Initial D: Alternate Stage (Unfinished)

Act 17: "Mixing racing with romance"

1572 words
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|15:58 pm|

As the race starts,Mako has the lead. She is able to hold the lead almost all the time,but Kyoko slowly closes the gap. Mako can't afford to fall behind,as every centimetre is crucial.
-Her FD is very powerful and she is very skilled..I have to play it smart. The other cars don't matter. They and their drivers aren't a threat. Maybe she will fall for this trick? Right before the corner ,Mako hits the break in front of her rival, doing it so a crash isn't possible but it slows Kyoko down a lot. She drops a gear,then power slides through the corner perfectly.
-Hah! A classic trick! It isn't your day. Now Mako can do her thing and block her.
But it isn't over. Kyoko is also smart and knows how to easily overtake. Their race is a total battle of overtaking and being overtaked. Mako and Kyoko switch positions after every corner. It's only the last corner that actually matters. Mako wants to win badly. She has to think of a trick fast. The final corner is incoming and it's a tough one. You enter very comfortably but the exit is pretty narrow.
"Wait..I don't need a trick. This corner is almost identical to that one on Usui Pass. I have to enter at high speed,and not miss the last braking point,and I'll accelerate immediately as I get midway through again."
Mako tries to succeed her plan. She enters at a medium to high speed,finding the last breaking point,handling the accelerator while attacking the corner precisely. Kyoko is on the tail of the Sileighty all the corner,but her accelerator precision isn't so fine.
"See you at the end line,says Mako in her mind before aggressively blasting."
Kyoko's eyes widen as Mako disappears.
"-Wh-what?! She did the exit with such a high speed? But the end of the corner is narrow! says Kyoko confused. Guess she had better precision..."
Mako crosses the finish line just a bit before her opponent. The precision really counted."
-Hooray!! Mako won! What a great battle! says Sayuki cheerfully.
Takumi and Iketani also cheer for their friend. It was a very tight battle. They are glad they came to see Mako.
-Woah..That was really tight. Who is this Kyoko girl anyway? talks Mako to herself. I should congratulate her for a good competition.
Mako walks to her box.
-Hi! I'm Mako Sato,the driver of that Sileighty.
-Oh,hey! I'm Kyoko Iwase.
-I really enjoyed your competition. You drive really well.
-Thank you!replied Kyoko politely while rubbing the back of her head. You are way more precise,tho.
-Ha,thank you. Well,I'm glad I could race against a girl racer.
-Me too. Wait,here's my number. We could be friends if you want to!
-Sure. I'll text ya if I'm bored. Now see you!
Mako leaves Kyoko's box. She isn't really interested in a friendship yet,but wanted to be nice,like she always is.
A tall blonde haired man approaches Kyoko from the shadow,telling her silently:
-This was good..But is this all you can? You were pretty slow when she pulled that trick on you. Di better next time,he says leaving the place,kicking a random can on the ground arrogantly.
Kyoko was feeling good until she heard this. She knew she has to do better,not for him,but for her own ego really! It's her!

