Chapter 135 - Thunder VS Flash
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun. Breakfast is ready."
I react to the single word: breakfast.
"Today, I decided to make rice."
"Huh?"
"I have time, and I wanted to know the taste of the Katagiri family's miso soup."
I see. But isn't waking up at 7:00 too early when my first class isn't until the second period?
"If I don't wake up early and review, I won't get anything done. Let's knock out the assignments quickly, too."
"...Let me copy them."
"No. Well, I guess this time it can't be helped."
The two of us eat breakfast, get ready, and study until it's time to leave.
If we leave at 10:00, we'll make it with plenty of time to spare.
I used to think university life would be easy, but the only real merit is that the summer and spring breaks are long.
Other than that, it's full of writing reports, creating presentation materials, and endless homework. The times when quizzes pile up are hell... Thinking about final exams is terrifying.
All of this stems from the fact that I took the maximum number of credits possible. I won't mention that, though, because Airi would worry.
Perhaps as a way of making amends, Airi occasionally lets me copy her homework since entering university. With explanations included, of course. Since we're taking the same courses, it was easy.
Thanks to that, things have been progressing smoothly so far—somehow.
It's almost time to leave the house.
"I'm heading out."
With that, I head for school in Airi's light kei car.
No matter how much of a "hell intersection" it is, there's no traffic at this hour.
I arrive at the Faculty of Education building at the university with time to spare.
I check the classroom on the bulletin board in front of the office and move toward the room.
Once I reach the classroom, I put down my things and stand up.
"Toya-kun..."
Airi pulls on my sleeve.
Don't leave me alone.
That's what her eyes are pleading.
But you see, Airi, men have physiological needs too.
"Sorry, I'm just going to the restroom."
And I'll grab a drink while I'm at it, I add in my mind as I leave the lecture room.
(2)
Toya-kun went to the restroom.
It's a normal thing, but I get anxious when I'm alone.
Like, what if some weird person tries to hit on me again?
Back in high school, Kanna was there, but she isn't now.
"Tosaka-san."
See, a woman called out to me.
Eh? A woman.
I turned toward the voice.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Oshima Kana. Pleased to meet you."
"Nice to meet you... Now, what can I do for you?"
If this is an invitation to a mixer, I'm refusing, okay?
"No, it's just that you're always with your boyfriend, so it was hard to talk to you. If you're okay with it, do you want to be friends?"
"If this is an invitation to a mixer, I'm refusing, okay?"
"It's not that! I just wanted someone to chat with. There's no other intention."
"In that case, I guess."
"Then let's exchange message IDs!"
We shake our smartphones to exchange IDs.
Afterward, I listen to her talk.
I wonder if Toya-kun is coming back yet?
"Heh, so you live around there. It's nice being close. I'm from much further in the countryside, so when I have a first-period class, it's hell."
"I see."
"Have you heard the rumors about the 'Blue Flash' that appears in the mountains near Airi's house?"
"Blue Flash?"
"Yeah. Street racers often run there at night, but they say a blue SUV occasionally appears and pulls up alongside them. It's an AT car, so it's slow on the straights, but when it hits a curve, it plunges in with an inexplicable speed and overtakes them with an eerie way of turning. Some people apparently call it the 'Ghost'."
"I see."
"I've heard that story too. They say it's called that because it vanishes in the blink of an eye after taking a few curves."
A man who was behind us joined the conversation.
"Some say he sometimes has a girlfriend in the passenger seat," or "Even though it's a completely stock car, it's insanely fast."
As I listen and piece together the key points, a certain possibility comes to mind... but surely not.
He said he wouldn't drive dangerously.
Just then, Toya-kun returned.
"Sorry, I got a phone call and it took a while."
"A call? From whom?"
"From Makoto... Ah, the teacher is here."
From there, the class began.
(3)
"Come to the pass this Friday at midnight."
That's what Makoto said.
I occasionally go when I've managed to hide it from Airi, but this time a specific date and time were set. Did something happen?
"Kanna and I are going too, so we're counting on you."
"Did something happen?"
"Actually..."
They were harassed by a group of street racers from outside the prefecture.
