Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

Alternate Tracks 2nd Story in Rivalry Series	By : kurahieiritrJIO Category: +G to L > Initial D Views: 2560 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Initial D, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 29
- 30
- 31
CHAPTER 30

Project D received an invitation to battle on the Gaijin course. Takumi asked for time off so he could tackle both courses. He had given the Project D website information to his manager, and had been relieved, if embarrassed, by the older man's enthusiastic praise when he requested the time off. His boss even arranged for Takumi to get a paid vacation day so he could compete.

The entire mechanical crew worked for Red Suns or Project D specific sponsors except Kenta. Everyone except Kenta had gotten time off to participate in this specific back to back battle expedition. Kenta had to return home after the first round of battles. Itsuke had also volunteered to come to this specific battle. He was returning to Gunma with Kenta because he swapped his day off. Takumi hoped that Kenta would calm more of Itsuke's fears on their return trip.

Four Red Suns members volunteered to act as additional security for this trip. They parked Project D's vans in a split level lot at the pass's base. Three private cars flanked the four Project D vans, hachi roku, and Keisuke's FD. In the interest of safety, Ryosuke san ordered their group to stay together. Everyone had to carry cell phones so they could call for backup if needed.

Takumi was pleased that Itsuke asked him for a ride to the rendevous site. He was also troubled because of the dangers mentioned during their meeting. They had spoken on the drive to meet the rest of the Project D team. Itsuke still disagreed bitterly with his romantic involvement with Keisuke. Yet, Itsuke was finally asking enough questions to give Takumi hope that he was trying to understand his involvement with Keisuke.

Akimoto, Tohji, and a giant, heavily muscled stranger was D's main security unit. Keisuke introduced Shinsei, the dark-skinned street-fighter who was half African-American to him. Shinsei startled Takumi when he received two heavy-handed shoulder pats from the giant during their introductions. Shinsei was calmer than Akimoto, but far too touchy for the teen's comfort.

It felt odd to practice for a battle on a Thursday night. Takumi missed the private training routine that he and Keisuke kept Monday, Wednesday and alternating Tuesday or Thursday nights. The amber haired teen felt slighted. He could not be alone with his boyfriend. Keisuke had to endure the same lack of privacy. After he reminded himself of that, Takumi managed to shake off most of his annoyance as he sought to memorize the course.

"Ryosuke san?" Takumi spoke to his mentor who was looking at the computer's screen. Data for suspension tweaks, and times were set up as two tables, one for the FD, and the other, his AE hachi roku. Ryosuke was probably contemplating the information to select modifications for this course.

"Hai, Fujiwara?" The brunette looked up, and motioned for Takumi to sit in van two's open back. Ryosuke had his computer on a small stand next to the vehicle. They had made two runs since their arrival. Takumi was very unhappy with the results of both runs.

Takumi slid into the van's back and faced his mentor. "I was wondering about techniques you might have thought of to win on this pass."

The amber-haired teen hoped Ryosuke san could give him ideas of how to tackle the corner that stymied him. Takumi had felt every jolt as his car bottomed out with teeth jarring impacts on that specific area. His car had a damaged shock from the second run, and Takumi had not figured out how to compensate for that section while maintaining any speed. The videos he had watched had given clues, but he could not get the timing, or angle correct.

"Give me your impressions of this course, Fujiwara."

"The way that the fifth corner banks, dips into a deep trough, and returns to a hard reverse incline causes hachi roku to bottom out hard despite how I tackle it. The immediate switchback that follows that deep uneven dip is hard to maneuver on the downhill. It has an extreme banked angle that makes it tough at any speed. It isn't much better for going uphill out of the trough. Hachi roku almost slides off the road if I drift into it. The second dip at the midway point doesn't help because hachi roku bounces upward. The front tires come off the road when they most need to be on the ground so I can make the hard turn. I've never tackled a corner like it, Ryosuke san. I was wondering how I can keep from losing critical time in that section. I was thinking of checking the gutters to see if they might be of any use after the sun rises. If I can't groove run in that spot, I could do it elsewhere to salvage my times."

