Act: 3 Chapter: 3 | The Battle Of Eight Sixes! | AE86 VS AE86 Turbo

Collei walked toward Ayaka, her steps confident but focused. Ayaka approached in turn, the tension between them palpable. They stopped mere feet apart, now face to face.

Ayaka smirked slightly, a hint of challenge curling at her lips. "So… the time has finally come," she said, her voice smooth yet laced with quiet threat. "Just to remind you, this course is tight and narrow. A perfect test of skill."

Collei narrowed her eyes, determination burning in them. "I don't care," she retorted, her voice steady and firm. "Let's get this race going."

Ayaka's smirk widened. "Alright then. Let's make it interesting. A sudden death match. We keep switching positions until one of us outruns the other or passes." Her challenge hung in the air, daring Collei to back down.

Collei's lips twitched into a barely perceptible grin, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. "Sounds like a plan." She slid into the driver's seat of her AE86 Trueno, gripping the wheel with purpose.

Engines roared to life, the vibrations echoing through the air. Ayaka settled into her AE86 Levin, her hands tightening around the wheel with focused intensity. They rolled up to the starting line, and Collei made her choice—she would chase first, watching Ayaka's every move.

The countdown began.

3… 2… 1… GO.

The turbocharged Levin launched forward aggressively, its engine howling as Ayaka seized the lead. Collei's high-revving Trueno followed close behind, its exhaust note sharp as she matched Ayaka's pace.

The first corner came fast—an S-turn with no room for error. Collei tightened her grip, pushing harder.

The tachometer surged—8000 RPM. 9000. 9500. Her heartbeat pounded in sync with the engine's wail. 10,000 RPM.

Still, she hesitated. Arlecchino told her this engine could hit 11,000 RPM, but she wasn't ready to trust it yet.

"Whoa… what the hell is this handling?" Collei muttered under her breath. The Trueno felt eager, almost pulling forward on its own. The power at 9000 RPM made it lurch ahead, but it wasn't quite the explosive burst she wanted.

Ayaka checked her mirror, seeing Collei inch closer. "You've got a finely tuned machine there, Collei," she called out, a hint of admiration in her voice. "Even for your first true run, you're keeping up. Looks like I don't need to take it easy after all."

She downshifted—the turbo kicked in. The Levin surged forward, diving into the next set of sharp, narrow turns.

Collei wasn't letting go. She mirrored Ayaka's every move, matching her line inch for inch.

They reached a hairpin. Both cars slid into a perfect drift, their rear tires kissing the bushes on the inside. The sound of rubber screeching against asphalt filled the air. Neither driver was backing down.

Ayaka smirked, her voice tinged with pride. "I chose an AE86 to prove that old cars can still dominate newer ones when properly modified. But racing another AE86…" Her grip on the wheel tightened. "That's where the real test begins. I want to show you that my Levin is far superior to your Trueno."

Her eyes flickered to the mirror—and then she saw it.

A faint orange aura radiated from Collei's Trueno, glowing softly against the darkened road.

"That's insane…" Ayaka muttered, eyes widening. "I can see your aura radiating from your Trueno, Collei."

Nearby Stairway – The Spectators

At a nearby stairway, Keqing, Ningguang, and Ganyu stood, waiting. The importance of the race wasn't lost on them.

Ganyu sighed, arms crossed. "Is this really the best spot we could find to watch?" Her tone carried a hint of disappointment.

Keqing didn't take her eyes off the road. "Yeah. Everywhere else is either too steep or too dangerous. This is the only safe place."

Before Ganyu could respond, two pairs of headlights cut through the darkness—blazing toward a high-speed right turn.

Ayaka's Levin led. Collei's Trueno was right behind her.

The two AE86s blasted past like bullets, engines screaming as they raced toward the next left-hand turn.

Ganyu nudged Keqing's shoulder. "Keqing, what's the main difference between Ayaka's Levin and Collei's Trueno, anyway? I know Ayaka's car is a Levin, and Collei's is a Trueno, but what does that really mean in terms of performance?"

Keqing smirked, clearly enjoying the topic. "I'd explain, but I'll let Ningguang handle that one."

Ningguang giggled, nodding. "Alright then. The Levin and Trueno AE86s are similar in many ways, but what's under the hood makes all the difference. Ayaka's Levin is turbocharged—that means it's slower entering and exiting corners because the turbo has to spool up before delivering power. But once it kicks in, her acceleration out of a turn is something else."

She glanced toward Collei's car. "Collei's Trueno, on the other hand, has a mechanically tuned engine. No turbo means instant throttle response. She can control her speed more precisely through corners."

"It all comes down to technique. Ayaka has more power, but Collei has more control."

Keqing's expression darkened slightly. "And if Collei finally pushes that 11,000 RPM limit… Ayaka might be in trouble."

The sound of their engines roared through the night as the two cars disappeared into the next corner.

The race was far from over.

The race grew more intense with each passing second.

Collei focused, pushing her Trueno harder. She still hadn't reached the 11,000 RPMs that Arlecchino suggested, but she was getting closer. This time, the needle climbed to 9,500 RPMs—and with a surge of power, the Trueno closed the gap between her and Ayaka.

