Disclaimer: I do not own any CCS things and NFSUG2 things….
To TeDDiez: Thanks for the good reply. Now I can say that I don't screw in writing my finished fanfics :p. Read my other fanfics as well. You might enjoy it.
Chapter 2: First Races
Takashi drove to the urban part of the City Core. His car's engine hummed with fine tune. The tires screeched when he weaved the car to the left. Takashi shifted up to another gear for more speed. Another corner appeared before his car. He slowed the car down before he entered the curb. He placed the shift stick to third gear and pushed the throttle. He was now on a straight road. All of a sudden, two cars, a red MX-5 and a yellow Ford Focus, went past him, going to the same place he was going.
At the far end, Takashi saw several bystanders, gazing at the two shiny cars. Most of them were me; few were women. Some of crowd whistled at the two cars. Takashi parked his car a few meters away from the two cars. He turned off the car and got out of his Tiburon. He looked around. It was a little quiet on his place. Most of the crowd was hooked on the MX-5 and the Focus. Not much of the crowd did gaze his car.
"Man, what a crowd," Takashi said, scanning the whole area.
Suddenly, his laptop beeped. He turned his heel around and approached the driver's seat. It was a call form Eriol. He quickly answered the call. The screen opened and showed the face of Eriol smiling at Takashi.
"Yes?" said Takashi.
"Having fun tonight?" asked Eriol.
Takashi shook his head. "Nah. The race hasn't started yet."
Eriol smiled. "So you have entered a circuit."
"Yeah," Takashi replied.
"This race easy," Eriol informed. "The curves are easy to enter; it's four kilometers long, and kinda looked like a race track for NASCAR. You shouldn't find this hard."
Takashi smiled, showing some teeth.
"Thanks for the tip," he said.
"Sure thing," replied Eriol.
Yamazaki turned his head to the crowd "…kay. Gotta go. The race is starting."
Eriol smiled cheerfully at Takashi. "Well, good luck."
Takashi hung up. He inhale deeply and exhaled. "Here we go."
He pushed the throttle, revving the engine. He drove the car slowly to the starting line. The crowd on each side cheered on the three cars. Takashi aligned the car and placed the gear to neutral.
"Alright, let's do this," Takashi said.
A long, brown haired, Caucasian woman, wearing a glistening, silver one-piece dress and high heels, walked in front of the cars. The woman raised both arms side wards, signaling the drivers to be ready. There she stood in front of the small gap between Takashi's Tiburon and the Focus. Then the lady raised her arms up high in the sky. In seconds, she shoved her arms down to the ground; a signal for the drivers to…SPRINT! The drivers jammed the throttle and the race has begun.
The cars dashed to the street. The Focus and the MX-5 were neck and neck, leaving Takashi in their dust. Takashi's Tiburon caught up with the two cars. Seemingly, the Ford Focus and the Miata MX-5 were still fighting for the lead.
Takashi shifted to third gear and pushed more on the throttle, attempting to get closer to them. Moments later, they were about to meet the first corner with ease, but he was still in last place. He held on in tailing them. The drivers met up with the intersection that had fountains at the center. The Focus and the MX-5, who were in front of Takashi, weaved right and left, going past the fountains.
"Whoa! They're good," Takashi thought.
For a first time racer in a new setting, Takashi did well on trailing them. He soon got close enough to overtake. Takashi took his chance but failed. The driver of the MX-5 saw it and intercepted the entry. Takashi had no choice but to back off. It's back to the rear for him.
"Damn, he saw it," Takashi said.
O
There were now at the last lap of the race. The pressure was coming to the drivers and adrenaline came rushing to the driver's vain. For the last two laps, Takashi wasn't able to get past the Focus and the MX-5. Takashi grinned cockily. That was what he wanted the drivers to think. He shifted up and jammed his foot to the pedal. The Tiburon slowly gained speed. The Tiburon's front bumper was very close behind of MX-5 rear bumper. The driver looked at this rear view mirror. To his shock, he saw the Tiburon close behind him.
"What the…?" he exclaimed.
Takashi weaved right beside the MX-5. Before MX-5 driver could react, it was too late. Takashi shifted in to high gear and blasted away to the side of the MX-5 driver watched in shock as he was being overtaken by Takashi. Takashi shifted to fourth gear and left the MX-5 to eat his dust.
Takashi laughed as he smoked the MX-5 behind. It wasn't long before he'll going to smoke the Focus. He pushed more on the throttle, trying to catch to the Focus. The driver of the Focus looked at his side mirror. He saw a blinding flash coming closer to him. The man shifted to lower gear, swerving the car to the sharp curb of the track.
Takashi pushed on the throttle more and immediately braked two meters before the sharp corner. He pulled the side brake, drifting the car with a fast exit. He was really catching up with the Focus.
The Focus driver looked at his rear view mirror. He saw, to his shock, the Tiburon at the side of his rear bumper. He watched as the Takashi moved slowly, nearing the cockpit. Takashi grinned as his Tiburon got past the Focus and finished the race.