Ryosuke pulled up the three-D image of the course and gave it a closer look. Takumi waited for his mentor's thoughts. A hand slid along his hip and onto his ass which made Takumi jump half off the van's back floor board. Keisuke had angled to stand behind him while Takumi was focused on his brother. The blond's lips curved into a seductive smile as Takumi's face exploded with heat.

The teen felt the wave of embarrassment spread down to his toes as he reproached his boyfriend. "Someone from D or the Red Suns might see you, Keisuke. The opposing teams are watching us like hawks too. Don't do that."

"What are you discussing?" Keisuke asked, ignoring his soft grumble. The blond kept his hand planted on Takumi's lower back as he leaned against the van's door.

Ryosuke continued to type without bothering to look. "Don't worry, Fujiwara. Fumihiro and the others are busy adjusting the settings on your suspensions for the next run. We'll see if raising the clearance on both cars can help. Plus, Matsimoto has to replace your damaged shock. I paired Minnasan up to watch for potential problems. They were briefed on the possible dangers of being here. Minnasan knows this situation can get volatile very quickly. Our van's door angle has blocked the rival team's view so Otouto's inability to behave will go unnoticed by the rival team."

"Itsuke could wander over here out of curiosity, Ryosuke san."

"Perhaps, but Takeuchi already knows about your relationship. I think he's content to pester our mechanical team with questions, and fetch any tools they need, Fujiwara." Ryosuke's tone was soft and confident.

Takumi had noticed the way Itsuke hung onto every explanation Matsimoto or Etsuya supplied. Ryosuke san was correct about Itsuke enjoying this chance to see Project D's preparations. Itsuke had stayed with Kenta and the mechanics so far. Still, Takumi worried that his best friend would get curious since he and Keisuke were with Ryosuke san. Itsuke had not listened in on a strategy meeting. These meetings were integral to winning each expedition. Ryosuke gave them feed back based upon their impressions of the course.

Keisuke leaned forward to run his fingers over the 3-D course upon the screen. He pointed out his conclusions while his other hand remained on Takumi's back. The blond pointed to the same corner that stymied Takumi. "This section's a bitch, Aniki. You can't get any speed because it's so steep on both sides of the drastic mini dips found here, and here. Both sides of the trough are combinations of radical turn angles. This second dip is halfway in or out of the trough depending on which direction we're facing on entry and exit. It's way too easy to damage our suspensions and undercarriages. Make even a tiny mistake and the car will skid into the ravine. The road surface is really bad. The FD can't get any traction so it slides out too far here near the bottom. FD's clearance is way too low to tackle this area period."

Rysouke san tapped his chin as he stared at the screen. "Work together and you'll find a good line to maximize speed everywhere else on this course. We could probably raise the suspensions enough with the heavy compression shocks Singing-Wolf's bringing tonight. Perhaps with those shocks in place you can copy Samantha san's technique to reduce damage to the undercarriages. I've already told Matsimoto and Etsuya to raise your cars to help compensate for the bumpy road."

"But, Ryosuke san, will raising hachi roku be enough to tackle that radical corner? I'm worried that I'll lose too much time unless the gutters are useable in other places. Hachi roku needs time to recover once it slows. That dip's angle means I have to slow to a crawl to keep from ripping my muffler off. Don't you have any other technique I can try to keep from losing so much speed?"

"I'm sure the opposition has the same trouble with that corner, even if they have spider hydraulics installed, Fujiwara. For now, concentrate on keeping your times down on the rest of this course. Even if the gutter is useable, you have to accept the severe loss of speed at this point. This is a very dangerous corner under the best of conditions. I believe you'll still win although this section upsets your rhythm. Once installed, those bolt in heavy gauge air compression shocks should reduce bottom out issues, Fujiwara."

