"...You're sure you want to go along with..."
Yukinoshita Yukino's brows drew together; she didn't like this solution, yet it was still an option. When she looked at Chen Yao, however, his face showed no relief—only rare hesitation and worry.
"..."
Yukinoshita was momentarily surprised, but quickly realized the flaw in Chen Yao's plan: he wasn't a street racer. If his identity were exposed, the endless pestering would resume. At heart he was a manga artist chasing his craft.
So a method that could settle everything once and for all was still missing...
After school that afternoon, in the Service Club room, Yukinoshita Yukino, Hachiman Hikigaya, and Yui Yuigahama racked their brains for a way to avert the looming trouble.
"How about we tell Yao-kun to repaint his car black? Then they won't be able to spot him."
Yuigahama offered what she thought was a brilliant idea.
Hikigaya glanced at her. "Too late. Word's already out that the NSX driver goes to Sobu High. Even a last-minute color change can't hide the fact plenty of students here know Chen Yao's old car was the white NSX."
"Um... so what do we do? Those racers won't really come stir up trouble here, will they?"
Yuigahama could only hope they wouldn't.
Yukinoshita sighed. "I honestly don't know. I'm no expert on street racing, but the client says there's a ninety-percent chance it'll happen."
Her half-belief came from Takahashi Ryosuke: the man seemed a brilliant science student, and his data and graphs were so airtight she couldn't find a single counterargument.
"Since Chen Yao says that letter's a challenge, why not have him lose the race? Once he's beaten by Takahashi Ryosuke, no one will focus on him anymore, right?"
Hikigaya proposed a sound counter-measure.
Yuigahama's eyes lit up. "Right, that could work!"
"...Probably not."
Yukinoshita shot the idea down at once.
Hachiman asked, puzzled, "Why not?"
"When we discussed the race I saw in his expression that, while he's no enthusiast, he still takes pride in his driving skill. He follows his own convictions; between trouble and his principles, he'll pick his principles without hesitation... sigh."
Yukinoshita explained.
Yuigahama groaned. "Yao-kun's so single-track, totally inflexible."
Both Hikigaya and Yuigahama noticed, though, that this time Yukinoshita seemed more involved than usual... Just then a knock interrupted them. The door opened, and in came Shizuka Hiratsuka plus two tall, handsome men around twenty.
"If he chooses that route, then I misjudged him."
The blue-shirted young man smiled at Yuigahama.
The cryptic remark left the room puzzled; everyone stared at the two college-aged outsiders.
"You're the client, Takahashi-senpai, I presume?" Yukinoshita asked him directly.
"Nice to meet you, Service Club. Sorry—we overheard. I know the NSX's owner isn't a pro, but I also know he has pride that won't easily bend; that's why I asked you to find him."
Takahashi Ryosuke smiled.
"So the commission letter you gave us was actually a challenge for Chen Yao?"
Yukinoshita closed her eyes and asked gravely.
"Not entirely. I do want a match with the legendary 'Pirates,' but the request is genuine—I'm here to defuse something dangerous."
Takahashi Ryosuke looked at her. "My judgment stands: tell Chen that if he doesn't decide soon, a bigger risk than he imagines will arrive. Helping him avoid it will require your cooperation."
Yukinoshita frowned. "What do you mean?"
He merely smiled. "If the NSX driver agrees to race, email us—losing on purpose to escape is fine. We're ready to end the myth of the black rain pirates."
With that, Takahashi Ryosuke and Takahashi Keisuke left, leaving the Service Club in silence.
"An even greater risk..."
Yukinoshita wondered.
Shizuka Hiratsuka, however, was fired up. "Whew, now I'm pumped! The legendary Red Suns of Akagi sure have presence—hotter than any shōnen manga. If Chen races, I'll definitely be there to cheer."
"Sigh, Hiratsuka-sensei, could you focus on handling this mess first?"
Yukinoshita sighed; her teacher loved hot-blooded comics far too much.
Shizuka looked at them. "I don't know what bigger storm he means, but as he said, settle it your own way. If it reaches the principal, I'll cover for you."
...Outside Sobu High, Takahashi Ryosuke and Takahashi Keisuke walked away. Keisuke asked, puzzled, "Big brother, wasn't that a bit much? I get that the NSX driver's strong, but why push him through the very friends closest to him?"