Takashi pulled on the brakes. Afterwards, he got out of the car; just to see many street racing fans rushing to him and congratulating him. The crowd screamed. Takashi raised his fist victorious and the crowd went wild; the first racing victory for him in this city.
O
Takashi went back to his car, happy and proud of himself. He leaned down on his car to the relaxation he deserved. Even though, the race was easy, the drivers he fought were really good themselves. He really thought that he won't win his first race. But thanks to his determination, he succeeded in winning the race. Plus, he also got cash for winning the race. He grinned, looking at the star above. Suddenly, the laptop beeped once more. He quickly answered the call. In the screen, he saw Eriol's pleased face.
"Hey, congratulations for your first victory," Eriol said.
Takashi grinned. "Thanks."
"There's more to come, Takashi," Eriol noted.
"There's more?" asked Takashi.
He crouched over his seat, wondering what challenge he would be up against.
Eriol nodded.
"Yeah, you could join what event you want to be in," he replied. "And win some cash at the same time."
"Win some more cash and head to Megalow parts." He added, "It's cheaper there but limited in parts. But you buy some useful parts there."
Takashi nodded. "Okay, boss."
O
Takashi drove his Tiburon on the streets of City Core. The night got bright by the street lights installed on the streets. The stars shone about the dark sky, glittering and glistening light below. Since the night was cold, he decided to turn off the air-con of the car and lowered his windows. The wind ran against his face. He remembered the times he had driven a car. He smiled when he remembered the time he messed the clutch and blown an engine. It was an old AE-86 that his father gave to him in his High-school years.
He also remembered that he popped one of the tires of his 86, damaged the gearbox and most the terrifying, he met an accident, although he survived without a scratch, but not the car. He remembered all the screw-ups he made in those years, before he improved to be a good race driver. He laughed softly at those memories he recollected.
He pushed the throttle, gaining more speed. He was about to enter a curve at the end of the strait. He pushed the softly to slow the car a little, trail braking to the side of the street. In a split second, he turned the steering wheel left and entered the corner. Takashi pushed the clutch and shifted up to third gear upon entering. He quickly accelerated the car, making a clean exit.
Meanwhile, Syaoron was cruising along the empty streets of City Core. He had just finished his first too thirty minutes ago. His Honda Civic Coupe Si really kicked ass. It was a good thing that he chose this car. He stopped to an intersection and looked for on coming traffic. Nothing passed by for the past few seconds. So he decided to move along.
He shifted the car to first gear, slowly applying pressure to the throttle to get his car moving. Just before the Civic's front bumper exited further, a yellow speeding car passed by. Syaoron quickly stomped the brakes in reaction.
"What the fuck…?" Syaoron said in shock.
The young, brown-haired man caught a glimpse at the speeding car. He quickly recognized the yellow paint job of the go-kart-looking vehicle.
"That was Takashi!" he muttered.
O
Takashi enjoyed his run on the streets. Suddenly, his laptop rang. He glanced at it, wondering who it could be. He slowed the car down. Reaching for the laptop, he answered the call.
"Yeah?" Takashi here," he said.
"Yo!" a voice shouted from the speaker. "You almost banged my car!"
"Syaoron?"
"Yeah, It's me," the voice replied.
Takashi grinned. "So how's your race?"
"It's good…" replied Syaoron. "I won."
"Me too."
"Good for you."
Takashi shifted the car to a higher gear and continued chatting with Syaoron.
"Is your race hard for a first timer?" asked Syaoron.
Takashi grinned. "Not really… Though the opponents I raced with were good drivers."
"Nice."
"Are you up for another race tonight?"
"Yeah—How about you, Yamazaki?" asked Syaoron.
"I guess I'm up for a little Drag," Takashi replied.
"Drag?..."
"Drag."
"Well okay—good luck. Syaoron out."
Hang up
Seconds later, another call came up. He answered the call, looking at the screen. It was Eriol.
"Hey there," Eriol greeted.
"What's up?" Takashi asked.
"Nothing, just reminding you to beef up the car," Eriol replied.
"Beef up my car… Oh yeah," Takashi said.
"To be on the top of your game you must get the parts you need to get there," noted Eriol.
Takashi glanced at the road ahead and put his right hand on his chin.
"Uh, maybe later—for a while," replied Takashi. "I'll finish my Drag and go straight to Megalow…"
"You goin' to need," Eriol warned.
Takashi hung up and continued to his ride.
O
In time, Takashi arrived at the race location. Yet again, the crowd flocked in each side of the road, cheering for their idol racers. Two cars, a purple Toyota Corolla and blue Nissan Sentra, moved to the starting point of the race. The drivers of the two cars came out as soon as they parked their cars. The Corolla driver was a white male with spike, dark hair, wearing white shirt, a pair of denim pants and a pair of black sneakers. The other male, driving the Sentra, was a blond guy, wearing a checkered vest (unbuttoned).