"Aniki's right. You've got a great engine in the hachi roku now. It recovers much faster. You can still win despite that brutal slope, Takumi." Keisuke's hand rubbed along his spine in a soothing motion.

Takumi looked up at Keisuke. The person he had once known as angry, arrogant, and cold vanished whenever they were alone, or in a secluded place. Only his habitual public scowl helped Takumi reconcile that this was the same short-tempered man before they began dating.

"I'll try my best. I still want to check if the gutters are useable. I really need to improve my time, if you'll go with me. I hate losing so much speed. The team is relying on me to win." Keisuke chuckled at his discontent. Ryosuke san gave him an odd smile.

"Ryosuke san?" They could hear Fumihiro's footsteps as he closed on the van. Keisuke crossed his arms. Itsuke was a few steps behind Fumihiro.

"Fumihiro?"

"We finished raising hachi roku's suspension. The FD will be done in a few more minutes."

"Domo. We'll see if the new settings help. Singing Wolf san should be here soon with the heavy compression shocks. Has Matsimoto replaced the damaged shock so Fujiwara can do another lap?"

"Hai. Matsimoto warned that the other front shock will break if hachi roku's front end comes completely off the pavement a second time. We double checked the FD's shocks. They're still good, but Etsuya wants to check them every other run to be certain none will fail. This is supposed to be the better run, but it's shredding the undercarriages and suspensions of both cars. Both mechanics noticed a lot of scrapes on both mufflers while doing the adjustments."

"Wonder how much the parts Singing Wolf's bringing will help, Aniki? Fumihiro's right. I've scraped bottom repeatedly on both runs."

Ryosuke turned to their head mechanic. "Fumihiro? Will you find out whether Matsimoto and Etsuya think we should stop practice laps until they install the high compression shocks? I'm not fond of forfeiting because of major repairs. If the cars are too damaged to drive in the battles, extra laps won't benefit our team."

Bass vibration undertones began to distract Takumi from the conversation. Takumi shifted beside Keisuke as he tried to place the subtle notes he heard. The sounds were deeper than normal so Takumi felt a moment of confusion while trying to pinpoint the source.

"The two laps that Fujiwara and Keisuke san have done give you enough information to understand the settings both cars will need, didn't they?" Ryosuke nodded. "From everything Matsimoto and Etsuya have said, I doubt that we have enough parts in the vans to make all the repairs that'll be necessary if they keep driving hard with the current settings. I think both mechanics will agree that installing the heavier shocks before Fujiwara and Keisuke san tackle the course is the better choice."

"What are you guys doing?" Itsuke's curiosity was obvious.

Takumi noticed that Itsuke sidled up to Ryosuke's left side trying to see the laptop screen. However, it was obviously a bid to stay away from himself and Keisuke.

Keisuke answered Itsuke. "We're holding a strategy meeting about the really bad section of this course. We're brainstorming to figure out how to reduce damage to our cars and still win, Takeuchi."

Several drivers in the upper level lot seemed agitated. The bass tone distracting Takumi evolved into a car's engine and exhaust. Asada Kiyo, Captain of Roaring Falls leaned against his car. He was laughing and talking with his smaller male companion, and other teammates clustered around him. Takumi realized he was hearing an unseen car heading toward their location a few moments later.

"Awesome." Itsuke looked excited by the prospect of sitting in on a strategy meeting Takumi thought while frowning at the double dips on the computer screen.

The screeching tires, and guttural engine howls ended their conversation. Takumi recognized the old American classic that slid into the lot and blasted into the upper segment a few moments later. The flat gray car slammed to a stop near Asada's tricked out Evo 3. The car shuddered, spluttered, rear end dropping as it shut down. Samantha got out and sauntered toward Asada and Inoue. She wore a black version of the strange clothing he recalled her wearing during their Akagi meeting.

