Hours had gone by.
Hakone Turnpike was busy.
Very busy.
The summer sun had climbed higher into the sky, pouring heat onto the mountain roads. Even with the occasional wind sweeping through the trees, it did little to help.
The roads were alive.
Sports cars.
Supercars.
Modified hatchbacks.
Sedans.
Motorcycles.
Groups of enthusiasts gathered in parking areas while others continuously flowed through the course.
The distant sounds of engines echoed throughout the mountains.
A high-revving four-cylinder screamed through one section.
A deep V8 thundered somewhere below.
Then a rotary.
Then another.
Then silence—
Before another wave of noise replaced it.
Everyone from the group had already left the Sky Lounge and gone out for practice.
Some preferred running the uphill sections.
Some chose downhill sectors.
Others simply cruised steadily, learning the road rather than attacking it.
When it came to the remaining members though—
Sirius Symboli, Mr. C.B, Nice Nature, and Special Week had decided to stay behind for a while.
Along with King Halo.
Who had decided to simply rest.
The Kyoseki Green R32 GTR sat parked away from the others.
Seat reclined.
Windows slightly cracked open.
King Halo slept inside, arms folded across her chest, using a folded jacket as a pillow while soft air from the AC vents moved strands of hair near her ears.
Far more peaceful than her usual self.
Meanwhile—
Rudolf had chosen to continue riding with Teio as she practiced.
The RX-7 climbed through Hakone once more.
The blue R34-inspired machine carved through the mountain road, moving between Sector One and Sector Two.
Inside—
Teio sat upright.
Both hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.
Eyes forward.
Completely focused.
The RX-7 entered a tight right-hand hairpin.
Teio turned the wheel sharply.
The front tires bit into the road.
The suspension compressed slightly.
The chassis leaned.
Not much.
Just enough.
Rudolf sat quietly beside her.
Watching.
Observing.
Not the road.
Teio.
Her steering.
Her posture.
Her feet.
Her timing.
Everything.
"Keep feathering the gas."
"Do not let that boost needle drop."
Teio nodded slightly.
No words.
Just focus.
Her right foot gently danced on the throttle pedal.
Not enough to accelerate hard.
Not enough to lose boost.
Just enough.
The boost gauge needle trembled.
Holding.
Waiting.
As the corner slowly began opening up—
Teio's eyes narrowed.
Ahead.
An imaginary apex.
A point nobody else could see.
But she saw it.
She slowly unwound the steering wheel.
Little by little.
The RX-7 drifted wider.
The front tires straightened.
Then—
Foot down.
The throttle pedal hit the floor.
Boost smoothly rushed in.
The twin turbos responded instantly.
The rear suspension compressed.
The rear tires protested slightly.
The rear end loosened.
Just a little.
Teio's ears twitched.
Hands moved.
Tiny correction.
Countersteer.
Barely visible.
Just enough.
The rear settled immediately.
The RX-7 shot toward corner exit.
Guardrail approaching.
Closer.
Closer—
Then—
Gone.
Perfect exit.
Rudolf's eyes shifted briefly toward the road.
Then back to Teio.
The engine screamed.
The rotary climbed.
7000 RPM.
9000 RPM.
Clutch in.
Teio's left foot stabbed downward.
Her hand instantly grabbed the shifter.
Third gear.
Click.
Clutch out.
Gas.
No hesitation.
The speedometer climbed rapidly.
Needle stopped.
But the car didn't.
It kept pulling.
Still accelerating.
Still climbing.
A slight left.
The RX-7 remained planted.
Then—
A right-hander approached.
Rudolf's eyes narrowed.
"Brake."
Teio immediately came off throttle.
Hard on brakes.
The nose dipped.
ABS pulsed lightly beneath the pedal.
Clutch in.
Her hand moved.
Heel-and-toe.
Blip.
Third.
Blip.
Second.
Clutch out.
Smooth.
No jerk.
No chassis upset.
Turn in.
Sharp.
Toward the inside.
Toward another imaginary apex.
Rudolf pointed toward the boost gauge.
"Watch your boost pressure, Teio."
"Watch it."
Teio nodded.
Back on throttle.
Light pressure.
Gentle.
The needle climbed slowly.
0.5 bar.
0.6.
0.7.
0.8.
Holding.
Waiting.
Corner exit approaching.
Steering unwinding.
Car drifting outward.
Apex hit.
Foot down.
This time—
The boost surged hard.
The rear remained planted.
No drama.
Perfect grip.
Then—
Another corner immediately arrived.
Hard braking again.
Teio aimed toward a left-hand apex.
Hands steady.
Throttle feathering again.
Maintaining boost.
Maintaining balance.
Then—
Corner exit.
Open road.
Teio saw it.
And instinct kicked in.
Foot down.
Immediately.
Rudolf blinked.
"Teio—"
Too early.
The rear stepped out.
The RX-7 rotated.
Not violently—
But enough.
Teio's eyes widened.
Her foot eased off slightly.
Hands reacted.
Countersteer.
Hold.
Wait.
Wait—
The slide stopped increasing.
The rear began returning.
Angle reduced.
Grip returned.
Then—
Back on throttle.
The turbos spooled.
The RX-7 straightened and launched forward again.
Silence.
Then—
Teio chuckled awkwardly.
"Oopsies!"
Rudolf stared at her for a second.
Then sighed.
Then smiled while shaking her head.
"Don't overthink it."
She looked ahead.
"But great recovery."
Teio smiled.
Nodding once.
But her eyes never left the road.
Because for the first time—
She wasn't driving scared anymore.
She was driving forward.
Then—
The familiar sound of a roaring twin-turbo inline-six echoed through the mountains.
Not distant.
Rapidly approaching.
Teio's ears twitched.
Her eyes quickly glanced toward the rear-view mirror.
There—
Appearing from behind the corner.
Tachyon's S30Z.
The Midnight Blue Devil Z.
Its front end dipped slightly as it loaded into the corner.
The rear stepped outward.
Slight fishtailing.
Not out of control.
Intentional.
Controlled.
The twin turbos whistled sharply as the car clawed forward.
Teio smirked.
"Game on."
Her right foot pressed further down.
The RX-7 surged ahead.
The rotary screamed.
Boost climbed.
The scenery beside them blurred faster.
But—
Behind them—
Tachyon closed the gap almost immediately.
The S30Z had advantages.
Superior power.
Longer gearing.
Less electronic intervention.
And despite its age—
The Devil Z had become something terrifying under Tachyon's ownership.
Teio glanced into the rear-view mirror again.
Closer.
Much closer.
Rudolf sighed.
"Dont look at your rear-view mirror, Teio."
"That alone will make you lose focus."
Teio immediately snapped her eyes back ahead.
"R-Right!"
Rudolf continued calmly.
"Ignore whoever is behind you."
"You use every inch of the course available."
"Drive your road."
Teio nodded.
Silent.
Focused.
No response.
Only concentration.
Ahead—
The road climbed upward.
An approaching crest.
The RX-7 flew toward it.
Faster.
And faster.
Then—
The crest.
For a split second—
Weightlessness.
All four wheels lifted.
The suspension unloaded.
The steering felt light.
Silence.
Then—
SLAM.
The suspension compressed hard as the tires returned to earth.
The chassis bounced once.
Twice.
Teio immediately stomped on the brakes.
Her eyes widened.
Because she knew this corner.
