The Speed Of The Stars

As the night deepens and the moon ascends high into the velvety sky, the summit of Musouji Pass comes alive with anticipation. Heizou leans casually against his gleaming Subaru Impreza WRX STI, the metallic blue paint catching the faint silver light. Thoma stands nearby, arms crossed, his Celica's pristine white body contrasting against the shadowy backdrop. The air is crisp, laced with the faint smell of pine and exhaust fumes.

Heizou straightens, brushing dust from his jacket, and strides toward Thoma, his expression relaxed yet perceptive. His gaze lingers on the Celica's sleek frame, the faint glint of its rally lights mirroring his contemplative tone.

"So," Heizou begins, his voice steady, "did you do your final checks before the downhill race with the Eight-Six?"

Thoma shakes his head, a small, wry smile playing on his lips. "You know I don't believe in that kind of thing," he replies, shrugging. He turns away slightly, his posture thoughtful. "To be honest, I'm not as excited as I should be. I don't know why, but there's this strange feeling gnawing at me."

Heizou smirks knowingly, stepping closer. "Is it because of your opponent's car?"

Thoma hesitates before giving a slight nod. "Maybe," he admits. "Of all the cars out there... why an Eight-Six? Not gonna lie, it feels almost unfair. My Celica could easily outmatch it. Feels like picking on someone weaker—like punching a kid. Ever since I saw it last night, I've felt bad about this match."

Heizou exhales slowly, his own expression hardening. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, my situation's worse."

Thoma's brow furrows as he glances at his friend. "What do you mean?"

Heizou tilts his head toward Thoma's Celica, his voice dropping slightly. "Because I'm racing against a Group B rally car."

Thoma's eyes widen in disbelief. "What?!"

"I'm not joking," Heizou says, his tone grave. "A Lancia Rally 037. I saw it parked right next to the Eight-Six earlier. That car—" He pauses, letting the weight of his words sink in. "It's a monster. The same one that won the 1983 World Rally Championship."

Thoma lets out a low whistle, shaking his head. "Man, you've got it rough. That's no ordinary opponent."

Their conversation is interrupted as Heizou walks off to check on other preparations, leaving Thoma alone with the rest of the team. The distant hum of engines grows louder, signaling the arrival of their rivals. All eyes turn as a pair of headlights emerges from the darkness, followed by the distinct form of a white-and-black AE86 Trueno and its accompanying support van.

The AE86 rolls to a stop in front of Thoma's Celica. The driver's door swings open, and Collei steps out, her youthful features illuminated by the overhead lights. She strides forward confidently, her emerald eyes gleaming with focus.

"I'm Collei," she announces simply.

Thoma nods, scrutinizing her. "I'm Thoma," he replies, his voice even. But as he takes a closer look, his composure falters for a brief moment. She's so young... Is this really the downhill ace everyone's been hyping?

Keqing steps forward, her tone crisp and businesslike. "We'd like to run the race leader-chaser style, if that's okay with you. Since you're the locals, you get to choose whether to lead or chase."

Thoma considers this for a moment before nodding. "I'll chase," he says firmly.

"Understood," Keqing replies, glancing at her watch. "It's about time we got started."

The cars rumble to the starting line, engines idling in low growls. As Collei exchanges words with Keqing, Thoma finds himself staring at the young racer. He notices a faint green-cyan aura radiating from her presence—a surreal, almost otherworldly energy.

Thoma turns to Heizou, lowering his voice. "I don't know about you, but she's not going to be an easy opponent."

Over in the parking lot, Ningguang speaks into her phone, her voice calm and measured. "So, he's chosen to chase," she murmurs. "Pass the phone to Collei. I need to speak with her."

Keqing obliges, handing the phone to Collei. "It's Ningguang," she says.

Collei nods, placing the phone to her ear. "Ningguang."

"Collei," Ningguang says firmly, "for this run, I want you to do two things."

Collei listens attentively, her expression unchanging as she absorbs the instructions. After a pause, she replies, "Understood." Handing the phone back to Keqing, she adds, "I'm ready."

With the preliminaries complete, the drivers climb into their cars, the stillness of the night shattered by the growl of revving engines. Thoma grips his steering wheel tightly, his knuckles whitening. His mind races, focused on the mystery before him.

Why an Eight-Six? he wonders.

Collei flashes her signal lights, and the two cars roll forward at a slow pace. The tension mounts as they approach the first turn. Then, as if a spell has been broken, both drivers slam their pedals to the floor. The two cars lurch forward, engines roaring in unison as the race explodes to life.

The straightaway is a mixed bag of uphills and downhills, demanding focus and precision. Collei's AE86 dives into the first right-hand turn, her foot slamming on the brakes as she downshifts fluidly, initiating a flawless four-wheel drift. Thoma, in his Celica GT-Four, opts for a different approach, gripping tightly as he carves through the curve with surgical precision.

Back at the parking lot, Clorinde approaches Ningguang, her arms crossed. "You spoke to Collei before the race," she says. "Did you give her any advice?"

Ningguang chuckles softly. "Not advice—instructions. The first was simple: don't look at her rearview mirror. It's crucial that she keeps her focus entirely on the road ahead. Even a single glance could cost her."