"Singing-Wolf, the hell're you doing here?!" A beefy man was bellowing in harsh, slow Japanese to insure Singing Wolf understood every word he spoke.

Singing-Wolf turned on her heel with a single graceful motion to confront her opponent. Samantha replied in measured Japanese. "Do shut up, Yamaguchi Jouichi. Take your xenophobic melodrama elsewhere! Asada and Inoue" invited me. The woman held up a colored envelope.

"Gaijin, I'm going to ignore your disrespect for the moment. It's obvious you were never taught manners. Stop pretending you're an otoko. Wear skirts like every self-respecting onna does! Onnas don't talk to men in that tone of voice either. Learn your place, Gaijin."

"I'm not pretending to be an otoko, Baka! My family raised me to be strong enough to stand beside any otoko as their equal because that is the way things work in my region of the nation within which I was born. I'm a certified bodyguard working at an Embassy. As to my clothes, don't look at me, or speak to me if you're offended by my appearance."

"Watch your mouth, you little bitch! You need to learn to soften that sharp tongue and behave the right way while you're in my country."

Keisuke frowned, as Akimoto and Shinsei stepped into sight. Takumi wondered why Asada Kiyo and his team looked so relaxed since Singing Wolf was in danger. Samantha braced the man without fear despite his brazen hatred.

"Yamaguchi, I live by the code of walk the walk, and to hell with talk. Since your country loves old westerns like Paladin, and Bonanza, I'd think you'd appreciate the philosophy. Perhaps, . . . you should give it a test drive before you judge me. I grew up near the real Tombstone Arizona. I'm not a Hollywood pretender, or movie screen dime-store variety cowgirl! I'm the real damned thing! Push me, and you'll regret it."

"Sammy san's quite a firecracker." Keisuke spoke with genuine admiration for Sammy san's fierce, yet dignified display.

Takumi noticed his tone with a flash of unwelcome emotion that vanished before he could name it. Keisuke flashed a quick wink at him when he noticed Takumi was watching him. The intimate gesture embarrassed Takumi as he glanced at the others gathered. Akimoto, and Shinsei were also smiling over Sammy san's behavior.

Ryosuke san added, "Singing-Wolf seems aware of her abilities. I've read that some regions of American society require onnas to be more independent than they are within our society. Ignorance of her culture probably explains that otoko's attitude problem."

"You don't belong here, Gaijin!" Yamaguchi bellowed at the woman while shaking his fist in her direction.

Takumi saw Sammy's head dip at an angle. One shoulder shifted back as she faced the angry man with her legs shifting farther apart to improve balance. Without warning, Takumi had the impression of a snake coiling to strike. "Kiyo and Tohru called me here. You don't have any right to tell me to leave. That provision is in the agreements made between our factions. As per the rest of your idiotic chauvinistic drivel, I suggest you back off before I put you in a body-cast, Jouichi."

"Doushite the hell would Kiyo talk to a damned foreigner, unless it's about how you're screwing up Inoue's newest collectible car?"

Asada snapped, "We requested the refit because Sam has the connections and tools to do the job right, Jouichi! Don't think your conduct will get overlooked this time. We invited Sam, so you're way out of bounds. I will report your behavior to Ojīsan in the morning."

"Onnas belong in kitchens, not garages, Kiyo!" He turned back to Samantha and ordered, "Get a skirt on your ass, and act like a lady if you're going to be here! You're an embarrassment to real onnas!"

"Hah, Yamaguchi. Different cultures have different views. American onnas work harder than the otoko, and can be more dangerous. An onna should know how to defend her home when her man is away is a foundational principle of the American Southwestern lifestyle. Hothouse flowers have invaded my home state, but they certainly don't change the Old Wild West underpinnings of my region."

Yamaguchi continued screaming. "You keep overstepping your place in this country. You're an onna! Any car you'd meddled with, I wouldn't touch! Mechanics are meant for otoko, not for onnas."

