Ryosuke Takahashi vs Rin Hojo

"This time, I'm going to trade my life for Ryosuke's. You'll only have one of us by your side, at least. I'll see to that. Which one is up to you. This time, choose the one you truly want. Oh, Kaori..."

- Rin Hojo

The battle between Ryosuke Takahashi and Rin Hojo is the forty-eighth battle of Initial D.

Prior to the Battle
Rumors start spreading that a white RX-7 FC was spotted at Akagi, stating the once 'White Comet of Akagi' is making a return. Kenta informs Keisuke about Ryosuke's FC being spotted at Akagi with a GT wing. This worries Keisuke as he remembers not seeing Ryosuke's FC in their garage for the past few days. Meanwhile, in the misty night of Hakone, a lone man with a grey R32 GT-R stands near the Daikanzan Observation Deck, thinking about how the fog hides the harsh reality, and how its silence can bring the nirvana he needs. As he thinks about his beloved late fiancée, Kaori, a white FC RX7 approaches him. Ryosuke Takahashi emerges from his car and meets Rin Hojo, his senior from his medical college, and his late girlfriend's fiancé, as the fog slowly lifts away from Hakone.

At Akagi, Fumihiro informs Keisuke about how Ryosuke isn't picking up his phone, and neither is Matsumoto who always tuned Ryosuke's FC. Realizing this, Keisuke states to Fumihiro then there's no reason to worry about them both as he knew whatever his brother does has a solid reason and he will return back safely, so they don't need to worry about him and instead focus on Project D's final battles.

Back at Hakone, Matsumoto speaks to Ryosuke that he will be waiting for him to return, even if it takes days or even if it rains, and if he doesn't come back he is even ready to die. Ryosuke assures Matsumoto that he will definitely return safely. With the FC driving in lead and R32 following, they both exit the Observatory and throttle into the Hakone Turnpike course.

During the Battle
With both cars racing downhill, Matsumoto can't help but think why Ryosuke had to take such a risky challenge. Ryosuke, who haven't raced in a while and now in a recently modified car may not have much experience, plus he is being chased by a local with more experience on the course. Yet he still holds his trust and faith in Ryosuke as he was called as the 'White Comet of Akagi'. In a flashback from Matsumoto, while him and Ryosuke were driving on the Toumei Expressway to Hakone, Ryosuke reveals to Matsumoto about how he fell in love with a girl in his college. Despite her being an year older than him, he described her as both childish and mature at the same time, free willed and a person with a lot of contradictions. He hadn't met anyone like this before. He was so over the heels for her that he didn't know what he was getting into. Ryosuke then says to Matsumoto that he hadn't told anyone about his story on this, so if he's ok with it, he can hear this out for him.

During this time, Ryosuke was speeding downhill with Rin following close to him. Rin states that while both of them are equal in terms of handling, he has the advantage in having more power. While the FC has the advantage in braking due it being more lightweight, the difference will be seen more clearly once they reach the second half of the course, according to Rin. He then states that if Ryosuke reaches down the course safely, he wins. But he don't plan to make it easy for Ryosuke.

Ryosuke now enters a flashback of him and Kaori at Lake Akagi, with the latter asking him a question on what he wants to do in life. Ryosuke tries to state back saying its just another one of her philosophical questions, but Kaori asked him not to dodge the question and answer her whether if he actually wanted to follow his father and become a doctor, or did he join the medical college to become one because of his own interest. She then asks Ryosuke on what is his dream. As Ryosuke and Rin raced past the course, Junichi Sakamoto of Team Spiral who was standing at the course calls Ryuji Ikeda on his phone. He informs Ikeda, who was stationed somewhere ahead of him that the Shinigami GT-R had just passed him while chasing another white car and asks Ikeda to be careful. Ikeda confirms and cuts the call, and rolls out his Fairlady Z towards the course. As he drives at a certain pace on the left side of the course, Ryosuke's FC and Rin's R32 passes him, making Ikeda step on the gas and joining their battle. He intends to get revenge on the Shinigami for assaulting him earlier a few days ago. He states that Team Spiral maintains the safety of this course and whoever breaks the law shall for it. During this time, he wonders who is actually driving the white FC at front, as no one has the guts to be in front of Shinigami while racing. He then slowly begins to assume its none other than Ryosuke Takahashi himself.

