Days had passed since March's exhilarating ride with Collei in her Supra, a wild adventure that left both of them with a sense of excitement and freedom. Now, another morning had arrived at Lyney's gas station, and the atmosphere was filled with joy and happiness, the kind of vibe only a new day and a love for cars could bring. Beidou stood with her eyes glued to the engine of her newly acquired R32, unable to look away. It was a sight to behold, and she could hardly believe the transformation. Just days ago, March had taken her Supra to Beidou and her trusted mechanic to get it modified. The results were nothing short of stunning.
Beidou wiped down the gleaming surface of her R32, running her hand over the polished bodywork as though trying to connect with the machine on a deeper level.
"I can't believe you're finally back!" she said, her voice filled with excitement. "I'm gonna take it easy on your new heart at first—just a few PSI of boost. But once I get comfortable with it, we're turning it up to 100!"
Meanwhile, March stood next to her Supra, admiring the sleek new look it had. It was still the same car, but it felt different, more refined. Collei, ever curious, couldn't help but ask.
"Looks like your Supra's had some work done. Mind sharing what you've changed?"
March kneeled down beside her car, her voice brimming with pride.
"Yep, no engine modifications for now, but I gave it a fresh new look. Check this out."
She began listing off the modifications, each one adding to the car's allure:
RIDOX Front bumper and Side Skirts
Lowered sports suspension
Limited Slip Differential
HKS Free flow Exhaust system
Work Meister S1 Wheels
Carbon Fiber Dashboard
Collei's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the extent of the changes. "Gotta say, March, I love the way it looks. Still got that targa top?"
March's smile grew even wider as she didn't hesitate to reach up and remove the roof with ease. "You betcha!"
Collei gave her a playful pat on the head before turning away to attend to a customer. As she walked off, March called out to her.
"Thanks again for that downhill run a few days ago!"
Beidou and Lyney, who had overheard the conversation, rushed over to March, both of them blurting out the same question at the exact same time.
"You rode with Collei!? In the Eight Six!?"
March couldn't help but giggle, her laughter light and carefree. "Hahaha, yes, I did. But she actually drove my Supra that night! And let me tell you, her downhill skills are unbelievable! We were drifting before the corners even appeared. Her speed was insane! Every exit was a hair's breadth from the guardrail—honestly, it nearly gave me a heart attack!"
Lyney's eyes widened in disbelief. "She was drifting in your Supra? Without a limited-slip diff?"
Beidou, momentarily puzzled, chimed in. "Wait, Boss, I thought Supras came with limited-slip diffs already?"
Lyney turned to her with a knowing look. "They do. But only the Turbocharged variants. Collei's Non-Turbo came with an Open Diff."
March made a playful gesture, mimicking the feeling of driving with exaggerated excitement. "It was crazy! Some random chick in a turbo Supra was giving me a hard time about my naturally aspirated Supra, and Collei wasn't having it. So, she took her on a wild downhill ride, passing her like she was standing still!"
Beidou's eyes flicked to Lyney as she considered the implications of what March had just said. "So, Boss, you think March is telling the truth, or is she just spinning a story? You think Collei could really pull that off with an Open Diff?"
March pouted, slightly offended by the suggestion. "Look, I may act immature sometimes, but I saw what I saw with my own two eyes, okay?"
Lyney, deep in thought, stroked his chin. "If that's true, then we're looking at something much bigger here." He looked at March's Supra with renewed interest. "This means Collei's driving adaptability goes beyond just the Eight Six."
Beidou leaned back, trying to piece everything together. "Could it be because the Supra and the Eight Six share similar weight? Or maybe it's how maneuverable the Supra is in her hands?"
Lyney shook his head slowly. "It can't be that simple. Arlecchino's been working on that Eight Six for years, modifying it to perfection—way before you were born. The Supra's a joke in comparison. We're talking about decades of expertise and countless hours of improvements on that car."
Beidou's face lit up with understanding. "So, you're saying Collei could probably drive any car we throw at her?"
Lyney nodded confidently. "Basically, yes. As long as it has a FR layout, that's where she shines. Arlecchino has a saying about it too. She said, 'An FR trains the driver.'"
The following night, at a nearby café by Lake Yougou, Seele and Pela are deep in conversation, discussing the possibility of bringing the Devil Z's power output back to 600 horsepower.
Seele leans forward, her eyes glinting with excitement as he stares at the table, his fingers tapping gently against the wood.
"Pela," she begins, her voice low, "I've been thinking. What if we brought the Devil Z's power output back up to 600 horsepower? You know, Wangan spec?"
Pela, sitting across from her, looks at her with wide eyes. She leans back slightly, her expression a mixture of surprise and concern.
