Another week had passed since the Hakone accident.
And slowly—
Life around Tracen Academy began returning to normal.
At least on the surface.
The autumn air had fully settled over campus now. Leaves drifted across the walkways while students resumed their usual routines—training sessions, classes, cafeteria chatter, and late afternoon practice runs around the academy grounds.
But despite the return of normalcy—
The memory of Hakone still lingered.
Especially among the drivers.
Because no matter how calm things looked now—
Everyone still remembered the sound of Rudolf screaming Teio's name over the livestream.
And the image of the destroyed R34 resting against the trees.
When Tokai Teio finally returned to Tracen Academy—
The reception she received was far warmer than she expected.
Friends gathered almost immediately the moment she stepped back onto campus.
Classmates waved excitedly.
Students approached to check on her condition.
Some even brought snacks, drinks, or handwritten "welcome back" cards.
For once—
The usually energetic Teio didn't know how to react to all the attention.
Because after everything that happened—
Part of her genuinely believed people would look at her differently.
Like she failed.
Like she disappointed everyone.
But instead—
They were simply relieved she was alive.
And that alone helped more than she expected.
Still—
Despite returning to campus physically—
Teio spent almost the entire following week inside her dorm room.
She submitted excuse letters to both her teachers and trainer, requesting a one-week absence from training activities and classes.
Not because she was physically incapable.
Her ankle was already improving steadily.
And not because Rudolf's lectures shattered her emotionally.
Though admittedly—
The conversations at the hospital…
And then the second discussion after returning to Tracen…
Still echoed heavily inside her mind.
Especially the parts where Rudolf bluntly explained the reality of the situation.
That she could have died.
That she brought the wrong setup entirely.
That she entered a dangerous uphill event with almost no meaningful safety equipment.
Those truths hurt.
A lot.
But that wasn't why Teio isolated herself.
What she truly needed—
Was a mental break.
For the first time in a long while—
Tokai Teio genuinely stopped.
No racing.
No spirited drives.
No late-night highway pulls.
No tuning discussions.
No joking around in parking lots.
Just silence.
Time to think.
Time to process.
Time to understand what actually happened.
Because no matter how many times she replayed it in her head—
The result never changed.
The accident already happened.
And her R34 GT-R…
Was gone.
Totaled.
Reduced from the machine she loved most—
Into twisted metal sitting in an insurance lot somewhere outside Tokyo.
The realization hurt far more than she expected.
Because that car wasn't just transportation to her.
It was memories.
Late-night drives.
Her first real high-power build.
Her victories.
Her confidence.
Her freedom.
And now—
It was nothing more than a wrecked shell.
Some nights, Teio quietly stared at photos of the car on her phone.
The Bayside Blue paint.
The Nismo aero.
The TE37s.
The way it looked under Shuto lights late at night.
Gone.
All because of one mistake.
And honestly—
That reality humbled her more than Rudolf's lectures ever could.
Inside the dormitory room—
Silence lingered heavily.
The curtains remained partially closed while soft afternoon light filtered faintly through the windows.
Teio laid quietly on her bed.
One arm resting over her stomach.
Eyes fixed toward the ceiling.
No music played.
No videos.
No games.
Just silence.
Across the room—
Mayano Top Gun sat quietly on her own bed.
Watching Teio.
Worried.
Even Mayano herself didn't know what to say anymore.
Normally—
She was the loud one.
The energetic one.
Always talking.
Always moving.
Always trying to make people smile.
But this time—
Even she was struggling.
Because seeing Tokai Teio this quiet honestly felt wrong.
This wasn't the Teio everyone knew.
This was someone exhausted.
Mentally exhausted.
And for the first time in days—
Mayano finally sighed.
She blinked once.
Opened her mouth.
Then stopped herself.
Her lips pressed tightly together.
Before finally—
"…Teio-san…"
Teio remained silent.
Not ignoring her.
Just… listening.
Mayano lowered her gaze slightly.
"You need to talk to us…"
Her voice softened.