Now Ryosuke enters another flashback with Kaori. This time, both of them at a bar, Kaori reveals to him that her father had arranged a fiancé for her and she will be marrying him in a few years. Ryosuke thinks that Kaori was joking initially as Kaori just agreeing to her parents was not the girl he knew. Kaori replies to him that he still doesn't know the true her and he should just leave her. Ryosuke states to her that he won't just give up on her and will protect her no matter what happens. During this time the three cars are now racing down the course. Rin notices that Ryosuke isn't cornering properly and wonders if its due to the high speeds or the lack of practice. As they enter a high speed corner, Rin decides to 'wake up' Ryosuke by suddenly shunting him up at the rear. Ryosuke's FC fishtails across the corner as the R32 closely follows him. Ikeda following realizes Shinigami has started his game and states rear wheel drive cars are weak against such attacks from the rear. Ryosuke has to make his move fast to survive his hunt. Ryosuke while maintaining the slide, smiles subtly as he regains the control of his car and gets it back to the track. Ikeda is impressed at what he just witnessed while Rin states that it was just his wake up call to Ryosuke. Ryosuke remarks Matsumoto for tuning his car to perfection now realizing he can push his cars to the limits. Rin now prepares his next attack to Ryosuke from behind as the next corner approached while stating this will be even more harder. As his R32 surged forward to shunt the Fc, Ryosuke on his instincts immediately throttled, missing out on the attack by a small nudge and shocking Rin. Ikeda after seeing the FC dodge another attack from Shinigami is now confirmed on who is behind the wheel of the FC, but still pondered on why the legend from northern Kanto has returned for this specific battle. He realizes that while Shinigami is showing clear intents of cold blooded murder, the driver in front just doesn't care about it and takes everything that's thrown on him without even flinching. He realizes this was no ordinary battle and instead something extraordinary. Rin Hojo now realizing Ryosuke is now in his full form back in driving and even surpasses his expectations in skills. He then thinks of Kaori if she was here watching this battle and he declares that all this is for her. He states he doesn't regret even if he dies racing here. Now Rin goes into a flashback of him with Kaori. In that Kaori is seen saying she can't marry him. Rin utterly in shock, confusion and in dismay asks why is she saying this all of the sudden, and after how both their parents have arranged their marriage for them. He states how much he loves her from the bottom of his heart.

The flashback ends with Rin Hojo and Ryosuke Takahashi now racing even more fiercely with Rin stating how the stakes have increased and he's having a hard time keeping up with them, let alone cutting in between them. He then states how Ryosuke is seen as a logical type person, when in fact that's completely wrong. Only a genius is able to maintain such high speeds on a course he's not even used to. And since this course is so unique even locals don't push themselves at this much limits. He now understands Ryosuke's true face as his supernatural driving skills coupled with his geniuses is what makes him this fast. But he should be even more vary of Shinigami as he will soon show up his frightening nature.

Ryosuke now with another flashback of him and Kaori remembers when Kaori said to him on despite being younger than her, he's more mature. And him being honest and kind is what every woman wants. She doubts if she is the right girl for him. She wishes if she could be with him forever as the flashback ends with all three cars now racing downhill. As they now enter a highspeed corner, Rin who is now in parallel with Ryosuke states its the end for him, as he pushes Ryosuke's FC3S RX-7 with his heavy R32 GT-R out of the corner. Ikeda watching in total horror from behind sees the event unfold as the heavy GT-R pushes aside the FC into the bank of a corner at extreme speeds. As Ryosuke desperately tries to regain control, Rin states the legend of northern Kanto's "Rotary Meister" will perish in Hakone, and asks Kaori to take him along. Just then Ryosuke makes up his mind and climbs on the bank slope of the corner like a to counter the force exerted on him, shocking both Rin and Ikeda. After Ryosuke recovers and exits from the corner, Ikeda realizes had he not climbed on the slope, his wheels would have hit the curb and spun out. This was a split second decision which would require talents of a true downhill specialists which even surpasses those of Takumi Fujiwara. Rin considers Ryosuke to be lucky but not for long, while Ryosuke states he is not going to run or hide from him and going to face Rin's wrath right on.

