Act: 10 Chapter: 5 | Farewell. Team Speed Stars.

Days had passed since the race. That afternoon, the skies over Narukami Prefecture were a faded gray, like an old photo slowly losing its color. The wind carried the faint scent of oil, brake dust, and mountain fog—remnants of a battle now etched into legend. The air around the old gas station was thick, not with tension, but with something heavier: nostalgia, and a quiet, burning resolve.

A battered flatbed tow truck rolled onto the cracked concrete, its suspension creaking under the weight of a vehicle that had long since transcended its humble origins. The AE86 rested atop the bed like a fallen samurai. Its panda-white shell was scorched, pitted, and stained in places the pressure washer wouldn't reach. The bumper hung loose, zip-tied from the last emergency fix. Pockmarks in the fender flared out like shrapnel wounds, and the engine bay still carried the scorched scent of death—burned oil and the sharp, metallic tang of detonation.

Collei and Amber were on their knees beside it, sleeves rolled up, hands black with grime. They scrubbed at the grime with rags and brushes, rinsing the filth from a car that had gone far beyond the redline and still delivered her home.

Layer by layer, they wiped away not just oil, but stories—etched in streaks of soot and blood-orange heat discoloration. Years of racing, of sunrise tofu runs, of mountain passes that blurred past the windows like rivers of light. Each swipe of the cloth was a gesture of reverence, like polishing a war memorial.

Nearby, the rest of the crew had gathered in a respectful semi-circle. Lyney stood with his arms crossed, silent for once. Arlecchino's gaze was unreadable, flicking between the Eight-Six and her daughter. Lynette leaned slightly against a lamppost, expression still, eyes half-lidded. Seele and Pela stood shoulder to shoulder. March held her elbows close, like she didn't want to breathe too loud. Beidou had a hand on her hip, the other clutching a half-crushed can of beer. And Clorinde… she stood with her arms behind her back, composed, but her eyes followed every one of Collei's movements.

Finally, March broke the silence. Her voice was soft, but it carried through the still air like a needle piercing skin.

"Will the car be scrapped, Miss Arlecchino?"

Arlecchino tilted her head. Her cigarette glowed dimly as she exhaled. "That's up to Collei," she said flatly. "But knowing her?" She scoffed. "She wouldn't scrap it unless it caught fire, blew up, and disintegrated into atoms."

From where she knelt beside the front wheel well, Collei barked back, "Damn right I won't scrap it!"

She stood, tossing a grimy rag aside, the grease on her face streaked with sweat and grit. Her voice had the grit of a survivor—not angry, not defensive, just unwavering. "This car's been with me since the start. I won't throw it away just because it's hurt."

Arlecchino clicked her tongue and shrugged. "Still. Chassis took a beating. Judging by that lateral twist and the alignment wear, it's probably flexed beyond tolerance."

Lynette's voice came from the back of the group, calm and thoughtful as always. "Who said it can't be repaired? I know someone. Veteran body man, works in Tatarasuna. Old-school fabricator. He could realign and reinforce the frame—probably make it stiffer than when it rolled off the assembly line."

Lyney grinned, folding his arms. "This thing's already a legend. Still undefeated. No one's ever passed Collei downhill. This Eight-Six isn't just a machine anymore… it's her second skin."

He glanced over at her. "Maybe it deserves to retire. Let it live out its days as a commuter—no more war, no more late-night battles. Just peace."

Collei wiped her brow and walked toward Lynette, eyes still lit with that fire that refused to die. "Can I store it at your place?" she asked. "I've got one of those inflatable car bubbles. Helps with preservation. I'll fix it slowly, piece by piece. Every yen I earn's going into this car until it's whole again."

Lynette smiled with barely a nod. "Of course. I'll even get the chassis work done for free. Call it a gift."

Collei's face lit up in disbelief before breaking into a victorious grin. She threw a fist into the air, grease flying off her glove. "Yes! Thank you, Lynette!"

Arlecchino stepped forward now, her boots crunching softly on the gravel. There was no smirk, no sarcasm in her voice—just something rare and unfamiliar.

"If you're putting a temporary engine in… no racing," she said.

Collei nodded, eyes serious. "I know. It'll be street-only until the chassis is back in fighting shape."