"This silence is honestly scaring me."
Teio exhaled sharply through her nose.
Still staring upward.
"What else is there to say…"
Mayano's eyebrows lowered.
She pressed her lips thin again.
"Why can't you just be like before?"
Teio finally blinked.
Mayano continued carefully.
"When you were recovering from your fractures…"
"You were still energetic."
"Still positive."
"Even when you felt hopeless…"
"You kept pushing."
She glanced toward Teio's left foot.
No wrapping anymore.
No brace.
No visible injury.
She had already physically recovered.
"You're already okay now…"
Mayano's voice cracked slightly from frustration.
"I just…"
"I don't understand why you can't be like that again…"
Teio finally closed her eyes briefly.
Then quietly answered.
"This is different…"
Mayano stayed silent.
Teio slowly turned her head toward her.
"I always looked up to Kaichou…"
"Ever since I was little…"
Her voice lowered further.
"But…"
She swallowed.
"Being talked to like that by Kaichou…"
"…hurts."
Mayano sighed softly.
Her eyebrows lowered sympathetically.
Then she stood from her bed and walked over toward Teio.
Standing beside the bed now—
She looked down at her roommate.
"She talked to you like that because she cares about you, silly."
That finally made Teio look at her directly.
Mayano continued immediately.
"The reason Rudolf was angry…"
"Is because you could've died."
"She cares about your safety."
Then she carefully sat down at the edge of Teio's bed.
The mattress dipped slightly beneath her.
For several moments—
Neither spoke.
Then Teio slowly pushed herself upright.
Now sitting beside Mayano.
Mayano blinked softly.
"She was terrified, Teio."
"Everyone was."
She shook her head.
"I get wanting to be like Rudolf."
"Honestly, a lot of us do."
Then Mayano pointed lightly toward Teio's chest.
"But you also need to understand something."
"You can't become Rudolf."
Teio quietly listened while pulling her legs upward slightly, resting her arms across her knees.
Mayano's voice softened further.
"At the end of the day…"
"You're still Tokai Teio."
"No matter how much you imitate her."
"No matter how much you admire her."
"You are still your own person."
Teio blinked slowly.
Then lowered her gaze.
"…I guess you're right…"
Mayano chuckled softly.
"There we go."
She lightly bumped shoulders with Teio.
"Because I am right."
That earned the faintest twitch from the corner of Teio's mouth.
Not quite a smile.
But close.
Mayano continued anyway.
"You can cosplay Rudolf."
"Mimic her attitude."
"Copy how she talks."
She grinned slightly.
"You can even drive like her if you really want."
Then she gently poked Teio's forehead.
"But you'll still end up being Tokai Teio."
Silence returned afterward.
But this time—
It felt lighter.
Teio blinked slowly.
Then quietly nodded.
Silently accepting the truth she probably needed to hear most.
Then—
Knock.
Knock.
Mayano blinked and pushed herself off the bed.
"I'll get it."
She walked across the dorm room and reached for the handle.
Click.
The door opened.
Standing outside—
Was Symboli Rudolf.
Rudolf gave a small nod.
"Maya-chan. Hey."
Mayano immediately straightened slightly.
"Kaichou!"
Rudolf's eyes shifted past her.
Toward Teio.
"How's she doing?"
Mayano glanced back toward the room.
Toward Teio sitting quietly on the bed.
Then sighed softly before looking back at Rudolf.
"She's getting there…"
Her expression softened.
"Slowly…"
Rudolf blinked once.
Then nodded.
"…I see."
She stepped into the room afterward.
Mayano quietly closed the door behind her.
Inside—
Rudolf slipped both hands into her jacket pockets while exhaling softly.
For a brief moment—
No one spoke.
Then Rudolf finally looked toward Teio.
"Teio…"
Teio blinked.
"Yes, Kaichou?"
Rudolf sighed again quietly.
"How are you feeling?"
Teio pressed her lips together slightly.
Then answered honestly.
"…Getting there."
