Act: 4 Chapter: 1 | The Spindrift of Amakane

Fate on the Open Road

Days had passed since the grueling, nerve-wracking Gum Tape Deathmatch with Silverwolf. The tension from that night still lingered in Beidou's mind, but today felt different. The afternoon was bright and crisp, with the sun lazily hanging in the sky, stretching golden fingers of light across the winding road. The deep growl of her R32's engine filled the silence as she cruised along the quiet highway, the hum of the tires blending with the rhythmic whisper of the wind.

She had just finished running an errand—nothing major, just a quick trip to grab some parts for a buddy back in Yougou. But as her thoughts drifted, reminiscing about old races and past battles, something ahead caught her eye.

A Sky Blue Toyota GT86 was pulled over on the side of the road, its hazard lights blinking persistently like a distress beacon against the empty landscape.

Beidou's eyes narrowed slightly. A GT86? Now that's a rare sight. She eased off the throttle, instinctively guiding her R32 to the shoulder. As she downshifted, the exhaust let out a soft pop, the car rolling to a gentle stop behind the stranded vehicle.

With a grunt of curiosity, she stepped out, the warm breeze tousling her messy hair. As she approached, her gaze flicked over the sleek, low-slung body of the car, taking in its wide stance and aggressive lines.

"Damn," she muttered under her breath, admiration slipping into her voice. "GT86 with a Rocket Bunny wide-body kit? That's one hell of a machine."

Just as she was about to inspect it further, a voice called out to her.

"Oh, hey! Sorry to trouble you!"

The voice was light, almost melodic, but with a hint of frustration.

"I got a flat, and I don't have a spare. Do you, by any chance, have one of those tire plug kits?"

Beidou turned her head toward the source of the voice.

"Oh! Yeah, I do! It's in my car. I'll grab it for you—" she started, but the moment she fully faced the girl, something made her stop dead in her tracks.

A flash of recognition hit her like a jolt of lightning.

The girl standing in front of the GT86 had vibrant blue hair, the color almost shimmering under the golden sunlight. Beidou's eyes widened in disbelief, her breath hitching in her throat.

No way. It couldn't be…

But it was.

"Eula?!"

The girl, now fully revealed as Eula, froze mid-step, her own eyes widening as if she had just seen a ghost from her past.

"Beidou?!"

For a long moment, they just stared at each other, the weight of years of separation pressing down on them.

The realization hit Beidou like a ton of bricks—this wasn't just a random encounter. It was a face she hadn't seen in years. A friend from her youth in Ritou, before she moved to Yougou to pursue racing.

The silence finally broke when Eula recovered first. Her lips parted into a warm, almost incredulous smile. She stepped forward, extending a hand.

"Beidou! It's been ages! How have you been? I can't believe this is happening."

Beidou, still slightly shell-shocked, rubbed the back of her neck, a grin creeping onto her face.

"Holy shit, Eula! What the hell?! I—wow, I was just out running an errand, and then—boom! Here you are!"

Eula let out a soft, slightly embarrassed chuckle, tucking a strand of blue hair behind her ear. "Yeah… though I wish we were meeting under less inconvenient circumstances." She gestured toward the flat tire.

Beidou snorted. "Pfft. Nah, don't worry about it! Happens to the best of us. Lemme grab that tire repair kit for you."

As Beidou turned and strode back to her R32, Eula's gaze shifted. Her eyes landed on the rear windshield, where a distinct sticker was plastered.

A logo. A team emblem.

The emblem of Speedsuns. Beidou's team. Eula's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of recognition sparking in her eyes.

"Speedsuns?" Eula mused aloud, brow furrowing slightly. "That's Beidou's team? Could she… possibly know something about that AE86 I've been hearing about?"

By the time Eula snapped back to the present, Beidou had already returned, tire repair kit in hand.

"So, which tire's got the puncture?"

Eula motioned toward the rear right tire, the sagging rubber clearly betraying the problem. "This one. The rear started vibrating like crazy, and I pulled over before it got worse."

Beidou crouched, inspecting the tire with an approving nod. "Huh. Smart move. Could've been way worse if you kept pushing it."

Eula let out a relieved sigh, shifting her weight onto one foot. "Yeah, I was half-expecting it to shred itself to bits before I could stop."

Beidou worked quickly, her hands moving with the confidence of someone who had done this a thousand times over.