Too well.
That left-hander.
Nine months ago—
Spin.
Panic.
Fear.
Tree.
The R34.
Metal.
Glass.
Pain.
Her breathing froze.
For just a moment—
The old memories flashed.
Rudolf immediately snapped.
"STAY FOCUSED TEIO!"
Teio blinked hard.
Once.
Twice.
Then shook her head.
"Ngh—!"
"R-Right!"
No panic.
No hesitation.
Not this time.
Clutch in.
Fourth.
Third.
Blip.
Second.
Clutch out.
Smooth.
The RX-7 dove toward the inside.
Hugging the left side perfectly.
Closer.
Closer.
The guardrail passed beside her window.
Then—
The corner flowed immediately into a right-hand transition.
Teio's hands moved.
Left lock released.
Right lock applied.
Smooth.
No sudden movement.
Weight transferred.
The chassis rolled.
Then settled.
The RX-7 flowed from one apex to another like water.
Inside the S30Z—
Tachyon remained silent.
Both hands lightly held the steering wheel.
Eyes locked ahead.
Beside her—
Cafe watched quietly.
One hand gripping the leather grab handle.
Watching Teio.
Watching Tachyon.
Watching both cars dance through the mountain.
Finally—
Cafe spoke.
"Teio's improved quite a lot in nine months."
Tachyon blinked.
Still feathering the throttle carefully.
Maintaining boost.
Maintaining balance.
The S30Z exited the S-turn.
Then—
Foot down.
The twin turbos surged.
The rear tires spun briefly.
The tail loosened.
Tachyon corrected instantly.
Barely even moving the wheel.
Then spoke.
"You can tell?"
"I don't really notice a difference."
Cafe chuckled.
"She's no longer impatient."
"Before, she'd attack corners with pure aggression."
"Fast entry."
"But a slow exit."
She looked ahead.
The RX-7 entered another right.
Then immediately a left.
Smooth.
Controlled.
Measured.
"Now she's letting the car rotate naturally."
"No unnecessary steering."
"No overloading the front tires."
"She's smoother."
"Way smoother."
As if the mountain itself wanted to argue—
The rear of Teio's RX-7 suddenly stepped out.
Hard.
Teio's eyes widened.
Countersteer.
Quickly.
Foot still planted.
Smoke burst from the rear tires.
The car angled sideways.
Guardrail approaching—
Closer.
Closer—
Then—
Grip returned.
The tail snapped back into line.
The RX-7 shot forward.
Cafe nodded approvingly.
"And good car control."
Tachyon nodded.
"Indeed."
"Good reaction speed too."
Cafe shook her head.
She already knew why Tachyon kept glancing over.
"If you're asking how your own driving has changed since you started driving the Devil Z..."
She smiled.
"You're doing pretty well."
Tachyon raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Cafe shrugged.
"Though honestly?"
"I haven't noticed much changing over the years."
Tachyon blinked.
"Why change things if I'm comfortable with my style?"
Cafe sighed.
"Because when you get focused..."
She smirked.
"You become a little rowdy."
"You mad scientist."
Tachyon's lip twitched.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
"I suppose you're having tea later."
Cafe laughed immediately.
"Oh?"
"Do that and I'm giving you black coffee."
Tachyon's eyes widened.
"...You monster."
The two continued chasing Teio's RX-7.
And through Sector Three—
Despite the speed.
Despite the power.
Despite the pressure—
No positions changed.
Back at the Sky Lounge Area at the top—
A handful of the group had already returned to the parking area.
The lot had become much livelier than earlier.
Cars sat scattered around the parking spaces.
Engines clicked and ticked from heat soak.
Warm brake rotors let out faint metallic sounds.
The smell of hot tires, gasoline, and summer air mixed together.
Among those who had arrived was Chiyono O.
Her Rosso Bia Aventador SVJ remained running.
Idling.
Cooling down.
The twin turbos softly whistled underneath the engine cover.
Occasional metallic ticking sounds came from the rear as heat escaped the engine bay.
Inside—
Chiyono sat relaxed in the driver's seat.
Seatbelt unbuckled.
One leg crossed slightly over the other.
She slowly scrolled through her phone.
Then—
C.B and Nice Nature approached.
C.B rested an arm over the roof and leaned down toward the open window.
"Cooling her down a bit?"
Chiyono glanced up.
Then nodded.
"Specifically the turbochargers."
She pointed behind her shoulder.
"Just don't want to cook them by shutting everything off immediately."
Nice Nature raised a finger while chewing on a snack.
"Howsh' the turbo shetup for a courshe like thish?"
She swallowed.
"Did it compromishe the handling at all?"
Chiyono tilted her head.
"Kinda."
She thought for a moment.
"But it's perfectly manageable."
She looked ahead toward the mountain roads.
"I mostly lose time at the tighter hairpins."
She raised a finger.
"But I gain all of it back on the straights."
Nice Nature nodded slowly.
"...Fair."
Then she leaned closer toward Chiyono.
Whispering.
"Psst."
"Better avoid saying one thousand horsepower when Teio gets back."
"The next thing ya know she'll start shivering in her shoes again."
Chiyono stared.
Then burst into laughter.
"Heheh—"
"Oh right!"
She flipped the red ignition cover.
Click.
Then pressed the start-stop button.
The V12 immediately died.
The deep idle disappeared.
Leaving only silence.
And faint metallic ticking sounds as the exhaust and turbo housings cooled.
Chiyono pushed the scissor door upward.
Stepped out.
Then gently pulled it downward.
Thunk.
Just then—
Forever Young stepped over.
Hands inside her pockets.
Looking toward the rear of the Aventador.
"With all this power..."
She tilted her head.
"I'm guessing you're spinning all four wheels on launch?"
Chiyono laughed.
"Pretty much!"
She crossed her arms.
"At launch all four wheels spin."
She blinked.
"And without traction control?"
She looked toward the sky dramatically.
"I'm basically bouncing off the limiter through the entirety of first gear."
Forever Young froze.
"...What."
Chiyono nodded proudly.
"Yep."
Forever Young's eyes widened.
"...That sounds terrifying."
Nice Nature nearly choked.
"Cough—"
"HOLD ON."
She pointed aggressively.
"HOW MUCH POWER DOES THIS THING EVEN MAKE NOW?!"
Chiyono suddenly rubbed the back of her neck.
Dry laughing.
"Uh..."
Her eyes wandered away.
"Around..."
"...One thousand four hundred?"
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Forever Young's eyes widened.
Nice Nature's jaw dropped.
C.B blinked.
Twice.
"...At full boost?"
Chiyono nodded.
"Yep."
"At full boost."
Forever Young slowly looked at the car.
Then back at Chiyono.
Then back at the car.
Then back at Chiyono again.
"...You are insane."
Chiyono smiled proudly.
"Thank you."
Forever Young immediately pointed inside.
"And you have something controlling all this in there too?!"
Chiyono nodded.
"I have a boost controller."
Then she opened the scissor door again.
The door slowly lifted upward.
She leaned inside.
Pointing toward a red button mounted on the custom center console.
"And I also had this fabricated for my turbo two-step system."
Forever Young tilted her head.
"Two-step?"
Chiyono blinked.
"Oh right."
"It's basically launch control."
She pointed toward the accelerator pedal.
"But I mostly use it while rolling."
"It electronically holds the engine at around five thousand RPM."
