The Speed Of The Stars

As time ticks by at the summit, Collei and Seele await their group's arrival. The air is cool, carrying the faint hum of distant engines and the whisper of rustling leaves. Seele leans casually against her Devil Z, her expression calm but watchful. Meanwhile, Collei stands before the open hood of her Eight-Six, staring intently at its gleaming new heart. The freshly installed engine, a marvel of engineering, seems to hold secrets she's only beginning to uncover.

She mutters softly, her voice tinged with frustration, "Why did you keep your true potential hidden...?"

Collei sighs and facepalms, her thoughts racing. "God damn it, Dad... Why did you keep this from me in the first place?"

Her hand slides down her face, and she rests her arms on the frame of the engine bay, bowing her head as if seeking answers from the machine itself. "This is so stupid... Why?" she whispers.

Moments later, her demeanor shifts. She straightens slightly, her face now set in determination. "It doesn't matter," she declares firmly. "Once I find out how high it can really rev... Ayaka won't stand a chance with that Eight-Six of hers."

Right on cue, the sound of engines grows louder. Collei glances up, her focus drawn to the horizon. A convoy of cars emerges from the downhill. Leading the group is Beidou's imposing R32, its presence commanding attention. Close behind are March and Pela in March's sleek Supra. The cars roll to a stop, their engines purring in harmony. Then, as if to complete the procession, another vehicle appears—a striking Lancia 037, unmistakably Clorinde's, parks gracefully behind the Supra.

Seele straightens, her stance shifting from relaxed to poised. "Look who decided to join us today..." she remarks with a hint of amusement.

Collei, still leaning over the engine bay, casts a glance over her shoulder. A smirk tugs at her lips. "About damn time," she mutters under her breath.

The group gathers around the Eight-Six, curiosity drawing them to the open hood like moths to a flame. They peer inside, their eyes widening as they take in the sight of the engine—a piece of machinery that seems almost out of place in a car so unassuming.

Clorinde's eyes widen first, her tone laced with awe. "Is that... the new engine?"

Collei nods, her expression calm but proud. "Yeah... it is."

Seele leans against the car's left side, crossing her arms. "Incredible, isn't it?"

Beidou leans in closer, studying the engine with an expert's eye. "More than that! It's... it's a rarity!" She turns to Collei, her tone insistent. "Where did you even get this engine?"

Collei shrugs, shaking her head. "Don't know. That's a question you'd have to ask my father."

Clorinde chuckles softly, her admiration evident. "Well, whoever your dad's contact is, they're a keeper. This engine isn't something you see in normal road cars."

Pela, her analytical nature taking over, adjusts her glasses and nods. "I couldn't agree more. This isn't just any engine... It's a racing engine."

Collei's lips curl into a knowing smile. "I know. Seele told me this engine is a high-revving unit. Most likely hits the 10,000 RPM range."

The words hang in the air for a moment before everyone reacts at once. Beidou, Clorinde, March, and Pela all exclaim in unison, "A high-revving unit!? Ten thousand RPMs!?"

Collei nods confidently. "Yeah... that's what Seele said, anyway."

Pela rubs her chin thoughtfully, her mind working to piece things together. "If that's true, and this is a racing engine... it means this was built for TRD's Group A Corollas."

Collei's eyes widen. "Group A!?"

Pela nods firmly. "Yes. Group A, specifically for touring car racing."

Clorinde steps forward, her voice taking on the tone of a seasoned storyteller. "Let me explain. After Group B was banned, Group A was introduced to slow cars down and enforce stricter regulations. Because of the ban, cars like my Lancia 037 were no longer eligible for FIA competitions. Considering this is still a 1.6-liter engine, it falls into Division Two for touring cars. If I had to estimate, I'd say it's pushing somewhere between 250 and 300 horsepower."

Pela chimes in again, her voice steady and precise. "And there's more. This being a racing engine means it's not something you can just pick up from a dealership. Whoever sourced this engine for your father must have ties to professional racing teams. My guess? A racing driver."

Collei's eyes widen further. "It's really that good?"

Clorinde nods solemnly. "Yes. Maybe that's why you're struggling with those corners. You lack the power to maintain your drifts. This engine changes everything."

Collei looks to Beidou, determination etched into her face. "Beidou, can you help me find a tachometer? One that goes up to at least 13,000 RPMs."

Beidou smirks and nods. "I'll make some calls first thing tomorrow morning."

As the group finishes inspecting the Eight-Six's newfound heart, Collei straightens up, her expression unreadable. The air grows quiet as she speaks.

"There's more..." she says softly.

Everyone turns to face her, their curiosity reignited.

"Do you guys know a 'Kamisato Ayaka' by any chance?" Collei asks, her tone serious.

March nods, her brow furrowing slightly. "Yeah, I've heard of her. She's from Kannazuka. Despite being in her final year of senior high, she's an incredible driver. Especially on tight courses."

