The day rolled on as Collei drove her Eight-Six to the gas station, the first time she'd ever brought it there. The familiar whine of the ITBs—individual throttle bodies—echoed through the area as she approached. The distinct sound of her car's finely-tuned engine turned heads. The group hanging around the station was caught off guard, their chatter fading as they turned toward the unexpected arrival.
Beidou was the first to speak, a wide grin spreading across her face. With one hand on her hip, she chuckled, "Well, what do you know? Collei finally brought her car here. It's about time."
March, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet, clenched both fists in excitement. "I know, right?! Looks like she finally got tired of walking everywhere!"
The two shared a hearty laugh as Collei maneuvered her car into a spot behind Clorinde's pristine Lancia 037. The Eight-Six's engine purred to a halt, and soon after, the doors of the convenience store swung open. Lyney and Clorinde stepped out, holding drinks and snacks.
Lyney tilted his head, a playful glint in his eyes. "What do you know? Collei brought the Eight-Six out today," he teased, mirroring Beidou's earlier words.
Clorinde smirked, casually running a hand through her hair. "Looks like this is turning into a mini car show. Beidou's R32, March's Supra, my 037, and now Collei's Eight-Six." She shot a glance at Collei's car. "Not bad. You're really stepping up your game."
The driver in question stepped out of her car with an elegance that seemed out of place in the gritty world of street racing. She waved to the group with a smile. "Hey, everyone!"
As they gathered around her, Amber was the first to greet her, her tone curious. "Hey, Collei! I thought today was your day off?"
Collei tilted her head slightly, a playful smile on her face. "It is. But I wanted to stop by and share something with you all." Her gaze shifted to Clorinde. "Especially you, Clorinde."
Clorinde raised an eyebrow, her usual cool demeanor unshaken. "Oh? What's up?"
Straightening up, Collei took on a more serious tone. "Alright, here's the deal. Ningguang and I are hosting an exhibition run later tonight at Araumi. I wanted to invite you to join us. It's nothing serious—no winners, no losers. Just a 'for fun' race to help Ningguang show off her new team."
Clorinde crossed her arms, a glint of interest sparking in her eyes. "A casual exhibition, huh? Sounds like fun. I'm in."
The others nodded in approval, and excitement buzzed among the group as they anticipated the event.
That night, the Araumi Pass was alive with energy. The mountain road was packed with spectators and racers alike. Cars from every prefecture lined the roadsides, their vibrant paint jobs and roaring engines a testament to the diverse racing culture that had gathered here.
The exhibition run had just begun. At the head of the pack was Ningguang's sleek Mazda RX-7 FC, its headlights piercing through the darkness. Close behind were her two aces: Clorinde's Lancia 037 and Collei's iconic Toyota AE86.
March leaned over the guardrail, her voice nearly drowned out by the roar of engines. "Look at them go! Ningguang, Clorinde, and Collei—just like that, they're already gone!"
The trio flew into the first hairpin turn in perfect unison, their cars sliding effortlessly into a synchronized drift. Tires screeched against the asphalt, leaving trails of smoke in the cool night air.
Feixiao, also watching from the sidelines, folded his arms and let out a low whistle. "Now that's something you don't see every day. A triple tandem drift—it's like watching art in motion."
The race continued, the trio carving their way through the twisting mountain pass with precision and grace. Each hairpin, chicane, and straightaway was a canvas for their skill. Ningguang glanced into her rearview mirror, catching glimpses of the cars trailing her.
"I can feel your presence back there," she muttered, her tone quiet but focused. "Both of you are pushing yourselves to the limit. Good. Let's see how far we can take this."
Collei, gripping her steering wheel tightly, felt the thrill of the race coursing through her veins. Her Eight-Six glided through the turns like it was an extension of her own body. Beside her, Clorinde's Lancia was equally steady, its distinctive roar filling the gaps between the screeching tires.
The crowd on the sidelines cheered as the three cars disappeared deeper into the pass, their headlights weaving through the darkness. The night wasn't about winning or losing—it was about the bond between drivers, the mastery of their machines, and the raw beauty of the race.
For Collei, this wasn't just a casual run. It was a statement. She had changed.
The trio approached the next left-hand hairpin, their engines roaring in perfect harmony. Ningguang, leading the charge, slammed on the brakes, her practiced hands swiftly downshifting from fourth through third to second. With a sharp yank of the wheel to the left, she initiated a flawless braking drift. The rear of her FC swung out with perfect control, tires screeching against the pavement.