"So," Beidou mused as she plugged the hole, her curiosity getting the best of her, "sweet ride you got here. You race?"

Eula hesitated for half a second before shaking her head. "Not really. I just… tinker with cars for fun."

Beidou smirked. "Heh. I get that. I do the same sometimes. But me? I race."

Eula's eyes flickered with intrigue. "Oh? You race?"

Beidou straightened up, wiping her hands on a rag, her voice tinged with a bit of pride.

"Yup. Mountain passes over in Yougou. You might've noticed the sticker on my rear window—that's my team's logo. I'm their leader."

Eula crossed her arms, giving Beidou a knowing glance. "Yeah… I noticed it."

There was something in her voice—an unspoken thought, a question she didn't ask yet.

Beidou tossed the used rag onto her passenger seat. "Alright. That tire should hold up fine now. Should get you where you need to go."

Eula beamed, clapping her hands together. "Awesome! Thanks for the help, Beidou! Here—" she reached into her pocket, pulling out her phone, "let's exchange numbers. Maybe we can grab a coffee sometime? Catch up?"

Beidou grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. "Hell yeah. Sounds like a plan."

As they exchanged numbers, there was a quiet understanding between them—a bond rekindled, a connection that time hadn't completely erased.

Eula smiled softly, slipping her phone back into her pocket. "Good to see you again, Beidou."

Beidou smirked. "Good to see you too, Eula."

With that, the two parted ways—Eula climbing into her GT86, and Beidou returning to her R32.

As she pulled back onto the road, a mix of nostalgia and excitement churned in Beidou's chest. Fate had a funny way of bringing people back together.

And something told her—this wouldn't be the last time she saw Eula.

Sneaky Plans and Unfinished Business

At the gas station, Beidou leaned against her R32, arms crossed as she recalled her unexpected reunion with Eula. The cool morning breeze rustled through the garage, carrying the faint scent of oil and burnt rubber. The Speedsuns crew had gathered around, and as soon as she dropped the news, she knew March wouldn't be able to resist.

March leaned forward eagerly, her eyes practically sparkling. "Wait—you're telling me your old friend drives a tricked-out GT86? With a Rocket Bunny kit?!"

Beidou chuckled, nodding. "Yep. Full kit. Low stance. It's a real beauty. Total surprise running into her like that."

March whistled, shaking her head. "Damn. That's a serious ride for someone who just 'tinkers' with cars."

Seele, who had been leaning against her Devil Z, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Where exactly are you meeting?"

Beidou gave her a side glance, her tone suspicious. "Why do you wanna know?"

Seele shrugged nonchalantly, but there was something calculating in her gaze. "Just curious."

Beidou eyed her for a moment before answering. "Somewhere near Amakane. Just a simple catch-up. Nothing wild."

At that, Pela, who had been rubbing her chin thoughtfully, perked up. "Can we meet her?"

March joined in, leaning closer. "Yeah! Can we see her GT86?"

Beidou shook her head firmly. "Nope. This is just between old friends."

March immediately clasped her hands together in an exaggerated pleading gesture. "Pretty please, Beidou? We wanna meet her!"

Beidou smirked, seeing right through their antics. "Not happening. Maybe next time."

With that, she stretched, let out a lazy yawn, and started walking off toward her R32.

But as soon as she was out of earshot, Seele smirked and motioned for the others to follow her behind the Devil Z.

Once they were huddled in the shadow of the car, Seele crossed her arms and grinned. "How about we follow her tomorrow? Let's see what this 'old buddy' of hers is really like."

March gasped dramatically, then grinned like a fox. "Oh, I love that idea."

Pela adjusted her glasses, her expression thoughtful before giving a thumbs-up. "Count me in."

But Collei frowned, shifting on her feet uneasily. "And what do we tell Beidou if we get caught?"

Seele winked at her, grinning cockily. "Don't worry about it. We won't get caught."

March giggled. "Yeah, yeah, we'll just be casual observers. No big deal."

Collei sighed, clearly still unsure. "You guys always say that… and then things go completely off the rails."

Seele simply smirked, tapping the hood of her Devil Z. "Then we just make sure it doesn't."

As the plan formed in their heads, the stage was unknowingly being set for something bigger. Beidou had no idea that the Speedsuns were about to turn her simple coffee catch-up into something far more… chaotic.

