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I thought tinly little shorts and a skimpy top might get me into one of those cars but I was wrong. It wasn't how I wanted to get into a car anyway, but it's not like I had gotten any respect. Back when Takashi was D.K. they wouldn't even let me try and race for the title. Sucks for them, I've been practicing longer than they probably have.My dad moved to America after my parents divorced to become a Haas F1 driver. He taught me about racing professionally, but not drifting specifically, so I practiced on my own. For most of the time I lived here in Tokyo with my mother. We didn't have a lot when I grew up, so I had to drop out of college, we couldnt afford it.Neela and her friends? They're nice to me, but we were never close. I'm kind of alone, I'm envious if I'm honest. The boys would race and argue over them, I guess it's a want what you think you can't have situation. What I've been told I can't have is the D.K. title, and tonight I'm going to race my first time. Maybe not for the title itself, but to be even noticed.I walk up to Twinkie in my tiny bikini top and might as well be underwear leather shorts before saying, "I need a fucking car." He, the new D.K. and the other girls look at me surprised. D.K. laughs, "No way in hell are we giving you a car you've never even raced before.""I'll give her a car," I heard Han speak up from behind me. "Not my car, but a car."
I beamed and spun around. "Really?" I asked, which was responded to with a nod. I hugged Han, thanking him, before I realized how awkward he must have felt, then I apologized.
"How do you feel about testing out a friend's new S15?" Han asked."Dude that's my car," Twinkie protested.
With a smirk, Han replied, "She did ask you didn't she?"
"Besides, if I can't drift a Silvia I shouldn't be behind the wheel," I added.
Hesitantly, Twinkie handed me the keys, "She starts solo," He insisted.I shrugged, at least they're letting me drive. Putting my hair up in a ponytail, I walk over to the beautiful car. Customized so the hood and trunk were black, but the rest of the car was an iridescent purple. The interior has purple lighting and white seats, fuck I thought I might just steal this car.I fit into the seat like a puzzle piece, the leather was cool on my pretty much bare body, and it smelled like a new car. Adjusting my seat and the mirrors, I could feel eyes on me. A sly glance told me those eyes behind to Han. His smile grew as I turned the key, engine roaring.I patiently waited for the current race to end, trying not to stare back at Han and keep my face from being too red. I've always thought he was a beautiful man, but he never really showed interest in the women at the races, probably because they always gave him attention, which I didn't want to enable.Soon, I had gotten the signal to begin driving, but before I did I revved the engine for fun, feeling the vibrations and adrenaline run through my body. Going pedal to the metal was amazing, but this wasn't about speed.
Speed is a factor but so is fluidity, line, style and angle. Angle itself is impactful to speed as well as getting points, and there's no real reference points, it's just feel and instinct. I'm terms of line, honestly it's pretty straightforward with street drifting.Coming up to my first corner I could hear my own heart pumping. With no real experience with this car I didn't want to rely on the throttle alone. I had to make a weight transfer, braking the car before flicking the steering. Most people start off by backing off the throttle, but I want that drift angle. I want to prove myself. The sheer speed of the wind ripping by the car added to my rush.I grip my wheel tight, focusing on controlling the car, refusing to spin out or understeer and feeling the grip of the tires beneath me and the smell of burning rubber. Just before I want the car to rotate, I overturn the wheel just slightly, lifting off the acceleration. I let the wheel spin through my sweaty palms before going back onto the throttle, completing the direction change of the drift successfully.I continue through the course of the tack which felt quick and slow at the same time before slowly releasing the drift angle and slowing down after passing the 'finish line' which I didn't entirely process.I found Twinkie to return his car, however he seemed entirely shocked. "How the fuck can she drive my own car better than me?" He asked.
Han had that handsome cocky smirk again as he ate his chips and replied, "You know her dad races for F1? Before that he was a damn good drifter here." I honestly didn't know my dad had drifted illegally previously, but it would make sense to why my mother didn't like him racing."She looks better in that car than you do," D.K. joked to Twinkie
"Well my mother models so her genes I suppose," I chipped in.
"I- what can't you do?" Twinkie asked.
