April.
A new month had begun.
The air felt different—lighter, warmer. Spring settling in.
It was the first Friday of the month.
End of the weekday.
Classes had just been dismissed.
The campus buzzed faintly with life, but not in the usual structured rhythm of lectures and bells. Instead, it was the kind of energy that came before a weekend—looser, more alive.
Because Sunday…
Was the Osaka Hai.
A G1 race.
For many Umamusume, that meant one thing:
Preparation.
Focus.
Pressure.
Even now, the training tracks in Tracen Academy were still active.
Pairs sprinting down lanes.
Others working on pacing.
Some drilling starts again and again.
But away from all that—
The Ritto Dormitory parking area sat in contrast.
Quiet.
Calm.
Only a handful of cars rested under the midday sun.
Among them—
Mayano Top Gun's De Tomaso Pantera GT5-S
Silence Suzuka's red NSX
Gold City's GT40 Mk II
King Halo's R32 GT-R
And Daiwa Scarlet's Cyber Gray Corvette C6 ZR1
The dorm entrance doors slid open.
Click.
Heels tapped lightly against the brick pavement.
King Halo stepped out, posture straight as ever, her gaze already drifting toward the lot.
It didn't take long for her to notice.
A small group gathered.
She adjusted her stride and walked toward them.
At the center—
The Corvette.
Its hood raised.
Standing around it were Gold City, Suzuka, and Daiwa Scarlet.
All three focused on the engine bay.
Gold City rested her hand along the top edge of the hood, leaning slightly forward as she examined the setup.
"Geez… no wonder you can't lay down the power."
She glanced deeper into the engine bay, eyes narrowing slightly.
"This is some serious work that's been done."
Suzuka nodded beside her, arms lightly crossed.
"This isn't just a modified car anymore…"
She tilted her head slightly, studying the layout.
"This is a full build, Daiwa."
Daiwa let out a dry chuckle, scratching the back of her head.
"Heh… did I go a bit overboard?"
Suzuka smiled faintly.
"It depends on what you're aiming for."
Gold City nodded, shifting her stance and placing both hands on the fender. She gave it a light push, feeling the suspension response.
"Yeah… what are you chasing?"
She looked directly at Daiwa.
"Handling? Or straight-line speed?"
Daiwa exhaled, moving to the other side and pressing down on her own fender.
"You saw it yesterday, right?"
Her tone turned more serious.
"The way it just spins… even in third gear."
Gold City nodded immediately.
"From what Mayano said… yeah."
She smirked slightly.
"That's not normal unless you're pushing serious power."
Daiwa leaned in and pointed toward the front of the engine.
At the belt system.
At the ProCharger unit.
"I can swap the pulley."
She tapped it lightly.
"Bigger pulley. Lower boost."
She straightened up.
"It's the recommended way to calm it down anyway."
A voice joined from behind.
"Does the kit come with different pulley sizes?"
All three turned.
King Halo had arrived.
Suzuka gave a small nod of acknowledgment.
"Greetings to you too, Halo-san."
King Halo stepped in beside Gold City, leaning slightly to peer into the engine bay.
"So…"
Her eyes scanned the components carefully.
"What do you all think of Daiwa's Corvette?"
Gold City raised an eyebrow and turned toward her.
"Wait… you knew about this all along?"
King Halo chuckled softly, one ear flicking.
"Heh… pretty much."
She crossed her arms.
"But I'll admit…"
Her gaze returned to the car.
"I was surprised Scarlet chose a C6 ZR1 of all things."
Daiwa laughed lightly.
"I still remember your face when I told you."
King Halo shook her head.
"I wasn't just surprised by the car."
She smirked slightly.
"I was more surprised by your inspiration."
Daiwa shrugged.
"Yeah… Tachyon."
She looked down briefly, then back at the car.
"It's hard to explain… but when I saw her drive that S30Z…"
Her expression softened.
"There was something about it."
"Something that just… stuck."
Gold City chuckled, covering her mouth slightly.
"I get that."
She leaned back against the car.
"The reason I started driving seriously…"
She glanced off to the side.
"Was because of Maruzensky."
Daiwa raised an eyebrow immediately.
"Maruzensky? Please."
