Blazepanzer here, and I'd like to thank everyone who has favorites, followed, read, and review my fanfics, I greatly appreciate the support. And wow! Ten chapters across several fanfics this month! it's been pretty good, not to mention all the views, almost 500 at this point! I'm hoping to bring at least another ten chapters to the publishing table in October, I've already made significant progress on two of my fanfics and I'll be beginning the next chapter in 'The Life and Times of a Katoni' just as soon as this chapter is uploaded.
Anyways, enjoy! note that Blazepanzer does not own Girls und Panzer!
Hanoashi gazed out of the Matsumino mansion window, letting out a small sigh. She'd been out of the hospital for the better part of three days now as a per caution, and now she was eager to get back into things. Shame that school is two days away...she mused sadly, closing her eyes as she missed the active lifestyle.
"Morning Hanoashi," Rikona rose from her bed.
"Morning cuz," Hanoashi smiled.
"How long have you been up?" Rikona yawned as she stretched before going to join her.
"Just about a half hour," Hanoashi mused. "Kinda of bored at being left out at school though," she added, before turning her gaze back outside. "Nearly dying has given me another view on life," she added.
"And a fear of beaches?" Rikona whispered.
"I'm sorry..." Hanoashi sighed. You have no idea how close all of you got to betting jabbed. We're lucky that it was only Misaki and I who got jabbed.
"It's not your fault, you panicked because you noted danger, but now you know doing that can place you in even more danger," Rikona smiled. "Besides, both Ayumi and Lyn also nearly ran, and Ayumi was inches away from stepping on a Lion fish," she added.
"Another poisonous creature?" Hanoashi guessed, shuddering. "Why do people even go to the beach then?"
"Tell me, did you have fun at the beach?" Rikona prompted.
"Nearly dying and watching a guy lose his girlfriend like that...if I was having fun I no longer register it in my memory..." Hanoashi admitted, gazing down to avoid Rikona's hurt expression. "I'm sorry cus..." she whispered.
"I'm just glad that I didn't lose you," Rikona whispered, embracing her in a hug. "We might be cousins, but you're like a sister to me," she added.
"Thanks Kona," Hanoashi smiled, embracing her.
"Oh kiss already!" a voice teased from the room.
"Uncle Thass," Rikona gasped, racing up to him. "It's that time of week again?" she asked looking up at him with admiring eyes.
"Time of week...Uncle Thass?" Hanoashi tipped her head.
"Opps...forgot to tell her..." Rikona muttered sheepishly.
"Oh come on Kona, how could you forget to tell her bout little ole me?" Thass pouted, though his voice was more teasing than hurt or angry.
"This is Thass...he trains the Matsumino along with others in the art of racing," Rikona smiled, gazing back at Hanoashi.
"Racing?" Hanoashi tipped her head in confusion.
"Yeah, twice a month I take the students in for a racing session," Thass smiled. "Shelia has spoken quite highly of you, little one," he added with a smile.
"She has?" Hanoashi squeaked.
"Yep! Anyways, you two need to get dressed...something you'd use for athletics and such, Shelia wants you to join in with little Kona while you're staying here," he added, before exiting the room.
"Rikona...I can't operate a race car...father would kill me at this age!" Hanoashi sputtered.
"Relax cuz, they're simulations, and if Shelia is insisting on it then Drake must be okay with it," Rikona waved off her concerns.
"Oh...simulations?" Hanoashi asked, tipping her head.
"Like a video game, but more realistic," Rikona noted.
"Never seen or tried a video game," Hanoashi shrugged.
"That makes sense, mom always told me that if I ever got into video games that I'd have to stick to racing or strategy games. A bit of a compromise if you will," Rikona shrugged. "Also that I'd have to play on the hardest difficulty."
"I don't think that mom or dad would have barred Nova and I from having video games, but it's not something that they'd just up and buy us out of the blue," Hanoashi mused. "Might have us save up our allowance for one though," she added.
"Meh...fair is fair I suppose...that's one thing about you that I envy, you have to work for your stuff...or so my research into the Katoni family indicates," Rikona shrugged.
"You know of other Katoni and never told me?" Hanoashi gasped, feeling let down.
"No, one of them published their childhood diary online recently...well I say childhood but they were in their teens when it was published, and it was from the early 60's. Plus it was in Korean," Rikona shrugged.
"You speak Korean?" Hanoashi gasped.
