On Saturday, Coach Takahara from Tsuyoshi Driving School finally welcomed three new trainees who had passed the written test and moved on to practical training.
That afternoon, Haruki and Ryuko headed to the training lot on the school shuttle. As they stepped onto the grounds, a familiar figure sat nearby, snacking leisurely on chips and soda while basking in the sun.
Today, Airi wore a light blue skirt. Though she was petite and her figure fairly flat, her sharp features and natural charm still drew curious glances from both men and women around.
Even as Haruki spotted her, a guy in his twenties was already trying to strike up a conversation.
"Hey, you learning to drive too? What stage are you at?"
"Come on, don't look so guarded. You're probably still in school, right? Which one?"
"You're really annoying," Airi said flatly, not even turning her head.
"Hey now, no need to be so cold "
Before he could finish, a voice called out from behind.
"Let's go, Airi. You're late for your session with the coach."
The guy glanced up, and Airi immediately brightened.
"Mizushiro! You're finally here!"
Haruki let out a quiet sigh. It had been over a year since they last met—and yet somehow, their paths crossed at a driving school.
The man who had been hitting on Airi paled and quickly backed off, awkwardly muttering an excuse before walking away.
"Mizushiro! You're the one drawing Initial D, right?" Airi asked excitedly as she stood up.
"Just call me Haruki," he said quickly, glancing nervously at Ryuko beside him.
Airi was also a manga artist, and Haruki had a feeling where this was going.
"Oh, r-right… Haruki."
Ryuko gave Airi a curious look. Though she'd heard Haruki mention a friend who was learning to drive and had joined through his referral, she hadn't expected that friend to be someone like her—so... eccentric.
She studied Airi quietly for a moment, uncertain of what to make of her.
"Haruki," Airi started again, "did you bring the manuscript for the next Initial D chapter?"
"If you did, can I take a look?" she asked eagerly.
Haruki's expression darkened. "You do realize That would be a breach of contract."
He'd heard stories from Haruka about Airi's personality, but he hadn't expected her to be this bold.
"C'mon, it's just a peek. You don't tell, I won't tell. No one has to know," she said, flashing a grin.
Haruki glanced over at Ryuko and gave a subtle nod.
Only then did Airi finally notice her.
Haruki and Ryuko both froze.
The synchronized denial drew an awkward silence.
Airi blinked, then shrugged. "Alright then. Well, I'm sure this nee-san won't mind keeping a secret too, right? Just show me real quick"
"I said no," Haruki snapped.
Not wanting to drag things out further, he turned and marched toward the training area.
"Ugh, guess I'll just wait for the next update then," Airi muttered, slumping into a pout.
Ryuko followed after them, shaking her head. This friend of Haruki's was… certainly something.
Coach Takahara stared at the trio in front of him, a flicker of quiet dread in his eyes.
Two had already failed the written exam twice. The third, once.
And now here they were showing up together, apparently as friends.
He wasn't sure whether to be amused... or deeply concerned.
Hopefully, they wouldn't crash during practical driving like they had in the theory test.
And so began their official behind-the-wheel training...
By late afternoon, the three trudged out of the driving school looking thoroughly exhausted.
All of them had been grilled endlessly by Coach Takahara. Especially Airi who, within minutes of sitting in the driver's seat, had asked to learn how to drift.
Naturally, she got the harshest scolding of them all.
"That old guy is way too strict! Forget this, getting a license is way too hard," she grumbled.
Haruki was secretly pleased. "Great. I'll tell Haruka you've decided to quit."
"Don't be ridiculous! I'm just getting started. No way I'm backing down before I master drifting!"
Ryuko glanced between the two with interest. She could tell Haruki and Airi weren't all that close, yet there was a strange familiarity between them. And while Ryuko didn't know much about manga herself being more interested in anime she could still tell Airi was probably one of Haruki's more unusual fans.
Haruka's instructions were simple: keep an eye on Airi, don't let her get into trouble or get bullied, and make sure she got home safely.
But when Haruki tried to flag a taxi, Airi planted her feet firmly and shook her head.
"Hey, are either of you busy right now?"
Ryuko looked puzzled. "Not really…"
"What about you, Haruki?"
He was technically free. Though he had work piling up, it was a holiday period and most of it had already been handled. Plus, Coach Takahara's constant yelling had drained his will to do anything productive.
"You're free, right?" Airi grinned, seeing the resignation in his face.
"In that case, to celebrate our reunion… let's go out somewhere together!" Airi announced, full of energy.
Haruki and Ryuko exchanged glances.
Clearly, Airi didn't want to go home. If she did, haruka would likely be waiting ready to throw her back into manga creation mode. But wandering around alone? She wasn't exactly street-smart.
"I'm going home," Haruki said flatly.
"Nooo, Haruki, come on!"
"Haruka told me I had to get you in a cab," he replied firmly.
"Then you go ahead. I'll hang out with Ryuko-nee!" she said, looping her arm around Ryuko's.
You don't know her well enough to start calling her nee-san!
Haruki watched in disbelief as Airi turned to Ryuko with a pleading expression.
"You wouldn't leave me here alone, would you? The city's dangerous at night, after all…"
Haruki could finally understand why Haruka always sounded exasperated when talking about her. Airi was… a handful.
Still, he couldn't just leave her here. If anything happened, he'd never hear the end of it.
He sighed. "How late are you planning to stay out?"
"Ten-no, wait, eleven!"
"But there's nothing to do around here," he muttered. "It's 4:30. If we're staying out till 9 or 10, what exactly are we doing?"
"No bargaining! Or I'm calling haruka!" Airi huffed.
Haruki thought about doing just that. But if he escalated things, his already-tenuous relationship with Airi would probably snap entirely. And despite her being a pain, she had helped him before.
"Fine. But don't complain later."
"Yay! Now then where are we going?"
Haruki pointed across the street. "There."
Ryuko and Airi turned to look.
"An… internet café," Airi repeated, her voice flat.
"What? Don't you like games?"
Haruki had originally planned to head home and play a few matches anyway. If Airi wanted to go out so badly, might as well just move his game session to a net café and make her think it counted as "fun."
At least then he wouldn't have to deal with her wandering off into trouble.
Airi and Ryuko both stared at him, speechless.
Haruki just shrugged. "What? Let's play."
(TL:- if you want even more content, check out p-atreon.com/Alioth23 for 55+ advanced chapters)