The next day, Beidou was behind the wheel of her R32 Skyline, cruising down the expressway toward a café in Amakane. The deep rumble of the RB26 engine filled the air, a sound that seemed to vibrate the pavement beneath her. The car, a work of art in Midnight Purple II, shimmered between violet and obsidian black as it weaved effortlessly through traffic. The signature whoosh of the turbo and the occasional pop from the blow-off valve caught the attention of everyone nearby.

Trailing behind her, keeping a safe distance, was March in her Supra. The car's sleek metallic body gleamed under the afternoon sun, catching every stray ray of light. March had insisted on taking the Supra. Pela's SW20 MR2 was a two-seater, and Collei's AE86 was tied up with her dad, so it had to be March's ride today.

Inside the Supra, March gripped the wheel loosely with one hand, her other tapping rhythmically against the dashboard. She smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Gotta keep a low profile," she said, but the massive HKS Hi-Power exhaust system did the opposite, letting out a loud growl with every throttle blip.

Seele sat in the passenger seat, her arm dangling out the window, the cool wind tugging at her black leather jacket. Her eyes flicked between the R32 ahead of them and the rest of the crew as a sly smile crept across her face. "You know, Beidou's the type to overreact," she said with a teasing edge to her voice. "I remember when she first moved to Yougou. We went fishing at Lake Yougou to get to know each other. The fish there aren't even that big, but when we caught a tiny one, she acted like we landed a damn monster."

Seele chuckled, leaning back and throwing her hands up in mock dramatic fashion. She deepened her voice to imitate Beidou's tone. "'LOOK AT THAT FISH!' she yelled, and people around us just froze, probably thinking we were insane."

Pela, who had been leaning forward from the back seat, burst out laughing. "That sounds just like her!" she gasped, wiping away tears of laughter.

March was laughing so hard that she almost forgot to steer. "Holy crap, Seele, that impression was spot on!"

But Collei, who had been silently observing in the back seat, suddenly stiffened. Her emerald eyes widened, and her hand shot out, grabbing the shoulder of Seele's jacket.

"Guys…" she murmured, her voice tense. "We've got company."

March, still wiping her eyes, turned toward Collei. "Huh? What do you—"

Her words died in her throat as she glanced in the rearview mirror, and the sight that met her eyes made her freeze. Beidou's R32 was right there, the unmistakable glare from Beidou cutting through the rearview mirror.

Beidou's crimson eyes narrowed with a look that combined amusement and annoyance, and the older woman gave them a "I see you dumbasses" kind of glare.

"Shit," March muttered, her smile falling. "We were so busy with the story, we totally forgot to pay attention to the road!"

Collei facepalmed hard, clearly unimpressed. "No, March. You forgot to pay attention. We were fine."

Beidou sighed, shaking her head as she eased off the gas, letting the R32 drift back just enough for March's Supra to slide up next to her.

Rolling down her window, Beidou leaned an elbow out, tilting her head slightly with a raised eyebrow. "Really?" she deadpanned. "You thought you could tail me without getting noticed? In that loud-ass Supra?"

March flashed an awkward smile, her voice small. "Uh… surprise?"

Beidou exhaled through her nose, but a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "You guys are all a bunch of idiots," she muttered, flicking on her turn signal and smoothly exiting the expressway toward Amakane Café.

Amakane Café – Parking Lot

The moment March parked the Supra, she was out of the car so quickly that she nearly tripped, hands clasped in a pleading gesture. "I'm so sorry, Beidou! Our curiosity got the best of us! Please forgive us!"

Beidou sighed, rubbing her temples, but the mild exasperation on her face didn't hide the fact that there was no real anger behind her expression. "Tch. You guys are lucky I'm in a good mood today."

March perked up, her eyes shining. "So, that means...?"

Beidou crossed her arms, thinking for a moment, then shrugged. "Fine. I'll introduce you to her. But after that, you'd better give us some space."

March's fist shot up in the air. "Awesome! Thanks, Beidou!"

Just as Beidou spoke, a girl with striking blue hair appeared, her confident yet graceful stride commanding attention. There was an air of elegance about her, as if she belonged in a royal court rather than the chaos of street racing.

Beidou gestured toward the group with a nod. "Hey, Eula. I want you to meet a few of my buddies from my team."

Eula turned, offering them a poised wave. "Hey there. My name's Eula Lawrence. Nice to meet you all."