She made a spinning motion with her hand.
"So while it's active, I can floor the pedal and let all the air spool up."
"The boost controller decides how much pressure I want."
Forever Young slowly grimaced.
"...Jeez."
"I thought Formula One cars in Monaco looked scary."
She looked at the Aventador.
"This thing must kick like a mule."
Chiyono laughed.
"Yep!"
"At full boost it kicks hard."
Nice Nature smirked.
"Must be fun in the rain."
Chiyono nodded immediately.
"Oh it's hilarious."
She raised a finger.
"I can get into third gear spinning all four wheels."
C.B nearly fell over.
"THIRD?!"
Chiyono nodded innocently.
"Third."
Then she shook her head.
"But for normal driving?"
She looked at Nice Nature.
"I'm running the lowest setting possible."
Then Chiyono looked toward Nice Nature's Gallardo.
"What about you, Nattie?"
"What plans do you have for your Gallardo?"
Nice Nature looked toward her car.
Crossing her arms.
"Hmm..."
"I wanna modernize the looks."
"But keep the pre-LP 5.0 V10."
C.B immediately raised a finger.
"What?"
"Gonna slap on a widebody and air suspension?"
Nice Nature's eyebrow twitched.
"And copy Air Groove's style?!"
"Hell no C.B."
Then—
Sirius Symboli walked over from behind.
Hands inside her pockets.
"Why not give it an LP Gallardo body conversion?"
Nice Nature and Chiyono looked toward Sirius.
Who now stood between them.
Sirius continued.
"You get the aggressive LP styling."
"But still keep the pre-LP even-firing V10."
She crossed her arms.
"The best of both worlds."
Nice Nature tapped her chin.
Eyes closed.
Thinking.
Then—
Her eyes opened.
"...Wait."
She looked at Sirius.
"That actually sounds incredible."
She looked toward the Gallardo.
"Dont get me wrong."
"The pre-LP Gallardo is timeless."
She sighed.
"But..."
She frowned slightly.
"The styling is kinda dated."
Meanwhile—
Chiyono had already pulled her phone back out.
Scrolling through a Gallardo owners forum.
Her eyes moved quickly.
Then she looked up.
"Oh!"
"Apparently that's actually pretty popular."
Nice Nature's ears immediately stood straight.
"...Eh?"
Chiyono nodded excitedly.
"Yep!"
"Pre-LP owners get to keep the even-firing V10."
She pointed at Nice Nature's car.
"While getting the more aggressive facelift appearance."
Nice Nature slowly looked at her Gallardo.
Then narrowed her eyes.
Then smirked.
"...Nattie LP project."
C.B blinked.
"...That sounds expensive."
Nice Nature looked at her.
Smiled.
And pointed both fingers like finger guns.
"That's a future me problem."
C.B immediately pointed at Nice Nature.
"There it is."
"The sentence every car owner says before financial disaster."
Nice Nature blinked.
"...Hey!"
Sirius nodded with complete seriousness.
"First comes body panels."
"Then wheels."
"Then suspension."
"Then somehow you wake up one day and realize you've spent enough money to buy another car."
Nice Nature crossed her arms.
"I refuse to accept these accusations."
Then—
Special Week finally joined the conversation.
She slowly walked around Nice Nature's Gallardo.
Looking closely.
Inspecting.
One side.
Then the rear.
Then the front.
Then back to the rear again.
Her ears twitched.
"Hm..."
She crouched near the exhaust tips.
Looking underneath slightly.
Then stood back up.
"The facelifted Gallardos run quad tailpipes."
Nice Nature immediately slapped the air.
"No worries!"
"I'll have quad pipes fabricated when it's time to convert."
C.B stared.
"...You already accepted the idea?"
Nice Nature froze.
"...Wait."
"...I did."
Sirius smirked.
"Too late."
"The project has begun."
Nice Nature's eyes widened.
"No no no—"
"I didn't mean—"
Right on cue—
A sound echoed across the mountain.
Not a V10.
Not a rotary.
Not an inline-six.
A deep—
Mechanical—
Distinctive V12.
Mixed with the unmistakable sound of turbochargers breathing.
Whoooooosh—
Pshhh—
The group turned around.
Then saw it crest over the small rise leading into the parking area.
Maruzensky's Countach.
The red twin-turbo LP5000QV rolled toward them.
Low.
Wide.
Its body reflecting the afternoon sunlight.
The turbochargers softly fluttered as Maruzensky eased off the throttle.
The Countach slowly approached.
Then came to a stop directly behind Chiyono's Aventador.
Pssshhh—
The blow-off valves released one final breath.
Silence followed.
Chiyono immediately walked over.
As Maruzensky pushed the scissor door upward.
The door lifted.
Maruzensky sat inside casually with one arm resting over the steering wheel.
Chiyono crouched slightly.
Looking inside.
"How's the car feeling Maruzen-san?"
Maruzensky tilted her head.
Shrugging.
"I'm not too sure."
She rubbed her chin.
"But I think I felt a slight misfire near redline."
"Around seven-five."
Chiyono blinked.
Then looked toward the rear.
"You sure?"
Maruzensky sighed.
Shrugging again.
"I'm not completely sure Chiyono-chan..."
"Might be one of the plugs getting fouled."
Chiyono stared.
Then slowly looked back.
"When was the last time you changed them?"
Maruzensky looked upward.
Thinking.
One finger pressed against her chin.
"Uh..."
Silence.
"...Hmm..."
More silence.
"...Wait..."
Then she scratched the back of her head.
Laughing nervously.
"Around six years ago?"
Everyone nearby froze.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Chiyono stared.
C.B stared.
Sirius stared.
Even Nice Nature slowly turned around.
"...Six?"
Maruzensky laughed.
"Hehehe..."
"Oops?"
Chiyono sighed deeply.
Very deeply.
"And you've been driving this thing everyday since then right?"
Maruzensky nodded.
Still smiling.
Then immediately noticed Chiyono's expression.
"...Ah."
She raised both hands.
"Alright alright!"
She sighed dramatically.
"I'll replace them tomorrow morning."
"Fresh set."
Nice Nature crossed her arms.
"Maruzen."
Maruzensky blinked.
"...Hm?"
Nice Nature pointed aggressively.
"YOU own a heavily modified twin-turbo Countach."
She pointed harder.
"And you're telling me you forgot spark plugs for six years?!"
Maruzensky immediately defended herself.
"Hey!"
"The car still starts!"
C.B covered her face.
"Oh my god..."
Sirius sighed.
"I suddenly understand why mechanics charge labor fees."
Maruzensky pouted.
"Traitors..."
She unbuckled her four-point harness.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Then reached for the key.
Twisting it off.
The 5.2-liter V12 behind her fell silent.
The faint sounds of cooling metal echoed from behind.
Tick...
Tick...
Tick...
The turbochargers slowly wound down.
Whiiiiiiiii—
...whiii...
...wh...
Silence.
Maruzensky slid both legs outside.
Then pushed herself upward from the seat.
As she stood beside the Countach—
Nice Nature narrowed her eyes.
"...Maruzen."
Maruzensky blinked.
"...What now?"
Nice Nature smirked.
"When was your oil changed?"
Maruzensky froze.
"..."
"..."
"...You know what?"
She immediately turned around.
"I'm suddenly not feeling very talkative anymore."
Maruzensky immediately turned away dramatically and crossed her arms.
