That Saturday. A group of racers in the Geo Timer discord turned up to a meeting at Oshito FamilyMart. It was the usual suspects who had a lot of free time. Norio and Iori were there as well.

"Hey, Yamada-san, Hattori-san." Shogo, the young university student in the brown Demio, came up and called them while both were standing together.

"What is it, Ya-kun?" Iori replied with a friendly smile.

"I was just wondering, shouldn't this 'Gunma Wolf' guy turn up already, considering he's in our group now?"

"I wouldn't know, Ya-kun." Iori replied with a sheepish smile.

"Calling out Wakisaka-san like that, he's gunning for him, right?" Shogo asked, and both Iori and Norio couldn't agree more.

"Of course." Norio nodded and replied, Shogo was slightly nervous as he saw what Norio did a week back, but realized pretty quickly that he was okay most of the time.

What none of them were expecting was for that exact conversation to be a call for 'Gunma Wolf', as an unknown car turned up in the parking lot not long after.

The black Toyota GR Yaris looked menacing, it was obvious that this car was damn fast even just observing from afar. Iori and Norio couldn't help but be quite a bit nervous about it.

The driver's door opened, and a man in his early 30's stepped out. Norio noticed that he didn't have a particularly distinctive feature on his face, and was not particularly tall or short either. The way he dressed was unremarkable too, a white t-shirt and a pair of jeans. The only thing Norio could see that stood out was the way this man moved. He had a certain poisedness to it, like he was in the Defense Force, or similarly disciplined job.

The man saw the group, and immediately walked over to have a chat.

"Ah, good evening." The man greeted everyone there, he looked polite enough as he slightly bowed.

"Good evening." Everyone replied, doing the same.

"You guys are the Geo Timer users right?" That man continued, and it surprised everyone as he was asking so directly.

The group was anticipating the next word from this guy, even if they already knew what he was going to say.

"Well, I'm Sunao Morita, you know me as 'Gunma Wolf'. I'm looking for 'TowaWaki39'. Do any of you happen to know where I can meet him? I tried to message but he didn't reply."

"Oh, you're 'Gunma Wolf'?" Iori was acting surprised.

"Hey, brother! You drive fast, man!" A random racer shouted excitedly.

That actually made the atmosphere seem lighter. Iori's nervousness lifted when she saw that Sunao Morita was, there's no other way to describe him, just a normal guy. Like all of them there. He was also quite polite and without an air of ego that seemed to plague the street racer community elsewhere.

"Well, we've met the guy before, right?" Another racer interjected, obviously meaning Towa.

"Yeah, Yamada-san, Hattori-san, you guys know him, right?" The previous racer turned to them.

At that point, Sunao was looking at Iori and Norio, he was guessing they were the leader of the group from the way the racers describe them.

"Are you?" Sunao asked, pointing at Norio.

"Ah, yes, I'm 'Mister Banana'. Norio Hattori." Norio replied.

"And I'm 'Azusa-san'. You can call me Yamada." Iori then continued.

It seemed that Sunao was particularly surprised by the appearance of Iori, which was expected, but he didn't care much about that other than them being the administrator of the group.

"Okay, so do you think you can contact this TowaWaki guy and give him a message?" Sunao continued, he was impeccably polite about all of this.

"I don't know... it's not like we really know him like that..." Iori seemed genuinely unsure, which made Sunao slightly disappointed.

"Well..." Sunao continued, "I'd be glad to know you guys better, but I'm usually available only after midnight as I work late hours, so don't expect me to turn up often."

"Oh, you'd be very much welcome." Iori replied eagerly, happy to see Sunao was not being an ass.

"Well. Tonight you guys would be running, right? I've taken a day off, so I'll be running too. Please take care of me." Sunao said and then bowed again.

To Iori, Sunao actually reminded her of Shigehiro. There's this sense of reservedness, but quite awkward politeness, which to be fair, made the fact that he's right now the record holder for the Fruits Line leaderboard that bit more absurd.

It was not really surprising with the black GR Yaris though, that car was a beauty, a car that both Iori and Norio knew would be highly capable on any tight mountain courses anywhere in the world. The mountain roads are essentially rally stages, and a car built with such purpose in mind would not disappoint.

The racers were preparing to go on their time attack attempts, when Iori pulled Norio to one side to tell him something. She looked at the GR Yaris one more time.

"Hey, Norio." Iori said, she looked like she had a plan.

"What is it?" Norio wondered.

"Would you mind being my passenger for a run?"

"Eh? Sure I can, but why?" Norio was curious.

