The Speed Of The Stars

As the Night Progresses. The rain continued to pour over Tatrasuna, casting a shimmering sheen on the asphalt and soaking everything under the oppressive gray clouds. The downpour seemed relentless, but there was a brief lull—a reprieve—before the uphill runs began. Collei, soaked but exhilarated, stood by her car, the iconic Eight-Six, its sleek silhouette glinting under the sporadic flicker of streetlights. She was startled out of her thoughts as Ningguang, Clorinde, and Albedo approached her.

Ningguang offered Collei a subtle nod, her refined demeanor as composed as ever. "Nicely done, Collei," she said, her voice smooth but encouraging. "Don't worry about anything else right now. Your only focus should be on maximizing your car's full potential. When all is said and done, that's what matters most. Remember—if you notice something in your opponent's car that seems better than yours, nine times out of ten, that's your in-road. Techniques exist to help you transcend limitations. That's the lesson I want you to walk away with."

She gestured lightly with her hand, emphasizing her next point. "When I told you to think like Feixiao, it wasn't to emulate her or try pulling off one of her signature counterattacks. It was about understanding her mindset—getting inside her head. Still, you did an incredible job deciding the race during the first half. And I'm seriously impressed you managed to keep pace with that Lotus Elise for so long. Not many can claim that."

Her lips curled into a faint smile. "Take some time to rest, okay? The time trials are canceled until this rain lets up."

With a nod of finality, Ningguang turned on her heel and strode away, Clorinde falling into step beside her. This left Collei standing with Albedo.

Collei leaned closer to him, her voice a hushed murmur. "She meant that as a compliment, right?"

Albedo chuckled softly. "Of course she did."

Collei sighed in relief, a grin breaking through her previously anxious expression. "If I'd figured it out earlier, I could've passed him at an earlier corner instead of waiting for the final straightaway. For a moment, I even thought about holding him off for a second round."

Albedo scoffed, shaking his head with a smirk. "It's a bloody good thing you didn't. Ningguang would've torn you a new one, no doubt about it."

Collei's eyes widened. "Y-you think so?"

"I know so," Albedo replied, his tone firm. "There's no guarantee the rain would've lasted for another run. It's the only reason you had an edge tonight. If it were dry, that white piece of trash would've wiped the road with you."

Collei exhaled heavily, muttering under her breath. "Thank fuck for that."

Over on Kazuha's Side. The atmosphere was far less friendly.

Ayaka shoved her brother against the side of the car, her face inches from his as she fumed. "What the hell happened back there?"

Ayato raised his hands defensively, his expression flustered. "Honestly, sis, I can't even describe it! One second, her headlights were in my rearview mirror. The next, she was just... gone!"

Ayaka arched a skeptical brow. "Bullshit. Maybe she was in your blind spot."

Ayato shook his head vehemently. "No way. If she was in my blind spot, I would've caught her the moment she made a move. It was like... her headlights just turned off or something!"

Ayaka backed off, rubbing her temples as she let out a frustrated sigh. "Of course... a vanishing line."

She shook her head, visibly calming herself. "Sorry, bro. My emotions got the better of me."

Ayato placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't sweat it." His gaze wandered to Collei's Eight-Six, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "Still, I have to hand it to her. She's an incredible driver."

"No kidding," Ayaka said, nodding in agreement. Her voice softened as her mind drifted to the past. "When I raced her last year, she pulled off the craziest move I'd ever seen. Jumped a dirt bump right on this mountain."

Her memory transported her back to that night—the roar of engines, the screech of tires, and the heart-stopping moments as Collei's Trueno soared off a stack of dirt during a tight left-hand corner. Sparks flew as the car slammed back onto the road, sliding gracefully ahead of Ayaka's Levin. Despite the wildness of the maneuver, the Trueno held its drift, sealing Collei's victory.

Ayaka blinked, shaking off the memory. "Still gives me chills sometimes..."

Back with Team Speed Stars. Collei and Albedo strolled back toward her Eight-Six, the iconic vehicle gleaming with raindrops.

Albedo smirked. "Pulling off a blind attack in this rain? Bloody brilliant. Considering the conditions, it must've been pitch-black for him to lose you in his rearview. Remember—stealth is a powerful tool in a dogfight. Even Ningguang agrees."

