Chapter 39 - To Germany!
The next day, Frank walked into TJ’s garage to find both TJ and Dave mounting the new suspension inside the wheel arches after giving it a full respray in red.
Frank: Whoa, it’s looking better than it ever did now.
Dave: Hey Frank. Like the car?
Frank: Yeah it looks sweet man.
TJ: I’m surprised you still want this spoiler.
Dave: It does give downforce, which is useful I guess.
TJ: Hardly, but sure.
Frank: When will it be ready?
Dave: Erm… TJ?
TJ: At this pace, in a week. We’ve still got to put the motor in, the interior, the exterior and a ton of other crap.
Frank: Can I help?
TJ: Sure. Get some overalls on and come help us with this.
Frank: Yes sir!
Just then, Kei walked into TJ’s garage.
Kei: Umm, am I interrupting?
TJ: Nah. What’s up?
Kei: I’m off to look at a car I’d like to buy and with Yuka gone… I was wondering…
TJ: You want someone who knows what they’re doing to help huh?
Kei: Yeah… Please.
TJ: No worries. Dave, tell Frank what to do.
Dave: Where you going?
TJ: To help Kei with her car shopping.
Dave: Oh! Well have fun!
Kei: Thanks!
TJ: Come on, I’ll drive you. Where we headed?
Kei: Shoren-in.
TJ: That’s not far, let’s go.
Meanwhile, in the skies above England…
Yuka and Hitomi were once again on a flight to Europe, this time headed to Germany.
Yuka: How did Chris take the news?
Hitomi: What news?
Yuka: That we completely wrecked the Elise’s tyres.
Hitomi: I didn’t tell him. Didn’t tell him anything at all really. Just threw him the keys, said thank you and left.
Yuka: Then what took you so long?
Hitomi: It’s a secret.
Yuka: Come on! Tell me.
Hitomi: Fine. I was on the phone.
Yuka: To who?
Hitomi: My ex.
Yuka: Oh, that Shin person? What did he want?
Hitomi: Apparently he lost a race to your friend Dave and he wanted to borrow my workshop to fix his Mustang up.
Yuka: He lost to Dave? How? His Vitz is a piece of crap.
Hitomi: He had an Atenza and they raced on Mt. Aso, not exactly muscle car territory.
Yuka: An Atenza? He’s moved up a bit at least.
Hitomi: Apparently Shin rammed Dave’s Vitz off the road, put Dave in hospital and then they raced to decide who’d pay who the bill or something.
Yuka: I go away for a few weeks and all this happens? Sheesh couldn’t they wait? I’d love to teach him a lesson in proper racing.
Hitomi: Oh Yuka. Don’t make Shin the bad guy here.
Yuka: He rammed Dave off the road. How can I not?
Hitomi: Because he’s not so bad when you get to know him. At least he got put in his place for once.
Yuka: What do you mean for once?
Hitomi: Usually when he pulls this stupid crap he doesn’t get beaten so he doesn’t get any punishment. Seems Dave broke the cycle.
Yuka: Oh. So he’s fixing up the Mustang for a rematch huh?
Hitomi: Yeah. Hopefully this Euro tour of ours ends before they meet again. It’ll be an interesting match up.
Yuka: Mmm. Anyway, we’ll be in Germany soon. Any ideas on a car?
Hitomi: No… I don’t want to blitz League A in a car that’s meant for League B. I don’t want to waste money on two cars either.
Yuka: Why don’t we find a League A car, race and win, then boost it for League B?
Hitomi: That’s not a bad idea Yuka.
Yuka: The only problem is, what car is capable of doing that?
Hitomi: Hmm…
Later on, at Garage Kyoto Copen…
Kei and TJ arrived at Garage Kyoto Copen, the dealership Kei found online. Kei immediately spotted the Copen she wanted.
Kei: There it is!
TJ: Just like the picture. Looking good so far then.
Kei and TJ begun inspecting the Copen.
TJ: Clean wheels, good tyres. The paintwork is slightly faded but nothing polish wont fix.
Kei: I love the paintjob on it! It’s sparkly!