"You're pretty observant about running. I want to know your opinion about something."

Norio wasn't sure what Iori had in mind, but he was happy to oblige.

The cars were lining up at the intersection to Omote Tsukuba Skyline. Iori made sure she would be right behind Sunao's GR Yaris when she started her run.

"Can you keep an eye on that GR Yaris?" Iori finally said her true motive why she wanted Norio to sit along.

"Ah..." Norio realized it now, "Noted. Will do."

Sunao's GR Yaris set off on its timed run, and Iori followed, but she didn't start the time as it didn't matter right now. She just quickly launched the Civic after the Yaris.

Norio kept a close look on that black hatchback, as Iori tried her hardest in order to keep up, but the pace difference was too much even if she didn't let a bit of delay between their runs. This actually made Sunao realize what Iori wanted, but he didn't mind much. If she wanted a look, he was willing to give her that.

Neither Iori nor Norio got to see much, as the GR Yaris was around 7 seconds faster on the timed run, but it was in their vision for about half the distance, so it's not like it was a waste of time and effort.

Iori then returned to the FamilyMart, not only to let Norio pick up his Swift Sport and have his run, but to discuss what he thought.

"So? What do you think?" Iori asked, and Norio had been contemplating the whole way.

"Honestly? His line is all over the place, and the timing for braking and accelerating was difficult to follow. It didn't make much sense." Norio answered his thoughts, and it surprised Iori, because she thought similarly.

"So why is it that fast? It doesn't make sense once you put it that way." That would be the conundrum Iori had at the moment.

"I mean, accelerating out of the corner is the AWD strong suit, right? It'd be easy to say the car is so good, it doesn't matter if the line or input is shabby, but I don't think that's the case either."

"What do you think of the turn in, or apex speed?"

"The apex speed is nothing special, right? It's just about the same with you. He just pulled away on the transition to those points, mostly."

"Yeah, but, shouldn't it feel neater and tidier? What do the veteran racers say about smooth is fast?"

Norio didn't have any explanation for that. There's something neither of them understood about the way Sunao was driving.

"One thing is for sure though, considering we've seen Towa Wakisaka's driving." Norio suddenly changed the subject slightly, which surprised Iori.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"What is it?" Iori asked.

"He's not the right rival for this guy." Norio replied, looking concerned.

"Really?" Iori was becoming concerned as well because of Norio's expression.

Norio sighed, it seemed that the thought he had was problematic for some reason.

"What's your concern? You can just tell me, right?" Iori pried a bit, because Norio seemed reluctant.

"Do you think Noda-san would race this guy?" Norio quickly replied, and it made Iori realize.

A recluse like Mizuho Noda probably wouldn't accept a challenge from a newcomer outside of the prefecture easily. Iori knew that from their brief encounter, especially when she knew him more from the personal side, rather than the racer side.

That reminded Iori of something Isao had told her recently, about a student of his, Ippei Noda, the son of Mizuho Noda, coming to him and asking for advice about a part-time job. It was not an unusual request, but she couldn't help but be reminded of his father, the legendary racer of the Fruits Line, and very likely the actual fastest person, even if his time on the leaderboard was not indicative of that.

"Should we at least let him in on the knowledge of Noda-san, then?" Iori wondered back, and Norio already had an answer.

"Well, I don't think Noda-san would accept a random guy coming to challenge him, but what do I know?" Norio replied.

"I somehow don't quite agree with that notion..." Iori said, and it surprised Norio.

"Really?"

"I think Noda-san probably would. Considering how fast and how polite this Morita guy is. He's not like that guy, Sawatari or whatever, that you had a beef with."

"I don't think that's relevant to this conversation..."

"But if you say Wakisaka-san is not his true rival, then I believe you, and that means Noda-san is, right?"

"Well..." Norio paused, "...yeah."

"So should we tell him?"

"If you think so, it's not like I think Noda-san will accept his challenge anyway." Norio concluded.

After that, Norio went and got out and into his Swift Sport to run by himself, and Iori followed.

The group ran for about 1 hour, until most of them were tired, or their car started to overheat. The air temperature had been reaching 30°C even during the night and it's taking a toll on both the driver and the machine.

Sunao Morita didn't seem tired though, and the GR Yaris was still strong, but it was clearly getting slower as the engine heat soaked, and the tires were getting too warm.

Iori went back and forth in her own mind for quite a bit, before she decided that Sunao had the right to know the truth about the Tsukuba Fruits Line.

"Hey, Morita-san." Iori walked over and called him, Sunao looked surprised.