I laughed softly before saying, "I can't whistle." Everyone else laughed too, and I momentarily caught eyes with Han."I was wondering if you're hungry," Han asked.
"Bro I was going to ask her," Twinkie complained.
I smiled softly at Han, "Twinkie I've been around for years, you had your chance, tonight I'm going to accept Han's invite."I took Han's extended hand, and he led me though the wandering eyes of all the racers. His car was far from the others, I don't think he wanted to race today. The 1997 Mazda RX-7 FD with a veilside was as beautiful as I've remembered it being.
"You're driving," he said, extending out a hand with the keys. My eyes widened. "Don't even, you killed it up there I don't think driving on the streets of Japan at 2am is going to wreck my car."I took the keys, rolling my eyes, "Where to?" "Anywhere," He replied. I put on my hoodie for added comfort, I hated that feeling when your skin sticks to leather and you have to peel yourself off.
"I have some leftovers at my place if you want, and beers," I offered, getting in the driver's seat"Should have led with the beers in that sentence," Han joked, getting in the passenger seat. The ride home was silent, but not in an awkward way. We both had our windows down, just enjoying the drive around the city.
"You live in Nakame?" He asked, astonished as I entered the neighborhood that I resided in."Well it's my mother's place, but she's at some fashion week right now. Her father was a lawyer so she's inherited and made a significant amount of money," I explained to him as I pulled up to my home. Unfortunately getting out of the car, my legs stuck to the seat and god it hurt to peel myself off, just knowing how red my legs must be.
"It's not as nice as you might expect," I informed Han, opening the door to my place.
"It's cute," He commented, brushing past me to step inside. "What beers do you have?"
"Um, not sure, check the fridge I'm going to get changed," I told him, pointing at the green fridge in the kitchen. I changed into pajama shorts and a slip shirt, something cool and comfortable to lounge in. When I came back he had two beers open, one seemingly for myself and one for him. His back was turned to me, heating up the leftovers he found in the fridge.
"Why did you let me drive tonight?" I asked as I let my hair back down. He turned around and stared at me for a moment. His eyes were wide and mouth slightly agape before quickly recollecting himself
"I figured why not, your dad's a racer and I see the way you look at the racers. You want to race, and you should," he replied.I hummed shortly, grabbing an opened beer and drinking from it, "Well thank you, I think I'll be taken a little more seriously next time, at least by Twinkie."
"I'll be honest I'm not that hungry now that I've made food," Han admitted to me, pushing the bowl of leftover noodles towards me as I placed the beer down.
"I'm not too hungry just yet," I told him, walking closer to him, our shoulders touched and I felt butterflies in my stomach. I looked up at him, and he smiled, his lips curving so perfectly.Without a word our lips met. It began soft, slow, my hand on his face and his around my waist. His hands soon travelled lower, and picked me up, placing me on the counter. Things became more heated, and our kisses grew harsher. He moved to my neck, kissing and biting softly.
"Han I've gotta be up early tomorrow," I complained, not pushing him away. "But it is too late for you to be out there alone."
"I couldn't leave you here looking this good all alone anyway," He replied, kissing me again.×I groaned in annoyance at the sound of my alarm. Slamming the button to shit the damn thing up, I sat up. I heard noise coming from the kitchen, which is when I remembered Han stayed the night. I decided to shower and brush my hair before seeing him. Choosing my outfit for work felt more difficult today even though it was only cargo pants and a baby tee with a zipped sweater."I made food," Han announced as I walked into the kitchen. Without missing I beat, I pointed to the takeout containers. "ok I went and got you miso soup."
"Thank you," I said to him, sitting down infront of the soup on the table. "I don't think this can happen again though."He looked at me, shocked, "Why?"
"No one will take me seriously in racing if they know I'm sleeping with you," I replied in a tone that made it sound like I believed it to be obvious, which I did.
"We don't have to tell people that we're going out," He offered.
I laughed, "I didn't realize being inside women was your way of going out.""Well," he started, "I'd like to go out then."
"Only, and if only no one finds out. If anything we're just friends," I told him.
He cocked an eyebrow, "But we won't be just friends?"
"To everyone else we will be," I reiterated. He seemed to understand then. "Also I'd like a ride to work today, I don't feel like taking transit," I admitted."Sure, where do you work?"
