Act: 3 Chapter: 2 | Silverwolf's Challange

Morning at the Gas Station – A New Challenge Awaits

The morning sun cast long shadows over the gas station, its warm light bouncing off the parked cars. The scent of motor oil and gasoline lingered in the air as Collei and March wiped their hands clean after finishing up a customer's car.

March exhaled, pushing a few loose strands of hair from her face. "Looks like that's the last one for now. Still can't get that race out of my head."

Collei, wiping sweat off her brow, let out a sigh. "Tell me about it. That could've ended in disaster if we weren't such skilled drivers."

A few steps away, Seele, Beidou, and Pela stood deep in conversation with Lyney, the team's trusted strategist.

Beidou crossed her arms, eyes narrowed. "I'm telling you, Boss, that Integra's driving style was like nothing we've seen before. It's like they knew exactly how to push us to our absolute limits."

Pela tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Yeah, I noticed that too. She was pumping the brakes while cornering. That's not normal for any of us racers."

March and Collei, intrigued, stepped over to join the discussion.

Collei, recalling the details of the chase, added, "I noticed something else strange. The rear wheels on the Integra stopped moving at certain points. Almost like they were pulling the handbrake."

Lyney leaned forward, his tone sharp with insight. "What you guys saw was advanced racing techniques used specifically for front-wheel-drive (FF) cars."

Seele leaned against her Devil Z, arms crossed. "What do you mean exactly?"

Understanding the Enemy

Lyney gestured as he explained. "FF cars naturally tend to understeer—instead of turning as expected, they plow forward. To counteract that, skilled drivers force the rear end to slide intentionally."

Beidou's eyes widened. "Wait, what? They're forcing the car to oversteer? That's gutsy!"

Lyney nodded. "Exactly. By pulling the handbrake mid-corner, they shift the weight forward and loosen the rear, making the car slide. But that's not all." He tapped his foot on the ground, mimicking a movement. "They use another technique called left-foot braking—keeping their right foot on the gas and braking with the left to balance the oversteer."

Seele snapped her fingers, a look of realization dawning on her. "Now I get it… That's why she was so fast through corners. She wasn't just staying stable—she was pushing beyond the car's natural limits."

Lyney smirked. "Bingo. It's an expert technique, and in the right hands, an FF car can dominate mountain passes."

Collei bit her lip, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "But how do we compete against someone who drives so… recklessly?"

Beidou exhaled, frustration clear in her expression. "That… I don't know either."

The realization hung over the group like a storm cloud. This wasn't just a reckless driver—they were dealing with a real threat.

A New Challenge – Beidou's Request

As the conversation died down, Beidou turned to Collei with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Hey, Collei," she said, grinning slyly. "Can I ask you for a favor?"

Collei blinked, tilting her head. "Uh, sure? What is it?"

Beidou leaned in, her grin widening. "Would you mind driving my R32 down the hill for me?"

Collei's eyes went wide in shock. "I… what?"

Beidou chuckled. "Come on! It'll be fun! Think of it as a learning opportunity—something new for you to try out."

Collei instinctively shook her hands in protest. "N-No thanks! I'm good, really! I know how much you love that car, and I wouldn't want to mess it up."

Beidou placed a reassuring hand on Collei's shoulder, her expression soft but still playful. "Collei, please! Don't worry about it. I'm asking as a favor."

Collei hesitated. The thought of handling Beidou's heavily modified R32 was intimidating.

Sunset Tensions – A Partnership Shattered

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky bloomed with hues of orange and violet, casting a somber glow across the street. The last remnants of daylight struggled to push through the encroaching night, painting long shadows over the pavement outside a convenience store. Yelan stood in the growing twilight, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her patience wearing thin.

Across from her, Silverwolf leaned nonchalantly against her white Integra, sipping from a can of soda, her posture relaxed as if the world itself posed no threat. The contrast in their stances couldn't have been more apparent—Yelan, rigid and seething, and Silverwolf, a picture of nonchalance.

Yelan's voice shattered the silence, harsh and unforgiving. "What the fuck, Silverwolf? I heard what happened. You cutting off some racers in Yougou?"

Silverwolf raised an eyebrow, not even flinching at the accusation, her gaze steady. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Yelan."

