02x09 - The Rival

[bunniefuu]

Sorry for the sudden visit.

I am Sena Moroboshi

from the Dream Project.

I will be joining the race

starting on the third run.

I just left MFG's Odawara office

to return to Gunma.

Although I will be back to Gunma shortly,

I really wanted to stop by here.

It's really great to see you.

I'm lucky.

My name is Sena Moroboshi.

Nice to meet you.

Same for me.

I am Kanata Katagiri.

Although I'm two years older than you,

you are the senior in MFG.

Passing the MFG preliminaries

is a quite high threshold for newcomers.

You advanced to the finals

on your first attempt.

That gives great hope to those

who will participate in the future.

Do you know my master

was a teammate

with your teacher in the past?

Oh, really?

Sorry, I don't know.

Mr. Fujiwara rarely talked to me

about his time in Japan.

I see, then you couldn't possibly know.

I hope you will remember me.

I will definitely be

on the same stage with you.

I'm looking forward to

the day when we compete.

(MF GHOST Season 2)

(Turn21: Rival)

Mr. Okuyama, did you see

the car number on that SUPRA?

It's number 885.

There are only about 400 contestants.

Why did he pick such a large number?

Although it's not to my taste,

I understand the implication.

That's a play on words.

It seems he regards Kanata as a rival.

But in today's MFG, I clearly know

how difficult it is

to enter the Godly Fifteen.

No, he is a very fast racer.

I can feel he will be a solid competitor.

Sena is a nice name, isn't it?

Kanata.

That car we saw is SUPRA.

It's Toyota's flagship model

after the Car 86.

During the season, it's allowed to switch

to another vehicle of the same brand.

Please, Kanata.

Just switch to the SUPRA with the 86 sticker

in the remaining three races.

Sorry, Mr. Ogata.

My answer is no.

What I hope for is to upgrade the Car 86.

Why do you have to be like this?

We are in a race.

Why don't you pursue higher performance?

Mr. Okuyama, help me persuade him.

If you say it,

your persuasiveness will be

a hundred times stronger than mine.

It's no use asking me.

We must respect the racer's decision.

You're on his side?

What does it matter?

If he insists on using the Car 86,

then it's fine.

As a technician,

I actually find it quite interesting.

Sorry to have you drive me.

No, don't worry about it.

Mr. Okuyama.

In the rest area,

I've been watching Kanata racing.

The more I watched,

the more downhearted I felt.

Because of the car's lack of performance,

Kanata competes

at a significant disadvantage.

I am very clear about that.

I think that racers aren't

quite attached to their cars.

Cars are just tools for racing.

They believe that

to achieve better rankings,

the car's performance is everything.

Katagiri must be an exception.

Should I say he has the air of an expert?

Or that he has

the temperament of an artist?

His stubbornness and self-discipline

are very similar to those of his master,

Takumi Fujiwara.

Fujiwara piloted the AE86.

AE86?

FUJIWARA TOFU SHOP

That car was considered as quite an old model even then.

It didn't have much combat power.

Nevertheless, with thorough tuning

and exceptional skills,

he remained undefeated

before retiring from road race.

This is just my speculation.

Perhaps the combination of the numbers 8 and 6

resonated with Katagiri in some way.

The numbers 8 and 6

Having such a racer

is quite interesting, isn't it?

Since we've all decided,

let's start the turbo modification plan

for the Car 86.

I will build a Car 86 that won't

be inferior to the SUPRA.

KENCHOJI TEMPLE

By the way,

Mr. Ogata mentioned recently that

he had seen you when you were little.

Why is that?

Hmm

My dad once had an old imported car.

Wow, that's unexpected.

But that car often broke down.

He always went to Ogata Cars for repairs.

My dad and Ogata's dad are good friends.

He took me there several times.

But they always talked about car topics

that I didn't understand.

Both of them are car nerds.

Whenever I felt bored,

Ogata would give me chocolate or snacks.

I was happy about that though.

Wow, even that is still the same.

Later on, Ogata's dad was

hospitalized due to illness.

And Ogata Cars also fell into trouble.

My dad was very worried.

Many people in England like old cars too.

My grandfather loved vintage Jaguars.

But the rest of the family didn't like it.

When I was young,

my mom, grandpa and I

once went shopping together.

We bought a lot of stuff

and returned to the car.

For some reason,

the engine just wouldn't start.

In the parking lot with heavy snowfall,

I huddled in the car without any heating.