The group stood there for a moment, struck by her presence. March, Pela, and even Seele exchanged glances. Eula carried herself with a level of refinement that stood in stark contrast to Beidou's wild, bold nature and their own reckless energy. There was a certain sharpness in her ice-blue eyes, though, that suggested she wasn't someone to underestimate.

Beidou smirked and slapped Eula playfully on the back. "Come on, Eula, let's head inside."

As the two women walked toward the entrance, Beidou threw a half-hearted wave in the direction of March's group. "Scram."

Seele watched them go, then turned to the others with a thoughtful expression. "Say… since we're here in Amakane, why don't we head over to Amakane Pass?"

March's eyes lit up. "Hell yeah! And also—Targa top's coming off!"

Without wasting another second, she hopped back into the Supra, unlocking the removable Targa top and carefully placing it in the trunk. The engine roared to life, the sound of the Supra's growl reverberating in the parking lot as they sped off toward Amakane Pass.

Meanwhile, inside the café, Beidou and Eula were settled into their seats with drinks in front of them.

Beidou leaned back in her chair, scratching her chin thoughtfully. "So, Eula. Gotta ask you—do you race at all?"

Eula let out a soft, sophisticated giggle, taking a sip of her drink before responding. "Not too much. I prefer to modify my cars to my liking. I do race here and there, but mostly at circuit events. If not that, I show them off at car meets or park them at various spots around the Pass."

She leaned forward slightly, resting her arms on the table. "So, you race in Yougou, right?"

Beidou grinned. "Yeah. I run a racing team there. Those idiots you met earlier? They're all part of it. One of them's even an honorary member."

Eula raised an eyebrow. "Honorary?"

Beidou's smirk widened. "Yeah. She doesn't belong to any team, but when some cocky outsider challenges us, she steps in. She races for all of Yougou. Like some kind of lone knight."

Eula's expression softened, her eyes narrowing in thought.

"It has to be the AE86," she murmured, a small knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

Beidou leaned in, intrigued. "Oh, really? What makes you say that?"

Eula's smile grew just a little more, her eyes glinting with admiration. "Sounds incredible. It's nice to know there's someone so dedicated to their home and their people."

And just like that, a spark of curiosity lit in Eula's mind.

Amakane Pass – Sunset

The sun was dipping below the horizon, painting the winding roads of Amakane Pass in a warm orange glow. A light mist clung to the trees lining the mountain road, mixing with the scent of damp pavement and the cool evening air. The sound of distant engines echoed through the valley, reminding anyone nearby that this pass wasn't just a scenic drive—it was a battleground for speed demons.

March, Seele, Pela, and Collei had pulled over at a turnout, stepping out of the Supra to take in the road ahead.

March leaned forward, placing her hands on her hips as she surveyed the path. The endless curves made her swallow hard. "Man, is it just me, or are these roads crazy curvy and narrow?"

Seele, arms crossed, nodded as she studied the sharp hairpins and steep drop-offs that could be seen beyond the guardrails. "Yeah, there's a ton of corners here. This isn't some wide, forgiving track—it's tight, technical, and you'd need perfect precision to keep speed on these roads. Honestly, you'd almost need a rally co-driver to race here properly."

Pela, sitting on the hood of the Supra, kicked her legs idly as she thought. "Yeah, but now I'm curious… who holds the record here? If this pass is this tricky, then whoever has the best time must be insanely skilled."

Collei, usually quiet, was lost in thought. "This pass reminds me of the toughest courses in the Yougou region… except maybe even worse. I wonder if there's anyone who can actually dominate this course without wrecking their car."

The group fell into a contemplative silence, pondering just how difficult Amakane Pass truly was.

Meanwhile, at the Amakane Café…

Inside the cozy, dimly lit café, Beidou and Eula were finishing up their food and drinks. The scent of freshly ground coffee beans lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of caramel and vanilla from Eula's latte.

Eula set her cup down gently, her fingers lightly tracing the rim as she considered her next question. "So, Beidou… what's it like being a street racer?"

Beidou leaned back in her chair, casually resting an arm over the backrest with a smirk on her lips. "Well, being a street racer means staking your claim on your home turf. It's about setting the fastest times, defending your pass from outsiders, and proving that you belong among the best." She chuckled, her crimson eyes gleaming with excitement. "Of course, it's not just about speed—it's about knowing every inch of the road. Every crack, every dip, every single curve. If you don't, you'll end up in the guardrails real quick."

