Chapter 7: The Second Ace
"Fujiwara tonight, you have 3 aces. You need to use all three to have a chance of winning. The first you will not recognize, the second ace is unique to Tochigi, and third ace is the is the same one you have in Akina." Ryousuke's words played over and over in Takumi's head.
"What was Ryousuke trying to tell me? He said I have three aces but I have no idea what they are. This is really frustrating, I have to figure out his advice or I'm finished." By this point Takumi was starting to become exhausted.
"I'm really getting tired, this race hasn't lasted that long but I'm driving at my limit, I don't know how long I can keep this up."
"Perhaps I made a mistake Fujimoro. I told Fujiwara he had three aces but only gave him clues for the second and third aces. Having created such a riddle might be too much for him at this stage. He must be having a hard time just focusing on his opponent." Ryousuke crossed his arms and closed his eyes, reflecting on whether he was asking too much of Project D's drivers.
"You've given Fujiwara some perplexing advice in the past and that's never stopped him before. So I'm sure he'll get whatever you told him. In fact…"
"Aniki!" Keisuke coldly cut off Fujimoro.
"Aniki, please don't ignore my question. What is Fujiwara's second ace?"
"Patience, Keisuke. It is impolite to interrupt people." Keisuke simply bit his tongue at that point and waited for his brothers answer.
"The second ace is unique to Irohazaka, and only someone with Fujiwara's skill level and motivation will take advantage of it." Ryousuke slowly smiled and started chuckling. Keisuke and Fujimoro looked at each other still puzzled.
"What do you find amusing Ryousuke?" Fujimoro pleaded.
"As good as that EVO VI is, as much work as the EMPERORS put into it, the EVO VI still has a weakness…A weakness that comes from its strength." Keisuke was really getting a headache at this point.
"Aniki, please!" Keisuke yelled while Kenta nodded in agreement.
"Very well, the weakness is the All Wheel Drive."
"What! Aniki how can AWD be considered a weakness?"
"It is a weakness because of the second ace." Ryousuke took a deep breath. "AWD is a weakness because it cannot be used to cut across the hairpin corners. That EVO IV will never be able to take the shortest line!"
Keisuke's jaw dropped. Of course how could be so dumb! Fujiwara was capable of using the same technique used by Kogashiwa Kai!
"Of course there's a catch. To be honest, I'm not completely sure Fujiwara can pull it off. The first time that Fujiwara used the Shortest Line Technique, he was following Kogashiwa. Fujiwara's ability to copy nearly anyone's techniques on his or her home course came into play. That race was month's ago and I doubt that he has practiced the technique since then. I did have the Hachi-Roku's suspension adjusted accordingly but that may not be enough. The ability to cut a corner like Kogashiwa and land safely requires absolute precision. Without anyone to follow, Fujiwara may be out of luck."
Fujimoro turned pale, Keisuke clenched his fist.
"Don't lose, your not allowed to lose to anyone except me." Keisuke gritted his teeth and muttered to himself.
"Still behind me huh? I doubt you can keep at it much longer. I can tell your getting weaker by the minute. Once we hit the hairpins, I'll unleash my full acceleration. And I'll be rid of you for good." Seiji watched as the 86 began to grow smaller and smaller in his mirrors.
"I'm loosing…No! Not yet! There as to be something I can do, I haven't figured out any of Ryousuke's advice and we're almost at the…hairpins! Ryousuke said that one of the Aces was unique to Irohazaka! Of course, that has to be it. But can I do it? I'm practically taking them blind…no…I have to, there's no other way." Takumi started bracing himself, his race with the SW20 playing in his head over and over. Takumi took a deep breath.
The 86 flew into the entry of the hairpin with full out braking. For an instant jammed the handbrake locking the rear tires and swinging the 86 around for the exit before reaching the corner.
Time froze for a millisecond….
"What hell is the Hachi-Roku doing?" Seiji stared at his mirror disbelief.
"Ready! GO!"
The Hachi-Roku flew…literally. As if empowered by Takumi's motivation the 86 flew. .. Then his beloved Hachi-Roku came down with a hard landing.
"Oh…Hell, Damn it, I landed wrong." Takumi counter-steered, while using heel and toe. He knew at this point his life depended on straightening out. Takumi seemed to have met death...there was no way out.
Miraculously the 86 finally straightened, as if guided by an invisible hand. Takumi sat pale, drenched in sweat. That was too close, somehow the suspension settings had saved him. Now what? The technique worked, it had brought him closer to the EVO VI. But using it again, would he make next time?
The fire of pure motivation, the very flame of Takumi's soul, his drive to go on, sparked up again. His pale skin turned red as his blood flowed faster.
"AGAIN! Here I come! I won't win just for me, I'll win for all of D!"
"Aniki, you said even if Fujiwara could use the second ace he might sill loose. Please tell me what's the final Ace he has."
Takumi flew at suicidal speed into the next hairpin.
Author's note: Sorry for the long wait everyone. You might think you know what's next but I doubt you have the slightest idea. Always remember to expect the unexpected…Next chapter is Chapter 8: The Final ACE… and the kiss of death.