MMB Chapter 141 The Equipment of the God of Racing
Chapter 141 The Equipment of the God of Racing
Chapter 141 The God of Racing's Equipment (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
In the last few days of May, the skies over Tokyo finally cleared up.
The registration hall of a driving school in Banqiao District was bustling with people.
Because the economic bubble had just burst, more people were taking driving tests than in previous years, either to improve their job skills or simply because they were bored after company layoffs.
Among the people queuing, a couple stood out.
The man was tall and, despite wearing sunglasses, his composed demeanor and well-tailored casual suit still drew frequent glances from the aunties in line.
The girl sitting next to him wore a large mask that almost covered half her face, black-rimmed glasses, and a hat pulled low. She nervously gripped the form in her hand, her knuckles turning white.
The name column on the form reads "Sachiko Kamachi".
"that----"
Quanshui quietly shrank closer to Beiyuan Xin, trying to block the probing gazes around them with his body. "Am I dressed too strangely? I feel like everyone is looking at me."
"They're not looking at you, they're looking at me."
Kitahara Shin calmly helped her raise the brim of her hat slightly, revealing her watery eyes: "Don't worry, even if you take off your mask, they'll just think you're a pretty passerby at most. No one will rush up to you for an autograph."
"But you, don't be so nervous. It's just learning to drive, not like you're going to pilot a Gundam."
Quanshui chuckled at his joke, and her previously tense shoulders relaxed a little.
She nodded obediently and hugged the form in her hand even tighter.
"Mr. Kitahara, I'll leave it to you then."
The driving school's star instructor took the rather thick envelope, his face beaming with joy.
In the two years leading up to the peak of the bubble economy, lending training vehicles to students for practice would have been absolutely illegal. But things are different now. Land prices have collapsed, and everyone is struggling financially. In this cash-is-king era, rules are always flexible as long as the money is right.
"I still need to keep an eye on the trainees over there, so I'll leave this car to you two for now."
The instructor tactfully gave up the passenger seat and turned to walk to the other side of the field.
Kitahara Shin opened the car door and got into the passenger seat.
"Whoosh—whoosh—"
From the driver's seat next to me, I could hear rapid breathing.
The spring is fully armed.
Sunglasses, a mask, and a hat completely covered her up. She gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands, her knuckles stiff as stone from the excessive force.
"Relax."
Kitahara Shin adjusted the rearview mirror for her, "Just treat this like a bumper car."
"Bumper cars?" Quanshui's voice sounded muffled through her mask, with a noticeable tremor. "But bumper cars crash into each other—"
The car started.
The white Toyota Crown training car began to inch its way into the S-curve at an appallingly slow pace, like a constipated snail.
Quanshui stared intently at the front of the car, his neck craning forward, as if he wanted to press his face against the windshield.
In her view, the yellow signpost by the roadside was getting bigger and bigger, more and more menacing.
"It's going to crash!!"
She screamed, instinctively closed her eyes, frantically thrashed her hands on the steering wheel, and frantically pressed the accelerator.
The front of the car went straight into the signpost.
Kitahara Shin sat in the passenger seat, not even lifting his eyelids.
He neither pulled the handbrake nor grabbed the steering wheel; he simply glanced calmly at the instrument panel.
"The current speed is five miles per hour."
He reached out and gently gripped the steering wheel, stabilizing the car: "Even if we really crash into it, apart from some scratches, there won't even be a dent."
Hearing this calm sound, the spring water dared to open its eyes a crack.
The benchmark was indeed still ahead, but the car had been brought under control by Kitahara Shin and was now steadily parked in place.
She looked through her sunglasses at the obstacle so close to her, and her cheeks instantly burned.
"I'm so sorry—"
For the next twenty minutes, a farcical scene of "humans taming their limbs" unfolded on the driving range.
She stalled twice on three attempts to start the car, and almost rode on the curb while reversing. She tried to use her turn signal but accidentally turned the windshield wipers on the highest setting, causing them to swing wildly across the windshield as if mocking her clumsiness.
Kitahara Shin patiently explained the cornering angle and clutch coordination, but Izumi was clearly overloaded and couldn't listen to anything except nod and apologize.
