The Speed Of The Stars

As the night deepens, Collei's iconic Eight-Six is parked beside Feixiao's Lancer Evo IX at the starting line. The moonlight casts a silvery glow over the two machines, making them seem alive, like rivals sizing each other up. Feixiao leans against her Evo, her gaze steady but warm as she looks at Collei.

"Just remember, kid," Feixiao says with a confident grin, "drive your heart out. There's no winner or loser tonight—just two drivers showing what they've got."

Collei nods, flashing a determined thumbs-up. "Got it!"

Feixiao chuckles, pushing off the car. "Good." She slides into her driver's seat, and with a throaty roar, the Lancer Evo IX pulls away from the line.

Collei takes a deep breath, steadying herself before following. As soon as both cars hit the asphalt, the quiet night is shattered by the thunderous growl of engines. They punch the gas simultaneously, and the exhibition run begins in earnest.

The Lancer Evo surges ahead with raw power, but Collei's Eight-Six clings to its tail like a shadow. They approach the first hairpin at breathtaking speed. Feixiao initiates a clean four-wheel drift, the Evo's tires screaming as they grip the tarmac. Right behind her, Collei mirrors the move, her Eight-Six maintaining the perfect racing line.

The two cars roar past a small crowd of spectators. Ningguang and Keqing stand off to the side, watching the display with sharp eyes.

Keqing crosses her arms, tilting her head. "Are they racing? Or just showing off?"

Ningguang shakes her head, her expression calm but amused. "This is an exhibition run, not a race. But…" she pauses, smirking, "it looks like they're having fun."

Meanwhile, the Eight-Six and the Evo IX devour the road as they descend Araumi. They hit a fast right-hander, its curve tightening as it progresses. The Eight-Six edges dangerously close to the inner guardrail, its side brushing against the hedges as Collei pushes harder.

Far above, the faint glow of headlights dances through the darkness, illuminating each twist and turn. Keqing narrows her eyes, catching the distant flashes of movement.

"Hey, Ningguang," she says, breaking the silence. "Did you hear that popping noise from the Evo's exhaust? It sounds… weird."

Ningguang nods knowingly. "That's Feixiao's secret weapon—a system borrowed from modern WRC rally cars to keep turbo boost pressure consistent. It's called anti-lag, or a misfiring system."

Keqing's eyes widen. "Misfiring system?"

"It can be," Ningguang replies. "But for Feixiao, it's an advantage. Araumi's slope is steeper than most other downhill tracks, especially compared to Yougou or Jinren. The first half is all about low-speed technical corners. Feixiao's experience in Gymkhana racing gives her an edge here—she's a master of precision in tight spaces. That system helps her accelerate out of corners like no one else. She's sharpened her technique over the years. It's like she's reborn—faster, stronger, and tougher than ever."

Down on the track, Feixiao glances in her rearview mirror. The sight of Collei's Eight-Six so close behind brings a smile to her lips.

"Impressive, kid," she murmurs. "First time here, and you're keeping up. But let's see how long you can hold on."

The Evo backfires, spitting fire from its exhaust as it exits another hairpin. The thunderous sound reverberates through the night, making Collei flinch.

"This feels like a hunt," Collei mutters, her grip tightening on the wheel. "But I'm the one chasing something…"

They approach another hairpin, both cars sliding through in tandem. The Eight-Six keeps pace with the Evo, but as soon as they exit, Feixiao's anti-lag system propels her ahead once more.

Collei grits her teeth, her patience wearing thin. "That damn backfire!" she growls. "It's so loud—it's driving me crazy!"

Feixiao, still in the lead, chuckles to herself. "She's good," she thinks, "adapting so quickly. For a first downhill run here, she's racing like a veteran. But Araumi's tight hairpins won't last forever. Let's see how she handles the second half."

As the road opens up, the gap between the cars begins to grow. Collei slams the gas, the Eight-Six roaring in protest as it reaches its limits.

"Come on!" she yells. "I'm not losing this yet!"

Her frustration boils over as they approach the next turn. Feixiao executes another flawless four-wheel drift, her Evo backfiring like a crack of thunder. Collei's Eight-Six follows, her movements precise but strained.

Unbeknownst to her, the Eight-Six's engine begins to rattle. The noise is drowned out by the roar of the race, leaving Collei unaware of the brewing danger under the hood.

Feixiao grips her steering wheel tightly, her focus razor-sharp. "Almost there," she whispers. "One more hairpin, and we hit the longest straightaway. After that…" Her eyes narrow. "I'm leaving her behind."

The two cars enter the hairpin, Collei managing to close the gap slightly as they drift through side by side. But as they exit, Feixiao shifts up, mashing the gas.

The Evo surges forward, eating up the straightaway with ease. The gap between the two cars grows steadily.

Collei's heart sinks as she watches Feixiao pull away. "No, no, no!" she shouts. "The gap's increasing—I can't keep up!"

Her foot presses harder on the accelerator, but the Eight-Six struggles to match the raw power of the Lancer Evo IX. The reality of the situation sinks in like a weight on her chest.