"Er...more that I read Korean, speaking it is beyond my forte. It was something Wayne helped me out when I turned four as a hobby horse of his," Rikona shrugged.
"Oh...What else did they say?" Hanoashi asked.
"Mostly it was about how they moved to Korea after a family dispute, the way he had to work and study hard...that sort of thing. Nothing too out of the ordinary compared to many folks in Rural Japan."
"I see...thanks for telling me," Hanoashi smiled before frowning a bit. "I guess it'd be impossible to put me into contact with them..." she guessed.
"Where to begin," Rikona began, but Hanoashi gave a small cough.
"We speak different languages, they might not have an interest in meeting a six year old girl they don't know, the Matsumino would not appreciate spending money on me for a flight, they may not be able to afford..."
"Hanoashi, pants," Rikona noted, tossing her a pair. "And yeah, you get it. Though there is the danger of kidnapping, I doubt that they'd try it, but...you do know what kidnapping is...right?"
"Mom warned me of stranger danger, and both Drake and Shelia reinforced it," Hanoashi admitted.
"That's good," Rikona noted, putting on a sleeveless tank. Hanoashi took the cue and placed her one of her own, shrugging as she did so. "You know, this feels nice," she smiled.
"Yep! I love it...though many in Japan downplay sleeveless shirts, or foreigners who pretend to live in Japan. We...really don't care about it as much as people like to say, so long as it's a respectable sleeveless shirt and not something like a halter-top or spaghetti straps," Rikona laughed.
"Imagine only living in a place like Toyko for only a year or so and acting like that's the entire attitude of Japan, couldn't be me," Hanoashi joked.
"Ahh...what a wonderful life we live," Rikona sighed happily. "Well, we'd better get going. Uncle Thass might appear jolly but he can get right down ranty when people aren't punctual."
Grabbing her purse, Hanoashi followed the brunet downstairs where Thass and Shelia were waiting. "Now you remember to behave, and do your best. This may be fun, but it's not a time for goofing off," Shelia warned, giving both Hanoashi and Rikona a gentle yet firm gaze.
"Yes mother, Aunt Shelia," Rikona and Hanoashi chorused simultaneously.
"Alright then ladies, time to load up," Thass smiled indulgently, before leading them to his van, which had several boys and girls in them.
"Are these all Matsumino?" Hanoashi asked.
"Don't think so...I know that the one with the light brown, almost blondish hair is but she's kind of shy so I don't even know her name." Rikona shrugged.
"There's about fifty-six kids I train every month, so it's hard to keep up with, and not all of them are Matsumno," Thass explained as he took off. They picked up another girl, one with a sort of tanned skin and black hair, named Kieko Hoshino. However, being a bit older then them, she focused on speaking to the boy who was in the same age group.
"Doesn't seem like there is much camaraderie around here," Hanoashi noted to Rikona.
"We're going to learn how to race, not racing together on a team or something," Rikona reminded her. "It'd be a lot different then it'd be if we on the track."
"I suppose so," Hanoashi nodded in understanding. Gazing out of the window, she saw the houses begin to give way to apartments and small business. "We're going into the city proper?" she guessed.
"Yep! We have a good ninty machines, and each of our instructors are responsible for training seven kids at a time. Just a good way to get familiar with racing and such," Thass nodded. "We'll be there in a few moments, so prepare yourselves," he added.
I doubt that father is going to continue this given how expensive it'd be, so why bother? Still...it gives me another window into Rikona's world, so that's a plus," Hanoashi mused to herself.
Thass was right, it didn't take them more than a minute to pull-in to the arcade-like building. "Thass's Racing Simulations," Hanoashi mused to herself.
"This is so exciting, you're going to love it cuz," Rikona smiled excitedly, acting like she wanted to jump out of the car. Thankfully she waited for Hanoashi to exit before landing next to her. "Though it might be a bit boring considering that you need to go through the basics first," she added regretfully.
"It is what it is," Hanoashi smiled comfortingly at her.
"They let you speak to each other?" the light haired girl mused, gazing at them in scrutiny.
"Well...um...I am Rikona's cousin, but...well...I'm not exactly a Matsumino," Hanoashi stammered.
"Hm...Rikona huh?" The girl mused.
"Hanoashi," Rikona hissed.
"Opps, sorry!" Hanoashi gasped.