She rolled her eyes, though there was no real bite behind it.
"She drives that Countach like it's going to explode half the time."
A small laugh escaped her.
"At this point she might have the highest mileage Countach in the world."
Suzuka laughed softly.
"That wouldn't surprise me."
Then she added, more thoughtfully—
"But still…"
She looked between them.
"Maruzensky was one of the first."
"The one who really started the connection between Umamusume… and cars."
For a brief moment—
The group fell quiet.
The Corvette's engine ticked softly as it cooled.
Metal expanding… contracting…
A reminder.
Every one of them—
Started somewhere.
And now—
They were here.
Standing around a machine that had clearly gone too far—
And not far enough at the same time.
Gold City pushed off the fender and crossed her arms.
"So here's the real question, Daiwa."
She smirked slightly.
"You gonna tame it?"
"Or are you gonna learn how to control it as it is?"
Daiwa looked at her Corvette.
Then at the ProCharger.
Then back at the group.
A small grin formed.
"Heh…"
"Why not both?"
King Halo chuckled softly.
Then, almost absentmindedly, she glanced over her shoulder.
Parked quietly a short distance behind them—almost as if they didn't want attention—were two cars.
A Dark Blue Mica Metallic Toyota Century G50.
And beside it…
A 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback.
They couldn't have been more different.
One radiated quiet authority—long, boxy, dignified. The kind of car that didn't need to prove anything.
The other—
Low, aggressive, and timeless. Pure muscle.
King Halo tilted her head slightly, eyes lingering on the Century.
"Huh… wonder who owns that Century."
Before anyone could answer—
A voice suddenly rang out across the parking area.
"Ignore that Century! Look at this Mustang Fastback!"
King Halo and the others turned toward the source.
Walking along the pathway from the dorm entrance—hands casually at her sides—was Mayano Top Gun, already locked onto the Mustang like it had completely stolen her attention.
Daiwa Scarlet reached forward and released the hood latch of her Corvette. The hood slowly lowered as she guided it down carefully before pressing firmly along the edge—
Click.
Locked.
The three of them stepped away from the Corvette and walked toward Mayano, who was now leaning slightly forward, peering through the driver-side window of the Mustang.
Mayano's eyes moved across the interior, scanning every detail.
"This is really clean for a Mustang…"
Her voice carried a mix of admiration and disbelief.
She straightened up and turned her head toward the others, who had now gathered behind her.
"Wonder who owns this."
Gold City shrugged casually, slipping her hands into her coat pockets.
"Could be anyone."
Silence Suzuka, however, shifted her gaze toward the Century instead.
"This Century though… is owned by Mejiro McQueen."
King Halo smirked, crossing her arms as she let out a quiet hum.
"No surprise there… A Toyota Century fits someone like McQueen perfectly."
Mayano turned around fully now, one hand resting on her hip.
"What about that Aston Martin parked at the far edge of the lot?"
Suzuka answered almost immediately.
"That's T.M. Opera O's car."
Mayano's eyes widened.
"Really?!"
Suzuka gave a small, calm nod.
Mayano looked down slightly, thinking, arms settling on her hips.
"Huh… I always thought McQueen would own something like that."
She lifted her head again, looking back at Suzuka.
"How about that Porsche 930 Turbo… the one with the F1 engine?"
Suzuka raised an eyebrow.
"The TAG Turbo Porsche?"
Mayano nodded eagerly.
"Yeah! The one with the Formula One engine!"
She tapped her chin lightly.
"You think Mejiro Ramonu owns it?"
Suzuka shook her head.
"No."
She raised her hand and pointed across the parking area.
"That white one over there—parked beside Teio's R34."
Everyone's gaze followed her finger.
"That's Mr. C.B's TAG Turbo. One of eleven built by Lanzante."
Mayano scratched the back of her head.
"Jeez… is Mr. C.B that rich?"
King Halo chuckled, her ears flicking slightly.
"Aren't we all? With how often we race during our prime years?"
Mayano laughed.
"Haha… yeah… I guess you could say that."
Her attention drifted back to the Mustang almost immediately.
She stepped closer again, eyes scanning it with renewed curiosity.
"But still… a Mustang in this condition is really quite rare here in Japan."
