As the Night Progresses. The rain continued to pour over Tatrasuna, casting a shimmering sheen on the asphalt and soaking everything under the oppressive gray clouds. The downpour seemed relentless, but there was a brief lull—a reprieve—before the uphill runs began. Collei, soaked but exhilarated, stood by her car, the iconic Eight-Six, its sleek silhouette glinting under the sporadic flicker of streetlights. She was startled out of her thoughts as Ningguang, Clorinde, and Albedo approached her.
Ningguang offered Collei a subtle nod, her refined demeanor as composed as ever. "Nicely done, Collei," she said, her voice smooth but encouraging. "Don't worry about anything else right now. Your only focus should be on maximizing your car's full potential. When all is said and done, that's what matters most. Remember—if you notice something in your opponent's car that seems better than yours, nine times out of ten, that's your in-road. Techniques exist to help you transcend limitations. That's the lesson I want you to walk away with."
She gestured lightly with her hand, emphasizing her next point. "When I told you to think like Feixiao, it wasn't to emulate her or try pulling off one of her signature counterattacks. It was about understanding her mindset—getting inside her head. Still, you did an incredible job deciding the race during the first half. And I'm seriously impressed you managed to keep pace with that Lotus Elise for so long. Not many can claim that."
Her lips curled into a faint smile. "Take some time to rest, okay? The time trials are canceled until this rain lets up."
With a nod of finality, Ningguang turned on her heel and strode away, Clorinde falling into step beside her. This left Collei standing with Albedo.
Collei leaned closer to him, her voice a hushed murmur. "She meant that as a compliment, right?"
Albedo chuckled softly. "Of course she did."
Collei sighed in relief, a grin breaking through her previously anxious expression. "If I'd figured it out earlier, I could've passed him at an earlier corner instead of waiting for the final straightaway. For a moment, I even thought about holding him off for a second round."
Albedo scoffed, shaking his head with a smirk. "It's a bloody good thing you didn't. Ningguang would've torn you a new one, no doubt about it."
Collei's eyes widened. "Y-you think so?"
"I know so," Albedo replied, his tone firm. "There's no guarantee the rain would've lasted for another run. It's the only reason you had an edge tonight. If it were dry, that white piece of trash would've wiped the road with you."
Collei exhaled heavily, muttering under her breath. "Thank fuck for that."
Over on Kazuha's Side. The atmosphere was far less friendly.
Ayaka shoved her brother against the side of the car, her face inches from his as she fumed. "What the hell happened back there?"
Ayato raised his hands defensively, his expression flustered. "Honestly, sis, I can't even describe it! One second, her headlights were in my rearview mirror. The next, she was just... gone!"
Ayaka arched a skeptical brow. "Bullshit. Maybe she was in your blind spot."
Ayato shook his head vehemently. "No way. If she was in my blind spot, I would've caught her the moment she made a move. It was like... her headlights just turned off or something!"
Ayaka backed off, rubbing her temples as she let out a frustrated sigh. "Of course... a vanishing line."
She shook her head, visibly calming herself. "Sorry, bro. My emotions got the better of me."
Ayato placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't sweat it." His gaze wandered to Collei's Eight-Six, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "Still, I have to hand it to her. She's an incredible driver."
"No kidding," Ayaka said, nodding in agreement. Her voice softened as her mind drifted to the past. "When I raced her last year, she pulled off the craziest move I'd ever seen. Jumped a dirt bump right on this mountain."
Her memory transported her back to that night—the roar of engines, the screech of tires, and the heart-stopping moments as Collei's Trueno soared off a stack of dirt during a tight left-hand corner. Sparks flew as the car slammed back onto the road, sliding gracefully ahead of Ayaka's Levin. Despite the wildness of the maneuver, the Trueno held its drift, sealing Collei's victory.
Ayaka blinked, shaking off the memory. "Still gives me chills sometimes..."
Back with Team Speed Stars. Collei and Albedo strolled back toward her Eight-Six, the iconic vehicle gleaming with raindrops.
Albedo smirked. "Pulling off a blind attack in this rain? Bloody brilliant. Considering the conditions, it must've been pitch-black for him to lose you in his rearview. Remember—stealth is a powerful tool in a dogfight. Even Ningguang agrees."
Collei nodded. "I know. But I only use it when I really don't have a choice."
Before they could continue, familiar voices rang out through the rain.
"There's our champion!"
Collei turned to see her friends approaching, waving enthusiastically despite the rain.
"Collei!" Amber shouted, grinning from ear to ear. "You were awesome back there!"
Collei blushed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Oh, um... thanks?"
