Act: 3 Chapter: 1 | The Bump And Run.

A New Day, A New Chapter at Lyney's Gas Station

The morning sun cast a golden glow over Lyney's Gas Station, reflecting off the polished hoods of the cars parked outside. The air was thick with gasoline, motor oil, and the faint scent of coffee—a perfect mix for any car enthusiast. The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and the unmistakable energy of people who lived and breathed racing.

Beidou stood in front of her newly acquired R32 Skyline, her eyes glued to the engine bay. The RB26DETT purred softly, its gleaming components practically begging to be unleashed on the downhill. She ran her hand over the polished Midnight Purple II bodywork, feeling the deep connection between driver and machine already forming.

"I can't believe you're finally back," Beidou murmured, her voice thick 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, we're turning it up to 100!"

Nearby, March stood next to her Supra, admiring its sleek new look. The car had undergone a serious transformation, and even though there were no major engine modifications yet, it felt like a different beast entirely.

Collei, ever the curious one, tilted her head as she took in the changes.

"Looks like your Supra's had some work done," she noted. "Mind sharing what you've changed?"

March, beaming with pride, kneeled beside her car, running a hand along the new body kit.

"Yep! No engine mods for now, but I did give it a fresh new look. Check this out—"

She began listing off the modifications, her excitement practically contagious:

RIDOX Front Bumper & Side Skirts

Lowered Sports Suspension

Limited-Slip Differential (Finally!)

HKS Free-Flow Exhaust System

Work Meister S1 Wheels

Carbon Fiber Dashboard

Collei let out a low whistle. "Damn, March. Gotta say, I love the way it looks. Still got that Targa top?"

March's grin widened. Without hesitation, she reached up and removed the roof with ease, setting it neatly in the back.

"You betcha!" she declared proudly.

Collei chuckled, giving her a playful pat on the head before walking off to attend to a customer. But before she could get too far, March called after her.

"Thanks again for that downhill run a few days ago!"

Word Gets Out

At that moment, Beidou and Lyney, who had been eavesdropping, both rushed over to March, practically shouting in unison:

"You rode with Collei!? In the Eight-Six!?"

March couldn't help but giggle at their reactions.

"Hahaha, yes, I did! But she actually drove my Supra that night!" she said, hands on her hips. "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 went wide. "She was drifting? In your Supra? Without a limited-slip diff?!"

Beidou frowned. "Wait, Boss, I thought Supras came with LSDs already?"

Lyney shook his head, arms crossed. "They do... but only the turbocharged variants. Collei's NA Supra? That thing came with an open diff."

March mimicked the sensation of drifting with exaggerated motions, waving her arms wildly. "It was crazy! Some random chick in a Turbo Supra was giving me a hard time about mine, and Collei wasn't having it. She took her on a wild downhill run and passed her like she was standing still!"

Beidou shot Lyney a look. "So, Boss. You think March is telling the truth, or is she just spinning a story?"

March pouted, crossing her arms. "Look, I may act immature sometimes, but I saw what I saw with my own two eyes, okay?"

Lyney stroked his chin, deep in thought. "If that's true… then we're looking at something much bigger here."

His gaze drifted to March's Supra, but his mind was elsewhere.

"This means Collei's driving adaptability goes beyond just the Eight-Six."

Beidou leaned back, piecing it together. "Could it be because the Supra and the Eight-Six share a similar weight? Or maybe it's just how maneuverable the Supra is in her hands?"

Lyney shook his head. "It can't be that simple. Arlecchino's been working on that Eight-Six for years, modifying it to perfection—way before you were even born, Beidou. The Supra? It's a joke in comparison. We're talking decades of expertise and countless hours of fine-tuning on that car."

Beidou's expression changed, realization dawning on her. "So you're saying Collei could probably drive any car we throw at her?"

Lyney nodded, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smirk.

"Basically, yes. As long as it has an FR layout, that's where she shines."

He exhaled sharply before adding, "Arlecchino has a saying about it too…"

Beidou and March both leaned in, waiting for his response.

Lyney's smirk grew.

"An FR trains the driver."

A Night of Plans and Speed

The soft glow of the café's neon sign reflected off the polished surface of Seele's Devil Z, parked just outside by Lake Yougou. The lake, barely disturbed by a ripple, mirrored the faint orange light from the sign. Inside the café, the air was thick with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, mingling with the faint scent of engine oil lingering on Seele's hands. The dim lighting, accented by the occasional clink of mugs and low chatter, created an atmosphere both cozy and electric with anticipation.