Now Rin faces another flashback of him and Kaori, this time her telling him that she can't say anything about her wish against their marriage as Rin doesn't have anything to do with it, but Rin is not satisfied with the response. He wanted to know who was the other person who she loved, but she did not respond to him. This was followed by another flashback, this time at Kaori's house. Her father slapped her angrily before stating he's never been this embarrassed in his life before and she should change her dress and get ready to meet the Hojo family to apologize to them. He even Rin agrees with this and if they sincerely apologize, they may forgive them. But Kaori remained persistent and against going there, which angered her father even more. He states how his company survived and her careless college is life is all due to the Hojo family and they owe them their apology, but Kaori still stood by her words and refused to visit them and states she'd rather die instead. The flashback ends with now Rin's R32 once again coming parallel to Ryosuke's FC, with Ryosuke remarking the R32's RB26 engine must be carrying atleast 650hp and he would be out-accelerated in a straightaway, while Rin states this time, Ryosuke's got nowhere to run. As they approach another corner, Rin aims his car straight towards the FC's body, while Ikeda watches in total helplessness of what's about to happen next. The R32 with its heavy body side presses with even more force on the FC, causing it violently understeer towards the guardrail, after which is a cliff. Ryosuke desperately tries to maintain control as he strikes the guardrail and bounces on it a couple of times, until he finally recovers, leaving Rin in shock on how he escaped from that fatal attack. Ikeda ponders out of confusion how Rin's deadly side press didn't work on Ryosuke, when he suddenly got it. The FC's speed was too fast while exiting. The G-force while exiting the corner absorbed the impact of Rin, hence the attack didn't work. This was interpreted by Rin himself, who now got more frustrated that he couldn't take him down. Rin states that had Ryosuke followed the traditional 'slow-in, fast-out' cornering technique, he wouldn't have survived against Shinigami, so instead he sacrificed his exit speed for more entry speed. Plus he reads his opponent very well, and doesn't flinch on any circumstances and lets any other feeling pass through him. It was then Ikeda realized that Ryosuke was the perfect form of example he had been looking for his 'Zero Theory '. The very fact that Rin had not been able to pass him yet shows the proof that Ryosuke is indeed an extraordinary driver.