Eula nodded thoughtfully, clearly intrigued. "I see… so it's about mastering your domain as much as it is about raw speed. That's pretty fascinating."

At a Local Gas Station – Learning About the GT86

A few blocks away, at a small Amakane gas station, the group had pulled over to top off the Supra's fuel. The neon glow of the overhead lights reflected off the car's glossy paint, making the widebody stance look even more aggressive in the dim light.

March and Seele stepped out, and a gas station attendant, a young guy in a worn-out jumpsuit, eyed their ride before smirking. "You girls aren't from around here, huh?"

March raised an eyebrow. "What gave it away?"

The guy chuckled, pointing toward the out-of-town license plate. "Out-of-town racers always stop here before heading up the pass. I'm guessing you're here to check out the local scene?"

Seele leaned against the car, crossing her arms. "Something like that. We were wondering, though—who's the fastest on Amakane Pass?"

The gas boy grinned, clearly eager to share some insider knowledge. "Oh, that's easy. It's a sky-blue GT86. Fastest car on this mountain, and nobody's even come close to beating it."

Seele's interest piqued. "A GT86?"

The attendant nodded, looking over his shoulder as if making sure no one else was around to overhear. "Yeah. And get this—rumor has it the driver has a co-driver. Like, full-on rally style."

Pela, who had just taken a sip of canned coffee, almost choked. "Wait, hold on—a co-driver? Like, someone actually calling out corners?"

The gas boy leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Amakane Pass has too many blind corners and elevation changes. To stay ahead, this driver has a co-driver who knows the pass so well, she could probably drive it with her eyes closed." He tapped his temple with a grin. "She doesn't even need to see the road—she just listens to the engine revs and knows exactly what's coming."

March's curiosity was officially piqued. "Damn, that's kinda badass. But… hold up, what's a GT86?"

Seele's face lit up with excitement. "The GT86 is the successor to the AE86. Built in collaboration with Subaru, it's a lightweight sports car with insane agility and tuning potential. Not the most powerful thing out there, but in the right hands, it's a weapon on the touge."

Pela crossed her arms, still skeptical. "But it's the fastest car on this pass? Even against more powerful machines?"

The gas boy finished topping off the Supra's tank and leaned back. "Yep. And if you're thinking about challenging her…" He let out a low chuckle. "I'd rethink that. She's never been beaten. Not even the best locals can touch her."

Back at the Café – A Future Street Racer?

Beidou stretched her arms before standing up, tossing a few mora onto the table for the bill. She grinned at Eula, who was still reflecting on their conversation.

"So, Eula… if you were to get into street racing, what car would you pick?"

Eula tapped her chin thoughtfully, considering her response. "Hmm… I think I'd go with drift."

Beidou smirked. "Then your GT86 is perfect. I don't know what you've got under the hood, but like my buddy's AE86, the GT86 is an incredible drift platform. Lightweight, balanced, and with the right setup… damn near unstoppable."

A knowing glint flashed in Eula's eyes as she tilted her head slightly. "So that AE86… that's the 'honorary member' of the Speed Suns, isn't it?"

Beidou chuckled, clearly enjoying the conversation. "You catch on quick."

Eula's lips curled into a thoughtful smile. "Very interesting."

Reuniting at the Café – The Night Calls

As Beidou stepped out of the café, the distinct, throaty roar of a 2JZ echoed through the quiet evening, instantly catching her attention. She turned just in time to see March's Supra gliding into the parking lot, the sound of its engine slicing through the night air. The group stepped out of the car, coffee cups in hand, laughter mingling with the crisp, cool breeze.

March grinned sheepishly, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Oh, hey Beidou. We're just grabbing some coffee. Hope you don't mind."

Beidou waved them off with a casual chuckle, clearly unbothered. "Nah, no big deal. I was about to head up to Amakane Pass to check out the locals."

Seele's eyes lit up immediately, the promise of action sparking something in her. "Then we'll take our coffees to go. We're coming with you."

Without missing a beat, the group quickly piled back into their cars, and within minutes, the convoy of machines was speeding off toward Amakane Pass. The engines roared to life, tearing through the mountain roads as the night swallowed them whole. The air was sharp and cool, the moonlight casting long, eerie shadows over the winding curves, making the path ahead feel even more mysterious.

The streets of Amakane were calling, and tonight, the real racing was about to begin.