The Speed Of The Stars

The following morning, Collei made her way back from her usual delivery runs. She drove along the winding road up Yougou, the morning mist clinging to the curves of the mountain. With one hand on the wheel, she leaned her head against her arm, slumping slightly to the right side. Her purple eyes stared ahead, though her mind wandered elsewhere.

Collei let out a long sigh. "I'm still pumped… That race was something else."

Her thoughts drifted to the night before, replaying the moments like a movie in her head. She remembered the sharp glow of Shinobu's Subaru's brake lights. In that instant, she'd killed her own headlights, plunging her Eight-Six into darkness for her first-ever attempt at the blind attack. The tension gripped her even now as the memory unfolded.

The move worked. Her Eight-Six crept up beside Shinobu's Subaru. As they approached a sharp right-hand hairpin, Collei timed it perfectly. She flicked her headlights back on, the pop-up beams snapping to life and flooding the road with bright halogen light. Hooking her wheels into the gutter, she swung through the inside lane, overtaking Shinobu in one clean move.

The memory shifted to the final corner: her Eight-Six and Shinobu's car neck and neck. The roar of their engines echoed against the mountain walls as they approached the straightaway. With the Eight-Six's high-rev advantage, Collei edged ahead, her tachometer screaming as she crossed the finish line first.

Collei blinked, snapping back to reality. She muttered to herself, "That was mainly luck… If Ningguang had raced Shinobu, she would've crushed her without breaking a sweat. Wild card or nothing—I've got to improve…"

Just then, the deep growl of a turbocharged inline-six engine broke her thoughts. Her eyes darted to the rearview mirror. A flash of Bayside Blue filled the frame—a Nissan R34 Skyline, tailgating her dangerously close.

Collei sat up straight, both hands now gripping the wheel. Her emerald eyes narrowed. "Impatient, huh? Do I let you pass, or do I leave you in the dust and teach your dumbass some manners?"

A smirk tugged at her lips. "No way I'm letting you pass. Not on my home turf."

With a quick flick, she downshifted from fifth gear to third, slamming her foot on the gas. The Eight-Six jolted forward, its engine screaming as the impromptu battle began. The R34 roared behind her, closing the gap with each twist and turn.

Collei gritted her teeth. The Eight-Six's lightweight body and nimble handling allowed her to take corners with precision, but the Skyline's raw power was relentless. Each straightaway gave the R34 a chance to catch up, and Collei felt the pressure mounting as the turbocharged beast crept closer.

They reached a hairpin. Collei executed a flawless drift, her tires skimming the edge of the road as she maintained bottleneck speed. Yet the R34 followed suit, its wheels gripping the same line with uncanny precision. It was tailgating her again by the exit.

"You've got to be kidding me!" she shouted, her brow twitching in frustration. "Does this person have it in them or what?! Damn it!"

The two cars blasted through a fast-paced right-hand corner. Up ahead loomed the infamous five consecutive hairpins—Collei's last chance to shake off her pursuer. Her grip on the wheel tightened.

"Alright, you tricky bastard. You asked for it. Time to pull out an old-fashioned move…"

As they reached the first hairpin, Collei hooked her right wheel into the gutter, trying to widen the gap. But to her shock, the R34 copied her maneuver perfectly, its tires locking into the same groove.

"Holy fucking shit!" Collei gasped, her pulse racing.

Hairpin after hairpin, the R34 mirrored her every move. By the time they reached the longest straightaway, the Skyline had gained enough momentum to pull alongside her. Collei could only watch in disbelief as the R34 edged ahead, its twin turbos screaming.

It was over.

She eased off the gas, her shoulders slumping as the R34 disappeared into the distance. "I can't beat a driver I can't outbrake… That son of a bitch got me."

The rest of the drive passed in a blur. By the time she reached the house, her frustration had faded into exhaustion. Stepping inside, she called out, "Dad!"

Silence greeted her. The house was empty. Collei scratched her head. "Where could she have gone off so early?"

The day dragged on, and by nightfall, Collei found herself at the gas station. She parked at one of the pumps and stepped out, spotting Beidou, Seele, and Amber chatting nearby.

