The morning air was crisp as Collei prepared for her delivery runs. Thoughts of the infamous Blackbird lingered in her mind, her curiosity growing stronger with each passing day. Unable to contain her thoughts any longer, she turned to Arlecchino, who stood by the garage, cigarette in hand.
"Hey, Dad. Have you heard about the Blackbird before? Is it really as good as they say?" Collei asked, trying to sound casual.
Arlecchino turned her sharp gaze to Collei, taking a slow drag from her cigarette before answering.
"Yeah, I've heard about it," she said, exhaling smoke that spiraled into the cold air. "That machine's a beast. In the right hands, it can deal some serious damage."
Collei furrowed her brow, scratching her chin as she mulled over the response. "Yeah, but could you beat it in a race? Say, on Yougou's downhill?"
Arlecchino's lips curled into a confident smirk. She flicked the cigarette to the ground and crushed it beneath her heeled boot with deliberate precision.
"Of course. There's no car out there I can't beat. Blackbird or not."
Collei shifted uneasily, her gaze dropping to her trembling feet. She hesitated before voicing her next question.
"What about me?" she asked, her voice quieter now. "Do you think I could win against it?"
Arlecchino arched a brow, her sharp instincts kicking in. This wasn't just idle curiosity—Collei was gearing up for something big.
"Hmmm." She studied Collei for a moment before answering. "It'd be a close race, I'll tell you that much. But why the sudden interest? Are you planning to take on the Blackbird?"
Collei waved her hands quickly, as if to dismiss the idea. "No, no! I was just curious. I heard about it from my friends at the gas station." She glanced at her watch and gave a hurried smile. "Well, I've got deliveries to make. See you later!"
Without waiting for a response, Collei rolled up the window of her Eight-Six and drove off toward Yougou. Arlecchino watched as the taillights of the car disappeared into the distance, a hint of concern flickering across her face.
"Hmmm. So she's going up against that Porsche Turbo, huh? The Blackbird…" Arlecchino muttered under her breath. "I'd better tweak her drift settings, just in case."
Meanwhile, halfway up Yougou's mountain pass, a group of Collei's friends—Beidou, Seele, Ningguang, and Keqing—huddled together at a rest area. The frigid air bit at their skin, and Keqing shivered visibly.
"Dammit! It's so cold! I should've brought my scarf," Keqing grumbled, stomping her feet to keep warm. "When is she going to get here?"
Ningguang chuckled softly, her breath forming mist in the cold air. "Be patient, Keqing. She'll be here soon enough."
As if on cue, the screeching of tires and the roar of a four-cylinder engine echoed through the mountain pass. Beidou perked up immediately, her sharp eyes scanning the road.
"She's here!" Beidou announced. "Collei's coming!"
Moments later, the Eight-Six emerged from the shadows, its hazard lights flashing briefly as it pulled over near the group. Collei stepped out, rubbing her hands together to ward off the cold.
"What are you guys doing here?" she asked, her breath visible in the chilly air. "It's freezing! You should be inside."
Keqing stepped forward, pulling Collei toward the group. "We need to talk to you about the Blackbird," she said urgently. "It's really important."
Collei tilted her head, puzzled. "What about it?"
Ningguang crouched down and grabbed a stick, sketching the Blackbird's drivetrain layout in the dirt. "The Blackbird you're racing later tonight has a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout," she began. "Its engine is mounted in the rear, and its back wheels are what push it forward."
She handed the stick to Keqing, who added to the diagram. "We already know you're fast on corners, and that's your strength. But here's the thing—this layout is prone to something called snap oversteer."
Keqing punctuated her explanation with a few quick sketches. "When the driver brakes hard, the weight shifts forward, and the rear of the car becomes lighter. That makes the rear end more likely to swing out of control."
Seele stepped forward, her voice calm and measured. "All you need to do is disrupt its flow during the corners. Force the driver to make mistakes—distract Yelan, if you can."
Keqing tossed the stick aside and placed a hand on Collei's shoulder. "You've got this, Collei. We've all seen what you can do."