TJ: Clean inside too. Guess it’s been taken care of.
Kei: So it’s worth buying?
TJ: I can’t see why not. I’ll ask for a test drive.
Kei: But I don’t have my licence yet…
TJ: Shhh… I’ll drive us somewhere quiet and let you take over. They wont know.
Kei: Hehe! Okay!
A saleman approached the pair.
Salesman: Hello and welcome to Garage Kyoto Copen! Are you looking for anything in particular?
TJ: Yeah, we’ve actually already decided on this one here.
Salesman: Oh the Maziora special! Very good choice sir. Is it for your girlfriend?
Kei: Eh… I’m not…
TJ: She’s not my girlfriend, I’m just helping her with her car shopping.
Salesman: Oh my mistake! I do apologise.
TJ: We’d just like to test drive the car.
Salesman: Of course! I will fetch the keys for you, one moment!
The salesman hurried off to the office to retrieve the keys.
Kei: Yuka will be landing in Germany soon. What German car do you think she’ll get?
TJ: Not sure. I hear her old man has an RS6 Avant though. I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets an Audi of some sort.
Kei: What about erm… BWM?
TJ: You mean BMW?
Kei: Yeah…
TJ: I don’t see why not. They’re good cars, just a tad expensive when you’re going for the M cars.
Kei: M?
TJ: BMW’s performance brand. You know, Yuka was right about you.
Kei: Huh? What did Yuka say?
TJ: That even though you’re not a car person, you try to learn so you can talk to her more.
Kei: Well… I guess it’s true…
TJ: Also that you’re sweet for doing such a thing and she’s happy she has you as a girlfriend.
Kei: Yuka said that? Awwww… I’m touched!
The salesman returned with the keys.
Salesman: Ah here you go! Take care now!
TJ: Thanks. Come on Kei, let’s test-drive this thing for you.
Kei: Hehe! Yay!
Kei hopped into the Copen. TJ sat beside her in the driver’s seat and started up the engine.
Kei: It’s comfy and so cute! I can’t wait to drive it!
TJ: It’s healthy. Let’s go.
TJ drove the Copen out of the forecourt, with Kei giggling with excitement. He cruised down the road at a reasonable pace, letting the engine warm up. TJ continued for a few hundred meters before pulling into a quiet side road. He pulled over and got out of the car.
TJ: This lane goes on for a couple of kilometres, reckon you can manage that?
Kei: Of course!
Kei shuffled into the driver’s seat and adjusted the seat and mirrors. TJ walked around to the other side of the car and got into the passenger seat.
TJ: Ready?
Kei: Ready!
Kei put the Copen into first gear set off, balancing the clutch and throttle to avoid stalling the car. She succeeded in keeping the car from stalling and shifted up into second.
Kei: Ah! No stalling on my first time! It must be a sign!
TJ: It’s a good feeling isn’t it?
Kei: Yes it’s wonderful!
Kei shifted up into third, maintaining a nice pace in the Copen, cruising through the countryside with ease.
Kei: I definitely want this car!
TJ: Yeah, it suits you. For someone without a licence you’re managing these roads well.
Kei: Really?
TJ: Yeah. Better than me when I was getting my licence at least.
Kei: Oooh!
TJ: Corner coming up, see if you can get close to the inside without brushing the bushes.
Kei: Okay…
Kei held the inside and attempted to get close to the bushes, but didn’t get any closer than a couple of meters away.
Kei: Ah it’s so scary! I can’t get too close!
TJ: Now you see what it’s like to race. Except we’re usually within arm’s reach of another car or a wall at over five times this speed.
Kei: Yeah…
Kei put her foot down a little, letting the Copen’s little engine hum a bit louder before backing off to normal speeds again.
TJ: Having fun?
Kei: Yeah…
Kei blushed.
Kei: I want to feel like Yuka does…
TJ: I’m sure when Yuka comes back she’ll teach you how to drive like a controlled maniac.
Kei: Yeah!
Kei continued her test drive, letting the Copen stretch it’s legs every now and again. She reached the end of the side road and pulled over. She got out and swapped seats with TJ again.