A small smile tugged at the corner of Arlecchino's mouth—barely there, but real. "Good. I'm not just your mechanic or your coach. I'm your mother. And I'd like to keep you alive."

The second tow truck rumbled up the road, gears whining as it pulled into the lot. The driver got out without a word and began winching the AE86 into position. Everyone watched, the mood turning solemn again. It wasn't just a car being towed. It was a chapter closing—temporary, but still a farewell.

As the truck rolled off toward Lynette's shop, taillights fading into the afternoon fog, Clorinde raised her hand in farewell.

"Alright, everyone, I'll see you at the disbanding party! Five o'clock. Lake Araumi. Don't be late."

She pointed at Collei. "Especially you."

Collei laughed and saluted with two fingers. "Wouldn't miss it for the world!"

With a nod, Clorinde turned and climbed into her beast of a car. The Lancia 037 fired to life with a mechanical snarl, the supercharger whining through the idle like a feral dog. As she eased onto the street, the exhaust let out a sharp bark, the unmistakable timbre of a race-bred legend heading home via the seaside route.

Amber stepped up beside Collei, her tone gentle. "Hey… wanna take a ride? Just us. Lake Yougou's not far. We can talk."

Collei looked at Amber's Sileighty, its clean paint glinting softly beneath a layer of road dust. Then she looked back at Amber and smiled.

"Yeah," she said quietly. "Let's go."

They got in, the door shutting with a firm click. Amber keyed the ignition, and the SR20DET purred to life, smooth but eager. With one last glance in the mirror, she pulled away from the station, the car gliding onto the open road.

Behind them, the gas station slowly emptied, but the presence of the Eight-Six still lingered—like a ghost, or a promise.

Time passed like the scenery outside the window—fast but oddly still—until the road fell behind them and the Sileighty coasted to a gentle stop at a familiar turnout overlooking Lake Yougou. The shoreline was quiet, the rippling water catching the last of the afternoon sun in shimmering golds and silvers. A warm breeze stirred the treetops, but beneath it all hung the weight of memory. This place wasn't just scenic; it was sacred. It was here, exactly one year ago, that Collei had sat in silence beside Amber, nursing a shattered heart and a ruined engine.

Amber leaned against the fender, her gaze tracing the line of mountains in the distance. She broke the silence, her voice soft but pointed. "How are you feeling, Collei?"

Collei exhaled through her nose and stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets, eyes locked on the shifting lake surface. "Honestly? I feel okay. I mean… it sucks. But I knew what I was getting into."

Amber cocked an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly. "So… you're not devastated that the engine blew?"

Collei shook her head. Her green hair shimmered in the sun as she turned to face her. "A little. Sure. But I knew exactly what I was doing. I pushed it too far—simple as that. I was in control the whole time."

Amber's tone shifted into something between disbelief and curiosity. "How far did you push it?"

Collei gave a crooked grin, almost defiant in its guilt. "Telemetry says 14,500. I took it to fourteen-five."

Amber blinked. "Wait—fourteen thousand five hundred? Are you serious?"

"Dead serious," Collei said, her voice flat and unwavering. "The Silvertop redlines at eleven. That engine was tuned to hit peak torque just before that. They'd mapped the fuel and ignition curves so it stayed in the power band earlier. But… without a tach? I was blind. All I had was engine note, gear feel, road speed. I listened. And I gambled."

Amber crossed her arms, eyebrows raised. "Why the hell would you do that? That's—insane."

Collei looked back at the water, voice low now, but unflinching. "If I had shifted, I would've dropped RPMs and lost my exit speed through the corner. I didn't have the room or torque to make it back up. I held the gear, pinned it through the corner, and got the overtake."

A beat of silence.

Amber's eyes softened. "So you sacrificed the engine… to win."

"Exactly." Collei's voice carried no shame—only clarity. "I knew the engine wouldn't survive. But I needed that run. That moment."

Amber was quiet, lips parting, then closing again. Finally, she stepped forward and slipped an arm around Collei's shoulder. "Goddamn, Collei… You're absolutely fucking crazy. But I'm so proud of you."

