Act: 1 Chapter: 3 | Raging Turbo. Revenge!

The streets of Yougou Narukami Shopping Street were quiet in the early morning. The nightlife had long faded, the scent of grilled street food replaced by the crisp air of dawn. Shopkeepers were just beginning to set up, rolling open their shutters, sweeping their storefronts, getting ready for the day.

Beidou wasn't usually out this early.

Yet here she was, cruising lazily down the main street, her elbow resting on the door, fingers drumming against the steering wheel.

She wasn't sure what had pulled her out of bed this morning. Maybe it was Lyney's words from last night, still echoing in her head.

"Mark my words, Beidou. The fastest car on Mount Yougou is an Eight-Six that delivers tofu."

She had laughed it off at the time, but now? Now that she had seen it with her own eyes—that clunky old AE86, flying past Keqing's FD like it was standing still—she couldn't get it out of her mind.

Was it really that fast? Or had Keqing just fucked up?

Beidou sighed, shaking her head. "I must be losing it, chasing rumors like this…"

But then, something caught her eye.

Her foot instinctively tapped the brake pedal, slowing her car as she focused on a wooden sign hanging from the side of a small shop.

Hearth's Tofu Shop.

Beidou raised an eyebrow.

"No way…"

She

You said:

They never knew that Keqing's RX7 was passed by an eight six. Remember. its similar to Initial D Lore.

ChatGPT said:

Got it! Beidou and her crew don't know that Keqing's FD was beaten by the Eight-Six. The mystery remains.

Now, let's go again with that in mind—I'll keep the build-up while maintaining their ignorance about what happened to Keqing.

The Mystery of the Eight-Six

The streets of Yougou Narukami Shopping Street were quiet in the early morning. The nightlife had long faded, the scent of grilled street food replaced by the crisp air of dawn. Shopkeepers were just beginning to set up, rolling open their shutters, sweeping their storefronts, getting ready for the day.

Beidou wasn't usually out this early.

Yet here she was, cruising lazily down the main street, her elbow resting on the door, fingers drumming against the steering wheel.

She wasn't sure what had pulled her out of bed this morning. Maybe it was Lyney's words from last night, still echoing in her head.

"Mark my words, Beidou. The fastest car on Mount Yougou is an Eight-Six that delivers tofu."

She had laughed it off at the time, but it bugged her. Lyney wasn't an idiot. If he was saying this with confidence, there had to be some truth to it.

Still, a fucking AE86? The fastest car on Yougou? The idea was ridiculous.

But just as she was about to dismiss it, her gaze locked onto something ahead.

A wooden shop sign. A small family-run business. Hearth's Tofu Shop.

Beidou's eyebrows shot up.

No way…

And then, as if fate itself was playing a joke on her— she saw it.

There, parked in the driveway, was a panda-colored AE86.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She hit the brakes.

Her R32 rolled to a slow stop, right there in the middle of the quiet street. Beidou sat in silence, eyes locked on the old Toyota hatchback, studying every detail.

Black-and-white paint.

Factory-stock body.

A simple, two-tone set of Watanabe wheels—silver lips, black spokes.

From a glance, it was just an ordinary early-model AE86 Trueno GT-APEX.

Beidou narrowed her eyes, leaning slightly forward over the wheel.

"Could this be the car Lyney was talking about?"

It looked... unimpressive. Nothing special. Just another old Eight-Six.

But then again, she knew better than to judge a car by its looks.

Something about it felt… different.

Almost instinctively, Beidou threw her car into reverse, easing it back to get a better look.

Her curiosity was getting the better of her.

She stepped out, slamming the door shut, and slowly approached the AE86.

The early morning sun caught the car's glossy black roof, making it look sharper than it had any right to be. Beidou took her time, walking around it carefully, inspecting every inch.

From the slim factory side skirts to the small red "APEX Twin Cam 16" badge on the trunk, everything about it screamed stock. No flashy aero. No aggressive stance.

She crouched down, glancing at the tires.

"Huh... These aren't standard road tires. They're performance compounds, but nothing crazy."

Beidou ran a hand along the edge of the rear fender. The paint felt smooth, well-maintained. Whoever owned this car took care of it.