"Keisuke, racers are fanatics who crave duels against colorful legends—even if car and driver end up totaled. Once the rumor spreads they'll come to Sobu High, and then our racer hearts will be toyed with by some schemer."
Takahashi Ryosuke replied.
Keisuke caught on, startled. "You mean someone already spread the news on purpose after you found out the NSX driver studies here?"
"Exactly. I'd never leak that. I deduced someone saw Chen Yao driving the NSX, hunted for his weakness, stumbled on the black rain pirates legend, and spread the rumor for some hidden agenda... Only one person fits."
Ryosuke spoke while walking.
"Who is it, big brother? And what's his goal?"
Keisuke burned with anger at such scheming.
Instead of heading to his car, Ryosuke entered a café; by the window sat a bespectacled high-school boy.
"Long time no see, Ryosuke-senpai. So why did you ask me out?"
Takahashi Ryosuke looked at the cold-eyed student—none other than Horikita Manabu, Student Council president of Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School.
Chapter 30 – The Friend Behind the Race
"Horikita, you planned this, didn't you?" Ryosuke sat opposite and cut straight to the chase.
Horikita met his gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about, senior."
"Big brother, who is he?"
Keisuke asked, puzzled.
"A junior I met back in high school—Horikita Manabu, a bona-fide genius, now Student Council president at Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School," Ryosuke explained.
Horikita showed no pleasure at the praise. "Honored, but I skipped school today to meet you. Get to the point—why am I here?"
"Horikita, you're the only one who fits. That transfer student visited your school for a joint festival, right? You didn't just spread the rumor—you even hired people to film the NSX speeding on certain roads, forcing the driver to attend Driving School. Why so interested in that transfer student—what's your aim?"
Takahashi Ryosuke asked with a calm expression.
...
Horikita Manabu was silent for a moment, smiled, and simply admitted, "As expected of Senior Ryosuke. If you hadn't turned down the invitation from Koudo Ikusei High School, you'd probably be the most respected Student Council president."
"That's right, I planned it. I don't mind telling you my goal—I want Chen Yao to transfer to Koudo Ikusei High School."
Horikita Manabu stated his most straightforward objective.
"Why does that driver have to transfer to your school?" Takahashi Keisuke asked with a frown.
Horikita smiled. "You're Senior Ryosuke's little brother, right? Put simply, I've recognized his strengths. An ordinary high school severely limits what he can do—it's a waste. Look, a student raised in the gentle greenhouse of a normal school falls passive the moment someone applies a little pressure. But with his caliber, once he enters Koudo Ikusei High School, he can produce the ideal results I expect."
Takahashi Ryosuke chuckled. "Sounds like you really treasure talent. But is that all? Gaining a small advantage through a sneak attack and jumping to such a shallow conclusion doesn't sound like your style. You're testing him—seeing how he responds to your provocation, right? Just like I like to tail an opponent during a race and observe."
Horikita said, "I can't hide anything from Senior Ryosuke. Exactly. Getting into Koudo Ikusei High School requires more than just talent and brains… Every leader needs the right temperament and style. Sometimes those flexible little clever tricks are nothing but a sign of incompetence…"
"So why are you trying to make him transfer? Horikita, I can't accept your despicable scheme of mocking drivers and forcing people. I'm here to warn you—if you use this method again, I'll deal with you."
Takahashi Ryosuke sat upright, looking straight at Horikita Manabu, his tone turning severe.
"Heh heh, I'm sorry to have angered Senior Ryosuke. But I do have things I want to accomplish, and I'm looking forward to Mr. Chen Yao's performance. Besides, I helped you stage your ideal race, didn't I?"
After paying the bill, Horikita Manabu left his seat and walked away.
"Mr. Chen Yao, will you be the one I think you are… Can you fully cover Ayanokoji-kun's weaknesses…? I await your answer.
Horikita Manabu's mood, however, was far from as relaxed as he appeared.
~·~·~·~·~·~·~·~·~
Night had fallen when Chen Yao drove up to the Driving School; Fujiwara Takumi and Itsuki were already waiting at the gate.
