September 13th, 1999 - 8:25 PM – Tokyo
Tokyo remained always awake as drivers pursued their life purpose through the streets illuminated by neon lights. Under both skyscrapers and expressways the city contained narratives which existed through tire rubber combined with engine power and excited hearts.
Koichiro Iketani positioned behind the wheel of his S13 constantly calmed his breathing as his fingers gently touched the steering wheel's leather cover. The engine operated at a low idle stop but the car remained prepared to strike. From behind Mako Sato moved slightly close to him as their shared perfume scents blended with the oil-stained Tokyo Bay industrial areas.
She quietly declared "Your driving control is strong" to him. You should let the rhythm guide you now. The movement of the slide requires your partnership through movement rather than resistance.
For months Mako Sato had given Iketani instruction on drifting. It wasn't always easy. His way of thinking created unnecessary tension which made him stiffen during corner surfing. But things had changed. His hands were smoother now. His footwork quicker. His S13 transformed into something greater than an ordinary machine because it was starting to release a pleasing sound.
"You ready?" She asked as she slightly shifted her head.
"Yeah," he nodded, smirking. I hope to make that final impression on my girlfriend today.
Her amusement showed when she gave him a playful look. The attempt to impress you started right after our first date.
The shifter encountered a gentle nudge of his hand while he released laughter through his nervousness. A straightforward path lay before him comprising two narrow curves succeeded by a wide open corner. This specific track remains empty and remote enough for mastering driving skills without receiving unwanted attention.
His first corner began with a clutch kick then he countersteered and balanced the throttle. The tires on the rear issued loud complaints while the S13 continued to slide through space with perfect pendulum-like angle control.
"Good! The next action is to maintain your position on the line yet reduce throttle output slightly.
The slight adjustment of steering allowed his car to enter controlled slide while its rear end settled in. He easily changed gears to third position so he could initiate the following corner.
This time, it clicked.
The S13 performed a drift response at his command while the chassis operated like an instinct-driven mechanism. Through the steering wheel Iketani caught the slide of the tires while they floated on the pavement just as Mako explained it would be.
The corner exit found him spurring forward as he showed a big smile.
"See that?" he said, breathless. "That was it, right?"
Mako kept a soft grin on her face while crossing her arms against her chest with gleaming dark eyes. "That was it. You're finally getting it."
The engine ticked while he brought the car to a halt after reducing speed in the nighttime cold.
"I can't believe it. At that moment I detected genuine movement between myself and the car. Not against me."
She defined drifting by speaking softly. "Harmony between driver and machine. You're not forcing it. You're letting it happen."
The car had stopped momentarily so they both watched the distant city lights shine at night.
The driver turned to Mako before continuing. "What now? More practice?"
Mako stood and stretched. "Nah. You've earned something better."
She smirked at him.
"Now,drive me to the SilEighty."
He blinked. "You serious?"
"Dead serious," she said. The driving skills have improved to the extent to where I don't fear for my life in the passenger seat."
A broad grin appeared on his face then he hopped to open the door as if he were an old-fashioned gentleman.
She observed his delight before taking her seat.
The couple road through Tokyo's empty areas using narrow side streets as well as wide industrial avenues. The urban atmosphere rested calmly under a cool night environment. Through slightly ajar windows Iketani managed to see Mako relaxing in her seat as a small grin appeared on her face.
She noted while observing Tokyo that driving skills are not the only thing which improved. "You're getting better at listening. Learning to listen proves to be a more significant challenge than teaching someone to drift.
He laughed. His driving improvement comes from simply enjoying my time with Mako.
At that moment Mako remained silent as her wonderful grin became even broader.
The SilEighty took an intimidating position at the underground parking garage like a formidable predator. Mako's vehicle presented itself as neat and exact with a powerful character that mirrored her personality.
She exited the S13 before heading to the SilEighty and abruptly spun around.
"Let's race."
"Race?"
She indicated west as she informed him that the diner near Odaiba was our destination. Everyone in the world recognizes the restaurant with its unique dancing robot placed in the window display.
He nodded.
"Winner eats free. Loser pays. And no short cuts."
Iketani displayed her fighting spirit the moment she showed enthusiasm for the race. "You're on."
She cautioned him before getting into the SilEighty that his newfound drifting comfort should not go to his head. "I'm still the faster one."
All competitors took their positions at the garage entrance while their engines produced a melodic sound.
"One…" She stood behind her vehicle and increased the engine noise by revving it.
"Two…"
"GO!"
The sound produced by rubber tires was extraordinarily loud when the vehicles started their nighttime race through Tokyo streets. Mako gained control of the SilEighty at an early point of the event when she expertly handled the narrow course. But Iketani wasn't far behind. His mastery of street routes combined with perfect knowledge of her driving habits helped him earn a triumph because there were no negative results from losing.
The underpass became his path to catch up and he operated his S13 vehicle efficiently into sharp corners with fluid movement. During her instruction sessions he retained the lessons by performing driving lines with precision and fine-tuning his movements. The automobile beneath him became a living thing.
The vehicles performed a thrilling crossing of the Rainbow Bridge as their engine sounds dominated the nighttime wind.
Mako checked her mirror. "Not bad, Koichiro. You're actually keeping up."
The grin he wore prevented him from answering her question.
The diner's neon sign appeared in sight and Iketani executed an inside pass followed by the last corner. It was risky—but it worked. He managed to inch a little in front before he blocked into the lot with a sharp tire screeching maneuver.
Mako arrived seconds afterward and showed a grin matching that of a devil.
She made her way out of the SilEighty and stated "I need to pay right now."
A steaming grim smile crossed his face as he said those words.
The diner base became active under the vibration of late-night clients while fried food fragrances filled the air. The booth they selected was near the window when they finally settled down after their rushed transportation.
Mako opened the menu and quickly surveyed him through the menu leafs with a mischievous expression. Your victory was only a possibility since I was ready to give you a pass.
More laughter escaped from Iketani after he said this. "You're not that generous."
She put her hand on her chin while mentioning "you know how hot you looked driving at last night." Pretty hot."
Iketani blinked. "W-what?"
She came closer to him across their dining table. You believe I invested this many hours of instruction because it was my escape from being at the house.
He touched his neck before turning slightly flushed in the cheeks. "I mean… He had made me hope that his help extended beyond just teaching me to race.
She smiled with gentleness while her fingers touched his briefly on the tabletop. "Of course not, dummy. I like being around you. The quantity of your excuses surpasses what anyone would normally give.
The drinks service brought an end to both their conversations for a short period. Mako gently pressed her foot beneath the table to touch his while drinking her iced tea. He gave her a look.
"You flirting with me now?" he asked.
She said with a wink that her interest depends on his driving performance.
He laughed, eyes shining. Practice should become my priority because of that.
The moment she leaned toward him she displayed a devious expression. "You should take me off to a private route instead of driving for practice today." The road she had in mind was located in a remote and isolated area.
A slight coughing sound interrupted his drink consumption and she responded with joy.
The waitress brought their meals—two massive bowls of ramen, loaded with pork, egg, and scallions. They ate slowly, the conversation light and full of that easy, late-night warmth. The kind that only happens when adrenaline fades and affection takes its place.
As they stepped back out into the night, Mako looped her arm through his and pulled him close.
"You're not just getting better at drifting," she said. "You're getting better at us."
He smiled, squeezing her hand. "Well… I've got a good teacher."
She rolled her eyes, kissed his cheek, and whispered, "Keep driving like that, and you'll get an A.
