Another two weeks had passed.
November quietly faded into memory.
And now—
December had fully arrived.
Autumn had finally let go of the world around them.
Winter had taken its place.
The skies above Tokyo remained heavily overcast almost every day now, thick gray clouds stretching endlessly across the horizon. The sunlight barely pierced through anymore, leaving the city washed in cold muted tones from morning until evening.
But despite the freezing temperatures—
Snow had yet to fall.
Not yet.
The air itself carried that unmistakable winter feeling though.
Sharp.
Dry.
Cold enough to sting your fingertips if you stayed outside too long.
The trees around Tracen Academy had mostly shed their leaves already, branches left bare as gusts of icy wind swept through the campus grounds.
Students now walked around wearing coats, scarves, gloves, and thicker winter uniforms.
And in the Miho Dorm parking area—
Cold starts had become significantly louder.
Especially from certain cars.
One particular morning—
A thunderous V10 erupted across the parking lot.
BWAHHHHHMMM.
Almost immediately—
A dorm window above slid open violently.
Air Groove leaned halfway out the window with a visibly exhausted expression.
"NATTIE!"
"You said you'd stop cold-starting that thing near the dorms!"
Below—
Nice Nature stood beside her Gallardo Superleggera holding a convenience store coffee in one hand.
Her eyes widened innocently.
"I didn't even rev it!"
The Lamborghini continued rumbling loudly through its titanium exhaust.
Air Groove pointed accusingly downward.
"It sounds like an earthquake every morning!"
Nearby students winced while covering their ears as the Gallardo idled aggressively in the freezing morning air.
Nice Nature scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"I put the foam silencers back in too…"
Air Groove's eye visibly twitched.
"THAT'S WITH THE SILENCERS?!"
A few parked spaces away—
Teio quietly watched the interaction while leaning against her blue FD RX-7.
And for the first time since the accident—
She laughed.
An actual laugh.
Not forced.
Not nervous.
Just genuine amusement.
King Halo stood nearby beside her R32 GTR while adjusting her collar.
"There she is."
Teio blinked.
King Halo smirked slightly.
"The old Teio laugh."
Teio rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.
"Guess I'm slowly getting back to normal…"
Rudolf, standing beside her FB RX-7, glanced toward Teio briefly.
Then nodded once.
"…Good."
And despite the winter air…
Despite the lingering memories of Hakone…
Things around them were finally beginning to feel normal again.
Just in time for the Christmas Season.
Eventually.
Time passed.
And far away from Tokyo—
Roughly two and a half hours north—
Mount Akagi stood beneath heavy winter skies.
The mountain pass remained quiet.
Silent.
Cold.
Thin fog drifted around some sections of the road as icy wind swept through the empty parking areas and guardrails.
The usual crowds were absent today.
No gatherings.
No spectators.
No lines of tuned cars waiting for runs.
Only a handful of machines sat scattered throughout the mountain.
Among them—
A blue Mazda RX-7 FD3S.
And the sharp mechanical scream of a rotary engine echoed through the mountain roads.
BRAAAAAAAP—WAAAAAAAHHHHHH.
Teio's RX-7 dove toward a left-hand hairpin.
Her right foot immediately slammed onto the brakes.
The nose dipped aggressively.
The ABS clattered rapidly beneath the pedal.
Tak-tak-tak-tak-tak.
Teio quickly worked the pedals.
Clutch in.
Heel and toe.
Third gear.
Blip.
Second gear.
Clutch out.
Her hands turned the Nardi wheel sharply left.
The RX-7 rotated into the corner.
But the body rolled harder than she expected.
Teio was suddenly pushed sideways from the cornering forces—
Only for the newly-installed four-point racing harness to catch her firmly against the seat.
The harness straps tightened across her shoulders and waist immediately, keeping her planted securely inside the Bride bucket seat instead of slamming into the door panel like before.
Teio gritted her teeth.
"This suspension is NOT meant for driving like this…"
The car bounced slightly over uneven pavement mid-corner.
The steering felt soft.
Delayed.
The front end loaded up too slowly.
Then came mild understeer near the exit.
Teio groaned.
"Ugh… coilovers are definitely next…"
She fed throttle back in carefully.
Then planted her foot down fully on exit.
The sequential twin turbos of the 13B-REW began spooling loudly behind the firewall.
FWEEEEEEEEE—
The RX-7 surged forward up the mountain.