Across the table, Pela stirred her coffee absentmindedly, eyes half-lidded, as Seele leaned forward, tapping her fingers against the wood in thought. The rhythmic sound of the tapping punctuated the otherwise quiet café.

"Pela," Seele began, her voice low but brimming with a quiet excitement. "I've been thinking… what if we brought the Devil Z's power output back up to 600 horsepower? You know, Wangan spec?"

Pela's eyes widened slightly at the suggestion. She leaned back, arms crossed, a skeptical expression crossing her face.

"For the mountain passes?" she asked, barely hiding her 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 raised a hand to stop her, her calm demeanor not wavering as a knowing smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Let me finish, Pela," she said smoothly, eyes alight with a plan forming. "I was thinking about adding a boost controller. That way, I can adjust the power output depending on where I am. On the mountain passes? I dial it down for better control. But on the highways? I can crank it up to the full 600. That way, I get the best of both worlds, and I'm not risking a blowout when I don't need that kind of power."

Pela hesitated, the wheels turning in her head as she took a slow sip of her coffee. The thought of a flexible power system intrigued her, but the risks still lingered. After a long pause, she nodded, her expression softening into one of reluctant approval.

"Huh… you know, that actually sounds like a solid plan," she admitted, a thoughtful glint in her eyes. "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 grinned, the spark of excitement lighting up her features. Pushing back from the table, her chair scraping slightly against the floor, she stood up with a renewed purpose.

"Perfect," she said, voice steady with determination. "Let's head up to Yougou. We've got a date with Beidou, March, and Collei at the summit."

The Call of the Road

As they stepped outside, the crisp night air hit them with a cool bite, the chill contrasting with the warmth of the café. The moonlight reflected off the surface of Lake Yougou, casting an ethereal glow over the surroundings, while the occasional ripple on the lake hinted at life beneath the calm.

Suddenly, a white Honda Integra DC2 cruised past, its deep, resonant exhaust note cutting through the silence with a satisfying growl before it smoothly slid into the parking lot.

Pela, ever the keen observer, tilted her head slightly, her ears immediately recognizing the modified tone of the exhaust.

"Would you look at that," she murmured, her eyes narrowing in appreciation. "You can tell it's modified just by the way the exhaust sounds. No mistaking that tone."

Seele chuckled, the corner of her mouth curving up in amusement. She nudged her friend lightly, a playful glint in her eyes.

"You can tell that from practically anything, Pela," she teased, her smirk widening as she watched Pela's small, knowing nod.

Pela scoffed but smiled, the corners of her lips twitching in return. "I just know these things," she replied with a wink.

They made their way toward the Devil Z, their footsteps light against the quiet night air. The sudden growl of the twin-turbo inline-six from the Devil Z rumbled to life, breaking the stillness of the night. The sound of the engine—a symphony of power—filled the space, as the car rolled out of the lot, its tail lights casting a crimson glow on the road ahead.

The hum of the engine grew louder as they accelerated, the winding roads of Yougou waiting just ahead, a maze of challenges and thrills. The night had just begun, and the road was calling.

The Tension Rises at Lake Yougou Café

The dim lighting of the café cast long shadows across the polished wooden tables, the faint hum of the fluorescent lights above adding a low buzz to the stillness. The only other sound in the room was the rhythmic tapping of Yelan's fingers against the surface, each tap growing more impatient as the minutes ticked by. The clock on the wall seemed to mock her, the seconds stretching into an eternity.

"Where is she? She's so late…" Yelan muttered under her breath, the frustration in her voice clear despite her calm exterior.

Her sharp, calculating eyes flicked to her phone, then to the empty street outside. The night was unusually still, save for the distant hum of an engine far off, barely audible in the quiet air.

Just as Yelan's exhale began to form into another frustrated mutter, the café door swung open with a soft chime, the sound cutting through the tension like a knife.

A young girl strode in with confident ease, a mischievous grin plastered across her face. Her movements were languid, almost carefree, yet her gaze locked onto Yelan with unwavering certainty, an unmistakable glint of superiority in her eyes.