"For the mountain passes?" she asks, her voice tinged with disbelief. "That's way too much! Haven't you seen what happened with Yelan and the Blackbird? Too much power just causes wheelspin. And wheelspin eats up tire endurance like nothing else. It's a nightmare!"
Seele raises a hand, silencing her, a calm smile on his face as he meets her gaze.
"Let me finish, Pela," she says, her tone measured. "I was thinking about adding a boost controller. That way, I can control the boost level depending on where I am. If I'm on the mountain passes, I can dial it down for more manageable power. But if I'm on the highways, I can crank it up to the full 600. I get the best of both worlds, and I'm not risking a blowout when I don't need that kind of power."
Pela pauses, the tension in her shoulders easing as she takes a moment to think over his proposal. Finally, she takes a sip of her coffee and nods, her expression thoughtful.
"Huh… you know, that actually sounds like a solid plan," she says, her voice laced with approval. "Adding a boost controller would give you a lot of flexibility without having to mess around with swapping turbos. Plus, we can throw in the old Wangan-spec turbos again, and use the boost controller to keep everything under control. It's a pretty smart move."
Seele grins, her enthusiasm growing by the second. She pushes back from the table, his chair scraping lightly against the floor.
"Perfect," she says, standing up straight. "Let's head up to Yougou. We've got a date with Beidou, March, and Collei at the summit."
As the two leave the café, the crisp night air greets them. They spot a white Honda Integra DC2 cruising past, its engine purring smoothly before pulling into the parking lot. Pela can't help but comment.
"Would you look at that," she murmurs, nodding toward the car. "You can tell it's modified just by the way the exhaust sounds. No mistaking that tone."
Seele chuckles softly, a playful glint in her eye as he nudges her.
"You can tell that from practically anything, Pela," she teases, her grin widening.
The two share a brief laugh as they walk toward the Devil Z, ready to hit the road. Moments later, they're on their way, the hum of the engine echoing in the still night air as they head toward Yougou.
Meanwhile, back at the café, Yelan waits, her eyes scanning the clock with a growing impatience. She taps her fingers on the table, the only sound in the quiet café.
"Where is she? She's so late…" Yelan mutters under her breath, her voice tinged with frustration. Her eyes flick to her watch again, then back to the empty street outside.
Just as she's about to mutter another complaint, the door opens. A young girl with a grin plastered on her face walks in, her gaze locked on Yelan.
"Ah, Yelan. So nice to see you again… after your little defeat," the girl says with a smug smile, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm.
Yelan's eyes narrow as she looks up, her calm demeanor slipping only slightly.
"You're late, Silverwolf," Yelan states flatly, her voice laced with annoyance.
Silverwolf just shrugs nonchalantly, her grin widening.
"You know, Yelan," she begins, her voice almost sweet, "I've got to admit, I felt a little bad for you after losing to that AE86. What a shame… But hey, it's not like I haven't seen worse."
Yelan leans back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. Her lips curve into a small, but knowing smile.
"I told you already, Silverwolf," she says, her tone calm and controlled. "I didn't lose because the car was outclassed. I lost because of my own negligence. It was a mistake on my part. Not the car's fault."
Silverwolf rolls her eyes dramatically, her expression one of playful disdain.
"Hmph, sure, sure," she replies, her voice dripping with mock sincerity. "I mean, I don't know how good this AE86 driver is, but when I beat her, I'll make it clear to everyone that I'm better than you, no contest."
Yelan raises an eyebrow, the slight smile on her lips growing more evident. She leans forward, her gaze sharpening as she meets Silverwolf's eyes.
"You talk a lot, Silverwolf. But I'll tell you this: that AE86 driver is something else. Her cornering speeds? They're unmatched. You might be fast, but she's a whole different kind of beast. I've seen it firsthand."
Silverwolf leans forward now, her eyes narrowing, her expression becoming more serious, more intense.
"Oh yeah?" she sneers. "Care to back up your words? Because I bet I can take her down in half the time you took to lose!"
Yelan's calm demeanor starts to crack, a flicker of anger flashing in her eyes as she leans forward, her hand tapping against the table.
"Cut the crap, Silverwolf," she says, her voice low but fierce. "That AE86 driver is lightning quick. She's unstoppable on the downhill. It doesn't matter what kind of car you're driving—FF, AWD, it doesn't matter. When it comes to Yougou's downhill, she's there to chase you down. It's not something you can just brush off."
Silverwolf chuckles, her eyes lighting up with mischief. A glint of danger dances in her gaze as she leans back, clearly enjoying the tension she's created.
"Really?" she says, her voice dropping to a more hushed tone. "I think I can take her on, fair and square. But… I've got a more interesting idea in mind. Something that will ensure my victory."