But even then—
Teio frowned.
To her—
It still wasn't enough.
The revs climbed cleanly toward eight thousand RPM.
Smooth.
Linear.
Predictable.
Not violent like the R34.
Not terrifying.
Just… lacking.
Clutch in.
Third gear.
Clutch out.
Back onto throttle.
The RX-7 screamed through the cold Akagi air.
Teio narrowed her eyes at the road ahead.
"Power still isn't enough either…"
Her hands tightened around the wheel slightly.
"But if I go too far…"
She blinked once.
Then again.
"…I'll repeat the exact same mistake."
The thought alone made her stomach tighten.
Images flashed briefly through her head.
The R34 snapping sideways.
The curb.
The tree.
The impact.
The smoke.
Teio immediately shook her head.
"No…"
She steadied her breathing.
Then focused back on the road.
"This car isn't supposed to become another monster…"
The RX-7 charged deeper into Akagi.
Cold air rushed over the bodywork.
The rotary echoed against the mountainside.
And for the first time since the accident—
Teio wasn't chasing horsepower anymore.
She was searching for balance.
Meanwhile—
At the top of Mount Akagi—
The parking area remained nearly empty.
Cold wind swept through the open lot as clouds drifted overhead.
Only three cars sat parked beneath the gray winter sky.
Symboli Rudolf's green RX-7 FB GSL-SE.
King Halo's dark green R32 GT-R.
And Special Week's white AE86 Levin.
Nearby—
Silence Suzuka and Maruzensky stood alongside them, hands tucked into their jackets against the cold.
At the center of the group—
Rudolf's RX-7 sat with its hood raised.
The rotary engine underneath quietly ticked from residual heat.
Special Week leaned forward curiously.
Her eyes scanned the engine bay.
"Honestly…"
"It doesn't look as cramped as I expected."
Rudolf nodded while crossing her arms.
"The REW and the original RESI engine aren't that far apart dimensionally."
"They're both still part of Mazda's 13B rotary family."
She then gestured toward the intake side of the engine.
"The factory ports were streetported for improved airflow."
"Larger intake and exhaust ports. Better volumetric efficiency."
Then she pointed toward the turbo setup mounted low beside the engine.
"And I converted the factory sequential turbo arrangement into a sequential twin-scroll layout."
Special Week blinked.
"Huh…"
Rudolf continued.
"It now uses a quick spool valve setup too."
"Boost comes on significantly faster than stock."
Special Week slowly nodded.
"Completely different from my supercharger setup…"
A slight grin appeared on her face.
"Even if you're turbocharged…"
"I still have better throttle response."
The group suddenly froze.
Maruzensky blinked once.
Then twice.
Then three times.
King Halo's jaw dropped slightly.
Even Suzuka visibly paused.
Rudolf herself looked mildly stunned.
All four ears across the group perked upright simultaneously.
Special Week jumped slightly.
"E-Eh?!"
She pointed at herself nervously.
"D-Did I say something wrong?!"
Suzuka blinked twice before shaking her head.
"No…"
"Actually… you're right."
Rudolf chuckled softly.
Then grinned.
"Special Week…"
"You're completely correct."
She uncrossed her arms and pointed toward the AE86 parked nearby.
"A supercharger is mechanically belt-driven directly from engine RPM."
"Meaning the moment you press the throttle—"
She snapped her fingers.
"Boost is immediately available."
Then Rudolf pointed back toward her own RX-7.
"A turbocharger still relies on exhaust gases to spool the turbine."
"Which means there will always be some amount of lag before peak boost arrives."
She nodded once.
"And larger turbos make that delay even more noticeable."
Special Week's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh…"
Rudolf smirked.
"So yes."
"Coming out of tighter corners…"
"Your AE86 absolutely has the throttle response advantage."
Maruzensky suddenly burst into laughter.
Then clapped enthusiastically.
"Special Week!"
"I never thought I'd hear you talking like an actual tuner!"
She raised both thumbs upward dramatically.
"Nicely done!"
Suzuka smiled warmly.
"Seriously Spe…"
"When did you learn all this?"
Special Week laughed awkwardly while rubbing the back of her neck.
"I-I just…"
"Well…"
"I started researching cars more during my free time…"
She glanced toward her Levin.
"Especially after I started driving it more seriously."
King Halo quietly chuckled into her fist.
Then looked toward Special Week.