Nice Nature smirked triumphantly.
"Gotcha."
As if on cue—
The sound of more engines approaching echoed from beyond the entrance road.
A rotary.
An inline-six.
A V6.
Another engine behind it.
The sounds bounced off the mountainside and concrete barriers before reaching the parking area.
Everyone's ears twitched.
Then—
They appeared over the crest of the parking entrance.
Teio's RX-7.
Rudolf sat calmly in the passenger seat.
Following behind was Tachyon's S30Z with Cafe beside her.
Then Tap Dance City's Montreal Green Giulia GTA.
Then finally Opera O.
The four cars rolled into the parking area one after another in a neat line.
No tire smoke.
No hard braking.
Just cooldown pace.
The RX-7's twin turbos softly fluttered as Teio lifted off throttle.
The S30Z emitted a low mechanical growl.
The Giulia's V6 crackled lightly.
Opera O's engine quietly followed behind.
Soon.
The four cars slowed.
Then stopped.
One after another.
The sound of cooling fans and ticking metal slowly replaced engine noise.
Opera O and Tap Dance City were first to step out.
Tap Dance City removed her leather jacket and casually tossed it into the passenger seat.
She then pushed the door closed softly.
Thunk.
She rolled her shoulders and stretched slightly.
"Jeez..."
"What a run..."
Beside her, Opera O raised both arms high into the air.
"Aaaahhh..."
She stretched her back.
Groaning slightly.
"I think I am much more faster than I was last year!"
Her arms slowly fell back down as she exhaled sharply.
"Whew..."
The two began walking toward the group.
Tap Dance City looked around.
Then glanced toward Opera O.
"Did you see Suzuka anywhere?"
Opera O shrugged.
"Dunno?"
"Last I saw her was when we were heading up Sector One."
She tilted her head.
"Then I looked in the mirror and..."
She raised both palms.
"...gone."
Tap Dance City blinked.
"...Yeah that sounds like Suzuka."
Then—
The RX-7's door opened.
Teio practically swung the door wide open.
She hopped out and immediately stretched both arms upward.
"Learned alot today!"
She rocked slightly from side to side.
Then dropped her arms.
"But I still gotta practice more."
Rudolf stepped out beside her.
She adjusted her jacket slightly.
Then looked toward Teio.
"You definitely are improving Teio."
She raised a thumbs up.
"Keep it up."
Teio's ears perked immediately.
She nodded energetically.
"Thanks Kaichou!"
Then Tachyon and Cafe stepped out.
Cafe sighed.
"Tachyon is still all over the place heh..."
Tachyon rested an arm over the roof of her S30Z and looked at Cafe.
"Mind you..."
She pointed downward.
"I'm in a car built for the Wangan."
Then pointed toward the road.
"On a technical course."
Then pointed toward the engine bay.
"With over six hundred horses."
Then tapped the roof.
"And with a car that weighs as much as a thousand kilos."
She smirked proudly.
"If you ask me..."
"This fine experimental machine handled like a champ."
Cafe's eye twitched.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
"Experimental..."
She stared directly into Tachyon's eyes.
"I'm giving you black coffee tonight."
Tachyon stared back.
Completely unfazed.
"And I'm giving you tea."
The two continued staring at each other.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Sirius looked between them.
C.B looked between them.
Nice Nature looked between them.
Then leaned toward Chiyono.
"...They're doing it again."
Maruzensky suddenly stepped between them laughing.
She raised one hand halfway and waved it back and forth.
"Relax you two!"
"No need to fight!"
She then gently placed a hand on Cafe's shoulder.
"Tachyon has a point."
"And she did handle the car like a champ after all, Cafe-chan."
Cafe looked at Maruzensky.
Then at Tachyon.
Then back at Maruzensky.
After a few seconds—
She sighed.
"...You have a point there."
Maruzensky smiled and nodded before letting go.
Then she walked over toward Teio's RX-7.
Resting an elbow against the roof.
"How did you do Teio?"
Teio nodded immediately.
"I did alright!"
Rudolf chuckled while leaning against the front left fender of the RX-7.
"Teio was enthusiastic behind the wheel."
"But serious when she really needed to be."
She smiled.
"Like what she vowed back at the beach last year."
Maruzensky's eyes immediately lit up.
"Oh?!"
She looked at Teio.
Teio pumped a fist against her chest.
"Keeping the positive and energetic Teio!"
She lowered her eyes halfway and smirked dramatically.
"While keeping my serious side on while on a drive."
Maruzensky's eyes widened.
"Ooooooh!"
She raised two thumbs up high.
"Like that Teio-chan!"
Teio immediately copied her pose.
Two thumbs up.
Big grin.
"Like this?!"
Maruzensky nodded rapidly.
"Exactly like that!"
Nearby—
Rudolf quietly looked at the two.
Then smiled.
"...She's back."
Rudolf said it quietly.
But everyone around her understood immediately.
The Teio standing in front of them now—
Laughing.
Smiling.
Energetic.
Still serious when needed.
Still willing to improve.
Still willing to learn.
That was the Teio everyone knew.
Right on cue—
The distant sound of a supercharged V6 suddenly echoed through the mountains.
WRAAAAAAA—
Everyone's ears immediately twitched.
Conversations stopped.
Heads turned.
They all looked toward the start-finish area down below.
Then—
They saw it.
A red NSX.
Suzuka's NSX.
Flying.
Actually flying.
The car shot over a crest at absurd speed.
All four wheels lifted clear from the pavement.
For a split second—
Nothing touched the road.
Then—
BAM.
The NSX slammed back onto the ground.
Sparks exploded beneath the chassis.
Tiny orange streaks scattered behind the car.
Then—
SKRREEEE—
The front left wheel momentarily locked.
A cloud of smoke puffed out before immediately disappearing.
Then the NSX vanished behind the Sky Lounge area.
Gone.
Like a missile.
Silence.
Opera O's jaw slowly dropped.
"...Jeez."
"Suzuka is just having the time of her life."
Forever Young chuckled.
"I guess that's just how Suzuka is."
She crossed her arms.
"Driving cars to their limits all the time when things get serious."
Rudolf chuckled.
"Suzuka is always like that in events."
Opera O and Forever Young suddenly snapped their heads toward Rudolf.
Rudolf blinked.
Smiling.
"Suzuka is always like that in a racing event."
"Formula One."
"Time trials."
"Track days."
"It doesn't matter."
She crossed her arms.
Then smirked.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"And the thing that will baffle all of you..."
She paused.
"...She never gives one hundred percent during practice runs."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Opera O and Forever Young's jaws dropped.
Then simultaneously—
"SHE NEVER GIVES IT HER ALL?!"
Rudolf burst out laughing.
She nodded.
"Pretty much."
Tap Dance City stared blankly.
"No."
"No way."
Cafe blinked once.
"...Seriously?"
Rudolf nodded again.
"Suzuka practices to understand the course."
"She memorizes bumps."
"Road camber."
"Braking points."
"Grip changes."
"Everything."
She raised a finger.
"But when race day comes..."
Her smile widened.
"...that's when Suzuka becomes terrifying."
Opera O shook her head violently.
Scratching the back of her head.
"But what about two years ago when you finally got first at the event?!"
Rudolf rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.
"Well..."
She looked away.
"...that was kind of luck."
Everyone stared.
Rudolf sighed.
