When Tsukito arrived at their meeting place leisurely, he found that Aoyama was already there waiting for him.
"Yo, Tsukito. Sorry about this morning again man"
"No worries dude, I was the one that told you guys to leave. If you are really sorry, there is one thing that you can do for me actually"
"Cool, what is it?"
Aoyama looked relieved that there was something he could do for Tsukito.
"You can join the literature club"
"Huh? Why is that?"
"Well, I will get suspended if I can't gather five people to join the club..."
"Ugh, well, this is awkward. I really want to help you dude, but you know that I am the goalkeeper for the soccer club. It's not like I can quit the team..."
"Yeah, I know. I was just messing with you. But you still have to help me search for new members though."
"I don't think I can find many people but consider it done!"
Aoyama finally looked relieved. He was not showing it but he really felt guilty about what happened today.
"Oh yeah, what are we going to do tonight?"
"Hahaha, we are going to have an awesome night! I am going to take you to a place you have never been to before. Trust me you are going to love it!"
Tsukito was intrigued. He didn't hang out outside past seven pm usually since he needed to make dinner and also do his school assignments.
"Okay, but where is that four-eyed perv?"
"Oh, I didn't call him because he won't really mesh well with the crowd we are about to hang out with. Truth be told even inviting Haruto was stretching but I thought it would be fine, since you know, it's hard to find people that don't like him. But you will fit perfectly!"
"I guess..."
Tsukito was puzzled. It was true that people liked Haruto but he didn't think it was as much as Aoyama said. I mean sure, he was handsome, good at school, great at sports, knew how to socialize...
Fine, that gave Tsukito some emotional damage so it was better to stop there.
"Also, check this out!"
Aoyama said as she shook something in his hand. It looked like a key chain?
"Don't tell me!?"
"Yes! I finally got my temporary driver's license!"
Aoyama said proudly. This was the difference between Ogden's and Tsukito's worlds.
In this world's Japan, you could get a temporary driver's license when you were 16 and if you didn't get any fines, you could upgrade it to a normal driver's license without taking any additional tests. However, in order to get a temporary license you needed to have a guarantor.
"Congrats man! So are you going to be driving us around tonight?"
Tsukito was happy for his friend and most importantly he was happy for himself. He didn't know where they were going to but wherever it was they were sure to be popular. After all, girls liked men that had cars.
"Of course, let's check my new baby. It's just around the corner"
Aoyama lead Tsukito to his car. It was a Black Audi A3.
"*Whistle* Looks expensive"
Tsukito couldn't help but comment to himself as he got on the front seat of the car. The leather seats were so comfortable that he didn't want to get up. It also had that new fresh car smell.
"Yeah, my father said as his son I should be driving at least something like this, otherwise I would lose him face"
Hearing Aoyama imitate his father, Tsukito chuckled to himself.
"Wow, your father is such a tsundere~"
"Haha, I know right. He can never be honest with himself. Anyway, let's take this baby for a spin!"
*VROOM*
When Aoyama turned on the ignition, his car came to life with a roar. They both laughed like idiots. They had a car!!
***
After a fifteen-minute drive, the duo finally arrived at their destination. It was a hill that Tsukito had never been to.
"Bosozoku?"
Looking at the crowd of people with their modified cars and music blasting out loud Tsukito frowned.
"Yes! Now that I have a car, a friend of my big bro invited me to tonight's gathering. You know, to socialize"
Aoyama shrugged to himself as he parked the car.
"You know that I don't like these kinds of people right?"
Tsukito replied with a frown.
Bosozoku. They were troublesome people. In a positive light, they were car racing enthusiasts. In a negative light, they were loud obnoxious people.
Thankfully, they were not as violent as yankees, yakuzas or hoodlums but they were still troublesome people.
"Come on man! Live a little. I can assure you that they are not as bad as the public portrays them to be. They can get a little heated sometimes and that's about it-"
*CRASH*
"WHAT THE F*CK DID YOU CALL ME!?"
"I called you a b*tch! What are you going to do about it, huh?"
Seeing two people that were about to throw fists at each other Tsukito didn't say anything and just looked at Aoyama who was squirming like a worm.
"*Ahem* Anyway, I think I am seeing Kimura nii-san. We should go and say hello"
Seeing how awkward his friend was feeling Tsukito didn't want to pursue the issue. Worse comes to worst, he can a small fight to let out some steam. His only worry was that he was wearing his favourite shirt, hopefully, nothing happens to it.
"*Sigh* Let's go"
Kimura was sitting on top of his Orange Cobalt SS, together with some girls. While he was appreciating them, the girls were appreciating his car.
"Oh my god! Did you adjust the springs to dampen the coefficience? You really know your car! But why didn't you also soften the rear suspense to reduce the compression rate?"
Tsukito scratched his head as he watched the red-headed girl as she spoke passionately about the car. Seeing her like that, Tsukito also become interested in it.
No matter the subject, if you are passionate while explaining it, you would draw the listeners attention... Of course, having E-Class extinction-level weapons would help as well.
"Oh, Aoyama-kun! You are finally here! I was wondering if you would show up"
Seeing the duo approaching him Kimura stopped talking with the girls and welcomed them.
"Thanks, also let me introduce my friend; Ikehara Tsukito"
Aoyama didn't forget to include Tsukito in the conversation as well. He was at least a sensible friend.
"Nice to meet you, I am Ikehara Tsukito"
Tsukito said as he bowed his head.
"Great, we were going to start a race soon. How about you guys watch it and cheer me on?"
They had nothing better to do so they agreed. Tsukito was honestly disappointed with their experience.
Most girls here were either already in college or in their late twenties. To them, the duo just looked like a couple of kindergarteners.
Goddammit, this was such a big bust!
At least, Aoyama seemed to be having fun...
"Look! The race is starting!"
As the four cars lined up, Aoyama was watching them excitedly.
And the race soon started but Tsukito was not paying attention to it. He was searching around for girls who might be interested in him... Ugh, better not. He didn't want the girls to go to jail because of him.
*SCREECH*
As Tsukito turned towards the road a Red Mitsubishi Eclipse drifted past him.
*Ba-Dump*
Suddenly, Tsukito's heart skipped a beat.
This was the feeling he was missing.
This was the feeling he was searching for!
*Ba-Dump* *Ba-Dump*
The driver of the Red Mitsubishi Eclipse slowly got out of the car.
*Ba-Dump* *Ba-Dump* *Ba-Dump*
It was a familiar face. It was the girl who was talking about modifications with Kimura just now.
*Ba-Dump* *Ba-Dump* *Ba-Dump* *Ba-Dump*
While looking at her, Tsukito's heart started to beat faster.