"Well…"
"At this rate…"
She nodded toward the AE86.
"You'll probably start modifying your car properly soon too."
Special Week blinked.
Then slowly smiled.
"…Maybe."
Then suddenly—
Maruzensky snapped her fingers.
"Oh! That reminds me!"
She blinked once.
"Is it true El Condor Pasa tried to pie your face…"
"…but accidentally hit Grass Wonder instead?"
Maruzensky immediately covered her mouth.
Suzuka visibly stiffened.
Even King Halo quietly winced.
Special Week slowly nodded.
"Yep…"
"She was originally aiming for me."
She pointed at herself awkwardly.
Maruzensky stepped forward slightly.
"…Did Grass lose it?"
Special Week immediately nodded.
"The following week…"
"She—and I quote—"
Special Week raised her fingers dramatically.
"'Cooked' Mambo."
Suzuka's ears immediately drooped.
"El Condor's pet hawk?!"
Special Week quickly waved both hands defensively.
"N-No no no!"
"She didn't ACTUALLY cook Mambo!"
The group visibly relaxed.
Special Week sighed.
"She just bought a rotisserie chicken from a supermarket…"
"…then put Mambo's collar beside it."
Silence.
Cold wind passed through the parking area.
Maruzensky slowly rubbed her forehead.
"…Another reason not to piss off Grass."
Suzuka nodded immediately.
"Agreed."
Rudolf nodded once as well.
"She's incredibly kind…"
Suzuka chuckled softly.
"But the moment you push her too far…"
Her expression darkened slightly.
"…you're asking for trouble."
Special Week nodded firmly.
"It honestly feels like Grass-san is permanently three seconds away from snapping."
Suzuka, Rudolf, and Maruzensky all nodded together.
"Agreed."
The three answered in complete unison.
King Halo quietly snorted into her fist.
Then—
SCREEEEEECH.
The sharp sound of tires echoed up the mountain road.
Immediately followed by the high-pitched whistle of turbochargers.
FWEEEEEEEE—
Then—
BRAAAAAAAAP—WAAAAAHHHHHHH.
The unmistakable scream of a rotary engine filled the cold Akagi air.
The group collectively turned toward the entrance of the parking area.
Rudolf smiled faintly.
"…Here comes Teio."
The sound rapidly grew louder.
The blue FD RX-7 appeared through the final corner below—
Front suspension compressing hard as Teio attacked the last bend.
The rotary screamed near redline.
The twin turbos whistled violently.
Then—
Clutch in.
A quick heel-and-toe blip.
Second gear.
The rear rotated slightly on entry.
The FD slid just enough before gripping again cleanly.
Then Teio powered through the final corner exit.
The sequential turbos spooled aggressively.
The rear tires chirped briefly against the freezing asphalt.
FWEEEEEEE—WAAAAAHHHHH.
The RX-7 surged uphill toward the parking area entrance before finally easing off throttle.
Teio guided the FD smoothly into the lot.
The rotary settled into its uneven idle as she slowly pulled beside Rudolf's RX-7 FB.
Handbrake up.
Neutral.
Engine idling.
Teio unbuckled her newly-installed four-point racing harness.
Click.
Then opened the door and climbed out into the cold winter air.
She exhaled sharply while shaking her head.
Then gently pushed the door shut with a soft thud.
The rotary behind her continued brapping quietly as she walked toward the group.
Rudolf blinked once.
"What do you think so far, Teio?"
Teio immediately sighed again.
"The suspension setup's a mess."
She mimicked turning a steering wheel while leaning her body sideways exaggeratedly.
"The body roll is insane."
Then she mimicked pressing a throttle pedal.
"And it seriously lacks punch going uphill."
She crossed her arms.
"If I want a proper redemption run at Hakone…"
"I need at least six hundred horsepower."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"But this time…"
"With an actual balanced grip setup."
Maruzensky nodded immediately.
"I highly suggest starting with tires first."
She pointed toward Teio's RX-7 wheels.
"Tires are one of the biggest factors when it comes to handling feel."
Then she looked back toward Teio.
"Suspension tuning is where you start refining the car afterwards."
Rudolf nodded in agreement.
"As for engine upgrades…"
She glanced toward her own RX-7's open engine bay.
"Street porting."
"Turbo upgrades."
"Full exhaust."
"High-capacity intercooler."
"Fuel injectors and pumps."
Then she looked directly at Teio.
