The Speed Of The Stars

The Following Day. The morning air was crisp, the sky a brilliant shade of blue as the first rays of sunlight spilled across the landscape. Collei had just finished her early delivery runs, the Eight Six humming softly as she parked it in its usual spot in the driveway. The car gleamed under the morning light, its modifications subtle but unmistakable to the trained eye.

Collei stepped out, her boots clicking against the pavement, and walked toward the house. Standing at the entrance, leaning casually against the doorframe, was Arlecchino.

"Deliveries all finished, Dad," Collei called out, a satisfied grin spreading across her face.

Arlecchino smirked, a faint glimmer of pride in her expression. "Nicely done."

Straightening from her relaxed position, Arlecchino's gaze drifted to the Eight Six. She folded her arms across her chest, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied the car.

"I have to say," Arlecchino began, her tone contemplative, "it's amazing how much the Eight Six has evolved since the two of us started sharing it. Who knows how many modifications have been made—some so subtle I probably can't even see or feel them anymore."

Collei's smile widened as she nodded. "Right… It's hard to believe how far it's come. Even the headlights, hood, and rear trunk—everything's so much lighter than it used to be." She turned to look at the car, her gaze affectionate.

"Exactly." Arlecchino's smirk deepened. "I'm guessing this went from a simple hobby to a full-time obsession, huh, Collei?"

Collei chuckled softly, but before she could respond, Arlecchino called her attention.

"Collei."

She turned to face her, curiosity flashing in her eyes.

Arlecchino's expression softened into a rare, genuine smile. "The Eight Six is yours from now on."

Collei froze, her eyes widening in shock. "Huh!? Are you serious?"

Arlecchino chuckled, her laugh light but sincere. "Come on, Collei. You're an adult now. It's a bit odd for you to still be sharing a car with your mother—well, father. Go down to the Bureau of Transportation later and get the registration transferred to your name. Oh, and by the way, you'll start paying taxes on it next year."

Collei stepped closer, her brows knitting together. "You're kidding, right? What are you going to ride around in, a wheelchair or a mobility scooter?"

Arlecchino laughed heartily, shaking her head. "I thought you'd be happy."

"Of course I'm happy," Collei replied, her tone softening. "But you need a mode of transportation, too."

"I've got that covered," Arlecchino said with a nod. "I'm in the process of buying another car. An oldie but a legend."

Collei tilted her head, her brow arching in confusion. "An oldie… but a legend?" she muttered, half to herself.

Her gaze returned to the Eight Six, a flood of emotions washing over her. "I don't even know what to say, Dad… Thank you. I'm absolutely in love with this car."

Arlecchino laughed again, the sound warm and uncharacteristically tender. "Good. The two of you deserve each other. If it needs maintenance, you know who to call."

Without another word, Arlecchino turned and headed back inside, the door closing softly behind her.

Later That Morning, in Tatrasuna As the sun climbed higher into the sky, painting Tatrasuna in a warm glow, Ayaka and her brother Ayato sat at a corner table in a bustling local diner. Ayaka glanced impatiently at her watch, her fingers drumming lightly on the table.

"He's always late…" she muttered, her voice tinged with annoyance.

Right on cue, Kazuha strode in, his stride calm but purposeful. He slid into the seat beside Ayaka, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face.

"About damn time, Kazuha," Ayaka quipped with a smirk.

Kazuha scoffed, his tone defensive. "Traffic was a nightmare. Took forever to get through it."

Ayaka rolled her eyes but didn't press further. Instead, she gestured toward her brother. "Kazuha, this is my brother, Ayato."

Ayato inclined his head politely. "Nice to meet you, Kazuha."

Kazuha returned the nod. "Likewise."

Ayaka leaned in, her expression turning serious. "Alright, let's get to business. You called us here because you said you had an idea for beating the Eight Six, right?"

Ayato nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "That's right. But first, tell me more about this Eight Six."

Kazuha adjusted his glasses, pulling out a folder filled with data sheets and photographs. He spread them across the table, pointing to specific details.