The final corner approached.

Suddenly, Ayaka jerked the wheel to the right.

Without warning, a dirt-covered sign emerged from the darkness.

Collei's eyes widened. Shit! She reacted instinctively, yanking the wheel right and narrowly avoiding the guardrail.

She exhaled sharply, adrenaline flooding her veins.

"That's too fucking close!" she cursed, heart hammering in her chest. "What the hell was that, anyway?"

They crossed the line, completing the first run.

In perfect synchronization, both cars executed flawless 180-degree handbrake turns, tires screeching as they spun to face the opposite direction.

Now, Collei led—and Ayaka chased.

Ayaka flashed her high beams. A clear message: Round two. Let's go.

Collei didn't hesitate. She launched her Trueno forward, its engine howling as they charged into the first corner once again.

The Second Run Begins

Ayaka's Levin stayed glued to Collei's bumper, her focus razor-sharp.

"Second run… Now I'm the one chasing," Ayaka thought. "This is my chance to analyze her style. I'll see exactly how she drives."

Collei pushed the car harder. She shifted up at 9,500 RPMs—still not at peak 11,000, but enough to keep Ayaka right on her tail.

Her frustration began to bubble over.

"This road is shit!" she shouted, gripping the wheel tighter. "It's too bumpy, and the surface is way too slippery! I can't even use the outer edges—they're covered in dirt! There's barely anything useful here!"

But no matter how rough the course, neither Collei nor Ayaka backed down.

Meanwhile, at Yougou Shrine…

Arlecchino stood beneath the night sky, staring upward, the cool air thick with tension.

His voice was calm but firm.

"Collei… You better figure this out soon."

He closed his eyes, recalling their last conversation.

"You kept telling me it doesn't corner the way it used to. Now you know why."

"After I installed that new engine, the power output changed. And because of that, so did the suspension settings."

"But there's a reason for it. If you push that engine to 11,000 RPMs…"

"You'll finally be able to corner at the speeds you've been chasing all along."

The Turning Point

Back in the race, Collei's connection with her machine deepened.

The tachometer crept past 9,000. Then 10,000.

Her eyes widened. She shifted up.

For a split second, the needle dropped back to 8,000 RPMs—but then…

Her grip tightened on the wheel.

"What the hell just happened? Did I imagine that!?"

The Trueno surged forward the moment she shifted. The power hit instantly, unlike anything she had felt before.

She shifted later on the next stretch—and the RPMs stayed locked in the power band.

"It's working…"

The Yougou Eight-Six had woken up.

Spectators at the Stairway

The two AE86s shot past Keqing, Ningguang, and Ganyu once again, marking the halfway point of the second run.

The group remained silent, watching intently—until Ningguang smirked.

"Looks like Collei is getting the hang of the new engine."

Keqing and Ganyu snapped their heads toward her. "Huh!?"

Ningguang's smile widened.

"The Yougou Eight-Six is finally back."

Collei's Breakthrough

Collei's confidence soared with every corner.

The RPM needle climbed to 10,000.

She grinned. "At this range, I can control the car even better. It's a lot easier now. Just like before!"

She flew into the next hairpin, smooth and precise.

A few days ago, she had struggled. Now?

"Is it because I'm revving it higher…?"

The answer was right in front of her.

And soon, she'd push past the limit.

Ayaka remained locked onto the Eight-Six, her sharp eyes analyzing every movement. But something felt off.

Collei's usual orange aura had shifted—now burning a striking red.

Ayaka's breath hitched. "What in the...?"

She narrowed her gaze, but quickly brushed it aside. "Doesn't matter. I was just playing observer for this round. Now I know exactly how your Eight-Six behaves…"

What she didn't know was that Collei still hadn't reached its full potential.

She had only begun to tap into its true power.

The Breakthrough

As the two cars barreled down the straight, Collei's eyes locked onto her tachometer.

8,000… 9,000… 10,000 RPMs.

Her heart pounded. "Just a little more—"

The tachometer slammed past 11,000 RPMs.

Her eyes widened. "This is it!"

She shifted up.

The Eight-Six lunged forward with a violent burst of acceleration—leaving Ayaka behind.

Ayaka's head snapped back. "What the hell was that!?"

She floored the throttle, desperate to close the gap. The Levin roared as she pushed it to its absolute limit. She managed to catch up—barely.

They reached the end of the second run, executing another flawless 180-degree handbrake spin.

Now, Ayaka led. Collei chased.

Collei flashed her high beams.

Ayaka's foot slammed onto the accelerator.

The final round had begun.

The Pressure Intensifies

Ayaka stole a glance at her rearview mirror—and her stomach dropped.

The Trueno was right on her bumper.

"What the hell!? How is she keeping up!?"

Collei's grip tightened around the wheel, her blood pumping with adrenaline.

"This car feels amazing! Now I can really push it harder…"

Her focus sharpened.

"It's time to end this. Once and for all."

But then, Ayaka did something unexpected.

