The Speed Of The Stars

As the night deepens, the air grows heavier, heat radiating off the asphalt like a living thing. The clear summer sky above is an ocean of stars, their light almost mocking in its coolness as the world below burns with tension and anticipation.

At the summit's starting line, Keqing finishes her discussion with Diluc and turns toward Collei, her voice cutting through the hum of engines and murmurs of the crowd.

"Hey, Collei! You're up as the chaser for the first run!" Keqing called, her tone sharp and commanding.

Collei responded with an easy thumbs-up, her signature grin lighting her face. "Got it!"

Keqing gave her a quick nod before excusing herself, heading toward the crowd. Diluc, standing near his immaculate Nissan 240RS, watched her leave before shifting his focus to Collei. He approached her casually, his tall frame imposing but his demeanor polite.

"Nice to meet you, Miss," Diluc greeted with a nod, his deep voice steady. "I'm Diluc Ragnvindr."

Collei tilted her head slightly but returned the nod. "Nice to meet you, sir. I'm Collei."

Diluc's crimson eyes lingered on her briefly, his expression thoughtful. "May I ask you something, Miss Collei?"

Collei raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Um… sure. Shoot."

"I'm just curious," Diluc began, his tone somewhere between teasing and genuinely intrigued. "Why, at such a young age, did you decide to drive an AE86? Been reading too much Initial D manga, perhaps?"

Collei let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "Nope, just a happy coincidence! My dad used to own this car. He handed it down to me after he got himself something new."

Diluc's gaze shifted to the Eight-Six parked nearby. Its weathered yet well-maintained exterior told a story of years on the road and countless memories.

"Your father's, huh?" he mused.

"That's right," Collei confirmed, her voice tinged with pride. "It's been in our family for as long as I can remember. At the time, it was the only car we had, so I didn't have much choice but to learn on it. Over time, I got attached. I've been driving this baby way before I even had my license."

Diluc chuckled softly, shaking his head in amusement. "I see. So, safe to assume your father taught you everything?"

Collei scratched the back of her head, a sheepish smile spreading across her face. "Something like that, yeah. He's the one who got me hooked on driving."

Diluc smirked, his expression softening. "Sounds like someone I'd get along with. I'd like to meet him someday."

He extended his hand toward her, his grip firm but not overbearing. "Well, best of luck out there, kid."

Collei returned the handshake, her grip confident. "Likewise, sir."

With their exchange complete, the two drivers made their way to their cars. Collei slid into the Eight-Six, the familiar scent of its worn interior wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. She fastened her seatbelt, her fingers brushing against the wheel she knew so well.

As she adjusted her mirrors, Ningguang approached, her heels clicking softly against the asphalt. Leaning down into the open window, she met Collei's gaze with a look of quiet authority.

"Collei," Ningguang began, her tone firm but not unkind. "Listen closely. This is important, and it applies to every run you do when you're being chased."

Collei leaned forward, hanging on every word as Ningguang's voice dropped slightly.

"Tough it out," Ningguang said plainly, her golden eyes glinting in the dim light. "Hold her back."

Collei nodded firmly, the weight of Ningguang's words settling in her chest. "Understood."

Satisfied, Ningguang straightened and gave the roof of the Eight-Six a light pat. "Good luck, Collei."

As Ningguang walked away, her figure disappearing into the shadows of the night, Collei rolled up her window. She clenched her fists briefly, steeling herself, before giving a confident thumbs-up toward Keqing.

The engines roared in the background, and the air buzzed with electricity. The race was about to begin.

Keqing raised her hand high, her voice sharp and clear as it sliced through the dense summer night.

"Let's begin!"

The crowd held its collective breath as she started the countdown.

"FIVE!"

"FOUR!"

"THREE!"

"TWO!"

"ONE!"

"GO!"

Her hand dropped, and with a deafening roar, the two cars launched off the starting line, the screech of tires marking the beginning of a downhill battle. The AE86 and the 240RS tore through the first fast-paced right-hand turn, their precision immaculate. A medium-paced left-hand turn followed, their engines growling as they transitioned smoothly through the corners.

Inside the Eight-Six, Collei kept her focus razor-sharp, her hands steady on the wheel. She knew the 240RS's engine could rev up to 7500 RPMs, so she had deliberately locked out the remaining 2000 RPMs of her own engine's potential to keep her true power a secret.

"It's like when I raced Thoma," she muttered under her breath, the memory sharpening her resolve. "Keep the limiter on, and they'll never see the full potential of my engine."

The tachometer's needle climbed rapidly from 7500 to 9000 RPMs. Collei's eyes narrowed as she timed her shift perfectly, the needle dipping before starting its ascent again.

Further down the course, Thoma and Heizou stood by the roadside, waiting for the race to come into view.