As the race intensifies, Thoma watches Collei's AE86 with growing intrigue. "What's so special about this car?" he mutters to himself. "This girl could give any graduate from Feiyun Racing School a serious challenge. Who is she?"

A small smirk tugs at his lips. "Doesn't matter," he murmurs. "From the sound of her engine, it revs as high as my 3S-GE. Her car's power must be on par with mine."

The two cars weave through the S-turns ahead, Collei's drifts as fluid and effortless as water, while Thoma's GT-Four clings to the road with tenacious grip. The race is far from over, but one thing is clear: this battle will be anything but ordinary.

The race continues, the roaring engines echoing through the mountain pass. The two cars weave through a series of challenging hairpins, their headlights slicing through the night. Both vehicles are now well past the halfway point, their drivers locked in an unrelenting battle of skill and precision.

Thoma's grip on the steering wheel tightens. His thoughts swirl, a mix of respect and determination. "Not gonna lie," he mutters under his breath, "this Eight-Six is tuned decently. Still, it's nothing that should have me worried… but I can't let my guard down. Feiyun's reputation is riding on this."

Suddenly, a memory flashes in Thoma's mind—a conversation from the day before. He recalls Xingqiu's voice, calm yet commanding, imparting wisdom forged through years of racing.

"Listen closely, Thoma. Modern cars come equipped with anti-lock braking systems. They're useful, sure, but here at the Feiyun Racing School, we don't rely on that kind of crutch. The first thing you need to master is how to brake without it."

The memory fades, snapping Thoma back to the present as they approach a slow, tight right-hand hairpin. Collei brakes early, maintaining her line with precise control. Thoma seizes the opportunity, diving to the inside and slamming on his brakes—but he presses the pedal too hard. The unmistakable screech of locked front wheels echoes through the pass, and his car begins to slide.

Meanwhile, Collei deftly eases off the brakes, her movements fluid and calculated. Her Eight-Six drifts through the hairpin gracefully, maintaining her lead and blocking Thoma's attempt to overtake.

Thoma clenches his teeth, his eyes narrowing. "Her focus on the road is unbelievable. No matter how much I try to force her into a mistake, she's unshakable. No hesitation, no reaction. Even the best students at Feiyun would crack under this kind of pressure."

Inside the cockpit of the Eight-Six, Collei's hands grip the wheel firmly, her knuckles whitening as she shifts her focus entirely on the road ahead. "I know you're behind me," she thinks, her heart pounding in rhythm with the roaring engine. "I don't need to look in my rearview mirror to feel the pressure. But I'm not backing off—not now, not ever. Ningguang gave me two instructions. All I have to do is follow them."

She shifts from third to fourth gear, her right foot pressing the gas pedal to the floor. The tachometer needle races upward, stopping just shy of 9,000 RPMs. The Eight-Six surges forward with newfound intensity, its high-pitched wail piercing the mountain air.

Back at the parking lot, Clorinde's thoughts are restless. Something about the race gnaws at her curiosity, a lingering question she can't shake. Finally, she turns to Ningguang, her voice tinged with suspicion. "So, what's the second instruction you gave Collei, anyway?"

Ningguang's lips curl into a faint smile. "It's simple," she replies. "Rev limiting."

Clorinde's eyes widen in surprise. "What?"

Ningguang elaborates, her tone as cool as ever. "You're already aware that Collei's engine is a high-revving marvel, capable of reaching 11,000 RPMs. For this run, I instructed her to cap it at 9,000."

Understanding dawns on Clorinde's face, and a smirk forms. "Ah, I see. It's to mask her car's full potential, isn't it? Keep the opponent guessing."

Ningguang nods, her gaze sharp. "Exactly. Collei isn't the type to engage in mind games, and I won't weigh her down with unnecessary mental strain. This is a simple, effective way to keep her focus on the task at hand. It's not easy, holding back like this—but if she can manage to maintain her position, she'll come out of this unscathed."

Back on the pass, the race barrels toward its conclusion. The two cars charge down the final stretch, engines roaring in unison as the finish line approaches. The run ends in a dead heat—no overtakes, no changes in position. Both drivers push their machines to the limit, yet neither gains an edge.

As the two cars return to the starting line, the air buzzes with anticipation. This time, the roles are reversed: Thoma will lead, and Collei will chase.

Inside the Eight-Six, Collei closes her eyes for a moment, steadying her breath. "Now it's my turn," she whispers. "Let's see what you're really made of."

In his Celica, Thoma glances at his rearview mirror, determination burning in his eyes. "She held her ground last round. Impressive. But now she's chasing. Let's see if she can keep up."

The engines rev, echoing through the night like a war cry. The second run is about to begin, and the stakes have never been higher.

Keqing raises two fingers high in the air. "Alright, this is the second run! Get ready!"

As she steps back to clear the starting area, the two cars begin moving at a leisurely pace. The engines hum steadily as the drivers navigate the initial section of the course, waiting for the real battle to begin. Then they pass the first corner, and the atmosphere shifts. Both drivers slam the gas pedals, and the cars roar to life, tearing through the bumpy, up-and-down straightaway at breakneck speed.

