The Speed Of The Stars

A new year was upon the group. It was January 10th, and Collei arrived at the gas station to begin her first shift of the year. She was greeted by the entire crew: Beidou, March, Pela, Seele, Amber, and Clorinde, all gathered near the station, chatting and laughing in the crisp winter air.

Collei waved cheerfully. "Hello, guys! Happy New Year!"

The group turned to her with warm smiles, waving back to welcome her. Lyney, who had been inside the store organizing inventory, stepped out to join them.

"Hey, Collei!" Lyney called, returning her wave. "Happy New Year!"

Collei smiled brightly. "Happy New Year to you too, Lyney!"

March grinned mischievously, crossing her arms. "Hey, Collei, how about this—why don't you take us all on a downhill run? See who passes out first!"

Beidou snorted, feigning offense. "Are you kidding me? You still haven't let that go?"

The group erupted in laughter, the cheerful sound ringing through the station as they geared up for their first workday of the year. Meanwhile, across the road, an unassuming man sat in a Toyota Celica, observing the group quietly. His eyes lingered on them as they worked, though he made no move to approach.

As the hours passed, the sun dipped lower in the sky. Collei's shift finally came to an end. Across town, Amber strolled through the town center, taking in the snowy scenery. She wasn't expecting company, so when a sleek, white Toyota Celica pulled up beside her, she froze in place.

The driver stepped out, revealing a man she instantly recognized.

"Hey, Amber!" he called out, his tone overly familiar.

Amber startled but quickly composed herself. "…Oh. Hey, Albert."

Albert smirked as he walked closer. "Say, where are you heading?"

Amber sighed. "Home," she replied curtly.

Albert's smirk widened. "Why don't we catch up? Go for a drive? Just like old times."

Amber hesitated, her instincts warning her against it. But after a long pause, she relented. "Fine. But don't try anything funny."

Albert chuckled, opening the passenger door for her. "Funny? Me? Never."

The snow-blanketed roads of Yougou Pass stretched ahead as Albert navigated the sharp curves. At first, the drive was quiet, save for the hum of the engine. Then Albert broke the silence.

"I came back here for winter break," he said casually. "Figured I'd check out what's changed around here. Didn't expect to run into you, though."

Amber kept her gaze fixed on the passing trees. "Yeah, sure. Doesn't seem like you've changed much."

"Oh, I have," Albert replied, a sly edge to his voice. "But you've changed a lot. You're more mature now. More beautiful. More… woman."

Amber's jaw tightened, her fists clenching in her lap. "I shouldn't have agreed to this ride," she muttered. "Pull over. Now."

Albert gave her an exaggerated look of innocence. "What did I do? I didn't do anything!"

Amber slammed her hand against the dashboard. "You and your disgusting comments! You're the same creep you've always been! Don't ever talk to me again!" She reached for the door handle, ready to get out and walk if she had to.

But before she could open the door, Albert's demeanor changed. With a sudden, reckless motion, he floored the gas pedal. The Celica roared to life, rocketing forward and pinning Amber back against her seat.

"Come on!" Albert shouted, his voice tinged with desperation and anger. "Let's just talk! We used to talk all the time!"

Amber gripped her seatbelt tightly, her heart racing. "You got expelled for this same behavior, Albert! You're a creep, and you've always been one!"

Albert's laugh was hollow, almost maniacal. "Oh, come on! That was years ago. People change!"

As the car swerved wildly up the mountain road, Amber knew she had to act quickly. She pulled out her phone, her hands trembling as she typed a frantic message to Collei.

She hit send just as Albert sped through a sharp turn, the tires screeching against the icy pavement. Amber prayed the message would reach Collei in time.

At Arlecchino's home, Collei lay sprawled on her bed, scrolling absentmindedly through her phone. Suddenly, it buzzed with a message from Amber:

"Collei, please help! An old classmate took me for a ride, and he won't let me out! We're at Yougou Pass! He drives a white Celica!"

Collei's eyes widened as she bolted upright. She immediately texted back: "I'll be there. Hang tight!"

Without hesitation, Collei jumped out of bed, threw on her shoes, and grabbed the keys to her prized AE86. Rushing to the driveway, she slid into the driver's seat, started the car, and tore out onto the snowy road toward Yougou Pass.

Meanwhile, at the top of Yougou Pass, Albert leaned in closer to Amber, his voice smooth but unsettling. "Come on, Amber. Let's forget about all that. We used to talk all the time, didn't we?"

As he moved his hand toward her leg, Amber seized the moment. With a burst of fury, she swung her fist and sucker-punched him square in the face. Albert recoiled in shock, clutching his cheek, as Amber scrambled out of the car. She pulled out her phone and called Collei, her hands trembling.

It took six rings before Collei picked up, her voice tense but reassuring. "Amber, hang on tight! I'm almost there!"

Amber glanced behind her as Albert stumbled out of the car, still dazed but regaining his composure. He called after her, his tone desperate. "Wait, Amber! I'm sorry, okay? Let's talk about this!"

Amber yelled into the phone, "Collei, please! He's fucking psycho!"

Albert lunged forward and grabbed Amber, forcing her to the ground. His face twisted in frustration and something darker. "Collei?" he spat. "You're partners with Collei?"