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I winced in embarrassment for the car that just went into snap oversteer around a corner. I was lucky enough that Han wanted to take me to this track, but seeing other drivers practice while I wait is painful, hopefully I'm not as embarrassing, and if I am, I'll crash my car. On purpose."Ok you're next, miss Misaki Kato," The staff member told me. I can't believe Han was letting me use his car to practice. "Mr. Han Lue said he'll join you for the last twenty minutes."What? I looked at Han, and he just shrugged. Was he going to ask to tandem drift or race?I decided this was a good time to perfect my Scandinavian Flick, or Pendulum Turn as some call it. I gracefully put on the helmet handed to my by an employee before slipping into the driver's seat of the car they drove up for me. The seat was warm from the sun, but the air was cool, air conditioning blasting.Adjusting my seat and mirrors I wondered what the game plan should be, or should I see what I decide on the spot?
On the spot. But I did sort of plan to do the pendulum turns. They originated in the 60s, with an emphasis on looking cool and throttle steering. This is the kind of thing you want space while doing. Thankfully I had the whole track. Han told me if he was going to let me drive I needed to show him more of my skill first, and I think this trick is it.I gripped the old wheel as I took a breath, the sun hiding behind the treetops peeking around the track. It didn't take long for me to hit the gas and gain the needed momentum.First I had positioned the car on the outer left of the entry, as the turn was right handed. I then quickly steered away from the corner just before the normal turn-in point, the "flick" part of this technique.Within a split second I was at the proper turn-in point. I then turned in sharply, lifting abruptly off the throttle and stabbing the breaks oh so slightly. The motion made my hair sway as I counter steered and gently reapplyed the throttle. This kept me from spinning out. After drifting the apex of the corner, I gradually straightened out, feathering the throttle.I pulled up beside Han who had a smirk on his face. "You killed that, but I'm hoping to tandem drift and we can't pull cool shit to start," He said, to which I nodded."I agree we could drift right now?" I offered. He accepted the early invite. This type of drifting needs a strong lead, something I want Han to do. I need him to avoid a bobbleI ran another lap straight and pulled up to Hans car. He looked over at me, then nodded before taking off. I followed closely, following his drifts and straights. At one point we were so in sync and close my car was an inch from his drifting together. I lost my breath at the memory of our bodies being the same distance, and almost lost control of my car, however I kept the car well on track.A whistle was blown, signaling the end of our track time. "You're good, really good. You should race more often," He stated as I put my hair up."Guys don't tend to like having their ass best by a girl in a mini skirt," I replied. "Plus I'm not sure if I'm DK level yet, and I'm not sure I want him to be aware of me being good until I know I can beat him."×Ueno park is gorgeous on the regular, but something about Han being there with me added to it. "I like you Misa," Han began. "I want you to myself, but I don't want to mess up your ability to get into the drifting scene.""I'm also worried about that aspect," I admitted to him. "I want people to take me seriously because I am good, not because I'm with you.""We can keep it on the low, not tell people," Han suggested."I like that idea actually," I agreed. "D.K. and Twinkie can't have any clue."Han laughed, "I don't think I'd tell them right away or directly anyways, the more they have to figure out the better."The rest of the day was lighthearted, we went to the zoo inside the park, and he took me to a few of the museums on the grounds. It was late when we had dinner, which was at this small hole in the wall restaurant near my place."I wanna drive for a bit, care to join?" Han asked me, to which I agreed. We drove with the windows down, music blasting. The wind whipped my hair around like crazy, I knew it would be absolutely tangled when I got home. His hand was on my thigh, making it hard to breathe, making my heart race faster.This. This feeling. Not caring about anything in the moment but enjoying the time I have now. This is what I desire. And with him, I can have it, he can help me gain recognition in racing, and a sort of carefree feeling when we're alone. We ended up doing donuts in an empty lot before he parked the car.We sat in silence for what felt like forever, but was probably just a moment, before he cupped my face and kissed me. "We should get you home, you work tomorrow yes?" He asked as he leant away from me."Yes, unfortunately so," I replied before he took me home. The air outside was cold now, and the moon was high, indicating the late time, however I didn't want him to go. "Come inside, my mother is still on a work trip," I insisted. He agreed without hesitation, but not without commenting that I have to stay at his place too eventually. His place, I wondered what it looked like, I don't think I could even picture what I assumed it to be. I'd have to find out another night.