Collei's shoulders tensed, then eased. She leaned into Amber's warmth as they slowly walked along the lakeshore. The hum of summer insects and the distant cry of a bird above the treeline underscored the moment with a serene kind of finality.

"I'm serious," Amber said, her tone soft but fierce. "You've grown so much. That race… the way you drove it. And the way you took responsibility afterward. I can't even put it into words."

Collei stopped walking, turning to face her fully. Her green eyes shimmered—not with tears, but with quiet gratitude. "Thank you, Amber. That means everything to me."

Amber smiled, lips parting in that rare, sincere way Collei knew better than anything. "Of course. I'll always be here for you. No matter what comes next. Whether you're here, or gone chasing something bigger—I've got your back."

Collei blinked once, then suddenly snapped her fingers. "Shit—almost forgot!"

She pulled out her phone, thumb tapping through photos until she stopped at a crisp image—a digital contract, signed, sealed, and timestamped. The logo of the racing team gleamed in the corner like a badge of fate.

Amber leaned in and gasped. "No way. No fucking way. You signed it?!"

Collei grinned wide, practically bouncing with the energy of it. "Six-month trial contract. Overseas. We're leaving soon."

Amber stared at her like she couldn't quite process it. "Holy shit, Collei…"

Before she could say another word, Collei closed the space between them and kissed her. There was no hesitation, no awkward stumble—just heat and sincerity. Amber froze at first, her eyes wide, then slowly closed them, returning the kiss with gentle finality, arms winding around Collei's waist.

When they finally broke apart, Collei pulled her into a tighter hug, burying her face against her shoulder. "Thank you. For being part of all of this."

Amber stroked her hair, her voice low. "Anything for my partner."

They stood like that for a while, not speaking, just letting the breeze move past them and the lake glitter at their feet.

Eventually, hand in hand, they made their way back to the Sileighty, shoes crunching softly on the gravel.

The sun had begun its descent, stretching shadows long and casting the water in hues of molten gold and fading blue.

Amber opened the passenger door and glanced back over the roof. "Come on. I'll drop you off so you can get ready for the party."

Collei slipped into the seat, eyes still alight with the fire of the future. "Let's go."

The engine fired to life with a crisp growl, the Sileighty pulling out from the overlook and heading into the soft, amber-drenched dusk.

Hours later, as the sun began to kiss the edge of Araumi Lake, the sky above painted in violent streaks of orange, crimson, and purple, Collei rolled into the gravel lot behind the wheel of Arlecchino's R34 Skyline. The deep, unmistakable purr of the twin-turbo RB26 echoed through the trees like a jungle cat prowling through the undergrowth—restrained, but always threatening to strike.

The gathered crowd turned as the Nissan slowed to a stop beside the vintage silhouette of Clorinde's 1983 Lancia Rally 037, its boxy lines and shark-nosed wedge stance bristling with raw, analog aggression. A true relic from the Group B era—carbon-kevlar skin stretched over a tubular frame, and a mid-mounted supercharged twin-cam engine that growled like it remembered killing giants.

Collei shut off the engine, the Skyline giving one final huff through its blow-off valve before settling into silence. She stepped out, the air thick with the aroma of grilled meat, engine oil, and summer dusk. A gust of wind tousled her green hair as she waved toward the gathering, her boots crunching softly on the gravel.

"Hey, Collei! Glad you could make it!" Albedo called out from near the grill, wearing a comically oversized apron and armed with a pair of smoking tongs.

Clorinde raised a brow and smirked from where she lounged against her Lancia's front quarter panel, arms crossed over her dark jacket. "You're late."

Collei rolled her eyes, brushing hair from her face. "Come on, Clorinde. I had some errands to run."

Keqing approached from the other side, her arms folded as she eyed the R34 with a knowing look, the dying sunlight catching on her violet irises. "Pretty unusual to see you in an R34, Collei."

"It's my dad's," Collei said with a grin. "She let me borrow it for now."

Keqing tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "And your Eight-Six?"

Collei looked out at the lake, her smile softening. "It's resting in a friend's garage for now. Until I get a new engine. We're going to strip it down, inspect the chassis, fix the alignment issues, and reinforce the frame if needed. It's going to be brought back the right way."