Collei looked at each of them, a mix of determination and gratitude on her face. "Thanks, guys. I'll keep that in mind." She glanced at her watch again. "But for now, I've got deliveries to finish."
She climbed back into her Eight-Six and started the engine. "See you when I see you!"
The group watched as Collei's car roared to life and disappeared around the next hairpin turn, its taillights fading into the darkness. The silence of the mountain enveloped them once more.
"She's got a tough road ahead," Beidou remarked, crossing her arms.
Ningguang smiled faintly. "But if anyone can handle it, it's her."
That afternoon, Beidou and March were cleaning up the gas station's garage, working together to tidy things up. The air smelled faintly of oil and old rubber as the two shuffled tools and equipment back into their proper places. March wiped her forehead, pausing to call for Beidou's attention.
"Hey, Beidou," she began, her voice uncertain. "Are we really gonna race Yelan?"
Beidou adjusted her collar, the gesture as much a sign of confidence as it was a distraction to buy herself a moment to think.
"We don't have a choice," she replied, though her voice held a hint of doubt. "But... I'm not sure Collei is fully convinced about this."
March stood there for a moment, staring at the ground. Her face was clouded with worry.
"I know Collei, Beidou," March finally said. "She'll never do it. That's just how she is. She hates being pushed into things or having to follow someone else's orders. Most of the time, she's chill—laid-back, even. But once she sets her sights on a goal? There's no turning back for her."
Unbeknownst to them, Lyney was leaning against the wall just outside the garage, hidden from their view. His sharp eyes glinted with intrigue as he listened to their conversation.
"Heh," he muttered under his breath, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Stubborn. Just like Arlecchino…"
Meanwhile, March continued, revealing something Beidou hadn't known about Collei.
"You know, if she's forced into something she really doesn't want to do, she'll snap. There was this one time back in tenth grade—after chemistry class—when she beat the living crap out of some senior. He kept pushing her to do something she didn't want to. She broke his nose, and the guy had to be rushed to the hospital."
Beidou gasped, instinctively stepping back a little.
"Seriously? That doesn't sound like something Collei would do at all," she said, clearly rattled by the revelation.
Lyney had heard enough. Quietly, he slipped away from his spot and headed back to his office, his thoughts swirling.
Later that day, in another part of town, Arlecchino was busy tuning the suspension of the Eight-Six, making precise adjustments to prepare for the upcoming race later that night. Her focus was unwavering, each turn of the wrench calculated and deliberate.
That evening, the sun had set, and Collei was finishing up her shift at the gas station. She locked up the gas pumps, double-checking everything before heading into the office. As she was about to leave, Lyney stopped her.
"Hey, Collei," he said, gesturing to the seat across from him. "Take a minute and sit down."
Curious, Collei obliged, sitting across from him at the small, cluttered desk. Lyney's tone was serious as he spoke.
"I heard from the girls that you're planning to head up to Yougou to race the Blackbird," he began, lighting a cigarette. He exhaled slowly before continuing, "Let me give you some advice. Don't race her."
Collei's eyes widened, her hands instinctively clutching the edge of her seat. "Y-Yeah, I was—"
Before she could finish, Lyney cut her off with a wave of his hand.
"No, no. Just listen for a second. I can guess what happened. March ran her mouth to Yelan, didn't she? And now you've been dragged into this mess."
Collei scratched her head, her expression turning sheepish as Lyney hit the nail on the head. He leaned forward, his voice lowering.
"It's time to let your friends deal with their own problems. Believe me when I say this: Do. Not. Race. That. Blackbird. There's a lot you don't know about that car."
Lyney stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and watched as Collei processed his words. After a moment of tense silence, she finally spoke.
"Is the Blackbird really that good?" she asked, her voice steady, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of curiosity—and something else. Determination.
Lyney leaned back, a sly grin tugging at his lips. He could see the shift in her demeanor—the spark of defiance that reminded him so much of someone else. He thought to himself: That's it. She took the bait.