"parking."
Seeing the car stall again on the slope, Kitahara Shin patted the dashboard.
"————?" Quanshui turned his head blankly.
"Get out of the car. Let me take over."
The two switched places.
Kitahara Shin got into the driver's seat and casually adjusted the seat back a bit.
He rested one hand on the steering wheel, pressed the clutch with his left foot, shifted gears, and accelerated.
The movements were fluid and seamless, without any unnecessary pauses.
"Buzz"
The engine emitted a light, cheerful roar. The car, which had been as stubborn as a mule in Quanshui's hands just moments before, was now incredibly obedient.
The car smoothly glided into the curve, drawing a perfect arc close to the marker. When reversing into the parking space, he didn't even turn his head, just glanced at the rearview mirror, turned the steering wheel all the way, and the car stopped perfectly straight within the white lines.
"Watch closely."
As Kitahara Shin deftly turned the steering wheel, he glanced at Izumi in the passenger seat and said, "Driving is actually like singing; it's all about rhythm."
"The clutch is your breath, you need to be steady; the steering wheel is the melody, you need to be smooth. Don't hold on to it too tightly, but feel the feedback from the tires, just like you feel the drumbeats of an accompaniment."
Spring Water took off her sunglasses.
The afternoon sun shone through the car window, illuminating Kitahara Shin's profile.
His expression was focused, and the curve of his jawline was clear and strong. That calm and confident air of being in control made him seem to radiate light.
He was somewhat lost in thought as he looked at the spring.
Even though the car's air conditioning was on full blast, she felt her face getting hotter. Her heart was pounding, even faster than when they almost crashed.
""
She responded softly, silently memorizing the phrase "like singing," but her gaze couldn't bear to leave that profile.
Driving practice is over.
The two did not rush to leave, but instead sat in the car with the engine off to rest.
Kitahara Shin went to the vending machine next door and bought two bottles of chilled Ramune soda.
"Give."
The cool glass bottle was covered with water droplets.
He took the bottle from the spring, held it in both hands, and pressed it against his burning cheeks to cool it down.
The air in the cramped carriage was quiet and ambiguous. Only the faint sound of bubbles bursting in the soda mingled with the two people's breathing.
"How does it feel?" Kitahara Shinshin took a sip, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"It's still... a bit difficult."
Quanshui looked out the window with some frustration, "I probably really don't have the talent for driving these days."
"Practice makes perfect."
Kitahara Shin smiled and reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear: "Take your time."
Quanshui looked at him shyly and nodded gently, "Mm."
After leaving the driving school, the two did not go straight home.
"Since I'll be buying a car anyway, I might as well go and take a look first."
Kitahara Shin suggested, "If you really think you're a road hazard, then it's better to buy a used car for practice, so you won't feel bad if you crash it."
The spring water nodded in deep agreement.
A large used car dealership in Setagaya Ward.
This place is filled with cars from all years, ranging from beat-up cars costing tens of thousands of yen to vintage luxury cars worth tens of millions of yen.
After looking around, the two finally chose a red Toyota Corolla Levin AE92, based on Kitahara Shin's suggestion.
This was a very popular style back then. It's sturdy and durable, and its design isn't outdated. It's perfect for girls to practice with.
Just as the boss was about to go through the formalities, Kitahara Shin's gaze was suddenly drawn to a pile of scrap metal in the corner.
It was an old car that was almost totaled.
Most of the dark blue paint had peeled off, one of the headlights was broken, and all the tires were flat. It looked like it had just been dug out of a garbage dump.
But as Kitahara Shin's gaze swept over it, a notification suddenly popped up on his retina:
[System notification: Special equipment carrier detected]
【Item Name: Midnight Ghost (NissanFairladyZS30 Mod)】
[Quality: Epic (Requires Repair)]
[Description: Once belonged to a legendary racer known as "Devil Z". Although it is now just a pile of scrap metal, the spirit of its engine has never been extinguished.]
【Equipment Effect (Car God's Blessing): When the user drives this vehicle (or binds it as equipment)
At that moment, you will gain "absolute car feel." Corners will no longer be a challenge, but an art. All driving skills will come naturally, and vehicle performance will be enhanced by 50%.
