his grasp. He had finally understood the meaning of the things that Alex had once told him.
'Sakihokoru
mirai wo sora takaku
Ima ijou kore ijou negau'
The feeling had never felt so right. Fu Huo had also begun to realize that KYOKO was not for the purpose of a weapon to destroy the competition, but to realize the true beauty of the risks and challenges of race driving, removing all distractions and fears on the road to maximize excitement.
'It noticed the thing
which it
didn't feel till now.
It says good-bye to the
worries
any more.'
Moments later, Fu Huo had lowered his pace, taking care not to push his luck any further. The NSX-R slowed down at cruise speed, as he caught a glimpse of another car in the distance. Strangely he thought, the car had seemed to be stationary. As he drew closer, focusing his view on the road, he had realized the car was parked on the sidelines, along the tourism lot. Fu Huo had also realized two other things; it was a burgundy coloured 3000GT and the other factor was that it was waiting for him.
Fu
Huo glanced at the woman who stood by the car, leaning on the door as
he turned in to meet up with her. Kumiko stood by, observing the
white NSX-R like she had been expecting it to come along.
The car
parked next to her 3000GT, as the engine had shut off and the door
had slowly begun to open.
Fu Huo slowly stepped out, taking his
sunglasses off as he walked over to meet with his former mentor…
"I
thought you would've showed up," said Kumiko.
"How did you
know I was here?" wondered Fu Huo.
Kumiko explained, "I was
looking for you myself. Though Maya told me you were on your way
here,"
"I see," replied Fu Huo.
Kumiko had then slowly approached him, not taking her eyes of Fu Huo for a second. She slowly made her way closer to him, as she wrapped her arms onto him and leaned her face on his shoulder, hugging him tight.
"It's
good to see you again," said Kumiko softly.
"I'm sorry for
all the pain I've caused you, Master Ku…" apologized Fu
Huo.
Kumiko released him from her grip and smiled at him, "You
no longer need to call me that. You are the master now."
"Ku…
I'm so sorry… for everything," continued Fu Huo.
"There's
no need for that… I'm just glad to see you here once more, in the
flesh," explained Kumi.
"Do you not consider me as an enemy?"
confirmed Fu.
"No… of course not… I've never… ever
looked at you as my enemy."
"Oh thank goodness…"
"Bao
Fu is dead, isn't he?" said Kumi proudly, "You know… even the
guys back at the base are happy that they heard you've survived.
Ling, Stephen, everyone… They've never thought for a second of
you as an enemy…"
"…Really? I feel so… unworthy after
all I've…"
"No… Bao Fu is no more… He was defeated by
a man called Fu Huo," smiled Kumiko.
"Yeah… I guess. He's finished," confirmed Fu Huo, as he leaned back on his car, looking up to the clouds in relief. He exhaled; satisfied with the fact that he had finally made peace with Kumiko and meeting her in this manner was somehow rather appropriate.
"…But there is
a reason that I have come out here to meet you, Fu Huo," explained
Kumi, "I think it is… very important. I think we should
talk."
"I've got time," said Fu Huo.
"I know what you
are planning to do next. I know exactly what you are thinking…"
"Is
that so…?" laughed Fu Huo.
Kumiko leaned back and almost
urgently began to speak, "Yes… but before you do so, there are a
lot of things that you must know…!"
"Okay…"
Kumi
took a deep breath and began to explain, "Recently… I have taken
the time to do a little research. I've looked up numerous records…
Records… about your birth… your childhood…"
"I see…
That's very kind of you… anything interesting?" asked Fu
Huo.
"More than just interesting…" continued Kumi, "In
fact, I was actually a bit surprised myself on what I have
discovered."
Fu Huo had a feeling that he had already known
what Kumiko was about to tell him. It was not something from KYOKO,
but rather a raw gut feeling within him.
She continued to
explain, "I've researched extensively on your birth records…
and I had been finally able to figure out who and where your parents
really are…"
"My… parents?"
Parents are something Fu Huo had hardly experienced though have never really taken any serious thought or notice about them. He allowed Kumiko to continue on.
"I think you should hear about… your father first of
all," added Kumi, "The man you know as Chuan Shuo…"
"What
about him?"
"Well… your birth records to not say anything
about Chuan Shuo being your father… In fact, it does not mention
anything about Chuan Shuo whatsoever. To tell you the truth Fu, Chuan
Shuo does not exist,"
"Is… that so? Please continue,"
"When
I had finally figured out who your really parents are… it had so
shockingly made so much sense."