Yelan's eyes narrowed, her tone now a deadly whisper. "You know exactly what I'm talking about." Without warning, she moved, her hand shooting out to seize Silverwolf by the collar. In one swift motion, she slammed Silverwolf against the car, the metal of the Integra groaning under the force. The air between them crackled with tension, Yelan's cold blue eyes burning with fury. "What the hell is your problem with me?"

Silverwolf's expression didn't shift. A smirk curled at the edges of her lips as she casually shrugged Yelan's hand off, pushing herself off the car with an almost lazy grace. "I said, I don't know anything," she replied, her voice dripping with feigned innocence.

Yelan's chest heaved in frustration, her hands raised in exasperation. "Really?" she scoffed. "You think this is some kind of game? If you crash or get hurt out there, there's no fucking reset button! This isn't some digital world where you can just start over!" Her words were venom, each one punctuated by the tension thickening the air between them.

Silverwolf let out a low chuckle, the glint in her eyes gleaming with mischief. "You kidding me? All I did was show them the weakness of the FRs. Nothing more."

That was it.

Yelan's patience snapped. Her fist shot out, faster than Silverwolf could register, connecting with the taller woman's stomach in a brutal punch that took the wind out of her. Silverwolf gasped, her body jerking back before she crumpled to the ground, hitting the pavement with a resounding thud.

Standing above her, Yelan's face was a mask of cold resolve, her voice dropping to a chilling calm. "I'm done with you. This partnership ends here."

She turned sharply, her boots striking the asphalt with an audible authority as she marched to her Blackbird. The door slammed shut with a deafening finality, and the engine roared to life, its growl echoing through the empty lot like a death knell. With a screech of tires and a cloud of burning rubber, Yelan's Blackbird tore into the night, leaving nothing but the fading red glow of the taillights and the sharp scent of burnt rubber in her wake.

From the ground, Silverwolf slowly pushed herself up, still winded, her breath coming in sharp gasps, but the cocky smirk never faltered. She leaned against the hood of her Integra, watching Yelan's car disappear into the night, her eyes narrowed in quiet amusement.

"Run along, little Blackbird," she murmured softly to herself, her voice a taunting whisper. "You can't clip my wings so easily."

Lyney's Gas Station – A Choice to Make

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the neon lights of Lyney's Gas Station flickered to life, casting a soft glow over the lot as night settled in. The cool evening air carried a hint of burnt rubber and gasoline, mixing with the sounds of distant street racing in the hills.

Collei sat on the curb, her elbows resting on her knees, staring out at nothing in particular. Her mind was tangled in a web of thoughts, all centered around Beidou's offer.

Drive the R32 down the hill tonight.

It was a simple request on paper. But in reality? That was Beidou's R32—her pride and joy. Messing up wasn't an option. The thought of driving such a legendary car, and at the speeds required for a downhill run, made Collei feel a surge of anxiety in her chest.

March, always sharp to pick up on her friend's distant mood, plopped down beside her with a playful smirk. "Dude, what's gotten into you? It's like Beidou asked you to deliver tofu in her R32 or something."

Collei jumped slightly, snapping out of her thoughts. "What!? Oh... no. Beidou wants me to drive her R32 on the downhill tonight."

March's eyes lit up immediately, her grin spreading wide. "Are you kidding!? You should totally do it!"

Collei hesitated, her fingers nervously tugging at the hem of her jacket. "But... what if I mess up?"

March rolled her eyes before slinging an arm around Collei's shoulder. "Hey, you're the one who pulled off crazy drifts in my Supra, remember? If anyone can handle an R32, it's you!"

Collei thought back to that race—the feel of the steering wheel in her hands, the rush of adrenaline, and the perfect control she'd had despite the chaos surrounding her. The memory flickered through her mind like a spark in the dark.

Maybe… maybe March was right.

Exhaling slowly, Collei gave a small nod. "Maybe you're right… I guess it wouldn't hurt to try it out."

Before she could say anything else, a pair of strong arms wrapped around both of them from behind.

"That's the spirit!"

Nightfall at Yougou – The Test Run

The darkness of the mountain had fully settled in as Collei leaned against her Eight-Six, her gaze lingering on Beidou's R32. Doubt flickered in her eyes as she examined the car—the weight of the decision pressing down on her shoulders.