Rudolf slowly exhaled through her nose.
Her right ear twitched faintly.
Almost nervously.
Then—
She spoke again.
"I…"
"I got something for you."
That immediately caught Teio's attention.
Rudolf reached into her jacket pocket.
Then pulled something out.
A single car key.
Attached to it was a small triangle-shaped keychain.
Teio stared at it.
Confused at first.
Then her eyes widened.
"…C-Car keys?"
Rudolf nodded once.
"Yes."
"Something to help you get back on your feet."
Teio immediately sat upright straighter.
Then carefully slid off the bed and approached Rudolf slowly.
"A-Are you sure?"
Rudolf nodded calmly.
"Yes."
"It's already under your name now."
Teio looked completely stunned.
Rudolf continued.
"It's a fresh start."
"A way for you to return to driving properly."
Teio's mouth opened slightly.
Her hand slowly reached toward the keys.
But just before she could take them—
Rudolf suddenly raised them slightly higher.
Teio blinked.
Rudolf raised a finger.
"One condition."
Teio tilted her head slightly.
"What is it, Kaichou?"
Rudolf looked directly at her.
Serious.
Firm.
"If you modify this car…"
"I want safety upgrades first."
"Roll cages."
"Racing harnesses."
"Bucket seats."
"Anything that keeps you alive."
The room fell quiet again afterward.
Because this wasn't Rudolf being controlling.
Or harsh.
This was genuine concern.
Teio slowly nodded.
"I promise, Kaichou."
Rudolf's expression softened immediately afterward.
A small smile appeared.
"That's what I wanted to hear."
Then she closed her hand around the keys.
Lowered it back down.
And reopened her palm.
The keys rested there quietly.
Waiting.
Teio slowly picked them up.
Carefully.
Almost like she was afraid they'd disappear.
Her fingers tightened around them gently.
Still staring down at the key.
Rudolf slipped her hands back into her jacket pockets afterward.
"The car's downstairs."
Teio looked up almost immediately.
"I want to see it with you."
Rudolf nodded.
"Of course."
She stepped toward the door first.
Mayano then approached Teio quietly.
The two exchanged a look.
Mayano smiled softly.
"I told you."
"Rudolf really does care about you."
Teio looked down at the keys again.
Then nodded faintly.
"…You were right as always, Maya."
Mayano grinned proudly.
"I know."
She stepped out into the hallway afterward.
Teio followed shortly behind, gently closing the dorm room door behind her.
Click.
The trio quietly walked through the fairly busy dormitory hallways together.
Students passed by casually, greeting Rudolf and Mayano as they moved.
Then—
They headed down the stairwell toward the parking area below.
The sounds of student chatter slowly grew louder as they descended floor by floor, eventually stepping out through the dormitory entrance and into the cool autumn afternoon.
A light breeze swept through the campus roads.
Leaves drifted quietly across the pavement.
The three walked along the pathway leading toward the Miho dorm parking area.
Teio kept glancing around as they approached.
Only a handful of cars remained parked there at this hour.
Most students were either in class, training, or away from campus entirely.
Still—
The cars that were present immediately stood out.
Parked near the far side sat King Halo's green R32 GT-R V Spec II, its Group A-inspired stance looking aggressive even while stationary.
Beside it—
Rudolf's green RX-7 FB GSL-SE rested quietly beneath the trees, lowered slightly with its classic silhouette unmistakable.
Nearby sat Forever Young's dark cherry red Toyota GR GT.
Mejiro Ardan's massive BMW Alpina B12 6.0 E38 rested elegantly near the curb.
Further down—
Chiyono O's Rosso Scuderia Ferrari 308 GTB sat gleaming softly beneath the cloudy sky.
Mayano's white Mustang Dark Horse and red Pantera GT5-S occupied two adjacent spaces nearby.
And slightly farther away—
Suzuka's red NA1 NSX sat low and purposeful beneath the shade.
Teio slowly looked around the parking area again.
Then blinked.
"…Where's the car, Kaichou?"