There are actually such good things?
Kitahara Shin raised an eyebrow and pulled Izumi over.
"Boss."
He pointed to the pile of scrap metal, "Is this car for sale?"
The shopkeeper, who was filling out the form for the Corolla, paused for a moment, glanced up at the beat-up car, and scratched his head somewhat awkwardly: "That one—I was actually planning to sell it as scrap metal. The engine's completely wrecked, beyond repair. If you want it, just give me any scrap metal price."
"OK."
Kitahara Shin didn't waste any words, "Then name your price, and we'll package it together with that Corolla."
"Are you sure?" The shopkeeper looked at him like he was an idiot. "This car would take up too much space even if you just used it as a decoration."
"I like its design."
Kitahara Shin smiled. "Just consider it me being rich and capricious. Help me check if there are any problems with the paperwork. If there aren't, I'll definitely come back to patronize your business again."
Upon hearing this, the boss immediately beamed with joy.
"No problem! Absolutely no problem! I'll get it done for you right away!"
The procedures were completed very quickly.
The wrecked "Devil Z" will remain at the dealership for now, and Kitahara Shin plans to find a professional modification shop to revive it later.
But now that he had already bought it, the [Midnight Ghost] equipment was already in his inventory.
[Mind Gear: Midnight Ghost (Car God Possession Mode) is now activated]
In an instant.
A flood of knowledge about racing, drifting, heel-and-toe maneuvers, and optimal cornering lines poured into Kitahara Shin's mind.
The feeling was as if he had been holding the steering wheel for decades, and every road in the world had become his racetrack.
"Let's go."
Kitahara Shin took the Corolla keys and got into the driver's seat.
Quanshui sat obediently in the passenger seat, looking at him with some curiosity: "Xin-kun, why did you buy that car? Is it for any special collectible value?"
"I just find it pleasing to the eye."
As Kitahara Shin started the car, he felt the wonderful, new sensation of man and machine becoming one: "Besides, don't you think those old cars have a certain charm? Once I fix it up, it will be faster than any sports car on the market right now."
"Oh, right."
He turned to look at the spring, a playful smile curving his lips. "Didn't you say you wanted to experience a drive? That snail's pace at driving school probably wasn't enough, was it?"
The spring water paused for a moment, then its eyes lit up, and it nodded vigorously.
"Then sit tight."
Kitahara Shin shifted gears and floored the accelerator.
Under his control, this ordinary second-hand Corolla emitted a roar that wasn't particularly deep but was certainly exhilarating, and shot out of the dealership like an arrow.
At the same time.
On the Capital Expressway.
A brand-new red Ferrari Testarossa is speeding by.
Sitting in the driver's seat was a young, wealthy heir with dyed blond hair, Yamamoto. In the passenger seat was a woman wearing a miniskirt...
A spirited young woman chewing gum.
The car was blasting deafening disco music.
"How about it? This is a brand new car my dad just bought for me!"
Yamamoto swayed his head to the music, smugly patting the steering wheel: "V12 engine! See that? This acceleration! If I wanted to, nobody on this entire highway would see me—"
"The taillights!"
"Wow! Yamamoto-kun is amazing!"
The energetic young woman next to me screamed enthusiastically, "It's so fast! It feels like we're flying!"
"Hahaha! Of course! Today we're going to Big Black Futo's place and showing those poor bastards who drive modified cars what a real supercar is!"
Yamamoto floored the accelerator, and the Ferrari's engine roared like a beast, the speedometer needle soaring instantly.
He looked at the cars that were quickly left behind in the rearview mirror and felt a sense of superiority.
Just then.
A red shadow suddenly appeared in his rearview mirror.
"Um?"
Yamamoto frowned.
What kind of car is that? How can it be going so fast?
Before he could even see clearly, the red car had already closed in on the rear of his vehicle.
It was a Toyota Corolla?
It's even a somewhat old-looking used car?
"Are you kidding me?"
Yamamoto felt insulted. "This grocery delivery truck dares to put its rear end on me? They're asking for it!"
He snorted and stepped on the gas again, the Ferrari accelerating instantly, trying to shake off that arrogant, broken-down car.