Gold City stepped forward, moving toward the front of the car before lowering herself into a crouch.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied the finer details.
The grille—
She paused.
Not stock.
Mesh grille. Clean. Purposeful.
She slowly stood back up and walked along the front quarter panel, fingertips hovering just above the paint as if afraid to touch it.
Then her gaze dropped to the wheels.
American Racing Torq Thrusts.
Period-correct.
Not replicas. The real thing.
She stopped walking.
The sunlight reflected off the Highland Green paint, the clear coat giving it a deep, almost liquid shine under the afternoon sun.
Gold City's expression changed.
Her mouth parted slightly.
Her eyes sharpened.
This wasn't just a well-kept Mustang.
This was specific.
Deliberate.
Recognizable.
Her lips twitched as realization began to set in.
Gold City's eyes lingered on the Mustang, taking in every curve and line. Her voice broke the quiet.
"Is it just me… or does this thing look like Steve McQueen's Bullitt Mustang from the film?"
King Halo raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly.
"Huh?"
Gold City pointed subtly toward the stance, the way the tires filled the wheel arches, the low, aggressive profile of the car.
"Apart from the fact that it sits a little lower and has slightly wider wheels… this looks exactly like the Mustang from the film." She crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "Every line, every detail… it's uncanny."
King Halo walked up beside her, shoulders brushing slightly as she leaned forward to inspect the car more closely.
"Not gonna lie…" she said, glancing sideways at Gold City. "You're right."
Mayano Top Gun smirked, a hint of mischief in her tone.
"You think Mejiro McQueen owns this Mustang too?"
Gold City laughed softly, shaking her head.
"If you're implying Steve McQueen and Mejiro McQueen are connected just because their names end in McQueen… you might as well connect Lightning McQueen to them too."
King Halo covered her mouth, holding back a laugh as her ears flicked nervously. Suzuka let out a soft, amused chuckle.
"I think it's just a coincidence," Suzuka added calmly.
King Halo shook her head, letting out a quiet sigh as she stepped back.
"So… remind me again why we're all gathered here?"
Daiwa Scarlet, who had stayed silent for most of the conversation, finally spoke up, her tone matter-of-fact but tinged with excitement.
"Mayano tuned the gearing on her Pantera. She wants to see her top speed on the Bayshore route again."
Mayano nodded firmly, her eyes narrowing with determination.
"I'm not satisfied with our run a couple weeks ago!"
King Halo chuckled, a soft grin crossing her face.
"Mind if I join along for the challenge?"
Mayano turned toward her, smirking.
"Of course, Halo. As a matter of fact… I want to go against the handling of your R32!"
King Halo blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
She leaned slightly toward Suzuka, lowering her voice as she whispered just loud enough for her to hear.
"You think she has a shot?"
Suzuka shook her head subtly, whispering in return.
"Absolutely not…"
Mayano, unaware of the quiet exchange, turned back toward the cars, already moving.
"Well… shall we head out?"
King Halo, Gold City, and Suzuka exchanged glances. Each nodded, the silent agreement clear.
Gold City broke the quiet with a nod.
"Then let's head out."
Suzuka stepped closer to Gold City, tilting her head slightly.
"Mind if I ride with you?"
Gold City smiled faintly.
"No. Not at all. Help yourself."
They all began moving toward their respective cars.
King Halo approached her Kyoseki Green R32 and slid into the driver's seat, closing the door with a firm, satisfying thud. She inserted the ignition key, twisting it slowly.
The RB26DETT roared to life immediately, a deep, throaty growl that seemed to vibrate through the seat. Halo settled herself, tugging her shoulder harness down until it clicked firmly in place.
Gold City sat in her GT40, eyes briefly flicking to the Mustang to her right.
She let out a small, contemplative sigh, voice barely above a whisper.
"McQueen… one Steve… one Mejiro…"
Her eyes narrowed as she studied the car, thoughts racing.
"Although they're both McQueens… surely Mejiro McQueen doesn't know Steve McQueen, right? Or… maybe she's taking this same-name thing to a whole new level."
She shook her head decisively.
"Nah… I'm thinking too much."
Suzuka glanced at her, concern in her eyes.