Collei nodded. "I know. But I only use it when I really don't have a choice."

Before they could continue, familiar voices rang out through the rain.

"There's our champion!"

Collei turned to see her friends approaching, waving enthusiastically despite the rain.

"Collei!" Amber shouted, grinning from ear to ear. "You were awesome back there!"

Collei blushed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Oh, um... thanks?"

March beamed. "Seriously, you scared the living daylights out of us on that straightaway! You went totally dark behind that car, and the next second, you almost ran us over! But, uh... we forgive you."

Seele nodded, her arms crossed. "Yeah, but we had to dive into a bush to avoid getting flattened."

Beidou pointed at her soaked and mud-covered jacket. "Look at us—we're a mess!"

Collei chuckled, her voice light. "Maybe next time, don't stand in the middle of the road?"

The group erupted into laughter, the camaraderie breaking through the cold and dampness of the night.

The Encounter

As the group shared laughter and relived the night's intensity, their excitement was interrupted by a distinct mechanical roar that pierced through the rain-soaked air. It wasn't just any engine—it was the unmistakable whine of a supercharger.

Collei's ears perked up, her curiosity immediately piqued. She stepped forward, squinting through the rain, only to spot a familiar silhouette. It was Ayaka's AE86 Levin, its sleek frame now boasting a mesh grille and a lightweight carbon-fiber hood.

Her green eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the subtle but significant changes. "She's running a supercharger now?" Collei muttered to herself, crossing her arms.

As if on cue, Clorinde walked briskly toward Ayaka's Levin, the rain bouncing off her jacket. The two women met with a firm handshake, their professionalism evident even in the casual setting.

"Clorinde of Team Speed Stars," Clorinde introduced herself, her voice steady and commanding.

Ayaka smiled politely, a trace of competitive fire in her eyes. "Kamisato Ayaka. The pleasure is mine."

Clorinde tilted her head, studying the Levin. "Last I heard, you were running a turbocharger. But from the way your engine sounded on startup... it's supercharged now, isn't it?"

Ayaka nodded, her expression proud but measured. "That's right. After my race with Collei last year, my engine suffered damage. The turbo ended up injecting dirt and debris from that wild run. It was a costly mistake." She glanced at her car, running her hand across the carbon hood. "I had the engine rebuilt and switched to a supercharger. More reliable, and it suits my driving style better."

Before Clorinde could respond, a commanding voice echoed through the rain-drenched surroundings.

"Cars to the starting line!"

The voice belonged to Keqing, who stood a short distance away, clipboard in hand and an air of authority radiating from her.

Clorinde gave Ayaka a quick nod before turning back to her own car. "Guess it's time to see how that supercharger fares," she said with a smirk, jogging toward her Lancia Rally 037.

The race was heating up, and the rivalry between Ayaka and Clorinde reached a fever pitch as their cars screamed through the mountain pass, their engines harmonizing with the echoing rain.

Keqing's countdown echoed in their minds as the two machines bolted from the starting line, wheels spinning and struggling for traction. The Lancia's rear-engine layout granted Clorinde a slight advantage in the chaotic launch, but she instinctively eased off the throttle, holding back just enough to maintain a clean line.

The First Turn

The Levin and the Lancia approached the first right-hand corner. Ayaka's Eight-Six maintained its lead, its rear tires edging toward a drift as it carried speed through the apex. Behind her, Clorinde's Lancia stuck to the asphalt with calculated precision. She feathered the throttle in quick, rhythmic blips—an intricate dance that kept her car balanced between understeer and oversteer.

Clorinde's Lancia exited the turn with impressive stability, gaining ground on Ayaka's Levin. The gap didn't shrink dramatically, but it was enough to remind Ayaka that her lead wasn't guaranteed.

Driver Versus Driver

Ayaka stole a quick glance at her rearview mirror, the bright headlights of the Lancia casting an intimidating glare.

"This is it," she thought, tightening her grip on the wheel. "We're hitting the technical section. This isn't about horsepower or torque anymore. It's about skill. Driver versus driver."

Determined, Ayaka pushed the accelerator to the floor, the high-pitched wail of her Levin's supercharger slicing through the rain-soaked air. Clorinde mirrored the move, her Lancia's engine growling as it surged forward to match the Levin's pace.