Rudolf calmly pointed beside her RX-7.
A vehicle sat there fully covered beneath a fitted gray car cover.
"There."
"It's under the cover."
Mayano immediately perked up slightly.
"Ooh!"
"Is it a muscle car, Kaichou?"
Rudolf chuckled softly and shook her head.
"No."
Then glanced toward Mayano.
"It's still Japanese."
Mayano blinked rapidly.
"Wait seriously?!"
Teio stared at the covered car quietly.
Her grip tightened slightly around the keys Rudolf gave her earlier.
The three slowly approached the covered vehicle together.
As they got closer—
Teio could make out the shape underneath.
Low.
Compact.
Rounded.
Definitely not a sedan.
And definitely not something modern.
Once they stopped directly beside it—
Teio hesitated slightly.
Then carefully reached for the cover.
Rudolf leaned casually against the left fender of her RX-7 FB.
Crossing her arms.
Watching silently.
Then she nodded once toward Teio.
"Go on."
"Pull it."
Teio looked down at the covered car.
Her heartbeat subtly quickened.
Slowly—
Her fingers tightened around the edge of the cover.
Then—
She pulled.
The car cover slid backward smoothly as Teio stepped away with it, the fabric peeling across the bodywork beneath.
First came the nose.
Then the fenders.
Then the full silhouette.
Mayano's eyes widened almost instantly.
"Oh my god—"
There it was.
A first-generation Mazda RX-7 FD3S ɛ̃fini.
Finished in a vivid blue shade strikingly similar to the colors of Teio's G1 racing outfit.
The paint shimmered softly beneath the cloudy autumn sky.
The shape was unmistakable.
Low.
Curved.
Timeless.
Its pop-up headlights rested closed while the flowing body lines reflected the same lightweight aggression that made the FD legendary.
The Mazdaspeed A-Spec body kit gave the car a sharper, more purposeful appearance without ruining the original elegance of the chassis.
Silver-and-black Mazdaspeed MS-02 wheels sat neatly beneath the arches.
And despite the modifications—
The car still looked clean.
Balanced.
Tasteful.
Teio's eyes widened immediately.
Then lit up completely.
She snapped toward Rudolf almost instantly.
"You got me an FD RX-7?!"
Rudolf nodded calmly while pushing herself upright from against her FB RX-7.
"That's right, Teio."
She walked over and stopped beside her.
Hands slipping into her pockets again.
"I know how much I meant to you during your racing career."
"And I know how much influence I've had on you."
Her eyes shifted toward the FD.
"So I got you this."
She looked over the car briefly before continuing.
"1991 Mazda RX-7 FD3S ɛ̃fini."
Then pointed lightly toward the front bumper.
"It already has the Mazdaspeed A-Spec kit installed."
Then toward the wheels.
"Silver-and-black RAYS Mazdaspeed MS-02s."
She slipped her hands back into her jacket pockets afterward.
"Mechanically, it's mostly stock."
"Only a steering wheel and axle-back exhaust were added."
"The engine itself is untouched from factory specification."
Teio looked back toward Rudolf.
"So basically…"
"Lightly modified?"
Rudolf nodded.
"Exactly."
Then her expression softened slightly.
"I bought this so you could return to driving properly."
Her voice lowered slightly afterward.
"I know how much the R34 meant to you."
"But that car…"
"…can't be repaired."
Teio's expression dimmed slightly.
But Rudolf continued before the silence could settle.
"What I want you to learn with this car…"
"Is balance."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Learn how to build something that works both on the highways…"
"And in the mountains."
Immediately—
The meaning behind her words became clear.
Rudolf's expression tightened slightly.
"I do not want you repeating the mistake that put you into a tree."
The parking area fell quiet again for a moment.
Then Rudolf relaxed slightly.
Her eyes returned toward the RX-7.
"And most importantly…"
"I want you to cherish this car."
"As much as you loved your R34."
Then she blinked once.
And glanced toward Teio again.