Now with the three cars racing down to the second part of the course, Ryosuke gets the flashback of him talking to Matsumoto while travelling in Toumei Expressway. He tells him that even though he haven't met Go Hojo, he did know Rin Hojo earlier as he was his 3rd year senior in his college. He describes him as smart and sensitive, and even though he knew everything, he shut himself in. He believes he has a chance to save him because they share the same pain. Ryosuke states while just conveying through words are convenient, they aren't powerful enough, so one has to make use of other methods. Matsumoto who is still in confusion asks Ryosuke why Rin chose today of all days, as he maybe working with his brother Go to bring advantage to the Sidewinders on their final battle with Project D, when Ryosuke tells him the reason is completely different. Back in the race, Rin states that today is the 2nd death anniversary of Kaori, but despite this Ryosuke seems to have moved on easily, which angers him and says if he only had this less extend of feelings for her. Ryosuke responds back by stating while the pain is deep and affected him, one must keep moving forward and Rin is not understanding the reality. This angers Rin and tells him that both of them are responsible for her death and he won't let him forget that. Ryosuke tells him that he is neither running away and neither has he ever forgotten about it, that's why he made his choice to move forward. He tells that Kaori wouldn't have wanted to see both of them fight like this, and he will open Rin's eyes to the truth for his sake. It was during this moment that Ikeda noticed the R32's brake lights were lighting up too often, which worries him if there's something wrong with the GT-R's brakes. Rin Hojo thinks of Kaori, and how she was the perfect woman he met. He describes her as a work of art, and just being around her made him happy. However she's not around anymore. With this, Rin steps on the gas and turns his steering, slamming right into Ryosuke's FC as they approach a bridge. Ikeda watching in total horror realizes Rin slams his entire body into Ryosuke, pressuring him into the side and forcing him over the bridge, after which is a valley. Ryosuke in pressure immediately brakes, causing his FC to pull out from the R32. Ikeda realizing this will cause both cars to go out of control as the R32 hit the curb on the bridge and jerked sideways due to understeering while the FC oversteered with counter-steering and crossed their lines, giving the FC the lead in the battle once again. Realizing this is indeed a deadly dogfight of exchange of skills over and over, he pities Shinigami for turning his car into a lethal weapon. Rin gets frustrated that even after this much attempts, he can't take down Ryosuke. He says despite Ryosuke being so naïve and honest, why is he not running away from it and wonders why. It was during this time Ikeda notices once again that there's something wrong with the R32's brakes as it keeps on lighting up, but yet the car keeps moving at high speeds. He knows a brake failure at this downhill stage in this course is fatal, yet why Rin keeps accelerating he doesn't get.

Ryosuke now has a flashback of Kaori asking him what his dream is. She says his supposed dream of becoming a doctor is more of a practical goal. She says girls can live with practical goals and she doesn't get the privilege of chasing dreams. She instead she wishes of being with her beloved who can chase his dream. Ryosuke thinks about his dreams as the flashback ends. Matsumoto waiting back at Observatory comments how Ryosuke had a suppressed personality which prevented him from showing any emotions as he spoke from his experience of two years with him. He wishes how all this will turn out after his battle with Rin and wishes for his safe return for the sake of Project D. As all three cars race down the final stage of the course, Rin states his tyre's are acting weak under constant stress from the downhill battle, and his brakes being in even worse condition as it lights up unresponsive. He never expected this battle to last this long and regrets the decision of giving Ryosuke the small window to escape. Ikeda watching all this comments Rin has a chance to save himself if he takes the runaway emergency ramp on the upcoming corner. As they reach the corner, the R32 seemingly goes near the exit, but immediately avoids taking it and drives past, frustrating Ikeda. Driving in lead, Ryosuke senses something is wrong with the GT-R's pace and it may have to do with its brakes. As he wonders what to do next, Rin goes into his final flashback with Kaori, which was him telling her that her decision to not marry him had displeased him and his father. He then tells her that her father's business will struggle and she will regret her choice for not choosing him for marriage. Coming back to the present, Rin states he never meant any of those words seriously and said those things due to frustration. He then slowly begins to realize whether if it was actually him who caused her to commit suicide due to pressure. The R32 while passing a corner hits the guardrail as it exits the corner at high speeds due to no brakes. Ikeda watching this realizes the GT-R lost all its braking potential and now is planning out on all out suicide attack on Ryosuke. He states Ryosuke should get out of his attack range as the Shinigami has lost all his mind. But then Ikeda watches in total shock as the FC brakes way ahead of the braking point, slowing down and coming close to the R32. The FC now makes contact with the R32 on its bumpers as Ryosuke tries desperately to slow it down using his brakes. Rin watching this unfold in shock and emotion as he states the FC cannot take the weight of two cars alone, especially with his heavy R32 running down with no brakes. Ryosuke now enters his final flashback with Kaori, in which he remembers Kaori calling him for the final time in his phone. She thanks him for being around her says she is glad she met him before she says goodbye to him. Ryosuke desperately asks her where she is and he will be with her, but it was too late. It was her last call. Back in the battle Ryosuke realizes he made a fatal mistake because he can't get control over the two cars as its misaligned and they aren't stopping down, as both barrel down towards the toll booth at the end. It was just then the 350Z comes next to the FC, with Ikeda stating he wants to help them as he's genuinely impressed. Rin watches in total awe and shock as the Fairlady Z now comes in contact with the R32 next to the FC, aligning them side by side as they both slow down Rin Hojo with their brakes as it glows red from all the pressure while all three cars hurl down to the toll booth. It was at this moment Ryosuke felt the ever so familiar scent of Kaori inside his FC3S. Even Rin felt it and says Kaori is with them as he becomes tearful. As all three cars hurl towards the toll booth, they hit a traffic cone which goes flying towards the booth and falls down after hitting it, revealing all three cars now stopped safely just before the booth.

