Chapter 1: A Change.
The early sun lights up the small town of Gion. Summer is here, Josh and Yumi are eating breakfast.
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"Wow Yumi! These waffles are really delicious!"
"Thank you! I found the recipe from the cooking channel."
"Well they're really good!"
"Hahaha! So whats the plan for today?"
"Well, my dad told me to go to Tsukuba. I'm going to start my training there. Wanna come with?"
"Sure! Its an open track day right? Maybe I'll bring the RX-7 today."
"Alright! My dad told me he had a car there for me already."
"What kind is it?"
"I don't know. He told me its a surprise. Whatever it is though, I hope its as fast as my GT-R."
"Oh..."
"Hey, why don't you actually make racing a career like me?"
"Hmm.... Racing isn't really my dream. Its just on the side."
"Oh..."
Breakfast ends, Josh and Yumi get in the RX-7
*pic of amemiya gion
"Do you know where Tsukuba is?"
"Yup! Don't worry! I looked it up and got the address."
"Alright! Lets go!"
Yumi starts the RX-7. The 13B Wankel roars to life. Yumi leaves Gion in a cloud of smoke.
"Oh my god... The neighbors will probably complain that we're too noisy with our cars..."
They pass R246.
Tokyo R246_2 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Tokyo R246_1 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
"Woah... You can really feel the power of the turbo..."
"Hah! Wait till I floor it at Tsukuba!"
Tokyo R246 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
"Suspension's not bad either. Your friend had it tuned well."
"To be honest, this car caught my attention when I went to Aoi's house. It was parked beside her parent's Ferraris and Lamborghinis, but I liked this car the most. So when she offered to sell it to me, I went for it."
"You have a good eye for cars!"
"Well, not really. I just liked the color. Paint a crappy car this color and I will love it. Haha!"
They finally arrive in Tsukuba. Richard is waiting, with a Skyline R33 GT-R.
Tsukuba Circuit_10 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
"Hello Yumi!"
"Hi Uncle!"
"Hey dad, whats with the R33?"
"You will be driving it for your training. I see you brought a car."
"Oh, this is Yumi's car. Its an Amemiya RX-7. Its pretty fast!"
"Really? In that case, you'll go against her! You okay with that Yumi?"
"Sure! I'm not losing to this GT-R boy! See you in my rearview mirror!"
"Hah! We'll see!"
Richard rides with Josh. The RX-7 and the R33 line up.
Tsukuba Circuit_18 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
"Lets go!"
"Lets do this!!!"
The RB26 roars, but the tuned 13B Rotary takes the lead, and leaves the GT-R in the dust.
Tsukuba Circuit_17 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
"What the hell!? Dad, is this car tuned at all?"
"Nope. Its an all-stock R33."
"WHAT!? Whats the point then?"
"In this part of your training, you will concentrate on your turning technique. You have to be able to know when and where you need to turn to achieve maximum speed out of a corner."
"Oh..... Well Yumi's leaving me in the dust.... This is embarrassing.."
"Where'd she get that RX-7 anyway?"
"From her friend."
"Even Yumi's technique is better than yours."
"Shut up! Haha!"
First turn approaches..
Tsukuba Circuit_16 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
"Well, you're actually skilled. You learned how to bypass the infamous understeering of GT-Rs."
"I used to go Touge racing. I learned how to take corners there."
"What was your car?"
"A Honda Civic Type R. It had about 250hp before I put a turbo."
"And you tuned it yourself?"
"I had some help with the resident tuners at Mt. Aso."
"Wow.... Racing is in our blood huh?"
"Yeah... I guess so.."
Second turn approaches.
Tsukuba Circuit_15 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Tsukuba Circuit_14 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
"Yumi really left me in the dust huh?"
"Well, her car is well tuned. This GT-R was a hand-me down from my friend who races professionally."
"I guess thats why it feels a bit worn."
"This GT-R is yours from now on. This will be the only car you can use on the track. I don't want to see your R34 here."
"What!? Why?"
"Because that R34 is a monster. You wont be able to struggle with that car. Oh, I'm taking my Hakosuka back."
"Are you serious!?"
"It is MY car right? I never gave it to you."
"Aww.... Fine..."
Josh attacks the remaining turns.
Tsukuba Circuit_13 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Tsukuba Circuit_12 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
"Once I bring this back home, I'm gonna start tuning this baby."
"Alright. Oh, don't tell your mom, but I want you to go back to the Touge. Start racing there again."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because you will need to master this car. The track isn't always open, so I want you to train on the mountains whenever you can."
"Alright... I'll give it a shot."
Josh and Yumi park on the side.
Tsukuba Circuit_11 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
"I guess I beat you today!"
"I have to say, your technique is pretty good Yumi!"
"You only beat me because my car is stock. Haha!"
"Thats what the losers say! Hahaha!"
"Alright then. Your first day of training just ended. See me next week again."
"Oh... Alright then."
"Do you guys have jobs?"
"Yeah. We work at the con-"
"Well... Actually.. We got fired."
"WHAT!? Why?"
"Because we're always late. Sorry I didn't get to tell you.."
"Crap... I guess we don't have work.."
"Well, if you guys need jobs, work at my tuning garage."
"You have a tuning garage!?"
"Yes. Martini Works. Its at R246. Just drop by, and I'll give you guys work."
"Thank you!"
"Okay then. Thanks."