"That run was all risk and no safety."
Teio's eyes widened.
"Eek..."
"And I thought I was the one taking all the risks with no safety last year."
Rudolf looked toward her and nodded.
"Fair point there, Teio."
Then—
As if summoned by the conversation itself—
WRAAAAAAA—
The sound of the supercharged V6 echoed again.
Everyone looked toward the parking entrance.
And there—
Cresting over the entrance road—
Was Suzuka's NSX.
The red NSX rolled in calmly.
Completely opposite from what they had just witnessed moments ago.
The supercharger softly whined while the V6 idled.
She approached at walking speed.
Then came to a stop behind Tap Dance City's Giulia GTA.
The engine idled for a few seconds.
Vrmmmm...
Vrmmmm...
Then—
Click.
The engine shut off.
Silence.
The door swung open.
Suzuka stepped out.
She raised a hand and brushed back her hair.
The long strands swung outward before settling back down.
She exhaled.
"That was a good run."
Forever Young chuckled.
"Seems like you enjoyed yourself out there."
Suzuka nodded immediately.
"Taking in all the track while driving fast."
She looked toward everyone.
Then gave a small smile.
"Yes."
Then she tilted her head slightly.
"...Why is everyone looking at me?"
Then—
Another door swung open.
King Halo yawned loudly as she stepped out of her Kyoseki Green R32 GT-R.
She rubbed one eye with one hand while using the other to close the door.
Thunk.
Her tail lazily swayed behind her.
"Because you went all out in a practice run?"
She scoffed.
Still sounding half asleep.
Forever Young chuckled.
"And where have you been King-chan?"
King Halo let out another yawn.
"In the car..."
She stretched one arm upward.
"Resting."
She blinked twice.
Still half awake.
Sirius Symboli pointed behind her toward the F355.
"I still got an extra cup of coffee if you need it."
King Halo's ears perked up slightly.
"Thanks..."
"I'll take it."
She slowly walked toward the Ferrari.
Opened the door.
Reached inside.
And picked up the last cup resting on the driver's seat.
She carefully shut the door again.
Then walked back toward the group.
She took a small sip.
Then another.
Then looked toward Suzuka.
"You are already a two-time champ of this event."
She tilted her head.
"You really want that total domination run like Rudolf had years ago?"
Suzuka shrugged her shoulders.
"It's not like I want to win."
She looked toward the mountains.
"I just like driving to the limits."
She moved both hands behind her back.
Then smiled slightly.
"Like how I run at the front to feel the wind in my hair."
"And the calm of being at the front of the race."
Tap Dance City immediately smirked and waved a hand forward.
"Okay Suzuka, we get it."
She looked directly at her.
"You are a front runner with records of having the most consistent distance between you and second place."
Suzuka chuckled softly.
Covering her mouth with a fist.
"I just want a nice margin from the runners behind so I can take in the view."
"And enjoy the feeling of being in front."
King Halo nodded while lazily flapping her hand.
"Yeah yeah."
"Sure Suzuka."
Then her expression softened slightly.
She smiled.
"You are not just a great runner for the Racing Association."
She looked directly at Suzuka.
"But also a great racing driver."
Suzuka nodded.
"Thank you King-san."
Then—
Rapid footsteps.
Special Week practically ran toward Suzuka.
"Suzuka-san!"
She stopped beside her.
"How's your run?!"
Suzuka smiled immediately.
"It was great, Spe-chan."
Special Week nodded rapidly.
Twice.
Three times.
"That's great to hear!"
Nearby—
Nice Nature glanced down at her phone.
4:50 PM.
She looked upward.
The bright afternoon sky had begun changing color.
Orange slowly mixed with blue.
Long shadows stretched across the parking lot.
Then she looked back toward everyone.
"Shall we all head back before it gets too late?"
King Halo raised a finger.
"Hang on there Nattie."
A smirk slowly appeared.
"We still owe Teio a Wangan run."
C.B nodded.
"Where do we start then?"
King Halo tapped her chin.
"Hmm..."
Then raised her head.
"Kariba."
"We make our way to the C1 Loop."
"Then to Bayshore."
"Exit at Daikoku and Daishi."
"And back to campus."
She crossed her arms.
"But we end the run at Daikoku."
Her smile widened.
"Like how we did it back in the past."
The group looked toward one another.
Sirius nodded.
Cafe nodded.
Maruzensky nodded.
One by one—
Everyone agreed.
Then King Halo turned toward Teio.
"Teio."
"The last word is on you."
Teio blinked.
She looked around at everyone.
At Maruzensky.
Rudolf.
Special Week.
Suzuka.
Sirius.
C.B.
Everyone.
Then—
A grin slowly spread across her face.
"We got ourselves a Wangan Run!"
She crossed her arms confidently.
"Lets head out before it gets too late!"
Immediately the parking lot came alive.
Everyone parted ways.
Walking back toward their cars.
Doors opened.
Seats shifted.
Harnesses tightened.
Seatbelts clicked.
Ignition keys twisted.
Then—
One after another—
Engines roared to life.
The twin turbo V12 of Maruzensky's Countach.
The rotary scream of Teio's RX-7.
The deep howl of Chiyono's twin turbo Aventador.
The sharp bark of Sirius's F355.
The metallic growl of Tachyon's S30Z.
The supercharged V6 of Suzuka's NSX.
The others followed.
The mountains echoed with mechanical life.
Then—
Headlights turned on.
One by one.
Eleven cars.
An eleven-car convoy slowly rolled out of Hakone.
Leaving behind the mountains.
Leaving behind the winding roads.
Now heading toward Tokyo.
Toward the expressways.
Hours later.
The Group continued onwards.
The city lights had long replaced the mountain roads of Hakone.
Tokyo's glow reflected against body panels and windows as eleven cars flowed through traffic like a moving chain of stars.
Soon enough.
They neared Kariba.
Rudolf led the pack.
Behind her sat King Halo.
Then Chiyono O.
Suzuka.
Opera O.
In the middle sat Teio and Forever Young.
Behind Teio was Sirius Symboli and Mr. C.B.
Then Tap Dance City.
Then Tachyon and Cafe.
And finally—
Nice Nature sat at the very rear of the convoy.
As they approached the starting point.
The traffic around them slowly began clearing.
The road ahead widened.
Long.
Open.
Inviting.
Teio glanced sideways.
"Double check those harness straps Ebayan-san."
She looked back toward the road.
"The run is about to begin."
Forever Young grabbed both shoulder straps and tugged them downward.
Click.
Click.
She pulled once more.
Firm.
Secure.
She raised a thumb.
"Ready!"
Then—
The distinctive roar of a twin-turbocharged flat-plane crank V8 suddenly echoed ahead.
Rudolf had begun.
The F40 surged forward.
Twin turbos screamed.
The rear slightly squatted.
Exhaust note echoing violently against the barriers.
Soon followed by—
King Halo's R32.
RB26 roaring.
Turbos hissing.
ATTESA digging all four wheels into the asphalt.
Then Chiyono O's Aventador.
The twin-turbo V12 exploded to life.
Then Maruzensky's Countach.
Then Suzuka's NSX.
Then Opera O's GT8.
Teio smirked.
"Game on!"
Clutch in.
Second gear.
Her right foot buried itself into the floor.
The RX-7 surged.
Boost slowly climbed.
0.3 bar.
0.5.