"Ah, Yelan," Silverwolf purred, her voice laced with playful sarcasm, "So nice to see you again… after your little defeat."

Yelan's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, her posture straightening as the tension in the room grew thicker. Her previously composed demeanor slipped, just a fraction, but it was enough.

"You're late, Silverwolf," Yelan stated flatly, her voice carrying an unmistakable edge of irritation.

Silverwolf shrugged nonchalantly, completely unfazed by the cold reception. Her smirk only grew wider, stretching across her face as she leaned in, enjoying every second of the uncomfortable silence.

"You know, Yelan," she began, her tone dripping with mock sweetness, "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's gaze remained steady, her expression not giving away a hint of her true feelings. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest, the faintest of smiles playing on her lips as she prepared her rebuttal.

"I told you already, Silverwolf," she said, her tone composed but firm. "I didn't lose because the car was outclassed. I lost because of my own negligence. It was my mistake. Not the car's fault."

Silverwolf rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed, before leaning her elbow on the table with an exaggerated sigh, as if Yelan's words were a minor inconvenience to her.

"Hmph, sure, sure," Silverwolf replied, her voice dripping with insincerity. "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 raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering across her features for just a moment before her gaze hardened again. She leaned forward slightly, her tone smooth yet dangerous, the space between them growing thick with challenge.

"You talk a lot, Silverwolf," Yelan said evenly, her eyes locking onto Silverwolf's with unflinching confidence. "But let me tell you this—Collei isn't just some random driver. Her cornering speeds? Unmatched. You might be fast, but she's a different kind of beast. I've seen it firsthand."

For the briefest of moments, Silverwolf's smirk faltered, just a fraction, but Yelan caught it. It was a subtle shift, almost imperceptible, but it didn't escape her notice.

Then, just as quickly, Silverwolf leaned forward, her grin returning with renewed arrogance. Her eyes glinted with a dangerous light, the cocky edge back in full force.

"Oh yeah?" she sneered, her voice now sharp, daring Yelan to challenge her further. "Care to back up your words? Because I bet I can take her down in half the time it took you to lose."

Yelan's fingers tapped once more against the table, her expression hardening, frustration briefly flickering in her eyes. She wasn't in the mood for Silverwolf's bravado, but she knew what was coming next. The air was thick with the promise of something more.

"Cut the crap, Silverwolf," she said, her voice low, each word precise. "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, FR—if she's behind you, she'll chase you down. That's not something you can just brush off."

Silverwolf chuckled, an eerie amusement dancing in her eyes. She leaned back in her chair, arms stretching lazily behind her head, clearly savoring the moment. The smug confidence in her expression made the tension in the room feel even heavier.

"Really?" she mused, her voice quieter now, almost teasing. "I think I can take her on, fair and square. But…" she let the word linger in the air, savoring it before leaning in closer, her eyes gleaming with a new, darker intent. "I've got a more interesting idea in mind. Something that will ensure my victory."

Yelan froze mid-sip, the realization dawning on her with the weight of a thousand tons. Slowly, she lowered the cup back onto the saucer, her mind racing.

"Wait… you mean—"

Silverwolf gave a slow, deliberate nod, her grin widening as she leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper.

"You'll see," she murmured, her tone dark and laced with a sinister promise. "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."

The night air was crisp and cool, carrying the scent of pine and damp asphalt as Seele and Pela cruised up the winding roads of Yougou. The sky above was a vast expanse of darkness, dotted with countless stars, while the road ahead stretched like a ribbon through the mountain. Their car hummed smoothly along the curves, the headlights cutting through the night.

Pela rolled down her window, letting the wind rush in as she took in the serene beauty of the mountainside. She closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the sensation before turning toward Seele.

"Nothing beats a late-night run up Yougou," she murmured, the wind playing with her hair.

Seele smirked, one hand on the wheel as she smoothly shifted gears. "Yeah. Empty roads, cool air… It's perfect."

A comfortable silence settled between them, interrupted only by the steady growl of the engine. But curiosity soon got the better of Pela.

"So, why are we heading up here anyway?" she asked.

"Beidou's testing out her R32 tonight," Seele answered, eyes locked on the road. "Since we were already near Lake Yougou, I figured we'd drop by and check in."

Pela raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Nice. I bet she's itching to push it after getting it back from the shop."

