The Speed Of The Stars

Days have passed since Team Speed Stars' triumphant victory at Musouji Pass. The atmosphere at the gas station is quiet and unhurried—a typical slow day. March and Beidou are sweeping the floors, their brooms moving in a steady rhythm, while Amber and Seele are locked in animated conversation near the counter.

The familiar rumble of a high-revving engine draws everyone's attention. Moments later, a black-and-white AE86 glides smoothly into the station lot, coming to a halt in front of the group. Collei steps out, her smile radiant as she waves at her friends.

Beidou raises a hand in greeting. "Hey, Collei! Off work today?"

Collei nods, closing the door of her car with a soft click. "Oh yeah, finally!"

Amber dashes over to her, wrapping her in a warm, enthusiastic hug. "Collei! Congratulations! You've been amazing!"

Collei hugs her back, the joy on her face unmistakable. "Thanks, sweetheart. It's been a wild ride so far, hasn't it?"

The others gather around, their chatter filled with excitement as they follow Collei toward the garage area.

March practically bounces with energy, unable to contain her enthusiasm. "This is the moment I've been waiting for!"

Collei tilts her head, eyebrows raised. "Waiting for what?"

March nudges her playfully with an elbow. "Come on! You know what I mean—my Supra! It's in the shop right now, getting converted to a GTE with all kinds of mods!"

Collei scratches the back of her head, a grin tugging at her lips. "No kidding, huh? Sounds serious."

March's eyes light up as she nods vigorously. "Oh yeah! In two or three days, it'll be in my loving arms, ready to tear up the roads!" She then turns to Beidou, her voice brimming with determination. "And when that happens, I'll be just as fast as you!"

Beidou chuckles, shaking her head. "You wish! I just re-installed the ATTESA ETS in my R32. Not only that, but I upgraded it to the ETS Pro system from the R34s. You're going to need more than a GTE to catch me."

The group bursts into laughter, the camaraderie as strong as ever as they share stories, plans, and dreams for the days ahead.

Later that night, under the dim moonlight at Musouji Pass, Thoma and Heizou are preparing to leave the Feiyun garage. They're loading their gear into the trunk when the sound of a car pulling up behind them interrupts their routine.

The car's headlights cut through the darkness, and its driver steps out, her figure silhouetted against the glow.

Thoma's eyes widen in surprise. "Shinobu? What are you doing here?"

Shinobu strides toward them, her arms crossed and a stern look on her face. Her voice carries a sharp edge. "Word on the street is that you two fools lost to outsiders on your home course. Care to explain that?"

Thoma glances at Heizou, who avoids his gaze. Reluctantly, he sighs. "We... weren't expecting their level of skill. They caught us off guard."

Shinobu narrows her eyes. "Caught off guard? You've been trained by a rally legend! You should've known better. Now, spill all the details."

Meanwhile, in Xingqiu's office, the young racing instructor leans back in his chair, watching Shinobu pace the room. She finally sits beside him, her frustration evident in her tight expression.

"You've got to go easier on those two," Xingqiu says with a small smile. "Everyone loses eventually. That's how you earn humility. It's part of the process."

Shinobu huffs, resting her elbows on her knees. "I know that. But they should've been more prepared. You're their teacher, and you're younger than them—hell, even younger than me! Yet you know racing better than anyone around here. Doesn't it sting your pride when they lose?"

Xingqiu nods slowly. "Of course it does. That's why I started the Feiyun Racing School—to give everyone a chance to improve. But you've been different lately. Your driving, especially on circuits, has changed. What's going on?"

Shinobu leans back, crossing her arms. "No kidding. Racing these days is all about contracts and sponsorships. It's not even about the thrill of the race anymore. It's just a show. We risk our lives out there, and for what? Entertainment?"

Xingqiu smirks. "I get it. You're looking for something real. A distraction, maybe?"

Shinobu's eyes glint with determination. "Yeah. I want to challenge Team Speed Stars. A rematch, on behalf of the school."

Back in Yougou, Collei waits for Arlecchino to return from a test drive. The roar of a high-revving Group A engine echoes down the quiet streets. Moments later, Collei's AE86 pulls into the lot and parks beside her. Arlecchino steps out, a satisfied smile on her face.