0.8.
1.0.
Then—
Peak boost.
WHOOOSH—
The rear wheels suddenly broke loose.
Smoke burst from behind.
The RPM needle rocketed upwards.
BAP
BAP
BAP
The limiter bounced three times.
Teio gritted her teeth.
Clutch in.
Gas out.
Third gear.
Clutch out.
Gas in.
WHUMP—
The drivetrain shocked slightly.
The RX-7 hooked.
And launched forward.
The twin turbos screamed harder.
The car rapidly gained speed.
Behind her—
Mr. C.B sat inside Sirius's F355.
Hands gripping tightly.
Meanwhile Tap Dance City's Giulia accelerated behind.
Nice Nature's Gallardo V10 roared from farther back.
Throughout the entirety of Kariba—
No position changes.
Everyone knew better.
No one wanted to make stupid moves too early.
The convoy remained tight.
Like sharks circling.
Then—
They exited Kariba.
And moved north.
Towards Kinko Junction.
The city scenery blurred.
Guardrails became silver streaks.
Lights stretched across windshields.
As they approached Ishikawa-cho Interchange—
Rudolf and King Halo both hit the brakes.
BRAAAAKE—
The nose of Rudolf's F40 dipped aggressively.
The rear danced slightly.
But—
CHIRP—
The front tires momentarily locked.
The F40 drifted slightly wider.
King Halo immediately noticed.
Her eyes narrowed.
"There."
She yanked the wheel left.
The R32 moved into the inside lane.
Foot down early.
The RB26 screamed.
Boost hit.
ATTESA transferred power.
No wheelspin.
No drama.
Only grip.
The R32 shot out of the corner.
Passing Rudolf cleanly.
King Halo smirked.
"Thanks Kaichou."
Behind them—
Maruzensky.
Suzuka.
Opera O.
Mr C.B and Sirius.
No changes.
Further behind—
Tap Dance City entered aggressively.
The Giulia rotated.
Rear stepped outward.
Sliding.
Countersteer applied.
The twin-turbo V6 screamed near redline.
Tires singing.
Perfect angle.
Perfect control.
But—
Too much angle.
Too much speed scrubbed away.
Behind her—
Tachyon remained planted.
No slide.
No drama.
Pure grip.
The S30Z simply slingshotted forward.
WHOOOSH—
Passing Tap Dance City.
Tap slapped the steering wheel.
"Shit! Lost time there!"
Tachyon laughed.
"Drifting is sometimes not the solution Tap-kun!"
The cars continued onto K1.
The Yokohane Route.
The city opened around them.
Traffic lights above became streaks.
Buildings flashed by.
Namamugi Junction passed.
No changes.
Then—
The roads opened.
Long.
Wide.
Empty.
A top speed section.
Rudolf.
King Halo.
Maruzensky.
Suzuka.
All remained close.
All had terrifying speed.
Opera O however—
Her GT8 remained stock.
Beautiful.
Balanced.
But lacking outright speed.
Behind—
Teio stared forward.
Then narrowed her eyes.
She tucked in behind Opera O.
Slipstream.
The RX-7 suddenly felt lighter.
Speed climbed rapidly.
The speedometer hit 180.
And stopped.
Pinned.
But the car kept accelerating.
Closer.
Closer.
Closer.
Opera O's rear bumper filled the windshield.
Forever Young stared ahead.
"E-Eh?!"
Teio smirked.
"Gotcha."
Wheel right.
Quick lane change.
The RX-7 shot outward.
Twin turbos screaming.
WHOOOOSH—
And passed Opera O cleanly.
Teio grinned.
"See ya!"
Ahead—
A small S-curve approached.
King Halo.
Flat.
Rudolf.
Flat.
Suzuka.
Flat.
Teio—
Flat.
The RX-7 slightly compressed.
Then unloaded.
Then compressed again.
Suspension working overtime.
The chassis remained planted.
Opera O lifted slightly.
C.B lifted too.
Tachyon?
Flat.
Nice Nature?
Flat.
Behind—
C.B was getting thrown around inside the F355.
Forward.
Back.
Forward.
Back.
The harness caught her every time.
She looked completely horrified.
"CAN WE GO ANY FASTER?!"
Sirius's eyebrow twitched violently.
"DON'T YOU DARE BREAK MY CAR C.B!"
She groaned.
"Just because you have money doesn't mean you can break it!"
Then—
Tachyon's S30Z suddenly shot right past them.
The Midnight Blue Devil Z let out a savage metallic howl.
The twin-turbo inline-six screamed.
Boost fully built.
The rear squatted hard.
Three hundred kilometers per hour rapidly approached.
Whoosh—
The Z blasted past.
The air pressure alone rocked the F355 slightly.
C.B's mood instantly dropped.
Her ears lowered.
"Well I'll be damned! I thought we had this!"
Sirius chuckled.
"We still got poor old Nattie in the back."
Behind them—
Nice Nature's Gallardo continued charging forward.
Its naturally aspirated V10 roared loudly through the Tubi exhaust.
Though despite her pushing hard—
The power gap was beginning to show.
Nice Nature narrowed her eyes.
"...Hey."
"...I can still hear you two."
C.B nearly jumped.
Sirius covered her mouth.
"Oh."
Then immediately—
The radio crackled.
Nice Nature's voice came through.
"And for that comment..."
"I am revoking coffee privileges."
C.B's eyes widened.
"WAIT WHAT?!"
The convoy continued forward.
Daishi.
Haneda.
Showajima.
Oi.
One after another.
Streetlights flashed overhead.
Concrete barriers blurred into streaks.
White lane markers disappeared beneath them like machine-gun fire.
No position changes.
No mistakes.
No hesitation.
Soon—
They moved onto Route One.
The Ueno Route.
The road that would drag them deeper into Tokyo.
And eventually—
Into the C1 Loop.
As they passed beneath the Shibaura Junction—
King Halo's ears suddenly twitched.
Her eyes narrowed.
Then—
The sound arrived.
Two V8 engines.
Loud.
Aggressive.
Rapidly approaching.
Rudolf glanced into the mirror.
Maruzensky smirked.
Then—
Two headlights emerged from an on-ramp to their left.
A silver Corvette ZR1.
Daiwa Scarlet.
Right behind—
A metallic dark gunmetal gray 1973 Dodge Charger R/T.
Wide.
Low.
Mean.
Its massive NASCAR V8 thundered through the night.
The sound alone felt violent.
BRAAAAAAAAHHHHH—
The deep V8 roar echoed off the tunnel walls.
Teio's eyes widened.
"Whoa..."
Forever Young blinked.
"That thing sounds angry."
Maruzensky smirked wider.
"Welcome to the run Vodka-chan."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Time to have some fun."
Her hand moved.
Clutch in.
Fifth.
Fourth.
Rev match.
Blip.
BRAAAP—
The twin-turbo V12 instantly climbed into the powerband.
Foot down.
Boost built.
The Countach surged forward.
Soon—
Hamazakibashi Junction.
King Halo immediately yanked the steering wheel right.
The R32 dove in.
ATTESSA pulling the car through.
Rudolf followed.
Her F40 remaining planted.
Maruzensky entered next—
But—
The rear wheels suddenly broke traction.
The twin turbos came alive too aggressively.
The rear stepped outward.
The Countach slid wide.
Maruzensky immediately countersteered.
But momentum carried her outward.