"This is it," Collei mutters, despair creeping into her voice. "This is where I lose…"

Collei pushed her car to its absolute limit. The Eight Six roared ferociously, its engine screaming as the tachometer needle hovered near the redline at 8000 RPM. Her foot remained firmly planted on the gas, unwilling to let up. But as the gap widened between her and her rival, the inevitable struck.

A loud BANG shattered the tension inside the cabin. The Eight Six lurched as the tachometer needle snapped to zero. Smoke and oil spewed violently from the gaps in the hood, obscuring her view. The rear wheels locked without warning, sending the car into a chaotic fishtail.

Collei's hands clenched the steering wheel as she fought to regain control, her knuckles white with tension. But it was futile. The fishtailing intensified, spiraling beyond recovery. The Eight Six spun wildly, oil splattering the windshield in chaotic streaks.

"Come on! Come on!" she muttered under her breath, slamming on the brakes in desperation. But the lack of ABS caused the front wheels to seize completely. With a screech of protesting tires, the Eight Six careened toward the inside guardrail.

Miraculously, it skidded into an emergency area just in time. The car ground to a halt with a final ear-splitting shriek, smoke billowing from the hood in thick, choking plumes. Oil dripped steadily from the fenders and pooled beneath the car. The pungent smell of burnt metal and oil filled the air as the engine, defeated and lifeless, emitted one last hollow clank before falling silent.

Collei sat frozen in the driver's seat, her chest heaving as the adrenaline coursed through her veins. Her right foot still pressed hard on the brake pedal. Slowly, she eased her foot off, letting it fall to the floorboard. She reached up with trembling hands to unbuckle her seatbelt and stepped out into the cold night air.

Smoke curled ominously from the hood as she walked to the front of the Eight Six. The car was a wreck—oil splattered everywhere, paint streaked with smudges of grime, and the engine bay emitting faint ticking sounds from the cooling metal. Her heart sank at the sight. This wasn't just a car. This was her partner, her pride, her passion. And now, it was gone.

She falls to her knees, her hands trembling as she stared at the car's steaming hood. A lump formed in her throat as the weight of what had just happened bore down on her. "It's gone," she whispered. "My... Eight Six..."

Suddenly, the low rumble of a turbocharged four-cylinder broke through the night's stillness. The sound grew louder until Feixiao's Lancer Evo pulled into the emergency area. Feixiao leapt out of her car, her expression filled with concern.

"Collei! Are you okay?!" she called, rushing toward her.

Collei didn't respond, her gaze still locked on the lifeless Eight Six. Feixiao glanced at the car, taking in the damage. Her face softened with sympathy as she placed a comforting hand on Collei's shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Collei," Feixiao murmured. "Look, I'll let everyone know at the summit, okay? We'll get help."

Collei nodded silently, her body rigid and unmoving. Feixiao hesitated for a moment before returning to her Evo, careful to drive off gently. She avoided engaging the anti-lag system, not wanting the sharp pops and bangs to unsettle Collei further.

At the summit, Beidou, Seele, Pela, March, and Amber were gathered, waiting eagerly for Collei and Feixiao to return from their exhibition run.

"They're taking their sweet time," Beidou muttered, crossing her arms.

Seele smirked. "Yeah, but they seemed to hit it off well. Probably having a good time."

Amber chuckled, leaning against her Sileighty. "Collei's popular. It's no surprise she's got fans wherever she goes."

Their conversation was interrupted as Ningguang and Keqing approached the group. Ningguang's graceful wave caught their attention.

"Still no sign of the Eight Six?" Ningguang asked, scanning the parking area.

Before anyone could respond, the distinct rumble of a turbocharged engine reached their ears. Feixiao's gray Lancer Evo appeared, pulling to a stop behind Amber's car. Feixiao stepped out, her shoulders slumped.

Beidou's sharp eyes narrowed. "What happened? Where's Collei?"

Ningguang strode forward, her expression demanding answers. "Feixiao? What's going on? Where's Collei?"

Feixiao sighed heavily, avoiding Ningguang's piercing gaze at first. "She's fine. She's down there… but the Eight Six… it's done. The engine blew."

Ningguang's eyes widened in shock. "What?!"

Beidou swore under her breath. "She blew the engine?" she exclaimed, incredulous.

Amber stepped forward, determination in her eyes. "What are we waiting for? Let's go check on her!"

But before she could get to her car, Beidou grabbed her arm. "Leave it, Amber," she said firmly.

Amber turned on her, frustration etched on her face. "We can't just stand here!"

Beidou's voice rose. "Enough! She needs space. Let her be."

The group fell into an uneasy silence, the weight of the situation settling over them.

Back at the emergency area, Collei sat alone in her Eight Six. Tears welled in her eyes as she clutched the steering wheel. "I'm… I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling. She traced her fingers over the wheel, feeling the grooves worn into the leather from countless drives. "What am I going to do now?"

Her thoughts were interrupted by the glare of headlights reflecting in her side mirror. A flatbed truck pulled up alongside her. From the cab, Arlecchino stepped out, her figure illuminated by the truck's headlights.

"D-Dad?" Collei stammered, her voice cracking.