"The Chief told me something about Diluc," Heizou said, breaking the silence. "The driver of that 240RS Group B car? He's known for his unique steering technique. Apparently, he races with one hand on the wheel and the other on the gear knob." Heizou shook his head in disbelief. "I don't know about you, Thoma, but I've never heard of anyone racing like that."

Thoma mimicked driving with one hand, twisting an imaginary wheel. As he mimed a turn beyond 90 degrees, he frowned.

"But Heizou, that technique wouldn't work on hairpins, right? Most of the hairpins here need both hands on the wheel. He'd have to drift to pull it off."

Heizou chuckled knowingly. "That's the thing. Diluc balances his cornering with a mix of drift and grip. Ever seen how a Lancia behaves?"

Thoma nodded. "Yeah, I've seen it in action."

"It's the same principle," Heizou explained. "The car slides, but it still grips the road. He shifts the car's weight to optimize cornering, even on tight hairpins. That way, he can keep one hand on the wheel and the other on the gear knob. It's unorthodox, sure, but effective."

Back in the race, Collei's frustration was beginning to boil over.

"Damn, he's fast," she growled, her knuckles whitening against the steering wheel. "But I have to keep this limiter on!"

The two cars approached a left-hand hairpin. Collei executed a flawless four-wheel drift, her car gliding through the turn with perfect control. The 240RS followed closely, gripping the tarmac with just a hint of slide to maintain its speed.

Inside the 240RS, Diluc muttered to himself, his tone analytical.

"She's good. And I know that engine's revving as high as a Honda S2000—around the 9000 RPM mark."

Back at the summit, Ningguang approached Keqing, her voice calm but deliberate.

"Keqing, do you remember a girl named Silverwolf? The one who challenged Collei in that duct-tape deathmatch at Yougou?"

Keqing nodded, a flicker of recognition in her eyes. "Yeah, I've heard of her. She's the one who taped her right arm to the wheel. Crazy stuff."

Ningguang crossed her arms, her gaze distant as she recalled the details.

"In those races, limited steering was allowed. FF cars could handle it easily since they relied on throttle control for turning. I think Diluc's technique has its roots in those deathmatches. The principles are the same, but his method is more refined."

Keqing tilted her head. "But what's the point? Why focus so much on keeping one hand on the wheel and the other on the shifter?"

Ningguang sighed. "You'd have to ask Diluc himself. But don't get me wrong—it's not just for show. Techniques like that were common in the WRC back when H-pattern shifters were standard."

Back on the course, the cars had passed the halfway mark and were nearing the finish line. Collei's frustration continued to build as the pressure mounted.

"I know this feeling," she muttered, her jaw tightening. "It's like Arlecchino in her R34, breathing down my neck every damn turn!"

Her eyes narrowed. "But I can't let up. I'll keep the limiter on now and make my move in the second run!"

Approaching another left-hand hairpin, Collei slammed on the brakes. Diluc followed suit, his 240RS maintaining its grip. The AE86 performed a no-countersteer four-wheel drift, while the 240RS hugged the tarmac tightly. They exited the turn and transitioned into a right-hand corner, the finish line now in sight.

The two cars hurtled across the finish line, neck and neck, as the spectators—Clorinde, Ganyu, and Navia among them—watched in awe. There was no change in positions, and the first run ended in a dead heat.

As the cars slowed down, Diluc smirked, glancing at Collei. "Good run, kid. But now that I've got a better read on you, I won't need to push as hard to lose you."

He glanced at his temperature gauge, his smirk fading. The needle hovered dangerously close to the peak.

"Temps are running too high," he muttered. "Is it a false reading? God, I hope so."

Ganyu turned to Clorinde, concern flickering in her eyes.

"Do you think Collei can pull it off in the second run?"

Clorinde sighed, her gaze fixed on the AE86. "Hard to say. The course is short, but there are plenty of opportunities to pass if she times it right."

She narrowed her eyes, analyzing the car's performance. "But it's clear she's locked out the remaining 2000 RPMs."

Ganyu raised an eyebrow. "How can you tell?"

Clorinde scoffed, glancing at her. "Because we've been practicing together, remember?"

Realization dawned on Ganyu's face. "Oh, yeah."

The tension lingered in the air, the promise of an even fiercer battle in the second run looming just ahead.

As time ticks by, the two cars are back at the summit, lined up at the starting line. This time, Collei is chasing.

Jean approaches Diluc, leaning into the interior of his car, her face serious but calm. "How was the first run?"

Diluc nods, resting a hand on the steering wheel. "It was good. Learned how the kid drives. She's sharp, and that car revs as high as a Honda S2000."

Jean raises an eyebrow, impressed but focused. "That's good. Now, try and dust her on this run."

Diluc exhales deeply, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel. "I'll try, but my coolant temperature isn't keeping up with this damn heatwave."

