Like any other day, Oldman Ronsox sat in front of his house, wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and flip-flops made of tires.

The only difference was that since a young man named Takeo trained at the Old Pier, he would cheerfully wait for the young man who always brought him a nice meal from Kikuchi restaurant. Oldman Ronsox also had a very positive impression of Takeo because he was polite and determined.

A few days ago, Takeo had started the Symmetrical Maneuvers and Free Maneuvers on the Z and S tracks. And every day he would do it for hours. It was as if his life depended on it.

'He doesn't seem like a kid who's crazy about street racing, so why is he training so hard?'

A question mark appeared on Oldman Ronsox's forehead as Takeo entered his yard. Then, without hesitation he accepted the paper-bag handed by Takeo.

"You're late, and I haven't eaten lunch."

"Sorry, Hide showed me a new training menu. So I can't go here right away."

Seeing Takeo answering awkwardly, Oldman Ronsox immediately changed the subject. "What new menu did he give you?"

Without delay, Takeo then showed a video on his smartphone.

The video lasts only a few seconds, showing a Nissan S13 that spun in place three times before going full speed then turning around a traffic cone with a very small turning radius, like how a bow's needle forming a circle.

"While continuing to practice on the S and Z tracks, Hide also wanted me to start practicing the spins and turn maneuvers in the video, but he didn't give me any tips at all."

While opening his lunch, Oldman Ronsox said, "To be able to execute the maneuver on the video, the driver must have a solid foundation in controlling the steering wheel and pedals. To be honest, your foundation is still weak, but it's slightly enough to start tire-slaughtering training."

Still in a casual tone, Oldman Ronsox continued, "Since you always bring me lunch, let me give you a little tip. Gas too strong will make the car spin, while gas too weak will make the car fail to turn and then spin. To find the right touch, you have to do trial & error hundreds of times and there is no other way. Luckily, your friend has prepared extra tires for you."

Takeo immediately gave a small bow. "Thank you for the tips."

"No problem, and last night Hide came here with gifts and asked me to teach you how to change tires, wash the car, and the basics of maintenance. So, don't come home right away after the training.

You should also say thank you to Hide. He was very serious about teaching you."

"Understood."

Takeo once again bowed to Oldman Ronsox, and before long he was already immersed in his training, while Oldman Ronsox was enjoying the roasted duck that he brought.

---

Sunday morning, after breakfast Hide and Aizawa would cleaned and tidied the house for two hours. After that, Aizawa would play using Hide's smartphone or computer. As for Hide, he would studied first and third-year materials.

Hide had just turned on his laptop when the doorbell rang. He then rushed to open the door, and found Takeo looking at him with a smile. At the same time, Kei and Rei cocked their heads while trying to look into the living room.

Yesterday, on the last day of practice at Old Pier he had told Takeo to meet him tonight in front of Sakura Hotel, as the two of them would be doing a small warm-up before robbing Knosses. So Hide was a little surprised when Takeo came to visit this early along with his twin sister.

While Hide was pensive, a light step approached him from behind, and in an instant Rei and Kei's faces turned radiant.

Two weeks in a row Hide lied to Aizawa that Rei and Kei couldn't come, but when Aizawa stopped asking why they didn't come, they actually came to visit.

Hide knew very well that he had to limit the interaction with Takeo and his family. However, when he saw the joy on Aizawa, Kei, and Rei's faces, He realized that he could no longer ask his three guests to go home.

After smiling gently at Rei and Kei, Hide said, "Come in."

Before long, Aizawa, Kei, and Rei were already playing puzzles in the living room. Meanwhile, Hide and Takeo sat at the terrace.

After sighing deeply Hide said, "Don't you remember we have to keep our interactions to a minimum?"

Takeo nodded and replied, "I know, but I have no other choice. Rei and Kei keep asking to play here, and I also want to talk to you directly."

"Well, you're already here. So hurry up and say what you have to say."

After clearing his throat Takeo then asked, "Do you know why at East Nichiko Elementary, Aizawa was alienated by other kids?"

"I know Aizawa was an outcast and bullied by some kids, but I don't know the reason."

"Do you want to know?"

"Absolutely."

After taking a deep breath, Takeo then began his explanation.

At first, he only heard one or two pieces of story from classmates who have younger siblings in East Nichiko Elementary. However, after he dug deeper for the last few days, there were a few things he found.

Initially, Aizawa had lots of friends. Until one day, one of her friends mocked her because she always brought instant noodles for lunch.

When Aizawa said that the lunch was made by her Big Brother and she really liked it, the boy then said that her Big Brother gave her instant noodles every day because he hated Aizawa.

Then, no one imagined that Aizawa would cry very hard while hit and grabbed the hair of the boy who said her brother hated her.

Aizawa was a smart, sweet kid, and didn't like to fuss. So her friends and teachers were very surprised when Aizawa suddenly snapped. Her friends then started to stay away from Aizawa while her teachers didn't know what to do. Worse, her father didn't come when her homeroom teacher asked him to.

Aizawa, who was previously considered a genius because she could count, read and write fluently before other kids, then got the nickname Instant Noodle Monster and was even bullied.

Takeo was silent for a while before continuing, "I know Aizawa has changed schools, but please don't give her an instant noodle for lunch."

"Don't worry, at her new school Aizawa doesn't have to bring lunch."

Hide replied calmly, but inside a turmoil mercilessly tore his heart.

---

Eleven o'clock in the evening, Hide knelt beside the bed while Aizawa fell asleep peacefully in front of him. Story about the origin of Aizawa's bullying kept ringing in his ears. Meanwhile, the image of Aizawa crying out loud when one of her friends reminded her the reality she wanted to deny, kept floating in his mind.

"Please forgive your foolish brother… my unfortunate Lil Sis."

Tears flowed from both corners of Hide's eyes while he fixed Aizawa's blanket, and after he kissed Aizawa's forehead gently, Hide then got up.

Tonight, he had some work to do and he must hurry.

*****