But that Corolla seemed to be stuck to his backside; no matter how fast he accelerated, the other car maintained the same distance, and even pressed closer when they were on the curves.
"asshole!"
Yamamoto panicked. If he got overtaken by a Corolla, how could he ever face anyone in the industry again?
There's a sharp bend ahead.
Yamamoto gritted his teeth, eased off the throttle slightly, and prepared to cut into the corner.
In that very instant.
The red Corolla started moving.
It did not slow down.
Instead, its engine noise suddenly became even higher-pitched.
At the moment of entering the curve, the Corolla's body turned sideways in an extremely strange way, the tires screeching on the ground, and with an unstoppable momentum, it cut directly into the inside lane!
drift?!
Yamamoto stared wide-eyed as the ordinary grocery shopping cart slid past the guardrail with textbook-perfect grace.
And in the split second that the two cars passed each other.
He saw the man in the driver's seat.
He held the steering wheel with one hand, wore sunglasses, and had a calm expression as if he were shopping in a supermarket.
He even saw the man turn his head and smile at him?
"boom--!"
Before Yamamoto could react, the Corolla had already exited the corner and sped away, leaving him only with its rapidly receding taillights.
"It's a lie, a lie, right?!"
Yamamoto's palms were sweaty, and his legs were so weak he almost couldn't step on the brakes.
"Who is that? What kind of monster is that?!"
The young woman next to her forgot to scream, and her chewing gum fell out of her mouth.
"call----
'
When we got off the highway and parked the car in the parking lot downstairs at the apartment building, Quanshui's face was still flushed.
That high-speed driving experience was a hundred times more thrilling than her rock performance on stage.
The feeling of adrenaline surging, the sense of speed at which the scenery outside the window transformed into streamlines, put her in an extremely excited state.
"Was that fun?"
Kitahara Shin unbuckled his seatbelt and looked at her with a smile.
"Wow! That's amazing!"
Quanshui's eyes sparkled, as if they held stars: "Especially when you overtook that red car just now! It felt like I was flying! Can I learn to drive like you?"
The usually reserved and shy spring water becomes like a child when it comes to things she likes.
"sure."
Kitahara Shin patted her head.
Another reason he bought the "Demon Z" was because the equipment effects of this system could be shared.
With his authorization, Quanshui can also enjoy some of the "car god's blessing" when driving.
While I certainly can't do as exaggerated as him, becoming a seasoned driver is definitely not a problem.
"If you're willing to learn, I'll teach you. Once this car is modified, I'll take you to the track."
"Um!"
The two got out of the car.
A night breeze blew by, bringing a touch of coolness.
Kitahara Shin locked the car door, naturally took Izumi's hand, and escorted her to the apartment building.
"Get some rest. You have to record tomorrow, right?"
He released his grip, preparing to say goodbye.
But the spring water did not move.
She stood there, head down, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her dress.
The afterglow of the high-speed car chase still lingered in her body. The adrenaline-fueled excitement, mixed with her attachment to the man in front of her, made her not want the night to end like this.
She suddenly stepped forward, reached out and hugged Kitahara Shin's waist, burying her burning face in his chest.
"—Let's leave later."
Her voice was soft, with a hint of coquettishness from a young woman in love.
Kitahara Shin lowered his head, looking at the clingy girl in his arms who was like a kitten, feeling the warmth emanating from her body.
Ever since he broke that boundary in her apartment last time, he had developed a taste for the softness in his arms.
Today, the spring water, seemingly thrilled by the car chase, seemed to have shed its usual shyness, becoming more passionate and captivating than ever before.
There's no need for unnecessary verbal probing or feigned surprise.
Kitahara Shin smiled, a familiar flutter in his eyes darkening slightly.
He reached out and hugged her back, gently pinching her burning earlobe with practiced ease, his tone filled with a knowing, indulgent affection: "Okay."
The two embraced and walked into the elevator.
The elevator doors slowly closed, shutting out the outside world.
In the cramped space, the atmosphere instantly heated up.
Before the elevator even reached their floor, the two had already intertwined their fingers, beginning a warm and intimate night just for them.
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