Jean's brow furrows as she leans in closer. "What do you mean?"

Diluc gestures at the coolant gauge. "It's running too hot. Look."

Jean peers at the dashboard, her eyes narrowing as she spots the needle edging dangerously close to the red. "No shit. It is hot."

Straightening up, she shakes her head and glances back at Diluc. "If this ends with another dead heat, you know for sure your engine's going to overheat at the end."

Diluc smirks faintly, his expression tinged with resignation. "Yeah, I know."

Jean's lips curl into a sly grin. "Then lose her on this one. Don't hold back."

He nods, determination flickering in his eyes. "Got it."

Over at the Eight-Six's side, Ningguang leans into Collei's window, her sharp gaze locking onto the younger driver.

"Nicely done, Collei," Ningguang says, her tone firm but approving. "Good thinking keeping those remaining 2,000 RPMs sealed off. That way, you can attack Diluc more aggressively." She pauses, gesturing toward the track. "Also, pay attention to the gutters on the hairpins. You can use them to your advantage. Got it?"

Collei nods, her expression determined but calm. "Got it."

"But remember," Ningguang continues, glancing up at the glaring sun before turning her attention back to Collei, "with this heat, the next thing you'll need to keep an eye on is your temperature. That's your next big factor."

Collei quickly glances at her coolant temperature gauge. "Still reading normal," she says confidently.

Ningguang nods, satisfied. "Good. In that case, finish him off on this run. I don't want to see us running six or seven more rounds in this heat. Get it done."

Collei nods firmly, her resolve set. She rolls her windows up, sealing herself in the cockpit of the Eight-Six, her grip tightening on the steering wheel.

Moments later, the second run begins. Collei is chasing, with Diluc leading the charge. Her grip tightens on the wheel, her focus razor-sharp as the Eight-Six screams down the mountain road. The engine is no longer capped at its usual 9,000 RPM limit. It roars past 9,000, surging into the stratosphere at 10,000, then 11,000 RPM.

With precision, Collei shifts up from third to fourth. The Eight-Six leaps forward, its tires clawing at the asphalt, pulling her dangerously close to Diluc's bumper.

Diluc glances into his rearview mirror, his eyes wide in disbelief. "That's crazy! She's on my bumper! Did I miss something during the first run? This is absurd!"

The two cars approach a hairpin turn, the road narrowing with each second. Diluc's 240RS holds its line, gripping through the corner with a calculated precision. Meanwhile, Collei's Eight-Six attacks the same hairpin differently, sliding into a flawless four-wheel drift.

Diluc's hands tighten around the wheel. "I need to end this now. I have to lose her!"

As they approach a left-hand hairpin, Diluc's sharp eyes catch the gutter on the inside of the turn. A risky idea flashes through his mind. "I have to build a gap—now or never!"

Without hesitation, Diluc dives into the corner, his car jolting over the curb and hooking into the grassy gutter. The 240RS clings to the uneven surface like a lifeline, the maneuver instantly creating a gap between him and Collei.

Collei's eyes widen in shock as she watches the unorthodox move. "What the fuck was that!?"

Her Eight-Six exits the hairpin, the gap now a car length between them. She grits her teeth, her hands steady despite her quickening pulse.

"Stay focused, Collei. This is your race. Push harder!" she mutters under her breath, her determination solidifying into raw action.

Slamming her foot back on the gas, the Eight-Six surges forward again. The roar of the engine pierces through the humid air as the cars dive into a right-hand hairpin.

Collei narrows her eyes, calculating her next move. For the first time, she considers mimicking Diluc's gutter run. "Alright, let's see if I can pull this off."

With a deep breath, she braces herself and slams the gas pedal down. The Eight-Six's right-side wheels hop over the curb, hooking into the gutter. Her timing is impeccable. The maneuver works, the gap between her and Diluc shrinking rapidly.

They exit the hairpin, and the race looks as if it has rewound to its beginning—Collei once again right on Diluc's tail.

Diluc sneaks a glance in his mirror, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Not bad, kid. I'm impressed."

His eyes flicker down to his temperature gauge, and his expression hardens. The needle is creeping closer to the danger zone. "But still, I have to lose her."

Back at the starting line, Ningguang approaches Keqing, her movements calm but purposeful. Letting out a slow sigh, she folds her arms.

Keqing raises an eyebrow. "Something the matter, Ningguang?"

Ningguang shakes her head slightly. "Maybe. But Collei can handle this."

"Huh? What are you trying to say?" Keqing asks, tilting her head.

Ningguang's gaze drifts toward the mountain road, her tone thoughtful. "Unlike Jean's Audi Quattro, I'm more familiar with the 240RS. It's also a Group B rally car, but it's heavier. It has less power, and the strain on its tires is much worse in conditions like this. Its redline is only 7500 RPM, which means Diluc has more downtime when shifting compared to Collei. That's thanks to the Group A engine in her Eight-Six."