But nothing about it suggested it was fast.

"This can't be the fastest car on Yougou," she muttered under her breath.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

"Hey, Beidou! What are you doing here?"

She turned her head and saw Collei standing in the doorway of the shop, apron still on, a curious look on her face.

Beidou blinked. "Oh, hey, Collei!"

Collei tilted her head slightly. "You here sightseeing? Or... buying tofu?"

"Tofu?" Beidou scrambled for an answer. "Oh, uh… yeah, you know… just checking the place out."

Collei smirked and pointed at the shop's sign. "You do know you're standing in front of a tofu shop, right?"

Beidou chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah, yeah… figured I'd stop by."

But in reality?

Her mind was racing.

"Why the hell is this car here?"

As they continued down the winding road toward Lyney's gas station, the soft hum of the engines was the only thing breaking the silence. Beidou's mind was still wrapped around the mystery of the Eight-Six, but she couldn't shake the odd feeling that there was more to the situation than met the eye.

Collei seemed content with the quiet ride, but then, out of nowhere, she broke the tension.

"Hey, Beidou… do you spend a lot of time near my house?" Collei asked casually, her eyes still focused on the road.

Beidou's eyes widened. Her grip tightened on the wheel, and her pulse quickened. She nearly choked on her own breath, shocked by the question.

"What? No! Hell no! I don't even know where you live! I just happened to be in the area," she replied a bit too quickly, her voice higher than usual.

Collei glanced over at her, an amused expression on her face, though Beidou could see a hint of suspicion there too. "Uh-huh… suuure," she teased, her tone light but pointed.

Beidou waved her off dismissively, trying to shake the awkwardness. "Anyway… Collei. Is this whole 'I don't know squat about cars' act for real?" she asked, clearly changing the subject to something she felt more comfortable discussing.

"Huh?" Collei blinked, genuinely confused.

Beidou smirked, slowing down as they approached a red light. She took a moment to let the car idle, the engines purring beneath them as the light flickered amber.

"Come on, Collei. You expect me to believe you don't know what an Eight-Six is?" she said, glancing at her with an eyebrow raised. "Because there's one parked right in your driveway."

Collei blinked again, her expression shifting from confusion to mild amusement. "Wait, wait, wait. Are you messing with me, Beidou? That junker isn't an Eight-Six at all. Pretty sure the badges say GT-APEX Trueno."

Beidou let out an exasperated sigh and shook her head with a grin, trying not to laugh at Collei's ignorance. "Oh, for the love of—Collei, it is an Eight-Six."

Collei's brow furrowed slightly as she processed that statement. "What?"

"GT-APEX Levin or Trueno, they're the same damn car," Beidou explained with a confident nod. "Same chassis, same everything. That's why they're all called 'Eight-Sixes' in the first place."

Collei scratched her head, looking genuinely lost in the conversation. She was quiet for a moment before replying, "Huh… that doesn't really make sense, but okay?"

Beidou rolled her eyes, leaning back into her seat and crossing her arms, her mind still spinning. This girl seriously doesn't know what she's sitting on...

She couldn't believe it. Collei was sitting on one of the most iconic street racers of all time, and she was acting like it was just another old car. Maybe it had something to do with her connection to the tofu shop, but that didn't explain her complete lack of awareness about the AE86's significance.

As they neared the turn to Lyney's gas station, Beidou's eyes kept flicking back to the road, but her mind was still racing.

There was something off about the whole situation.

That Eight-Six wasn't just some ordinary old car. There was no way it could be the "fastest car on Mount Yougou" like Lyney had said, but something in her gut told her there was more to this. Something more than just an old, beat-up car that happened to be parked in Collei's driveway.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Lyney's gas station coming into view. As they pulled in, Beidou quickly killed the engine and sat in the car for a moment, trying to shake the feeling that something was about to come crashing into her world. She glanced at Collei, still so oblivious to the weight of her car's history, and for the first time in a while, Beidou felt genuinely unsettled.

Collei, on the other hand, was completely carefree. She stepped out, giving Beidou a sideways glance as she stretched. "So, are you gonna get that tofu or what?"