"I'm impressed," Arlecchino says, patting the car's roof. "Your team did an amazing job tuning the Eight-Six. It's perfectly balanced—the way I'd want it to be. Makes racing a lot easier for you, doesn't it?"

Collei shrugs, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe, but every race gets harder. It's only a matter of time before my winning streak ends."

Arlecchino sighs, leaning against the car. "Not going to lie, kid—part of me hopes you keep it going. Sure, losing teaches you a thing or two, but this... this is something special."

After a moment, Arlecchino straightens and gestures toward the AE86. "You know, considering you only own half of it. You are getting the most use out of this car than me. I think it's time for me to buy another one."

Collei blinks, surprised. "A new car? You're kidding."

Arlecchino chuckles, her eyes sparkling. "I'm not. I've been thinking about it for a while now. Maybe Lynette can hook me up with something fun and fast. Something... different."

Collei tilts her head, curiosity piqued. "What kind of fun?"

Arlecchino grins, turning toward the lot. "That's for me to figure out. Guess we'll find out soon enough."

A day had passed since the initial challenge. At Ningguang's elegant household, the sun streamed through large windows, casting golden patterns on the polished floors. Keqing approached the study door and knocked lightly.

"Hey, Ning? Got a minute?"

A calm, measured voice replied from inside. "Come in."

Keqing entered, her expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. "So… is it true? Feiyun is asking for a rematch?"

Ningguang, seated gracefully at her desk, nodded, setting aside some documents. "Yes. It's one of their graduates."

Keqing raised an eyebrow as she stepped closer. "Seriously? That's wild…"

"It is," Ningguang admitted. "I've already called Collei and Clorinde to discuss our strategy for the race."

Right on cue, the distinctive sound of a supercharged engine echoed outside, accompanied by the throaty roar of individual throttle bodies. Ningguang stood and walked to the porch, where she saw two cars pulling up—a Lancia 037 in its iconic Martini livery and the black-and-white Panda scheme of the Eight-Six.

The cars parked neatly below, their engines idling briefly before shutting off. Ningguang and Keqing descended the stairs to greet Collei and Clorinde as they stepped out.

"Thanks for coming on such short notice," Ningguang said, her tone appreciative yet businesslike.

Collei smiled. "No problem."

Clorinde crossed her arms, her voice steady. "Not a big deal. So, what's going on?"

Ningguang sighed, her usual composed demeanor tinged with tension. "Feiyun has asked for a rematch in three days' time."

Clorinde's eyes widened in surprise. "What!? Who's the driver?"

Ningguang folded her hands. "It's one of their graduates, but don't worry—I have a plan."

She gestured for the group to follow her as she explained. "Here's what we'll do. Collei, you'll be the one racing. But during our practice runs, both the Lancia and the Eight-Six will run the course. We'll make them think Clorinde's Lancia will be the car they're up against. Then, on race day, they'll realize it's actually the Eight-Six."

Clorinde frowned slightly. "Why the Eight-Six? Isn't the Lancia better suited for this?"

A smirk tugged at Ningguang's lips. "This is a perfect opportunity to test Collei's critical thinking skills and adaptability. The Eight-Six will force her to rely on more than just speed."

Clorinde nodded, her initial doubt replaced by understanding. "I see your point."

Turning to Collei, Ningguang continued. "We're moving into phase two. We'll shed some weight off your Eight-Six. Replace the hood and headlight covers with carbon fiber, and swap the tailgate for fiberglass with polycarbonate glass. That should shed off some weight, and improve acceleration. Take it to Albedo today."

Collei nodded firmly. "Understood."

Clapping her hands, Ningguang dismissed them. "Alright, team. Let's get to work. We've got preparations to deal with."

The drivers nodded, getting into their cars and driving off toward Yougou.

That night, Ningguang sat in her office, analyzing footage of Fujitou Pass—the location of the upcoming race. The complex mix of sharp hairpins and undulating straights promised a significant challenge. As she made notes, her phone buzzed on the desk.

She answered quickly. "Hello?"

"Hey, Ningguang. It's Feixiao."

Leaning back in her chair, Ningguang's tone softened. "Feixiao. Nice to hear from you. What's the occasion?"

