Original subtitles

NEX Race: Round 2.

A strategy blunder for the King hands the advantage to the Queen and she wins.

This could become an issue within the team.

Round 3.

The Queen takes the top spot under the Singapore night sky.

We're off to a great start.

I have high expectations for this season.

On to Round 4 and the hallowed ground of Fuji Speedway.

The King finishes first.

That's the champion for you.

The Queen comes in second.

Rin failed to qualify for Rounds 3 and 4.

This is getting to be a habit.

Like hell it is.

NEX Race: a new world of race cars built with next-gen power.

The girl dances on a stage that exceeds 500 kph.

Her goal: to become the étoile of the circuit.

The King's Arrival

Ladies and gentlemen,

welcome to the NEX Race reception party.

We'd like to welcome everyone who is supporting the race today,

and we hope you have a great time.

There will be an talk session with the drivers who come alive in these fierce races.

What are we likely to hear from them?

Don't miss it.

The King! Has anyone seen the King?

I haven't. What about you guys?

Aw, hell. He's meant to be greeting a bunch of big shots from all over.

Where could he have gone?

That guy must have cut and run.

He's always hated this sort of thing.

Rin's not here, either.

Yeah.

Really?

Do you know where she is?

We haven't seen her since this morning.

Maybe she never came.

Everyone to the stage, please.

Please introduce yourselves one by one.

King! Oh, for crying out loud!

Maybe we should have had Rin join our team after all?

Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! It's not in here!

My entry pass isn't in here!

Please present your pass.

I already said I can't find it!

Oh, c'mon. I really need to get inside, so please let me through.

Rin... She wouldn't just show up all casual, would she?

There's no way.

No, she might.

What?

I don't think she understands her current situation at all.

Why isn't it here?

Are you Ms. Rin Rindo?

May we ask you a few questions?

Uh, sorry, I'm running late.

Oh, right, yes.

Speaking of "running late"...

Even though you'd been lapped, how did it feel to pass the King?

Uh, I'm really in a hurry.

Your level of racing was not just being "in a hurry."

I need to hurry!

Are you saying you were intentionally trying to pass the King?

What?

Ooh!

V-ZEN Racing's

Rin Rindo

"I just wanted to pass the King!"

A new legend begins!

H-Hey, I didn't say that!

It's a shame you were disqualified.

I said I'm in a hurry!

Please let me through!

Feature

Quickly forging her own racing path!!

Rin Rindo

"I'll be the one to beat the King!"

I didn't say that!

Aw, c'mon!

Wait up!

What do I do now?

Reception Party

Oh, goody. I'm totally late.

Which means...

Late? You haven't earned that right yet.

Well, let's go get scolded.

But before that...

Lemme just enjoy the day.

Is the King here yet?

I-I'm so sorry. I've been trying to reach him for a while now.

For now, we'll play a video of the season so far and go from there.

Haven't they realized yet?

Looks like they haven't.

We should tell them, right?

Let's wait a little bit.

It looks like the King saved her butt.

I wanted to chat with Kanata and Towa.

I won't be able to eat the party food!

Ah, what a waste.

All right. Time to find something to eat.

Hold still!

Catch it!

R-Right!

What a hottie!

When he's this close to me, I feel like I'm transcending reality.

Um, was that something important?

Yeah. It had the address of a store I wanted to visit.

Written memos in this day and age? Talk about retro.

I wonder if people his age prefer it.

This presents a problem.

He's even hot when he's worried!

U-Um, what kind of store was it?

A vintage toy store.

He's a vintage toy-loving hottie!

They have soft vinyl kaiju figures...

Like this one.

That's kinda cute.

Right?

What do I do?

A hottie in distress!

I'm sorry I couldn't catch it.

It's not your fault.

Did he want a gift for his kid?

Uh-oh. Not only is he a hottie, he's a caring father, too.

U-Um, I have some free time, so I can help you out.

Huh? Are you sure?

Yeah!

A vintage toy store close to my neighborhood sells a bunch of toys like that.

Wanna try there?

Carino.

Please speak Japanese.

I like that idea. Now then...

Ah, I like that you like it!

Okay, let's get going.

Sure.

Driving with a hottie.

Is something wrong?

Well, you see...

I have to fight the urge to grab the wheel.

I totally get it.

Is that so?

Ueda Toy Store

Ueda Toy Store

Ueda Toy Store

Ueda Toy Store

This is the place.

Model Railways

Plastic Model Kits

Ueda Toy Store

Looks like they might have what I want.

Oh, that thing.

We used to have some up until a short while ago, but they sold out.

When will you get more?

Hard to say.

But I know someone who may have them at their store.

I'll get you the address.

Oh, in that case, send it to my phone.

E-Excuse me...

May I have your autograph?

Me, too!

Okay.

Thank you so much!

You're welcome.

Bye!

We'll be cheering for you!

That's hotties for you.

He's loved by so many people.

How'd it go?

Oh.

I got the store address. It's pretty close.

Okay, let's see some race footage from this season once more.

This is the third time now.

Still not here, huh?

Maybe it'll end like this.

The hosts are getting desperate.

Bah, why's her phone off?

This is the perfect chance to appeal to the media, so please answer.

Chitose's desperate, too.