The first hairpin loomed ahead, and Ayaka's Levin slid gracefully through the turn. Her steering corrections were precise, her hands a blur as she fought to control the rear-wheel drift.

Behind her, Clorinde's Lancia displayed a starkly different approach. Rather than sliding, it gripped the road with astonishing tenacity. Clorinde's blips of the throttle allowed her to maintain perfect balance, and the Lancia shot out of the hairpin with greater speed.

The distance between the two cars narrowed once again.

The Pressure Mounts

Inside her cockpit, Ayaka's thoughts raced as quickly as her car. "I have to turn this into an endurance match. I know I have the stamina to outlast her. But a car like hers… it wasn't built for this. That thing belongs in a museum, not tearing up Inazuma's mountain passes."

Meanwhile, in the Lancia, Clorinde smirked, her focus unshaken. "I've driven supercharged cars my entire career, Ayaka. Your Levin's got the bite, but my Volumex unit delivers the bark and the bite. This isn't just a race—it's a battle of heritage."

The two cars tore through a quick succession of left and right turns, the Levin's tail end flicking out occasionally as Ayaka pushed it to the limit. Clorinde's Lancia, by contrast, maintained a more grounded presence, its suspension absorbing the rough patches of the road with practiced ease.

The rain continued to fall, each droplet adding to the challenge of the race. The drivers' skill shone through as they controlled their machines with unwavering precision, every move calculated to perfection.

The intensity of the rivalry wasn't just about who had the faster car—it was about proving themselves as drivers, testing their limits, and leaving an indelible mark on the mountain pass. The Levin and the Lancia were more than machines; they were extensions of their drivers' wills.

And as they raced deeper into the treacherous course, one thing became clear: neither Ayaka nor Clorinde would back down without a fight.

The duel between Ayaka and Clorinde escalated with every passing second, their cars pushing the limits of physics on the rain-slicked mountain pass. Each driver was fully committed, their machines roaring defiantly against the relentless downpour.

At the Base

Kazuha's voice cut through the tension at the Speed Stars' base, updating Ayato on the unfolding drama.

"Your sister is still in the lead, but the Lancia is closing in fast," Kazuha reported, his tone both impressed and concerned.

Ayato, leaning against the hood of his car, raised a questioning eyebrow. Before he could speak, Kazuha adjusted his glasses, preemptively addressing his unspoken inquiry.

"I've been observing Clorinde's technique. When she raced Firefly last week, I noticed her method of throttle control—quick, rhythmic blips. It's not something you see every day, and I haven't figured out why she does it yet."

Ayato pondered this information for a moment before shifting the conversation. "But why a Lancia Rally 037? Of all the cars she could've chosen—FD RX-7s, R34 Skylines, Supras—why that? And how did she even get her hands on one? Those things are practically artifacts."

Kazuha tapped on his tablet, pulling up Clorinde's bio from the Team Speed Stars website. "It's not just any Lancia 037," he explained. "This car won the WRC Constructors' Championship back in '83. Its driver, who also won the Drivers' Title that year, was gifted this very car by Lancia. After his passing, it was handed down to his daughter—Clorinde."

He paused, removing his glasses to clean them as he continued. "She didn't spend $1.3 million on this car, Ayato. It's her father's heirloom."

Ayato's expression softened as understanding dawned on him. "Her father must've been a legend, then."

Kazuha shook his head. "Not quite. He avoided the spotlight, rarely gave interviews, and his face was almost never seen. Even his rally car's nameplates didn't display his name—just a Inazuman flag. Winning wasn't about fame for him. It was about the race."

Ayato chuckled, crossing his arms. "I get it. Staying out of the limelight must've been his way of protecting his family. Fame has its costs, after all."

Back on the Race. Ayaka and Clorinde pushed their cars to the edge as they barreled down a straightaway. The drain cover loomed ahead, barely visible through the sheets of rain. Ayaka's Levin hit it first, jolting her car and momentarily breaking her concentration. She wrestled the steering wheel, regaining control just in time.

Clorinde's Lancia hit the same cover a split second later, but its raised suspension absorbed the impact effortlessly, the car maintaining its composure.

Ayaka cursed under her breath. "That damn drain cover. If I'd hit it at a worse angle, I'd be in a spin right now."