"Hey, fellas! How's it hanging?" Collei called out, her voice casual despite her earlier loss.

Amber rushed over, throwing her arms around Collei in a warm hug. "I saw you race at Musouji Pass! Congratulations!"

Collei's eyes widened as she returned the hug. "Really? You were there?"

Seele nodded, smirking. "Yep. Beidou and March couldn't make it, so Amber and I went. You were amazing out there."

Collei glanced around. "Speaking of March, where is she?"

Beidou chuckled. "She left early to pick up her Supra from the shop."

Seele grinned. "We're gonna give March's GTE conversion a proper shakedown tonight."

Beidou scoffed, crossing her arms. "Please. Her Supra's no match for my RB26 twin turbo. You can't beat the RB."

"Whatever, Beidou," Seele said with a laugh before turning to Collei. "So, big timer, how does it feel to beat a professional circuit racer? Seriously, is there anything you can't do?"

Collei scratched the back of her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Well… It feels great."

Amber beamed at her. "I'm so proud! One of our own is on her way to becoming a mountain pass legend!"

Seele and Beidou nodded in agreement.

But Collei's mind wandered back to the R34. Her smile faded slightly. "Feels like a dream I woke up from…" she muttered under her breath.

The distant hiss of a blow-off valve broke the moment. All heads turned as March's Supra rolled into the lot, the silver machine gleaming under the station lights. The window rolled down, revealing March with a cheeky grin and a peace sign.

"Tada! The Supra's new phase! Locked, loaded, and ready to kick ass!"

Moments later, the group was making their way up the mountain pass under the crisp night sky. The headlights of their convoy painted streaks of light along the winding road.

Amber trailed behind in her Sileighty, her car's tail lights glowing as she navigated the curves. Ahead of her, Beidou and Seele rode together in Beidou's R32, its iconic straight-six purring with confidence. At the front, March's newly turbocharged Supra roared with power, Collei riding shotgun and observing the road ahead with sharp focus.

As they exited a hairpin, March slammed the gas pedal, unleashing the beast under the hood. The twin turbos spooled up, delivering a surge of torque that catapulted the car forward. The Supra surged ahead, its engine howling with delight.

Seele chuckled, glancing at Beidou from the passenger seat of the R32. "Looks like you're about to eat your own words, my friend."

Beidou smirked, unfazed. "Whatever, dude. I'm not worried about a thing."

Up front, March threw herself into the next corner. She braked hard, turning into the hairpin, the rear tires breaking loose. Her hands danced on the wheel as she countersteered, sliding through the turn flawlessly.

"Holy crap, dude! I just pulled off a perfect hairpin drift!" March shouted, her voice electric with excitement. "My wildest dreams are coming true!"

Collei laughed, shaking her head. "Settle down, March. Don't start patting yourself on the back just yet."

Her gaze flicked to the passenger-side mirror, and her brow furrowed. Headlights were coming up fast behind them.

"Looks like we've got company," Collei said calmly, though her tone carried a hint of tension.

March glanced at her rearview mirror, curiosity piqued. "Whoa, it's fast. What kind of car is that?"

Collei squinted, her mind racing. "Is it the car from this morning?" she muttered under her breath.

Before she could be sure, a cyan blur roared past them. March's jaw dropped as the car overtook them with ease.

"Holy crap! An S15 Silvia with a Rocket Bunny kit!" March exclaimed, her eyes wide in admiration.

Collei exhaled, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "Nope. Different car."

The Rocket Bunny Silvia tore through the night, quickly leaving the convoy in the dust. The silence in the Supra was broken only by the sound of March's engine.

Seele leaned her head against the window, sighing dramatically. "Is it just me, or are we like box turtles getting lapped by jackrabbits?"

Beidou's brow twitched as she jabbed Seele in the shoulder. "Who are you calling a box turtle, jackass? What the hell is wrong with you?"

Seele held up her hands defensively. "Hey, take it easy! And focus on the road, not hitting me!"

The group pressed on, eventually arriving at the summit. They parked in a loose circle, the cool mountain air swirling around them. The group gathered near March's Supra, its hood popped open, revealing the gleaming work done to its engine.