Asada shook his head as his smaller companion jumped into the verbal fray. "Shut up, Jouichi kun! Sam knows mechanics far better than you! We both understand her culture, and honor code, so place our cars in her capable hands without qualms. Have you forgotten that Sammy-chan's business pays the bills for Kawano so he can go to college without getting a job? By American customs, Kawano should be paying his own way, without regard for the trouble he has because of school schedules interfering with work. Singing-Wolf-sama, and Sam have adapted to your family a great deal, baka. You're the one that needs lessons in respecting others."

Everything about Singing-Wolf made Takumi uncomfortable. Subtle things about the unusually big woman had thrown Takumi from the moment he met her. Singing Wolf's understated arrogance irritated Takumi. The woman's unique, deep voice had a smoky resonance that arrested attention. It reminded him of both Keisuke's, and Ryosuke san's voices. The way she made points with slow precision, and fiery steel hued eyes riveted her audience's interest. Her big-boned frame reflected a deadly predator's grace whenever she moved. Her behavior was abnormally masculine. Samantha Singing-Wolf was exotic to the very core of her existence in countless ways.

Takumi felt guilty over his odd premonition involving the woman because of her feminine figure. Her unusual clothes revealed too much by clinging to every centimeter of her body, while concealing all physical skin. She was much taller than average Japanese women, and broader in stature which made her somewhat unappealing. It was the eerie danger laden aura surrounding the foreign woman that concerned Takumi most. Worst of all, Singing Wolf disgruntled Takumi because he knew Keisuke genuinely liking her strange personality. Everything combined to make Takumi tense around Singing Wolf.

'Is this jealousy? Could this be how Keisuke felt every time an onna looked at, or spoke to me? If it is, then his glares before we got together makes some sense. Doushite should I be jealous of this onna and not any others who approach Keisuke? I know Keisuke loves me. Is there something wrong with me tonight? Doushite am I being so unfair to Singing-Wolf. She hasn't done anything to deserve my getting mad at her. Nothing happened the first time we met her either. Where is this crazy feeling coming from that something very bad is going to happen while we're around her?'

". . . talks and acts like a damned Yankee, Kiyo!"

"Look, jack-ass. I was born on the other side of the Mason-Dixon line. I'm not a damned Yankee. I'm a Southwestern cowgirl. Get your American regions straight before opening your mouth! Your ignorance's showing again." Sammy san snapped.

Keisuke coughed on swallowed laughter. Takumi felt another unwelcome flash of irritation that he sought to quell.

Tohru Inoue also snarled at the irritating man who seemed determined to get into a fight with Sammy san for no other reason than her being a Gaijin. "Jouichi kun, you forgot slang terminology again. In America, Yankee means someone born and raised within a specific geographic feature. Yankees are people who are born and raised on a specific side of the Mason Dixon line. Samantha is correct to say she's not a Yankee because of that geographic feature!"

"Yankees are stupid onnas' that wear masks and get into fights. That's all any Yankee'll ever be here in Japan! Whoever heard of an onna becoming a body guard, Tohru kun? Sam's not normal! This isn't the feudal era. Doushite in the hell should I tolerate a female that acts like an otoko in this era?"

Kiyo spoke. "Jouichi kun, your actions validate Sam's passionate hatred of people like you. You're one of the most ignorant about her culture, and customs. Sam has put great effort into learning about our culture and even adores many things about our nation's artistry and culture. Yet, you think only our culture has any value. You ignore Sam's culture completely, and unfairly."

"Then she should dress and act as if she has a clue about our ways, Kiyo."

"Jouichi, it's a mortal insult to evade direct eye contact when you speak to Americans. It implies you're a pathological liar to them. You refuse to make eye contact when you speak to Sam. Therefore, you're unworthy of Sam's time, trust, or good faith. Of course, she'll ignore your demands about wearing a skirt, baka!"

"She's still a rude, manner-less Gaijin!"