Without missing a beat, Collei and Clorinde mirrored her every move. Their cars, the Eight-Six and the Lancia, danced in perfect synchronization, initiating another flawless trio tandem drift. The crowd erupted into cheers as the three cars exited the turn, the formation unbroken. Ningguang held the lead, but Collei and Clorinde had closed the gap, now driving side by side as they chased her down.
Ningguang's smile widened, a gleam of excitement in her eyes. "This is what I wanted to see! Show me what you've got!"
The road twisted into another hairpin, this time a fast-paced right-hander. Their engines roared as the trio approached. Once again, the three cars initiated a perfect triple tandem drift, carving through the corner like synchronized dancers on a stage.
Eula, watching from behind the guardrail, couldn't contain her excitement. She punched the air, her voice carrying above the noise of the crowd. "Look at them go! That's so freaking awesome!"
The racers powered through a series of tight hairpins, the glowing taillights weaving a mesmerizing pattern in the darkness. Then, the road opened up into another sharp hairpin—this one faster than the others. The crowd held their breath as the cars slid through the turn, mere centimeters separating their doors.
Silverwolf's jaw dropped as she stood behind the guardrail, watching the spectacle unfold. "Look at Ningguang's FC!" she exclaimed. "Drifting flawlessly through the hairpin like it's nothing!"
Yelan, standing beside her, nodded, her voice tinged with awe. "But look at the Lancia and the Eight-Six! They're pushing so hard—it's incredible! You can see the passion in their driving."
The two locked eyes, gasping as they realized just how dangerously close the cars were to one another.
Silverwolf crossed her arms and barked, "Hey! Mind stepping back a bit? If someone passes by, they might think we're actually friends!"
Yelan shot her a glare. "How about you step back?"
The pair exchanged exasperated looks before turning on their heels, walking off in opposite directions to avoid further misunderstandings.
Meanwhile, behind the wheel of her Lancia, Clorinde's grin stretched from ear to ear. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her voice rising in exhilaration. "I've never had this much fun driving! This—this is fucking awesome!"
At the summit, the atmosphere was calmer but no less charged with anticipation. Ganyu leaned against the railing, glancing at Keqing. "So… are they actually racing, or is this something else entirely?"
Albedo, Ningguang's trusted mechanic, stepped in, pushing his glasses up his nose. "If this were a real race, Ningguang shouldn't win. Not on her home course. She knows it too well."
Keqing shook her head, a knowing smile on her face. "You're both missing the point. This isn't a race. Remember, Ningguang is building her expedition team. Tonight isn't about competition—it's about showcasing their skills. No winners, no losers. Just three drivers pushing themselves to the limit. The leader, driving in harmony with her two aces."
Back on the mountain, Collei's eyes lit up with a mix of focus and joy as she chased Ningguang's FC. Her grin widened, the thrill of the moment coursing through her veins. "She's gotten so much better since the last time we raced!" Collei thought aloud. "This is incredible!"
Ningguang, glancing in her rearview mirror, felt a wave of pride. Her voice was soft, almost to herself. "This… this is spectacular. Collei's skill has improved drastically since our battle in Yougou. She's not just keeping up—she's pushing me to my limits."
The trio approached another hairpin, their movements in perfect sync as they initiated yet another tandem drift. The roar of the engines, the screech of the tires, and the deafening cheers of the crowd blended into an electrifying symphony. As they exited the turn, the road opened into the longest straightaway of the pass.
The wide road allowed for all three cars to pull side by side. Collei's Eight-Six surged up to Ningguang's right, her engine singing with determination. On the left, Clorinde's Lancia thundered forward, its aggressive stance cutting through the night. For the first time, the three drivers were perfectly parallel, their cars inches apart.
Ningguang's chest tightened, not with anxiety but with exhilaration. A tingling sensation coursed through her as she looked left, then right, at her two aces. Her voice trembled slightly, overwhelmed by the moment.
"This… feels incredible. I thought my technique was as refined as it could get. But racing with them… it's opening something new inside me. I've never felt this alive, this free. All the worries I've carried—they're gone now."
She took a deep breath, her smile widening even further. "All I have to do now… is follow them. Drive with them."
The three cars thundered down the straightaway, their headlights piercing through the darkness as one. For Ningguang, Collei, and Clorinde, this wasn't just an exhibition—it was the purest expression of their love for driving, a moment that would linger in their hearts long after the night was over.