|16:41 pm|
-Nice job,Mako! I liked how you handled that corner.
-Thanks Takumi,replies Mako.
-Yeah,you were really good!says Sayuki in continue.
-Thank you,Sayuki! You guys really motivated me-
Mako has eye contact with Iketani suddenly. They don't know what to tell each other. She is a bit disappointed in Iketani because he came so late.
-Iketani,can we have a moment just the two of us?
-S-sure,Mako..,he replies full of shame.
-Follow me.
Mako and Iketani go into her box,with nobody there.
-I-Iketani..Do you want me to be honest with you?
-J-just tell me.
-I'm disappointed with you h-honestly. I thought you'd be here earlier than everyone. Did you forget about me?
-I'm re-really sorry,Mako-chan. My car had running proble-
-Iketani, did you know I was hurt everytime you were late? Especially that first time,when I waited for you under the billboard we met.
-M-Mako! You know I wouldn't have been late if the car didn't have proble-
-Cut it,Iketani. Just tell me,do you really love me? Do I even mean something to you?! Why do you have to be late everytime? asked Mako almost crying.
Iketani doesn't respond. He looks down,full of ache.
-M-Mako-
-I don't want to hear anything else! Just tell me,do you even love me? I'm not asking anymore if you really do...Is there at least a piece of your heart that exists for me?
-Y-yes. I do.
-You do what?!
-I do love you,Mako! I do!
-Then what is keeping us apart? Why can't we be like any other two young people in love? I-I don't even know why I'm here. Text me if you want to say anything else. Goodbye,Mako said while leaving the box with watery eyes.
Iketani is very hurt. He is so hurt that he is almost numb for the moment. The only person that ever thought about him as her favourite man slowly loses interest in him. He doesn't want to lose this chance. If he loses this,he will lose his motivation.
"I have to ask her out.. Now!"thought Iketani to himself. He runs to Mako,calling her name.
-Mako!! Mako!!!
She turns around. What does he need?
-Huh? What do you want now?
-M-Mako. Please go out with me. I promise I won't be late!
-You promised me 3 times. Is the 4th time even worth it?
-Please,trust me! I-...just want a final chance! Please,Mako!
-Mmhhhh....fine. But look at me. If you don't come in time,I promise you I won't ever want to see you again. And I mean it.
-T-thank you Mako! said Iketani thankfully,while going on his knees.
-Just come,please. Don't make me wait again.

|18:13 pm|
-What do you think they talked about,Sayuki?
-Didn't you see them,Taku? Mako clearly told him how disappointed she is. I can tell by just looking at her.
-I feel bad for Iketani. He's always late..But I can't blame her or him. Maybe it really is destiny? Because Iketani really loves her.
-I don't know,Takumi-kun. I feel bad for both. I wish I could make it possible that they would be just like they'd wish to..
|21:00 pm|
-Sayuki-chan..Can I ask you a question?
-Go on. I'm listening.
-Did you have any relationship before?
-No. Only flings but not real romance,like between me and you,said Sayuki while leaning on Takumi. Why tho?
-I was just thinking..I kinda feel wrong in a way.
-What do you mean ?
-About my last girlfriend.. I thought I'd be hurt and depressed for a very long time but I've moved on so fast. I feel bad because she probably is hurt and I'm here with you.
-Are you complaining,Takumi?
-Noo,I don't mean to complain. I just feel bad for Mika. She said she will call me every time after she wins a golf championship.
-Takumi,it's okay if you feel bad,but..Don't think about her anymore. You got me right? If she calls you or texts you ,you gotta act just like old friends right?
-Yeah,Sayuki. I already told ya before I want to love you for the rest of time, right?
-Myeah,Takumi. Can I ask you something now?
-Of course Sayu.
-What do you love about me the most?
-Your body is flawless but it isn't my favourite. It has to be between your eyes,hair and personality...And your art and intelligence of being my navigator. Why?
-I was just making sure you aren't using me for my body..
-Come on,Sayuki. I was blushing and was ashamed the whole time we did it and you think I'm using you for your body?
-I'm sorry,Taku. Guess it's just a girl's concern. I was asking because once I went somewhere and there was Shingo with Nakazato. I can't remember the occasion but I heard that Takeshi weirdo say perverted things behind my back.
-Are you comparing him with me? Please,Sayuki-chan.
-Nope,I was just saying. You're gaining self esteem! Is that because you're my boyfriend and you're becoming similar to me?asks Sayuki happily,with her eyes reflecting the stars on the sky.
-Probably. Wait...Don't move. You eyes are reflecting the stars..It's....beautiful.
-Aweee,really??? That's cute!
-Yeah,...Anyway,what was this pass called?
-Tsukuba pass.
-Ohh,right. I raced a very tough opponent here..I was lucky to defeat him.
-Hm? Really? What did he race in? Who is he?
-Dr. Toshiya Joshima also known as "God Arm"..Didn't you check the Project D site? How come you don't know?
-I forgot. Blue S2000,right?
-Yep. I had lots of things to learn from that gu-
Takumi observes a car running on the pass.
-Hm? What is it,Takumi? What stopped you from continuing?
-We've got the Samurai masks right?

The end of act 17