With a final grateful nod to Tanaka-san, I rolled out of the workshop yard in the blue Nissan 350Z. The sonorous hum of the V6 engine penetrated the interior muffled but present – a deep, pleasant sound that promised a completely different kind of power than the beastly Evo. The feeling of driving a real sports car – even if only borrowed – was exhilarating, but also a little scary. The responsibility for Tanaka's car weighed on me.

  When I was back in the labyrinth of the industrial area and no other cars were in sight, I couldn't resist. I pressed the accelerator a little harder. The Nissan responded instantly, pushing strongly but smoothly, pressing me lightly into the seat. It wasn't the brutal kick of the Evo, but it was definitely a different world from the tired driving school Corolla. The steering felt direct and pleasantly heavy, the short gear lever moved precisely through the gates. A wide grin spread across my face. This had been the right decision. This car felt good, fast, but manageable.

  As I approached the busier streets again, I immediately eased off the gas and disciplinedly merged into traffic. I didn't want to disappoint Tanaka-san's trust. I stopped at a red light. A normal family van was next to me. When the light turned green, I gave a short burst of gas – just to enjoy the feeling. The 350Z shot forward, immediately leaving the van behind. I had to instantly ease off the gas again to avoid speeding, but that brief flash of power felt awesome. I chuckled softly to myself.

  The rest of the drive home was calm. I focused on driving, enjoying the precise handling in the curves and the feeling of being in control. When I turned onto my street, I saw my father's station wagon already parked on the roadside. I found a parking spot right behind it. Parking the wider sports car was still a bit of a challenge, but this time it went better. I got out, locked the car, and cast one last admiring glance at the blue Nissan, now parked right behind the inconspicuous family car. What a contrast. The deep blue color briefly reminded me of the Civic from the konbini.

  I went to the apartment door. Even in the stairwell, I heard my mother's voice. When I entered, she came towards me with a smile. "There you are, Yuki! Congratulations again on getting your license! Your father told me that this nice Tanaka-san kindly lent you a car to start with. That's great!" She beamed at me, wiping her hands on her apron. "Is that the blue car downstairs? It looks chic. But isn't it a bit… sporty for a beginner? And how does your father know this Tanaka-san so well anyway?"

  I smiled back, trying to appear confident. "Oh, it's quite manageable, Mom. Really beginner-friendly, Tanaka-san said. And Dad and he know each other through Uncle Kenji, from way back." I hoped that sounded convincing.

  "Oh, I see, well then that's good," my mother said, though she didn't seem entirely reassured. "Come in, dinner is almost ready." She disappeared back into the kitchen.

  In the living room, my father sat on the sofa reading the newspaper. He folded it when I entered and beckoned me over with a conspiratorial grin. I sat down next to him.

  "Well, how was the first drive alone?" my father asked quietly.

  "Awesome!" I whispered back. "The Z drives really well. But Mom already asked if it isn't too sporty."

  My father nodded. "I thought so. Listen," he said even more quietly, leaning towards me. "I only told your mother about the Nissan for now. That Tanaka lent it to you so you can get driving practice. She doesn't know about the Evo and the garage yet."

  I looked at him, surprised.

  "Your mother worries easily, you know how she is," my father explained. "If she hears about a 500 HP race car and a garage full of tuning parts, she'll have a heart attack. We'll tell her, but slowly, piece by piece. Okay?" He looked at me intently. "Tanaka also only mentioned to her that the Nissan is beginner-friendly. So don't get us both into trouble and be careful, okay? Especially around Mom."

  I nodded. I understood. It was probably better this way for starters. "Okay, Dad. I will." I was glad my father was supporting me like this and had my back. Another secret, I thought. First the Evo, now this. "But… what about the rent for the garage? And the Evo at Tanaka's? Doesn't that cost anything?"

  My father waved it off. "Don't worry about that for now. Concentrate on school, the holidays, driving the Nissan. When you go to university later or earn your own money, we can talk about finances. Until then, I'll handle it." He smiled. "Consider it part of Kenji's inheritance."

  I breathed a sigh of relief. That took a huge weight off my shoulders. I had a cool sports car to drive, a garage full of possibilities, and for now, no financial worries about it. Now I just had to learn how to handle the Nissan – and keep the secrets from my mother.

  Dinner was relaxed. We talked about everyday things – plans for the holidays, my father's work, what was new with the neighbors. I talked a little about the driving test (leaving out the dramatic events afterwards, of course) and enjoyed the normality after the exciting day. After dinner, I helped with the dishes and then retreated to my room.

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  However, instead of picking up a book as usual, I opened my laptop and sat down at my desk. I opened the browser and started searching for information about the Nissan 350Z. Technical data, test reports, known weaknesses, and of course… tuning parts. Even though Tanaka had said the car was stock, a little research couldn't hurt. I got lost in forum posts about different exhaust systems, suspension options, and wheel designs. Just as I was wondering if a subtle rear spoiler would look good on the blue Z, my phone vibrated on the desk. Daiki's name lit up the display. I grinned and answered.

  "Yo!" Daiki greeted from the other end, energetic as usual. "What's up, man? Did you finally get the license or am I still dreaming?"

  "Got it," I laughed. "Passed this morning."

  "YES! Awesome! Congrats! When are we getting a car and driving to the sea?"