"Are you really sure about this, Beidou?" she asked, arms crossed, uncertainty still lacing her voice.

Beidou flashed a mischievous grin. "Collei, just drive it like you always do!"

Collei sighed, her hesitation evident in the furrow of her brow. "Fine. But only this once."

Beidou's grin widened, and she pumped her fists in the air with excitement. "Yes! That's what I'm talking about!"

Just as they approached the car, the low, menacing growl of a flat-six engine rumbled in the distance, pulling everyone's attention.

Seele's sharp gaze snapped to the road. "Heads up, guys. We've got company."

March's body stiffened, her voice low and full of dread. "Please don't be that Integra again…"

Moments later, the gleam of headlights cut through the darkness, and the unmistakable silhouette of a black Porsche Turbo came into view, its engine purring like a predator in the night. The tension that had built up in the group eased slightly, replaced by a collective sigh of relief.

Pela smirked, tilting her head. "Well, well. Looks like Yelan's rolling in with the Blackbird."

March crossed her arms. "Wonder what she's doing here?"

The Porsche coasted to a stop behind March's Supra, and Yelan stepped out with her usual swagger. She took a slow drag from her cigarette before offering a lazy wave.

"Yo, great to see you all," she said, flashing a grin.

March waved back, her tone light. "Hey, Yelan! What brings you up here tonight?"

Yelan exhaled a thin stream of smoke, her eyes scanning the group. "Nothing much. Just blowing off some steam."

Seele's sharp eyes flicked to the Blackbird's fender. "Looks like you got her fixed up. Was the damage bad?"

"Just a crack. Nothing serious," Yelan replied coolly, glancing at Beidou's car. "What's going on here?"

Pela gestured to Beidou's R32. "Collei's taking it for a spin. Testing out the new engine."

Yelan raised an eyebrow. "Ah. If I remember right, she's the one with the Eight-Six?"

March grinned proudly. "Yep, that's her—the one with the green hair."

The group walked over as Collei adjusted her harness, her hands steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her. Beidou, ever the enthusiastic mentor, tightened her seatbelt with a grin that was pure mischief.

Seele leaned against the R32, peering through the window. "Alright, looks like you're all set," she said, eyeing Beidou with an eyebrow raised. "Try not to pass out this time, alright?"

Beidou chuckled, tapping her fingers on the wheel. "Yeah, yeah. Now back off! We've got a downhill run to do!"

She turned to Collei, her grin widening. "Alright, let's hit the road! I wanna see that braking drift of yours!"

Collei nodded, her face settling into a determined expression. "Better hold on tight, then."

With a sharp roar, the R32 shot forward, its tires screeching as it tore into the night, leaving a cloud of smoke and burnt rubber in its wake.

The Downhill Run

Seele's eyes widened as Collei navigated the R32 with smooth precision. "Look at Collei go!"

March bounced on her toes, unable to contain her excitement. "Go, Collei!"

Inside the car, Beidou's grip on the oh-shit handle tightened. Her eyes darted from the road to Collei, then back to the road again. "Uh… isn't this a bit fast for the first corner?"

Collei didn't respond. Instead, she slammed on the brakes, her movements instinctive. The rear tires locked up with a violent screech, sending the car sideways into a perfect braking drift. She downshifted from fourth to second, expertly feathering the throttle.

Beidou's jaw dropped as they slid through the corner, mere inches from the guardrail. "Holy shit… she's never driven this car before, but she's handling it like it's second nature. I didn't even know my R32 could do this!"

Collei narrowed her eyes as the next corner loomed. "Next corner… we're gonna drift."

Beidou blinked in disbelief. "Drift? What the hell have we been doing this whole time!?"

Before she could protest, Collei slammed her foot on the throttle, pushing the R32 even faster down the mountain. Beidou's fearless act shattered—her scream echoed inside the cabin as Collei stomped the brakes again, downshifting from fifth to third with a flawless heel-and-toe maneuver.

The R32 swung wide into a four-wheel drift, slicing through the hairpin at blistering speed.

Beidou's scream hit full volume, her fingers gripping the seat as she tried to hold on.

Back at the Finish Line

As the R32's roar faded into the night, the group waited with bated breath. March, Seele, Pela, and Yelan exchanged glances, anticipation written across their faces.

March perked up. "Hey, sounds like they're coming back!"