"From what I've seen and experienced, it's a serious machine," Kazuha explained. "During my race with her, I observed how it handled—remarkably balanced and nimble. Its engine revs as high as 9,000 RPM, from what I've heard."

Ayaka raised an eyebrow. "That's odd… The engine pitch sounded even higher than I remembered when I raced her."

Kazuha nodded thoughtfully. "It could be. Maybe she's re-tuned the engine or changed the exhaust setup. Either way, it's clearly been refined."

The siblings turned their attention to Ayato, who had remained silent.

"So, brother," Ayaka began, "you said you had a secret weapon to take down the Eight Six. Care to elaborate?"

Ayato stood, his movements deliberate. "Follow me. I'll show you."

The trio made their way to the diner's parking area. As they approached, Ayaka and Kazuha's eyes widened in surprise.

"No way…" Ayaka breathed. "This? This is the secret weapon?"

Ayato smiled proudly. "Yes. This is a Series 2 Lotus Elise, equipped with a Toyota 3S engine. Not supercharged, though."

Ayaka chuckled, a new spark of excitement lighting her expression. "I get it now. The secret weapon isn't just the power—it's the weight. This thing is small, compact, and bound to be lighter than the Eight Six."

Her eyes narrowed, a competitive glint shining in them. "This just got a whole lot more interesting…"

As the Day Progresses. The rhythmic hum of the engine filled the cabin of Clorinde's Lancia Rally 037 as it cruised down the expressway toward Kannazuka Prefecture. The classic rally car, with its aggressive stance and unmistakable lines, seemed out of place amidst the sleek, modern sedans surrounding it. Keqing sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, a hint of annoyance etched on her face.

She sighed audibly. "Why did I agree to ride in your Lancia today, Clorinde?"

Clorinde raised an eyebrow, glancing at her companion before returning her focus to the road. "What do you mean by that?"

Keqing gestured vaguely at the car's interior. "This is a rally car. It's not exactly made for cruising down highways like this. Every bump, every vibration—you feel everything."

Clorinde chuckled, her tone lighthearted. "You sound like one of those guys who make videos about the Lancia doing something it shouldn't be doing."

Keqing raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Clorinde smirked, leaning back slightly as she maneuvered the car through the light traffic. "Let me enlighten you. Back in the '90s, there was a racing series called the IGTC—pretty sure you've heard of it, right?"

Keqing nodded. "Yeah, the Inazuma Grand Touring Car Championship."

"Exactly," Clorinde said with a nod. "In 1992, one of the Lancia team's sister cars—this exact model—was entered in the GT1 category after its rallying days were over. It was… let's just say, a bold move."

"GT1?" Keqing's eyes widened. "Wasn't that the top-tier category of its time?"

Clorinde laughed. "You bet it was. That poor car had to compete against the likes of Porsche RSRs, Ferrari F40s, McLaren F1s, and Skyline GT-Rs. Imagine trying to turn a rally car into a touring car—it was a disaster waiting to happen."

Keqing leaned forward, intrigued. "What happened? How did it do?"

"Well, it was underpowered compared to its competition. The best it could manage was 350 horsepower, and its short-ratio five-speed manual gearbox didn't help on those long straights. At Narukami Speedway, the coolant temperatures started to rise because it wasn't built for sustained high speeds. By the end, it finished seven laps behind the leading Porsche 962Cs."

"Ouch," Keqing winced.

"But," Clorinde continued, grinning, "it wasn't all bad. Despite its shortcomings, it managed to beat several Skyline R32 GT1s, finishing ninth in its class and twelfth overall. Not bad for a car designed to tackle gravel and dirt instead of tarmac."

Keqing clapped slowly, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "That's actually impressive for something meant for rallying."

Clorinde nodded as she slowed the car near a toll gate. Taking a ticket, she casually accelerated back to highway speed.

Keqing shifted her gaze to the window, watching the scenery blur by. "So… Ningguang said the race this time will use the upper half of the course, right?"

"Yeah," Clorinde confirmed.