Keqing's expression shifts to intrigue as she processes the details. "So Collei has the advantage there?"

Ningguang nods. "Exactly. That's another factor I didn't mention to Collei, but knowing her... she's already figured it out by now."

Her lips curve into a faint smile, her confidence in Collei shining through as the distant roars of the engines echo louder in the valley.

Where did she go!? She was right behind me!"

The 240RS dives into a right-hand hairpin, but Collei is closer than ever, her timing flawless. Her fingers hover over the switch. Her heart races as she mutters, "NOW!"

She flicks the headlights back on. The pop-up lights snap to life, flooding the night with sudden brightness. The flash blinds Diluc for a split second, forcing him to jerk his left hand from the gear shifter back to the steering wheel. The 240RS understeers.

Collei seizes the moment, hooking her wheels over the grassy gutter. Dirt flies as her car surges past Diluc in a daring maneuver.

But then, disaster strikes.

Her Eight-Six hits a small bump in the gutter. The car's right wheels lift off the ground, leaving the vehicle precariously balanced on two wheels. For a heart-stopping moment, it seems as though she'll lose control entirely. Then, with a violent slam, the Eight-Six lands back on all fours, skidding wildly.

The 240RS regains the lead as Diluc powers through the straightaway. Collei fights the steering wheel, but her car refuses to respond.

"The suspension isn't responding!" she shouts, her voice tinged with panic.

The Eight-Six swerves left and right, its right wheel screeching in protest. Collei's confidence wavers, and her eyes glisten with frustration.

"It's… it's over. I… I lost," she whispers, her voice breaking.

Diluc glances in his rearview mirror, confusion etched across his face. "What happened back there? She hooked the gutter perfectly, and then… she just jumped up."

He pushes harder, determined to end the race, but fate has other plans. A sudden explosion of steam erupts from under the 240RS's hood, clouding his vision.

"What the hell!?" Diluc shouts as he pulls over, his car limping to a halt.

Steam billows out as he steps out of the car, his expression grim. He tries to open the hood, but the heat forces him back. The radiator cap is missing, blown off by the intense pressure.

Clorinde rushes over, her brow furrowed. "What the hell happened?"

Diluc shakes his head, scratching his hair in frustration. "The radiator gave out. It's done."

As he examines the damage, Collei's Eight-Six limps past him. Her car is battered, the suspension barely holding together, but it crawls forward. She glances at Diluc from her driver's seat, her expression unreadable. Despite everything, she crosses the finish line first.

Midnight at the Bottom of the Mountain

The teams gather under the dim glow of streetlights. The tension has subsided, replaced by exhaustion and reflection.

Jean approaches Diluc, the hood of his 240RS propped open. She peers into the engine bay, her face grim. "How bad is it?"

Diluc sighs, wiping sweat from his brow. "The engine's going to need a full rebuild. Who knows what warped in there."

Jean shakes her head, frustration creeping into her voice. "This heat killed your engine, no question about it. Figures your radiator didn't hold up."

Diluc smirks faintly, though it doesn't reach his eyes. "Yeah. This car raced across the African plains, but that radiator's probably been in there since the '80s. Never replaced it."

Over at Team Speed Stars' side, the atmosphere is less somber. Ningguang crouches beside Albedo, who's inspecting the Eight-Six's suspension.

"How bad is it?" she asks.

Albedo sighs. "Not catastrophic, but we'll need to take it back to Narukami for a proper check."

Collei bows her head, guilt evident in her posture. "Sorry if I jacked it up, guys."

Ningguang straightens, placing a reassuring hand on Collei's shoulder. "Don't beat yourself up. She'll be fixed in no time. And if you're thinking this was all on you, don't. I told you about the gutters, and I knew the risks they could pose. But at the end of the day, you crossed the finish line first. It's still a win. You're young, Collei. You've got so much ahead of you. Take this as a lesson and relax, alright?"

Collei hesitates before nodding, a small smile breaking through. "You're right. I'll go grab some water."

She walks off toward the team's van, her spirits lifting slightly.

Ningguang tilts her head back, gazing at the sky. "I've tried… but I can't explain or theorize anything about Collei's luck when it comes to winning. Whether it was against Kuki Shinobu in Feiyun's rematch… or tonight."

She glances toward Collei, who is now surrounded by Clorinde, Albedo, Keqing, and Ganyu, their laughter cutting through the quiet night.

"But still," Ningguang continues softly, "she's racking up wins like nothing short of miraculous. She's a mystery to me… and to herself. Maybe she was born with something special. A talent that came naturally. A… gift."

Her words linger in the cool mountain air as the team gathers their things, the echoes of the race still reverberating in their hearts.