Yelan pauses, her cup of coffee halfway to her lips. The realization hits her like a freight train, and her eyes widen with a mixture of understanding and concern.
"Wait… you mean…"
Silverwolf gives a slow, deliberate nod, savoring the moment, watching Yelan's reaction with a smile that only deepens the more she sees Yelan's discomfort.
"You'll see," Silverwolf says, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I'll give her a downhill run so dangerous, she won't even know what hit her. There can only be one downhill specialist… and that's going to be me."
Back at Yougou, the night air was calm and clear. The sky above was dotted with stars, a perfect backdrop to the winding roads ahead. Seele and Pela were cruising, enjoying the quiet serenity of the night. Pela rolled down her window, letting the wind rush in as she gazed at the scenery unfolding outside.
"Nothing like a late-night run up Yougou," Pela remarked, the wind tugging at her hair.
Seele glanced at her, a slight smile forming on her face. "Yep. Nothing can beat the evening breeze and empty roads."
Pela didn't respond immediately, her attention drawn to the surrounding landscape. After a moment, she turned her head back toward Seele. "So, Seele… why are we heading up Yougou anyway?"
Seele shifted gears smoothly, her focus on the road ahead. "Beidou's practicing her technique in her R32 tonight. Since we're already out by Lake Yougou, I figured we could drop by and pay her a visit."
Pela's eyes lit up, intrigued. "Nice to know Beidou's got her R32 back. Sounds like she's glad to see it again."
Seele nodded, her gaze softening with a hint of understanding. "Yeah, I can't imagine how she felt not having it for so long. It's hard to be without something you've worked so hard on."
She paused, a fond smile playing on her lips. "Absolutely. Beidou's been dying to get behind the wheel again. Now that the engine's been replaced and modified, she's practically been itching to take it out for a spin."
As they reached the top of Yougou, a pair of headlights pierced the darkness ahead. Smoke rose from the direction of the cars. Pela leaned forward, squinting to make out the figures in the distance.
"I see headlights," she said, her voice full of anticipation. "That's them, right?"
Seele narrowed her eyes, confirming with a slight nod. "Yep, that's them. There's Beidou's R32, and parked to the side—March's Supra."
As they drew closer, Beidou pulled the handbrake with precision, sending her R32 into a perfect, controlled drift. The car slid sideways before coming to a stop. Beidou leaned out of the window, flashing a grin at Collei and March.
"Hey! I'm getting the hang of these handbrake turns now!"
Collei clapped her hands in approval. "Looking great, Beidou!"
March raised an eyebrow, studying the scene. "But Collei, when you drove my Supra, I didn't see you use the handbrake once. Why's that?"
Collei scratched the back of her neck, a slight blush creeping across her cheeks. "Oh, uh... I use the brakes instead of the handbrake. It's a different technique."
Beidou, eager to share her knowledge, jumped in. "Unlike what I'm doing, Collei uses a technique called 'Braking Drift.' It shifts the car's weight from the back to the front, making the rear lighter and more prone to sliding."
March tilted her head, looking a little deflated. "Ah, I see… There's so much to learn."
Beidou gave her a thumbs-up, her voice encouraging. "Don't worry, March. You've still got time. You'll get there."
She pulled her R32 up in front of March's Supra just as Seele and Pela arrived behind it. Both of them stepped out of their car and walked toward the others, ready for whatever was next.
Seele snapped her fingers, admiring the R32. "Looks like someone's been busy while their car was in the shop."
Beidou puffed out her chest proudly, a grin spreading across her face. "Of course. I wasn't about to let all that downtime go to waste. I came prepared for tonight's session."
Pela gave her a playful thumbs-up. "See? Nothing beats hands-on practice backed with solid theory!"
Collei smiled, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "So, um… since we're all here, why don't we have a friendly competition? Let's see how much we've all improved."
The suggestion caught everyone off guard. For a moment, there was silence, before March suddenly threw her arms around Collei in an enthusiastic hug.
"Look at you, Collei! Speaking the words of a true street racer!"
Everyone exchanged glances, amused and intrigued. Beidou, always up for a challenge, was the first to speak.
"Sounds like a perfect idea! We can go by pairs. I'll go solo, Seele with Pela, and March with Collei."
March fidgeted with her car keys, looking a little uncertain. "I… I don't know if I'm ready though."
Collei, sensing her hesitation, put an arm around her shoulder, reassuring her. "Don't worry, March. I've got this."
The group laughed, the camaraderie filling the night air, and everyone moved toward their cars, ready for the race.
Beidou leaned out of her window with a mischievous grin. "Last one to the finish line pays for dinner!"