"Good?" he said aloud, raising an eyebrow. "It's a legend around Inazuma. That car has a history. It was originally owned by a doctor and Wangan racer named Natasha. She tore up the highways of Inazuma City with her rival. A Midnight Blue S30Z—known as 'The Devil Z.' The Blackbird she drives? A twin-turbo flat-six engine paired with a lightweight carbon-fiber body. If handled properly, it can take on anything, even in the Touge."
As he finished speaking, he glanced at Collei, but she was already on her way out. Before leaving, she turned back to him, her voice firm.
"Boss, I appreciate the warning. But honestly? After hearing about this car, I don't care about the fame or street cred. I just want to see what it can do for myself."
With that, Collei left the office, her mind set. She changed into her casual clothes and made her way home to grab the Eight-Six, ready for the race against the Blackbird.
Back in the office, Lyney sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Thought that little conversation would work," he muttered to himself. "She's exactly like her father…"
As Collei arrives at the house, a wave of unease washes over her. Something feels off. Her suspicion is confirmed when she notices a note taped to the front door. The bold, hastily scrawled words read:
"Temporarily Closed."
Collei's stomach sinks.
"Temporarily closed? Dad never mentioned anything about this..."* she mutters, scratching her head in confusion. Panic sets in as another thought strikes her.
"And how am I supposed to earn money with the shop closed?!"
She paces in circles, muttering to herself. Her unease deepens as another realization dawns.
"Oh no—the car!"
Collei bolts to the driveway, her breath quickening. But the sight awaiting her stops her in her tracks. The driveway is empty, cloaked in shadows. The familiar silhouette of the Eight Six is nowhere to be seen.
"No... no, no, no! Where is it?!"*
Her mind races, grasping at straws. "If she went out drinking with her buddies, then I'm totally screwed!"
Frustrated, Collei buries her face in her hands before letting out a sharp groan of despair.
"She won't be back until morning at this rate! This sucks!"
She runs her hands through her hair, tugging and twisting in frustration.
"What am I gonna do now?!"
Her voice grows louder, tinged with desperation as she crouches, gripping her head tightly.
"Argh!!! I can't do anything without that car! Damn it to all hell! I should've asked to borrow it before I left!"
Meanwhile, at the summit of Mt. Yougou, a crowd gathers, the tension thick in the cool night air. The starting line buzzes with anticipation as racers and spectators await the arrival of the famed Eight Six. Beidou, Seele, March, and Pela linger at the top, each glancing at the empty road below with growing impatience. Even Keqing and Ningguang are there, leaning against Ningguang's sleek FC. Yelan, with her Blackbird prepped and ready, stands at the starting line.
Back at the house, things aren't improving for Collei. After calling every bar in town to track down her father, she slams the landline phone down in defeat.
"It's useless. I'm never gonna find that idiot!"
Her voice echoes across the quiet street as she finally loses her composure, yelling at the night sky.
"DAMN IT, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?! BRING ME BACK MY EIGHT SIX!"
Time slips away. It's past 9 PM, and at the summit, the air grows colder. Seele and Beidou exchange glances before deciding to leave and check on Collei. March and Pela stay behind with her MR2 as Ningguang strikes up a conversation with Yelan.
"So tell me, Yelan. Did you tune the Blackbird down from 700 horsepower?" Ningguang asks, raising an eyebrow.
Yelan lets out a soft laugh.
"Are you kidding me? I don't plan to hold back. When I win this race, I want it to be total domination."
Ningguang's eyes widen slightly, her expression hard to read.
"At least tell me you adjusted the setup for grip. You'll need it for this course."
Yelan shrugs nonchalantly.
"Didn't change a thing. The beast stays as it is. I race better with what I know."
Ningguang sighs, lighting a cigarette.
"You're insane. If those tires wear down, you won't even make it halfway without sliding off the road."
Keqing, who had just extinguished her own cigarette, pulls out another and lights it, smirking.
"She's crazy all right. It'd be a miracle if she won."