Arlecchino said nothing at first, walking to the hood of the Eight Six. She opened it and peered inside. The mess of oil and shattered engine components greeted her. With a sigh, she closed the hood and turned to her daughter.

"We'll talk later," Arlecchino said calmly. "First, we need to get this car loaded up."

Collei nodded numbly as Arlecchino went to work. The flatbed was lowered, and the winch cable hooked to the car's front tow hook. Following her father's signal, Collei activated the winch, watching as the Eight Six was slowly pulled onto the truck bed.

Once everything was secured, Arlecchino climbed into the cab and gestured for Collei to follow. "Come on. Let's head home."

Collei slid into the passenger seat, glancing one last time at her car as the truck turned and began its descent down the mountain pass. The Eight Six, lifeless and battered, was her burden to bear—and her hope for the future.

On the Expressway

The truck's cab is silent. Neither of them speaks, the hum of the tires on the asphalt filling the void. Collei is slumped to the left, her eyes following the scenery as it blurs past. Despite the stillness, an undercurrent of tension hangs between them, unspoken but palpable.

After a long pause, Collei breaks the silence, her voice soft and trembling. She's trying to hold back tears.

"Dad... H-how did you find out?"

Arlecchino, her hands steady on the wheel, glances briefly at her. "I... I just had a hunch. That's all."

"A hunch?" Collei repeats, her voice barely above a whisper.

Arlecchino nods. "Yeah."

The silence creeps back in for a moment before Collei shifts in her seat, her voice now carrying a bit more intent.

"Dad. I got to ask something."

Arlecchino glances at her again, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What is it, Collei?"

"I've been saving up money from my part-time job at the gas station," Collei begins, her words spilling out quickly as if to get them out before she falters. "I should have at least thirty grand in my account. I hope it's enough to help fix the engine."

Arlecchino's lips twitch into a faint smile, though she keeps her gaze on the road. "Well, kiddo, you've got more than that. You're a helluva lot richer than you think."

Collei frowns, confusion knitting her brows. "What?"

"You've been delivering that tofu since junior high," Arlecchino explains, her tone a mix of pride and amusement. "I started a savings account in your name back then. Sure, I borrowed from it here and there, but last I checked, you've got at least two hundred and fifty grand in there."

Collei blinks, the corners of her lips curling into a small smile. "That's… that's great! We can use that money for the repairs!"

Arlecchino shakes her head slightly, her smile fading. "I can't let you do that."

Collei's mood shifts as quickly as it had lifted, her expression clouding again. "I guess it would be that expensive, wouldn't it? How much are we talking about, anyway?"

Arlecchino hesitates before answering, her tone somber. "It's not a matter of cost, Collei. That engine can't be repaired. No matter what you try. No matter what you do."

Collei's eyes widen in disbelief. She turns to Arlecchino, her voice cracking. "What do you mean? It can't be repaired?"

Arlecchino exhales heavily, her grip tightening on the wheel as if bracing herself. "You see, there's a pin in the engine that connects the piston and the con rod. Well… that pin snapped. When it did, the piston punched a big hole in the engine block—from the inside out. It's almost like a miniature bomb went off in there."

Collei's shoulders sag, her head bowing as guilt takes root. It's all my fault, she thinks. If I hadn't pushed the engine so hard on that straightaway, this wouldn't have happened.

Arlecchino continues, her voice steady but tinged with regret. "That engine's history, Collei. We have no choice but to put in another one."

Collei lifts her head, her expression a mix of shock and desperation. "A... a new engine?"

Arlecchino nods. "That's right."

"Are you going to use an engine from some other car? Or do we have to build one from scratch?" Collei asks, her words coming out in a rush. "Even if we put in a new engine, it would be a completely different car."

She turns to Arlecchino, her voice softening. "And isn't that blown engine something special to you? You worked so hard on tuning it. I really think we should try to fix it."

Arlecchino sighs deeply, her expression softening as she glances at Collei. "Look, Collei. Trust me. If I could fix that engine, I would. But the damage is too severe. It's scrap. A total loss. I can't do anything. I'm sorry."

Tears well up in Collei's eyes, spilling over before she can stop them. She slumps against the window, her gaze fixed on the world outside, blurred now by her tears.

Arlecchino glances at her and sighs softly. "Oh, Collei..."

She places a comforting hand on Collei's lap, her voice gentle. "Look... I know what you're thinking. You think you're responsible for the engine blowing up because you were driving. That's why you're beating yourself up, isn't it?"

Collei doesn't respond, but the tears streaming down her face tell Arlecchino all she needs to know.

Arlecchino rubs Collei's lap gently, trying to comfort her. "You're wrong. It just so happened that you were driving the Eight-Six when its engine gave out. It's not your fault, Collei. I'm not mad at you. I'm not disappointed in you. These things happen, alright? Please… don't do this to yourself."

She pulls her hand back to the wheel, her own emotions carefully masked. Collei, however, continues to cry, her tears falling silently as the truck rumbles down the expressway. The two sit in heavy silence, broken only by the occasional sniffle, as they make their way back to Yougou. Behind them, the battered Eight-Six rests on the flatbed, its once-proud heart now silent.