The Speed Of The Stars

The following morning, Beidou and Amber had just finished briefing Lyney on the events of the previous night.

Lyney's eyes widened in shock. "Collei actually lost!?"

Amber sighed and shook her head. "Technically, it wasn't a loss. It was just an exhibition run, not a full-on race. Nobody officially lost. But… Collei lost something much more personal—her pride and joy."

Beidou crossed her arms, her expression serious. "Yeah, it's a tough break for her. She texted us last night, saying she couldn't sleep at all. She's still hung up on the engine blowing up. It's all she can think about."

Right on cue, the unmistakable roar of an engine broke the morning stillness. A familiar car pulled into the gas station—Clorinde's Lancia 037. The sleek, iconic rally car glided smoothly to a stop by one of the pumps. Clorinde stepped out, her composed demeanor unwavering, and approached the trio.

She glanced around. "Is Collei here by any chance?"

Amber shook her head. "No, she took the day off. She's still trying to process what happened last night. It's been rough on her."

Clorinde nodded thoughtfully. "I figured as much. It's unfortunate, but it happened. There's no undoing it now. She just has to find a way to move forward."

Beidou mirrored the nod. "Couldn't agree more. When my R32's engine gave out a few months back, I felt the same way. It was devastating, but honestly, it was inevitable. Machines fail. You just… have to accept it and keep moving."

Clorinde offered a small smile. "Exactly. Anyway, I just wanted to check in and see how things were going. I need to head back to Araumi now and prepare for tonight's race. Busy evening ahead."

With that, Clorinde walked back to her Lancia, slid into the driver's seat, and started the engine. The powerful car growled to life, and moments later, she was on her way back to Araumi.

That afternoon, Collei lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her mind was a relentless replay of the previous night. The vivid memory haunted her—she could hear the loud bang of the engine blowing, feel the car fishtail out of control, and see the spin that ended with her vehicle at a standstill. Smoke had poured from the hood of her beloved AE86, oil seeping onto the asphalt. She squeezed her eyes shut, as if doing so might erase the memory, but it didn't help.

A knock at the door broke her trance. Collei remained motionless, hoping whoever it was might go away. The knock came again, louder this time. She groaned in frustration, standing up. "I'm coming, I'm coming!" she called out, her voice tinged with irritation.

She shuffled down the stairs and opened the door. Standing there was Amber, her concerned expression softening as she saw Collei.

"Oh… hey, Amber," Collei said, her voice low.

Amber stepped closer. "Collei… are you okay?"

Collei shook her head, her eyes betraying her exhaustion. "Not really… no."

Amber placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Why don't we go for a little ride? Maybe to Yougou Lake? Some fresh air might help clear your head."

Collei hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Yeah… I guess we can go."

She locked the door and followed Amber to her Sileighty. The two climbed in, and the car purred to life as they set off toward Yougou Pass.

That evening at Araumi, Beidou and Seele were on their way to Araumi Pass to catch the much-anticipated race between Ningguang and Feixiao.

"So, she's back to 600 horsepower now, huh?" Beidou asked, glancing at Seele.

Seele grinned, pride lighting up her face. "Yep." She gestured to the boost controller installed on the dashboard. "I've got it set to full boost, so I'm running all 600 horses tonight."

Beidou raised an eyebrow. "And the suspension? Pela fine-tuned it again, right?"

Seele nodded. "Sure did. Adjusted it for better grip when I step on the throttle. I also swapped out the old tires for semi-slicks. Should be perfect for tonight's conditions."

As they drove further up the mountain road, a pair of headlights appeared in the rearview mirror. A car behind them began tailgating aggressively, inching closer with each turn.

Seele frowned, her eyes narrowing. "Oh, that's just annoying. Someone's trying to ride my bumper."

Beidou glanced back. "Yeah, no kidding. You've got 600 horsepower under the hood. Why don't you remind them who's boss?"

A sly smile crept onto Seele's face. "With pleasure."

She downshifted and stomped on the accelerator. The Devil Z's turbo roared to life, building up boost, and the car rocketed forward. The gap between them and the trailing car widened dramatically as the Devil Z surged ahead.

Seele chuckled, her voice full of confidence. "And that, my friend, is why they call her the Devil Z."

Beidou laughed, her admiration clear. "Yeah, you've definitely earned that name. But let's tone it down a bit and switch back to leisure mode."

Seele smirked and eased off the gas, the car settling back into a comfortable cruise as they continued their journey up the pass.

Back in Araumi. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the serene expanse of the lake. Amber and Collei stood near the water's edge, the soft murmur of ripples breaking the silence. The tranquility was almost hypnotic, yet it contrasted starkly with the turmoil lingering in Collei's heart.

Amber glanced at her, breaking the quiet. "Clorinde stopped by earlier. She wanted to see how you were doing. She's been worried ever since… well, you know, the Eight Six and everything."