Back at Collei's house, she lies on the couch, staring at the ceiling as the clock reads 9:30 PM. Her thoughts are chaotic.
"What the hell is going on? It's like I'm drowning here... Why am I so tense? Mt. Yougou is calling me. I need to race that Blackbird."
She sits up abruptly and starts pacing the room.
"I've driven this course, rain or shine, for five and a half years... The road is practically part of me. But I know I've barely scratched the surface of what's still out there."
Suddenly, the sound of a roaring twin-turbo inline-six engine echoes through the neighborhood. Her heart leaps. She rushes outside, eyes scanning the street as the familiar screech of Seele's Devil Z comes to a halt. Beidou hops out of the passenger seat, followed by Seele. Both rush toward Collei.
"Thank goodness you're home, Collei. We need to talk!" Beidou says, slightly out of breath.
After Collei explains the situation, Beidou throws her hands up in disbelief.
"You can't be serious! Your dad took the car, you don't know where she is, and you have no clue when she'll be back?!"
Collei nods silently. Seele clenches her fists.
"We're screwed! If the Eight Six isn't here, there's no point heading back to Yougou!"
Beidou stomps her foot in frustration.
"Why tonight of all nights?!"
Collei sighs, looking at her friends.
"Let me guess. You came here to try and convince me to race, didn't you?"
Both Seele and Beidou nod sheepishly. Seele chimes in.
"The course is packed. Even the Rotary Duo Keqing and Ningguang is there to watch the race."
Beidou adds, "You're the star attraction. Everyone's wondering where you are!"
Collei blushes faintly but shakes her head.
"I wish I could be up there, but without a car, I'm stranded."
Beidou suddenly snaps her fingers.
"You could race in Seele's Devil Z!"
Collei tilts her head.
"Devil... Z?"
Seele explains, her voice laced with excitement.
"This is my S30Z. It raced the Blackbird in the past on the Bayshore Wangan. It's powerful and agile, just like the FD you took on last time!"
Collei shakes her head.
"I can't do that. It's your car. If I'm racing the Blackbird, it has to be in something I know, even with my eyes shut."
Before they can argue, the sharp growl of an inline-four engine cuts through the air. The sound grows closer, downshifting with precision before double-blipping the throttle. Collei's eyes light up.
"That's her! That's the Eight Six!"
Seele crosses her arms, skeptical.
"That could be any four-cylinder car, Collei."
Collei shakes her head firmly.
"No. Trust me. I know that sound. It's her. She always gives the gas a double pump after downshifting."
Back at the summit, Ningguang exhales a stream of smoke and glances at Keqing.
"Think she'll show up? It's getting late."
Keqing smiles slightly, taking another drag.
"She'll be here. No question. When we saw her last night, she had that look in her eyes. Trust me—she's coming, just fashionably late."
Moments later, Collei is back in the Eight Six, the engine purring beneath her. She turns to Arlecchino.
"Sorry for borrowing the car this late, Dad. I owe you big time!"
Seele waves at Collei.
"Come on, Collei! We've got to hurry! And thank you, Ms. Arlecchino! I'll bring more tofu next time!"
Collei signals her friends and slams the car into first gear, the tires squealing as she launches toward Yougou. Seele's Devil Z follows closely behind.
Arlecchino watches them disappear into the distance, her voice soft.
"Something's changed in you, kid. I can see it in your eyes. Whatever's going down tonight, you're ready for it."
As they reach the Start of the uphill. Beidou then turns to Seele.
- You think you can catch up to the eight six?
Seele Giggles.
- Are you kidding me? She has a 1.6 Non turbo. I got a 3.1 Liter Twin turbo! Of course i'll catch up.
As they reached the start of the uphill, Beidou glanced over at Seele, a sly grin on her face.
"Think you can catch up to the Eight-Six?" she teased.
Seele giggled, her confidence unwavering as her hands gripped the steering wheel.
"Are you kidding me?" she replied. "That thing's running a 1.6-liter non-turbo. I've got a 3.1-liter twin-turbo under this hood! Of course, I'll catch up."