My mom, who was usually gentle,

was in an unprecedented fury.

She yelled at my grandpa, "Do you want

to freeze your grandson to death?"

"Don't drive us

in this crappy car ever again."

My grandfather was heartbroken.

I get it.

That also happened in my family.

Before Mount Fuji erupted,

our family often went to the outlet mall.

The car just broke down on the highway.

We barely made it to the parking lot,

and then it wouldn't move at all.

My mom completely lost her temper.

It seems hard for women to understand

men's interest in old cars.

I don't like it either.

It's smelly and hot.

I don't understand the point

of not buying new things.

If we had known a master technician

like Mr. Ogata back then,

my grandfather probably

would have kept that Jaguar.

Is Ogata really good?

Yes, and he's a very nice guy.

HANSOBO DAIGONGEN

I like him very much.

I don't really like Ogata.

He is very rude.

What's wrong, Ren?

Are you angry about something?

Aren't the stairs too long?

How long do we have to climb these stairs?

Looks like there's a long way to go.

Just take it slow and walk up.

Don't worry.

I've trained myself by running

in the track club.

This can't beat me.

But, I really am out of breath.

Kanata hasn't sweated a single drop.

Nor is he out of breath.

Maybe he has a really strong

cardiopulmonary function.

Racers are truly amazing.

My exploratory trip

to Kamakura with Kanata

is conducted about once a week.

Although there's a sense of uneasiness

as if something important has been missed,

I don't get anxious over it.

Because

the date with Kanata in Kamakura

excites me more than anything.

It's a very special time.

There's hope in my mind that

this period will continue forever.

Where exactly is this place?

I really like this photo.

Why was Kanata's mother so happy?

Under what circumstances was this taken?

It might be a very special moment.

This is a memorable photo

of me and Kanata.

It's funny.

Kanata looks troubled in it.

Falling for someone

is quite an amazing thing.

(MF GHOST Season 2)

(MF GHOST Season 2)

SPIRAL ZERO

I still can't believe

that Kanata actually ranked fifth.

Despite having watched the two races

at Odawara and Lake Ashinoko in the rest area,

my mind still can't grasp

what exactly happened during them.

We'd better forget the fact

that Kanata ranked fifth

and reset our minds.

He ranked ninth in the preliminaries

at Lake Ashinoko.

Without the miracle assistance

of rain and fog,

given the current state,

that ranking would be his best.

Based on this,

we must start upgrading from there.

What rank are you aiming for

in the next preliminaries?

Considering the characteristics

of the Manazuru course,

I guess the fifth place.

Fifth place.

Is that possible?

I'm serious.

With Kanata Katagiri's ability,

it's definitely possible.

That's a tough ranking.

That's where the top racers compete.

An area that's very hard to get into.

You said Kanata

He told me himself.

The reason he came to Japan

is to find his father.

Indeed, I thought as much.

I vaguely sensed that

Kanata had such an idea.

Do you know

where Kanata's father is currently?

We don't know either.

We have tried to search

through our previous connections.

Last month, your dad even took a work gap

to make a trip to Gunma.

Gunma

Why?

He went to ask some people

who knew Ken back then.

Ken?

Ah, that's Kanata's father.

It's said that after he disappeared from here,

he lived in Gunma for a while.

Although there were no major findings,

he obtained some minor clues.

Before finding out more specific information,

we can't tell Kanata.

I see.

You two have been working hard for Kanata.

Of course.

We consider Kanata a member of our family.

We want to help him as much as possible.

You should change out of your uniform.

Hang it up on a hanger, okay?

Okay.

My nose suddenly feels itchy.

Hello there, Mr. Kanata.

We're here again.

Welcome.

You are Ren's friends, right?

Thank you for coming even on a rainy day.

Please choose a seat you like.

ENEOS ENEJE

Guys.

Senior Kenji.

You've come again.

Don't you have any work?

Don't say that.

I've brought some exciting news.

I want to share it with you.

I heard that the rookie from Shibukawa

is finally going to participate in MFG.

Sena Moroboshi?

Is that true?

It can't be wrong.

He is Keisuke Takahashi's

beloved disciple.

He has broken all the track records

at Akagi, Myogi, and Akina.

They call him

Skywalker of the Jomo Mountains.

It's said that this nickname

came from himself.

Really?

Anyway, this just adds

more fun, doesn't it?

The sudden appearance of Takumi's disciple

caused quite a stir about a month ago.