Collei bows her head slightly. "Just perfect. She came by the gas station this afternoon to fill up her Eight-Six Levin... and she invited me to race on her home course this Saturday."

Everyone's eyes widen again, the weight of her words sinking in. Beidou steps forward, her voice rising in intensity. "Seriously? She issued a challenge on her home course!? You know Tatrasuna is her territory, right?"

March steps forward as well, her expression a mix of concern and excitement. "Tatrasuna is similar to the mountains of Snezhnaya! If it were Clorinde's Lancia, sure, but this is an Eight-Six versus Eight-Six battle. It's not as agile as her Lancia!"

Collei nods, her voice steady and resolute. "I know. But I want to prove to all of you that I've changed... and that I'm faster than ever. That's why I accepted her challenge. I want to show you what I'm really capable of."

The group stands in silence, awestruck. Collei has thrown down the gauntlet, accepting a challenge that will test every ounce of her skill and determination.

The following morning at the gas station, it was business as usual. Customers came and went, filling up their tanks and grabbing snacks. But for Beidou, it was anything but ordinary. She was busy helping Collei track down a critical component for her car—a high-revving tachometer.

Standing outside with her phone in hand, Beidou had just hung up from the last local parts store she knew. She sighed, rubbing the back of her head in frustration as she stepped back into the store.

"What am I gonna do now? Collei really needs these parts…" she muttered, her voice tinged with worry.

She stopped in her tracks and groaned, pressing a hand to her face. "How am I going to explain this to Collei?"

From the couch in the corner, Lyney looked up from his phone. His relaxed demeanor contrasted sharply with Beidou's frantic energy.

"What are you looking for exactly?" he asked, tilting his head curiously.

Beidou spun around to face him, her brow furrowed. "I'm looking for a high-revving tachometer. It's for Collei's Eight-Six. She needs it to monitor her engine properly."

Lyney's eyes narrowed slightly. Internally, he mused, Looks like Collei finally discovered her engine revs higher than normal.

After a moment of thought, he smirked. "Let me call my sister. She might have what you need."

He pulled out his phone and dialed Lynette's number. It only rang once before she picked up.

"Hey, brother! How can I help?" Lynette's cheerful voice crackled through the line.

"Hey, sis," Lyney said. "I need a favor. Do you happen to have any high-revving tachometers in stock?"

Lynette laughed. "Oh, you're in luck. I've got one."

Lyney's eyes widened in amazement. "Really? Please don't be messing with me!"

"Of course I'm not lying," Lynette replied, still chuckling. "Arlecchino had these delivered when we swapped the engine in Collei's Eight-Six. It's not just a tachometer—it's a full set. Water temperature, oil pressure, oil temperature... you name it."

Lyney moved the phone away from his mouth to address Beidou, his excitement palpable. "This is incredible! These are exactly the parts Collei needs to unlock her Eight-Six's full potential!"

He returned to the call. "Perfect, Lynette! Can you get them here ASAP?"

Lynette smirked. "Of course. I'll drop by soon."

Beidou, reinvigorated by the news, quickly grabbed her phone and called Collei. The phone barely rang before Collei picked up.

"Collei!" Beidou exclaimed. "Bring your Eight-Six here, stat! We've got the parts coming right now!"

Collei didn't hesitate. She leapt out of bed, pulled on her sweater, and sprinted downstairs. After slipping into her flat shoes, she grabbed her keys and dashed out the door. Moments later, the Eight-Six roared to life, tires screeching as she sped out of the driveway.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow, the Eight-Six sat in the gas station's garage. Inside, Collei and Beidou worked diligently to install the new gauges. The Smiths tachometer, capable of reading up to 12,500 RPM, was now secured in place, alongside the water and oil gauges.

Beidou wiped her hands on a rag and smiled. "That's it, Collei! You're all set!"

Collei leaned back, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "Phew… That's finally done. Good thing it came with clear instructions."

Beidou nodded, but her expression turned serious as she glanced at the Eight-Six's engine. "Just remember, Collei, even though it's a high-revving engine, it's not indestructible. Until you figure out its redline, you're working with sealed potential."

Collei smirked confidently. "That's not a problem. My father knows its redline."

As Collei joined the others outside the garage, Amber approached her eagerly.

"So, is the seal finally unlocked?" Amber asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Collei shook her head. "Not yet. I need to find out its redline first."

Clorinde, leaning against the wall, chimed in. "These engines don't come with hard-cut limiters. They'll keep revving until they can't anymore. Group A touring engines are built to push boundaries, but they're not invincible."

Right on cue, the growl of an approaching engine filled the air. Everyone turned to see a familiar Eight-Six Levin pulling into the station. The driver stepped out gracefully, her presence commanding attention.