Amber glared at him defiantly. "That's right, you asshole. And when she gets here, she's going to kick your sorry ass!"

Albert froze, his face contorting as memories came rushing back.

Two years earlier, after a Chemistry class, Albert leaned casually against a locker, laughing with a friend.

"Gotta say," Albert had boasted, "That sileighty is one hell of a driver. Probably the fastest on Yougou's uphill."

His friend chuckled. "You're not wrong. No one dares challenge her up there."

Albert smirked. "Yeah, and she's so sexy when she drives. Every time I see her in that car, I can't help but fantasize…"

A loud bang interrupted his words as a locker slammed shut. Collei stood nearby, glaring daggers at him.

"I am fucking sick of your gross sex talk, Albert. Keep That fucking mouth of yours SHUT!" she snapped.

Albert turned, scoffing. "Who do you think you're talking to? I'm a senior—"

Before he could finish, Collei's fist connected with his nose in a thunderous punch. Blood splattered as Albert crumpled to the ground, clutching his face.

Collei's hand throbbed, bleeding slightly from the impact, but her voice was steady with rage. "If I hear you talk like that again, you're getting worse than a broken nose. Nobody talks to us girls like were some sex toy..."

Back in the present, Albert shook himself from the flashback, his expression darkening. "I hate remembering that..."

Amber smirked coldly. "She's on her way, and she's not going to go easy on you."

Albert laughed nervously, masking his unease. "As if! She doesn't even have a car!"

Amber chuckled. "Oh, she has a car, all right. And she's the fastest racer in all of Yougou. You don't stand a chance."

Albert's eyes widened in disbelief. "Collei... races?"

Before Amber could respond, Albert grabbed her and dragged her back into his car. He floored the gas, sending the Celica hurtling down the pass.

Halfway up Yougou Pass, Collei's AE86 was a blur of motion. Snow-covered roads posed no challenge as her car drifted effortlessly around hairpins, its tires gripping as if the pavement were dry.

Her hands gripped the wheel tightly, her focus razor-sharp. "Whoever this guy is, he's getting a piece of me when I catch him."

Another hairpin approached. Collei braked hard, downshifting smoothly from fourth to third to second, and initiated a flawless four-wheel drift. The car slid gracefully around the curve before rocketing onto the next straightaway.

Ahead, she caught sight of headlights—two cars speeding toward her. As they passed, her heart sank. It was the white Celica she was looking for.

Amber's voice screamed out from the open window, "Collei! Please!"

Collei slammed the brakes, yanked the handbrake, and spun the car in a precise 180-degree turn. The AE86 roared as she accelerated in pursuit.

Albert sneered. "That old junker? In the snow? Please. She doesn't stand a chance against my Celica's all-wheel drive."

Amber's voice cut through his confidence. "Doesn't matter what you're driving, Albert. Collei can handle any condition!"

Albert scoffed. "We'll see about that."

But his bravado faltered when headlights appeared in his rearview mirror. Collei was already closing the gap.

"This is impossible!" Albert muttered, gripping the wheel tightly.

Amber smirked. "Told you so. Now watch the damn road!"

Albert slammed the brakes too late as a sharp right-hand hairpin loomed ahead. The Celica's tires lost traction, skidding helplessly into the guardrail. The car spun to a stop, its front right crumpled from the impact.

Collei skidded to a controlled stop nearby. She threw open her door, rushing toward Amber.

Amber bolted out of the wreck and into Collei's arms, her voice trembling. "You saved me…"

Collei gave her a reassuring squeeze before turning to Albert. Her expression hardened as she marched to him, grabbing his collar and slamming him against the dented car.

"What the fuck is your problem?" Collei spat. "First, your disgusting sex talk. Now you kidnap my partner?"

Albert stammered, "I—I didn't know—"

Collei cut him off with a punch to the stomach. As he doubled over, she delivered a knee to his face, sending him crumpling to the ground.

"Nobody messes with my friends," she growled. "Especially Amber."

Collei turned, taking Amber's hand as they climbed back into the AE86. The pair left Albert groaning in the snow, his Celica a mangled wreck.

Later, parked in a convenience store lot, Amber hugged Collei tightly, her voice filled with relief. "Thank you, Collei. You really saved me."

Collei smiled softly. "It's okay. You're safe now."

Amber sighed, "You know, Albert was talking about you when you broke his nose."

Collei raised an eyebrow. "Figures. But he won't be bothering us again. Not if he knows what's good for him."

Amber grinned. "You know it." The pair high-fived, their bond stronger than ever.

Months later, as spring arrived, Collei drove her AE86 up Araumi Pass, the sun glinting off its sleek white and black paint. At the summit, Ningguang waited, leaning casually against her white Mazda RX-7 FC.

Collei pulled up beside her, stepping out with a smile.

"Collei," Ningguang greeted warmly, "good to see you again."

"Nice to see you too, Ningguang," Collei replied.

Ningguang's expression turned curious. "So? What's the verdict?"

Collei smirked. "I'll join your team—but I have a request."

Ningguang raised an eyebrow. "What kind of request?"

"How about an exhibition run? Just for fun." Collei replied.

Ningguang chuckled. "Tonight, then. Let's do it."

Collei grinned, excitement buzzing in her chest. "Sounds perfect."