Asada barked. "Wrong, baka! Even Sam's clothing reflects her cultural adaptations to our ways, Jouichi. She wears serviceable boots and pants because it is a uniform. Sam adapted a much more feminine look than she likes to appease our cultural aesthetics. Sam knows we find scars offensive, so she covers hers with ruffled tops that she personally hates. Straighten up your attitude, and learn about accommodating other cultures, cousin!"

"I'm telling you she's mocking our culture, Kiyo!"

"Jouichi, I'll thank you," Sammy paused for a dramatic effect, "to drop dead, . . . you insufferable . . . illiterate, little bug."

"You bitch! I'm gonna teach you a hard lesson in good manners!" Takumi watched as the angry man lunged for Singing-Wolf. A loud crack delivered by a metallic flash from Samantha's other hand forced Yamaguchi to yelp while releasing her captured wrist. Everything happened so fast that no one had a chance to aid her. Whatever she used had been hidden in a long, flowing black sleeve. Samantha Singing-Wolf dropped into a true fighter's crouch as her feet touched ground.

She gave a loud and cutting reply. "I don't recall giving you permission to paw me. Your actions must horrify your ry~shin to have bred such a degenerate! Kiyo knows my abilities matter, not my gender, or cultural background. But then, Kiyo's not an obnoxious neanderthal like yourself! Perhaps you should accept that we live in the nineties, Yamaguchi. The ice age's long over! Onnas don't have to bow and scrape to otoko these days."

Sammy san had an athletic build, and was almost as tall as Keisuke, or Ryosuke. She had taken a fighting stance as if she could beat her much stronger and livid opponent. Her action showed a reckless kind of courage. Although she had knocked several of Akimoto's teeth loose, in a serious fight the lack of surprise would be her opponent's favor.

Keisuke murmured as if to challenge Takumi's thoughts. "Sammy san knows how to fight. That's one solid stance."

Takumi saw Yamaguchi rubbing his hand. Samantha shook open a heavy silk fan and waved it across her body. The motions were as graceful as any geisha's. Metal tongs along the breadth of the fan flashed as they caught the light from the street lamps. Yamaguchi backed off several paces. Singing-Wolf did not relax as one hand remained open, angled above the fan. She was waiting for his attack.

Shinsei spoke. "Man, such a pretty package, with such lethal know how. Look at her positioning. She'll use that fan as a weapon. Bet that'll give us a mighty interesting show."

Ryosuke added, "Samantha san has trained as a bodyguard since a very young age. Her fan has metal tongs. It's the perfect stun weapon if she knows pressure points. I think it's safe to assume Samantha san's aware of all of those soft spots."

Keisuke smiled. "She can also use her free hand as a block in that position, or grab the fan and shift it to her free hand to change attack directions faster than her opponent can react. It's the perfect stance to block his attack and hit him in a dozen debilitating pressure points within a couple of seconds if she has the speed."

Takumi's stomach clenched over the tone Keisuke used to speak of the Gaijin onna's perceived abilities. Takumi realized he had squeezed his hands into fists. He frowned and forced his hands to relax.

Samantha shooed Yamaguchi away with a warning snap of the heavy fan she lifted to close across the back of her free hand. "Be a good shonen and go bother someone who cares for your melodramatic displays, and temper tantrums! I have real business to attend to tonight."

Yamaguchi slunk back into the crowd. Singing-Wolf turned to face the Roaring Falls captain as if her attacker never existed. She concealed the fan inside the lace ruffles of her black shirt and began speaking to Asada.

"When should we start making runs again, Ryosuke san?"

"Samantha san will bring the parts over soon. It won't take long to get them installed. Relax, Fujiwara. Even if repairs have interrupted practice, you'll have the course memorized before Keisuke."

Takumi saw the box Itsuke had loaned Ryosuke san two weeks before in his mentor's hand. He also held the spiral bound notebook of translated information. He moved closer to his mentor sidetrack himself from his unpleasant feelings. Takumi had not yet found a definite name, yet suspected he was experiencing a mild case of jealousy. Ryosuke pulled out the magazine borrowed from Itsuke. The black-haired racer flipped open the book and began to look over the contents.

