Rena Hayami
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Rena Hayami is a fictional character made by the video game company Namco. She is the main character of the Racing game R:Racing Evolution.
[edit] History
Rena was born in Japan, and shortly after receiving her high school diploma or brief college certification, immediately moved to the fictional location of "Ridge City" to become a paramedic. Her life was busy and consistently fast paced, and her outings frequently had her at the wheel of an ambulance. She memorized the short cuts around the city, and also demonstrated a natural, superb driving ability.
While transporting a wounded race car driver to the hospital, she was accompanied by the victim's manager, Stephan Garnier. Extremely concerned about his driver's health, he urges Rena to drive faster, only to be amazed at her driving ability afterwards.
The victim delivered safely, Rena recollects outside her vehicle. Stephan approaches her, inquiring if she is a racecar driver. She denies this, but he notices her natural ability and, needing a replacement driver, asks Rena to fill in as his team's driver.
After her first race in the De Tomaso Pantera Cup, Stephan realizes that, despite her skills, Rena needs extra practice, and begins placing her in trial sessions to improve her driving, eventually until she becomes skilled enough to become the team's best racer. Ready to enter her in her first championship race (the Japan Touring Car Championship Class 3), Rena meets her rival Gina Cavalli, who taunts her about her status as a racer. To the latter's surprise, however, Rena pulls off a stunning victory earning herself a new rival and the new title as the famous "Number 76". She proceeds to win all of her races on an outstanding winning streak, but discovers as she is racing not only for Stephan, but the an enigmatic corporation known as G.V.I.
The company G.V.I sponsors its racers with the finest cars and parts, but in return, leaves the team(s) completely under their control. The high-ranking CEOs also engage in high-stakes gambling, betting on drivers' victories and losses. Because of her exceptional abilities, Rena becomes the main target for G.V.I, and soon begins to realize why Gina acts so indifferent towards her (she was more aware of their shady activities than she was).
Eventually, Stephan discloses information about his past, revealing he was once a famous, independent engineer of his own team, but recluses himself from the world of racing after a horrific accident several years ago, only to re-emerge as a Manager under the thumb of G.V.I. Now with the propositions from a younger mechanic named Eddie O'Brien, Stephan wishes to quit the company and start a new team. G.V.I is reluctant to release them, however, and bets a wager with the ultimatum of a release from the corporation if they win the championship at Motegi Super Speedway. She does so, winning their freedom.
In the ending, she is depicted with Gina, and the two have become friendly rivals. However, without G.V.I's massive funding, she doesn't perform as well (she gains second place to Gina as opposed to her normal first), but reassures her rival that, "I'll show you and G.V.I what a former paramedic driver can be with a little hard work".