"Are you alright, City?"
Gold City jumped slightly, stopped by the shoulder harness and nearly bumping her head against the roof.
She shook her head quickly, forcing a small smile.
"N-no! I-I'm fine!"
Right on cue, Mayano's Pantera rolled forward, tires crunching slightly against the asphalt as she guided it toward the exit.
Gold City slid her hand over the gear lever, gently pulling it left and down.
She released the clutch slowly, and the GT40 began moving, inch by inch, revs building steadily as she matched Mayano's pace.
She eased the wheel to the right, aligning herself alongside Mayano, following her lead toward the exit.
King Halo fell in line behind the GT40, settling into position at the tail of the small convoy.
The group exited the parking area, merging smoothly into the city streets. Engines hummed and purred, tires whispering over asphalt as they picked up the rhythm of the road.
The air was filled with the subtle scent of fuel and rubber.
Every turn, every lane change was precise, deliberate—a prelude to the run they were about to unleash on the Bayshore.
With a shared glance in their rearview mirrors, the five cars slid through the city streets, weaving between light traffic, the anticipation thick in the air.
Ahead loomed the entrance to the Shuto Expressway—their stage.
The weekend was just beginning, and the Bayshore route stretched ahead like a ribbon of asphalt, waiting to test their skill and courage.
Time passed quickly as the group cruised steadily through the city streets, gradually closing the distance to the start of the Bayshore.
The engines hummed a low, impatient growl, waiting for the moment they could truly stretch their legs.
They wound through Ryogoku, heading east, then curved south toward Kasai.
Mayano Top Gun held the lead, her Pantera's sleek body cutting through the wind.
Behind her, Gold City followed closely in her GT40, Suzuka riding shotgun.
Daiwa Scarlet's Cyber Grey Corvette C6 ZR1 brought up the middle of the pack.
And at the tail, King Halo's Kyoseki Green R32 GT-R glided with precision, waiting for the right moment to make her move.
Earlier, on the tight, windy roads between Shiodome and Ryogoku, a brief but intense skirmish had taken place.
The cars danced through hairpins and quick S-bends, each driver testing the limits of their machines. King Halo's R32 had surged ahead at one point, briefly taking the lead, only to be challenged by Mayano's Pantera and Gold City's GT40.
The battle had been close, almost theatrical in its intensity, leaving nothing to be desired.
Gold City glanced at Suzuka, her brow furrowed with curiosity.
"What do you think about Mayano's suspension setup?" she asked quietly.
Suzuka shook her head.
"Well… it's not really fair to compare Halo's R32 and Mayano's Pantera."
Gold City let out a soft sigh.
"Fair point. Halo's R32 has the ATESSA E-TS system. Practically an all-wheel drive car with torque vectoring. It's almost cheating on these streets."
Suzuka nodded, her gaze following the Pantera ahead.
"That's right, City. But you're thinking something else, aren't you?"
Gold City's eyes narrowed, fixed on the green Pantera.
"You think whoever owns that Highland Green Mustang might be a better comparison?"
Suzuka raised an eyebrow.
"Huh?"
Gold City pointed subtly toward the dorm parking lot in her mind, recalling the Mustang they had all noticed earlier.
"It's parked in the dorm parking lot, isn't it? Makes sense a fellow Uma owns it. Similar style, similar discipline. Could be an interesting comparison to the Pantera."
Suzuka's lips curved into a small smile.
"Fair point."
Gold City leaned back slightly in her seat, crossing her arms.
"Yeah… that would be a fair comparison."
As they continued along the straight, the sound of an engine humming at medium-range RPMs echoed faintly from the barriers.
Gold City's ears perked up, and she glanced at her side mirror.
"What the hell is that?"
Then, slowly passing them on the fast lane, a low-slung, aerodynamic body came into view—a car that seemed almost unreal in its presence.
Its Gulf livery glinted under the afternoon sun, a brilliant combination of powder blue and orange that had dominated endurance races in the 1970s.
Gold City blinked, barely believing her eyes.
"Whoa… would you look at that…"
Suzuka's eyes widened, a mix of awe and disbelief.
"Yeah… a Porsche 917."
She chuckled softly, glancing at the license plate.