"Name's Asuga, now let's just pretend that we didn't meet yet, alright?" the girl noted, though her voice was firm yet gentle.
"My lips are sealed," Thass teased. "Anyways, we're wasting time," he added as he ushered them into the building.
Hanoashi's eyes widened as the various machines, all of the rooms looked somewhat similar, with a good seven or so machines in them, but never the less they all seemed different as well.
"There's sprint, modified, Stock, Formula, you name it. Of course for now since you all are beginners at various degrees, we'll begin with the basic go-kart session," Thass began.
"So um...how would one get into the higher classes?" Hanoashi asked as she raised her hand.
"Good question, and it all depends of experience and having a team. Usually racing series such as the Formula and professional stock require you to get into a team or be able to buy your own car, but with enough experience you could get into training on something like the sprint or modified, or something on the like. Of course it'd just be training and not an actual guarantee, but having some sessions in the record can certainly help you get on a team," Thass explained as they paused at the entrance to the basic section.
"Hanoashi, between the fact that you're still recovering and are completely new to this, your simulator will not have full physics on," Thass added.
"Oh...I understand," Hanoashi nodded, still feeling a little down about her recklessness. She couldn't help but let out a quiet smile as Rikona took her by the hand briefly in comfort before walking over to her racing pod.
Walking over to the go-kart like structure, Hanoashi gazed at the gray machine. "Ah yes, we use gray as a universal color, it's not the prettiest color but it avoids fights and complaints," Thass explained. "Now, you'll be following the on-screen tutorial, and I've already programmed your id in there. Good luck," Thass smiled before walking to a chair where he could observe all seven machines.
"Welcome Hanoashi Amelia Katoni," the Machine whirled up to life. "At least they're using my real name," Hanoashi muttered.
"Thought you were a Matsumino?" Asuga asked from her left side.
"Complicated story," Hanoashi shrugged. "Shelia promised to adopt me if my father doesn't make it, but..." She was interrupted as the machine began talking.
"Thass Motersports Incorporated seeks to train the youth and adults alike in the art of racing, according to their chosen discipline and skill level. We at TMI also house programs to help those who are seeking to garner a driver's licenses, and we have a few simulations dedicated so some of the more common tanks within the Sensado leagues, which we offer as a free service thank to finding from the National Police Agency and Sensado Federation respectively."
"So cool," Hanoashi whispered to herself, her dark green eyes staring at the screen in awe.
"Today you'll be going though the tutorial during phase one of the program, and during phase two you'll be going through some of the easier tracks for practice. Take your time, racing is not something you can rush," the computer added. "Please glance down at your feet."
Doing so, Hanoashi noticed the petals.
"The petal on your right is the gas, and the petal on your left is the break. Most cars have this configuration, but make certain which is which before you begin driving." The machine noted. "Now gaze at the steering wheel."
Lifting her gaze up, she tentatively placed her hands on the wheel.
"This is the steering wheel. It controls the car's direction. However, be aware that you can over-compensate for a turn, so learning proper turning techniques will be a priority, both in civilian driving and in racing."
"Think I've got it," Hanoashi mused.
"Now we shall place you in a few simple practice test to make sure that you've got the concept. This first test is somewhat of a classic, race down to the finish line, while breaking to ensure that you land in the allotted area. This one is quite generous, however others will be more difficult. So long as you break before crossing the finish line you should be good. The test will fail if you surpass the allotted area, or if you attempt to slide the kart."
Taking a deep breath as the level loaded in, she grasped the steering wheel, and mentally prepared herself as the track loaded up. A count down timer soon began, and she put her foot on the gas, nearly jumping as the engine revved to life, but she took a deep breath and focused on her racing technique, letting off the gas and hitting the break at the end of the 1,000 meter dash. "That was harder than I thought," she muttered.
"Analyzing session," the computer noted. "Your score was good."
"Good?" Hanoashi squeaked.
"Ah yes, the computer is a bit of a harsh mistress I'm afraid," Thass called out teasingly.
"I see..." Hanoashi muttered, turning her focus to the computer as it began to speak.
"Now we'll test you on a basic turn. This turn will be a simple flat turn, and as long as you carefully use the wheel, you should have little issue with the turn."
"Alright then," Hanoashi breathed as she began the drive, experimentally turning the wheel as she entered the corner, unfortunately she turned too rough and crashed, the scream going black.