Beidou wasn't sure how to respond. She just stood there for a moment, still staring at the driveway where the AE86 had been. Something told her that the mystery of the Eight-Six was far from over.

And whatever was going on with Collei—she had a feeling it was all connected.

That afternoon, Beidou could hardly contain her excitement. As soon as she saw March, she couldn't help but spill the beans. "You won't believe what I found," she began, practically buzzing with anticipation.

March, ever the ball of energy, whipped around, eyes widening dramatically. "WHAAAT?!" she shrieked, her voice a mix of disbelief and excitement. "Collei OWNS an Eight-Six?!"

Beidou leaned against the counter with a smug grin, crossing her arms. "I'm telling you, it's parked right in her driveway. And if it's in her driveway, that means it's hers."

March's eyes nearly popped out of her head, and without a second's hesitation, she spun on her heel and stormed out of the shop. Beidou barely had time to react before March was already halfway down the street.

"Hey, wait—March!" Beidou called after her, chuckling to herself. "Damn, let her breathe first!"

But March was already on a mission. She practically teleported to Collei, who was busy working outside the shop. March stomped up to her, face a perfect picture of betrayal and excitement.

"Collei, you jerk!" she exploded, causing Collei to freeze in her tracks. "Why didn't you tell me you had an Eight-Six?!"

Collei blinked, looking flustered as she tried to process the sudden confrontation. "Wait—what?! I didn't even know I had one until today!"

March's gaze narrowed, suspicion written all over her face. "Don't mess with me! Beidou said it's sitting in your driveway!"

Collei, completely caught off guard, took a step back, her hands up in defense. "If it were mine, it would have AE86 badges, not GT-APEX Trueno!"

March clenched her fists, her frustration mounting to the boiling point. She was about to unleash another tirade when, suddenly, her expression shifted. Her shoulders slumped in exaggerated defeat, and she clasped her hands together like she was in front of a royal court, begging for mercy.

"Can I borrow it? Just once? Please?" she begged, her voice dripping with desperation. "We'll look so cool showing it off to Ningguang and Keqing!"

Collei raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed by the dramatics. "No can do. It's not even my car."

March blinked, utterly confused. "Wait. What?"

Collei sighed deeply, clearly regretting the moment she ever brought up the car. "It belongs to my father. Arlecchino."

Beidou, who had been quietly watching the scene unfold from a distance, felt her mind grind to a halt. Arlecchino. That name hit her like a hammer. She hadn't connected the dots until now. The AE86. The mystery. The connection. It all made sense.

"Oh…" Beidou muttered, realization dawning on her. "So that's it. Your father owns it."

March's face fell slightly as she processed the new information. The dramatic pleading quickly shifted to quiet confusion. "Wait, your father's the one who owns it?" She looked at Collei, still a little incredulous. "You mean… Arlecchino?"

Collei nodded, her face softening slightly. "Yeah. He's the one who takes care of it. And it's been in the family for years."

Beidou's mind was still racing. Arlecchino—the man who had the skills, the history, and now, it seemed, the car to match the legendary street racers she'd heard so much about. No wonder Collei was so detached from the car's significance.

March, however, wasn't quite done. She dropped to her knees in a full-blown dramatic collapse, her hands clasped together like she was praying to some higher power. "Please, Collei! Let me borrow it! Just once! I'll be so careful! Please! I promise, I'll return it with a full tank of gas!"

Collei crossed her arms and shook her head firmly, refusing to give in. "No. And for the last time, it's not mine."

Before the scene could escalate any further, a voice cut through the tension. Lyney strolled up to the group with his usual laid-back attitude, eyeing the commotion with a raised eyebrow.

"What's going on here?" he asked, smirking. "Is this a gas station or a high school drama club?"

The group froze, and Lyney casually jerked a thumb toward the pumps. "Come on, we've got customers," he said with a wink. "Save the theatrics for later. Let's focus on business."

Collei shot Beidou a look, her lips curling up in a small, exasperated smile. "I think that's our cue," she said dryly, before turning to Lyney. "You're right. Time to get back to work."

Beidou grinned, feeling a little lighter now that the tension had broken. "Yeah, alright. You're lucky Lyney showed up, Collei. I was just about to watch March throw herself into the nearest fountain."