Feixiao's voice carried a serious edge. "Listen, this might be hard for you to hear, but… don't race this girl. She's a professional circuit racer."

Ningguang straightened, her eyes narrowing. "What are you talking about?"

Feixiao hesitated before continuing. "Her name is Kuki Shinobu. She's from Inazuma City, and she's on a whole different level from anyone Feiyun's ever fielded. I'm telling you, it looks like they're setting you up. If you have to race her, either take it on yourself or use Clorinde's Lancia. It's the only car that stands a chance."

Over at Fujitou Pass, the distinct rumble of a Subaru Legacy RS Group A Rally Car echoed through the mountains. Shinobu expertly maneuvered through each hairpin, the rear of the car sliding out in controlled drifts before snapping back into line.

Thoma and Heizou watched from the sidelines, stunned by the display.

"The Feiyun demonstration car is already insane at its default settings," Thoma muttered, shaking his head.

Heizou nodded. "Yeah, but with Kuki Shinobu behind the wheel… who knows how much faster it can go?"

Shinobu eventually pulled up to Xingqiu's support van, parking the Subaru with precision. She stepped out, her confident demeanor matching her skill on the road.

"How's she running?" Xingqiu asked, glancing at her.

Shinobu smirked. "Good, but I want the rear to slide out more. Adjust the all-wheel-drive system to bias toward the rear wheels instead of the 50/50 split."

Xingqiu nodded. "Got it. Anything else?"

"I'll let you know after the next run."

Meanwhile, at another rest area near the pass, Collei's Eight-Six arrived, its headlights glinting under the streetlights. The once-white hood and headlight covers had been replaced with sleek carbon fiber, and the rear hatch sported a fiberglass trunk door hatch and lightweight polycarbonate glass.

Keqing's jaw dropped. "Holy crap, it looks like a whole new car!"

Albedo nodded, wiping his hands on a rag. "Ningguang's request. Every kilogram counts when it comes to performance."

Ningguang whistled, calling everyone to gather. The team surrounded her, their focus unwavering.

"Listen up," Ningguang began. "Collei, I've sent you a video of the course. Study it carefully—it's a mix of uphill and downhill sections with plenty of technical turns. It's going to test everything you've got."

Ganyu clenched her fists. "This is awesome! So, who's racing?"

Ningguang nodded. "We've decided. The Eight-Six is our car for this race."

Ganyu's eyes widened. "What?! Why not the Lancia?"

Ningguang raised a hand to silence her. "The Lancia is a decoy. I want Feiyun to think they're racing Clorinde. The real challenge will be Collei's ability to adapt under pressure."

"But the Eight-Six is out of its league!" Ganyu protested.

Ningguang's voice turned sharp. "I'm tired of repeating myself. I've made my decision, and its final. Remember. Team Speed Stars doesn't back down from a race. End of discussion."

The room fell silent, the weight of Ningguang's words settling over the team. They exchanged uncertain glances, but one thing was clear: the race was on, and there was no turning back.

The Following Afternoon. In the quiet confines of Xingqiu's office, Kuki Shinobu sat with her legs crossed, a focused expression on her face as she studied datasheets for the Subaru Legacy RS Group A Rally Car. Her finger traced the specifications of the all-wheel-drive system when Thoma entered, leaning casually against the doorframe.

"Hey, Shinobu? Are you coming along tonight? Team Speed Stars is practicing at Fujitou Pass," Thoma asked.

Shinobu shook her head, not looking up from the datasheet. "No thanks. I'll stay here. You can go ahead."

Thoma tilted his head. "Why not? Aren't you curious about how they prepare?"

A soft chuckle escaped Shinobu's lips. "It's no mystery. They'll do what every team does—run the course, fine-tune their cars, and adjust to the conditions until everything feels perfect. Nothing I haven't seen a hundred times before."

Thoma stepped closer, curiosity evident in his eyes. "But why are you doing this anyway? You're a pro racer. What's the point of taking on street racers?"

Shinobu sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Because it's a distraction. Professional racing has become more about money, sponsorship deals, and fulfilling contract obligations than the sport itself. It's exhausting. These days, it's all about the show, not the skill. When someone crashes, they call it 'entertaining.' For us, it's life or death. So yeah, I'm racing a bunch of street racers. But just because it's not on a circuit doesn't mean I'll hold back."