"And crazy… it even has a license plate."
The 917K slowly overtook Mayano, its engine burbling like a beast restrained just enough to stay under control. Mayano's Pantera blinked once, headlights flicking up as if to signal her own defiance.
Then, she tapped the turn signal toward the fast lane, a silent challenge.
Gold City's eyes widened in alarm.
"Don't do it, Mayano… don't do it…"
The Pantera's headlights flickered.
She shook her head, glancing at Suzuka beside her.
"She did not…"
Suzuka sighed, a resigned tone in her voice.
"She did."
The 917K downshifted deliberately, one gear at a time.
Fifth to fourth, fourth to third, third to second.
Each blip of the throttle was precise, each change a prelude to the storm about to be unleashed.
The tachometer danced just past 6,000 RPM, teetering on the edge of the limit.
Then, with an almost violent surge, the 917K floored it. The car leapt forward like a predator unleashed.
Mayano slammed her foot down on the gas, her Pantera roaring in defiance, tires spinning as she struggled to find grip.
Gold City and King Halo fell in behind, pushing their cars to match the challenge.
Daiwa Scarlet's ZR1 fought desperately, her foot dancing on the throttle as the procharged V8 fought for traction. Second, third—every gear was a battle between power and control.
King Halo muttered under her breath as she upshifted from third to fourth, frustration and awe mingling.
"God damn it, Mayano! Of all the cars you could challenge… it had to be a Group 4-class Le Mans race car."
She exhaled sharply, eyes glued to the Pantera and the 917 ahead.
"I don't even think Gold City's GT40 can catch up!"
The convoy hurtled down the straightaway toward Kasai, every car screaming at the edge of its mechanical limits.
Engines roared in harmony, tires squealed against the asphalt, and wind howled past open windows. Positions remained unchanged—the 917 led, flawless in its execution, with Mayano's Pantera, Gold City's GT40, and King Halo's R32 tailing closely, while Daiwa's Corvette battled for grip behind them.
Finally, the line of cars approached Tatsumi. The urban landscape blurred into streaks of color, streetlights reflecting on glossy paint and polished metal.
The stretch ahead was wide but fleeting, a temporary reprieve before the Bayshore would open fully for the next challenge.
The Tatsumi car park was unusually quiet for a weekend, the kind of calm that always preceded chaos. Only a few cars were scattered across the asphalt, parked neatly in their slots.
Among them were Sakura Chiyono O's Rosso Bia Aventador SVJ. Its engine softly idling, the low growl of its Italian V12 mingling in the air.
Chiyono scratched the back of her head, slightly nervous.
"Y-You want to drive my SVJ, Maruzen-san?" she asked, shifting her weight.
Maruzensky smiled, though still careful to respect Chiyono's hesitation.
"That is, of course, if you want to. I'm not forcing you if you don't."
Chiyono waved her hands dismissively, her ears flicking nervously.
"N-No! I'd love your input, of course! I… I just want to see if a twin-turbo setup is viable."
Maruzensky chuckled, tilting her head slightly.
"A twin-turbo setup is of course viable! It depends on what you're chasing." She raised a finger for emphasis.
"Do you want it for handling… or for straight-line speed?"
Chiyono's ears flushed slightly as she considered it, unsure how to respond.
Before they could continue, the distinct roar of multiple engines cut through the calm.
A symphony of Flat-12s, V8s, and a lone inline-six thundered in the distance.
The five cars. A 917K, Pantera, GT40, ZR1, and R32—blazed past the guardrail at high speeds, entering the Bayshore route.
Chiyono leaned forward, eyes wide.
"Whoa! Look at that!"
she gasped, pointing.
"Is that… Halo-san's R32?"
Maruzensky nodded sharply.
"Yes. Let's not waste time—let's go!"
Chiyono took a deep breath and nodded.
Maruzensky swiftly reached for the scissor door of the Aventador, lifting it with a practiced motion and sliding in.
Chiyono almost slipped past the front of the car but caught herself and climbed into the passenger side, pulling the door down and securing her harness.
Maruzensky glanced at the ANIMA drive selector on the center console.
CORSA.
She then glanced at the Gauge Cluster.
ESC OFF.
Her eyes narrowed, confidence flaring.