The Devil Z roared with power, its twin turbos spooling up as they ascended. However, as they approached the winding corners, the Eight-Six began to pull away. It wasn't just a gap—it was a chasm opening between them.
Seele frowned, her knuckles whitening as she pushed her machine harder down the straightaway. But when they reached the hairpin turn, both she and Beidou were left stunned. The Eight-Six took the corner with such blistering speed and precision that it seemed to vanish into the night, leaving nothing but taillights in the distance.
"How...?" Beidou muttered, leaning forward in disbelief.
Seele bit her lip, her competitive spirit flaring. "No way she's keeping that up. Not on this climb."
They continued to push the Devil Z, desperately trying to close the gap. The uphill demanded everything from their machine, and still, the Eight-Six seemed untouchable.
At the summit, tensions ran high. Pela was doing her best to calm March, who stood with her arms crossed, her eyes cast downward.
"Come on, March! You know Collei. She always shows up late—like that time she joined the FD race at the last second. She'll be here!" Pela urged, her tone both hopeful and pleading.
March, however, shook her head. Her voice trembled as she replied, "There's no use, Pela. She's not coming this time."
Pela reached out, but March slipped free of her grip and began walking toward the Blackbird. Her steps were heavy, burdened with doubt. Suddenly, she froze in the middle of the road, her breath quickening. Panic surged through her chest as she sank to her knees, clutching her face in her hands.
A bright light pierced through the darkness, accompanied by the unmistakable hum of a four-cylinder engine. March's head snapped up, her heart pounding.
She turned, and there it was—Collei's Eight-Six, headlights blazing like a beacon.
Collei leaned out of the driver's window, flashing a sheepish grin. "Hey there, March! Sorry I'm late." Her voice carried a lighthearted warmth. "You were right—I'm a street racer. And I've been challenged. This is where I belong."
March's eyes brimmed with tears as relief washed over her. She broke into a run, throwing her arms around Collei the moment she reached her. Collei coughed slightly, laughing as she tried to catch her breath under March's tight embrace.
Beidou and Seele arrived moments later, their cars screeching to a halt. They watched the emotional reunion from a distance and exchanged a glance before letting out simultaneous sighs of relief.
The Eight-Six idled beside the Blackbird as Collei caught her breath. The start of the race was delayed briefly to give her a moment to regroup. Meanwhile, Lyney stood near the infamous five consecutive hairpin turns, his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke with Arlecchino.
"The Blackbird's weakness is glaringly obvious," Arlecchino said with a chuckle. "If Collei knows what to look for, she'll exploit it. But that thing's only real advantage is its weight distribution."
On another line, Ningguang and Keqing were having a similar conversation.
"With such a heavy rear, the oversteer is nearly uncontrollable," Ningguang explained. "Even with fine-tuned suspension and expert pedal work, it's still a lot of bulk to manage. And on a downhill like this? With the power she's running, her tires won't last past the halfway mark."
Arlecchino's voice returned to Lyney's ear. "Watch the bottom of the course, Lyney. Those hairpins will be the Blackbird's undoing. That's where Collei shines—and just to be safe, I made a few tweaks to the drift settings on the Eight-Six."
Lyney scratched his chin. "Drift settings? What kind of tweaks?"
The sound of a beer can popping open came through the line. "I dialed up the understeer when she punches the gas," Arlecchino said nonchalantly.
Lyney's voice rose in alarm. "Are you insane? Understeer when she accelerates? Her entire technique relies on oversteer! Why would you do that?"
Arlecchino chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "Relax. I adjusted it for the tofu runs she does—keeps the goods from sloshing around too much. With these settings, the Eight-Six can pull some serious G's through hairpins. Trust me, endurance is the name of the game when racing a Blackbird."
The engines of the Eight-Six and Blackbird roared to life, their drivers ready and waiting at the starting line. The tension was palpable, the stakes higher than ever.
This night wasn't just about speed—it was a battle of endurance, skill, and willpower. And for both Collei and Yelan, the race was only beginning.