They're saying they want to have an "exchange meet" or something, but in reality, they're challenging them to a race.
The local racers are no match for them.
That's why they want me, known by the alias 'Blue Flash', to come.
Ah, that yellow sports car from before.
There really are people who act like they're in some street racing manga.
He's not going to say he's a doctor's son, is he?
He's not going to start talking about some "Kyushu Fastest Project," is he?
He's not going to submit some nonsensical report on "Public Road Fastest Theory" to the Medical School, is he?
Well, I passed him with ease last time, so it's fine.
There were no galleries there anyway.
I remember he had a sticker...
"A team called Raicho?"
"How do you know that?"
"Because I've raced them and won before."
"Hell yeah! Now we've got this!"
Makoto is excited.
"The only problem is..."
"What?"
"It's the weekend, right? Airi..."
"Just sneak out and come, right?"
"Well, I guess."
However, it didn't go that way this time.
Friday, around 23:30. Airi is sleeping peacefully as usual.
She's been going to bed early lately.
She's probably tired from being busy with housework and other things.
That helps me.
I was killing time playing games.
Then, a message from Makoto.
"Can you come out now? I'll pick you up in front of your house."
"No, Kanna's car is noisy, so Airi will notice."
"I see. Then, as usual, at the convenience store at the foot of the mountain."
"Got it."
Sorry, Airi.
I gently stroke Airi's head.
Then, after changing, just as I was about to leave the room as usual...
Grab.
Someone hugged me from behind. The room lights flickered on.
"I knew it!"
"A-Airi!?"
Weren't you sleeping!? And you're not in your loungewear!
"I heard the rumors from Oshima-san, and I thought maybe... but I figured it couldn't be..."
"Sorry, just let me off the hook this once!"
I explain the situation to Airi.
"In short, you're a reinforcement?"
"Apparently, there's an unwritten rule that the local racing team must absolutely not lose."
If you want to call it trivial, it is.
"Hmm, and you just accepted it..."
"Sorry, won't you let me go?"
"Boo! I cannot forgive you for keeping secrets from me. I shall give you a punishment."
"W-What is it?"
"Take me to the car wash tomorrow♪"
"Is that actually a punishment?"
"You're pushing the car too hard, so you should do at least that much for it."
"If you say so, Airi..."
"And one more thing!"
"T-There's more?"
"From now on, take me with you when you go♪"
"Airi, you were angry before, telling me not to drive dangerously, right?"
"You'll do it even if I'm not there. So we might as well be together. Or do you drive dangerously when I'm there?"
"N-No, I don't think that's the case."
"Then it's settled. You're keeping Makoto and Kanna waiting, right? Let's go quickly."
She's surprisingly eager. Airi...
At the convenience store at the foot of the mountain.
"You're late, Toya... Wait, why is Tosaka-san here?"
"Is it bad if I'm here, Makoto-kun?"
"No, I just thought Tosaka-san would hate this kind of thing."
"I do hate it. But Toya-kun's driving is amazing."
"Airi, today isn't for playing."
Kanna admonishes Airi.
"I've already heard the circumstances from Toya-kun."
"Is that still okay?"
"I'll be Toya-kun's safety valve."
Kanna looks at my face.
I make a gesture as if to say I'm at my wit's end.
"Well, let's hurry up and go up. Apparently, they're already waiting."
On the way to the summit, there were spectators who had stopped their cars to watch.
At the summit, there were even more people.
I could see figures lifting cars with jacks and using lights to adjust settings.
We greeted the familiar faces of the local team.
"Thanks for coming today. It's okay even if you lose."
"Let's not have that kind of mindset."
While we were having that conversation, one of the Raicho members approached.
"Then, as explained the other day, it'll be a two-race match: one downhill and one uphill. Ah, this is strictly an exchange meet, after all."
This attitude, where you can even see the complacency, grates on my nerves.
"Then, set up the car for the match."
The man from before gives a signal. I get into the car and pull up to the start line.
Airi is...
"Airi, why don't you wait here?"
Kanna grabs her shoulder.
"I'm Toya-kun's navigator!"
"Tosaka-san, this is seriously dangerous. You don't want to do something that breaks Toya's concentration, right?"
