#gaimcountdown

Shinnosuke Tomari looked at his watch once again as he anxiously waited. He had come too early to the meeting spot, and he was hoping that Kouta would show up a little early too, so that he wouldn't be alone. They had agreed to have a car race as a show of good faith between their shows at 4, right? The minute hand on his watch moved slightly closer to the 11. Maybe he shouldn't have left Mr. Belt back with Rinna for some minor diagnostics...

Beep beep! Shinnosuke looked up with a smile as he heard the car horn, but his smile disappeared almost instantaneously. Surely this was a joke, he thought as the owner of the Gaim belt showed up in a simple, white, little delivery car. He got out of his car.

“Kouta! Is this really what you brought? How are we supposed to have a car race if one of won't drive an actual car?”

The orange rider grinned ruefully. “Sorry Mr Tomari, but I don't actually have a car of my own... or a license for that matter. I never got one. I guess I should have told you, but you were so excited about the idea of racing our cars together that I never got around to it...”

Shinnosuke's scowl softened. “You don't have a license? I'm sorry to hear that. I guess I should have confirmed that first before suggesting this idea of a race.”

Kouta shook his head. “It's okay, I should have told you.”

Shinnosuke looked back at his own car. “Well, if it's not possible for us to have a race... why don't I give you a driving lesson? I can help you on your way to getting a license at least.”

“Really?” Kouta asked. “You want to help me drive?”

“Of course! Driving's a lot of fun, once you learn how. Here, get into the driver's seat, and I'll help you through it.”

~~~~~

Mai was home when she saw Kouta's delivery car parked at the curb. Oh yeah, that's right, she thought to herself as she looked around. Kouta said he was having a race with that new rider today! But why's his car here without him?

The Trideron pulled up with a screech next to the sidewalk. On the right side, a man in a suit and tie got out and slammed the door behind him. He marched to the left side of car and banged on the glass.

“Get out!” He yelled. “Get out of my car!”

Kouta slowly got out of the car as Shinnosuke moved out of the way. He closed the door quietly behind him and turned to face Kouta.

“How... why...” The man sputtered. He closed his eyes and started again. “Kouta when you told me that you didn't know how to drive you didn't tell me that you didn't know common sense as well!” He yelled.

“Hey! You're the one who told me that you would give me driving lessons! I thought you knew that I didn't know how to drive!” Kouta said.

“I thought you at least knew the basics Kouta! When I told you to stop the car, it took you a long time to figure out where the brake was despite the fact that. There! Are! Only! Two! Pedals!”

“I was nervous okay! It didn't exactly help that you were glaring at me and that your instructions weren't clear!”

“I just said to put the car in reverse! I didn't say it in another language, I said it plain and clear! And you go and turn on the radio, the radio Kouta!”

Kouta's face was turning red. “You're being unfair Mr Tomari!”

Shinnosuke quieted down quickly. “You're right, I am being unfair,” he admitted. Then he stepped extremely close to Kouta. “You know what's not being unfair? The next time we meet, you are not allowed to get into my car, you are not allowed to touch my car, you are not allowed to be near my car, and if at all possible you are not allowed to breathe in the same area as my car. Do you understand?”

Kouta sweated. “Don't you think that's a little unfair? I'm pretty sure we're going to have to work together in the next movie wars Shinnosuke, so I'm going to have to – ”

“Do you understand?!” Shinnosuke repeated louder.

“Yes,” Kouta said weakly.

Shinnosuke went back into his car and drove away as fast as he could. Mai just look at Kouta, who looked back at her hopelessly.