March beamed. "Seriously, you scared the living daylights out of us on that straightaway! You went totally dark behind that car, and the next second, you almost ran us over! But, uh... we forgive you."
Seele nodded, her arms crossed. "Yeah, but we had to dive into a bush to avoid getting flattened."
Beidou pointed at her soaked and mud-covered jacket. "Look at us—we're a mess!"
Collei chuckled, her voice light. "Maybe next time, don't stand in the middle of the road?"
The group erupted into laughter, the camaraderie breaking through the cold and dampness of the night.
As the group shared laughter and relived the night's intensity, their excitement was interrupted by a distinct mechanical roar that pierced through the rain-soaked air. It wasn't just any engine—it was the unmistakable whine of a supercharger.
Collei's ears perked up, her curiosity immediately piqued. She stepped forward, squinting through the rain, only to spot a familiar silhouette. It was Ayaka's AE86 Levin, its sleek frame now boasting a mesh grille and a lightweight carbon-fiber hood.
Her green eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the subtle but significant changes. "She's running a supercharger now?" Collei muttered to herself, crossing her arms.
As if on cue, Clorinde walked briskly toward Ayaka's Levin, the rain bouncing off her jacket. The two women met with a firm handshake, their professionalism evident even in the casual setting.
"Clorinde of Team Speed Stars," Clorinde introduced herself, her voice steady and commanding.
Ayaka smiled politely, a trace of competitive fire in her eyes. "Kamisato Ayaka. The pleasure is mine."
Clorinde tilted her head, studying the Levin. "Last I heard, you were running a turbocharger. But from the way your engine sounded on startup... it's supercharged now, isn't it?"
Ayaka nodded, her expression proud but measured. "That's right. After my race with Collei last year, my engine suffered damage. The turbo ended up injecting dirt and debris from that wild run. It was a costly mistake." She glanced at her car, running her hand across the carbon hood. "I had the engine rebuilt and switched to a supercharger. More reliable, and it suits my driving style better."
The atmosphere crackled with tension as Keqing's voice boomed across the surroundings.
"Cars to the starting line!"
Clorinde exchanged a quick wave with Ayaka before sprinting toward her Lancia Rally 037. The iconic machine came to life with a rumble, the deep growl of its supercharged Lampredi four-cylinder echoing through the mountain pass. Ayaka's Levin followed suit, its own distinctive whine signaling readiness as the two vehicles slowly rolled up to the starting line.
Both cars came to a stop, engines idling menacingly. The headlights cut through the mist as the rain began to fall in earnest, making the already treacherous course even more challenging.
Ningguang approached Clorinde's car, her heels clicking against the damp pavement. She tapped on the plexiglass window, prompting Clorinde to slide open the small slot. The cold mountain air rushed in, carrying the scent of rain and petrol.
Ningguang leaned closer, her voice calm but commanding. "Remember your objective from last week, Clorinde. It's the same here. Use Senna's throttle technique for this run. Precision over aggression. Understood?"
Clorinde met her gaze with a confident nod. "Understood, Ningguang."
Ningguang gave a faint smile, then patted the roof of the Lancia. "Good. Then give her hell."
Sliding the small window shut, Clorinde shifted the car into first gear and held the handbrake, giving the Lancia a sharp, aggressive rev. Flames flickered from the exhaust, the sound bouncing off the surrounding cliffs.
On the other side of the starting line, Ayaka prepared in her own way. She tightened her harness and gave a resolute tug on her handbrake. Her supercharged Levin's distinct whine filled the air as she feathered the throttle, her focus unshaken despite the growing storm.
Both drivers were poised, their hands on the wheel, their eyes locked on the road ahead. The energy was electric. Two titans, two machines, one battle to determine who would conquer the rain-slicked mountain pass.
Keqing's voice echoed in the night as she raised her hand high.
"We are starting in FIVE!" she called out, her voice brimming with anticipation.
"FOUR!"
"THREE!"
"TWO!"
"ONE!"
"GO!!"
Her hand dropped like a starting flag, and the roar of engines filled the air. Ayaka's Toyota Levin AE86 and Clorinde's Lancia 037 launched off the line, their tires fighting for grip against the cold asphalt. Both cars screamed at the redline, the Lancia bouncing off it, their drivers pushing their machines to the limit from the get-go.
The Lancia's rear-engine layout gave it an early advantage as it surged forward with precision. Clorinde, however, eased off slightly, choosing to stay in pursuit rather than overtake immediately. Her strategy was clear: pressure Ayaka and wait for the right moment to strike.