"Because someday…"
"When we eventually part ways…"
A faint smile appeared.
"This car will become another memory of me."
Teio froze slightly.
That sentence hit harder than expected.
Her eyes watered almost immediately.
A tear formed.
Then another.
She sniffled quietly before wiping at her eyes.
"I…"
"I will, Kaichou…"
Then suddenly—
Teio stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Rudolf tightly.
"Thank you so much…"
Her voice cracked slightly.
Rudolf visibly softened immediately.
Then slowly smiled.
And hugged Teio back.
"You're very welcome, Teio."
For several moments—
Neither moved.
The autumn breeze passed gently through the parking lot around them.
Then eventually—
The two slowly separated again.
Teio looked back down at the key in her hand afterward.
Then suddenly blinked.
Her eyes widened again.
"…Wait."
She lifted the keychain upward.
"The clue was here the whole time."
She stared at it closely.
"The keychain is a rotor!"
Rudolf chuckled softly.
"It always was."
Teio laughed weakly through the last of her tears.
Then slowly began walking around the FD RX-7.
Carefully admiring every detail of her new car.
Teio slowly walked along the side of the FD.
Her reflection stretched softly across the blue paintwork.
Then—
She carefully placed a hand against the body.
But hesitated.
Almost like she was afraid touching it would somehow make the moment disappear.
Rudolf sighed softly.
"The car's yours now, Teio."
"…Enjoy it."
Teio looked back over her shoulder.
Toward Rudolf.
Then nodded slowly.
Finally—
Her fingertips made proper contact with the paint.
She slowly dragged her fingers across the smooth bodywork of the RX-7.
Feeling every curve.
Every panel.
Then eventually—
She reached the right-side driver's door.
Her hand moved toward the handle.
Click.
The door opened.
Teio immediately leaned slightly inward to peek inside.
Black interior.
Simple.
Driver-focused.
A Nardi steering wheel sat mounted neatly ahead of the gauge cluster.
Bride bucket seats replaced the factory seats.
And behind them—
A harness bar stretched across the rear cabin.
Teio blinked.
"Huh…"
"There's already some safety stuff installed."
Rudolf nodded.
"Like I said."
"How far you take the safety modifications is up to you."
Then she grinned slightly.
"But considering some of it's already there…"
"You're saving a decent amount of money."
She crossed her arms afterward.
"The previous owner took very good care of the car."
"Practically babied both the chassis and the engine."
"Then had it shipped here on a flatbed."
Teio chuckled softly.
"I still have suspension and engine modifications to do though."
Then she looked toward Rudolf again.
"Say, Kaichou…"
"What did you do to your rotary engine?"
Rudolf glanced toward her FB RX-7 nearby.
"What spec?"
"The current setup?"
"Or the one before the F40?"
Teio blinked rapidly.
"Wait…"
She looked back at Rudolf again.
"You had another setup before the F40?"
Rudolf nodded casually.
"Yep."
She looked toward her RX-7 quietly.
"Back when I was still actively racing."
"Well before I became Student Council President."
A small nostalgic smile crossed her face.
"I used to run nearly seven hundred horsepower on the Shuto."
Teio's eyes widened instantly.
"Huuuh?!"
Rudolf nodded again.
"The ride height sat much higher than it does now."
"I also had a half cage, bucket seats, and a five-point harness installed."
She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"If I remember correctly…"
She glanced toward Teio.
"Fastest run was somewhere around three hundred forty kilometers per hour."
Teio's jaw slowly dropped.
"…Whoa."
Rudolf nodded calmly.
"But the main thing that never changed much was the engine porting."
"I street-ported the rotary."
"I originally considered bridge-porting it."
Then immediately shook her head.
"But that setup sucks for a daily."
Teio tilted her head slightly.
"So what's the difference?"
Rudolf leaned lightly against her RX-7.
"Bridge-porting gives you maximum high-end power."
"Much more race-oriented."
"But your idle becomes rough."
"Very choppy."
She smirked slightly.
"The rotary community calls it brapping."