Her green eyes gleamed with determination. "I'll drive the way I always do—on the edge."

Hours later. The night had settled over Fujitou Pass, the dim glow of scattered streetlights casting long shadows. The parking area near the starting line was alive with activity. The AE86 and the Lancia 037 were parked alongside the support vans, tools and spare parts neatly arranged. Ningguang stood before her team, her presence commanding as ever.

"Alright," she began, her voice clear and firm. "The trick with this course is that it transitions seamlessly between uphills and downhills, mixed with tight technical sections. Your car and your technique need to be in perfect balance.

"We'll start at 80% pace. Clorinde, even though you're not racing the professional, I want you to drive like you are. We don't want Feiyun figuring anything out. Understood?"

Both Clorinde and Collei nodded. Without a word, Clorinde turned and climbed into her Lancia. Moments later, the supercharged twin-cam engine roared to life. She launched the car out of the parking lot, its tires screeching as it gripped the tarmac.

Collei stayed behind, giving Clorinde space for her run. As she waited, Albedo approached her window, leaning down to speak.

"She's on fire tonight," he remarked, glancing at the disappearing taillights of the Lancia. "Even though she's not racing, the intensity's there."

Collei nodded, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "I know."

Albedo's tone softened. "Remember, this isn't the race yet. Take it easy. The only opponent on a practice run is the course itself."

Collei's expression steeled. "Got it. I'm heading out."

She rolled up her window and brought the Eight-Six to life. With a swift launch, the car shot out of the parking lot, its lightweight frame darting into the night like an arrow.

As the two cars disappeared into the darkness, Keqing approached Ningguang, her brows furrowed with confusion.

"Ningguang, I still don't get it. Why did you pick the Eight-Six? And why did you bring your RX-7 FC? What's going on?"

Ningguang scoffed, brushing off the questions. "The FC is here because I inspected the course earlier. That's all. As for the Eight-Six, I've already explained myself. You just need to trust me."

Keqing raised an eyebrow. "You're not usually this cryptic. Is everything okay?"

Ningguang's expression faltered briefly before she sighed. "Honestly? I'm a little confused myself."

"Huh?"

Ningguang shook her head, brushing past Keqing. "Keqing, do me a favor—take over for me for the next couple of hours."

Keqing blinked in surprise. "For what? What are you going to do?"

"Sleep," Ningguang said with a smirk. "I haven't slept in three days, thanks to that business report i'm writing up. I'm running on fumes."

Before Keqing could respond, Ningguang entered one of the support vans and shut the door. Moments later, she was fast asleep, leaving Keqing standing there, bewildered.

Back on the Course. Clorinde's Lancia tore through the hairpins with precision, its supercharged engine screaming as she pushed it to the limit. Her hands danced on the wheel, guiding the car with surgical precision.

"Ningguang was right," she muttered to herself. "This course is unpredictable. The shifts between uphill and downhill are enough to throw you off if you're not careful. But no matter what, I have to keep my pace. I have to drive like I'm racing that professional."

With her focus unwavering, she floored the accelerator. The Lancia surged forward, devouring the road ahead.

Farther down the course, the Eight-Six sped in the opposite direction. The two cars crossed paths on a straightaway, their drivers exchanging a fleeting glance of mutual respect before vanishing into the night.

Back in the Parking Area. Keqing sighed as she leaned against one of the support vans, watching the distant glow of headlights.

"I still don't know what Ningguang is thinking," she muttered.

Albedo placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Relax. Ningguang has her reasons. Trust her judgment."

Nearby, Navia worked on Clorinde's Lancia, fitting a fresh set of semi-slick Pirelli tires. With a final adjustment, she dropped the car from the jack and signaled Clorinde.

"She's ready to go," Navia said.

Clorinde gave her a quick thumbs-up. "Thanks." She hopped into the car and executed a flawless 180-degree handbrake turn, heading back out for another run.

Minutes later, Collei returned in the Eight-Six, parking it for a quick setup change. The night wore on, practice runs blending into the early hours of the morning.

As dawn began to break, their toughest challenge yet loomed on the horizon—a battle not just against a professional driver, but against themselves.

The countdown to the race had begun.