A Hybrid of Life and Gasoline | 命とガソリンのハイブリッド

Part 23 | Challenge

Sumire was very excited when Towa, whom she considered was as close to being a shut-in as one could be without actually being one, asked her if she wanted to travel to Tochigi this weekend.

Mobility Resort Motegi? Sumire never heard of it, but it sounded interesting enough, and it was only 30 something kilometers away from Mito so it would not be too tiring of a trip.

And seriously, Sumire was just happy that Towa would get out of the house at normal hours for once!

Sumire quickly researched what's in the town of Motegi, and found that it's famous for producing Yuzu oranges, that made her mouth watered just imagining the succulent fruit. Sumire also wanted to visit this place called Ose which was a tourism spot near Naka river. It was destroyed in a flood a few years back, but has since reopened. It looked to have a restaurant serving local river fish and a very beautiful scenery.

The truth was, the reason Towa asked Sumire if she wanted to go to Motegi with him was the Twin Ring Motegi. He bought a lesson with Sasagawa Racing School. A session for amateur drivers to learn driving techniques at the local track of the school. Of course, he was happy that Sumire was excited for all that touristy stuff, but Towa was even more excited about learning more advanced driving techniques.

Towa did finally ask Sumire a few days before if she'd be happy to travel alone for a whole of Saturday, and she seemed miffed, but he promised the entirety of Sunday to her, so she agreed reluctantly.

Sumire smelt something fishy when Towa put a newly purchased item in the boot of the roadster, along with their travel pack. A helmet. Why would he need a helmet? Sumire was sure Towa didn't know how to ride a motorbike, why did he buy this?

It was an Arai GP-6S, a helmet for car racing. FIA certified.

The item, which according to Sumire was a ridiculous one, took a lot of the little real estate at the back of the white Roadster RF.

Anyhow, the joy of the road trip was enough for Sumire to forgive anything. She needed this, they needed this. After what happened a month back, especially. Sumire was happy that after hospitalization, she could travel to places again.

It was Saturday morning. They set off at 8 AM, which on a weekend meant the traffic was all clear. The route Towa was taking was on the outskirts of Mito city, passing by Lake Senba on the Senba big bridge. Not long after Towa turned left at the intersection, heading west.

"Is there a race event going on at Motegi today?"

Sumire suddenly asked, after not saying anything about it since learning they'll be staying at 'Motegi Mobility Resort'. This surprise question nearly flipped Towa who's been pretty coy about the exact reason he's going there. He guessed she learned about it while researching things to do.

"...No?" Towa was wary about where this would be going next.

"So why did you want to go to Motegi?" Sumire was quite curious.

"Errr..." Towa was thinking of how to reply as he wasn't sure, "I'm applying for a safety driving course at the circuit."

"Safety driving course?" Sumire got more intrigued by the answer.

"Yeah. It's a driving session with professional instructors."

"But wasn't learning how to drive in driving school before getting the permit enough for you to drive safely?"

"Yes, it is enough," Towa replied, "but you can never be too safe, right?"

Sumire got what Towa was saying, and she's happy with the explanation, so she just went back minding her own business selecting songs from the phone which was connected to the car entertainment system.