[centre][img]http://txt-dynamic.cdn.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjk2LjAwYTlmYS5WR0YwYzNWcWFTQk5hWGxoYzJVLC4w/future.outrun-future.png[/img][/centre][hr][b][right][color=696969]Downhill Starting Point, Tsubaki Line, Mt. Hakone, Kanagawa
10:55 PM, March 21, 1998
BGM: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7BFiEYdWEQ]Doctor Love / Dr. Love / Super Eurobeat 067
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[indent][color=00aeef][i]Let's get it done right.[/i][/color]
Tatsuji pressed the throttle in neutral, revving his CR-X's B16 up. Hitting redline, he let go of the pedal, the engine humming as the RPMs dropped. He was focused entirely on his own: his own time, car, and self. The red Toyota MR2 behind him, as far as he should have been concerned, didn't exist. All he had to do was focus on putting his best effort into his own run.

Akin to a wake-up call, the red AW11 revved its own engine up, a supercharged 4A-GZE. Unlike its elder brother, the 4AGE used in the AE86, the GZE had a distinctly higher tone, both inside and outside. Complimentary to the B16 and its VTEC drone, the 4A revved back up in response, with the signature whine of a supercharger.

For that moment alone, Tatsuji recognized his opponent. It was, of course, only fair to acknowledge your opponent's bow before a sparring match. Like so, the engine rev was the bow, a sign of readiness and challenge. With that challenge in mind, Tatsuji shifted up, let go of the clutch, and accelerated forward, starting the timer. It may have been 7 years old and second-hand, but the CR-X could still move with agility and kick. Besides, it wasn't like the AW11 was any newer: the Mk1b model a few metres behind him was about 10 years old, but with the tuning and skills of the man behind its wheel, it could just prove to be a worthy opponent. Maybe even good enough for Tatsuji.
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