Nihonkoku Shoukan: Beyond

Chapter 56: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Daikoku Pier, Tsurumi, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, 15th April 1640 CCY

"Well... you sure it's alright for me to drive around like this? Granted the Empire also drives on the right... but..." – Gra Cabal

"Mhm~ then just make sure you drive extra carefully, right? You're driving me and your little sister after all." – Yuuna

"Sister Yuuna, where are we going?" – Helmina

"You'll know shortly. Ah, don't remove the seat belt, alright?" – Yuuna

"Yes, sister Yuuna." – Helmina

Driving on the rebuilt Shuto Expressway, Yuuna, Gra Cabal, and Helmina are traveling in a very special car on loan from the former UK embassy, the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50S Nikki Lauda. Powered by the special naturally aspirated 3.9L Cosworth GMA V12 engine, it was the highest-revving engine at the time of manufacture. As the T.50S was designed as a successor to the McLaren F1 by its legendary designer Gordon Murray, the hypercar can carry a driver plus 2 passengers seated beside the centrally mounted driver seat despite being a two-door coupe.

"This car is... amazing, Yuuna. You said it was borrowed?" – Gra Cabal

"Yep~ straight from Mr. Morris." – Yuuna

"Huh... I can feel it. This car has a lot of power and torque. And it is very responsive as well." – Gra Cabal

"I know you and perhaps Helmina also like cars, after apples more than often fall not far from its tree, so I've planned a very nice day out ahead, all related to cars. Now turn onto Route K5. We'll head over the bridge." – Yuuna

"Alright~" – Gra Cabal

"So... we'll come to a place that has a lot of cars, right big sis? I have traveled on my eldest brother's cars a few times, even the ones that were designed by him." – Helmina

"Did you like it, Helmina?" – Yuuna

"Yes~ very much!" – Helmina

Yuuna lets out a chuckle. Going across the bridge, the royal can now see a massive parking lot, various buildings, and a race track in their view.

"Holy... I did not notice that when we were going up the bay..." – Gra Cabal

"That's the largest hub for automobile enthusiasts in Japan. What do you think of it?" – Yuuna

"It's so large..." – Helmina

Originally, Daikoku Pier was built as a base for freighters and a transit hub for maritime traffic in 1971. In the 2000s, with the opening of Yokohama Bay Bridge, the hub also became an access point for the Shuto Expressway and a docking port for cruise ships. After the Terran-Garmillas War, the site was rebuilt. However, with freighters and cruise ships not being a priority anymore, coupled with the rich history of it being a major spot for car enthusiasts, private entities have petitioned the government to expand and transform the site for different uses after seeing the site being abandoned for quite some time.

Now, this is the home to various private workshops that custom-built various authentic replicas of automobiles, a parking lot, a race track, a night market, and other stores to serve the people coming here. A beautiful revival of the people and the culture of both Earth and Japan draws in many people from many regions of Earth, with the week-long annual Automobile Festival championed by the government of Tokyo Metropolis for the last two years that it has been held here.

And of course, the iconic parking lot under the expressway with the glass tower is recreated as well, faithful to the last detail.

"Just drive in there. We should be able to find a spot. Remember, since we're sneaking out, I am not Yuuna, alright? I am Yoko. And just for today, neither of you is an imperial family member of the Gra Valkas Empire. Who are you two when people ask~?" – Yuuna