"What!?" she hissed as the program restarted. This time she kept the steering wheel usage more laxed, and nearly made it though the corner when she slipped again.
"What am I doing wrong?" she hissed at herself.
"Take it easy," the girl on her opposite side chided. "You've got this, just keep trying, alright?"
"Alright...um..."
"Hoshino. You are Hanoashi right?" the girl known as Hoshino asked.
"That's correct," Hanoashi smiled, before gasping and turning her attention back to the screen as it threw her into the test again. This time she managed to do it, albeit she came close to sliding.
"You're performance was...mediocre," the computer noted.
"Worse then the last time," she muttered, before hearing Asuga curse as her screen went black. To her surprise the visor helmet on Asuga turned black. "You alright Asuga?" Hanoashi whispered.
"As yes...the blackout simulator," Hoshino explained. "If you crash with full physics on, you enter a sort of deprivation chamber simulation. She cannot see or hear for the next ten minutes."
"Te...ten minutes?" Hanoashi squeaked.
"We'll be doing the test again," the machine decided, speaking to Hanoashi.
"Al...alright," Hanoashi mused, preparing herself. She let out a small smile as she got a good score this time, realizing where she went wrong.
"Yeah that helmet thing is supposed to simulate death if you will," Hoshino noted. "Of course it's not really death persay, but racing can be dangerous and so it's supposedly a healthy way to encourage young potential drivers from driving recklessly. The student driver's test session supposedly have a simulated prison for reckless drivers as well."
"Simulated prison?" Hanoashi asked.
"Yeah..it's...opps. Gotta focus," Hoshino gasped as her simulation began.
"Now we'll go back to breaking again. Try to hit the center as closely as possible. Remember that this time will not be as generous as the first," the computer instructed.
Taking another deep breath, Hanoashi revved the engine, mentally preparing herself for another test.
"Now we will combine breaking with turning," The computer noted.
Shit! Hanoashi spat, nearly saying it out-loud. Ihatethisihatethisihatethisihatethisihatethis! She mentally screamed incoherently.
Stifling a rather loud, obnoxious sigh she felt coming on, she placed her hands on the steering wheel, letting out a small sigh. She managed to take the turn, but forgot to break and thus failing the test.
She undid her belt, jolting up, but right as she was about to march on over to Thass and order him to take her home, she paused, a memory echoing though her mind.
"Mom!" Hanoashi screamed. "I'm not going to die here!" she hollered.
"Sorry..." Yu apoligized as she slowed down.
"Mother didn't complain about driving, and neither should I..." Hanoashi mused, Snapping herself out of the memory before sitting herself down and buckling in.
"That was fast," Hoshino noted.
"Are you alright?" Asuga asked, finally out of the death-lock simulation.
Hanoashi shrugged. "Just frustrated," she noted as she rebooted the simulation.
"Needed a brief break huh, let's get back to work," the computer noted. "We'll return where you left off last time."
"Alright...I've got this...just remember to break..." Hanoashi muttered to herself. Mother must have raced as well, she noted. After all from the sounds of it all Matsumino go through a least one season of racing and according to Rikona they usually do it during their early to mid teens...plenty of time for Mom to have done it before meeting Father, or at least before they announced their intentions...
This time she managed to make it, though she slid a bit too much. "Your score was adequate. Let's run it again," the computer noted.
"Nooooooo..." Hanoashi whined, before softly slapping herself. "Mom wouldn't complain, so don't you dare either!" she chided herself.
"As good as it is to have self discipline, please try not to slap yourself to do it, it's not healthy," Asuga noted quietly but urgently.
"A...alright," Hanoashi noted, before focusing on her driving task. This time she managed to pull it off with ease.
"You mentioned your mother, what's she like?" Asuga asked.
"She...died about two and a half weeks ago," Hanoashi noted saidly.
"Oh...I'm sorry," Asuga whispered.
"I...I miss her badly...but even if it was brief the time we shared together...it often encourages me to do better." Hanoashi noted somberly.
"Was she A Matsumino?" Asuga asked.
"Ex Matsumino," Hanoashi noted in a tone that clearly stated that she did not want to go into this topic. "Now we'll be exploring a simulated racing experience. Try to pass the Ghost drivers without hitting them. This course will give you a three Kilomotor section, and the Ghost will be ten percent slower than you. Good luck."