Suzuka's eyes narrowed.
Opportunity.
Without hesitation—
She tightened her line.
Closer.
Closer.
Almost brushing the inside barrier.
Then—
Gas.
Full throttle.
The supercharged NSX screamed.
WHIIIIIIIIIINE—
The supercharger shrieked.
The rear compressed.
The NSX launched forward.
Past the Countach.
Clean.
Maruzensky gritted her teeth.
"Damn grip!"
She corrected.
Steering input reduced.
Throttle feathered.
Rear grip returned.
Then she smoothly flowed through the following right-hander.
Meanwhile—
Teio was now getting closer.
Half a car length.
Then less.
Her eyes focused.
Hands steady.
The RX-7's rotary screamed.
9000 RPM.
Boost building.
Behind—
C.B stomped hard on the brakes.
The F355 dipped violently.
Weight shifted forward.
Tires squealed.
She entered the turn.
Tachyon sat directly behind.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then—
The S30Z's rear suddenly rotated.
The back stepped outward.
Not by accident.
Intentional.
Tachyon barely moved her hands.
Tiny steering corrections.
Tiny throttle adjustments.
The car entered a perfect four-wheel drift.
No wasted movement.
No panic.
The nose aimed exactly where she wanted.
The rear followed obediently.
Then through the right-hander—
Still sliding.
Still controlled.
Still no position change.
Cafe gripped the leather handle tighter.
Her ears flattened.
"Keep it under control!"
"You have to watch your tire wear or you won't pass C.B and Sirius at all!"
Tachyon's lips twitched.
Her eyes never leaving the road.
"I know!"
Then she smirked.
"But..."
The S30Z inched slightly closer.
Very slightly.
"...the experiment is producing interesting results."
Cafe stared at her.
"...I'm still making that black coffee."
Ahead—
The lights of Tokyo continued getting closer.
Hours deeper inside the city—
The thirteen-car race continued on.
The convoy blasted through Tokyo beneath endless rows of lights and concrete walls.
Then—
A tunnel.
One after another, the cars entered.
Immediately—
The entire tunnel exploded with sound.
Normally, the mixture of engines would've blended together.
The scream of Rudolf's F40.
King Halo's RB26.
Suzuka's supercharged NSX.
Chiyono's boosted V12.
But this time—
Everything was drowned out.
RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH—
Vodka's NASCAR V8 shook the tunnel walls.
The metallic gray Charger thundered through like a stock car unleashed onto public roads.
The deep V8 pulses echoed violently.
And right behind it—
Nice Nature's Gallardo joined the symphony.
The Tubi exhaust screamed at high RPM.
The even-firing V10 shriek echoed through the tunnel like an Italian war cry.
Opera O winced slightly.
"Eugh... my ears..."
Tap Dance City laughed.
"That's not exhaust sound anymore!"
Tachyon smirked.
"That is simply mechanical violence."
Cafe sighed.
"That's probably the most accurate thing you've said tonight."
The thirteen cars shot out of the tunnel.
And now—
They were at the heart of Tokyo.
Skyscrapers surrounded them.
Lights reflected across body panels.
Traffic moved around them.
The race never slowed.
The group weaved through traffic.
Small gaps.
Tiny openings.
Just enough room.
Then—
An underpass with a center divider approached.
King Halo immediately swerved left.
Rudolf moved right.
Suzuka followed left.
Maruzensky.
Teio.
Left.
Opera O.
C.B.
Tachyon.
Tap Dance City.
And the rest—
Right.
The two groups split apart.
Only to weave back together.
Again.
And again.
Like flowing water.
Headlights flashed.
Concrete pillars flew by.
The city blurred.
Then they approached the final right-hand turn before Edobashi Junction.
Inside Teio's RX-7—
She narrowed her eyes.
Maruzensky's Countach sat directly ahead.
Half a car length.
Then less.
Then less.
Suddenly—
The Countach drifted wider again.
Teio's eyes widened.
Then she grinned.
"Thank you Maruzen for the easy pass!"
Foot down.
The RX-7 surged forward.
Boost built instantly.
The twin turbos screamed.
The Mazda slowly crept alongside.
Maruzensky looked over.
Then sighed dramatically.
"These tyres are cooked!"
She looked at the steering wheel.
Then shook her head.
"No point fighting."
Teio slowly moved ahead.
Clean pass.
Forever Young pumped both fists.
"YES!"
Ahead—
Edobashi Junction approached rapidly.
King Halo slammed the brakes.
BRAAAAAKE—
The nose of the R32 dipped.
CHIRP—
Front right wheel locked momentarily.
King Halo quickly eased off.
The tire rotated again.
Grip returned.
Behind—
Rudolf remained close.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then—
Suzuka's eyes narrowed.
A tiny opening.
Barely enough.
She committed.
"Going in."
She shot toward the inside.
Full commitment.
BRAAAAAAAKE—
The NSX violently compressed forward.
The front suspension loaded.
Heat poured into the brakes.
The rotors glowed faint orange.
Then brighter.
Red hot.
Rudolf's eyes widened.
"No way—"
Suzuka threaded the needle.
Past Rudolf.
Then immediately—
Past King Halo.
A double overtake.
One move.
Absolute commitment.
The NSX shot into the corner first.
King Halo blinked.
"...Seriously?"
Rudolf sighed.
"Damn the luck..."
King Halo narrowed her eyes.
"No."
She smirked.
"That wasn't luck."
Ahead—
Suzuka accelerated away.
The supercharger whined.
The V6 roared.
The three cars continued onward.
Behind—
The rest followed.
Further back—
Scarlet had finally found an opportunity.
She stared ahead.
Vodka.
The Charger entered aggressively.
Too aggressively.
CHIRP—
Front right tire locked.
The Charger drifted slightly wide.
Scarlet saw it instantly.
"There."
She feathered the throttle.
Maintained pressure.
Turned in.
Smooth.
Controlled.
Wheel right.
Holding the inside line.
The ZR1 remained planted.
Slowly.
Slowly.
Passing.
Then—
Foot flat.
WHOOOOOO—
The ProCharged LS9 screamed violently.
7000 RPM.
BAP—
Hard limiter.
Rear tires struggled.
Spinning briefly.
Clutch in.
Third gear.
CHIRP—
Rear tires grabbed.
And the Corvette shot ahead.
Scarlet smiled.
"Got you."
Vodka stared.
"...Seriously?!"
The thirteen cars continued onward.
Past Hakozaki.
Over the Sumida River.
City lights reflected beneath them across the water.
And ahead—
The Bayshore Route awaited.
So far—
No further changes in position.
Then.
They reached the Tatsumi Junction.
Past the Tatsumi PA.
And now.
Onto the Bayshore.
A Route all about Speed.
Chiyono O's Superior Power. Immidiately leaves a Multiple Car length gap behind.
Suzuka then to accelerate up to top speed hard
But as she accelerates.
King halo passes her with ease with her R32's Superior power.
And begins to Leave The others behind as well. Now begining to chase the Aventador.
Rudolf is slowly making up for top speed.
But Teio Was now behind her.
However.
It was not enough.
Teio's Light Body and Superior power.
Makes her Pass Rudolf With Ease.
Tachyon On the Other hand.
Is making up ground with the S30Z's lighter weight.
They cotinued on.
Deeper into the bayshore.
Then came The industrial islands of Higashigoshima and Ogishima.
