The Speed Of The Stars

Back in Jakotsu, Collei stepped out of her Eight-Six, brushing off the faint smell of exhaust and feeling the hum of her new engine reverberate through her frame. Feixiao approached her with a confident stride, her gaze sharp yet friendly, and extended a hand.

"How's it been, Collei? It's been a month since I saw you... since your engine blew," Feixiao said, a teasing grin tugging at her lips.

Collei returned the handshake with a small, knowing smile. "I've been doing pretty well."

Feixiao's eyes shifted to the Eight-Six, her expression curious. "So… it's fixed?"

Collei nodded. "Yeah. There's a new engine under the hood. And I think it's time for us to race."

Feixiao's grin widened, her competitive spirit flaring to life. "I'm always up for a challenge. Let's do this—right now."

Without missing a beat, Feixiao launched into the rules. "This'll be a one-round downhill battle. The finish line is right after the third bridge. If you make it there first, you win. But if I pass you and cross the starting line before you, I win. Simple enough?"

Collei gave a firm nod, determination gleaming in her eyes. "Got it."

Feixiao smiled and clapped her hands together. "Alright then! Let's get this race going!"

Both racers climbed into their cars, engines roaring to life. They rolled up to the starting line, stopping side by side. Through their windows, Feixiao glanced at Collei and gave her a confident nod, signaling for her to take the lead. Collei narrowed her eyes in focus and stomped her foot on the gas pedal, launching the Eight-Six with a deafening roar. Feixiao's Lancer Evo IX roared right behind her, the turbocharged engine howling as it gave chase.

The Eight-Six's new engine came alive on the first straightaway, keeping Feixiao at bay. The rush of newfound confidence coursed through Collei as she pushed the engine to its limits. Her tachometer needle soared past 10,000 RPM, hitting an astonishing 11,000 before she shifted gears, keeping the engine firmly in its power band.

Feixiao, observing the Eight-Six closely, narrowed her eyes as she analyzed its movements. "That car's running differently than last time. Still mechanical… no turbo. But it's not the same beast I faced before."

The first hairpin approached, a tight, unforgiving turn that demanded precision. Both drivers slammed their brakes, expertly drifting through the corner with remarkable ease. Collei held onto her lead while Feixiao stayed hot on her trail, relentless in her pursuit.

Hairpin after hairpin, six in total, their battle continued. The narrow mountain road twisted and turned, with sharp 180-degree curves that tested their skill and nerve. Feixiao's car barked and growled as the misfiring system fired off, sending flashes of flame from her exhaust, but still, she couldn't close the gap.

As the chase unfolded, Feixiao's keen ear caught a defining characteristic of the Eight-Six. "That high-rev engine… it's unbelievable. Raspy, yet smooth… this isn't just a patch job. That's a professionally tuned setup."

The next right-hand 180-degree hairpin loomed ahead, its sharp curve cutting into the mountainside like a coiled serpent. Collei gripped the wheel tightly, her gaze laser-focused on the apex. With remarkable control, she sent her Eight-Six into the turn, the tires screaming in protest as they clung to the very edge of traction. Behind her, Feixiao followed in her Lancer Evolution, frustration etched on her face. Despite the Evo's superior power and the precise rhythm of its misfiring system, she just couldn't close the gap on Collei's seemingly invincible car.

As they approached the finishing stretch, the roar of engines and the screech of tires reached the ears of scattered spectators along the roadside. Feixiao's misfiring system barked with machine-gun precision, startling the onlookers and sending some of them stumbling back. But Feixiao remained undeterred, her focus fixed on Collei's taillights.

"The narrow hairpins are over," Feixiao muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing with determination. "All of the remaining corners are fast-paced turns. This is my chance."

The two cars tore through the first bridge, their engines harmonizing in a thunderous symphony. The Lancer Evo edged closer, its nose almost kissing the Eight-Six's rear bumper as they raced toward the second bridge. Feixiao's lips curled into a smirk, her confidence growing.

"After the second bridge comes a fast right-hander," Feixiao thought. "It's a tricky section. After all those hairpins, it tricks you into thinking the road's narrow and the turns are sharp. But in reality... this part was made for speed."

She shifted gears, the Evo surging forward. As they entered the fast-paced left-hander, Feixiao moved to the inside line, pulling up alongside Collei. For a moment, the two cars were door-to-door, their duel framed by the shimmering moonlight and the rugged silhouette of the mountains.

Feixiao grinned, adrenaline surging through her veins. "All I have to do is inch my way beside you. By the third bridge... this race is mine!" she exclaimed.

But Collei wasn't about to back down. Her eyes narrowed, her grip on the wheel tightening. "It's now or never," she murmured, her voice steady despite the storm of nerves and determination coursing through her.

They reached the fast-paced right-hander leading onto the bridge. Without hesitation, Collei pushed her Eight-Six to its absolute limit. The rear tires broke loose, and the car entered a drift, the rear end swinging dangerously close to the guardrails.

Feixiao's eyes widened in disbelief. "What the hell!? Are you fucking insane? You'll get us both killed! You went in too fast! It's impossible to turn at this speed!" she yelled, her voice laced with panic and anger.

Collei's focus didn't waver. She pumped the gas with precision, feathering the throttle to keep the drift tight and controlled. "Come on, Eight-Six! You can do this! Turn for me!" she urged, her voice breaking through the chaos in her mind.

The cars hurtled toward the bridge's exit, the Eight-Six holding its drift with impeccable control. As Collei straightened out, the gap between her and the Evo began to shrink. Feixiao gritted her teeth, her heart pounding as her car teetered on the edge of control.

"I... I don't know if I can hold it!" she muttered, panic creeping into her voice. With a frustrated growl, she eased off the gas, letting Collei surge ahead.

The finish line blurred past in an instant. Collei's Eight-Six crossed first, victorious. Feixiao exhaled deeply, relief and resignation washing over her. She slowed her car, accepting her defeat with a bittersweet smile.

"You're one hell of a driver, Collei," Feixiao admitted as she rolled to a stop at a pull-over spot near the intersection.

A few minutes later, the two drivers stood face to face under the glow of the moonlight. Feixiao placed her hands on her waist, her smirk playful but genuine. "I've gotta say, Collei—you're incredible. I'm impressed!"

Collei blushed, her cheeks tinting pink as she shyly put one arm behind her back. "Oh... um... thanks, Feixiao," she stammered, the words barely above a whisper.

Feixiao chuckled and extended her hand. Without hesitation, Collei shook it, their mutual respect cemented in that brief, firm handshake. Feixiao turned back to her Evo, pausing to glance over her shoulder.

"It was a good race," she said with a grin. "I'll see you when I see you."

With that, she climbed into her car, revved the engine, and took the next right at the intersection. The sound of the Evo's roaring exhaust echoed into the night as it disappeared toward the summit, leaving Collei and her Eight-Six behind.

Another night was complete. Another victory was Collei's.