The two cars stormed toward the first right-hand corner, the Levin and the Lancia dancing on the edge of control. The narrow gap between them remained unchanged as they navigated the twisting S-turns, Ayaka's AE86 leading while Clorinde's Lancia stayed glued to its tail.
Ayaka stole a quick glance at her rearview mirror, her expression focused yet defiant. "Once we hit the next section, power and torque won't matter. This is going to be all about skill. Driver versus driver."
Her hands tightened on the wheel, and she slammed her foot down on the accelerator. The Levin responded with a burst of speed, its engine howling as it surged ahead. But Clorinde wasn't far behind. She matched Ayaka's move, her Lancia roaring to life as it shot forward.
The first hairpin loomed, and Ayaka's Levin slid effortlessly through the tight corner, its rear stepping out in a controlled drift. Meanwhile, Clorinde's Lancia stayed firmly planted, her grip-focused technique keeping the car steady. She employed a precise throttle-tapping maneuver reminiscent of Ayrton Senna, balancing the Lancia's weight perfectly between understeer and oversteer. The result was seamless: the Lancia shot out of the corner with remarkable ease, narrowing the gap even further.
Ayaka glanced at her rearview mirror again, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the Lancia closing in. "I need to turn this into a stamina battle," she muttered to herself. "No way I'm losing to her. Rich girl probably thinks she can waltz in here with her million-dollar rally car and win."
Her grip on the steering wheel tightened, and determination blazed in her eyes. "Not on my watch."
Clorinde smirked as her Lancia gripped the next corner with precision. The 037's Volumex supercharger was singing beautifully, delivering consistent power with every tap of the throttle. She knew exactly what she was up against.
"I understand how supercharged cars behave," Clorinde murmured to herself. "This Levin may be agile, but the Lancia was born to dominate. This isn't just about horsepower—it's about finesse."
She downshifted, her tachometer needle soaring toward 8,500 RPM before shifting back up. The exhaust spat flames as the Lancia surged forward, closing the gap further.
The Chase Intensifies with Hairpin after hairpin, straightaway after straightaway, the two cars continued their fierce battle. The Levin danced with its characteristic tail-happy flair, Ayaka expertly countersteering to maintain control. Meanwhile, the Lancia gripped and accelerated with ferocity, Clorinde staying disciplined, never overreaching, always waiting for the perfect moment to make her move.
The stage was set. The rivalry burned brightly under the moonlit sky, the rain beginning to drizzle lightly as the mountain echoed with the sounds of roaring engines and screeching tires. The duel between Ayaka and Clorinde was just heating up, and neither driver was ready to back down.
At the Base. Kazuha's voice cut through the tension at the Speed Stars' base, updating Ayato on the unfolding drama.
"Your sister is still in the lead, but the Lancia is closing in fast," Kazuha reported, his tone both impressed and concerned.
Ayato, leaning against the hood of his car, raised a questioning eyebrow. Before he could speak, Kazuha adjusted his glasses, preemptively addressing his unspoken inquiry.
"I've been observing Clorinde's technique. When she raced Firefly last week, I noticed her method of throttle control—quick, rhythmic blips. It's not something you see every day, and I haven't figured out why she does it yet."
Ayato pondered this information for a moment before shifting the conversation. "But why a Lancia Rally 037? Of all the cars she could've chosen—FD RX-7s, R34 Skylines, Supras—why that? And how did she even get her hands on one? Those things are practically artifacts."
Kazuha tapped on his tablet, pulling up Clorinde's bio from the Team Speed Stars website. "It's not just any Lancia 037," he explained. "This car won the WRC Constructors' Championship back in '83. Its driver, who also won the Drivers' Title that year, was gifted this very car by Lancia. After his passing, it was handed down to his daughter—Clorinde."
He paused, removing his glasses to clean them as he continued. "She didn't spend $1.3 million on this car, Ayato. It's her father's heirloom."
Ayato's expression softened as understanding dawned on him. "Her father must've been a legend, then."
Kazuha shook his head. "Not quite. He avoided the spotlight, rarely gave interviews, and his face was almost never seen. Even his rally car's nameplates didn't display his name—just a Inazuman flag. Winning wasn't about fame for him. It was about the race."
Ayato chuckled, crossing his arms. "I get it. Staying out of the limelight must've been his way of protecting his family. Fame has its costs, after all."
Back on the Race. Ayaka and Clorinde pushed their cars to the edge as they barreled down a straightaway. The drain cover loomed ahead, barely visible through the sheets of rain. Ayaka's Levin hit it first, jolting her car and momentarily breaking her concentration. She wrestled the steering wheel, regaining control just in time.
Clorinde's Lancia hit the same cover a split second later, but its raised suspension absorbed the impact effortlessly, the car maintaining its composure.
