MF GHOST (MFゴースト)

It's been five days since the Peninsula race,

and the rainy season has ended for the Kanto, Tokai, and Koshin regions.

Summer has come to Shonan.

MF Ghost

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Grandma's Kei Truck

Please let something good happen to Kanata.

I'm really glad I was finally able to tell Kanata

the secret I'd been keeping from him.

Between "coming out" to him like that and our first kiss,

I feel like when he looks at me now, his gaze is even gentler than before.

Let's go.

Maybe I'm being a tad optimistic here,

but it could be Kanata's feeling some kind of camaraderie with me

as someone else who is involved in the MFG series.

Doesn't that make our relationship really special?

Like some kind of invisible connection between the two of us.

The costume might still be embarrassing to wear,

but I'm really glad I pushed myself into going to that MFG Angels audition now.

Good grief. It's hard to find motivation for work when it's this hot.

Ogata Automotive

Ogata-kun, sorry to ask, but could I get something cold to drink?

Sure thing.

The upcoming Seaside Double Lane

has some of the highest average speeds out of all five courses, right?

Yeah.

Do you think power differentials will be a big factor?

I've been wondering about that.

I'm sure our rivals will use the summer break to add their own upgrades.

As a result, we can't afford to sit on our hands.

Since we have time, I might pull out the engine, take it apart, and rebuild it.

I can re-balance and replace parts with ones more resilient to higher output.

Wait, does that mean...

You're saying you intend to boost it even more and give it more power?

You could see it that way, but not necessarily.

We'll need the driver's opinion first.

Looking at the data,

Katagiri-kun spends more time on the accelerator than any other driver.

Which means more stress on the engine.

I feel like he might be holding back to some degree for the car's sake.

So I want to build an engine that can keep up with this prodigy,

no matter how hard he pushes it.

I've got two ideas in mind for the Double Lane race:

make the engine more resilient,

and take control of the invisible element.

An invisible element?

The airflow.

I can't believe it's nearly five and the heat is still this bad.

It's that late already? I'm getting hungry.

I'm really looking forward to dinner.

I feel like my attitude towards eating has changed since I came to Japan.

In England, except for on special occasions,

eating was just something I did to satisfy my hunger.

But now, every meal every day is a big event.

I love the rice Mama Mayuko serves.

Oh, really?

My grandma in Niigata actually sends us that rice.

I've never eaten anything else, so I figured all rice tasted like that.

It's a type called "Koshihikari" from Minami-Uonuma.

Whoa, really?

Minami-Uonuma farms?

They say the best-tasting rice in Japan comes from there.

I had no idea I was eating such a fancy brand on a daily basis.

That explains why it's so good.

Hey, Kanata.

When it comes to Japanese rice, how would you like to try the best of the best?

Kana-chan said that?

What's up?

He's joining Ren on her trip to Niigata.

Oh, sounds wonderful.

And we'll rest easier knowing he's with her.

We sure will.

Aw, c'mon, Mom and Dad. It sounds weird when you put it like that.

Like you'd be worried if I was on my own.

I'm the one who's taking Kanata with me, okay?

I mean, he's a foreigner. He wouldn't know left from right.

Well, that's true, but...

It's just such a relief that he's going with you.

What's that supposed to mean?

Now, now. Let's not fuss over semantics.

Mom will also be glad to meet him. Give her my regards, Kanata-kun.

Sure.

Don't get carried away, Kanata.

I'm the leader on this trip, okay? Do you understand?

Yes, I get it.

Imagine fussing over something like that. What an odd girl.

Looking at the map,

the route from Kanagawa to Niigata takes us across the width of Japan.

Bravo. We're going over some tall, rugged mountains.

It feels a bit like we're driving across the Swiss Alps.

This tunnel is super long.

When I was little, I used to get afraid going through it.

I'd close my eyes in the back of Dad's car. This really takes me back.

It drives home that we're on the way to Grandma's house, passing through here.

And being with Kanata is so awesome, I don't know what I'm gonna do!

Grandma, are you here? It's Ren!

Oh, Ren-chan. You've grown so much since I last saw you.

Let me introduce you, Grandma. This is Kanata.

My, my, he's as tall and slender as a beech tree.

It's nice to meet you. I'm Katagiri Kanata.

Thank you for coming all this way.

I don't have much, but make yourself at home.

Ren-chan, could you light some incense at the altar?

I'm sure Grandpa would like that.

Sure.

You should join me, Kanata. For the incense and the bell.

This is an altar for the gods?

It's called a "butsudan." Our ancestors are enshrined there.

So every day, we put our hands together and express our gratitude.

And in exchange, our ancestors look out for us.

So for Japanese people, ancestors are a bit like God for Christians.

Wow, amazing!

Pretty, isn't it? This place is called Bijin Bayashi.

Bijin Bayashi?

It's a forest of beech trees.

What are you doing, Ren?

Beech trees are supposed to have lots of water in their trunks.

So if you put your ear to them, you can hear the water flowing.

What's with that face? Are you making fun of me?

I've just never heard anything like that before. It seems ridiculous.

The trunk of a tree shouldn't make a noise.

If you don't believe me, try it for yourself.

Grandma told me about it.

I have my doubts.

Wow. I can hear it.

I've never experienced something like this before.

A tree trunk that makes a noise.

Beech trees are pretty amazing, right?

We're back.

Grandma, let me help with the cooking.

Oh, Ren-chan, you're a sweet girl. And so mature now.

Of course. I'm already a junior in high school.

Is there anything I can help with?

No, I won't have that.

Can't have a young fella making a nuisance of himself in the kitchen.

She's right, Kanata. Just watch some TV.

I'm sorry. I just feel guilty getting fed without helping out.

If you need any heavy lifting done later, let me know.

He's a sweet one, that Kanata-san.

He is. Mom and Dad are head over heels for him.

Your grandma's never seen such a fine man. Not even over in Tokamachi or Joetsu.

You think so?

Is he one of them celebrities off the TV?

Well, Kanata is a racing driver.

Well, ain't that something?

Would you like more, Kanata-san?

Yes, much more, please.

That's weird. You usually don't eat this much.

Your grandmother's cooking smells fantastic.

Makes sense.

It's the way she seasons the eggplant with miso and shishito peppers.

Here you are.

Thank you so much.

Amazing.

Glad you like it, Kanata.

MF Ghost.

MF Ghost.

Did they drive to Niigata in the 86?

Yeah. In the same red car I always see on the broadcasts.

It had the number on the door and everything.

Unbelievable. My daughter has no idea how good she has it.

Getting to navigate for the 86 car with Kanata-kun behind the wheel...

She'd faint if she realized how much that experience is worth.

I wonder if I might ever get the chance...

Hey, Grandma.

Let's go for a ride on your kei truck!

Oh, well, I guess we can take it for a spin.