The two men shook hands, glaring at each other's eyes. That's the time Takashi moved to the starting point. They watched him drives his car to the starting line and move out of his car. Curiously, they approached Takashi and his Tiburon. Takashi was getting out of the car when they arrived. He noticed that the two men were staring at him four meters away. He looked at them. The dark haired man approached Takashi first before the blond guy did.
"Yes?" Takashi said, glancing at the two of them.
The dark haired man extended his hand to him. "Kenneth," he said.
The blond guy also extended his hand to Takashi. "Marc."
Takashi raised an eyebrow.
"Uh… Nice, to me you," he replied, shaking both their hands.
"You're new here aren't you?" asked Kenneth.
Takashi replied, "Yeah?"
Marc clucked. "…Another newbie."
Takashi raised an eyebrow.
"Forgive him," Kenneth. " He's, been cocky in defeating new ones who often in this track."
"Uh-huh…" muttered Takashi.
Kenneth glanced at Takashi's yellow Hyundai Tiburon.
"Nice car you have there," he said to Takashi.
Takashi glanced at his car. "Thanks."
"Well good luck with the race," Marc said. "You'll need it."
"I plan not to," Takashi shot back.
Marc chucked.
O
Takashi, Kenneth and Mark made their final glance at each other, before they went back to their car. The crowd cheered as the car revved up their engines.
Takashi buckled his seat belt, and put his hands on the steering wheel. His shiny, yellow Tiburon's engine hummed loudly when Takashi pushed the throttle. He shoved the throttle a couple of times, letting the engine rev up loudly. The crowd cheered at the cars, ready to watch the race that was about to happen.
A spunky-looking girl with blond hair, wearing black tank top, army pants and sneakers, walked in front of the cars. Seeing that the three racers were prepped and ready to go, she raised her arms. Takashi pushed more power on the car, raising the rpm meter to the point where it gets most torque out of. The girl dropped down abruptly her hands, and the race has begun.
The wheels skidded along the road, giving off white fumes, before they darted out. Takashi shifted up to a higher gear. When the rpm meter reached to 8000 and a half rpm, he quickly shifted up. His Tiburon dashed to second place, leaving behind. He was neck and neck with Marc with his Sentra. Marc shifted up to fourth gear, so did Takaashi.
Marc looked at his rear view mirror and saw Takashi close behind. He was surprised to see Takashi very close to this car's rear bumper.
"He's good," he admitted. "Let's see if you can get past me!"
He shifted up to fourth gear and applied pressure to the throttle, accelerating his Nissan Sentra. Takashi noticed him going faster. He too pushed the throttle and followed him.
They were almost at the end of the race. Takashi was still at the rear of Marc. The engines hummed as loud as the bands in a concert. The tension was getting to Takashi. He admitted that Marc was good, but is he smart?
As a last resort, Takashi weaved left and overtakes Marc on the side. His Tiburon moved slowly to the Sentra's driver's seat. They were now neck and nec. Who will win this? Will Takashi make Marc eat his words?
Takashi jammed on the throttle, adding more power to his car. His car made to the front at the last second of the race. Takashi stole first place.
"Oh damn it!" Marc exclaimed.
Takashi laughed to his victory; this adrenaline rush that he just was very radical.
"Wuuuu! That was fun!" Takashi shouted.
He pushed the brakes went back to the starting line.
O
The crows went wild in his return. Marc and Kenneth were standing beside their cars, talking.
Takashi stopped the car and got out of the car. Some of the crowd went to him, congratulating him for his speedy victory. He noticed Kenneth and Marc were watching him. He decided to approach them.
"Congratulations for your win," Kenneth said when he saw Takashi approaching.
Takashi smiled.
"Man, I can't believe that you disked me!" Marc said.
Takashi chuckled upon hearing Marc's reaction about the race.
"You did great back there though," replied Takashi.
Marc smiled. "I shouldn't have underestimated you.
"Come and race with us sometimes," Kenneth said.
Takashi nodded.
"You're going to enjoy Bayview," Kenneth implied.
"Oh will," Takashi replied.
The three men shook hands, looking at each other one more time and headed back to their cars. Takashi opened the door of his car. He got inside proud of himself; smiling at the first two races he had tonight. He leaned on his seat very pleased with him self. The proud young man then started the car. Suddenly, his laptop chimed its tune when someone was calling. It rang three times before he answered it.
"Yeah?"
"Hey, Yamazaki," Syaoraon's voice said from the speaker of his laptop. "I'm going to the Performance Shop Eriol was talking about. I'm just wondering if you're coming.
Takashi smiled, happy to hear it. He replied, "Sure."
"Let's meet on our place," Syaoron said.
"O-kay," Takashi replied.
Takashi tapped the throttle; he shifted the gear up to first and pushed the gas. The wheels skidded on the road before getting traction and dashed off to Syaoron's.