"I'll try to relax, but I feel like I'm wasting minnasan's time by sitting around."

"Hm, let's see how much you've added to your mechanical knowledge, Fujiwara."

Takumi focused on the magazine his mentor angled toward him with effort. The picture Ryosuke san held showed a huge motor that sported the brilliant silver tones of pristine parts. Takumi could not read the words, but the engine looked impressive, even if he did not know what some parts did.

"Impressive looking, isn't it, Fujiwara?" Ryosuke asked as he shifted to give him a better view.

Takumi shook his head. "I can't name most of the parts I'm looking at, but that engine is really shiny. Hachi roku's engine isn't that clean, and it's almost new." Takumi answered. He looked at the area where a carburetor should reside. There seemed to be two carburetors which confused the teen.

Ryosuke began explaining the image. "This is the engine in the car that Samantha san drives. She has two carburetors on top. This says a company called Holly makes the carburetors. These specs tell me that they empty both of her very big gas tanks quickly. These ratios would create an extremely hot engine. She needs the air flow from that chain blower system to keep the heat from damaging her block." Ryosuke pointed to the top of the engine. He also pointed out the numbers listed in the small sets of words on both side columns as he showed Takumi the items to which he should pay attention.

Takumi was relieved that he had been correct with his first impression of seeing two carburetors. "I didn't know you could run more than one carburetor, Ryosuke san. Doushite would a person do that?"

"Two carburetors move more fuel through the system to increase available horsepower to the torque converter. Singing-Wolf's running a very strong torque converter because her car's very heavy. After reading about her car, I realize she's a better mechanic that I initially thought. Samantha san redistributed the weight of her vehicle where possible to give it better balance and improved handling. Other metal cropping modifications made her car more controllable, and agile than a stock version. Considering everything I've learned about her A.A.R., I'd say Samantha is a chassis dynamo in her own right. She insured that she has enough force to push through her drive-train to maintain control over the weight of that vehicle in higher speed turns. Combined with her flywheel specs that make the car she drives every bit of the monster Takeuchi claimed two weeks ago."

Itsuke jumped into the conversation. "I told minnasan that heavy competitors are kept in primer for a reason. Singing-Wolf's not done modifying it, or she would have painted her car. The power that car has already forced Singing-Wolf to set it up as a sleeper. If she didn't run it on staggered timing, her engine would tear itself apart. Because it drops idle almost to the point of dying every so many cycles, the RPM's are forced to the lowest possible ratios. They even drop below the normal base line to prevent the horsepower from damaging the cast iron block. It helps keep the engine cooler too."

Ryosuke san ran a finger along the words in the margins of the page. Takumi continued to pick out the parts he could identify in the image as a new car pulled into the lower lot. It sounded like the new arrival parked near their Project D crew. Indistinct murmurs from the locals drifted to Takumi's ears. The teen continued to marvel over his achievement in understanding things in the picture by making careful comparisons to parts he saw in hachi roku's engine compartment. He focused on how much of an engine he could now identify correctly.

A few months before, the picture would have baffled Takumi except the battery siting in the engine compartment's corner. Takumi continued to pick out the parts he could identify in the image as the sound of a new car pulling into the lot area caught his attention. It sounded like the new arrival was parking near Project D's vans.

Ryosuke chuckled. "You're right, Takeuchi. I've discovered that Singing-Wolf san was quite smart, and imaginative in how she set up her car because you generously loaned me your commemorative pack. Arigatou. It's been very educational."

Takumi shifted his attention back to the image. "Uhm, I was wondering if you know what that part is, Ryosuke san? I've never seen anything that looks like it before." Takumi pointed to a specific point on the engine. Ryosuke pulled the magazine closer to his face to see the part in question.