With a local star of Shibukawa

also joining the MFG race,

it's so exciting

that my body shakes involuntarily.

It's a new form of expression.

THE MFG CHAMPIONSHIP RACE OPENS

Only two weeks left until the third race.

If they compete on the same track,

I don't know which one to root for.

It's really hard to choose.

But to be honest,

MFG is the only thing

keeping me going right now.

Life at home after work

revolves around the kids.

My wife has become increasingly distant.

Even the pocket money

is getting less and less

I understand that feeling.

Men really have a tough life.

Not to mention the heavy responsibility

of supporting a family.

Senior Kenji.

We can't help but envy Iketani.

He's still single.

He can enjoy his life.

Exactly.

The only person who

has the freedom to love

is you, chief.

Didn't we agree not to bring this up?

I'm not single by choice.

Oh, Iketani, your hairline

has receded again.

Shut up.

That was not supposed to be brought up.

Where is Ren?

She said finals are coming up

and went to the library with friends.

Could she have forgotten?

Today is that day.

She hasn't forgotten.

We're meeting up at Inamuragasaki Station.

Is that so? That's good.

You're the one who's too restless.

It's not even noon yet.

REN KATAGIRI

Not bad.

This one is even better

than my original name.

-Sorry to keep you waiting.

-Wow!

Hi.

Are you still doing

that Kamakura exploration?

We are.

I was just thinking

that posting it on social media and

having others help should be faster.

They will be able to pinpoint

the location quickly.

There are quite a few

devoted Kamakura enthusiasts.

Hmm I don't really want to do that.

Kanata's parents are in that photo, right?

How should I put it?

I think that is

a personal issue for Kanata.

It doesn't feel right to show

the photo to so many strangers.

I don't like it either.

I see.

You made a good point.

Since we're already here,

shall we take a detour to Komachi-dori?

If you're looking for Kanata,

he's not there.

Our whole family is

going out for a meal today.

Eh?

Is Mr. Kanata going with you?

Of course.

Kanata is part of our family.

That's so nice.

Can I join too?

No Of course not.

INAMURAGASAKI STATION

Are you sure it's okay, Kanata?

That restaurant is a bit expensive.

Let my husband pay half.

Hey.

No.

That would defeat the purpose.

I just received my part-time job salary,

so don't worry.

That's truly touching.

Instead of prize money from racing,

you plan to use what you've earned from working

to treat us to a meal.

Exactly.

Mom, you're being a downer.

Kanata is treating us.

You should be happier.

You're right.

I'm so moved, I wonder

if I can even eat later.

So happy.

The red wine is especially good.

-Mom has had too much wine.

-Excuse me, another glass of red wine, please.

-You're too happy.

-Excuse me, another glass of red wine, please.

It's rare for the four of you

to visit together, Mrs. Saionji.

Exactly.

I found my husband's illegitimate child.

Oh my.

He is the eldest son of our family.

Pretty handsome, right?

Stop talking nonsense.

What if they take it seriously?

Come on.

No one would take that seriously.

I love the pasta here.

Kanata, is yours tasty?

Very tasty.

That's great.

This restaurant is better than

the Italian ones I've eaten at in London.

The food and wine are beyond words.

Mom, are you drunk?

Thank you for the hospitality.

Please visit us again.

Tonight's dinner was just fantastic.

I haven't felt so happy in a long time.

The sea breeze is so cozy.

Sorry, Kanata.

The wine my mom ordered

was expensive, wasn't it?

Don't worry.

Making Mrs. Mayuko happy is

what pleases me the most.

You're really considerate, Kanata.

Wait, don't do that.

It's so embarrassing.

Kanata.

Although you spent a lot to treat us,

you're already a part of our family.

You can stay with us as long as you like.

At the age of 19, one is still

considered as a child in Japan.

Sometimes I wish you'd

be a bit more willful.

That way, Mayuko and I

would be even happier.

In that regard, you could learn from Ren.

What do you mean by that?

INAMURAGASAKI STATION

Although you're not wrong, Dad,

you don't have to be so formal with him.

Right, Mom?

That's right.

Don't bring this up right now.

Thank you.

Saionji

Dad.

The train is coming.

Everyone, quickly.

Ren, thank you.

You chose a great restaurant.

Thanks to you, my plan was a success.

Isn't it strange that you're thanking me?

It was you who made everyone happy.

SPIRAL ZERO

Next Episode,

Episode 22,

The Peninsula Opens.