Josh and Yumi head back to Gion.
"Well, we now know that I'm the better driver! Maybe I should be the one racing!"
"Haha! Once I tune the R33, I'm leaving your sorry RX-7 in the dirt!"
"You wish!"
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"*yawn* I think I'll watch some TV first."
"Alright! I'll just cook dinner!"
Josh turns the TV on. The famous TV show, Best Version is showing.
"Hey! Best Version is showing!"
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Good evening and welcome to Best Version! I'm Takumi Tsuchiya and this is my partner, Kenta Taniguchi!
Kenta: Yes! Good evening!
Takumi: Tonight, we talk about the Skyline GT-R! Kenta, do you own a Skyline?
Kenta: Yes actually! I currently own the R32. I brought it here today!
Takumi: Okay! Well, our guest brought their own Skyline today. Let's see how she handles against Kenta's R32!
Tsukuba Circuit_8 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Takumi: Our car here today is the MINE'S Skyline R34. Tell me more about MINE'S latest project, Mr. Yamamoto.
Tsukuba Circuit_9 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Yamamoto: Well, what we have here today, is a Skyline R34 fitted with the best MINE'S parts to perform well on the track. It has 591hp, and it is tuned to give the best engine response in any situation. We don't usually work on engine internals, but we made an exception for this car.
Takumi: Okay! Let's see Kenta's R32!
Tsukuba Circuit_7 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Tsukuba Circuit_6 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Kenta: My R32 is tuned with BLITZ parts! It makes about 500hp!
Takumi: Alright then! Lets get started on the road test!
Tsukuba Circuit_1 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Takumi: Alright! I will be piloting the MINE'S Skyline! Lets see if Kenta's R32 can beat this R34!
3...2...1... GO!
Tsukuba Circuit_5 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Takumi: As expected, the MINE'S R34 is giving outstanding engine response in corners! Kenta's R32 can't keep up!
Tsukuba Circuit_3 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Kenta: Man.... I gotta tune my R32...
Tsukuba Circuit_2 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Takumi: MINE'S really knows how to tune the R34. This car is so fast, it can make a dead man scream!
Kenta: Nope... My R32 can't keep up! Time for an overhaul I guess!
Tsukuba Circuit by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Takumi: And the MINE'S R34 finishes with a time just under 57 seconds! What a lap!
Kenta: We conclude that the MINE'S R34 is one of the best GT-R's we've ever driven! Its incredible engine response in corners is very impressive. Makes me wish my R32 could handle like that.
Takumi: Definitely! Stay tuned for more Best Version!
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"That Tsuchiya guy sounds familiar... I think I've seen him somewhere..."
"He's just our age right? Maybe you guys battled before."
"Maybe."
"Oh, dinner's ready! I made some Tonkatsu!"
"Alright! Thank you!"
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Meanwhile, on Mt. Aso....
Mt. Aso (Tarmac)_2 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Mt. Aso (Tarmac)_1 by
halfcab23, on Flickr
Mt. Aso (Tarmac) by
halfcab23, on Flickr
"Ah.... The classic sound of carburetors. Brings me back to when I was just a teenager. Racing on the highway."
Richard's phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Hello Richard. Remember me?"
"Wait... I know that voice.."
"Tenji Tsuchiya?"
"Good! I find it flattering that you remember your rival."
"Wow... After all these years huh? You still can't accept the fact that your Celica couldn't beat my Hakosuka. Come on. Its been more than 30 years."
"Oh don't worry. Its not about that. I heard your son was a legend on the Wangan."
"My son? What do you want from him?"
"Relax Richard. I just wanted to tell you my son was looking forward to racing your boy."
"Why? Are you planning to revive the rivalry?"
"Not really. I just want to see if your son can drive. So, you think he'll be interested?"
"Hah! Don't worry. He'll race you. Where?"
"At Trial Mountain. Tomorrow night. Tell him to bring his best car, since Takumi will give him a run for his money."
"Make sure your son can actually drive. Haha! I'm looking forward to it."
"Alright then Richard. See you tomor-"
"*click* Hah! I ain't listening to this guy anymore! Preparations need to be made."
Richard calls his friend, Hoshino.
"*click* Hello?"
"Hoshino! How are you?"
"I'm good. Why?"
"Do you still have those Phantom R's for sale?"
"Yes actually. I have one left. Why? You purchasing it?"
"Yes please. How much is that?"
"I could cut you a deal. Hows 7 million yen?"
"Perfect. Can you bring it at Trial Mt. Tomorrow morning? I'm gonna tune it there."
"Alright. Why do you need one anyway? Its been a long time since you've asked me for one of my cars."
"I need it for a street race."
"You do know my cars are very hard to control right?"
"Don't worry. A bit of tuning will fix it."
"Alright then. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye. *click*"
"Tenji's son must be very talented. I raced Tenji back when I still had my Trueno. I almost lost."
"Now, I bet his son is as good as him. Maybe even better."
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"The food was really good Yumi."
"Aww.... Thank you!"
"So hows Harumi and Elcid?"
"They went to Italy actually. Harumi wanted to show Elcid their family's farm."
"That sounds nice. Oh, do you want to go anywhere?"
"Not really!"
"Oh, okay then!"
"I'm gonna get ready for bed! See you upstairs!"
"See you. Love you!"
"Love you too!"
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CHAPTER 1 END!!!