March, brimming with pride, stood tall as she explained. "The 2JZ-GE produced about 230 horsepower stock. The GTE version bumped that to around 276 horsepower. But with all the aftermarket parts installed now? When we tested it on the dyno, it hit 690 horsepower at peak. That's nearly triple the power it used to make!"

She clenched her fist against her chest, her eyes shining. "Man, this is too good to be true! Even in second gear, the wheels spin like crazy! And the way the rear slides now? Way better than when it was stock."

Beidou nodded appreciatively. "I get that. A re-tuned ride can feel like an entirely different beast."

Seele grinned. "Same here. It's like a rebirth, really."

Beidou glanced at Collei. "So, Collei, what do you think? Was converting this into a GTE twin-turbo a good choice?"

Collei crossed her arms, considering her words. "It's a great build, no doubt. But something feels off. The car's strengths are different from my Eight-Six, so it'll take time to get used to."

Beidou nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. It's probably all the torque from the turbos. They pack a harder punch than a naturally aspirated engine."

Collei nodded back. "Exactly. But with that much power, steering becomes more of an endurance test. I'd recommend checking the damper settings. They might be a little too soft for how you're driving."

A collective "Huh?" rose from the group as their eyes widened in surprise. March and Amber's smiles grew mischievous.

Collei continued, unfazed. "If you want to make it even faster, stiffen up the suspension a bit. That'll make the car more reactive to your steering and let you open up the throttle earlier, even during cornering. Oh, and a boost controller would help. You don't need full boost on a downhill—it's better to balance grip and power."

She paused, noticing the stunned expressions on her friends' faces. "What's with the looks, guys?"

March turned to the others, her voice dripping with mock disbelief. "Is it just me, or is Collei spitting out words that actually make sense?"

Seele smirked, bowing her head slightly. "It's not just you. I heard her too."

Beidou raised an eyebrow, nodding slowly. "She's dead-on. The NA Supra's suspension is way softer than you'd think for a sports car. And yeah, running full boost on a downhill? Total waste. You'd be braking before you could even use it properly."

She turned to Collei, a wry smile spreading across her face. "No offense, Collei, but I never thought I'd hear words like that coming out of your mouth."

Amber stepped closer, her grin wide. "Seriously, what did Team Speed Stars do to you?"

Collei waved her hands dismissively, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment. "Nothing! If those guys heard me talking like this, they'd throw me in a mental asylum…"

The tension was palpable as screeching tires echoed through the summit. A red, turbocharged Supra roared into view, its gleaming body illuminated by the dim mountain lights.

March's eyes narrowed as she glared at the newcomer. "Hey. That's the same S15 that passed us a while ago!"

The cyan S15 rolled to a stop on the roadside, its engine idling aggressively. The driver stepped out—a striking woman with flowing silver hair, her confident smirk practically oozing arrogance. She crossed the guardrail with a relaxed stride, her eyes sweeping over the group.

"Hey there! Sorry if I passed you back there. I sometimes get ahead of myself." Her tone was nonchalant as if her interruption was nothing out of the ordinary.

She stopped a few paces away and gave them a slight nod. "Ah, right, forgot to introduce myself. I'm Shenhe. Came all the way from Inazuma City."

Her gaze shifted, taking in the cars parked nearby. She let out a disappointed sigh. "Honestly, I was expecting a horde of racers up here. It's pretty underwhelming. I thought places like this would be brimming with talent."

Beidou's jaw clenched, her eyes narrowing as she bit back a retort. Shenhe's casual dismissal of their group was beginning to grind on her.

Unbothered, Shenhe approached the Supra. Her expression shifted into mild intrigue as she leaned toward the open hood.

"Hmm... what's this?" she muttered, inspecting the engine bay. "Well, well, a 2JZ motor. Say, this is built pretty decently."

She straightened up, glancing around. "So, who owns this thing?"

March stepped forward, her shoulders squared. "I do."

Shenhe let out a soft chuckle. "Really? I was expecting someone like you to be driving a turbocharged AE85 instead."