Seele crossed her arms. "I wonder how the run went."

Pela smirked. "Maybe Beidou passed out?"

They chuckled as the R32 roared into view, its tires screeching as it came to a sudden stop. The moment the door swung open, Beidou tumbled out onto the ground, her legs shaking. She barely caught herself before collapsing, her face pale and her breathing ragged.

Collei stepped out, unfazed, her expression calm as ever despite the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.

Seele placed her hands on her hips, her lips curling into a grin. "Well, well. You survived Collei's rollercoaster ride."

March grinned widely. "How'd it go? Did you see Collei's legendary braking drift?"

Beidou, still dazed, rubbed her head, trying to clear the fog from her brain. "... No. I didn't see squat."

Pela chuckled, folding her arms. "Then what was the point of letting Collei drive?"

Beidou ran a hand through her hair, shaking it out. "She just made it look so easy! Then we got out there, and—BOOM—it all happened so fast, I couldn't even process it!"

Her posture suddenly straightened as she stood up taller, flashing a confident grin. "But you know what? Even though I'm not like Collei—far from it—I feel like a better street racer now. Better than all of you!"

A beat of silence passed.

Then, in perfect sync, the entire group collapsed onto the ground, laughing.

Before anyone can respond, the angry snarl of a four-cylinder engine rips through the air.

A white Honda Integra DC2 pulls up, parking just across the road. Its headlights glare like eyes sizing up prey.

Beidou's expression darkens immediately. Her mood shifts from relief to fury in an instant.

"Hey!" she snaps, fists tightening. "That's the DC2 that bumped me last night. What the hell is it doing here?"

The driver door swings open, and out steps Silverwolf—cool, composed, and utterly unapologetic. Their eyes meet the group's, scanning each face with casual amusement.

Beidou doesn't hesitate. She storms forward, fury blazing in her eyes.

"Hey, punk!" she barks. "You got some nerve showing your face here! You hit my R32 last night!"

Silverwolf raises an eyebrow, completely unfazed. "And you are…?"

Beidou nearly explodes on the spot. "Don't play dumb with me! You seriously forgot hitting my car!?"

Silverwolf lazily glances at the R32, then smirks. "Ah. Now I remember."

Beidou's fists clench. "You owe me and my friends a damn apology! You could've wrecked us—or worse, destroyed our cars!"

Silverwolf just shrugs, their smirk never fading. "Oh? So that's my fault? Maybe if you handled your car better, none of this would've happened."

Beidou sees red. "You little son of a—!"

Before she can lunge, Seele grabs her arm, pulling her back. "Come on, Beidou. It's not worth it."

Silverwolf clicks their tongue. "Tch. Alright, alright. You want an apology? Fine. I'll give you one… under one condition."

The smirk deepens. "I challenge the Eight-Six's driver to a downhill race. But we race under my rules."

Yelan steps forward, exhaling smoke. Her eyes narrow. "What do you mean by your rules, Silverwolf?"

Silverwolf's voice is laced with amusement. "I call it a Gum Tape Deathmatch."

A flicker of recognition crosses Yelan's face. Seele stiffens.

Pela frowns. "What the hell is a Gum Tape Deathmatch?"

Silverwolf chuckles darkly. "Simple. Tape your right hand to the steering wheel. You race using only one hand."

Seele instinctively moves her hands as if steering. She looks stunned. "That's impossible! You can't make proper turns like that!"

Silverwolf leans against their car, arms crossed. "For you, maybe. This race is made for FF drivers."

Then she points directly at Collei.

"Well? You're the wiz-kid, aren't you?"

Collei steps forward, fists clenched. Her jaw tightens.

"If you lose…" she says, voice firm, "you drop to your knees and beg for forgiveness. Got it?"

She turns and walks toward her Eight-Six, her decision set in stone.

Beidou, alarmed, rushes after her. "Collei, don't do this! You don't know what she might be scheming!"

Collei reaches through the window, fingers brushing the keys. "No chance in hell, Beidou. I'm not losing to some asshole like her."

She turns the key.

The Eight-Six's engine roars to life.

The sound echoes through the mountains, sending a shiver through the group.

Beidou, Seele, Pela, March, and Yelan exchange uneasy glances.

This isn't just a race anymore.

The Gum Tape Deathmatch is on.