Zero To A Hundred With You

Chapter 12: The Qualifying

The duo ran back to the circuit and entered the garage where they saw the manager standing in the middle of the room.

"We're here manager!" Alice told the manager.

"Ah, greetings both of you, I'm glad you could make it. We only have a few hours left until you both race. I want both of you in your best form so don't go anywhere." The manager told them.

"Hey chief, do you have the thing I asked for?" Sugimoto asked him.

"Of course Sugimoto, it's already in the break room." The manager told him.

"Sweet!" Sugimoto said excitedly.

"Wait, what thing are you guys talking about?" Alice asked curiously.

Alice was confused about what it was about but it was quickly answered when she saw something familiar in the break room.

"The sofa?!" She said in a surprised tone.

"Yup, I managed to make a deal with the manager. I miss you so much!" Sugimoto said as he hugged the armrest.

"S-seriously?" Alice muttered in disappointment but not surprised.

Alice sighs as she looks at him lazing on the sofa. She was about to say something to Sugimoto but he had already slept.

"Jeez, how can this guy start lazing around at such a crucial time!" Alice said in an annoyed tone.

The manager walked into the break room and stood beside Alice. He slightly chuckles seeing Sugimoto fast asleep on the sofa. The manager also notices that Alice is slightly annoyed by it.

"Manager, why did you give him back his sofa? He was already being productive after you took it away!" Alice argued with the manager.

"It's just his way of preparing I guess. I suggest not waking him up and let him do his thing." The manager told Alice.

"Fine, I'll just go and begin preparing myself mentally and physically." Alice said to the manager slightly disappointed.

Alice walked out of the break room and glanced at the television displaying the leaderboards. She noticed that many racers had been eliminated for failing to qualify in the top 24 drivers. Alice worried for herself as she didn't want to disappoint her team. But she became determined to prove her worth there. She trained herself with reflex training as the deadline came closer and closer. After what felt like an eternity, they were up next.

"Final team, Akinabalu Motorsports. Please stand by in 5 more minutes." The announcer told through the speaker.

"Fu-wah, that was a good nap!" Sugimoto said feeling refreshed.

Sugimoto walked out of the break room and saw Alice standing there, frozen in place. He approached her and gently placed his hand on her head to calm her down.

"S-Senpai!" She jolted.

"You look really nervous kid. Are you nervous?" Sugimoto told her.

"I-I'm just scared that I couldn't perform like the others. What if I failed and didn't qualify for the race? I don't want to be a burden for the team!" Alice said as if she was on the break of tears.

Sugimoto looks a bit shocked after seeing her nervous rather than her usual confident self. He decides to relate to her so she can calm herself down.

"It's normal for drivers to feel nervous like this, especially in this tournament. But don't let it overcome you, kid. You will feel nervous in the first lap, but once you get to the next lap, all your fear will go away." Sugimoto reassures her.