Hinohara Gate Parking Lot, Okutama Skyline, Route 206. 00:29 AM
The crisp mountain air buzzed with the metallic whine of engines cooling down as a midnight blue Z34 NISMO rolled to a stop, its titanium exhaust crackling like gunfire. The Okutama Skyline’s infamous opening stretch—a gauntlet of hairpins and blind crests—had just been dominated by a newcomer. Kameko Obara swung her legs out of the BRIDE bucket seat, her red-orange hair catching the moonlight as she slammed the door shut. The crowd of local racers muttered curses at their shattered pride; none had come within five seconds of her time.
“Pfft—that’s the legendary ‘Skyline Slayers’?” She leaned against her Z34’s carbon GT wing, arms crossed beneath her denim jacket. “Your 86s and Evos handle like tractors. Did you forget this isn’t a farm road?” Her red eyes flicked to a beaten R32 GT-R in the crowd, and she snorted. “What’s next? Challenging me with a lawnmower?”
The locals bristled, but Kameko ignored them, popping open her hood to reveal the modified VQ37VHR glinting under the parking lot lights. She traced a finger along the custom throttle bodies, her smirk widening. “385 Newton-meters in STABLE mode, and you still couldn’t keep up downhill. Pathetic.” Slamming the hood, she spun toward the crowd, heels clicking on asphalt. “Rematch. Now.”
A nervous mechanic gestured to her rear tires, still shedding rubber from the descent. “Y-Your PS4Ss are—”
“Still at 60% tread,” she snapped, kicking her Bridgestones dismissively. “Unless you’re volunteering to be my next speed bump, shut it.” Her gaze locked onto a modified GR Yaris at the edge of the lot, and she barked a laugh. “Hah! Three cylinders? Cute. Bet it sounds like a dying hamster.” She tossed her keys in the air, catching them with a flourish. “Fine. No one here’s worth HI-POWER mode anyway.”
The crowd parted as she reached into her Z34, pulling a melon soda from the glove compartment before she cracked open the can and chugged it down in a deep swig before tossing the can back over her shoulder and pointing dramatically at the defeated racers. “Tell your senpai-tachi in Kanagawa that i’m coming for them. And—” Her voice dropped, a predatory edge cutting through the smugness. “—pray I’m bored enough to make a show out of it as i defeat them one by one.”
he comes for a drag race in an old volvo 244gl. outside, it looks like its a simple car. but his volvo is so light it moves, even when he brakes. he comes to challenge her with what seems to be a trash bin. but its a real sleeper build
Hmmph, a Vovlo. Another pathetic piece of junk that dares to challenge the Midnight Blue 240Z Z34 NISMO. How dare they... But Kameko couldn't help but feel slightly intrigued by this mysterious sleeper build. With her Nissan crouched low and ready, she purrs the engine, waiting for the signal to begin the race. This Volvo better not disappoint her, or else it'll meet the same fate as all those other pretenders on the road.
the flag drops, and the volvo goes so fast she can only see his tail lights. its the first time she got beat by anyone, and most importantly, beaten by a fucking trash can.
A loud growl rises from the engine bay as Kameko slams the pedal to the metal, her eyes narrowing in determination as she gives chase to the Volvo. This can't stand! How dare some nobody with a junk heap beat her? No, this simply won't do. With each rev of the engine, anger boils up inside her, burning away any doubts or fears. Her fingers dance across the steering wheel, shifting gears with precision as she closes in on the sleeper build.
This time, it's going to be a fight to the finish. A battle between steel and iron, skill and audacity. And only one car can emerge victorious.
he crosses the finish line first, but not that far away from her. he stops nearby, rolling his window down and speaking with the crowd, a cigarette in his mouth.
The heat of frustration rising to her cheeks, Kameko glares at the Volvo as it rolls to a stop. So close... but yet so far. Her fingers clench and unclench on the wheel, fury burning through every inch of her being. With one final glance at the crowd, she growls under her breath and punches the accelerator again. The Z34 roars to life, shooting forward like a missile aimed straight for the Volvo.
"I'll show you," she mutters through gritted teeth, "just what a real racecar can do!"
he lets her getting ridiculous in front of everyone, grinning in his car. she just proved she lost right there. he had won, and was speaking with the joyful crowd
"Hmpf." Kameko's lips twist into a tight line as she watches the Volvo taunt her with its smug grin. Frustration and humiliation are like acid on her pride, eating away at whatever scraps of dignity remain. Suddenly, her eyes narrow, and she has an idea. The crowds' cheers die down to murmurs as they sense the shift in atmosphere. Kameko grips the wheel tighter, her knuckles turning white from the force. Then, with a growl that could wake the dead, she slams on the brakes and does a sharp 180, backing up toward the Volvo until their bumpers are touching.
"You think this is funny?" She snarls through clenched teeth, her pupils dilated with rage. "I dare you to try that again." With that, she flo
"how about i repay you with a drink ?" he had won, and now had the audacity to flirt with her. he was actually quite handsome.
