The Speed Of The Stars

Five days had passed since Team Speed Stars dominated at Chirai Pass. Now, they were stationed at Autake Pass, relentlessly practicing day and night. The stakes were at an all-time high, with the final races looming just one day away. Two more battles awaited, uphill and downhill, before the ultimate showdown: Ace versus Ace—Collei in her AE86 versus Clorinde and her Lancia Rally 037. The tension was palpable, the air heavy with anticipation for the battles that would decide everything.

The sun began its descent over Yougou, painting the skies in golden hues that spilled across the land like liquid fire. At a cozy, roadside café, Beidou, Seele, Pela, Amber, and March gathered at their usual table, their chatter punctuated by the occasional clink of coffee cups.

Beidou set her coffee down with a satisfying thunk, stretching back into her seat with a lazy grin. "Can you believe tomorrow's their last day of racing?" she asked, her voice a blend of disbelief and excitement.

Seele nodded, brushing her bangs aside. "Yeah, feels like time's flown by too fast. One moment, they're just starting out, and now, here we are."

March sighed wistfully, her fingers tracing the rim of her mug. "No kidding. Just last summer, Collei was this naïve high school graduate delivering tofu for her dad's business. She didn't even know what she had under the hood of that car!"

Beidou chuckled, shaking her head. "Right? She didn't even realize she was driving an AE86! And then, after that first race with Keqing, it was like something lit inside her. She just kept winning... and winning... and winning."

March raised her hand with a smirk. "What about when she tied with Clorinde? Or the time she blew her engine?"

Amber leaned forward, her amber eyes sparkling. "Oh, come on. The draw with Clorinde was more of a mutual respect thing—they both knew they were equally good. And as for the engine? That was just an exhibition run. No winners, no losers."

Seele took a thoughtful sip of her coffee. "Still, it's wild to think how far she's come. Right now, they're up at Autake, running their cars to the limit."

Pela snapped her fingers, an idea lighting her face. "Why don't we head up to Autake early tomorrow morning? Beat the rush and show our support in person?"

Beidou's eyes gleamed. "Perfect! Let's make it a convoy. We'll bring our cars and roll up in style—Speed Suns, together."

The group exchanged nods of agreement, their energy contagious.

"Alright, then," Beidou said, smirking. "We better get packed. It's a long-ass drive, so let's meet here at 3:30 a.m. sharp. Don't be late!"

With that, the group dispersed, a shared excitement sparking in the air as they headed home to prepare for what promised to be an unforgettable day.

As Night Falls on Autake Pass. The roar of engines echoed across the Autake mountains as the final practice runs of the night unfolded. A silver Honda NSX NA1 and a dark gray Toyota GR Supra screamed through the twisting roads, their drivers locked in perfect harmony with their machines.

Moments later, the two cars pulled into the parking lot near the Sky Lounge. Lumine, the blonde-haired driver of the NSX, stepped out first, stretching as the cooling engine hissed softly. Stelle, her silver-haired counterpart from the Supra, joined her, the two exchanging a look of mutual satisfaction.

"That should be it for us," Lumine said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "We're clear now for Team Speed Stars to take over."

Stelle leaned against her car, nodding. "No kidding. Tomorrow's turnout is gonna be massive. Everyone in Narukami will be here."

Right on cue, two figures appeared in the distance, approaching the parking lot. Lumine waved. "Hey, brother! Hey, Caelus!"

Stelle mirrored the gesture. "What's up, Aether?"

The two men returned the wave, their strides purposeful as they approached.

"That wraps up our practice runs," Aether said, scanning the horizon. "How are the setups?"

Lumine nodded. "Dialed in perfectly. Exactly how I like it."

Stelle chimed in. "Power's linear, grip feels incredible. We're ready."

Aether crossed his arms, satisfaction gleaming in his golden eyes. "Good. Tomorrow's gonna be intense."

Caelus tilted his head toward the road, a grin tugging at his lips. "Looks like Team Speed Stars is back."

A convoy of vehicles approached, their engines humming in unison. At the front was Clorinde's Lancia Rally 037, followed closely by Collei's AE86, and four support vans bringing up the rear. The support vans parked first, their drivers unloading tools and equipment with practiced efficiency. Clorinde and Collei parked side by side, stepping out in near synchronization to meet their respective teams.

Albedo approached Collei, clipboard in hand. "How's the suspension setup treating you?"

"It's perfect," Collei replied, wiping sweat from her brow. "But can we tighten up the rear just a bit? I want to see if I can get more out of the corner exits and shave some time."

"On it," Albedo said, already moving toward the car.

Nearby, Navia stood with arms crossed, eyeing Clorinde's Lancia. "Bold move ditching the twin-charged system from your dad's Delta S4. Going back to the supercharger?"

Clorinde shrugged. "At this point, it's overkill. 350 horsepower is more than enough. Plus, I want this to be fair when Collei and I face off in the Ace race."

Navia smirked. "Can't fault you for wanting a level playing field."

Clorinde nodded, her resolve clear.

Ningguang called the team together, her authoritative voice cutting through the chatter. The crew formed a semi-circle around her, anticipation etched on every face.