So Far. No Position changes.
But Further Behind.
Daiwa Scarlet is leaving Vodka Behind.
And Catching up to Nice Nature Easily.
Daiwa Scarlet Glances at her rear view mirror
"How's that Nascar Engine and transmission setup doing ya?"
She shook her head
"In a place like this. You have to focus beyond Two Hundred Miles Per Hour."
She Smirked
"Or Three Hundred And Twenty..."
Daiwa's Speedometer is pinned to the max.
And She's clearly showing the New found Top Speed Since she last run the bayshore.
She Easily passes Nice Nature.
Nice Nature Frowns
"Damn it!"
"As if this run couldnt get any worse!"
And it did.
Vodka's Charger easily passes Nice Natures' Gallardo.
Nice Nature Raises both hands and puts them back on the wheel
"Oh Give me a Break!"
Daiwa And Vodka contiued on.
Passing C.B and Sirius Symboli
Their Eyes widened
"Wh What?!" They said in unison"
They then reached the Tsurumi Tsubasa Bridge.
King halo Hen moved to the inner left lane.
Preparing to exit..
Then.
Spotted Chiyono O Already Slowed down.
Hazards On.
She flashed her hazzard lights.
The Suzuka eases off the gas.
And Flashes her hazzard lights.
So Did Teio,
Then Maruzensky. And the others behind.
The victory.
Is Chiyono O's.
Teio Took a deep Breath.
Then Exhaled slowly.
Forever young Blinked.
And Looked at Teio
"How did it feel?"
Teio Glances at Forever young and back on the road
"Hm?"
Forever young repeats
"How did the handling feel?"
Teio Nods
"The handling felt awesome!"
"The right amount of Slide at slow and technical corners"
She Smiled wider
"But Planted and tight at the wide and fast corners!"
Forever Young smirked And Looked at the window.
"Congratulations Teio."
She then Looked back at Teio
"You found your Balanced Point."
Teio Nods
"Thank you Ebayan-san"
The thirteen-car convoy continued onward.
Leaving behind the bright lights of Bayshore.
Leaving behind the city.
Leaving behind the roar of high-speed racing.
Now—
Heading back toward Fuchu.
Back toward campus.
The roads slowly became quieter.
Traffic became thinner.
The pace slowed.
No one was pushing anymore.
No one was fighting for position.
No one was chasing taillights.
They were simply driving.
Cruising.
The headlights of thirteen cars stretched across the road like a moving river of light.
Inside Teio's RX-7—
The atmosphere had become completely different.
The tension from earlier was gone.
Only the low hum of the 13B remained.
Forever Young leaned against the seat.
Relaxed.
Arms folded.
She looked outside the window.
Tokyo's lights slowly disappeared behind them.
Then glanced toward Teio.
Teio's hands remained on the steering wheel.
But she was smiling.
Not her usual loud smile.
Not her energetic grin.
Just a small one.
A satisfied one.
Forever Young smirked.
"...You're happy."
Teio blinked.
"Huh?"
Forever Young looked back outside.
"You have that face."
Teio tilted her head.
"What face?"
Forever Young laughed softly.
"The face of someone who finally found what they were looking for."
Teio looked ahead again.
Silent.
Then slowly smiled.
"...Maybe."
An hour later—
Night had fully arrived.
The sky above had turned dark.
Stars faintly peeked through the city glow.
One by one—
The convoy entered the Ritto parking area.
Cars slowly rolled into the remaining spaces.
The F40.
The R32.
The Countach.
The RX-7.
The NSX.
The S30Z.
The GT8.
The Gallardo.
And the others.
Engines shut down.
One after another.
The roaring sounds disappeared.
Replacing them—
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
The sound of cooling metal.
Warm exhaust systems crackling.
Turbochargers winding down.
The smell of gasoline and heated brakes still lingered in the air.
Teio stepped out and stretched both arms upward.
"Aaaaaahhhh..."
Her back popped slightly.
"That was a long day."
Nearby—
Rudolf was locking the doors of her F40.
Click.
She turned around.
Then looked toward Teio.
"Well?"
She crossed her arms.
"What's the verdict?"
Teio blinked.
Then smiled.
A confident smile.
Not forced.
Not uncertain.
Certain.
Certain of herself.
Certain of her car.
"I am now at the balance point, Kaichou."
Rudolf stared for a few seconds.
Then smiled.
A soft smile.
"Good job, Teio."
Teio turned toward her RX-7.
The blue FD sat quietly beneath the parking lights.
Hours ago—
It was just a machine she was still uncertain about.
Now—
It felt complete.
Rudolf stepped beside her.
Then rested an arm over Teio's shoulder.
"Now you're ready."
Teio looked at her.
"...Yeah."
"I appreciate it, Kaichou."
From nearby—
Tachyon raised a hand.
"Hey Teio!"
Teio looked over.
Tachyon grinned.
"Great run!"
"See you tomorrow!"
Teio raised a hand back.
Turned it into a fist.
And lightly pumped it once.
Then—
An argument erupted nearby.
"I was clearly superior today! You barely came close to passing me again!"
"But at least I kept my wheels from spinning up to third gear!"
Rudolf and Teio slowly turned toward the parking entrance.
There—
As usual—
Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet.
Arguing.
Again.
Teio stared.
Rudolf stared.
Then—
Almost perfectly in sync—
Both sighed.
Maruzensky and Suzuka approached.
Maruzensky crossed her arms and shook her head.
"They really never get tired of one another, huh?"
Suzuka shook her head.
"Not a chance."
Then Sirius walked over.
Patting both of them on the back.
"That's what makes them a good couple, you know."
C.B immediately bumped Sirius with her shoulder.
"Hey."
"Don't go giving Digitan any yuri ideas."
Sirius burst into laughter.
"Yeah, yeah."
The two exchanged a fist bump.
Then C.B headed toward her Singer DLS parked near the exit.
Moments later—
The flat-six engine came alive.
Wrrrmmmm—
And disappeared into the night.
Nearby—
Chiyono O yawned loudly.
"That was fun you guys..."
She rubbed her eyes.
"But..."
Another yawn escaped.
"I'm gonna go get some eye shutter..."
Maruzensky yawned immediately after.
"I don't think I'll survive the drive home tonight."
She looked toward Rudolf.
"Mind if I stay at your dorm tonight, Kaichou?"
Rudolf shook her head.
"I don't mind."
Teio then yawned herself.
A really big one.
"...Waaah..."
She rubbed her eyes.
"Well..."
"I'm off."
She looked around.
At everyone.
At the cars.
At the parking lot.
At the people that stood beside her through everything.
Then smiled.
"Goodnight everyone."
She walked beside Rudolf and lightly patted her back.
Rudolf waved.
"See you tomorrow, Teio."
Teio nodded.
Then headed toward her RX-7.
She opened the door.
Stopped.
Looked back once more.
Everyone was still there.
Talking.
Laughing.
Arguing.
Just being themselves.
Teio smiled softly.
Nine months ago—
She had lost everything.
Her confidence.
Her car.
Her direction.
But tonight—
Standing under the parking lot lights—
Looking at her RX-7—
Looking at everyone around her—
She finally understood something.
She hadn't simply found a new car.
She had found herself again.
She climbed into the driver's seat.
Pulled the door closed.
Click.
And above the quiet campus parking lot—
The night continued peacefully.