"Oh please quit with the
suspense, will ya," urged Fu Huo.
"Well… from what I've
discovered, Chuan Shuo is nothing but an alias. A decoy. A codename.
Whatever you wanna call it…" said Kumiko. "There is nobody
called Chuan Shuo, or at least, related to you that is."
Fu Huo
did not say anything more. He continued to stand silently, as Kumiko
further explained.
"I'll let you in on something on our
Emperor…" continued Kumiko.
"Hey… no way… you're about
to say that… Hyuga is my…?"
"I'm about to say that there
is also no such thing as Hyuga," said Kumiko.
"Now I'm a bit
lost… you're about to say Hyuga is my father and not Chuan
Shuo?"
"No… neither of them are, but at the same time, they
both are," said Kumiko, "But in reality, Hyuga and Chuan Shuo are
both aliases. Hyuga is another codename. But there is no doubt that
your true father was once a legendary member of the C4 racing
clan…"
Fu Huo, confused and stunned, listened on
silently.
Kumiko cut straight to the chase, "Your birth records
claim that you are the one and only son of a man called Chuan Zui
Hou…"
"…I thought so," said Fu Huo.
"Hyuga,
Shuo… or whatever you knew him as were only just aliases. His truly
solid real name is Zui Hou."
"I see… now that screws up a
bit of the picture… surely, that guy had done a fair job providing
me with education, food and a place to sleep, as well as a job…
though if I was totally aware of it, I wouldn't have treated him
this badly to this extent…" said Fu Huo in guilt.
"Oh
really…? You really thought he planned to kill you when you stole
KYOKO? Wait til you realize what he really has in store for you…!"
smiled Kumiko, "But first… I hope you also realize… a bit more
about your mother…"
"My… mother?" spoke Fu Huo
softly. He had very rarely thought about his mother, though he had
always wondered what she would be like, what kind of woman she was,
and what of the great things she had done besides giving birth to
him, and most of all, who she was in the first place.
After
hearing what Kumiko had just told him, Fu Huo had began to realize
the true identity of his biological mother.
Fu Huo's eyes
widened, as he quickly turned around, staring at the NSX-R. He leaned
on it gently, placing his hands on its window, softly talking to
himself.
"My… my mother is…"
"The deceased wife of
Chuan Zui Hou and one of the greatest legends in the history of all
in underground street racing… 'Kyoko-Chuan'…"
"Kyoko…?
M-mother…?"
"Yes… your mother never died of childbirth,…"
explained Kumiko, "she died, almost more than a decade ago. You
were probably just a kid, when a man sent by your father, Zui had
taken you and raised you, while he and your mother had been busy with
their racing campaign along with C4. Being too busy to look after
their only child, they had their child taken into the hands of their
subordinates. Those were Zui's henchmen, Fu. Though your parents'
relationship had backfired ever since that accident in their home
course, Rotue 246 out in a foreign region. Zui Hou hid himself along
with all the shame and pain he had caused himself and decided to
raise you from the shadows, hoping one day you would follow in his
footsteps as a force even greater than himself or your own
mother…"
"So… my parents were never there for me… in exchange, they were the two most feared and respected competitors of the scene back then… I wouldn't have had it any better way than that… Somehow… I don't feel sad. At least know everything is clear to me… All the lies I've been told ever since I was a child had now been brought to light. And I am satisfied with that," said Fu Huo, "In one way or another, my father, Zui Hou had provided me with everything I do need to be what I am now. And that's good enough for me…"
"I hope you caught the part where I told
you that your father had other plans for you," added Kumiko,
"Because I have stumbled on one, final interesting find…"
"Which
is…?"
"It seems that Zui Hou had set you up with some sort
of trust fund. After you've completed certain… prerequisites. Now
I understand why the organization had drilled you in so much on
accounting, management and all those annoying stuff you were forced
to learn for all your life, but for an unknown purpose…" said
Kumiko.
"What prerequisites?"
"After you've graduated
and have reached a certain age, Zui Hou was planning to retire… and
entrust his entire organization to his only son, leaving him to run
all of Zui Hou R as Emperor… after one final step in his plan. I'm
sure you already know what I am about to say…"
"Yeah…"
"Zui
Hou figured that the one last thing you must do in order for him to
hand over his business to you… is if you could defeat him in a
race…" claimed Kumiko…