Keqing gave an approving nod. "Good. That car's been through hell. Glad to hear it's getting what it deserves."

"Come on," she added, gesturing toward the food-laden tables nearby. "We've got a spot open."

Collei chuckled and followed, the sunset casting long shadows through the trees, bathing the lakeside gathering in gold and amber.

The smell hit her first—charred meat, roasted vegetables, garlic, soy, smoke—and it was enough to make her stomach growl. She wasted no time grabbing a skewer, biting into the seared edge of meat with a ravenous hunger. Her eyes went wide, and she almost stumbled backward.

"I—I've never tasted meat this good in my entire life!" she exclaimed through a mouthful, barely managing to keep from drooling.

Ganyu, seated beside her and delicately nibbling at a plate of food, let out an enthusiastic nod. "M-Me too! It's incredible!"

Laughter erupted from around the tables—genuine, full, and warm. The kind of laughter that only came after long battles and shared scars. For once, the weight of clutch pedals, redlines, apexes, and heel-toe downshifts wasn't on their shoulders. Just camaraderie, food, and firelight.

A few tables down, a quieter but no less intense conversation was unfolding. Albedo sat with Keqing, Navia, and Ningguang—each of them with a drink in hand, the clink of glass and beer bottles punctuating the soft murmur of their exchange.

Keqing leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table, her beer glass glinting under the lanterns. "If you weren't aware already, a handful of professional teams have reached out to us. They want Collei and Clorinde to go pro."

Navia's brows shot up. "Seriously? Like, actually pro-pro?"

Keqing gave a slow nod. "Not just any teams. They want them for the WRC. Toyota's works team, specifically."

Albedo's hand twitched, nearly dropping his bottle. "R-Really?"

Keqing's expression flickered with restrained pride. "They've been watching the mountain runs—Clorinde's precision, Collei's aggression. But it was Collei's telemetry during the last race's runs that caught Toyota's attention. The way she pushed that Group A 4A-GE past its theoretical limit—it was reckless, but brilliant."

Navia leaned closer. "What did Clorinde say?"

Keqing sighed, setting her drink down with a quiet clink. "She declined. Flat out. Said she doesn't want the spotlight. Doesn't want to follow in her father's footsteps. She wants to race on her own terms—maybe enter the National Inazuma Rally Championship instead."

Albedo nodded slowly. "That… sounds like her."

"And Collei?" Navia asked, tone sharp with anticipation.

Keqing grinned, letting a spark of satisfaction slip through. "She accepted. Signed the preliminary contract last night. In six months, she'll be on the WRC circuit with Toyota's factory team."

Navia let out a sharp laugh and clapped. "Holy shit, that's amazing! She's gonna fly out there."

"She will," Keqing said, swirling her drink. "I've seen how she's grown. From barely keeping the car in a straight line to shaving seconds on dry and wet tarmac. She's ready."

Ningguang finally spoke, her voice low but certain. "She'll adapt to anything—gravel, snow, night runs, stage notes. She's not just a downhill racer anymore. She's a complete driver."

As the sky deepened into twilight, the lake reflected the glow of string lanterns swaying gently in the summer breeze. Ningguang stood, the folds of her dress catching the light as she lifted her glass above her head.

"To what a journey we've been on," she called out, her voice slicing clean through the chatter. "To the future—and to Team Speed Stars!"

The response was instant and thunderous.

"CHEERS!"

Glasses clinked. Bottles raised. Firelight flickered in the shine of happy, teary eyes. The sound of celebration rang across Araumi Lake like the echo of engines bouncing off mountain guardrails.

But as the night wore on and the party mellowed into soft voices and lingering glances, Collei knew in her heart that this wasn't an ending.

This was a new beginning.

She would carry the scent of burnt rubber and mountain fog with her onto the global stage. Her AE86, battered and broken, would rest like a fallen soldier—its legacy intact. Clorinde's Lancia would still tear through local tarmac with that banshee wail of a supercharger and old-world fire. But Collei's road now led far beyond Narukami.

Soon, the world would know the name that had already shaken every mountain in the prefecture.

Collei.

Driver. Racer. Champion in the making.

And for Team Speed Stars, the race would never truly end.