March's fists balled up, her cheeks burning red. "Hey! Shut up, asshole!"

Beidou stepped forward, her voice cold and sharp. "Who the hell are you to talk like that about us or our rides? You talk too much. All we saw you do was pass a few cars taking a chill ride up the pass. That's not exactly impressive."

Shenhe smirked, tilting her head. "What are you saying exactly? You think it'd be different if it were a downhill run?"

Beidou sighed heavily, her patience thinning. "Look, just get the hell out of here and leave us alone. If you want to keep running your mouth, do it back on your own turf."

Shenhe raised a brow, feigning hurt. "If that's how it is..." With a shrug, she turned and strode back to her car.

The S15 roared back to life and sped off down the road—but only to park at the straightaway ahead, her headlights glaring back at them like a taunt.

March slammed the hood of her Supra shut, her jaw tight as she stared at the waiting S15. The others exchanged uneasy glances.

Seele sighed, her voice tinged with concern. "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"

Beidou's lips curled into a grin, her eyes glinting. "Because that idiot's going to ambush us as soon as we leave. Looks like she's out for blood."

March clenched her fists, her determination burning through her frustration. "She can talk smack all she wants. With our downhill skills, she doesn't stand a chance!"

Amber nodded eagerly. "Exactly!"

Beidou turned to Seele with a sly smirk. "So, what do you say we show her what the gals from Yougou are really made of?"

Seele's eyes lit up as she raised her fists. "Hell yeah!"

Their eyes shifted to Collei, who took a step back, her hands raised in defense. "Wait, wait, wait—you expect me to take her on? No way! I'm not in any shape to race anyone right now!"

Beidou sighed, waving off her protests. "Fine. Then let's all show her what we're made of—together, as a team."

March pumped her fist in agreement. "Right! Let's do this!"

The convoy continued tearing through the mountain pass, headlights slicing through the darkness like blades. Beidou's R32 roared as she maintained her lead, expertly drifting through the hairpins. The smell of burning rubber and the echo of screeching tires filled the air as Shenhe's S15 struggled to keep up.

Shenhe gritted her teeth, her hands gripping the wheel. "That antique R32… it's surprisingly good. I didn't think she had this much skill."

Not far behind, Collei piloted March's newly turbocharged Supra, her driving calm and calculated. Amber's Sileighty followed, but the gap widened as Collei pushed the Supra to its limits.

March clung to her seat, her wide eyes glued to the blur of trees flashing past. "This car's insane!" she exclaimed, gripping the door for support. She glanced at Collei, curiosity overriding her fear. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

Collei kept her eyes on the road, her tone steady. "Sure. What's up?"

March hesitated, then blurted out, "Is what that jerk Shenhe said about me driving an Eight-Five true? Like, does this car not suit me or something?"

Collei shook her head slightly, her hands steady on the wheel. "No way. If you love your car and it makes you happy, who cares what anyone else thinks? It's your ride, March. Own it."

March bit her lip, then asked hesitantly, "But, like, this turbo setup… Is it weird? The Supra's engine was originally naturally aspirated."

Collei smirked, navigating the next hairpin with a smooth drift. "Different? Maybe. But it's all about what works for you. Remember, this is your car. Don't let anyone tell you how to feel about it."

As the Supra roared out of the hairpin, March's knuckles turned white as she held on tight. "Holy crap! I knew it'd be fast, but I didn't expect it to be this fast!"

Amber's voice crackled through the radio from behind, disbelief lacing her words. "Is it just me, or is Collei driving that thing like it's been hers for years?"

Seele nodded in agreement, a grin spreading across her face. "Lyney always said Collei has a knack for FR cars. If it's front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, she's in her element."

Up ahead, Collei narrowed her eyes, her tone growing more focused. "Beidou's going to stay ahead at this rate."

March tilted her head, confused. "What do you mean? Of course she's staying ahead—she's leading!"

Collei glanced at March, her voice steady but confident. "It's the R32's setup. Beidou's got the suspension dialed in perfectly—just stiff enough for cornering but soft enough to absorb bumps. The S15's too stiff, so it's bouncing all over the place. Any rough spot on the road, and Shenhe's going to lose control."