Makoto also tries to persuade her.
"Uuu... I'll be quiet... It was fine when I rode before."
To the sulking Airi, I say one thing.
"I'll be back soon, and then I'll run one more lap for you."
"Really? Yay!"
"I'd heard the rumors, but I can't believe he actually brought his girlfriend. You've got some nerve."
The opposing driver approached.
"My name is Hashimoto Kosuke. And you?"
"I'm Katagiri Toya."
"How old are you?"
"18."
Hashimoto-san laughed through his nose.
"I've been looked down upon. To think you'd send out a greenhorn driver who's 18 and probably hasn't even gotten rid of his beginner's mark. And with a completely stock SUV at that. An FF with an AT isn't even a car."
Is this person an idiot? SUV means "Sport Utility Vehicle," a multi-purpose sports vehicle.
"It's not an FF car! It's a proper 4WD!"
A-Airi, that's not it.
Hashimoto-san lets out a laugh.
"This is why stupid women are such a pain. SUV cars are basically FF during high-speed driving!"
Click.
"No good, this is pointless. At least use that red T-200!"
Sorry, Airi.
Airi is crying from the embarrassment of being laughed at and the frustration.
I gently stroke the crying Airi.
"Toya, this guy is annoying. I'll lend you my car, so go defeat him thoroughly!"
"Toya, what do you want to do? I think you'd be fine with an MT car, and if you want to win, Kanna's sports car would be..."
Kanna and Makoto suggest I use Kanna's car.
"Is that okay? If I lose with that, you're the one who'll be utterly humiliated."
"What?"
At my words, his eyebrow twitched.
"Fine, I accept those terms. If I lose, I'll race the uphill in Kanna's car. However, you'll have to accept my conditions too."
"You actually intend to win? In that blue SUV?"
"If I win, you'll never appear on this mountain again. Also, I'm going to scratch your car with a 10-yen coin."
"What did you say!?"
"Do you accept? Or not? Which is it?"
"Fine. If I win, we race with the red T-200, right?"
"Fine."
Saying that, Hashimoto-san climbed into his yellow FD.
"Toya-kun, are you okay?"
"Airi, sorry. I might put you through something scary."
"Hoe?"
"Toya, what are you talking about?"
"Toya?"
Makoto and Kanna try to confirm my true intention.
I'm saying something I can't even believe myself.
Would I let my own girlfriend do something so dangerous?
I fall into self-loathing.
Even so, I want the safety valve Airi mentioned.
"I probably can't drive as politely as before. I think the driving will be somewhat rough. Even so, I'll ask—will you sit next to me?"
"...Is it okay?"
"Toya, that's a no-go!?"
"Toya! Stop it!"
Kanna and Makoto try to stop me.
"If Airi is riding, I think I won't drive on the absolute edge, knowing she's there."
"If that's the case, then it's okay♪"
With that, Airi gets into the passenger seat.
"Hey now, bringing your girlfriend along... this isn't a pleasure drive."
The street racers who came from outside this mountain said so one after another.
"This is why outsiders... they don't understand the terror of the Blue Flash."
The comrades I met on the mountain all said so in unison.
As I get into the driver's seat, I lock Airi's seatbelt.
"It's dangerous if you shake," I say simply.
Once they confirm I'm in, one of the Raicho members begins the count.
"3... 2... 1..."
"I shall breathe life into you!!"
Poke.
"I looked that up. You're being influenced by manga again..."
Having Airi here really does calm me down.
"Start!"
As expected, the opponent's car is faster at the start.
I stepped on the accelerator as hard as I could, but the gear engagement is slow.
I was left far behind on the first straight.
This was expected; the match starts from the first corner!
"Toya-kun, are you okay!?"
"Be careful not to bite your tongue!"
I accelerate until the very edge of the corner entrance, put in a momentary feint, and slam on the brakes.
"If you have a soul... answer me!!"
The car enters a drift state.
As I reach the corner exit, I immediately step on the accelerator.
It enters 4WD state, and acceleration kicks in.
I caught up to the FD at the second corner.
"Toya-kun, you're going to crash!"