Seele nodded, her expression softening. "Yeah… I can't imagine what it was like for her to be without it. She's worked so hard on that car."

The two continued up the pass, the sound of their car blending into the night. As they neared the summit, a pair of headlights flickered in the distance. Smoke curled into the air from where the cars were gathered. Pela squinted, trying to make out the shapes in the dark.

"I see headlights up ahead," she said, leaning forward. "That's them, right?"

Seele narrowed her eyes, then nodded. "Yep. There's Beidou's R32… and March's Supra parked nearby."

Just as they pulled in closer, Beidou executed a perfect handbrake turn, sending the R32 into a smooth, controlled drift before coming to a stop. The tires let out a brief screech before the car settled. Beidou leaned out of the driver's side window, flashing a triumphant grin at Collei and March.

"Hey! I'm getting the hang of these handbrake turns now!" she called out.

Collei clapped her hands, genuinely impressed. "That was clean! Looking great, Beidou!"

March, however, tilted her head, slightly puzzled. "Wait, Collei… When you drove my Supra, I didn't see you use the handbrake at all. Why's that?"

Collei hesitated for a second, rubbing the back of her neck as a light blush crept onto her cheeks. "Oh, uh… I don't really use it. I prefer braking into a drift instead."

Beidou, eager to chime in, grinned as she leaned against her car. "Collei uses a technique called 'Braking Drift.' Instead of yanking the handbrake, she shifts the car's weight by hitting the brakes hard before a turn. It makes the rear light, letting it slide naturally."

March folded her arms, looking a bit deflated. "Ah, I see… There's so much to learn."

Beidou gave her a reassuring thumbs-up. "Don't sweat it. You'll get there."

Just then, Seele and Pela pulled in, parking beside them. Stepping out, Seele whistled as she admired the R32.

"Looks like someone's been busy while their car was in the shop," she remarked, snapping her fingers.

Beidou puffed out her chest, grinning proudly. "You know it. I wasn't about to waste all that downtime. I came ready to put in the work tonight."

Pela gave her a playful thumbs-up. "That's what I like to hear! Theory's great, but hands-on practice is what really makes a difference."

Collei, still energized, suddenly perked up with an idea. "Hey… Since we're all here, why don't we have a friendly race? Let's see how much we've all improved!"

The suggestion caught everyone off guard. For a brief moment, silence hung in the air—until March suddenly threw her arms around Collei in an excited hug.

"Look at you, Collei! Talking like a real street racer now!"

Beidou's grin widened, her competitive spirit instantly kicking in. "I like the sound of that! How about this: we go in pairs. I'll go solo, Seele with Pela, and March with Collei."

March fidgeted with her car keys, looking uncertain. "I… I don't know if I'm ready for this yet."

Collei, sensing her hesitation, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, March. I've got this. Just trust me, okay?"

March hesitated for a moment but then nodded, determination flickering in her eyes.

The group laughed, the night air filled with excitement as everyone moved toward their cars. Beidou leaned out of her window with a mischievous smirk.

"Last one to the finish line pays for dinner!"

Engines thundered through the night, their echoes bouncing off the mountain walls as the three cars lined up at the starting line. The road ahead twisted and turned through the darkness, a treacherous ribbon of asphalt where skill alone would determine the victor.

Inside the Supra, March's pulse quickened as she adjusted her seatbelt, the hum of the engine vibrating beneath her fingertips. The cold night air whipped through the car as Collei focused on the task ahead.

"I'm trusting you on this one, Collei. Go and beat them!"

Collei exhaled sharply, hands firm on the wheel, feeling the power of the Supra's NA inline-six beneath her. The road ahead was her canvas, and she was ready to paint.

"Don't worry," she replied with a quiet intensity, eyes fixed on the curves ahead. "I'll show them what I've got."

Beidou's R32 rumbled into position at the front of the grid, its engine growling in anticipation. Right behind her was Seele in the Devil Z, with Pela gripping the wheel with a determined expression.

Beidou raised her hand, three fingers extended.

Three… Two… One—

Her last finger dropped.

Tires screeched. Engines roared. The race was on.

The trio shot forward in a blur of speed, the mountain road opening up before them.

As they barreled toward the first turn, Pela's sharp eyes caught something different in Beidou's driving.

