Be My Babe | Initial D

Chapter 15

In the heart of Tochigi, a month had slipped by since Kai and I moved back. The garage, once silent, now echoed with the symphony of wrenches and laughter as I poured my soul into reviving the roadster. Every clang and hum was a testament to the determination pulsing through my veins.

Kai, finding his footing, rekindled bonds with his team. Nights under the star-studded sky became a canvas for dreams and plans, the camaraderie of the team weaving an intricate tapestry of shared aspirations.

Our house, devoid of parental oversight, transformed into a haven of freedom. The team gathered, laughter intertwining with the whispers of engines preparing for the next race. It was a sanctuary, a place where our collective love for racing forged unbreakable bonds.

School life in Tochigi came with its own set of challenges and triumphs. The classroom routine and the lack of new friendships unfolded against the backdrop of Tochigi's winding roads. Memories of Akina lingered, serving as both a guide and a source of inspiration.

Amidst this stability, our mother's sporadic visits cast brief shadows. Yet, in the gaps between her arrivals, Kai and I carved a world of our own—a world fueled by our shared love for racing and the unspoken understanding that bound us together.

The echoes of our new life in Tochigi resonated beyond the confines of our garage. In the realm of connections, I found myself caught in a paradox—I was physically closer to the ones I left behind, yet emotionally distanced from them. While the wheels of my roadster spun in Tochigi, my ties with Gunma seemed to have hit a speed bump.

Keisuke remained my solitary link to the past. An hour's drive separated us, and each interaction carried the weight of unspoken truths. We hadn't met since that fateful race where the 86 triumphed over Ryosuke's FC. In my mind, Keisuke was the silent guardian of my departure, the keeper of a secret that bound us.

The racing world was a small one, and news traveled fast. Whispers of a Tochigi team, my father's old team, heading for Gunma ignited the racing scene. The target was clear—the formidable Emperors. While they were skilled, they lacked the finesse of youth, and our father's former team was eager to demonstrate their prowess.

Seated in front of my car, a plume of smoke curled from the cigarette between my fingers. The once-green roadster gleamed under the garage lights now-white, a canvas waiting for a spark of inspiration. New parts and wheels were strewn about, a scattered puzzle yearning to be solved.

Lost in thought, I barely noticed Kai's entrance, a can of coke in hand. He observed the roadster, then set the drink next to me. "You look depressed," he remarked, calm and straightforward. I managed a weak smile. "I've lost all my determination to work on him."

Stretching out on the garage floor, I continued puffing on my cigarette. Kai, ever the realist, spoke up. "Well, it's best you do it now while Mum's away. If she came home to all of that, no doubt she'd go crazy." He gestured toward the pile of car parts with his thumb.

Rubbing my head, I sat up and looked at the car. "Will you help me?" I pleaded, grabbing his wrist with my best puppy-dog eyes. He stared at me, then at the car. "You're the mechanic. I'm just a racer," he shrugged.

"Kai, Kai, pleaseee," I mumbled, grasping his wrist tighter. "Just do as I say, c'mon. You know how to change a wheel. You can just..."

Stubbing out my cigarette, I directed my gaze back to the roadster. "I have it all mapped out. I just want it to be perfect." Sketched plans adorned the wall next to me, a visual representation of the car's future intentions. Though it wasn't meant to stay white, I'd developed a liking for the color, even acquiring a matching white hardtop. And the inevitable question lingered: Where did I get the money for all this?