March, still on the ground, pouted dramatically. "You guys are no fun," she grumbled as she climbed back to her feet.

As the group began to head back to their respective duties, Beidou's mind was still churning. Arlecchino. The AE86. Something about all of this felt far too connected to just be coincidence. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Collei's father, and by extension, the old Eight-Six, than anyone was letting on.

And she was going to find out what it was.

The Phantom of Yougou Pass

That evening, as the sky darkened over Yougou Pass, Keqing's RX-7 roared back to life, its rotary engine screaming through the mountain roads.

Her grip on the wheel tightened, her jaw clenched. She still hadn't shaken the frustration from last night's encounter. The way that damn AE86 had overtaken her like it was nothing. The way she had spun out like a fool.

Her pride had taken a hit, and she wasn't about to let it slide.

"Where are you, phantom?!" Keqing shouted into the night, her voice fierce and unwavering. "I won't leave Yougou until I face you again!"

The RX-7 sliced through the corners, her precise heel-toe shifts keeping the car glued to the pavement. The engine's growl echoed through the pass, each rev higher than the last.

Faster. Sharper. Tighter.

Keqing wasn't just driving anymore—she was hunting.

She flicked the wheel into another hairpin, the rear sliding just enough before the tires gripped again. She was pushing harder, faster, refining every turn with pinpoint accuracy.

Each second that passed, each perfect apex she hit, her frustration was replaced with something else—anticipation.

The phantom was out there.

And the next time they met, Keqing was going to win.

Meanwhile, Beidou, Collei, and March were on their lunch break, lounging in the breakroom of Lyney's gas station. The small TV mounted in the corner played an episode of Hot Version, the legendary automotive show featuring some of the best drivers in Japan. On screen, Keiichi Tsuchiya—the Drift King himself—was effortlessly throwing his AE86 Trueno into a controlled slide around a tight corner, countersteering with precision. The high-pitched wail of the naturally aspirated 4A-GE engine filled the room, the sound of throttle modulation making it clear he was controlling the car's angle purely with his right foot.

March practically vibrated with excitement, nearly spilling her drink as she pointed at the screen.

"I have to tell you, Beidou—Keiichi Tsuchiya is the Drift King! No questions asked!" she gushed, her eyes practically sparkling as she watched the master at work.

Beidou leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on her face. "He's controlling that drift purely with the throttle, you know that, right?"

March nodded vigorously, practically bouncing in her seat. Then, with the same overflowing enthusiasm, she elbowed Collei. "Hey, Collei! Are you seeing this?! Don't tell me this doesn't make you wanna go out there and show 'em who's boss!"

Collei barely spared a glance at the screen. "Sure."

March blinked, caught off guard by the lackluster response. "Wait… what?"

She scooted closer, trying to re-engage her. "Look at him go! Those drifting techniques are sick!"

"Sure," Collei repeated flatly, still not looking at the TV.

March narrowed her eyes, suspicious. Then she noticed the faint glow reflecting off Collei's face.

"…Yo… is that a phone?" March leaned over, trying to peek.

Collei glanced up, caught red-handed. "Uh, yeah," she admitted.

March's smirk widened. "Aha! You weren't even watching, Miss 'Sure!'" She leaned forward with a teasing grin. "Tell me the truth—do you even know what a drift is?"

Collei, unfazed, gave a small nod. "Of course. Everyone knows what it is."

March crossed her arms, clearly unconvinced. "Okay, Miss Sure, then why don't you tell me and Beidou exactly how to drift?"

Collei hesitated for a moment, then spoke as if it were obvious. "Well… when you're going into a corner, you make the front tires slide so the car isn't facing the inside when you turn. Otherwise, you're toast." She mimicked a steering motion with her hands.

Silence.

March and Beidou exchanged glances.

Then, as if on cue—

"PFFFT—AHAHAHAHAHA!"

March collapsed into laughter, clutching her stomach. Beidou, trying to hold it together, failed miserably and cracked up alongside her.

"Collei, you're hilarious!" March wheezed.

Beidou wiped a tear from her eye, still chuckling. "Kid, if you're making your front tires slide, that's called understeer. And that usually means you're about to kiss a guardrail."