I close in so much that Airi reflexively screams.
The opponent's car also desperately tries to shake me off, but this isn't a "showy" drift; it's a technique to clear the corner while maintaining high speed.
In a sudden moment, I pull slightly away from the opponent's car.
As expected, it seems they understeered.
I dive toward the inside of the opponent who is struggling with control.
"Kya!"
It wasn't a scream of terror.
She was simply surprised by the car's sway.
I drive as if sewing through the space of exactly one car's width.
The match is over.
By the time I leave them in the dust and descend the mountain, the opponent's car had vanished from sight.
(4)
"Sorry, but this is a time attack."
I put as much distance as possible on the first straight.
As expected, the nature of an AT. The acceleration is dull.
I thought I'd leave them far behind by the time I cleared two or three corners.
That's what I thought.
However, the gap closes every time I clear a corner.
At the second corner, they were right on my tail.
Why!? Why can't I shake them off!?
I intended to do my best run, but they approach as if to say, "You're too slow."
It's not that the opponent is fast, but that I'm slow...?
More, more acceleration!!
I pull away on the straights only to be caught at the corners.
As a street racer, this is the worst possible state.
Moreover, the opponent has a beginner's mark.
An AT FF car... there was no sign they'd even messed with the muffler.
Do they have some special engine installed?
I panic.
At that moment, I saw the opponent's car pull away slightly through the rearview mirror.
"Yes!"
That thought lasted only a moment.
They were clearly plunging in at overspeed.
Then, the opponent's car charges violently.
Stop it!! Do you intend to crash!?
Then, with an eerily graceful four-wheel drift, the opponent's car takes the inside and overtakes me.
I lost...
And that's an 18-year-old?
This has to be a bad joke, right?
When I descend the mountain and arrive in front of the vending machines, he's drinking juice with his girlfriend.
I stop my car next to the opponent's HR-V.
"It's frustrating, but it's a loss. A complete defeat."
"I'm going up now, want to race?"
"No, I lost on the downhill. Winning on the uphill won't make me happy."
"Then, shall we head back for now?"
"Yeah..."
I thought I'd at least leave them in the dust on the uphill.
But they were overwhelmingly fast on the uphill too.
I'm in a turbo car, so this is humiliating...
(5)
At the summit.
"I lost. It's my complete defeat."
Hashimoto-san said that and bowed his head.
Then, he handed me a 10-yen coin.
"It's a promise. Please scratch it."
Saying that, he fell silent while keeping his head bowed.
The air around us was heavy.
I placed my hand on Hashimoto-san's shoulder.
"Raise your head."
"?"
Hashimoto-san raised his head.
"It's frustrating, isn't it? It's sad, isn't it? To have your car scratched, to have your pride torn to shreds. That's exactly what you did to me, right? Try putting yourself in the other person's shoes a bit more when you speak."
"Yeah... my bad."
"Then, it's a promise. Never appear on this mountain again."
"Yeah... now, scratch it."
"As for scratches, I've put enough into your pride, so it's fine."
Saying that, I returned to Kanna and the others.
"Mr. Car, you worked hard."
Airi is comforting my car.
You really did great.
I'll give you a car wash tomorrow.
"Amazing, Toya. How did you overtake him?"
"I told you, it went screee and then bam and he overtooked him..."
Airi's words aren't exactly an explanation.
I explained it to Kanna and the others.
"I see. Well, anyone would panic if someone closed in on their car like that."
"Exactly, and he just self-destructed."
"But how did you know the opponent was overspeeding?"
I don't think I can explain that...
"If I had to say... intuition... maybe?"
"Huh?"
"The behavior of the opponent's car was suspicious, and I could tell they were clearly plunging in too far."
Because even my own senses felt they were clearly plunging in too far.
"You were surprisingly calm. Though you seemed to be getting heated."
I stroked Airi's head and spoke.
"He was making fun of Airi, so I couldn't help it..."
"I see."
"Toya-kun, you'll get angry for me too."
Airi looks happy.
"Of course. I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't get angry if their fiancée was mocked. Airi."
When I said that and stroked her head, Airi fidgeted shyly.