"She's gotten smoother," Pela noted, analyzing the drift. "Her lines are tighter. More controlled."

Seele smirked, her hands steady on the wheel. "She's been putting in the work, I'll give her that. Now, let's see if you can keep up, Pela. Show me what you've got!"

Pela grinned, her foot slamming the pedal. "You got it!"

Up ahead, Collei kept her pace steady, scanning the curves, her focus unwavering. Her eyes flicked to the Devil Z, and she noted how effortlessly it slid through the turns. Pela wasn't just driving—it was like an extension of her own body, the car and driver working in perfect harmony.

March, catching Collei's gaze, grinned. "Well, you know Pela tuned the Devil Z's suspension herself, right? She knows that car inside and out."

Collei only hummed in acknowledgment, but her focus remained ahead, eyes glued to the road as a series of sharp hairpins approached.

The road tightened, forcing the racers into four consecutive hairpins. The positions held steady—Beidou leading, Seele and Pela hot on her tail, Collei trailing just behind.

But then—

"Collei! The gutters!" March's voice crackled through the comms.

A smirk tugged at Collei's lips. "Time for a little party trick."

Without hesitation, she hooked the Supra's left wheels into the gutter, using it as a rail to sling herself forward. The car shot through the corner, carrying far more speed than it should have, the tires screaming as they fought for grip.

In a flash, the Supra surged ahead, darting past the Devil Z.

Pela's eyes widened in disbelief. "What the—Seele, did you see that?!"

Before Seele could respond, a pair of headlights appeared in the rearview mirror, closing in fast.

A white Honda Integra.

And it was coming in hot.

Seele barely had time to react before the Integra divebombed into the corner, cutting off the Devil Z with brutal aggression.

Pela's reflexes kicked in—she slammed the brakes, but the lack of ABS sent the front wheels locking up.

"Argh, shit—!" Pela gritted her teeth, quickly releasing the pressure to regain control. But the sudden shift threw the rear into a violent fishtail.

She fought with the wheel, her knuckles white as she fought to keep the car from spinning out.

Seele cursed under her breath. "What the hell was that for?!"

Pela's eyes burned with fury as she gunned the throttle. "I don't know… but I'm not letting them get away with it."

With a roar, the Devil Z shot forward in pursuit.

March, watching the chaos unfold, clenched her fists. "Collei, that bastard's not playing fair. Stay sharp!"

As if on cue, the Integra swerved, heading straight for them.

"Shit!" Collei reacted instantly, slamming the brakes just in time to avoid a collision. The Supra's tires screamed in protest as she fought to keep the car steady.

Inside the Integra, the driver's lips curled into a malicious smirk.

Silverwolf.

"Time to show these amateurs what real racing is all about," she muttered to herself.

Silverwolf shifted gears, her Integra inching closer to Beidou's R32. Her eyes gleamed with cold calculation.

"This race ends now."

Beidou braked hard for an upcoming left-hander, expertly positioning the R32 for a perfect entry drift.

And that's when it happened.

BAM.

Silverwolf's Integra tapped Beidou's rear bumper mid-corner.

The R32 snapped sideways.

Beidou's heart skipped a beat. "Shit—!"

The car spun uncontrollably, headlights sweeping across the darkness as the R32 fought for traction.

"Come on, baby—stop for me!"

She slammed the brakes, her breath coming in short gasps as the R32 slid toward the guardrail—

And stopped.

Just inches from disaster.

Aftermath: Questions in the Dark

Silence.

The Devil Z and the Supra screeched to a halt, their drivers scrambling out of their cars.

Seele reached Beidou first, her concern palpable. "Beidou! You okay?"

Beidou exhaled, shaking off the adrenaline as her heart continued to race. "Yeah. I'm fine." Her voice was steady, but the rage in her eyes was unmistakable.

She turned, glaring at the white Integra idling ahead.

"What the hell was that for?!" Beidou shouted. "You could've killed me! Or worse—ruined my ride!"

Collei's fists clenched at her sides. "That's the same damn car that nearly ran us off the road!"

March, trembling with anger, stormed toward the Integra. "This isn't a damn NASCAR race, you asshole!"

But before she could get any closer—

The Integra's engine roared.

It shot forward, disappearing into the night.

The group stood frozen, the weight of the moment settling over them.

Silverwolf was gone.

But one question remained.

Who the hell was she?