Initial D-December Snow

The Other Driver

The shock of racing against a Quattro only lasted for less than a second. Then it turned into willpower. Nakazato refused to lose to it, this is not only bacause of the mindset of a racing team leader, but also the willfulness of a GTR driver. He firmly believed that the GTR is the king of the Touge, and he will not lose to some import car bought by a rich guy. Nakazato slided his R32, much in a similar fashion to the Quattro firmly chasing him down. No matter what, he just doesn't want to hand it over to him. The Quattro driver, however isn't bad at driving as well.

Nakazato and the Quattro continued to race down Mt. Myogi. Nakazato was controlling his car with sliding and pedal work. He isn't on the level of God-Foot or Keisuke, but he is learning. With this, he is able to keep up a decent pace. His newfound delicate control allows him to race downhill in the snow and still corner sharply. Utilising skills that he learnt over the years, he is now a formidable racer. That and his knowledge of the course gave him certain edges over the Quattro chasing him.

The Quattro, however, has his own strengths. The Quattro is lighter, weighing roughly 100 kilograms less. It is also made for rallying, and is legendary in that regard. The driver is also used to rally driving. Hence why it is keeping up with Nakazato's prowess.

"What's with rally cars constantly trying to assert dominance over Myogi nowadays?!" Nakazato yelled as he slid out of another corner at high speeds, his tail barely 10 centimeters away from the guardrail.

The Quattro driver followed him. It is clear to Nakazato that he doesn't fully know the pass, but whoever he is, he has decent adaptability and sheer guts. Nakazato now has grudging respect for the Quattro driver.

Respect or not, I still have to defend my turf! Nakazato thought as he rushes down the last bits of straightaway, entering a blind corner. When he exits the corner, however, he sees headlights.

Oh shit! Nakazato's body reacted faster than his mind. He quickly flicks his car to the left and then back to the right, barely sliding around the upcoming car. The Quattro followed suite. Both the Quattro and the R32 spun out and faced the wrong direction. Nakazato maintained the lead, so he won, but barely.

Both drivers got out of their cars. Nakazato was surprised to see a youngster, barely older than Takumi Fujiwara when he raced him, step out of the Quattro. The Quattro driver quickly observed Nakazato.

"Well, if it isn't the famous Guardrail Lover," remarked the Quattro driver. Nakazato is irritated. "I don't know who do you think you are, young man, but you still haven't beaten me yet. So, show some respect!"

"Okay, sorry. My name is Chinen Mitsuteru. How about we talk somewhere else, it's freezing here." The Quattro driver said. "Takeshi Nakazato. How about the cafe nearby. It should still be open," said Nakazato. Mitsuteru seemed to agree.

So they both ended up in the cafe with a cup of coffee each. Nakazato eanted to know more about Mitsuteru. "You didn't beat me, but you're decent. You got a team?" Nakazato asked. "Yea, we call ourselves Deutsch Runners, because we all run German cars," Mitsuteru replied. "Sounds posh, what good are German cars on the touge," Nakazato asked. Then Mitsuteru dropped it: "Well, I kept up with your ass didn't I?"

"Anyhow, we're invading Gunma. Our race with the RedSuns remnants is tommorow. Come if you want to see it." Mitsuteru said, before paying for the coffe and walking out of the café front door. Nakazato then heard the rumble of the Quattro's engine. And his mind floated away to his last race with rally cars. It still sent chills down his spines, remembering the moment his R smashed into a guardrail, desperately chasing after the Lan Evos ass.