Then she pointed toward Teio's FD.
"Street-porting is far more balanced."
"You gain better mid-range power, smoother response, and better drivability."
"Especially for daily driving."
"And it's far less obnoxious."
She chuckled afterward.
"Trust me."
"If you bridge-port that thing…"
"Air Groove will absolutely lose her mind."
Teio laughed slightly.
Rudolf shook her head.
"She already has to deal with Nattie's Gallardo cold starts."
"She does not need a bridge-ported RX-7 screaming through campus too."
Teio nodded while laughing softly.
"I'll remember that."
Then she raised the keys slightly.
"So…"
"Why don't we go for a drive together, Kaichou?"
Rudolf blinked once.
Then smiled.
"Of course."
"I'll bring my RX-7 too."
She looked toward her FB.
"Haven't driven that thing properly in months."
Teio smiled properly for what felt like the first time in days.
"Then let's go."
Mayano stretched her arms slightly afterward.
"Well…"
"I'm heading back upstairs."
"I still need more sleep."
She turned and began walking back toward the dorm entrance.
Then raised a hand lazily into the air.
"See ya later, you two."
Rudolf and Teio both nodded.
"Later, Maya."
Mayano disappeared back into the dorm building shortly afterward.
Leaving only Rudolf and Teio in the parking area.
Teio then carefully stepped into the FD RX-7.
Sliding her legs into the cockpit.
Teio slowly settled herself into the driver's seat.
Then paused.
Looking around carefully.
Unlike her R34—
The FD felt far more compact.
More intimate.
Everything wrapped tightly around the driver.
The dashboard sat lower.
The cabin narrower.
Simpler.
Focused.
It immediately felt lighter.
More connected.
Her eyes drifted toward the gauge cluster.
White-faced RX-7 Spirit R gauges.
Teio blinked softly.
"…Spirit R gauges too…"
A faint smile formed on her face.
Then she adjusted the seat carefully.
Sliding it slightly backward.
Then forward again.
Finding the perfect position.
Afterward—
She glanced down toward the pedals.
And pressed each one slowly.
Throttle.
Brake.
Clutch.
The clutch felt lighter than the R34's.
The pedal spacing tighter.
More precise.
Teio nodded softly to herself.
"…Perfect."
Then she adjusted the rearview mirror.
The parking lot settled neatly into view behind her.
Finally—
Her eyes returned toward the key in her hand.
The small rotor keychain dangled beneath it quietly.
Then—
She inserted the key into the ignition.
At almost the exact same moment—
Rudolf's FB RX-7 rumbled to life nearby.
Brrrmmm.
The deep rotary idle echoed softly through the parking area.
Teio blinked toward it briefly.
Then turned her own key.
Click.
The dashboard illuminated.
The fuel pump primed.
Then—
Ignition.
The starter engaged.
Rrrr-rrr-rrr—
Bwoom.
The twin-rotor 13B-REW came alive smoothly.
The engine settled into a calm, steady idle afterward.
The axle-back exhaust gave the car a deeper tone than stock, but it remained refined.
Subtle.
Teio quietly rested both hands on the steering wheel.
Feeling the vibration of the engine through the chassis.
Then—
She lowered the driver's window.
The glass slid downward smoothly.
She leaned slightly outward and waved toward Rudolf.
Rudolf lowered her passenger-side window in return.
Then leaned slightly toward Teio.
"Teio?"
Teio leaned out slightly farther.
"Where are we going?"
Rudolf pressed her lips together thoughtfully.
Then blinked once.
"…Let's head to Shirasato Beach."
"And enjoy the sunset."
Teio immediately nodded.
"Yes, Kaichou."
"I'll follow you."
Rudolf nodded once.
Then raised her window again.
Teio did the same.
The window quietly rolled back upward.
Then she reached for the seatbelt.
Pull.
Click.
Latched securely.
Ahead—
Rudolf's FB RX-7 slowly began moving first.
Its exhaust hummed softly as it rolled toward the parking lot exit.