Behind her, Clorinde's lips curled into a determined smile. "That's it. I've got the opening I need."

She downshifted, the Lancia's engine roaring as she slammed the accelerator. Flames spat from the exhaust as the tachometer needle surged to 8,500 RPM before she shifted to fourth gear. The sudden burst of speed closed the gap between her and Ayaka.

Ayaka's hands tightened on the wheel. "You're trying to rattle me, Clorinde. But I'm not cracking under pressure!"

A Watchful Eye from the sidelines, a lone figure with dark, purple-pink hair watched the race unfold. Her sharp eyes tracked the two cars as they slid through another hairpin, their rear tires barely clinging to the rain-slicked road.

She smirked, muttering under her breath, "Typical two-wheel drive cars. So delicate on bumps. FRs are just pathetic little clunkers."

The rain had transformed the mountain pass into an even more treacherous battleground, the roads slick and unforgiving. The two drivers, Ayaka and Clorinde, pushed their cars to the edge, their skills tested as they navigated through the storm.

Clorinde's Lancia 037 had been closing in on Ayaka's Eight-Six, inching closer with every turn. The battle was fierce, neither driver giving an inch, both determined to come out on top. But as the rain intensified, it began to blur the lines between control and chaos.

As they entered another sharp hairpin, Ayaka's visibility was reduced to near zero. The rain pounded relentlessly, and her heart raced in time with the erratic wipers. "I can't see shit in these conditions!" she muttered under her breath, frustration creeping in.

Out of nowhere, Ayaka braked earlier than expected, a move that caught Clorinde off guard. The Lancia's tires screamed in protest as Clorinde fought to avoid crashing into Ayaka's rear bumper. With a narrow margin, she slammed on the brakes just in time.

"Lucky! That's too close," Clorinde muttered, a mix of relief and tension in her voice.

But the race didn't slow down. As they continued through the mid-speed left-hand corner, Ayaka reached for her light switch to turn on the high beams, hoping to cut through the murk of the rain. That's when disaster struck. Ayaka hit a rain gutter, the impact sending her Levin into a wild spin.

Clorinde's eyes narrowed as the Eight-Six began its uncontrolled rotation. In a split-second decision, she hooked her Lancia's wheels to the inner gutters, narrowly avoiding Ayaka and racing ahead. Ayaka, fighting the spin, barely managed to stop the Levin inches from the outside wall.

In the midst of the chaos, Ayaka gripped the steering wheel tightly, feeling the surge of anger and frustration. The helplessness of the spin weighed on her as she slammed her palm on the wheel twice.

"Son of a bitch!" she shouted, her voice drowned by the roar of the rain.

As time ticks by. The two cars finally made it back to the base, the damp conditions reflecting the tense energy between the drivers. Ayaka stepped out of her Levin, frustration clear on her face. Clorinde, ever composed, approached her.

"Are you okay?" Clorinde asked with genuine concern, the earlier intensity of the race melting away into the quiet aftermath.

Ayaka nodded, though her jaw was clenched. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just adjusting my headlights when I hit that damn rain gutter. Took me by surprise."

Clorinde sighed, her gaze serious. "That was too close. If you'd been at a different angle, things could've gone very wrong. I'm glad you're alright."

Ayaka let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of the near-miss. "I know… I'm lucky I didn't crash."

Minutes later, Ayaka's teammates, Ayato and Kazuha, approached, their faces filled with concern. Ayaka let out a long breath, the tension finally beginning to ease.

"Well, guys… it's over," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "I spun and got passed. That's it."

Kazuha's eyebrows twitched, his disappointment clear. "It's over… we lost. All of it." He turned to glance at Clorinde's Lancia 037 and Collei's Eight-Six, both cars shining despite the rain. "But still… Team Speed Stars is one hell of a team. All the best in your future expeditions..."

The rain began to ease as the night wore on, but the storm in Ayaka's heart still raged. She had fought hard, but it wasn't enough this time. Team Speed Stars had secured another victory, total domination once again.

As the final moments of the night passed, Ayaka and her team stood together, the loss weighing heavily on their minds. But they knew one thing for sure: this battle was just one chapter in an ongoing rivalry that would continue to push them all to greater heights. The road would always call, and next time, they would be ready.