Keqing sighed, leaning her head against her hand. "I've been there before. Last year, when Collei raced a turbocharged Levin. The roads up there are just as terrible as the lower half. Worse, actually—gutters on both sides, rusted-out guardrails that look like they've been bumped into a thousand times. It's not exactly welcoming."

Clorinde's expression grew serious. "That's why Ningguang sent us to scout the area. Check if it's changed at all since last year."

As the Lancia exited the highway and began its descent into Tatrasuna, Keqing glanced ahead, bracing herself for the rougher terrain to come.

Night had fallen, and the quiet streets were bathed in the soft glow of streetlights. Ayaka and Kazuha stood at a corner, their breath visible in the cool air as they waited.

"Where is he?" Ayaka muttered, glancing down the road.

Before Kazuha could respond, the faint growl of an engine reached their ears. Moments later, Ayato's Lotus Elise appeared, its compact frame darting around the bend. As he approached the next hairpin, Ayato slammed on the brakes, the tires squealing in protest. The car drifted through the turn with precision, the rear wheels barely kissing the edge of the road before he floored the gas on the exit.

The Lotus roared past them, leaving a rush of wind in its wake. Ayaka tapped her phone to stop the timer and glanced at the results, her eyes widening.

"That's insane," she breathed. "The way that Lotus handles… and he's not even trying. Imagine how fast he'll go when he's racing Collei."

Kazuha nodded, his expression unreadable.

Over at the gas station, Collei stood by her Eight Six, watching as March slotted the gas pump nozzle into the tank. The soft hum of the station's overhead lights filled the silence.

"You're kidding me," March said, shaking her head. "She handed you the Eight Six?"

Collei nodded, leaning against the car. "Yeah, that's right. I just came from the office to get the registration changed to my name."

March raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "So, what's your dad going to drive now? A bicycle?"

Collei shrugged. "I don't know. All she said was, 'a classic but a legend.' A fun one, apparently."

March squinted, considering. "A classic and a legend? What could that be? A Subaru Impreza, maybe?"

Collei shook her head. "Doubt it. She's not the type to mess around with a boxer engine. Too much of a headache to work on compared to an inline or V-type engine."

March nodded in agreement. "True. Inline engines are a lot simpler to deal with."

She removed the gas pump nozzle and carefully closed the fuel cap.

Collei waved as she climbed back into the Eight Six. "Alright, I'm off. I don't want to be late for the meeting."

March waved back. "Alright, see you there. Let Clorinde know we'll be at the race tomorrow."

"Will do," Collei replied, smiling. "See you."

As the Eight Six's engine roared to life and disappeared into the night, March stood for a moment, a small smile on her lips. Tomorrow was shaping up to be interesting.

As the night wore on. The convoy of cars thundered along the expressway under a slate-gray sky. Clorinde's Lancia Rally 037 led the group, its supercharged growl echoing off the road barriers. Collei's Eight Six followed closely behind, with the four support vans bringing up the rear, their headlights forming a steady chain of light in the evening gloom.

In the leading support van, Ningguang and Keqing sat in relative silence, the soft hum of the road their only companion until Ningguang spoke.

"You know," she began, glancing at Keqing, "this might be Collei's toughest opponent yet."

Keqing raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean? This is Collei we're talking about. The same Collei who beat Kuki Shinobu, the circuit racer. She's taken down pros."

Ningguang smiled faintly. "It's not always about the driver, Keqing. Sometimes, it's about the car."

Keqing leaned forward, her interest piqued. "What kind of car are we talking about?"

"You'll see soon enough," Ningguang replied cryptically.

Hours later, the convoy arrived at the upper half of Tatrasuna's winding mountain course. They pulled into a small driveway halfway along the route, a narrow space barely wide enough for two cars side by side. The night air was cool and damp, the distant rumble of an approaching storm adding to the tension.

As the vehicles came to a stop, Ayaka and Kazuha walked out to greet them. Ayaka called out cheerfully, her voice cutting through the stillness.

"Well, hey there, fellas! We were wondering when you'd show up!"