Instead of drifting, she gripped the corners.

Collei's eyes widened.

"What the hell!? She changed her driving style!?"

At these speeds, gripping the corners meant precise, technical control—no wasted motion, no unnecessary slides.

"Damn it! I can barely keep up!"

They flew through two more tight corners, the intensity of the battle reaching its peak.

But Collei refused to back down.

Pushing the Limit

Her confidence surged.

"I'm finally getting the hang of this engine! I won't lose! I'll chase you to the end!"

The tachometer screamed past 11,000 RPMs again as she shifted with surgical precision.

But then—

The next fast left-hander caught her off guard.

She went too wide.

Her rear tires hit the dirt.

"NO! NO, COME ON!"

The Trueno fishtailed violently.

Collei wrestled with the wheel, her rear bumper skimming dangerously close to the guardrail.

A single inch more—and she would've lost everything.

With a deep breath, she snapped the car back under control.

Her heart pounded.

"That was too damn close… I need to be careful, or I might lose more than just this race."**

But…**

She slammed the throttle down again.

"Not yet. I'm not taking it easy just yet!"

The Final Showdown

The road crested into an uphill jump.

At their insane speeds, both cars went airborne.

SLAM.

They landed—and drifted into the next turn like nothing happened.

Collei's mind clicked.

"It's just like before… The more I use the gas, the less I have to countersteer. The more I swing it—especially at full speed!"

A nostalgic smile spread across her face.

"Thanks, Dad. Now I understand how the Eight-Six feels."

Her grip tightened.

With a fierce yell, she roared, "Alright! Let's show her what you're made of!!!"

The Decisive Moment

They passed Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu for the final time.

The spectators stood frozen, breathless.

Neither driver had taken the lead—until now.

They approached the final fast-paced corner.

Collei's eyes locked onto the dirt patch blocking half the road.

An opportunity.

She floored the gas.

Ayaka's focus sharpened—then snapped to her left.

Her blood ran cold.

"What the fuck!?"

The Trueno was right beside her.

On the dirt.

"No way! There's less dirt on the turn!?"

Collei's Trueno shook violently, the uneven terrain punishing the chassis.

But she didn't let up.

The two cars raced side by side into the turn, fighting for dominance.

Ayaka gritted her teeth. "There's no way she can pull this off—!"

Then, Collei stomped the throttle again.

The Trueno leaped off a dirt mound.

SLAM.

It landed right in front of Ayaka.

Sparks erupted as it touched down, countersteering effortlessly into the perfect drift.

Collei had overtaken her.

Ayaka's jaw dropped.

"She's out of her fucking mind!"

Collei exhaled, finally easing off the gas.

A slow, victorious grin spread across her face.

"This race is over… I won."

At the starting line, Clorinde, Amber, Beidou, March, and Pela stood waiting, eyes locked on the road ahead.

Then—a roar of engines pierced the night.

The convoy of cars blazed into view.

Leading the pack, Collei's Trueno thundered forward—her fist raised triumphantly out the window.

The crowd erupted.

Cheers rang through the cool air, laughter spilling over as Collei's group celebrated her victory.

A few minutes later, Collei climbed out of her Eight-Six.

Ayaka approached, hands on her hips, a smirk tugging at her lips.

"Collei... You're one crazy son of a bitch."

Collei chuckled, shaking Ayaka's hand. "Thanks."

The two shared a laugh, the tension of their intense battle dissolving into something lighter, mutual.

After a few more words exchanged, Collei climbed into the convoy, heading back toward Yougou.

A Quiet Victory

By the time Collei pulled up to Arlecchino's house, the night had settled into a deep hush.

She stepped out of the car, shutting the door with a soft click.

A long, slow breath escaped her lips as she gazed back at the Eight-Six—its engine now quiet, but still radiating heat from the battle it had just won.

A small, satisfied smile spread across her face.

Up ahead, Arlecchino waited on the porch.

She smirked. "Looks like you're back late, kid."

Collei yawned, rubbing her eyes. "Yeah… I know."

Arlecchino strolled over to the Eight-Six, giving it a once-over. She nodded in approval. "You've got about an hour before your delivery runs."

Collei groaned. "I know. Just wake me up when it's time."

Arlecchino crossed her arms. "Sure thing."

Collei turned to go inside but paused at the door.

Something tugged at her mind.

She glanced back at Arlecchino.

"I never knew our car was that good. I just found out tonight."

Arlecchino raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

Collei's gaze drifted back to the Trueno, her voice quiet but filled with realization.

"Maybe you should teach me more about engines when you have time?"

Arlecchino scoffed, shaking her head with an amused huff. "What made that light bulb inside that thick skull of yours finally turn on?"

Collei smiled. "Because I realized there were gaps in my technique."

She turned and disappeared inside.

The Beginning of a Legend

Arlecchino watched her go, then glanced back at the Yougou Eight-Six.

A low chuckle escaped her lips.

"That's my girl."

And just like that, the weeks of sorrow, struggle, and frustration finally came to an end.

The Yougou Eight-Six had been reborn.

A new legend, just beginning.