Ayaka cursed under her breath. "That damn drain cover. If I'd hit it at a worse angle, I'd be in a spin right now."
Behind her, Clorinde's lips curled into a determined smile. "That's it. I've got the opening I need."
She downshifted, the Lancia's engine roaring as she slammed the accelerator. Flames spat from the exhaust as the tachometer needle surged to 8,500 RPM before she shifted to fourth gear. The sudden burst of speed closed the gap between her and Ayaka.
Ayaka's hands tightened on the wheel. "You're trying to rattle me, Clorinde. But I'm not cracking under pressure!"
A Watchful Eye from the sidelines, a lone figure with dark, purple-pink hair watched the race unfold. Her sharp eyes tracked the two cars as they slid through another hairpin, their rear tires barely clinging to the rain-slicked road.
She smirked, muttering under her breath, "Typical two-wheel drive cars. So delicate on bumps. FRs are just pathetic little clunkers."
The rain had transformed the mountain pass into an even more treacherous battleground, the roads slick and unforgiving. The two drivers, Ayaka and Clorinde, pushed their cars to the edge, their skills tested as they navigated through the storm.
Clorinde's Lancia 037 had been closing in on Ayaka's Eight-Six, inching closer with every turn. The battle was fierce, neither driver giving an inch, both determined to come out on top.
The rain intensified, turning the already challenging mountain pass into a battlefield of nerves and skill. Sheets of water obscured visibility, and every corner demanded absolute precision.
Clorinde, keeping her Lancia 037 just inches from Ayaka's Levin, felt the tension rise with every hairpin. Ayaka, pushing her supercharged Eight-Six to its limits, muttered under her breath, frustration creeping into her tone.
"I can't see shit in these conditions!"
As they approached yet another hairpin, Ayaka braked earlier than expected, her cautious approach catching Clorinde off guard. The Lancia's brakes screeched as Clorinde managed to narrowly avoid rear-ending Ayaka's car.
Clorinde exhaled sharply. "Lucky. That was too close."
The two cars hurtled into a mid-speed left-hand corner. Ayaka, glancing at her dim headlights, reached to switch them to high beams, hoping for better visibility. But her timing was off. Her Levin's rear wheels jumps a little from a rain gutter, destabilizing the car.
"Damn it!" Ayaka gasped as her car suddenly spun out, the rear swinging wildly. She fought the wheel, bracing for impact with Clorinde's Lancia or the unforgiving wall at the edge of the road.
Clorinde reacted instinctively. Hooking her Lancia's wheels into the inner gutters, she maintained control and slipped past Ayaka's spinning car. She slammed on the brakes once clear, coming to a halt just ahead.
Ayaka's Levin skidded to a stop mere centimeters from the wall. She sat motionless for a moment, gripping the wheel tightly. Then, with a surge of frustration, she slammed her palm against it twice.
"Son of a bitch!" she yelled, her voice muffled by the rain and the enclosed space of her cockpit.
Clorinde stepped out of her Lancia and approached Ayaka, concern etched across her face. Ayaka opened her door and stepped out as well, shaking her head in frustration.
"Are you okay?" Clorinde asked.
Ayaka nodded, breathing heavily. "Yeah, I'm fine. I was adjusting my headlights to high beam when I hit the rain gutter. It completely caught me off guard."
Clorinde sighed, her voice calm but serious. "That was way too close. You were at the right angle this time, but if it had been wrong, you'd have hit me—or worse, the wall."
Ayaka nodded again, her voice softer now. "I know. I got lucky…"
The two racers returned to their cars and completed the descent, the tension from earlier replaced by an air of quiet reflection.
When they reached the base, Ayaka stepped out of her Levin, drenched but composed. Ayato and Kazuha approached her.
Ayaka sighed, her tone heavy with resignation. "Well, it's over. I spun out, and she passed me. We lost."
Kazuha's eyebrows twitched, his disappointment clear. "It's over… we lost. All of it." He turned to glance at Clorinde's Lancia Rally 037 and Collei's Eight-Six, both cars shining despite the rain. "But still… Team Speed Stars is one hell of a team. All the best in your future expeditions..."
The rain began to ease as the night wore on, but the storm in Ayaka's heart still raged. She had fought hard, but it wasn't enough this time. Team Speed Stars had secured another victory, total domination once again.
As the final moments of the night passed, Ayaka and her team stood together, the loss weighing heavily on their minds. But they knew one thing for sure: this battle was just one chapter in an ongoing rivalry that would continue to push them all to greater heights. The road would always call, and next time, they would be ready.