"First and foremost," Ningguang began, her tone firm yet warm, "congratulations. This is our last expedition, and I want us to finish strong. Two more wins, then the Ace versus Ace race. It's been an honor leading you alongside Keqing, and I'm proud of everything we've accomplished together."

The team erupted into applause, the sound echoing into the night.

"Alright!" Ningguang clapped her hands once. "Let's wrap up these practice runs on a high note. Push hard, leave nothing on the table, and show them why we're the Speed Stars!"

Collei and Clorinde exchanged a nod of determination before climbing back into their cars. Moments later, the roar of engines filled the night air once again, the sound carrying through the mountains like a battle cry.

As the night wore on, the noise eventually faded, replaced by an eerie stillness. The mountain seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the dawn—and the final races that would decide everything.

The sun rose steadily over the Sky Lounge at the summit of Autake Pass, bathing the mountains in a soft golden glow. The crisp morning air carried a sense of calm before the storm, a quiet anticipation that only heightened the tension. Beidou, Seele, Amber, Pela, and March had arrived just a few minutes ago, their footsteps crunching softly against the gravel path as they made their way to the viewing deck.

The group paused, staring in awe at the panoramic view of Mt. Kanna, its towering presence a symbol of the journey they had witnessed. The endless sky was painted in shades of pink and orange, as if nature itself was celebrating the final day of racing.

March broke the silence first, throwing her arms wide. "Finally! For I, March 7th, have stepped foot on Autake Pass! And I will tackle this pass like the back of my hand!" Her voice echoed dramatically into the distance.

Beidou rolled her eyes, smirking as she gave March a gentle nudge from behind. "Quit yapping, March. We're here as tourists, not challengers."

Amber giggled, shaking her head. "Come on, guys. Take it easy on each other! We're here to show support, not start a brawl."

March crossed her arms, huffing playfully. "Yeah, yeah, I know!" She turned back toward the breathtaking view, her gaze softening. "Still... I can't believe this is the last day of racing for Team Speed Stars."

Seele leaned on the railing, her expression thoughtful. "It feels surreal, doesn't it? After today's uphill and downhill battles with the locals, it'll all come down to the race we've been waiting for."

Pela finished Seele's thought with a knowing smile. "Clorinde and her Lancia Rally 037 versus Collei and her AE86. The Ace versus Ace showdown."

Beidou squinted, her gaze shifting to the side. "Hey, is that...?" She pointed toward two women standing a short distance away, one with striking silver hair and the other with a sleek bob of blue.

"Silverwolf! Yelan!" Beidou called out, waving enthusiastically.

The two women turned around, Yelan's sharp eyes lighting up. "Oh, hey, Beidou!" she replied, waving back.

Silverwolf gave a small nod of acknowledgment. "Nice to see you all here. I take it you're here to support Team Speed Stars?"

The group walked over to join Yelan and Silverwolf, their conversation blending into the morning buzz.

"Of course we're here," Beidou said, grinning. "Everyone is! Team Speed Stars isn't just any team—they're the pride of Narukami's racing scene."

Silverwolf smiled faintly. "And not just Narukami. Who knows how many people came from all over the nation to witness today?"

As if on cue, the roar of an engine cut through the air. A sleek gray Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX pulled into the lot, and a woman with white hair and fox ears stepped out, waving. "Hey, fellas!"

Amber's eyes widened. "What do you know, Feixiao's here too."

Another car rolled in, the throaty rumble of a tuned engine announcing the arrival of a cyan Rocket Bunny GT86. Eula stepped out, her signature grace evident even in casual movements. She waved as she approached, her cool demeanor softening when she saw Amber.

"Hey, Amber," Eula said, extending her hand for a high five.

Amber grinned, meeting the gesture with enthusiasm. "Likewise! Good to see you here."

More cars began to flood the lot. A Subaru Legacy Group A, a Celica GT-Four, and a Subaru Impreza arrived in close succession. From them emerged Heizou, Thoma, Kuki Shinobu, and Xingqiu of the Feiyun Racing School.

Thoma stretched with a satisfied sigh. "Ah, fresh air! Nothing beats the mountains."

Xingqiu chuckled. "Fresh air, sure. But after driving since sunrise, I'd think you'd be more interested in resting."

Amber leaned against the railing, watching as more familiar cars rolled in. "What do you know? Even Team Speed Stars' old rivals came to watch the final races."

She wasn't wrong. The parking lot steadily filled with cars that had once battled Team Speed Stars on these very roads. Serval Landau's midnight blue R34 rumbled into place, followed by Topaz's classic Mazda MX-5 Miata NA1. Moments later, the Kamisato siblings arrived, Ayaka stepping out of her supercharged AE86 Levin with Ayato close behind in his pristine Lotus Elise Series 2. Kazuha and Firefly weren't far behind, their Altezza and RX-7 FD rolling in with matching elegance.

Seele smirked, nodding toward Ayaka. "Even the Kamisato's came out for this."

Beidou chuckled. "And look at that Altezza and RX-7. They're here for the show too."