  I had to laugh again. "Slow down, slow down. Something… happened."

  "What? Tell me!"

  And I told him. I told him about my father's message after the test, about the uncle's letter, the drive to the garage, the lift, and the tools. I noticed myself automatically downplaying the financial details and the full danger of the Evo somewhat. It felt strange not sharing everything with my best friend.

  "Okay, okay, exciting," Daiki urged. "But what was in the garage now?"

  "A car," I said, pausing dramatically. "A white Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX."

  Silence on the other end. Then: "WHAT?! AN EVO NINE?! NO SHIT?!" Daiki's voice almost broke. "How awesome is that?!"

  "Yeah, it is," I said. "But… it's heavily tuned. Tanaka-san, an acquaintance of my uncle, estimates it at around 500 HP."

  "FIVE HUNDRED?! DUDE!"

  "And it's undrivable for me," I continued. "Tanaka took me on the pass… it was hell. Honestly, Daiki, I couldn't take it. I had to throw up at the top."

  "Oh," Daiki said, sounding somewhat subdued now. "Okay, that's intense. Shame. An Evo you can't drive."

  "Not yet," I corrected. "But Tanaka helped me out. He has a workshop and knows his stuff."

  "And? What did he do? Detuned the Evo?"

  "No. He offered me something else. He's lending me another car for now, until I have enough driving practice."

  "Seriously? What is it? Some old station wagon or a Kei car?" Daiki asked skeptically.

  I grinned broadly. "Not exactly. It's a Nissan 350Z. Metallic blue. Pretty stock."

  Silence again. Then Daiki practically exploded: "A THREE-FIFTY Z?! AS A LOANER CAR FOR PRACTICE?! YUKI, YOU HAVE MORE LUCK THAN SENSE! First a 500 HP Evo and then you just get a 350Z handed to you?! Unbelievable!" He sounded half incredulous, half envious, but mostly thrilled. "Man, I'm so happy for you! That's absolutely insane!"

  After Daiki had calmed down somewhat, he asked, "Say, Yuki, what are you doing tomorrow night?"

  "Tomorrow night?" I thought. "Nothing special planned, I think. Why?"

  "Perfect!" Daiki exclaimed. "Listen, I made this… acquaintance. A really cute girl. And she asked if I'd stop by the parking lot up on the pass tomorrow night. She might be there with friends."

  I suspected what was coming. "And?"

  "Well," Daiki said, his voice suddenly sounding overly casual. "Since you now have this ultra-cool blue lightning bolt parked outside… I thought maybe you could give me a ride? Drive up to the parking lot? Wouldn't it be cool to show up there with the 350Z, right?"

  I considered it. The thought of driving the 350Z up the pass – this time at the wheel myself and at my own pace – definitely had its appeal. And maybe there really would be some cool cars up there. On the other hand, I'd only had my license for a day and had already experienced enough excitement today.

  "Hmm," I said, trying to buy time. "Tomorrow night… I have to work at the bookstore again tomorrow afternoon. I don't know when I'll get out." That wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the main reason for my hesitation either.

  "Aw, come on!" Daiki pleaded. "Just drive up quickly, say hello, pose a little with the Z, and come back down. Please!"

  I sighed inwardly. Daiki's enthusiasm was hard to resist. And the curiosity to experience the pass myself was there. "Okay, listen," I finally said. "I can't promise anything. I'll message you tomorrow afternoon when I know how things look with work, okay? Then we'll see."

  "Yes! Awesome!" Daiki cheered on the other end as if I had definitely agreed. "So we're driving tomorrow night! I'm excited!"

  "I said I'll message you!" I repeated, but I knew it was probably futile.

  "Alright, buddy! Thanks! Talk to you tomorrow!" Daiki shouted before hanging up.

  I lowered the phone and stared at my laptop screen, which still showed tuning parts for the 350Z. Tomorrow night on the pass? With Daiki and a borrowed sports car? What could possibly go wrong? An uneasy feeling mixed with burgeoning anticipation.

  I closed the laptop and let myself fall backward onto my bed. I stared at the ceiling, the day's events replaying in my mind's eye. Passing the driving test, the letter, the garage, the white Evo, Tanaka-san, the brutal drive on the pass, the blue 350Z that was now parked outside. It was all too much, too fast, too unbelievable. My life had completely changed within a few hours. Yuki the bookworm, who worried about a Kei car, was suddenly the owner of a racing garage and a monster of a car, and was driving another cool sports car as a loaner. It was crazy.

  A smile crept onto my face as I thought of Daiki's reaction. His friend probably wouldn't be able to sleep all night from excitement. Tomorrow night on the pass… maybe it wasn't such a bad idea after all. Drive carefully, see what's going on.

  Then, unexpectedly, another image appeared in my mind's eye, triggered by the memory of the Nissan's blue: the girl at the konbini. The girl in the Higashiyama High School uniform who had gotten out of the blue Civic Type R. Her laugh, the brief eye contact, the fleeting smile she had thrown me. I didn't know why, but the thought of her made my heart give a small, strange leap. She had been really pretty, in a natural, uncomplicated way. Cute. Who could she be? And what did she have to do with the guy in the souped-up Civic? I'd probably never see her again. I shook my head slightly to dispel the thought and closed my eyes. Tomorrow was a new day. The first day of my holidays with a driver's license and a blue Nissan 350Z.