Steeling herself, Hanoashi mentally prepared herself, taking a deep breath once again as her green eyes flickered with a mix of determination and self doubt. Get ready... she muttered under her breath, before her eyes widened at how fast the first kart came upon her. She gently yet firmly guided her kart around the first kart, before making the same turn as before, though she lost a lot of speed and the first kart passed her. Dammit! She hissed, trying to pass him and barely managing to catch up to the pack before the session ended.
"You fail," the computer noted dowerily.
Hanoashi glared at the screen, before her eyes softened. "Yes...I did fail," she noted quietly.
"Alright girls, time to head to the cafeteria. One slice of Pizza and a fries each, along with the apple juice." Thass noted. "Oh, it's it's no sugar added so you don't have to worry, Hanoashi," he added.
Oh thank goodness! Hanoashi smiled internally. Following the other students into the cafeteria, they all sat down to eat, Rikona sitting next to her.
"I know it can be frustrating, believe you me I found it frustrating when I first began," Rikona comforted her.
Hanoashi gazed at her, wide eyed. "And they force all of you into this?" she whispered.
"Well yeah, it's a part of growing up Matsumino," Rikona laughed. "But still, you'll get the hang of it, and it's mostly fun for now. Grant, mom wants you to try your best at it just in case but still..."
"Alright, but still I'm not too sure I'd feel comfortable forcing my future children into this," Hanoashi noted reluctantly.
"You're doing fine little one," Thass encouraged as he walked past. "Just keep things up and you'll be there in no time."
"Right," Hanoashi smiled.
Just then the waiters brought out their pizza, which was cheese, as well as the fries and a packet of ketchup. Hanoashi's belly rumbled at the thought of eating. I guess racing works up a sweat, even if it's simulated. And I'm not even getting the full experience yet!
Alright everyone, ready?" Thass prompted.
"Thanks for the food!" the all chorused, before beginning to eat. Hanoashi had to force herself to avoid gulping down the pizza, it'd been a while since she had some. Last opportunity was during that bowling trip I had to miss out on...okay now I'm making myself depressed again thinking on old times, she reminisced. Still, I did well avoiding Shelia's temptations to skimp out on punishment and sneaking a few things in, she reminded herself.
"It's good huh?" Rikona noted.
"Some of the best I've had in a while," Hanoashi smiled. "But do they only serve cheese here? Not that I'm complaining but,"
"The older students in the area get a choice, us young folk stick to cheese," Hoshino noted.
"Oh, alright then, fine by me," Hanoashi smiled as she continued eating.
"I've always been preferential to pepperoni, but that's just me," Asuga noted Quietly.
"Supreme," Rikona noted.
Regular old Cheese for me," Hanoashi shrugged. "But Supreme is a close second."
"Pineapple," Hoshino shrugged, receiving a mayrod of looks from the other girls. "What, it's good!" she added.
"You think that's strange, I've always been partial to Tomato-Chicken-Mushroom," Thass noted from where he was eating his share.
"That...doesn't sound to bad," Hanoashi noted.
Climbing back into her race car, the others needing to take a mandatory thirty minute break due to their added physics and such, Hanaoshi focused on steadying herself as she placed her hands on the wheel. Why is this so cathartic but the actual driving isn't? She asked her self, gazing at her wrist briefly before the computer hummed back to life.
"Welcome Back Hanoashi Amelia Katoni, we'll begin where we left off" the computer whirled to life.
Taking a deep breath, she watched with anticipation as she was let loose in an active race, this time swerving to avoid the approaching kart, and this time she managed to pass a few of the karts before reaching the end point.
"Your score was...good."
"Thank Maus, I can move on to the next race," Hanoashi sighed in relief.
"Now we're going to try an S-curve," the computer noted, before shoving her into a race.
"Wait, no introductions?" Hanoashi hissed as she slowed down into the corner, tapering off a bit as she tried to execute the next corner. Unfortunate, she accelerated too fast and thus ran into the grass.
"Yeah your at the stage where the computer let loose on you," Thass noted after she failed for the third time.
"I'm guessing I've had enough of a tutorial?" Hanoashi glanced at him.
"For now. What, you think that the event host are going to guide every driver personally around each corner of every individual track?" Thass laughed.
"Guess not," Hanoashi mused.
It took her four more tries to get though this race, and another six the next. Her green eyes felt hot with all the glaring she did.
