Original subtitles

In your opinion, who is the fastest driver?

The King.

The King.

The fastest? The King.

The King, without a doubt.

The King. But for the next race and beyond, it remains to be seen.

What about Rin Rindo-san, who managed to pass the King, even if it was a fluke (and against the rules)?

So they even ask questions like that in interviews?

Wait, what do you mean a "fluke"?

Well, they're not wrong.

True.

Who is the fastest?

Hm, let me think about that...

Don't act all important.

I rarely get interviewed like this. Lemme soak it up a bit.

You'll put the media off doing this and they'll start avoiding you.

I-I-It's the King.

Yeah, the King. It's totally the King.

Your monja's ready!

Aw, Grandma!

This is never going to end.

As the undisputed champion, what do you think?

The fastest?

I wouldn't put it like that,

but there is a driver I'd rather not have to compete against.

Who is it?

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.

With the summer break over, the second half of the season begins.

The Goddess of Luck

Who will win Round 8 here in the US?

Go!

The Queen makes her move into the first corner, but the King drives right around her.

And the Queen's Shield is there to protect her rear.

He does his job so well.

The V-ZEN driver had a poor start.

She's in her usual position.

Kanata has overtaken Sophia.

That's not sitting well with her.

Lap 10. The King in the lead has a four second gap to the Queen.

Richard is third, and Youran is one second behind in fourth.

Youran's doing well today.

The King and Richard both make pit stops.

The undercut worked for Youran.

Excellent work.

We're almost halfway through the race, but the stalemate continues.

This track has plenty of places to overtake, but no one seems to want to risk it.

The Queen's hunting down the King, who's in a race of his own.

And behind, Richard and Youran are battling fiercely.

Youran's doing her best to keep the position.

Oh dear. Sophia's not leaving the pits.

Today isn't Sophia's lucky day.

Final lap. This familiar face naturally still leads the way.

The King crosses the line first!

A crushing victory in the first race after the summer break.

The Queen finishes a close second.

What a feat to keep the Queen's Shield behind.

I anticipate great things from her.

Rookies, Kanata and Towa, finish sixth and seventh.

A good showing. I'm excited to see how these two progress.

V-ZEN's Rin finishes 11th. She managed to escape her usual position.

I've got a ways to go.

Sighing detracts from your cuteness.

You look so pretty again today. Isn't that a lot of work to maintain?

I want to look my cutest when I go up there.

Right, yeah!

You should put in some effort, too, Rin-chan.

That was a good race.

You said it.

We have two left.

Give it your all.

I look forward to them.

I'm loving the vibe this season.

It's all thanks to her.

Could be.

Wait. Sophia-san, where did you come?

In your usual position.

Yes!

Wasn't that great just now?

Right? Right?

Right? Right? Say something!

You improved your time, and didn't get any penalties.

Uh-huh.

If you keep it up, you won't get lapped at least.

Ouch!

Can't you say something nice?

Something...

nice?

Seriously, nothing?

I'm joking.

It's all thanks to your training during the break.

You're hopeless, Hikari-chan.

Someone praise me!

You're wet behind the ears.

It's too early to say that's your best.

Not until you get a podium.

I want to be praised now!

I'm gonna play a game.

Playing a game in the simulator is inappropriate.

Cut me some slack. I just wanna submerse myself in games right now.

Rin, you managed to get another new personal best.

I sure did!

You are less prone to stray from the ideal line,

and more conscious of your rhythm in the car.

You have improved.

You're the only one who understands me, ami-chan.

Aren't I amazing?

Does "improving" equate to "being amazing"?

I am sure you will be a driver who can score many points.

However...

What?

I cannot quite put it into words.

Bow down before the money.

You jerk! Monster!

Towa's merciless.

Sophia-neesan, it's your turn.

Gotcha.

There.

Oh, my.

NEX Race: Round 9.

Here we are at the La Pa Ortiz circuit.

Air temp is 25 degrees, while track temp is up at 55 degrees.

The humidity is 52%, and the weather is clear.

The track is 5,390 meters in length, and the race will be 60 laps.

Here's what to watch out for.

This is a unique track, where the drivers circulate counterclockwise.

This quirk might throw some of the drivers for a loop.

Furthermore, there are four straights, including the home straight.

This will be a race about top speeds.

You'd think so, wouldn't you?

But there's a ton of corners, too.

Which do you focus on?

Drivers will need a setup that delivers maximum speed and high downforce.

Ah, so both are important.

The drivers will change gear over 300 times.

It's a tough track on tires and gearboxes.

And that's the La Pa Ortiz circuit.

Back to you!

Sumire-chan! Chris-san!

Thank you, Primas.

Here are the drivers who made it through qualifying.

The top three on the grid today are the King, the Queen, and Richard.

In their usual positions.

For this race, the lap restriction on Revol Bursts has been lifted,

meaning it can be used straight from the first lap.

No, like this.

Huh?

That's...

It's Sophia!

Sophia uses her Revol Burst off the line and instantly takes the lead!

Simply amazing!

She calculated the acceleration of the Revol Burst and sent it.

A miraculous move.

That went well.

That was good.

Is that even a thing?

She probably wouldn't be able to do it again if asked.

