Chapter 094

Natalie Likes to Watch (なつきちゃん ギャラリーに行く, Natsuki-chan Gyararī ni Iku, "Natsuki-chan in the crowd") is the ninety-fourth chapter of Initial D.

Plot
On Akagi, Keisuke tells Fumihiro and Kenta that Emperor are planning to come to the mountain the following week, despite their loss on Akina. Keisuke states that while the RedSuns always challenge opponents on their own course, they don't mind battling on Akagi if their opponent wants.

The next day, Takumi and Natsuki run into Tsukamoto, an ex-member of their high school soccer club who was a few years above them, and he invites them out to go and get coffee. Tsukamoto asks if the pair are a couple, to which Takumi replies that they aren't, which Natsuki pinches him for. Natsuki asks Tsukamoto if he has a girlfriend, and he says that he doesn't but he's more focused on racing, which shocks Takumi and Natsuki. Natsuki says that he should race against Takumi, but Tsukamoto doubts such a new driver could have skill.

At a café, Takumi asks if Tsukamoto is part of a team, and he tells him he's part of one on Akagi, which Takumi wrongfully assumes is the RedSuns. Tsukamoto invites the pair up to Akagi to see the local scene, and the pair accept. Takumi hopes to be able to scout the course.

The atmosphere on Akagi is tense, with all of the RedSuns practicing for the battle with Emperor.

On the drive up the mountain Tsukamoto asks Takumi if he's heard of the Takahashi brothers, to which he feigns ignorance. Tsukamoto hypes them up, and says they may even see them racing. He says that the only racer as good as the Takahashi's is the Eight-Six of Akina, which surprises Takumi. Natsuki feels carsick.

Japan

 * July 21st 1997 (Weekly Young Magazine, 1997 Volume 31)
 * December 5th 1997 (Tankōbon, Volume 09)

Chinese

 * September 1st 1998 (Tankōbon, Volume 09, Sharp Point Press)

English

 * December 9th 2003 (Tankōbon, Volume 09, Tokyopop)
 * April 17th 2019 (Digital re-release, Volume 07, Kodansha USA)

French

 * April 22nd 2010 (Tankōbon, Volume 09, Kazé)

Characters (in order of appearance)

 * Keisuke Takahashi
 * Fumihiro
 * Kenta Nakamura
 * Natsuki Mogi
 * Takumi Fujiwara
 * Tsukamoto

Cars (in order of appearance)

 * Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type R (FD3S)
 * Nissan 180SX Type II (RPS13)
 * Mazda SAVANNA RX-7 Infini III (FC3S)

Tokyopop/Kodansha USA version

 * Tsukamoto is said to be a senior when Takumi and Natsuki were freshmen, however the original says he was a third year when Takumi and Natsuki were first years.

Notes & Trivia

 * Natsuki mentions owning a PlayStation, and playing the game Go For It! Morikawa-kun MK 2.
 * Tsukamoto compares the RedSuns to the Formula One drivers Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.