"Alright young-uns, that's enough, you've all did good today. Hanoashi, a quick work in private?" Thass noted.
"Yes sir," Hanoashi gulped, watching the other students leave, Rikona and Asuga casting a worried glance at her.
"Don't worry about it, you've done good today," Thass encouraged her. "You'll be able to use some of the assets next time."
"Really?" Hanoashi gasped.
"Really, not all of them, but enough to give you a real taste of what a race car driver is about!" Thass laughed.
Noooo thank youuuuu! Hanoashi thought firmly. I'm much rather keep myself safe so I can have children in the future! Had enough of nearly dying already... Instead she bowed. "Thank you for teaching me about racing," she smiled. "As for going into the sport itself...I'll have to give it some thought if Father makes it."
"I'm sure that ole Drake will make it young-on, he's a tough one," Thass smiled.
"You know my father!?" Hanoashi gasped.
"Yep! I...well between you and me I may have been the one to encourage ole Drake to ask Yu out back in high school," Thass admitted. "He and I were friends back then and all...and...well...when I found out that those two liked each other I decided to play a little game of match maker." Thass then glanced up at the clock. "Well, we'd better get to the lobby, Shelia is one for promptness as I've discovered through the years."
"Yes, I kind of picked up on that," Hanoashi noted, walking to sure enough find Shelia and Rikona waiting.
"So how'd she do?" Shelia asked.
"She did well for her first time, nearly gave up once but forced herself back into the seat and kept going. With a few more practices, I'm sure she could get to the top," Thass then smirked. "If Drake wants I can wave the fee for her..." he noted, almost too quietly for her and Rikona to pick up on.
"I don't know...I think Drake might force her to wait a year or so before letting her do it. But since Rikona is also going while she is staying with us I figured she ought to get a taste of racing while she's here," Shelia shrugged. "But if she wanted to go into racing I suppose I'd have offered the same thing..."
Hanoashi shared an uneasy glance with Rikona, who nodded in sympathy. I don't wanna go into racing...she whined inwardly.
"Welp, we ought to go, Hanoashi is going to need a good day's rest tomorrow since she's going back to school," Shelia noted.
Yessssss! Hanoashi almost wanted to shout. Instead she stifled a yawn, realizing that she was worn out.
"We're going little one," Shelia noted gently, before guiding them out of the building.
"Aunt Shelia?"
"Yes Hanoashi?" Shelia noted.
"You and mom raced, didn't you?" she asked.
Shelia nodded. "We did for a few local series. Back then it was harder for us girls to get into the professional leagues, but that's nothing you needed to worry about."
"So what races did you partake in?" Hanoashi asked.
"Well...I did a few local Toyopet SA racing before swapping to the women's national Equine Racing tournament for six years. Horse racing if you will, one a championship as well. As for your mother...well Yu hated racing, but she rose up the ranks and even got a two year contract as a substitute driver in the Toyota Corona Mark II Rally series, which drove early series of the cars. Got one win in the series as well."
"If she hated racing then why did she stick with it so much?" Hanoashi asked confusedly.
"Part of it was to impress your father, not that she needed to," Shelia laughed. "She had him wrapped around her finger for a while before ole Thass encouraged them to get together."
"Did he know that would upset the other Matsumino?" Hanoashi asked.
Shelia nodded. "Well...he's our half brother, but yeah, he knew the risk. But since they wanted it so baidly and knew the risk, he was all for it. You'll find that Thass is quite easy going in a lot of areas."
"I'm not too sure what to think about this racing buisness," Hanoashi confessed as she was buckled into the car.
"I kinda figured you wouldn't like it," Shelia noted. "Given how similar you are to Yu that is," she added.
"It's not that I don't like it," Hanoashi stammered.
"Could have fooled me," Rikona closed her eyes and rolled them.
"I'll have to get on to my guarding maid for that little lesson," Shelia muttered. And weren't you supposed to be focusing on your racing practice, not hers," she added disapprovingly.
"Kind of hard not to notice with all her frustrateive grunts and sighing," Rikona muttered.
"I'm so sorry, I'll try to keep it down next time!" Hanoashi squeaked.
"Oh, and I suppose Rikona here expects the track to be quiet and serene when she's racing?" Shelia deadpanned, giving Rikona a bit of a reproachful look for complaining.
"Sorry," Rikona sighed.
"Don't worry about it, you both did good and that's something no one can take away," Shelia smiled.