March nodded between giggles. "For a drift, you use the rear wheels! Not the front! Seriously, you're a riot!"

Collei blinked, confusion written all over her face.

Unnoticed by the others, Lyney stood at the entrance, arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe. He had watched the whole exchange in silence, a small, knowing smile tugging at his lips.

They don't get it, he thought to himself.

Sorry, fellas, but you're wrong.

His sharp, observant gaze flicked to Collei, who still looked puzzled.

In the middle of a drift, the car is technically understeering. Collei's answer? That's something you'd expect from someone who's mastered the Four-Wheel Drift. A subtle nod of approval. I'm impressed, kid. Very impressed.

A sudden car horn snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Customers, folks. Go earn your keep," he called out before turning back toward the counter.

Beidou and March quickly straightened up, stuffing the rest of their food down before heading outside. Collei followed behind, wiping her hands on a rag. But as Beidou stepped out last, her eyes landed on the vehicle that had just pulled up.

A midnight purple RX-7 FD.

Her breath hitched for a split second.

No fucking way…

Her brow furrowed slightly. "Is that Keqing's RX-7?" she muttered.

Collei approached the driver's side window, flashing her usual friendly smile. "How can I help you, Miss?"

The window rolled down, revealing Keqing.

"Fill her up. High-octane, please," she said coolly, her voice smooth yet carrying a certain edge.

Collei nodded and began fueling. Meanwhile, Beidou, wiping down the windshield, locked eyes with Keqing.

Keqing studied her for a moment before speaking. "Beidou, right?" Her tone was casual, but there was a sharp undertone to it.

Beidou tilted her head slightly. "That's me."

Keqing leaned forward just a bit, elbows resting on the open window. "Tell me something."

Beidou raised an eyebrow. "Depends on what it is."

Keqing smirked. "Do you know anyone in Yougou who drives around in a panda-colored AE86 Trueno?"

The air suddenly felt heavier.

Beidou's fingers involuntarily twitched around the towel in her hand.

Keqing's golden eyes narrowed slightly. "Y'know, the kind of 'junker' you were talking about the other day?"

Beidou felt her stomach drop slightly.

Collei had just finished fueling the RX-7 when Keqing paid with a quick tap of her card. There was a moment of silence before she spoke again.

"I see how it is." Keqing's voice was low, deliberate. Then, as she shifted into first gear, she shot Beidou a cryptic smile.

"If it's your secret weapon for Saturday's race… tell them I'll be waiting."

And with that, she rolled up her window and pulled away from the station, the deep, distinctive howl of the rotary engine echoing into the night as she disappeared down the road.

Beidou stood frozen, watching the taillights fade.

Keqing… lost a race on Yougou?

Beaten… by an Eight-Six?

Her mind raced, piecing everything together.

She turned sharply, looking straight at Collei.

Collei blinked. "What?"

Beidou's pulse quickened. "The Eight-Six I saw at your place the other day…" Her eyes widened as everything clicked into place.

That wasn't just any AE86.

"That was a Trueno."

Lyney's words. The rumors. The phantom racer of Yougou Pass.

Beidou sucked in a breath.

"Lyney was right all along…"

Her grip on the towel tightened.

"That car… still belongs to the fastest racer in Yougou."

The Morning Ritual

Collei's alarm shattered the silence at exactly 4:00 AM—a harsh, mechanical beep that cut through the fragile remnants of sleep like a knife.

She groaned, rubbing her eyes before swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. Her body moved on autopilot—muscle memory guiding her motions. Into the bathroom, splash of cold water, a quick change into her usual attire.

Outside, the world was cloaked in stillness. The air was crisp, the streets bathed in the soft glow of streetlights, casting long shadows over the pavement. Not a single car passed by. Not a single soul stirred.

She reached for the keys.

The AE86 sat there, waiting.

Its familiar, panda-colored body gleamed faintly under the dim garage light. The same car. The same ritual. The same drive.

Slipping into the driver's seat, she inhaled deeply—leather, gasoline, and a faint hint of cold morning air. A scent that felt like home.

Click.