Collei crouched down, her gaze fixed on the still water. Her reflection stared back, its eyes just as clouded as her thoughts. "I'm okay… I guess. Sorta," she muttered, her voice distant. "I just… I can't get my head around it."

Amber tilted her head, her brows knitting in concern. "What can't you wrap your head around?"

Collei sighed, brushing her hand across the surface of the water. "I was completely outmatched," she admitted. "I was driving my best—pushing the Eight Six to its limits. And then I went beyond those limits. That's when the engine gave out. It wasn't enough."

Amber crouched beside her, her voice gentle. "What's going to happen to the Eight Six now?"

Collei shook her head slowly, her shoulders slumping. "I don't know. All I know is that Dad will probably put a new engine in it. But… beyond that? I have no idea."

At the Corners of Araumi. The streets buzzed with anticipation. The air was electric, and the packed corners teemed with spectators who craned their necks for a better view. The sound of tires screeching against the pavement echoed through the mountain pass.

A white, turbocharged AE86 Levin flew past a hairpin turn, its polished exterior gleaming under the floodlights. Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Whoa!" one spectator exclaimed, pointing. "Is that Yougou's Eight Six?"

"No way," another chimed in, shaking his head. "Look at the plates! That one's from Kannazuka!"

The turbocharged Eight Six pulled into a nearby rest area. A young girl stepped out, her school uniform slightly wrinkled from the long drive. She stretched, her tired expression betraying the strain of hours spent behind the wheel.

She sighed, leaning on the guardrail as she gazed at the winding road ahead. "Finally. Glad that drive's over… I've been going at it since sunset."

At the Summit

The night deepened as Feixiao's Lancer Evo IX rolled into view, its engine purring with restrained power. The car approached the starting line, its headlights slicing through the darkness. Feixiao's arrival was met with murmurs among the gathered drivers and spectators.

Without hesitation, the lone wolf executed a smooth U-turn, parking right beside Ningguang's sleek FC. The two cars sat side by side, their rivalry as palpable as the tension in the air.

Feixiao stepped out, her sharp gaze locking onto Ningguang. She crossed her arms, her expression a mixture of determination and defiance. "Well," she began, her voice steady, "it looks like the time has finally come."

Ningguang smirked, the corners of her lips curling into a confident grin. "Right. Just you and me this time."

Feixiao's grin turned fierce, her eyes narrowing. "That's the spirit. Time to show you that I'm not the same Feixiao you faced last year."

By Yougou Lake Amber and Collei strolled down the dock, their footsteps echoing faintly against the wood. The stillness of the lake mirrored the stillness in Collei's heart, though the surface belied the turbulence beneath.

Amber glanced at Collei as they stopped at the edge of the dock. "Collei… still feeling the weight of it?"

Collei nodded silently, her eyes on the water. "Yeah," she whispered. "I can't shake it… the burden of last night."

Amber wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "Talk to me, Collei. We're partners, remember?"

Collei drew a shaky breath before letting her thoughts spill out. "Since that race with Clorinde, I've been trying so hard to get faster. But it's like… the harder I try, the angrier I get. And that anger? It makes me sloppy. I've been making mistake after mistake. Even in my deliveries, I've almost spilled the water more times than I can count."

She looked up at the sky, her voice trembling. "And then… Araumi happened. Chasing that Lancer Evo… I was pushing the Eight Six to its very edge. And when I went beyond that? It was over. The engine couldn't take it."

Her head bowed, and tears began to form. Amber sighed softly, pulling her into a hug.

"Come on, Collei," Amber said gently. "You know that wasn't your fault."

"How can it not be?" Collei choked out, her voice breaking. "I was the one driving. I pushed it too hard. I should've known better."

Amber tightened her hold, her voice steady. "Don't beat yourself up. It could've happened to anyone. Besides, it wasn't even a real race—it was just an exhibition. There wasn't supposed to be a winner or loser."

Collei's composure crumbled, and the tears flowed freely. "But… I was a loser. I lost my Eight Six…"

Amber held her close, letting her cry into her sweater. "It's okay," she murmured. "We'll get through this. Together."

At Lynette's Shop. The garage was quiet, save for the faint hum of a fluorescent light. Lynette slipped on her gloves, her expression calm but focused. She approached the covered engine, its shroud hiding the potential beneath. With a practiced motion, she pulled the cloth away, revealing the heart of the Eight Six.

"Well…" Lynette said, rolling up her sleeves. "Let's get to work."

Arlecchino stood nearby, her arms crossed and a smirk playing on her lips. "By tomorrow, people will be talking," she said confidently. "Yougou's Eight Six—reborn and ready to rise from the dead."

Lynette opened the hood, revealing the battered but cleaned-up shell of the car. Her eyes glinted with determination. "Let's make it happen."