Initial D: The Next Stage

Chapter 4

I wasn't sure if they had just not had a good start or if they were waiting for me, but either way I could have a shot at winning.

Keyword there, could.

We barreled down the road towards the first hairpin, which came a lot sooner than I had thought.

Kubo yanked her handbrake and slid around the turn. She was still new to drifting, maybe Keisuke could teach her a bit more on her FD...

Kano must have tuned his suspension and handling for drifting, as he lightly tapped the brakes and was sent into a four-wheel drift, feathering the throttle to prevent from getting too much power and sliding into a wall.

I myself gripped the turn, taking it inside. Coming out of the turn, the Evo and FD were far ahead.

Wait, what? How is that possible?

I decided to ignore it and went to catch up. We went into the next few turns and I was left behind after each one. There were no gutters on this segment of the course, so I had to make due with just my four-wheel-drive layout and go for it.

It didn't work. Shortly after the second segment, the two had disappeared into the night. I could hear their engines roar, and their tires squealing on the winding road.

When I finally got to the bottom of the course, the two were talking among each other. Probably about if I was really the best fit for the team. I pulled in beside them and got out.

"How do you drift an F4 like that?" I asked, looking around Kano's Evo.

"I can teach you how, but first you need the right tune." Kano said, looking at his engine.

"What would you suggest?"

"Drift, a bit of balance between power and control, I've mostly kept the Evo's engine stock, seeing as how it makes 401 horsepower already. All I've done is some suspension and control tuning."

Kubo looked surprised. "401 stock? They made Evos like those?"

"The FQ-400." Kano closed the hood and patted the car, treating it as if it were his pet. "Sold only in the UK and could keep up with the Lamborghini Murcielago."

"That's one Hell of a Lancer." I said, looking it over. I turned to Kubo. "I saw you drift a few of the hairpins, I know someone who could teach you a bit more about the car and how to refine your skill."

"Who would that be?" Kubo asked, sitting on the FD's bumper.

"Keisuke Takahashi."

The two looked at me in silence.

"If you know Keisuke," Kano said. "Then you must know Takumi Fujiwara as well, right?"

"And Shingo Shoji, and Ryosuke..." I continued, getting bored.

"Who's your uncle then, Takeshi Nakazato?"

"God Foot."

"What?!" Kubo shouted, standing back up. "Do you know God Hand?"

"Yeah, but I haven't seen him in ages... my uncle said he sold the Honda and bought a Lexus SC300, but I don't know if he was serious or not."

"Who would take an SC300 over an S2K?" Kubo asked, looking at me with doubt.

"The SC300 runs the turbocharged 2JZ, an I6. The S2000 runs the naturally aspirated F20C, an I4." Kano said, lighting a cigarette. "They're both FRs, but if I were him, I'd keep the Honda."

"I'll ask him about it when I get home." I said, climbing back into my car. "When should I come over to your garage?"

"Anytime. I'll do my best to help out."

I nodded and started the car, driving off back to my uncle's house.