Left foot planted on the brake,
Right heel on the gas pedal.
She mashed it to the floor, sending the Aventador's V12 into a violent growl.
RPMs climbed past 5,000, and a new alert flashed across the digital cluster:
THRUST MODE AVAILABLE
The Aventador shuddered violently as all four wheels spun briefly, clawing at the asphalt.
The SVJ launched from the parking slot with unrelenting force.
Maruzensky rowed through the gears:
First…
Second…
Third…
Fourth…
The roar of the engine reverberating through the air.
They merged onto the main road—the Bayshore route itself. The race was on.
Ahead, the Porsche 917K was already stretching its lead, clearly exceeding 300 km/h.
Mayano's Pantera was pushing the new gear ratios to their limits, approaching 300 km/h, but the gap remained.
Gold City, seeing an opportunity, moved out of the slipstream.
Her GT40 surged to 300 km/h and slowly overtook the Pantera, her car's weight and torque proving decisive on the straight.
King Halo's R32 steadily closed in on Mayano, the ATESSA E-TS system keeping her planted despite the high-speed turbulence.
"Come on! Really?!" Mayano muttered under her breath, hands tight on the wheel.
They entered a tunnel, the sound of roaring engines amplified and bouncing off the walls, creating an almost deafening cacophony.
Emerging from the tunnel, they approached a wide left-hand turn.
The 917K decelerated too early, breaking traction slightly, while Gold City's GT40 maintained acceleration, closing the gap with surgical precision.
Gold City stomped the brakes just in time, locking up the fronts momentarily.
Mayano followed suit, the Pantera's nose dipping as the right fronts locked up under heavy braking.
King Halo held her foot down until the last possible moment, then slammed on her brake, feeling the R32's rear end settle perfectly into the corner.
The 917K and GT40 navigated the turn at a controlled pace, both slightly below 300 km/h, with Mayano's Pantera tucked closely behind Gold City.
Daiwa Scarlet's Corvette used its superior power to maintain pace, braking in sync with Gold City.
King Halo emerged fully caught up, now trailing just behind Mayano's rear spoiler.
Out of the turn, feet returned to the pedals. Speeds skyrocketed again as they weaved through light traffic.
The 917K pulled ahead with alarming efficiency, its aerodynamic body slicing through the wind, while Gold City's GT40 strained to match, torque bleeding into the asphalt as tires screamed.
King Halo brushed a strand of hair from her face, noticing movement in her rearview mirror. A red Aventador was closing rapidly.
Her jaw dropped slightly.
"Ch-Chiyono-chan?!"
Through Tokai, Haneda, Kawasaki Ukishima, and Higashiogishima, the line of cars stretched across the Bayshore.
They exited tunnels at full speed, engines screaming in unison.
The 917K and GT40 were far ahead, leaving Daiwa Scarlet, Mayano Top Gun, King Halo, Maruzensky, and Chiyono O multiple car lengths behind.
The fight had now become a contest of pure Le Mans-class machinery.
They crested a slight uphill stretch. The 917K's speed bled off slightly, while Gold City's GT40, aided by torque and low-end acceleration, drew alongside the 917's tail.
The crest dipped, allowing the GT40 to surge, reaching its top speed—345 km/h.
The 917K responded immediately, its 4.9-liter flat-12 screaming past 350 km/h, nearly 360 km/h.
"Come on! Come on!" Gold City urged herself, foot pinned to the pedal.
Suzuka shook her head beside her.
"Not enough top speed, Gold City… let it go."
Gold City shook her head fiercely, determination burning in her eyes.
"No! I won't! I can still catch up!"
But despite her effort, she gained only one more kilometer on the 917K. The Porsche's raw performance was untouchable at these speeds.
Finally, as they neared the bridge to Daikoku, the 917K eased over to the slow lane, braking smoothly. The chase was over.
It was a clear.
An undeniable victory for the 917K driver—a performance that left every other car trailing in awe.
Gold City eased off the throttle and moved her GT40 into the slow lane, letting the roaring 917K pull ahead and settle into a steady pace.
She exhaled sharply, letting the tension from the high-speed chase drain from her shoulders.
