Nihon no Ichiban Driver (Part 2)
The 2nd lap has started. The audience is so eager to see who emerges as the victor in the race that will determine who is the best.
Among the cheering crowd, Kasumi and Daisuke are just silent, but just as eager as well.
Kasumi: "Daisuke-kun, who do you think you'll win?"
Daisuke: "I don't know. And besides, Nobu is facing the fastest driver of this country. He'll definitely have a hard time here, and his opponent's car is just as legendary as his. In fact, those two drivers...
...have a lot in common. Both of them have fathers that are called as legends, and those 2 cars have acquired a legendary reputation in Japan's motorsports."
Back in the action, Nobuhiko concentrates on setting the proper steering input in the corners. He briefly looks at the side mirror to his right.
Nobuhiko: "In the corners, I can get away from him. But at the corner exits, the 4WD system of the GT-R evens the odds."
However, at the hairpin, Nobuhiko's Supra overspeeds, resulting in understeer which allowed Takanori to take the lead.
Nobuhiko: "Damn! I'm pressured so much that I snapped out of my concentration! Takanori-san really is a legend, no doubt about it!"
Takanori: "From here on, I shall show no mercy! Get ready, Nobuhiko-san!"
Takanori's GT-R goes on full throttle. Nobuhiko is alarmed to see on how the GT-R easily sets the gap between them.
At the Spoon curve, though, the GT-R's tires are starting to lose grip.
Takanori: "Crap... I think I've pushed too far. The R32 starts to punish me."
Nobuhiko blocks Takanori's attempts of passing.
Nobuhiko: "This is starting to be really fun."
3rd lap has started. The audience really hold on to their seats as the final lap commences.
Kasumi: "Nobu-kun.... I know you can do it!"
Back in the race, Takanori is now facing the dilemma of his R32's tires gradually losing grip.
Takanori: "I was too much in the first half of the race. Now, the GT-R does not even feel like turning anymore."
Takanori: "Damn! This car doesn't turn anymore!"
Takanori: "Nobuhiko-san, you're that good to push me this far. You will be a great asset in my team!"
Seeing that the R32 is in trouble, Nobuhiko puts up a grin on his face.
Nobuhiko: "It's time..."
Nobuhiko: "LET'S GO, SUPRA!!!!"
Nobuhiko goes on full throttle. The Supra's twin turbo-tuned 4 cylinder immediately responds to his call.
Takanori: "Superb! That Supra is like it had gotten more confident in winning than ever! Nobuhiko is using the last of his tires' grip to push it all the way to victory!"
Nobuhiko: "With me and my Supra in sync, we will never lose!"
Kasumi crosses her fingers in wait and then...
...everyone sees the two cars at the main straight, with Nobuhiko on the lead.
Daisuke: "Push it all the way, Nobu! Push it!!!"
Kasumi: "Go, Nobu-kun! Bring it to victory!"
The crowd cheered wilder than ever. Finally, Nobuhiko takes the victory.
Nobuhiko sheds tears.
Nobuhiko: "I did again, Otoosan... Are you watching this?"
Then he rolls down the window, stretches out his right arm and shows a thumbs up. Seeing that gesture, Takanori does the same, surprising Nobuhiko.
Takanori: "From the start, you already deserve my thumbs up!"
They return to the pit lane after the victory lap. The two drivers take off their helmets as they get out of their cars.
Takanori: "Whew! You really made me sweat!"
Nobuhiko: "This is the best race in my life. And I'll never forget this, Takanori-san."
Takanori: "Hey, what did I tell you? Drop the honorifics! We're equals...
...no wait, you're in a level higher than me, so I should be the one giving honorifics."
Nobuhiko: "Ahehehehehe.... but I think calling me without it is fine with me."
Takanori: "You'll be the greatest racer mankind has ever known. You have reached far. And I'll be here to help you fulfill your dreams."
Nobuhiko: "It is such an honor working with you."
Takanori: "Well then, let's set off! And... I am looking for another driver. In fact, I'm heading to U.K. by tomorrow because I heard of a Southeast Asian racer winning races there in the local racing scene. I gotta head there to check it out and see if that person deserves a spot in our team."
Nobuhiko: "I see."
Takanori pats his hand on Nobuhiko's shoulder.
Takanori: "Congrats. You are now Japan's fastest racer."
He walks back to his R32 to make inspections. As for Nobuhiko, he feels a great utopia, perhaps a lot more than ever before. He looks up at the sunny sky.
Nobuhiko: "This will be the start of fulfilling out dreams, Otoosan. From now on, I'll make sure that every episode will always end happily."
The End.