Teio followed shortly after.
Clutch in.
First gear.
A little throttle.
Then slowly easing off the clutch.
The FD crept forward smoothly.
Teio carefully turned the wheel and followed behind Rudolf.
The two RX-7s rolled side-by-side briefly beneath the trees before turning toward the campus exit.
One old generation.
One new generation.
Then—
They left the parking area together.
Beginning the hour-and-a-half drive toward Chiba Prefecture.
Toward the coastline.
Toward the sunset.
And for the first time in weeks—
Tokai Teio was finally back where she belonged.
Back behind the wheel.
An hour into the drive, the scenery had already shifted into something calmer.
National Route 409 stretched out ahead of them, a long ribbon of asphalt cutting through Chiba's quieter outskirts as they moved southeast toward the coastline.
The skies above were clear, washed in soft late-afternoon light.
Fields along the roadside reflected a muted brown-green hue—late autumn settling in properly now.
The air itself felt slightly humid, but cool enough to keep the cabin atmosphere comfortable with the windows cracked just a little.
Traffic was light.
Almost nonexistent in places.
Just the occasional oncoming car passing in the opposite lane before disappearing into the distance.
The two RX-7s cruised steadily, neither rushed nor aggressive.
Just flowing with the road.
Teio, for the first time in what felt like weeks, was smiling.
Not forced.
Not hesitant.
Genuine.
She kept both hands on the wheel, eyes forward, but her thoughts drifted naturally into something she hadn't allowed herself to do recently.
Planning.
"…I think I should start with Kaichou's recommendations."
Her gaze flicked briefly across the cabin.
"First… a racing harness."
She glanced toward the passenger seat.
"Fire extinguisher mounted underneath."
Then her eyes moved upward toward the rearview mirror.
"Half cage…"
She paused for a moment.
"…A full cage would make getting in and out annoying."
Her focus returned to the road.
Then her mind shifted forward again—this time toward performance.
"The ride height is too high…"
"And it's too soft."
A small nod.
"Coilovers first."
Then a brief pause.
"Engine… street porting."
Her fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel.
"Turbos… intake… tune…"
A quiet breath left her nose.
"So many choices…"
Then she shook her head faintly.
"But I'm not going anywhere near 1000 horsepower again."
A subtle shiver ran through her shoulders.
"…That alone makes me want to throw up."
Her expression tightened slightly, more serious now.
"I nearly died with that much power…"
"That's way too much."
Her eyes narrowed toward the horizon.
"Especially for my skill level at the time."
Then—
A new sound entered the moment.
Distinct.
Mechanical.
High-revving intake resonance layered over a sharp, exotic engine note.
Ten cylinders.
Teio's eyes shifted to the side mirror.
A cobalt blue metallic shape approached quickly from behind.
Low.
Wide.
Confident.
A Gemballa Mirage GT.
Teio smirked slightly.
"…Of course."
Right on cue—
Her phone rang.
She picked it up and tapped it to speaker.
Immediately, King Halo's voice filled the cabin.
"Hey hey! Look who's back on the roads!"
The Mirage GT smoothly pulled up alongside the FD, maintaining pace with effortless stability.
King Halo glanced over and gave a casual thumbs up through her window.
"Hope you treat that car nicely, Teio! She's got a lot of potential."
Teio nodded slightly while keeping her eyes on the road.
"I will, King-san."
King Halo continued, tone softening slightly.
"But don't go overboard with power again, alright?"
"Find the balance."
Teio's expression steadied.
"I will."
A pause.
Then King Halo asked,
"Where are you two headed anyway?"
Rudolf's voice came through next, calm and direct.
"Shirasato Beach."
"Thought it would help her clear her head."
King Halo hummed in approval.
"Fair enough."
Then she chuckled lightly.
"Want me to join?"
Rudolf replied without hesitation.
"Why not."
King Halo smirked.
"Alright then."
"I'll fall in behind you."
The Mirage GT eased off slightly, dropping back behind Teio's FD RX-7.