The ignition turned, and the engine roared to life. The smooth, distinctive hum of the 4A-GE high-revving twin-cam filled the garage. The pop-up headlights snapped open, cutting through the darkness like a blade.

From the shadows near the garage entrance, a figure stirred.

Arlecchino.

She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. In one hand, she held a simple paper cup, steam curling into the cold morning air.

Collei raised an eyebrow as she accepted it. "More water than usual?"

Arlecchino smirked slightly, her gaze unreadable. "Maybe. But the same rules apply."

A cryptic response—classic.

Collei exhaled, carefully placing the cup into the holder beside her. "Yeah, yeah."

With a flick of the gearshift, she eased the Eight-Six out of the driveway. Its taillights glowed red as it disappeared into the predawn haze.

Arlecchino stood there, watching.

Watching as the car—and the phantom of Yougou Pass—vanished once more.

The mountain loomed ahead.

Collei tightened her grip on the wheel.

Exhale. Clear your mind. Feel the road.

The first corner approached.

Downshift—fourth to second.

The revs flared.

Throttle—slam it down.

The AE86 sprang forward, light as air, carving through the darkness with surgical precision.

The first hairpin—a tight left.

She flicked the wheel, weight shifting in an instant. The tires bit into the road. The car rotated smoothly, slipping around the bend with perfect control.

Not a single wasted movement. No unnecessary inputs.

The paper cup sat still.

Another corner—then another.

The next set of turns came in rapid succession—five consecutive hairpins.

Her technique was instinctive. Every drift, every countersteer, every minute throttle correction—it was all flawless.

The tires whispered against the asphalt rather than screamed.

The cup barely stirred.

Then—the final hairpin.

Collei flicked the wheel, sending the car into a perfect four-wheel drift.

Precise angle. Precise exit.

The weight transferred seamlessly, the rear tires holding just enough slip to rotate the car while maintaining grip.

The water teetered at the rim.

Threatening to spill…

…But not a single drop was lost.

The AE86 coasted onto the final stretch, the world still shrouded in early morning quiet.

Collei's gaze flicked toward the cup.

Her lips pressed into a thin line of mild displeasure.

Still too much movement.

But she didn't dwell on it.

The AE86 continued its climb, engine humming in harmony with the mountain's silence.

To Collei, this wasn't a race. It wasn't even special.

It was just another morning. Just another ritual.

A routine that brought her peace.

Soon, the delivery run was complete.

She pulled into the usual stop, shifting into neutral. The engine idled smoothly as she leaned back in the seat, exhaling a slow breath.

Already, her mind was moving forward—

To the next turn.

To the next delivery.

To the next drive.

The Challenge of Yougou

Morning.

Beidou's boots echoed against the quiet streets of Yougou as she made her way toward Hearth's Tofu Shop. The crisp morning air stung her lungs, but she barely noticed. The sun had barely peeked over the horizon, casting a golden hue over the small mountain town.

But her mind wasn't on the morning chill.

It was on her.

Arlecchino.

The fastest downhill racer in Yougou.

The phantom behind the wheel of the AE86 Trueno.

The one who had beaten Keqing's RX-7.

Even now, Beidou struggled to believe it.

"An Eight-Six… beating a high-powered rotary beast like that? Just what kind of monster is she?"

The thought gnawed at her, refusing to let go. She'd been around street racing for years—she knew how physics worked.

Power-to-weight. Braking efficiency. Weight transfer.

By all logic, Keqing's FD should've had it in the bag.

Yet, here she was, walking into a humble tofu shop, seeking out the one driver who had flipped that logic upside down.

The small bell above the door chimed as she stepped inside.

Behind the counter, Arlecchino emerged from the back, wiping her hands on a rag.

Her presence was imposing despite her casual posture—cool, unbothered, as if she hadn't just become the biggest mystery in the Narukami racing scene.

Her sharp, red eyes flicked up, immediately noticing Beidou's stare.

Snap.

A sharp flick of her fingers near her ear broke the silence.

"Hey, kid. You here for tofu, or just gawking?"

Beidou stiffened, caught red-handed. "Uh—fried tofu, please!"

Arlecchino smirked but said nothing, turning away to prepare the order.

Beidou inhaled deeply.