Suzuka, sitting calmly beside her, immediately understood the signal. She pulled out her phone and quickly texted Daiwa, Halo, and Mayano:
"We're following the 917K into Daikoku PA."
For a moment, there were no replies. Gold City's ears flicked in mild frustration. The silence was quickly broken by a ping.
King Halo's message appeared:
"Got it. Also, Chiyono O—and maybe even Maruzensky—are trailing behind us too. Seems like they joined the race, but from your speed, you left them in the dust along with us."
Mayano Top Gun replied almost immediately, a simple thumbs-up emoji.
Suzuka tucked her phone away with a small smile.
"They're en route to Daikoku. We should be the first to get there."
Gold City exhaled again, this time in relief mixed with lingering adrenaline.
"Man… that was tough," she muttered, shaking her head.
Suzuka chuckled softly. "You were up against a whole new type of Le Mans prototype. The 917K's speed advantage alone—plus weight distribution and drag coefficient—is far superior to anything we've thrown at it today."
Gold City nodded, shoulders sagging slightly. "Fair point. Still… I feel like I could have pushed a little harder."
The two cars exited the Shuto Expressway and descended toward the Daikoku Parking Area. The lot was unusually quiet for a weekend; no tuners, no classics, no exotics. Only them. The silence made the roar of their engines echo as they approached.
Gold City chose a parking spot near the restaurant, a convenient vantage point to observe the others.
The 917K, almost regal in its presence, glided past and parked farther down the line, the Gulf-livery paint glinting under the afternoon sun.
It didn't take long before the remaining cars arrived—Mayano's Pantera, Daiwa Scarlet's C6 ZR1, King Halo's R32, Maruzensky's Countach, and Chiyono O's SVJ. The five drivers moved with a mix of exhaustion and excitement, converging at the GT40.
Gold City cut her engine, the soft rumble fading into silence. She pushed the door open, unbuckled her racing harness, and slid one leg over the sill, stepping out onto the asphalt. Suzuka followed smoothly, closing her door behind her with a soft click.
King Halo approached, the heels of her boots clicking lightly on the concrete. She placed a hand on her hip and arched an eyebrow.
"So… who won?"
Gold City motioned subtly toward the 917K, still idling a few meters away, its engine a low, steady growl.
"The Porsche," she said simply.
Daiwa Scarlet arrived from behind Halo, ears flicking with amusement. "No surprise there. That 917K has some serious top-end speed."
Chiyono O, followed by Maruzensky and Mayano, joined them, walking casually across the lot. Her ears twitched with excitement.
"Of course!" Chiyono exclaimed. "The 917K has a higher top speed—around 360 km/h, if I remember correctly from my… Chiyonotes."
Mayano chuckled. "Chiyonotes?"
Maruzensky smirked. "Her way of saying notes."
The trio stopped in front of the GT40, glancing at the Porsche 917K like it was an alien creature.
Maruzensky crossed her arms, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Seriously though… who's insane enough to drive a $25 million Le Mans race car on public roads?"
Daiwa Scarlet nodded solemnly. "And have it road legal."
Maruzensky turned sharply toward her, ears twitching in incredulity.
"You're not serious."
Daiwa met her gaze directly, unwavering.
"I am serious."
Gold City raised a single finger, signaling a pause.
"Okay… this is getting weird."
She began counting on her fingers, each point punctuated by a sigh.
"Steve McQueen's Bullitt Mustang…"
Another finger,
"Porsche 917K…"
Suzuka arched an eyebrow, lips quirking.
"What are you trying to imply, Gold City?"
Gold City looked at her, eyes narrowing.
"What I'm trying to say… is that today is just a weird day. That's all. These… Steve McQueen coincidences are seriously hurting my head."
Then.
The 917K's engine abruptly fell silent, the last vibration of its exhaust fading into the afternoon air.
The group turned toward the Porsche, anticipation and disbelief thick in the air.
Slowly, the dihedral doors lifted.
The driver was revealed.
Tails stiffened.
Ears snapped upright.
Jaws dropped.
Gold City blinked multiple times, unable to process what she was seeing.
"What…"
Daiwa Scarlet rubbed her right eye, as if doing so might make the illusion vanish.