Collei stepped out of her Eight Six, stretching her legs. As she glanced around, her eyes landed on Ayaka, and her expression shifted from surprise to recognition.

Ayaka grinned, stepping forward and placing a hand on Collei's shoulder. "Come on, Collei. Don't tell me you don't remember me?"

Collei chuckled, shaking her head. "How could I forget? It's been a while."

Meanwhile, Keqing's eyes narrowed as she recognized another familiar face. She pointed at Kazuha. "Wait a minute. Aren't you Kazuha from that other race we had?"

Kazuha nodded calmly. "That's right. Don't worry, though—I'm not racing this time. I'm just here to coordinate. The track's been broken in and is ready for use. Feel free to practice as much as you need."

Keqing relaxed, offering a respectful nod. "Thanks. We'll get started."

Clorinde approached Ningguang with a serious expression. "So, what's the forecast for tomorrow?"

Ningguang sighed. "Rain. A lot of it."

She turned to Collei, signaling her over. The young driver joined them, and Ningguang began the briefing.

"Alright. A reminder for both of you: take it slow at first—80% for the first five runs. Gradually pick up the pace after that. Aim for at least fifty runs before daybreak. Got it?"

Collei and Clorinde nodded in unison before heading to their cars.

Clorinde climbed into the Lancia and gave it a few warm-up revs. Navia checked the sensors on her tablet, giving Clorinde a thumbs-up. "Everything's good to go!"

Collei's Eight Six underwent a similar check. Albedo, tablet in hand, reviewed the data and nodded to Collei. "Sensors are working fine. You're all set."

Both cars rolled out into the darkness, their engines roaring as they disappeared into the labyrinthine course.

As the hours passed, the first signs of rain began to dot the windshield. A light drizzle quickly turned into a downpour, lightning illuminating the jagged silhouette of the mountains.

At the halfway mark, Clorinde pulled into the driveway for a quick stop. She stepped out, stretching her arms, and called over to Navia.

"Fill her up with twenty liters," she said.

Navia nodded, grabbing a jerry can and pouring the fuel into the Lancia's tank.

From behind, Ningguang approached, her expression calm but serious. "Clorinde, how's that throttle technique treating you?"

Clorinde smiled. "It's working great. The car feels steady, even in these conditions. I think we're good."

"Good," Ningguang replied. "When you feel ready, run the entire course with only your fog lamps. Visibility will worsen as the storm picks up. You'll need to rely on memory and technique—not just instinct."

Clorinde nodded firmly. "Understood."

Over at a Section of the Course. Collei is flying through the hairpins and Corners. Driving it with ease. As the engines roar through the night. It eventually disappears As Daylight breaks

By the time afternoon rolled by, the rain continued to show no signs of letting up. March and Beidou stood under the cover of the gas station, watching the storm.

March sighed. "Looks like this rain isn't going anywhere anytime soon."

Beidou nodded, her expression amused. "You know, Collei might need some 'extra weight' on the back to help with traction."

March's eyebrows twitched. "What are you suggesting?"

Beidou giggled mischievously. "I mean, you could sit in the back seat. Give her some added stability."

March bumped Beidou with her elbow. "Shut up! If you were back there, you'd be tossed around like a ragdoll!"

The two of them laughed, the storm's intensity punctuating their conversation.

As night fell on race day, Ayaka's convoy finally arrived at the starting point. Her Levin led the group, followed by Kazuha's Altezza and, at the rear, Ayato's car—a gleaming white Lotus Elise.

Ganyu's eyes widened at the sight of the compact, low-slung car. "Is that… a Lotus Elise?"

Collei and Clorinde turned to look, both studying the small but formidable vehicle.

Keqing glanced at Ningguang, her voice low. "So, this is what you were talking about?"

Ningguang nodded. "That's right. In this case, it's not about the driver—it's about the car. And here, it's all about weight."

As the rain poured harder, the drivers lined up. Its headlights pierced through the sheets of rain, and tension filled the air.

The night was far from over. The real challenge was about to begin.