Her heart was hammering against her ribs.

This was her chance.

Her one shot.

"If I don't ask now, I'll regret it forever."

She steeled herself.

"By the way… I'm Beidou," she said, her voice steady despite the nerves creeping up her spine. "I run a team—Yougou Speedsuns."

Arlecchino placed the tray of fried tofu on the counter. "Uh-huh."

No interest. No reaction.

Beidou swallowed hard, then pushed forward.

"Would you race for us on Saturday?"

Silence.

Then, a chuckle.

Low. Dry. Almost amused.

Arlecchino crossed her arms, leaning back against the counter.

"Sorry, kid. That's not my thing anymore."

Beidou blinked. "But—"

"I'm past my prime," Arlecchino cut in smoothly. "Besides, you need someone closer to your age. Someone with something to prove."

Her voice softened slightly, her gaze unwavering.

"This is your time now."

The words hit Beidou harder than she expected.

She wasn't sure why.

Still, she hesitated. "...I'll be back tomorrow… just in case you change your mind."

Arlecchino said nothing, simply watching as Beidou paid, grabbed the tofu, and left the shop.

As Beidou climbed into her R32 Skyline, she stole a glance at the shop's entrance.

Arlecchino stood there. Watching her go.

Arlecchino exhaled, a faint sigh escaping her lips.

"Hopefully, I wasn't too harsh. But maybe..."

Her gaze flicked toward the mountain pass.

"This is Collei's chance to shine."

That Night.

RRRRRAAAAAHHH!!

The howl of the RB26DETT echoed through Yougou Pass, shattering the mountain's silence.

Beidou's R32 Skyline tore through the darkness, twin turbos spooling, the exhaust growling like a beast let loose.

She was pushing hard. Harder than she ever had.

Each corner, each turn—perfect execution.

But no matter how hard she pushed…

No matter how precise her inputs were…

It wasn't enough.

Her split-times were staring her in the face, mocking her.

Each number flashing on her stopwatch felt like a slap to the face.

"Damn it—STILL too slow!"

Frustration burned in her chest.

The next corner was coming fast—a tight left hairpin.

She flicked the wheel, heel-toeing down to second, but the car felt sluggish.

"Fucking hell… Why?!"

Her grip tightened. Her teeth ground together.

At the summit, she slammed the brakes, bringing the R32 to a sharp stop.

Silence.

The headlights cast a dim glow against the guardrail.

Beidou climbed out, her breath visible in the cold air.

Her fingers drummed restlessly against the hood.

The weight of reality began to sink in.

"Is this really all I've got?"

The mountain had never felt so merciless.

Then, she took a deep breath.

One. More. Run.

Strap in. Grit your teeth. Push past your limits.

She fired up the RB26 again.

This time—something clicked.

Each corner flowed seamlessly. The car responded perfectly.

Her hands were steady. Her inputs—flawless.

She checked her splits.

Faster.

Another corner. Another improvement.

Her pulse quickened.

She smirked.

"It's working!"

For the first time in days—hope.

But then—

BANG!

A violent explosion rocked the car.

Beidou's eyes went wide.

The engine sputtered.

Dashboard lights flickered.

Then—nothing.

"Shit—no, no, no!"

Just before the five consecutive hairpins, the RB26 gave out.

The power died.

The R32 lurched forward, metal screaming against metal.

Beidou fought the wheel, barely managing to keep the car from careening off the road.

Smoke. Oil. Silence.

She wrenched the door open and jumped out, heart pounding.

With shaking hands, she threw open the hood.

The sight made her stomach drop.

Her engine—**her heart and soul—**was in ruins.

Oil dripped onto the pavement. Steam hissed from the radiator.

The once-mighty RB26DETT lay battered.

Broken. Defeated.

Beidou's fists clenched.

Her teeth ground together so hard it hurt.

Then, in a whisper, almost too quiet for the night to hear—

"…Fuck."

She turned away.

Hands on her knees.

Staring at the cold asphalt beneath her.

The realization hit her like a ton of bricks.

She was out.

And worse—her team was out.

Everything they had worked for—gone.

The weight of it all crashed down at once.

Hopeless.

Completely. Fucking. Hopeless.