"Ah, what is it, Yamada-san?" Sunao asked, wondering what she was thinking.

"It's sad to admit, especially to an out of prefecture racer who's recently started running, but you are faster than any one of us."

Sunao didn't seem particularly prideful about that claim, he was actually pretty humbled by the high praise Iori gave him.

"I'm just an ordinary guy who likes running." Sunao replied, scratching his head with embarrassment, "It's not like I'm any more of a racer than any of you locals."

"Still, it can't be denied that you're fast as hell." Iori repeated.

At that point, Iori's expression changed completely, so much so that it was noticeable to Sunao. It was the determined face of a racer who's serious about running. Sunao knew she was about to tell him something important.

"Even if you beat Towa Wakisaka, it doesn't mean you've conquered this place." Iori told Sunao.

Sunao's expression also changed, it was similar to Iori's before, the face of a man who wanted to become the best runner, and if he's been going in the wrong direction, he was willing to listen.

"'TowaWaki39' is a fine racer, but the true master of this course is 'Urasawa'." Iori continued, and it surprised Sunao.

"Eh? But he's 4th on the leaderboard right now?" Sunao was slightly confused, as he thought the time was nothing special.

"Do you know what he drives? You are not going to believe me."

Sunao shook his head, he had not even heard of the guy before.

"A white, battered looking, made possibly during Shinzo Abe first term as a prime minister, Toyota Probox DX."

Sunao stared at Iori in disbelief for a solid minute, it was like she told him something incredibly absurd.

"No fucking way! It's THAT guy?! He's still running?!" Sunao suddenly shouted excitedly, and it made Iori confused.

"What? You've met him before?" Iori asked back, and Sunao kept nodding excitedly.

"Yeah! I met him ages ago! Back when I was a fresh faced racer of the mountains. I was really a delinquent back then. 2012-2013, maybe? I was still driving a first-generation Vitz, but I've been everywhere, Gunma, Saitama, Tochigi, Ibaraki, even Kanagawa and Tokyo. There was no one else running with me!"

Sunao rattled off the story so quickly, and it disorientated Iori quite a bit.

"So, I met him right here, on the Tsukuba Fruits Line, before the landslide hit and the road closed for 4 years, right? He didn't tell me his name then, but I remembered he had wavy crazy hair, and a white, back then still a mid-model Probox. I'm sure it's the same guy as he was fast as hell even with a Probox! He inspired me to become better and advised me to enroll in a course with Tokuro Fukumi, who just started his rally school in Gunma." Sunao continued.

Iori was flabbergasted by the story, it was a great coincidence, but perhaps not so considering how little mountain runners were left during the last decade.

"Do you know the guy? I want to meet him again and say thanks!" Sunao continued again and sounded almost like he's begging. Iori considered for a second but decided that it would be cruel not to tell the truth.

"You know what... I indeed know where you can find him..."

—

Sunday Morning, Ippei was not doing much in his bedroom. He laid there quietly, not sleeping. He couldn't really sleep last night either and had not been able to do so for a few days now. The worries were consuming him, even if he tried to confide with Sachiko about it.

Tanigawa-sensei said he'd have some options for him to choose by the final day before the summer break, which would be next Friday. Then Ippei would be able to work part-time for nearly the entirety of the break. About 3 weeks.

It might not alleviate all of the financial concern, but it would be a nice experience. Ippei didn't lay out his issue fully to Isao because he was embarrassed, but the money would be enough to tide him over in case something happens.

Isao also asked what Ippei would be interested in, and considered the options according to his good computer background, it probably won't be an exciting job, but it'd be good enough. Still, while it was an accomplishment, however slight, it didn't make Ippei happy for long.

Today, Mizuho was away, as always on every Sunday, and Sachiko was doing something with her family, not quite sure. Ippei was all alone, and he didn't want to do anything, so he just lay there being lazy.

That was until the noisy sound coming from in front of the house, someone was visiting but it wasn't Mizuho. He considered not appearing and let the guy give up and disappear eventually.

Ippei's curiosity got the better of him, he was wondering who would be visiting his father right now, considering most people knew his father shop closed every Sunday? Ippei took a peek from his bedroom window and saw a man peeking through the door, a small black hatchback adorned the driveway. The guy didn't look like a customer.

Ippei decided he'd do his morning routine, and if the guy was still there when he's finished, he'd go out and talk to him.

Half an hour later, it turns out that he was still sitting on the front porch, so Ippei opened the door which startled the guy.

"Good morning?" Ippei said, being a bit cautious as he didn't know the guy.