Inside March's Supra, Collei finished adjusting her 5-point harness, her focus sharp. "I'm trusting you on this one, Collei. Go and beat them!"
The three cars lined up at the starting line, their engines rumbling in anticipation. Beidou's R32 was in front, with Seele's Devil Z just behind, Pela behind the wheel. March's Supra was in the rear, with Collei at the helm.
March tightened her harness, the adrenaline starting to kick in. "Drive it like you stole it, Collei! Show them what this NA Supra can really do!"
Collei revved the engine, her voice calm but determined. "Don't worry, March. I'll show them what I've got."
Beidou raised her hand, three fingers outstretched, before slowly counting down. With a swift drop of her last finger, the three cars launched off the line in a blur of speed and sound. An impromptu race was underway.
As the cars sped toward the first turn, Pela's keen eyes picked up a change in Beidou's technique. "She's improved. Her drifting is smoother and more precise than before."
Seele nodded, her grip tight on the handle as she focused on the road ahead. "She's been busy, I'll give her that. Show me what you've got, Pela!"
Pela flashed a grin, her foot pressing firmly on the accelerator. "You got it, Seele."
As they pushed forward, Collei couldn't help but admire Pela's driving. She kept pace with the Devil Z as if she had been driving it for years. "Her technique is impressive. It's like she knows the Devil Z inside and out."
March, remembering something, smiled knowingly. "Well, Pela's the one who tuned the Devil Z's suspension. She knows a thing or two about the car's handling."
The race intensified as they navigated four tight hairpin turns. The positions remained the same—Beidou in front, with Seele and Pela in the middle, and March and Collei trailing. As they approached a corner with a gutter, March's voice cut through the tension.
"Collei! The gutters!"
Collei grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Time for a little party trick."
With precision, Collei hooked the left wheels of the Supra into the gutter, slingshotting the car forward and past the Devil Z with ease.
Pela's eyes widened in surprise. "What the—Seele, did you see that?!"
Before Seele could respond, a pair of headlights flashed in the rearview mirror, rapidly closing the distance between them.
Seele glanced back, her heart racing. "Pela, we've got company! And they're coming in hot!"
As they entered a right-hand corner, a white Integra suddenly divebombed them, cutting off the Devil Z with ruthless aggression. Pela slammed on the brakes, the lack of ABS causing the front wheels to lock up.
"Argh, shit! Hold on tight!" Pela gritted her teeth, easing off the brake to let the front wheels spin again. But in the process, the rear of the Devil Z began to fishtail. Pela fought with the controls, managing to regain stability just in time.
"What the hell was that for?! That maniac almost wrecked us!" Pela growled, her frustration palpable.
Seele pointed toward the Integra. "Well, chase it! We can't let them get away with that!"
Pela narrowed her eyes, her foot slamming the gas pedal. "With pleasure."
The Devil Z surged forward, chasing the white Integra, while March and Collei followed closely behind. Inside the Integra, Silverwolf's face twisted into a smug grin as she revved the engine, ready to push her car to the limit.
"Time to show these amateurs what real racing is all about."
With a violent maneuver, Silverwolf dove toward Collei, cutting off the Supra. Collei's reflexes kicked in as she slammed the brakes, narrowly avoiding a collision.
"Shit! Hold on!" Collei yanked the wheel, the Supra's tires screeching as they fought for grip.
The Integra now darted ahead, inching closer to Beidou's R32. Silverwolf's voice was a low murmur in the cockpit, her words dripping with malice. "This race ends now."
As Beidou braked for a sharp left-hand corner, Silverwolf tapped the rear bumper of the R32, sending the car spinning out of control.
Beidou's eyes widened in horror. She slammed on the brakes with all her might. "Come on, baby, stop for me!"
Miraculously, the R32 skidded to a stop, just shy of the guardrail, narrowly avoiding disaster. The Devil Z and the Supra immediately halted, everyone rushing toward Beidou's car to check on her.
Seele reached her side first, concern etched on her face. "Beidou! Are you alright?"
Beidou climbed out of the car, shaking but unharmed. "I'm fine," she said, her voice a little shaky.
Her gaze locked onto the Integra, whose engine revved menacingly in the distance.
"Hey! What the hell was that for?! You could've killed me—or worse, ruined my ride!"
Collei clenched her fists, anger bubbling under the surface. "That's the same car that nearly ran us off the road!"
March, her fists clenched at her sides, marched toward the Integra. "What the hell is this? This isn't a damn NASCAR race!"
Before she could get any closer, the Integra roared to life and sped off into the night, disappearing into the darkness. The group stood frozen, staring into the void, the questions hanging heavy in the air.
Who was that driver?