"Usually, when you snap, it's always related to Kanna..."
Airi said in a small voice.
"But I had a chill when it started. Snapping and putting Airi in the car. I thought you were planning to commit suicide."
When Kanna said that, I shook my head.
"It's the opposite. I put Airi in because I realized I was snapping. Once I recognized that Airi was riding, I naturally became aware. That I had to hold back..."
"I see... but make this the last time you involve Airi in something dangerous, okay?"
"True, there's no telling what Toya does when he snaps."
"I told you, I won't be reckless when Airi is here."
"Then, I'd like to try racing Katagiri when he is being reckless."
A cool, handsome man who looked a bit mature was looking at us.
"My name is Hashimoto Ryota. I'm the leader of Raicho."
"...And what of it? I believe I promised that this was the last time?"
"That was with my younger brother, Kosuke, right? You didn't make a promise with me."
"Are you really using such sophistry despite being an adult?"
Airi snapped back.
"I have a project on the line, you see. I can't just withdraw meekly."
Ah, that "Kyushu Fastest Project" thing. Why not just give up?
I did not nod my head.
"I see. It can't be helped. I'll have to take forceful measures."
Saying that, Ryota-san returned to his team.
"T-This is bad. That Ryota guy just broke your record."
A racing comrade came to tell me that.
Apparently, he broke the fastest record for this downhill slope.
I don't really care about that, though.
There's a commotion at the entrance to the slope.
Then, it seems the FC Ryota-san is in has pulled up exactly at the entrance to the downhill... the same start line from before.
Ah, that. The "ready-set-go" the moment I pass by.
"W-What do we do?"
Makoto asked.
"I'll ignore him and go home."
I answered as if it were obvious.
"But he might chase after you, you know?"
Kanna's point was also valid.
I think... though I guess there's only one answer?
"You two follow behind. I'll go ahead."
Which is equal to accepting the match.
"Toya-kun, are you accepting the match?"
Airi asked worriedly.
"I won't be reckless."
"Okay."
Makoto tells the racing comrades that we're heading back.
"Yeah, thanks for today."
The racing comrades thanked me.
They told me to let them do something in return, but I just laughed and answered, "Then, give me one free car wash?"
"Airi, I'm locking your seatbelt."
As I get into the car, I reach for Airi's seatbelt.
"I can do it myself, look!"
I tighten it and pull hard, and it locks with a click.
After confirming that, I pass by Ryosuke-san's white car.
Then, as expected, he chased after me.
"Airi, hold onto the bar."
"B-Be careful."
I rush down at maximum speed.
In the end, I shook him off and the match ended.
He had been clinging on until the latter half.
However, it seems the opponent's tires suffered from heat fade in the second half, and he could no longer keep up.
When I descended and waited for Kanna and the others in front of the juice vending machine, the white car descended first.
"It's my loss. You can aim for even greater heights. Though you should start by changing your car."
"I told the other person too, but I think it's rude to comment on other people's cars, don't you?"
"That's true. My bad. See ya."
Saying that, the white car returned to the mountain.
After that, Kanna and the others arrived.
"Just how fast are you?"
"We need to polish our skills too."
Makoto and Kanna said.
"Ah, that's right. Apparently, you won again with that time."
Makoto showed me a message.
"Well, there were no obstacles this time, so isn't it natural?"
I say it nonchalantly.
Airi is stroking my car, saying, "Good boy, you worked hard."
"Well, we're going home. I promised Airi I'd take care of the car tomorrow."
"Yeah, we're heading back too. Good work today."
"Later, Toya."
Saying that, the two of them leave.
"Bye-bye."
Airi says that and sits in the passenger seat.
"But how did you know I was racing here?"
"Apparently you've become famous. Under the name 'Blue Flash of the Mountain'."
What is that chuunibyou-filled name.
"But just because you're famous for that doesn't mean you're great, okay?"
"I know."
"And from now on, even if you want to go to the mountain, don't go without telling me. Finding out about it this way was more shocking."
"I said I'm sorry."
"...Take good care of Mr. Car."
"I will."
Saying that, I headed for home, illuminating the dark road.
It would be some time before I realized that this was merely the beginning.