"Oh, really?" Kameko says with a disbelieving smile, arching an eyebrow at him. "And what makes you think I'd want to accept your... hospitality?" Her gaze travels up and down his body, assessing the challenge she believes he just issued. She doesn't miss how handsome he is; in fact, she finds it rather distracting. But she knows that letting this go unanswered would only fuel her embarrassment further.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Kameko decides on an unexpected course of action. "Fine." She nods curtly. "You're on." With that, she stomps on the gas again, her Z34 roaring toward the exit and away from the parking lot as fast as it can go. She doesn't look back to see if he follows; instead, she clenches her
he follows her so close he almost touches her rear bumper. he smiles at her through her mirror, enjoying the moment.
The closer his Volvo gets to her bumper, the more irritation flares in Kameko's chest. His confidence is infuriating! How dare he think he can keep up with her? She snorts derisively and glances over her shoulder at him again, rolling her eyes. He better be ready for a real race if that's what he wants. With renewed determination, she floors the gas pedal once more, pushing the Z34's engine to its limits as they exit the parking lot and enter onto the open road.
Their pace quickens, the skyline blurring by in a dizzying display of neon and blacktop. The Volvo is mere inches behind her now, their bumpers practically touching as they snake through the nighttime traffic. Kameko feels sweat trickling down her spine; she's not used to
he overtakes her with an ease that enrages her and still, she finds it cool.
Her eyes widen in disbelief as the Volvo speeds past her, leaving a trail of smoke and noise in its wake. She can't believe it! How is that possible? Her Nissan Z34 is faster, hands down! The thought alone ignites a fire within her, and she presses down harder on the accelerator, giving chase to the little Volvo with renewed vigor. No way will she let him get away now! She might be enraged by his audacity, but there's no denying that he's made this into a real race now... And Kameko can't help but feel excited about that prospect.
Her knuckles turn white from gripping the steering wheel too tightly as she forces her Z34 to match the little Volvo's pace, side by side through the winding streets of Tokyo. This has become less about proving herself and
he overtakes her with an ease that enrages her and still, she finds it cool.
Kameko couldn't help but feel the thrill of being in a genuine drag race, neck-and-neck with her rival. Despite herself, she admired the Volvo's lightness and power. As they reach the outskirts of town, traffic clears enough for them to stretch their legs. She grips the wheel tightly, teeth bared in determination as she shifts gears expertly. The rev-counter climbs steadily, showing her that their Z34 is still faster. It's just a matter of time before she overtakes him and claims victory!
but he was a better pilot. and his volvo was a masterpiece of a build. he catches her, overtakes her again, flashing his blinkers to taunt her. when they finally stop in front of a bar, he comes out of his car, dressed nicely, a cigarette in his mouth.
Well that's embarrassing... Kameko seethes as she watches the Volvo pull up beside them at the bar. She can feel eyes on her, judging her incompetence and failure. Annoyance wares away at what little dignity remains as she realizes that she's been bested by not only an underdog but someone who can even manage to look good doing it! With a huff, she climbs out of the Z34 and smooths down her denim jacket before striding over to stand beside the Volvo.
"So," she says through gritted teeth, her voice cool despite herself, "what now?"
"you want this drink or not ?" he smiles at her, holding the bar’s door for her.
She glances at the open bar door warily, then back up to him with a raised eyebrow. "Oh?" She crosses her arms over her chest, trying to project an air of indifference despite her racing heart. "And what makes you think I'd want anything from you?"
There's an almost predatory glint in his eye as he takes another drag from his cigarette and blows it slowly out. "You're gonna have to do better than that, princess."
"how about i make you the real queen here ? i could improve your car."
Her eyes widen at his offer before narrowing with suspicion. "What do you mean by that?" she asks slowly, lowering her arms to cross them in front of her chest. A part of her can't help but feel intrigued by this mysterious stranger and his proposition. The other part, however, is wary of any trap he might be setting for her.
She leans back against the bar door, maintaining a cautious distance between them as she continues to regard him warily. "You better have something more than words if you want me to believe anything you say."
The thrill of the race still lingers in the air around them, their hearts pounding as they eye each other up like prey and predator. It's an intoxicating mix that only serves to heighten Kameko's awareness of how close they truly are, despite being worlds apart in everything else.
"doesnt my volvo speaks for me ? i mean, you’ve seen what im capable of doing with a piece of shit like that. imagine what i could do to your car."
His confidence is contagious, and Kameko finds herself inching closer to his offer, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Alright," she says slowly, finally relenting. "You've got a deal." She flashes him an impish grin before quickly sobering up at the thought that this might have just been a ploy to get close to her and her precious car.
Steeling herself against any possible disappointment or betrayal, Kameko extends her hand towards him. "My name's Kameko, by the way." She tilts her head slightly, waiting for him to take it so they can seal their arrangement.