"Oh hey, uh, hi..." Sunao replied, looking flustered, getting up from the porch.

"Are you looking for something?" Ippei asked again, as Sunao didn't seem all that together right now despite his poised movements.

"Yeah, uh, I'm looking for Noda-san? Mizuho Noda?"

Ippei thought it was weird that this weird man was asking for his father with his first name, no one ever did that in his memory unless they were family.

"What do you need from him?" Ippei inquired, as Sunao stood up.

"Oh, uh, just... Is he not around?" Sunao tried to peek inside the shop, but couldn't see anything as the lights were not on.

"Yeah, we're always closed on Sunday. If you're looking for PC service you'll have to come back tomorrow..."

At this point, Ippei couldn't help but notice the number plate on the back of that GR Yaris. Maebashi? Ippei knew that place name from somewhere...

"Are you from Gunma?" Ippei asked curiously.

"Yeah!..." Sunao was surprised that this young guy picked up on that immediately, "I'm just making a visit before I go back this afternoon. I have to talk to Noda-san. Can you call him at all? Or can I leave a message?"

Ippei could only wonder what the hell was going on, the only person he knew who was originally from Maebashi, Gunma, was his mother, but this guy was not one of his relatives for sure as he didn't look like any one of them.

"I mean, sure you can leave a message." Ippei relented, and it made Sunao relieved.

"Alright. How should I do that?" Sunao asked. Ippei shrugged.

"Just message him on Line, I guess?"

"Oh, that would be fine, huh?"

"Why not?"

Sunao didn't really want to do that, as Towa Wakisaka didn't reply to him either, even if he messaged the guy directly.

"Can I also leave a message with you to give to him?" Sunao asked Ippei, who was wondering why he would need to do that.

"If that's what you want and it's important..." Ippei was reluctant.

"Great, let me grab a notepad."

Sunao went around the passenger side of the GR Yaris, opened the door, and wrote something on a notepad he had in the glovebox. He then folded it and gave it to Ippei.

"Can you make sure this gets to Noda-san, please?" Sunao pleaded, and Ippei nodded the affirmative.

"Sure, but I don't know when he'll be back." Ippei replied.

"That's fine, thank you, ehhh?"

"I'm Ippei, mister?"

"Ah, right, Sunao Morita, but Noda-san probably wouldn't recognize me by that name. Tell him it's 'Gunma Wolf'."

That kinda confirmed to Ippei that this weird guy was indeed, weird. One of those guys who used online nicknames in real life and should not be trusted, but he looked harmless enough and was now going back in his car to drive away. At least it's not a creditor trying to repossess something his father owed.

Ippei didn't look at the content on the notepad, he just put it on his father's computer screen at the workstation. Then Ippei went upstairs back to his bedroom, turned on his computer, and played some games to waste the time away.

—

Mizuho was visiting his friend's soba shop in the area of Kenkyugakuen when he noticed a message on the Line app from a mysterious person. It was from an account of a restaurant that he didn't know where it was. It looked like a spam message for a moment but he had a look anyway.

The message read.

'Hello, Noda-san, I hope this is not inconvenient. My name is Sunao Morita, and you may not recognize me, but I'm 'Gunma Wolf' on the Geo Timer Leaderboard. We've actually met before about 10 years ago on the Tsukuba Fruits Line, and I heard recently that you were still running the same place! I want to reconnect with you and I want to show you appreciation because you inspired me to improve myself by learning from the professional racers.'

Mizuho wanted to stop reading, as it was a long message. He had seen the name 'Gunma Wolf' before on the leaderboard, but didn't know the guy knew him from that long ago. It was weird, he couldn't recall much from those times...

'I'm still living in Gunma, as the name suggests, so I couldn't visit Ibaraki all that often. I want to make it clear that I'm gunning for the top spot on the leaderboard, and that includes the two car battles. A woman told me that the true boss of the Fruits Line was not 'TowaWaki39', but rather it was you, so I don't know if it's too much of an ask, but I want to race against you at least once. I would be willing to accommodate your schedule, even if it meant driving 2 hours from Gunma.'

Mizuho couldn't help but chuckle at the message, so much that his soba shop running friend wondered what's so funny.

"What is it, Noda?" The soba master asked.

"Oh, it's just someone I knew from a long time ago suddenly messaging me again." Mizuho answered.

"Is it an old girlfriend or something?"

"No, Wac-chan, that's still a touchy subject, I wouldn't laugh about it." Mizuho said with a serious face, even if he was half joking.

"Sorry."

"It's alright."