Kei: I really want this car now! I can’t wait to talk to Yuka later to tell her!
TJ: Yeah it’s a decent little car. Glad you’ve struck lucky with it.
Kei: Yeah!
TJ pulled out of the side road and drove the Copen back to Garage Kyoto Copen. The salesman was awaiting them. He rushed over to TJ and Kei when they arrived.
Salesman: How did you find it?
TJ: We like it. Can you do us a favour and hold it for us?
Salesman: We can hold it for a week maximum due to space limitations, is that okay?
TJ: Yeah, it’s plenty of time, right Kei?
Kei: Ah, yeah.
Later on…
It was late in the evening. Yuka and Hitomi were at their hotel, located only minutes away from the Nurburgring racetrack, where their next two races will be held.
Kei: Ahhh I love it Yuka! It’s so cute! So nice to drive too, surprisingly nice actually. TJ says it he can help me with the faded paint anyway. So what do you think?
Yuka: Haha, I can’t say no now can I? You’re already so excited for it.
Kei: So you will?
Yuka: Yeah, I’ll let you know when the money should be in my account.
Kei: Yay! I love you Yuka!
Yuka: Kei… I…
Yuka paused for a moment.
Kei: It’s okay Yuka you don’t have to force it out. I understand.
Yuka: I do, really. I just find it hard to say it.
Kei: I know, Yuka. Anyway on a lighter note, I’m booking my driving test for next week! Wish me luck!
Yuka: Oh really? Well then good luck! I’m sure you’ll pass first time round.
Kei: Mm! I’m super motivated now that I’ve driven my Copen!
Yuka: What did TJ say about your driving anyway?
Kei: That I was good for someone without a licence, although he seemed a bit bored.
Yuka: Ah that’s just because he’s a racer Kei. It just means you’re good enough to not worry him!
Kei: Really? I never thought of it like that.
Yuka: Don’t worry, once I get back I’ll teach you how to drive, Yuka-style. Okay?
Kei: Yuka-style? Hehehe okay!
Yuka: At least you find it funny. Anyway Kei I need to get off the phone before our hotel becomes even more expensive than it already is. Hitomi is pointing at the laptop screen now. I think she found a car for us.
Kei: Oh okay. What car is she pointing at? Is it a BMW?
Yuka: Yeah. Hey wait, how did you guess that?
Kei: TJ told me!
Yuka: Oh I see! Well I guess I’ll have to quiz you for fun when I get back!
Kei: Noooo! I only know little bits and pieces!
Yuka: Alright, alright. Some other time then. Anyway, I’ll talk to you soon Kei!
Kei: Goodbye Yuka! Come home soon!
Yuka: I will! Bye!
Yuka put the phone down and turned her attention to Hitomi.
Yuka: So what have you found?
Hitomi: A BMW 135i. It’s not a looker but it’s eligible for both leagues. Fast too.
Yuka: How much is it?
Hitomi: New price seems to be 64,300 Euros… We can find a used one for about 45,000 though, assuming no crack-head has ruined it already.
Yuka: It’s a bit expensive…
Hitomi: It’s either this or we buy two cars.
Yuka: I guess we have no other choice then.
Hitomi: Oh and before I forget, here.
Hitomi passed a leaflet to Yuka.
Yuka: Free Nurburgring ride-along? For what?
Hitomi: The Nurburgring is dangerous. The GP part is actually quite easy, but the public route is deadly. Take this chance to learn the course first hand with someone else driving. Believe me it’ll save our lives. Meanwhile I’ll go find and buy whatever 135i I can and by the time we meet back up, we’ll be fully prepared.
Yuka: Hmm, okay. I can see the logic in that.
Hitomi: Great, because that ride-along is tomorrow afternoon.
Yuka: Wow, I underestimated you Hitomi. You can get things done quickly when you want to.
Hitomi: Hey, don’t give me that. You’ve not seen the best of me yet. I’m just treating this like a holiday!
Yuka: Right… Anyway I’m going to shower then get an early night. Have fun chatting up boys on chat rooms or whatever it is you do on that laptop late at night.