Are you hungry?

Yup! Super duper hungry!

I'll treat you as thanks for helping me.

Really?

Delicious.

Yup!

Sushi, tempura, ramen... Japan has so much good food.

I'm not sure ramen's actually Japanese, though.

Shrimp tempura...

Fried foods prepared by master craftsmen are on a whole other level.

But they're more expensive.

They're worth it.

I can probably have two or three more.

That's hotties for you. He keeps his physique in check.

But then, I won't be able to eat at the next place.

He's going to more restaurants?

There's a world-famous place nearby. Wanna check it out?

Gladly!

A world-famous place... A sukiyaki joint, maybe? Or sushi?

Monkichi

Monja

Mon

ki

chi

Okonomiyaki

This is it.

Wait, my place?

I didn't know our restaurant was world-famous.

Bellissimo!

This place is an important cultural asset. After you.

Hm? I feel like this has happened before.

Welcome.

Grandma.

Hello.

Whoa. A hottie.

Playing hooky for a date?

It's not a date!

Has Chitose-san been trying to get a hold of me?

Of course.

Please don't turn me in yet.

I'm helping him find something.

You can apologize later.

Who was that?

She's my grandma, and this is my place.

Wow.

Grandma's monja is the best in Tsukishima—no, the whole world.

The whole world, huh? I can't wait.

What is this?

I guess that's how most people react.

But this is monjayaki.

It's not pizza, a pancake, or okonomiyaki.

Right. I think it's just about ready.

I'll demonstrate.

Like this, then this.

I see.

So this is monja.

It's hot, so be careful.

But...

It's good right off the grill, too.

Buono!

This is really delicious.

I'm glad you like it.

That was so good.

Happy to please.

A hottie with a full belly.

Thank you so much...

for visiting us today.

Please come again soon.

Grandma's lost it!

Monja

Mon

ki

Is something wrong?

There's a really good zenzai dessert place near here.

Wanna go?

Really? What about your diet?

Diet?

Huh?

Huh?

If you don't consume enough sugar, you won't burn off as much fat.

Really?

So that means it's better for us to eat zenzai after having tempura and monja!

Well, I didn't go that far.

But no! We have to find that kaiju toy first.

You're really pumped up about it.

Once I set my mind on something, I have to see it through.

We'll definitely find that kaiju toy, too!

You're very competitive.

The zenzai comes later!

Okay, okay.

This is it, huh?

Yeah.

We got 'em.

Yes!

Thank goodness.

Yeah.

Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you.

I'm sure your son will be very happy.

Huh? How did you know I have a kid?

Oh, I tend to have pretty good intuition.

You see, when I first saw you looking so upset after losing that memo,

it all came to me like "ping."

I thought, "This must be a present for someone very special."

And when you showed me the kaiju toy, I figured it must be a present for your son.

I was right on the money.

I see now.

But you got one thing wrong.

Oh?

This is for me.

What?!

So the hottie's a big kid.

Okay, time for that zenzai.

I thought I wouldn't be able to eat anything else, but this is so good.

Sweets go in a different stomach.

I wish my son could have this, too.

I'm always making him sad.

I go all over the place because of work and can't make time for him.

His work?

Is he a long-haul trucker?

Do you have a job?

Oh, I-I'm a...

What? You're a NEX Race driver? No way!

Are you the one who passed the King in that one race? Tell me everything!

How should I put it? I only just started, so...

I can only answer it felt so uplifting!

Oh, um, I mean...

There was a time when I was a recluse.

But there were people who wanted to pull me out of that state.

Thanks to them, I was given another chance to be on the stage.

So I'm doing this for them and I want to meet their expectations.

That's about it.

Wait, was that corny? Please forget what I just said!

I'm the same.

I drive because it's what my son, who I love most in the world, expects of me.

I see.

You know, today's the same.

That feeling of accomplishment after meeting someone's expectations

is what makes me happy.

That's why you helped me find this?

Yup. So thank you for helping me.

Sweets Higashiyama

Coco Manju

My apologies. I'll head over there now.

Did you have plans?

Just something work-related.

Hop in.

What?

Huh?

Oh, he's finally here.

Huh?

Are you all right?

Did something happen?

Why were you late?

I'm sure you all know...

Rin Rindo.

Huh? How does he know my name?

Huh? Oh? Huh?

First in the NEX Race rankings: Lorenzo M. Salvatore.

Also known as the King.

First? Lorenzo? King?

Wait, the King?!

It's a pleasure, my little rival.

Not again!

Round 5.

Here we are in Italy, the land of passion and sunshine. However...

Today, it's the land of rain.

If we didn't have our AIs, this would be impossible.

Let's go racing anyway. Racing!

We'll still get points.

Collect some data for us.

I can't see a thing.

This is record heavy rain.

Huh?

Did I do something again?

Due to the conditions, the race has been called off.

Uh-huh.

Wait, called off?!

Safety is top priority.

You get days like this.

Straight.

Continuous turns.

Revol Burst.

Next time on HIGH SPEED Étoile: "Listen Carefully."

Listen Carefully

That's the finish line. You came 12th.

Can't I be first for once?

Name: Lorenzo M. Salvatore Team: Adriano Formula (ADF)

Illustration: Takuya Fujima