"Is it me," she muttered, voice trembling, "or does the driver look like… Mejiro McQueen?"
Maruzensky squinted at the Porsche's cockpit, then her eyes widened, confirming what none of them wanted to believe.
"No… you're not mistaken."
The group slowly approached, each step measured, hearts pounding from equal parts exhilaration and disbelief.
Inside the 917K, Mejiro McQueen removed the earplugs from her ears and rested them carefully on the lightweight carbon-fiber Alcantara dashboard.
Her ears twitched as she felt the approach of footsteps. She remained perfectly still, harness secure, a composed predator in the cockpit.
Maruzensky was the first to reach the car. She rested a hand on the roof and leaned in.
"Alright, McQueen," she said, voice steady but edged with incredulity, "explain."
Mejiro McQueen smirked, calm and unflinching.
"What else is there to say, Maruzen? A 917K, isn't it?"
Gold City face-palmed, exhaling through her teeth.
"You're… suggesting… this is some kind of homage to Steve McQueen?"
Mejiro McQueen nodded once, without a word.
Gold City's eyes widened so fast they almost seemed to pop out of her sockets.
"No… no way…"
Maruzensky stepped back slightly, giving her friends space as the tension mounted.
Gold City crouched by the driver's side door, her tail flicking nervously.
"Don't tell me… you own that Mustang parked next to your Century, McQueen."
Mejiro chuckled softly, a glint of pride in her eyes.
"That I do, Gold City-san."
Gold City turned away from the group, massaging her temples.
"What the hell did I say? I knew something was off about today…"
Maruzensky crouched beside her, a teasing smile on her face.
"Kaichou usually does this, but… I'll do it on her behalf." She extended a hand. "You are officially… Miss Cool."
Mejiro McQueen shook Maruzensky's hand firmly, the hint of a grin playing on her lips.
"Thank you, Maruzen."
Maruzensky leaned in slightly, whispering conspiratorially.
"Seriously… aren't you terrified of this thing? And… how on earth do you even have one?"
Mejiro placed one hand firmly on the steering wheel, the other resting casually on the gear lever.
"Well," she began, her voice steady, "of course. An auction." She allowed herself a small, proud smile. "This… is the very 917K featured in the Le Mans film."
Mayano slapped her hand against the air in disbelief.
"Get outta here, McQueen!"
Mejiro simply nodded.
"This is chassis 022. Formerly owned by… Jerry Seinfeld. But driven by… Steve McQueen himself."
Mayano's jaw dropped so far it nearly touched the steering wheel.
"Whaaaat?!" she yelped, jumping in excitement. "This… this is insane!"
Mejiro's calm smile didn't waver.
"That is Mayano-chan."
Chiyono O tilted her head, a finger raised as she scrutinized the car.
"Despite missing side mirrors… is this really road legal?"
Mejiro McQueen nodded once.
"That's right. Taxed and registered."
Daiwa Scarlet leaned in slightly from the passenger side, curiosity burning in her gaze.
"And… the seat—actually comfortable?"
Mejiro gestured toward the legroom.
"The seat has been moved back, the electrical components repositioned to make room for a passenger's legs. Comfortable enough for road use."
Daiwa straightened, clearly impressed.
"Okay… I gotta hand it to you. You are definitely Miss Cool."
Mayano raised a finger, still buzzing with disbelief.
"And… what about the Mustang?"
Mejiro's eyes met hers calmly.
"The Mustang's a replica," she explained. "More of a summer car, really. Five-speed manual, 302 small-block… nothing crazy, just enough for a long, enjoyable cruise."
Gold City exhaled, shaking her head slowly.
"All of this… today… the Bullitt Mustang, the 917K… it's like some kind of Steve McQueen fever dream."
Suzuka stepped closer, her gaze softening.
"Yeah… but somehow… you make it work, Gold City. Somehow, it all just… fits."
The sun dipped lower, the shadows of Daikoku PA stretching across the asphalt. Engines idled, the quiet hum of victory and awe filling the lot.
And somewhere in the back of their minds, every Uma present realized something undeniable: this day would be remembered—not for speed, not for records, not for skill alone—but for the sheer impossible coolness of it all.
And McQueen, sitting in her 917K, was the undisputed center of it.