Finally, a quartet of distinct cars pulled in to complete the scene. Jean's Group B Audi Quattro arrived with Diluc in the passenger seat, Kafka's immaculate white R34 followed closely, then Chiori's Silvia S13, and Yoimiya's roaring Ford Sierra Cosworth.

The Sky Lounge was buzzing with activity. Everywhere, racers mingled, sharing stories of their battles with Team Speed Stars. Engines hummed softly as drivers compared notes, their camaraderie creating an atmosphere of celebration and respect.

Seele leaned forward, gazing down at the packed lot. "The entire parking lot is alive with people. This... this is something else."

March nodded, hands on her hips. "No kidding. Looks like Team Speed Stars left one hell of an impression on all of them."

The group stood together, taking in the scene. The friendships, rivalries, and mutual respect that Team Speed Stars had forged over countless battles were all reflected here. It wasn't just a race—it was a testament to the bonds that grew from shared passion and competition.

The day had only just begun, but it already felt like the start of something monumental.

As the day stretched into the golden hours of the afternoon, the Team Speed Stars convoy came to a halt at a scenic parking area. The view was nothing short of breathtaking—Mount Kanna loomed majestically in the background, its towering peak framed by the azure sky and soft wisps of clouds. The spot was perfect, chosen deliberately by Ningguang to commemorate the journey that had brought the team together.

Stepping out of their vehicles, the team members stretched and took in the sight. Ningguang clapped her hands to gather their attention, her commanding yet graceful presence drawing everyone's focus.

"Alright, everyone!" she began, a touch of excitement in her voice. "We're going to take the official team photo here. This will be our keepsake—a memory of everything we've accomplished together."

The team murmured their agreement, the energy buzzing as they prepared for the shot.

"Here's the plan," Ningguang continued, gesturing as she outlined her vision. "I want the four support vans forming a wide semi-circle in the back. The AE86 and the Lancia should be parked near nose-to-nose but at a slight angle. Symmetry is key!"

Ganyu, Albedo, Keqing, and Navia immediately took charge, each hopping into a support van. The soft rumble of engines filled the air as they maneuvered the vehicles into position, creating a perfect semi-circle framing the space for the two lead cars.

Clorinde and Collei exchanged a glance before climbing into their respective vehicles. The Lancia and the AE86 roared to life, their distinctive engines echoing across the mountainside. Carefully, they parked the cars exactly as Ningguang directed, their hoods almost touching but angled slightly outward, creating a dynamic visual.

Ningguang stepped back, surveying the setup with a critical eye. She nodded approvingly and clapped her hands once. "Perfect!"

The rest of the team gathered as Ningguang began setting up the camera on a tripod. She adjusted the settings meticulously, ensuring the majestic Mount Kanna and the lined-up cars would be captured in full glory.

"Alright, listen up!" Ningguang called out, standing behind the camera. "Here's how we'll pose. The rest of the team will stand in the background, right behind the AE86 and the Lancia. Keqing and I will stand in the center, slightly behind Collei and Clorinde. As for you two," she said, pointing at the drivers, "feel free to sit or pose by the hoods of your cars. Be yourselves."

The team nodded in unison, moving into position with practiced precision. Collei hopped onto the hood of her AE86, leaning slightly with a relaxed grin, her emerald eyes glinting in the sunlight. Clorinde followed suit, sitting atop her Lancia's hood with a confident yet elegant pose, her long coat draped stylishly over the car's edge.

Behind them, the rest of the team arranged themselves artfully. Ganyu stood slightly to the left, her serene demeanor complementing Albedo's composed presence beside her. Navia crossed her arms with a sly smile, while Keqing's sharp, determined gaze reflected the fiery spirit of the team.

Satisfied with the arrangement, Ningguang grabbed the camera remote and stepped into place beside Keqing. She stood tall, her white coat catching the sunlight, while Keqing folded her arms confidently.

"Everyone ready? Stay still and smile!" Ningguang instructed, holding up the remote.

The camera clicked, capturing four pristine shots in quick succession.

"Great work!" Ningguang said, grinning. "Now let's loosen up. Do something wacky!"

The team's serious facade melted instantly, replaced by laughter and a flurry of movement. Keqing and Albedo exchanged a quick glance before teaming up to lift Navia off the ground, much to her surprise and amusement. She kicked her legs playfully, laughing as they posed triumphantly with her in mid-air.

Collei and Clorinde leaned toward each other, locking arms and flashing confident smiles. With their free hands, they held up a number one gesture toward the camera, embodying the spirit of the team.

Ningguang, unable to resist joining in the fun, dramatically lay down in front of the group, propping herself up on one arm and giving the camera a playful wink.

"Alright, one more shot!" she yelled, holding up the remote. "Cheese!"

The camera clicked again, immortalizing the chaotic, joyous energy of the team.

As the team gathered around to review the photos on the camera screen, laughter and cheers filled the air. The official Team Speed Stars photo—a symbol of their journey, struggles, and triumphs—had been captured. It was more than just an image; it was a memory etched into their hearts.

"That's it," Ningguang said softly, looking at the team with a rare, sentimental smile. "This will be the photo we'll all look back on and remember why we started. Let's make the rest of today count."

With that, the group returned to their vehicles, recharged and ready for the final leg of their journey