"A-Yao, let me ask you something—did you stir up trouble outside? Lately several teams have come asking if we know the driver of a white NSX. We're scared to death, but we've kept you hidden."
Takeuchi Itsuki whispered secretly.
...
Hearing Itsuki's words, Chen Yao fell silent; news had spread faster than he'd expected—teams had even visited the gas station he frequented.
So Chen Yao told Takumi and Itsuki what had happened. They were stunned—Chen Yao had not only won several street races but had already become a famously legendary driver.
"No way! Sure, you drive an NSX, but how did you become a famous driver? Damn it, we went to the UK together for our express licenses…"
Takeuchi Itsuki bit his collar in jealous envy.
Takumi asked, "But A-Yao prefers manga, right? He doesn't overtake or pull away to win—he does it to meet submission deadlines, so isn't this just trouble?"
"Yeah, I feel like someone's set me up, but it's not impossible to break. I just have to take the challenge. That way I'll be known, but at least the school side will stay safe. When trouble comes, crack it—no need to live in fear."
Chen Yao gave a bright smile and reassured them.
"Right! Being a famous driver isn't bad. Just admit it, dominate Mount Akina, and turning pro is a bright future," Itsuki said with a laugh.
But Fujiwara Takumi could see A-Yao had zero interest in being a driver. Though he'd decided to face the problem, his heart was in manga; he even skipped classes for it. The driver issue still bothered him.
"A-Yao, what about your manga—will this affect it?"
Fujiwara Takumi asked hesitantly.
"...It might, but it's fine. I can handle it. Since it's my problem, I'll deal with it. Don't worry, Takumi."
Chen Yao said.
"Actually, you could ask us to help; you don't have to carry everything alone," Takumi added.
Chen Yao shook his head. "People must learn to shoulder their own responsibilities. Many tragedies happen because people dodge that. At least for now I don't need help; only by following my heart can I truly overcome the difficulties ahead."
Fujiwara Takumi fell silent. He'd long sensed Chen Yao resisted friends' help, even refusing to acknowledge friendships; he preferred being alone, essentially because he feared something.
The three soon entered the Driving School for training. Later, when Takumi stepped out for air, he suddenly saw a black-haired girl in Sobu High School uniform at the gate.
She was very pretty, with an icy aura, standing there as if waiting for someone.
Guessing she might be looking for Chen Yao—after all, he was the only local who attended such a distant prestigious school—Takumi approached, a bit embarrassed. "Hi, are you looking for A-Yao?"
"...Hello, do you know Chen Yao?"
The visitor was none other than Yukinoshita Yukino, who had come specifically about the racing uproar. Texts and calls to Chen Yao had gone unanswered—he was probably in class.
"I'm A-Yao's friend… or acquaintance. What do you need him for?" Takumi asked curiously.
"He actually has friends?"
Yukinoshita Yukino exclaimed in disbelief.
Fujiwara Takumi found nothing odd. "Strictly speaking, I consider him a friend; for some reason he chooses to stay silent."
Looking at this mild-mannered boy, Yukino thought and asked, "Then do you know what difficulty he's facing?"
"About the drivers harassing him?" Takumi asked uncertainly.
Judging that he truly was Chen Yao's friend, Yukinoshita Yukino nodded. "I'm Yukinoshita Yukino, president of the Service Club assigned to assist him. I'm here to keep him from causing any negative impact."
Fujiwara Takumi finally met the legendary Yukinoshita Yukino. Surprised—he'd heard Chen Yao describe her as an icy snow woman—he found the girl before him aloof yet clearly here to help Chen Yao.
"A-Yao said he'll face the current trouble head-on," Fujiwara Takumi told her.
Yukinoshita Yukino said, "While that's admirable, if he insists on racing, he's definitely aiming to win. Losing would keep everything safe, but if he wins… this won't end. Our school rules are strict—students are forbidden from taking part in such races."
"Then what do you suggest?" Takumi asked after a pause.
"I hope he'll reconsider. Losing may go against his heart, but he can still live the life he wants at Sobu High. Our job as students is to study hard for university. Sometimes we have to compromise."
Yukinoshita Yukino spoke with a hint of resignation; she knew this would pain Chen Yao, but she still felt Hachiman's approach was best.
"...He won't agree to that."