Planes: Rising Sun
Chapter 1: Fastest in Japan ('Yumi')
I was made during a time of war, but I never got my chance to fight. I am glad I didn't. I could not bare the thought of shooting down such good planes, and having sent back to their families with terrible news. Now, a very different battle reigns in the skies above, and I got this big chance to show what I can do. My name is Yumi. I am a Kawasaki Ki-78.
With my long sharp nose and powerful engine, I can fly at speeds of 430mph. As a racer, I believe in always flying your fastest and your best while maintaining honor among the other racers. There will always be a better racer than me. When I meet that racer, I will give that racer my respect. Never underestimate your opponents. Do that, and you'll lose
I do not consider myself an elitist. I believe that anyone can race, and that anyone can win. It does not mean I will make it easy. I do not give up, and I never will surrender "I have taught you all that I know, and you have exceeded my expectations of you, I always knew you had the makings," said Master Hayate at the old Training Grounds at Yokota.
"Even though I give you my praises, it is up to you to show the world what you can do, and see to it that my teachings are not wasted," said Master Hayate, "you are good, you are strong, and with your strength to compete, you have the strength to be good not only to yourself but to those around you, even in the heat of a race, now go get 'em, Yumi,"
"Thank you, Sensei," I bowed, ever since my time of training and honing my skills as a racer at Yokota, I have been training for the 'Wings Around The World Rally'. I could not be where I am without my faithful mechanic, Ai. I care about that little blue forklift like my own sister. I was coming in for a landing, and Ai was waiting at the old hanger for me.
"Your tire looks flat," radioed Ai.
"Copy that, I am pulling into the hanger," I replied back, and moved into the hanger to have my wheel looked at as my propeller was slowing down. Ai moved, and took a look at it, "is it bad?" I asked, oiling up while she was doing some working on it. Ai looked up, and lightly smiled in a way that was more willing to teach something rather than of worry
"No, it could've been worse, you need to work on easing up on your touchdowns, if you keep landing like you do, you might lose a tire, or worse, keep that in mind," Ai explained to me, "let's take a break, and try again later," after some time to rest up, I was back up in the sky again and back into my training routines, and working on smoother landings
After another flight, I came in for a landing, "Much better, much smoother, ease up on the brakes too, keep up the good work," radioed Ai as the sun was going down. I have to train hard. I have two big races coming up that are qualifying races for the 'Wings Around The World Rally': 'The Honshu Regional Rally' and the 'Hokkaido Mountain Classic Rally'
A week later, I was ready with my golden-yellow paintwork and the 'Rising Sun' in the back near my tail, and on the bottoms of my wings. It's the day of the 'Honshu Regional Rally'. The drums of the JSDF Taiko thundered for spectators flying in from all over the world. If you finish from first to fifth, you qualify for the 'Hokkaido Mountain Classic Rally'.
"You got this, Yumi!" Ai cheered
"Thanks, Ai-chan, let's do this," I said with calm and ready confidence. I went up to the starting line, and when the drums stopped the race was on. Using my speed and agility, I started from sixth and kept moving up the places going around the first laps around Tokyo, and into the second and third laps around Yokohama and Osaka. This is anyone's race
The fourth and fifth laps go around Asahi and Nagoya before the home stretch to land back at Kansai International Airport. I was giving it all that I got going into the lap around Asahi as I made into third place. I was tired. I will not to give up. I will not give in. I made it to second place on a bank turn as I flew into Nagoya. It is now me against 'Tsubasa'
'Tsubasa the Ninja'. The Japanese Legend himself. Going into the last stretch it is all about speed. By the tip of my nose, I made it across the finish line to win my first 'Honshu Regional Rally'. Although defeated, Tsubasa looked proud as I went up to him in his hanger, "Hey, that was a great race," I said to him, I bowed to him and he bowed back to me
"It certainly was," Tsubasa smiled, "be careful in Hokkaido, the mountains are treacherous, rely on speed and balance it with your agility," said Tsubasa, "your mechanic is right, you can do this, you can make it to the 'Wings Around the World Rally', I know you can...Yumi the Golden Arrow," I have never had a nickname in my life. I will definitely keep it
"Thank you, Tsubasa the Ninja," I replied with a bow, and went to my hanger to see Ai cheering. By not gloating, you keep both your honor and the honor of others intact. I will meet him again in Hokkaido. The legendary 'Hokkaido Mountain Classic Rally'. One of the most dangerous rallies in the world. As I was resting, I know I am up for the challenge.