"Fujiwara, that's a weber." Ryosuke pointed to the alien piece on the motor Takumi had failed to identify.

Takumi recognized the word and had a general idea of what it did from some of his other mechanical lessons. "Okay. Matsimoto told me about those. So that's how they look. She has two of them on her engine. Doesn't she?"

"You have a good eye, Fujiwara. Do you understand how they work?"

"I know the basics from talking to Matsimoto san. I think I understand how two of them would improve her car's performance."

"Excellent. Is there anything else you don't understand by looking at this engine image?"

Takumi pointed to another unfamiliar part he saw. "I don't understand this part or the reason it is there, Ryosuke san. It's not something I've ever seen on an engine." Itsuke was too far over to see what he was pointing out much to Takumi's relief.

The teen wanted his mentor to explain things because Takumi had no doubts about his concrete ability to use each piece of a car to maximum advantage. All of Itsuke's knowledge was based on things he read. His best friend had no real life experience in modifications of vehicles. Worse, Itsuke might try and talk him into installing such parts on hachi roku to boost horsepower without balancing his suspension and undercarriage to match.

"That's part of the chain blower's mounting frame. See how the chain drops down at this point to connect into the lower pulley system." Ryosuke explained as he pointed to the different parts of the blower's setup. His finger moved in a way to give Takumi the idea that there was more to the assembly below the visual line of the photograph. It did give him an idea of where the rest of the engine parts involved were found.

"Hai. I get it now. Domou, Ryosuke san."

"You're really learning a lot working with the Takahashi brothers, Tak. Iketani's going to be pea green when I tell him everything I've seen at this battle. Tachibana san's going to be just as envious that I got to watch you this weekend." Itsuke gloated out loud.

Takumi gave his childhood friend a small smile. He noticed that his mentor's eyebrow rose at an amused angle as he gave Itsuke a quick glance. It seemed he found Itsuke's chatter amusing.

Takumi asked another question. "So if her car's so heavy, how does she turn it effectively? Shouldn't it slide because of side G forces if she's driving fast?"

"The A.A.R. came stock with rack and pinion suspensions. Turning sharply is rack and pinion's greatest weakness. Rack and pinion works best for straight way racing. Singing-Wolf cropped the internal fender wells into the engine compartment and changed it out for double wishbone with reinforced anti roll transverse rods to stabilize the body. Doing all of that prevents the body from side rolling, or axle tramping, Tak."

"Uhm, Itsuke? I've never heard of axle tramping."

Ryosuke glanced at Itsuke. The teen puffed his chest out as he realized he was being focused on and launched into his answer. "That's a problem with heavy gauge leaf spring suspensions. The classic muscle cars from America usually have leaf spring rear end suspensions. The car bounces when it's doing a fast steep climb in a low gear. The anti roll transverse rods also help keep it from happening by stabilizing the main body frame when the wheels slip from a surge or loss of torque during the low gear upward climb."

"That's correct, Takeuchi. Non leaf spring rear end suspensions can also axle tramp, but it's rare that they do. You seem to have a genuine love of automotive mechanics. Do you plan on going to trade school to get certified as a mechanic?" Ryosuke asked.

"I've thought about it. I don't have enough money to afford it. I'm working at the gas stand and learning from Iketani sempai, and my boss, Tachibana san right now. I might try to get into a trade school later." Itsuke rubbed his head as he spoke, embarrassed by a rotary brother's sudden interest.

Ryosuke nodded and turned back to Takumi. "Samantha also reinforced the whole frame of her car. Its roof is a completely concealed roll cage, Fujiwara. It got heavier because of that modification. The only way she could control this much weight effectively is to amplify its horsepower and convert it, . . ." Ryosuke fell silent and looked around. Suddenly, Takumi also noticed that the area had fallen unnaturally silent.

-oo0oo-
- 29
- 30
- 31
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Alternate Tracks 2nd Story in Rivalry Series