Thoma sneaks a glance at his rearview mirror. His eyes narrow as a plan forms in his mind. "I've already learned what I need to know about that Eight-Six. I know how it revs. I know how it handles in the turns. Now it's time to cut the rope."

In her Eight-Six, Collei shifts up from third to fourth. The tachometer needle soars past 9,000 RPM, climbing all the way to 11,000 before she shifts again. The needle dips momentarily before climbing again as she accelerates, the engine's high-pitched wail echoing through the mountains.

The two cars approach a left-hand turn. Thoma's Celica grips tightly to the road, maintaining traction. Collei, in contrast, executes a perfect no-countersteer four-wheel drift. The Eight-Six closes the gap in an instant.

Collei's eyes narrow as she keeps her focus razor-sharp. "You've got speed," she mutters under her breath, "I'll give you that. But let's see if you can hold on."

In the parking area, Ningguang continues her explanation to Clorinde, her voice calm and confident.

"When Collei is chasing, her ability to focus is off the charts. Her adaptability is unparalleled—it's not just skill. It's instinct. If she's being pulled along by a local driver, their pace becomes her own. And not only will she match it—she'll push it even further."

Back on the course, the two cars reach an S-turn hairpin. Both drivers brake hard and drift through flawlessly. The gap between them shrinks even more as Collei's front bumper nearly brushes Thoma's rear.

Thoma's eyes widen in disbelief. "No… I don't understand! I should've figured out her top speed by now. How is she still keeping up?"

Behind him, Collei's patience wears thin. Her grip tightens on the wheel, and her lips press into a firm line. "This is starting to get on my nerves. I've never driven a course like this before… but if I ease off the throttle, I'll lose this chance. I can't let that happen!"

She slams the gas pedal to the floor, the Eight-Six lunging forward with renewed determination.

Meanwhile, back at the summit, Ganyu joins Clorinde and Ningguang in the parking lot. Ningguang's tone becomes more analytical as she shares her insights.

"If Collei keeps up this pace, a new factor will come into play," Ningguang remarks, her eyes glinting with confidence.

Ganyu tilts her head, uncertain. "I… I'm not sure what you mean."

Clorinde smirks knowingly and speaks up. "It's the difference between 4WD and FR drivetrains. A 4WD car like that Celica relies on all four wheels for traction, but the front wheels do double duty—they grip the road and steer. That makes them wear out faster, especially under intense pressure. Combine that with the Celica's weight, and it's only a matter of time before Thoma's front tires are shot."

On the course, Thoma begins to feel the effects. The Celica approaches a right-hand turn, but the car starts to understeer.

"This is bad," Thoma mutters, panic creeping into his voice. "My front tires are losing grip! I pushed too hard on the first run… I thought I could shake her!"

Behind him, Collei senses the shift. Her eyes narrow, and a small smirk plays on her lips. "I'm not imagining this—his tires are wearing out. The next hairpin is my chance."

At the summit, Clorinde glances at Ningguang, curiosity sparking in her expression.

"If you were Collei, where would you try to overtake?" she asks.

Ningguang smiles slyly. "That depends entirely on the gearing of the car. Every driver hesitates at certain points—deciding whether to upshift or maintain the same gear. That hesitation creates openings."

Clorinde nods, piecing it together. "And with the Eight-Six's engine revving higher than the Celica's, that hesitation is amplified. That's why you had Collei limit her RPMs earlier—it keeps Thoma from realizing her full potential until it's too late."

Ningguang winks. "Exactly."

Back in the race, Collei revs the engine hard. The tachometer shoots from 9,500 to 11,000 RPM as she approaches Thoma's Celica. Thoma shifts up, briefly losing speed during the transition. Collei seizes the moment and pulls alongside him as they approach a fast-paced right-hand turn.

Thoma glances to his side, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You've gotta be kidding me!"

The two cars race through the turn side by side, the tension palpable. As they approach a tight hairpin, both drivers slam on their brakes. Thoma's front wheels lock up completely, while Collei expertly eases off her brakes, skirting the edge of control. She downshifts smoothly and powers through the turn. The Eight-Six jolts forward, taking the lead as they exit the corner.

The race is over. Collei crosses the finish line first, extending her undefeated streak.

At the parking lot, the drivers return. The Eight-Six parks near Team Speed Stars, while the Celica pulls up next to Heizou's WRX STI.

Thoma steps out of his car, his shoulders slumping. "I… I lost."

Heizou approaches, his tone incredulous. "How did that happen?"

Thoma shakes his head, glancing at his tires. "Tire wear. I locked up on the last hairpin and almost hit the wall. She saw the gap and didn't hesitate."

Across the lot, Collei is greeted with cheers. Ningguang high-fives her enthusiastically. "Nicely done, Collei! You were incredible out there."

Collei blushes, smiling shyly. "Th-thank you, Ningguang!"

The night isn't over yet. As the drivers prepare for the uphill battle between Clorinde's Lancia 037 and Heizou's Subaru WRX STI, the stakes only grow higher.