March gasped. "It's… It's Ayaka!"

Collei's eyes narrowed as Ayaka approached, her heels clicking softly against the pavement. Without hesitation, Collei stepped forward to meet her. The two stood face-to-face, the tension between them electric.

Ayaka smirked, her gaze sharp. "Just thought I'd swing by to see if you'd changed your mind. But judging by your car, it looks like you're ready for our little race tonight."

Collei's lips curled into a determined smile. "Of course I'm ready. I've been waiting to take you on."

Ayaka chuckled softly. "Good. I'll see you in Tatrasuna."

She turned and walked back to her car. The Levin's engine roared to life, its wastegate hissing sharply as Ayaka sped off into the night, leaving a trail of adrenaline in her wake.

Collei clenched her fists, her resolve stronger than ever. "It's time to show her what the Eight-Six can really do."

That night, Collei arrived at Arlecchino's house. The air was cool, carrying a faint hint of rain. She pulled up to the front of the imposing house in her sleek car and turned off the engine. The headlights cut out, leaving the driveway bathed in dim porchlight. Taking a moment to gather herself, Collei stepped out of the car and adjusted her jacket, the sound of gravel crunching beneath her boots as she approached the door.

Inside, Arlecchino was leaning casually against the doorframe, her sharp eyes glinting with curiosity as she watched Collei approach. Before Collei could knock, Arlecchino pushed the door open with a creak.

"Hey, kid," Arlecchino greeted, her voice smooth and unhurried. "What's on your mind?"

Collei hesitated for a moment, her green eyes scanning Arlecchino's face as if searching for reassurance. Finally, she took a deep breath, holding it for a beat before letting it out slowly. "Dad… may I tell you something?" Her voice was steady, though there was a faint edge of nervousness.

Arlecchino nodded, her expression softening just slightly. "Sure thing, kid. What's going on?"

Collei squared her shoulders, looking determined. "Alright... just to let you know," she began, her tone growing more resolute with each word. "I'm racing someone later. I installed a tachometer in the Eight-Six, but now I need to know… how high should the engine rev?"

Arlecchino's lips curved into a knowing smirk. Inwardly, she was impressed. "Looks like she's learned about the engine. Time to unlock the seal.." she thought, pride flickering behind her cool demeanor. It was time to unlock the secret she'd been keeping. She stepped closer to Collei, lowering her voice slightly, as if revealing a long-guarded truth.

"You'll want to rev it up to 11,000 RPM's," Arlecchino said, her tone calm but firm.

Collei's eyes widened, her jaw dropping slightly. For a moment, she was utterly speechless. "Eleven… eleven thousand?!" she stammered, disbelief coloring her voice.

Arlecchino's smirk widened into a grin. She placed a hand on Collei's shoulder, her grip firm but encouraging. "Don't you dare lose this one," she said, her tone a mix of challenge and support. Then, without another word, she turned and walked back into the house, the door clicking shut behind her.

Left alone in the driveway, Collei turned to face her car. The Eight-Six gleamed under the dim light, its presence a reminder of the challenge ahead. She ran a hand through her hair, still trying to process what Arlecchino had just told her. "Eleven… eleven thousand," she repeated, the words barely a whisper.

Later that night, the sound of engines filled the air as a convoy of cars roared down the expressway. The Eight-Six led the pack, its taillights glowing like embers in the dark. Behind it followed an eclectic lineup: a Lancia, an R32 Skyline, a Supra, and the infamous Devil Z. Together, they cut through the night, their headlights slicing through the darkness as they raced toward the Prefecture of Kannazuka.

The clock struck 9:45 PM as the convoy reached its destination: the Tatrasuna Pass in Tatrasuna. The narrow, twisting road stretched ahead of them like a coiled serpent, its path shrouded in shadows. It was the kind of course that tested not just skill, but nerve.

Collei stepped out of her car and surveyed the road, a faint frown tugging at her lips. "What the hell is this course?" she muttered under her breath. "It's so narrow… a second car wouldn't even fit!"

Amber, leaning against her Supra, shook her head in agreement. "I know, right? This feels like one of Snezhnaya's rally stages in the mountains," she said with a grin, though her tone held a trace of unease.

Collei nodded, her gaze still fixed on the daunting course. "It's not just narrow," she added. "It's a mix of uphills and downhills… not a huge slope difference, but enough to make things interesting." Her voice trailed off as she mentally mapped out the course ahead.

The convoy eventually reached the summit of the pass, where a lone car was waiting. It was another Eight-Six, its sleek silhouette illuminated by the faint glow of moonlight. Standing beside it was Ayaka, her calm and composed demeanor belying the fierce determination in her eyes.

This was it—the moment Collei had been preparing for. The true potential of her Eight-Six would finally be tested against Ayaka's. The question lingered in the air like an unspoken challenge: Was it as good as everyone said?