The casino was a shrine to excess. Gold gleamed on every surface, from the ornate walls to the grand chandeliers, and even the plush red carpet looked like it cost a fortune. In their pristine white dresses, the trio stood out like beacons amid the luxurious chaos.
"To get you started, we're lending the three of you twenty thousand berries worth of chips," Baccarat said, opening a sleek case to reveal the shiny tokens. "Don't hold back."
"Thank you—" Imai began, but her gratitude was cut short as Rei snatched the case and bolted toward the casino floor, Uta hot on her heels.
Imai sighed and gave Baccarat an apologetic look. "Sorry about that, and thank you."
Baccarat chuckled, a glimmer of amusement in her emerald eyes. "No need to apologize. Just make sure you enjoy yourselves."
With that, Imai followed after the duo, weaving through the bustling casino. She froze mid-step when she saw something unexpected—women dressed in bunny outfits serving drinks and mingling with the guests.
"They're real…" Imai muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. She felt an inexplicable urge to approach them but quickly shook it off, focusing instead on finding Uta and Rei.
She caught up to them near an area that appeared to host a race. The Turtle Shuttle Race was in full swing, with drivers preparing their miniature cars for a chaotic dash to the finish line. The prize? A cool hundred thousand berries.
"This is how we start the night—with a bang!" Rei declared, her excitement contagious.
Before she could protest, Imai found herself seated in the car with Rei at the wheel. The grin on Rei's face made Imai uneasy, a clear sign that this wasn't going to be a straightforward race.
"You better not mess around, Rei," Imai said, gripping the edge of her seat. "We need to win. If we pull this off, we'll make ten times our investment."
"Don't worry, Captain," Rei replied, her grin widening. "But I don't think this is going to be a clean race. Look at the others."
Imai glanced around. The competitors were armed with strange weapons—some designed to sabotage, others to outright attack.
"We'll have to defend the car while Rei drives," Uta said, her tone sharp. "This isn't just a race. It's survival."
"Then let's make sure we win," Imai said, her devilish determination showing.
The announcer's voice boomed across the track. "Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for the annual Turtle Race: Hot Shell! And… go!"
A bunny girl swung her flaming torches, signaling the start.
Rei floored the gas pedal, the car jerking forward with surprising speed. The wind howled around them as they tore through the track. To Imai's surprise, Rei was a natural behind the wheel.
"Where did you learn to drive like this?" Imai shouted over the roar of the engine.
"Before I was a pirate, I was a mechanic!" Rei shouted back, a mix of pride and nostalgia in her voice.
The car zipped through sharp corners and narrow straights. Behind them, a rival driver—a woman wielding a massive needle—closed in fast.
"Hold on tight!" Rei yelled.
She expertly downshifted, taking the corner at a daring angle. The needle-wielding driver faltered, unable to keep pace.
"Hah! Loser!" Rei called out, her adrenaline surging.
"Not bad," Uta admitted with a smirk. "Though I bet I could drive better—and look cooler doing it."
Rei scoffed. "Yeah, right."
"You're doing great, Rei," Imai added, her smile warm.
Rei glanced at Imai, cheeks flushing at the rare praise. For a moment, she felt invincible.
That confidence was tested when a shadow loomed overhead. Imai looked up to see a car soaring above them, its driver aiming a gun in their direction.
Reacting on instinct, Imai swung her umbrella, deflecting the bullet with precision. The shooter's shock was palpable, but the maneuver cost them time, dropping them into second place.
"Rei, let's make this race unforgettable," Imai said, her voice dark with resolve.
"Got it, Captain!" Rei grinned, shifting gears.
"I'll help too," Uta added, her sharp eyes scanning the track.
With a grim farewell, Imai hurled her umbrella at their closest rival. It sailed through the air with pinpoint accuracy, striking the car's tires and sending it spinning off-course.
"Nice shot!" Rei cheered.
"That was incredible!" Uta added.
"Of course it was," Imai replied coolly, brushing off the praise.
From that point on, they dominated the race. The course twisted into increasingly absurd shapes—spirals, jumps, and breakneck corners—but Rei's driving skills kept them ahead. Uta's keen eyesight helped them anticipate attacks, while Imai's quick reflexes neutralized threats with ruthless efficiency.
Their teamwork was seamless, and by the time they crossed the finish line, the nearest competitor was nowhere in sight.
The crowd erupted into cheers as the announcer declared their victory. The trio stepped out of the car, exhausted but triumphant.
"One hundred thousand berries," Rei said, holding the prize money with a satisfied grin. "Not a bad start, huh?"
"Not bad at all," Imai agreed, a rare smile crossing her lips.
"Let's keep the streak going," Uta said, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
As they walked back into the casino, their bond felt stronger than ever. Together, they were unstoppable.