"And of course…"
"A programmable ECU."
She crossed her arms again.
"With proper tuning, those alone can comfortably bring the FD into the six-hundred horsepower range."
Teio nodded slowly.
Then turned to look at her RX-7.
Hands on her hips.
"…Then again."
"I'm limiting myself to around seven hundred max."
A visible shiver ran through her.
"Ugh…"
"Even thinking about going near a thousand again makes me feel sick."
Special Week nodded enthusiastically.
"Honestly, limiting yourself is a really good starting point!"
Teio smirked slightly.
"And yet you don't limit yourself with carrots."
Special Week immediately jumped.
"I do too!"
The group burst into laughter.
Even Suzuka quietly giggled.
King Halo shook her head while smiling.
"Don't forget anti-roll bars too."
She gestured slightly with her hand.
"They'll massively reduce the amount of body roll you're fighting."
Teio nodded quickly.
"I was already thinking about that."
She groaned dramatically.
"The body roll literally feels like it's trying to yank me off the steering wheel."
King Halo nodded.
"And for a proper middle-ground setup…"
She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"You'll probably want around five hundred horsepower minimum…"
"…with at least a top speed of roughly two hundred eighty kilometers per hour."
Teio nodded.
"Got it."
Then she smirked.
"But you know me…"
"I'm still aiming for at least three-twenty."
The group collectively sighed.
Teio laughed awkwardly.
"But before ANY more power…"
She pointed toward the RX-7 interior.
"I'm getting a half cage installed first."
Suzuka nodded approvingly.
"That's a good decision, Teio."
"At least with additional chassis reinforcement…"
"You'll naturally feel safer driving harder."
Maruzensky nodded as well.
"Ask Cafe."
"After Tachyon installed the half cage into the Devil Z…"
"She said she felt significantly safer riding with her."
Rudolf then looked directly at Teio.
"So."
"Are you building the car for pure grip?"
"Or do you still want the rear to move around slightly?"
Teio shook her head.
"I want grip…"
"…with just enough looseness."
Rudolf immediately looked toward Special Week.
"Spe-chan."
"Your turn."
Special Week blinked.
Then nodded proudly.
"My Levin's setup is basically balanced between both."
"Right at the edge between grip and sliding."
She glanced briefly toward Suzuka.
Then back toward Teio.
"Suzuka-san calls it semi-loose."
She pointed toward the mountain road behind them.
"It's basically having enough grip to stay planted…"
"…while letting the rear rotate slightly for better mid-corner and exit speed."
She smiled.
"Suzuka-san also calls it…"
"Four-wheel drifting."
Suzuka nodded calmly.
"A four-wheel drift is when all four tires are sliding slightly together."
She mimicked holding a steering wheel.
"You control the balance either through tiny amounts of countersteer…"
"…or with throttle input."
She lowered her hands.
"It maximizes corner speed."
"You aren't forcing the car into excessive grip understeer…"
"…but you also aren't fully drifting."
King Halo nodded.
"And considering you still want this car to handle highway runs…"
She pointed toward Teio's RX-7.
"You need suspension soft enough to absorb expressway bumps…"
"…while still stiff enough to react sharply on mountain roads."
She crossed her arms.
"That's basically how my R32 is set up."
She smirked slightly.
"My own middle-ground."
Then she shrugged.
"But your ideal setup will still differ from mine."
"Different chassis."
"Different weight balance."
"Different drivetrain."
She nodded toward Teio.
"So build it based on what YOU felt today."
"And refine it from there."
Teio turned back toward her RX-7 silently.
Cold wind swept through the parking area.
The rotary engines ticked softly as they cooled.
Rudolf crossed her arms.
"Well, Teio?"
"What's your next move?"
Teio stayed silent.
Several seconds passed.
Then nearly a full minute.
The winter wind continued blowing through Akagi.
Finally—
Teio spoke.
"First…"
"I'll start carefully adding power."
She looked toward the RX-7.
"Turbo upgrades."
"Exhaust."
"Cooling."
Then her eyes narrowed slightly.
"And at the same time…"
"Fix the handling completely."
"New suspension."
"Better tires."
"New wheels."
She slowly smiled.
"But this time…"
She looked toward Rudolf.
"I'm building the car around balance first."
Then toward the mountain road below.
"Not ego."
Rudolf silently nodded.
And for the first time since Hakone—
She genuinely believed Teio had finally learned.
And is still learning.