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"Han, who is this mystery racer you're putting in today," Twinkie asked. I highly doubt Twinkie would have gotten that it's me, it's been 2 months since he's seen me race. Han took that time to teach me how to better link my turns, avoid over and understeering, and some new maneuvers.With a smirk Han replied, "You'll just have to see. A very talented driver that's for sure.""He better be if he's got your name attached to his," Sean chimed in."I think I'll do just fine," I interrupted, extending my hand towards Han to get the keys to the car he was lending me. "Who am I racing?""Mormito, the golden Nissan Fairlady Z33. You're taking one of the Nissan Silvia S15s, the green one," Han told me, dropping the keys in my hand."Sweet, course will let me complete the Manji?" I asked (Manji is another word for Scandinavian Flick). This caused Sean to scoff."She can't pull that can she?" Twinkie asked. Han simply shrugged, not giving them a verbal response. Sean and Twinkie continued the speculation on my abilities as I walked away to the car, a beautiful emerald green Nissan Silvia S15 with silver and white detailing, a snake on the side of the car.I was set on doing the Scandinavian Flick, something about the controlled calculated slides being perfectly set made my heart beat fast with adrenaline more than any other part of the race.The line choice was burnt into my memory and I was determined to hit it. I wanted fluid drifts with large angles, I want the style of a good racer. Today it was a twin battle, just me and Mormito. Because he's a regular racer he's taken the chaser position, and I'm the leader, they want to test me as a new person.The start of the race was pretty good, nothing crazy was happening, a couple easy drifts within close proximity of one another. As time went on my senses became aware of the smell of burning rubber. I was coming up to a corner, where I knew it was my chance to do the Manji.I began approaching the the corner from the inner track. My hands gripped the leather wheel, steering in the opposing direction of the corner I was entering.As my car begins turning opposite to the corner, I went full throttle, the adrenaline spiking. Everything felt like slow motion.With this part you have to allow your rear to start sliding out. As this happens I begin to quickly counter steer, preventing a full spin.I then steer in the direction of the corner I want, keeping my throttle open, maintaining the balance and control of the car. I then lift off the throttle a bit very quickly to give extra snap to the turn before going full throttle again.The rest of the race didn't even matter to me, I did it, and flawlessly. I didn't even notice Mormito had spun out on that corner. It didn't feel as good as if I had won with points, however a win is a win.Han hugged me as I got out of the car, "Congratulations Misa! Definitely should celebrate tonight, you killed your first race, line, style and angle were all great," Han said, taking his keys back. "Also, this is your designated car, but I'll keep up with the maintenance.""What?" I asked, shocked.He shrugged, "You made a good amount of money this race, you'll be able to repay me eventually.""Money?" I exclaimed.He handed me a thick envelope. I peeked inside, there was at least 5K inside. "I made bets, thankfully most of these guys are stupid enough to believe if you wear short shorts and have a belly button out you can't drive, and they're wrong.""Thank you! Oh my God thank you!" I squealed, hugging him again."You gotta drive that thing back to mine though," Han said, pointing to what was now my car."I- can see your place?" I whispered."Yeah of course, plus I have my car here tonight I can't drive two," Han pointed out.Driving the cars to Han's home was fun, we raced one another for a bit in the streets before I let him lead me. It was a lovely garage we pulled into, but I hadn't seen his place yet. We parked, and he insisted he open my door for me. "I'm not some damsel in distress you know," I pointed out."Yes, I know, but I am a gentleman. Plus seeing the way those guys were looking at you tonight kind of pissed me off," Han replied, to which I laughed.He led me to an elevator which took us to the 24th floor. The condo he brought me into had a gorgeous view of the city that I envied. Is was gorgeous, not too modern but not outdated. It was perfect. "Like it?" He asked."Do I ever," I replied, looking at the skyline in awe. His arms wrapped around me from behind, and we stood there, admiring the city lights.