Man, they're so reckless.

Brake.

Hey, no fair!

That is racing.

The King uses Revol Burst, and posts the fastest speed of the event so far.

But even with it, he hasn't caught up.

Even though Youran and Richard ran off-track, they've recovered their positions.

A little way behind them, Kanata, Towa, and Yayoi give chase.

Sophia has made great gains on this first lap.

Yes. But the race has only just begun.

Things won't stay the way they are.

He's pushing on a lot today.

We can't catch up he if doesn't.

Sophia continues to pound around on her own up front.

She's hanging on in there.

A lot of teams are choosing this moment to take on new tires.

This track can bite hard and we tend to see safety cars.

On the other hand, because of these stops, some may decide not to pit.

Meaning their tires won't last.

Yes.

Sophia stays out.

The King and the Queen both pit.

They're trying for the undercut.

They want to decide it in the pits.

Youran has two cars blocking her. She can't get past.

Hey!

Maybe we should call it the "Immovable King's Shield"?

My tires...

I suggest you have them changed.

Good idea. Chitose-san!

Hang on for a bit longer.

You meanie! Monster!

It's a strategy!

Are we also hoping for a safety car?

Yup.

V-ZEN's Rin finally pits.

What a miscalculation by the team. The boss is at fault for this one.

Kagura-kun?

Sophia's still hanging on, but the gap is gradually decreasing.

Seems this is as far as she goes. She's put on quite the show up to this point.

Lorenzo, your hard tires aren't holding up.

Seems that way.

So this is her limit, huh?

You sound disappointed.

I wanted to see the front-runner win.

Well, don't count her out yet.

Despite leading all the way to this point, Sophia has finally been caught.

All three cars are set to pit for one last tire change.

She stayed out?

Does she plan to go to the end without changing tires?

That's a bit reckless.

Please... Hang on for just one more lap.

This is the end for you, Sophia.

Almost every car is pitting. The King and the Queen have fresh tires on.

It'll be tough for Sophia to keep her speed up for even one lap on her current tires.

I don't wanna come last!

I-It's raining. A sudden downpour.

What unexpected timing.

No way.

What the heck?

This rain was not forecast.

Gen-san!

Rain tires, right? Already on it.

Amazing!

Rin, let's aim for the podium!

Huh? What?

Just go!

Understood!

Did you know it was going to rain?

Not until a moment ago. Can't really brag about it.

The rain's already affecting visibility. The race may be red-flagged.

No, it looks like the race is continuing.

What?

You are in sixth place.

I think I can make it.

Just a little further.

Hey, Sophia! You're super cool today!

I'm cute, not cool.

Okay! Show 'em just how cute you are!

You got it.

It's all change on the leaderboard.

V-ZEN's Rin is in second!

Unfortunately for the King and the others, this is their third stop for tires.

They won't catch up at this rate.

She was that fast?

All of her choices today have gone her way.

In other words, it is like she has kept rolling sixes in a board game.

She relied wholly on luck?

Yes. If you do not roll the dice, you cannot get a six.

You cannot run the same race twice.

However, hers is the best run.

The best run?

I want to look my cutest when I go up there.

She was only ever looking at the top. That's how she was able to...

Rin chases Sophia as she scampers away, but the gap's a little tight.

This is more than enough. It'll be V-Zen's first podium.

She's doing it!

The rain saved us.

Luck is also a skill, y'know.

Chitose-san?

What is it? A request for how we celebrate this?

I'm going for first.

Right. First.

Wait, no! Don't you do it!

But...

As I hold onto this wheel, and as I'm allowed to race...

I won't be satisfied unless I win!

Rin.

Please.

You can do this, right? Then, hop to it!

Chitose-san, I love you!

I love you, too. If you beat Sophia.

Yessir!

"If you give up on coming first, you're not a true racer."

That's what I've always told you.

Rin is a racer, without a doubt.

So brazen.

It is not possible to pass Sophia.

We haven't reached the finish line yet, so...

we can still make it!

Rin.

I will commence a countdown.

After the corner, please be ready as soon as the car stabilizes.

Thanks!

Three.

Two.

Revol Burst!

One.

Ah.

Too early.

Who could have predicted this?

From lights to flag, she shook everyone off and escaped down the road.

The outstanding Sophia is today's winner.

You were too early.

She went a li'l crazy there.

Oh, for crying out loud!

It's been a while since I beat the King.

This is why I don't like racing against you.

I don't know how to beat someone who is blessed by the Goddess of Luck.

In that case, she must be the goddess.

She reminded me how to compete against you two.

I messed up! I'm so sorry!

You've sure done a number on this thing.

I'm so sorry!

It won't be able to run again this season.

I'm sorry.

Keep your schedule open next weekend.

That's an order from the director.

I'm sorry!

Wait.

Huh?

I wrecked my car and the director summoned me. I'm Rin Rindo.

Wait, am I being fired?!

What field do you wanna work in next?

So I am being fired!

I was joking.

Next time on HIGHSPEED Étoile: "Your Driving."

Your Driving

Okay. I'll become a recluse again.

I told you, I was joking.

Name: Sophia B. Tokitou Team: Polaire Racing (PLR)

Illustration: Takuya Fujima