March stared at her, stunned. "Who… What the heck?! What did you do to Collei, and where did all this come from?!"

Collei chuckled softly, her focus unwavering. "Eyes on the road, March. The next hairpin's coming up, and things are about to get dicey."

As if on cue, the S15 hit a rough patch mid-turn, bouncing erratically. Shenhe gritted her teeth, fighting for control as the car fishtailed dangerously close to the guardrail.

"Damn it!" Shenhe hissed, slamming her hands on the wheel. "This suspension is killing me!"

Meanwhile, Collei expertly maneuvered the Supra through the same hairpin, narrowing the gap. March, still awestruck, muttered under her breath, "She's unstoppable. This is… this is awesome!"

Collei smirked, her eyes flashing with determination. "Let's show them what this Supra can really do."

The engines roared as the racers hurtled toward another treacherous hairpin, the tension palpable. Collei's grip on the wheel tightened, her eyes locked on Shenhe's S15 ahead. March, still reeling from Collei's earlier display of knowledge, muttered to herself, "Holy crap… I didn't know she had this side to her. It's… it's bitchin'!"

Collei glanced at March, her voice steady but urgent. "Focus up, March."

March blinked, startled. "Huh? What now?"

Collei's eyes flicked to the S15. "Shenhe's struggling with her suspension. She's about to hit a bump—watch."

As if Collei had predicted it, the S15 struck a slight imperfection in the asphalt mid-drift. The stiff suspension caused the car to bounce violently, nearly sending it careening into the guardrail. Shenhe fought the wheel desperately, regaining control but losing precious seconds.

"Damn it!" Shenhe growled, her frustration evident. "This setup is killing me!"

Up ahead, Beidou's R32 surged forward, her lead widening. A triumphant grin spread across her face as she yelled out the window, "Eat my dust, you prick!"

Shenhe glanced in her rearview mirror, catching sight of the Supra and the Sileighty closing the gap. She scowled, her knuckles white against the wheel. "At least I've still got these punks behind me. They won't—"

Her thought was interrupted as Collei masterfully approached the next hairpin. Shenhe slammed on her brakes early, while Collei braked late, the Supra's turbo spooling with a menacing whine.

Collei gritted her teeth. "This is it!"

The Supra hugged the inside line, its right wheels hooking into the gutter as Collei executed the legendary gutter run. The maneuver catapulted the Supra forward, slingshotting past the S15 with precision.

Shenhe's eyes went wide, disbelief etched across her face. "H-How?! She's right on me! Impossible! My technique is flawless!"

Collei didn't look back, her focus now on the straightaway leading to the final hairpin.

Behind them, Amber and Seele in the Sileighty saw their chance. Amber grinned, slamming on the gas. "Time to end this!"

Seele nodded, her voice brimming with excitement. "Show her what the Speed Suns are all about!"

The Sileighty roared as Amber closed the distance, pulling alongside Shenhe glanced to her right, her expression a mix of shock and frustration. "This can't be happening!"

Amber grinned, her confidence unwavering. Shenhe braked early, but Amber braked late, throwing the Sileighty into a flawless four-wheel drift through the final hairpin. As they exited the corner, Amber had taken the lead, leaving Shenhe in the dust.

The convoy raced down the final straightaway, the three cars united in their victory. Shenhe eased off the gas, her pride bruised and battered as her car faded into the night behind them.

As they reached the base of the mountain, the group pulled over, their engines cooling and hearts pounding with adrenaline. Beidou leaned against her R32, a victorious smirk on her face. "Well, that was fun. Guess we showed her who really owns this mountain."

Amber chuckled, high-fiving Seele. "Team effort, baby!"

March turned to Collei, her expression a mix of awe and gratitude. "Okay, you're officially the coolest person I know. That was insane."

Collei shrugged, a rare smile gracing her lips. "Just doing what I had to. Team effort, right?"

The night ended with laughter and camaraderie, the mountain pass now firmly belonging to them. Shenhe's figure faded into the shadows, her pride shattered but her determination likely unbroken. For now, the group basked in their victory, united by their shared love of speed and the thrill of the race.