After the Battle
Ryuji Ikeda and Ryosuke Takahashi gets out of their respective cars and gives each other a high five, before they go towards the R32 GT-R and sees Rin Hojo inside with tears rolling out of his eyes. Afterwards, Rin and Ryosuke talk about Kaori as they felt her scent in their cars. Ryosuke says she was indeed present as the scent of the perfume she always worse shouldn't be around this area, but it was present in their cars as they approached the toll booth, Ryosuke says they had witnessed a miracle as today was Kaori's second death anniversary and she had saved Rin. Rin states Ryosuke is bluffing nonsense as if the worst happened, Ryosuke would have been the victim of a car accident in the battle. Ryosuke responds back by saying he has no idea what he's saying and they were just having a battle. He says if Rin actually wanted to kill him, he would've been already dead, but since they raced by their rules, they are both standing at where they are and they gave each other they had in this battle. And Rin Hojo being his last opponent in his final street race means more than anything to Ryosuke, as he was the one who taught him the joy of driving in touge. Ryosuke thanks him from the bottom of his heart for watching him race with him. Rin then reveals him that he spent all this time in pain as he blamed himself and had countless sleepless nights, but his race with Ryosuke he was freed from all the pain as he vent out all his feelings during the battle. He realized Ryosuke also shared the same pain as him and is apologizes to Ryosuke. He is grateful to him for responding to him by coming the race and is satisfied from the bottom of his heart. Now on their way back home, Matsumoto drives the FC in the expressway while Ryosuke sits in the passenger seat. He remarks in the damage done on the FC which Ryosuke says was unavoidable, which Matsumoto understands when analyzed the situation. Nevertheless he's happy that Ryosuke had made it back safely. Ryosuke states this battle had helped him clear out some things for him as well, which is noted by Matsumoto as he realizes he's never seen Ryosuke look as positive as he is right now. Ryosuke then states that as a team leader who sends his two drivers to battles, this race had helped him get back the feeling of what it was to fight in the frontline. He had done everything he can for the final stage of the Kanagawa prefecture, and states the Project D double aces already surpasses him, so they should be fine. Matsumoto agrees with him as they drive on the Expressway back home.

Fifth Stage

 * The Race Of The Night - Dave Rodgers
 * A Perfect Hero - Chris Stanton
 * On your Wings - Rich Hard

Battle Stage 3

 * Eternity - Denise
 * Prison of Love - The Wonder Girls
 * Ray Light - The Spiders From Mars

Arcade Stage 8 Infinity

 * When The Sun Goes Down - Ken Blast

Arcade Stage 8 RivalSide Info
Story arc: Sidewinder

Driver: Rin Hojo

Car: Nissan Skyline GT-R V-spec II (BNR32)

Opponent: Ryosuke Takahashi

Team: Project D

Car: Mazda RX-7 Infini III (FC3S)

Mission: Do not fall behind the Rival

1-ryu Condition: Do not fall behind within 80 m

Cho 1-ryu Condition: Do not fall behind within 40 m

Course: Hakone

Route: Downhill

Start: Standing

Weather: Clear

Time of day: Night

Trivia

 * Scenes of Akina Speedstars at the gas station and Takumi on a date with Mika and Keisuke with Fumihiro talking about Ryosuke are added in the anime.