Cobalt blue settling neatly into formation behind blue.
Three cars now moved as one along Route 409.
The road ahead gradually brightened as the coastline drew nearer.
And for the first time since the crash—
Teio wasn't just driving again.
She was learning to move forward.
Half an hour later…
The trio pulled into a quiet, nearly empty parking lot near the Kujukuri Toll Road. The kind of place where the sound of the ocean was just barely starting to reach inland, carried by the wind.
The engines idled down one by one.
First Rudolf's FB RX-7.
Then King Halo's cobalt blue Gemballa Mirage GT.
Finally, Teio's blue FD RX-7.
Doors opened in sequence.
Metal clicking softly in the cooling air.
The three stepped out and naturally gathered near Teio's FD, as if it had become the center point of everything that had changed in the last week.
King Halo crossed her arms first, standing slightly to the side of the FD.
Her eyes studied it for a moment.
Then she spoke plainly.
"Not gonna lie, Teio…"
"This car suits you a lot better than the R34."
Teio blinked.
"…Really, King-san?"
King Halo nodded without hesitation.
"Mhm."
Her gaze shifted back to the RX-7.
"It's small. Light. Nimble."
"And it's got that… quirky rotary character."
Then she looked back at Teio directly.
"But don't go overkill again."
Her tone sharpened slightly—not harsh, but firm.
"Find the balance."
"Speed, power… and control."
Teio exhaled slowly.
Then turned around.
Not toward the cars.
But toward the coastline.
The beach stretched out in the distance, the horizon glowing as the sun dipped lower into the sky.
She slowly walked forward and sat down on the front lip of her RX-7's bumper, resting her hands beside her.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Just watched the ocean light shift.
Then—
"I still have a lot to learn about driving…"
Her voice was quieter now.
More honest.
"In the weeks I stayed in the dorm… I felt lost."
She looked down slightly.
"I even started wondering if I should go back at all…"
A pause.
Then a slow breath.
"…The thought of nearly dying in a live event…"
"That wasn't something I ever properly processed until after it happened."
Her fingers tightened slightly against the bumper.
"Then it hit me."
"I really could've died that day."
Silence followed.
Only the wind and distant waves filled the gap.
"But…"
Teio lifted her head again.
A faint, steady expression returning.
"I didn't."
She turned slightly toward Rudolf.
"I owe a lot to you, Kaichou."
Her gaze softened.
"You're the reason I started driving."
"The same reason I started running."
She slowly pushed herself up from the bumper and stepped forward.
Now standing between the three of them.
Facing both Rudolf and King Halo.
Her posture straightened.
Not tense anymore.
Just focused.
"This time…"
"Things will change."
She looked between them.
"I'm starting from scratch."
"I'll learn from my mistakes."
"And I'll build myself into a better driver."
Her eyes narrowed slightly—not in anger, but in determination.
"Someone who keeps her enthusiasm…"
"But knows when to be serious behind the wheel."
King Halo watched her quietly.
Then nodded once.
Rudolf followed a moment later.
Slow.
Measured.
But firm.
"I sincerely hope you learned from that experience."
"And that you don't repeat it."
Teio nodded immediately.
"I won't."
King Halo uncrossed her arms slightly and gestured between herself and Rudolf.
"If you ever need help with setups…"
"Don't hesitate."
"Talk to us."
She smirked lightly.
"Or anyone who actually knows what they're doing."
A faint laugh escaped Teio.
"I will."
Then she turned her head again toward the beach.
The sun had nearly reached the horizon now.
Orange light spilling across the water.
Teio's expression softened.
"…Today is the last day of the old Teio."
She gave a small, quiet chuckle.
"Tomorrow…"
"Is the start of a reformed Teio."
Someone who takes advice seriously.
Someone who drives with both passion…
…and control.
She exhaled slowly.
Then smiled.
A real one this time.
And behind her—
Three cars sat quietly in the fading light.
As the ocean wind carried everything forward into something new.