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Lowering volume.

They're unbelievably close!

This would be impossible if they didn't trust the skill of the other driver.

In just a year,

that kid who didn't even know the rules is now on a par with the undisputed King.

Is that so hard to believe?

That girl...

She's quick to complain, eats too many croquettes,

and escapes reality by playing games.

There's not a single cool thing about her.

But not once did she give up on her training.

That's Rin's true ability.

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 Scenery Beyond

Rin.

There is the signal to pit.

Roger!

Prepare to pit.

Rin and the King are pitting.

Isn't this a bit early?

No, given the pace of those two, it's no surprise the tires only lasted 10 laps.

Tire wear's one thing, but I'm also worried about the condition of the drivers.

All right.

Wait!

The King exits the pits first.

My fault.

It's just one of those things.

The Queen is next to complete the lap.

I assume she'll also come in to change tires.

Oh.

I can't waste even a tenth of a second!

It's not over yet.

No fair. Let me join in on the fun.

Quicker. Quicker!

I want to surpass the King, too!

Their fighting spirit is unwavering.

When you no longer aim for first place, you are no longer a racing driver.

Oh? Says who?

Says me.

Well, I'm not a fan of the man who said it, but I can't disagree.

This looks more like a race.

She's starting to flag.

What should I tell her?

"Don't push yourself too hard"? "Second place will do"?

No.

She's putting in so much effort. What can I say to her?

Huh?

Rin.

If you lose to the King, I'll drown you in Osaka Bay.

What are you saying?!

Wait, are you...

Hikari? It's so rare to hear from you during a race.

I pulled a few strings to get here.

Why?

I wanted to wish you good luck.

Whoa! That's the first time I've ever heard you say that!

Because it is the first time.

Okay, later. I'll be waiting for you at the finish line.

Blood pressure and pulse rate are stable, slightly raised from normal.

In other words, in best condition.

Heh!

You're going too fast. Stabilize your pace—

Be quiet.

Lorenzo?

I'm feeling great right now.

This is explosive.

They're so close, if either makes a mistake, it's all over.

So you can catch up like this, too?

Nice.

Here, then here.

But also here!

Rin, here is the predicted line.

Keep 'em coming!

Gimme all the lines you approve of, ami-chan.

Let's beat the King together!

Rin...

You instantly take on board the fastest line I have derived and improve upon it.

You are able to write races that are fun and feel great.

At times, you go beyond the ultimate line and produce the best results.

I wanted to know.

How do I get there?

I am certain that...

if I race with you, I will find out.

That is why I want to keep racing.

Okay, ami-chan! Next one!

I won't let you get past me.

Here and...

Here!

You did it.

I can keep going, ami-chan!

Wow, that was scary.

Right, ami-chan?

Uh, ami-chan?

What's wrong?

Rin.

What, ami-chan?

For-give... me...

What's that? This isn't like you.

I also... think so...

We need to pit now!

That is unnecessary.

What?

Your job is to... finish in first place.

Do not worry about me.

Do not worry. You can win, Rin.

Because I saw it.

A future where... you win.

Hey, ami-chan!

Due to the lightning, the system has experienced an emergency shutdown.

All spectators, please remain calm and follow the staff's instructions.

Run a damage check, stat.

And don't lay a finger on the tires.

Yes, sir.

Rin.

H-How is ami-chan?

Her main unit is safe.

But we don't know how long it will take for her to reboot.

That girl's too complicated.

She explains a lot of things to me, too.

Yup.

We'll have to do this without ami.

Can do.

Got a minute?

We planned to change tires soon, right?

Yeah.

The station's a mess.

What?

The others all look the same, too.

They'd have to be changed by hand.

Even in that condition, they might still go to the end.

I'll need you to make the call, boss.

What does the driver think?

What? Oh, uh...

The safety check is complete.

The race will resume with a rolling start in 10 minutes' time.

Uh, what do you recommend?

C'mon now, Rin.

We also want to win.

Leave it to us!

That's right!

Yeah!

Rin, it's our job to make sure you win.

I'm in your hands!

Thank you all for your patience.

After following the safety car for a lap, the race will resume from Lap 39.

Just seven laps to go.

I want to change tires, but...

I've decided.

There's no other choice!

Here we go.

V-ZEN's Rin makes a quick getaway!

Unusual. In theory, you'd want to weave and warm up your tires,

while keeping everyone behind right up to the start line.

Rin wouldn't know any of that.

You said it.

That's what I'm talking about.

The King passes Rin and reclaims first place.

Did that slow her down a bit?

Damn it all.

The leading pair come around to complete the lap.

There's nothing between them.

Now, as far as swapping tires goes...

They're both pitting.

The Queen and the drivers behind her are all staying out.

However, the tire-changing system isn't back online yet,

so pit stops will have to be done manually.

It's quite a risk. Why did the King decide to do this?

It would be rude to show up in a wrinkled suit, no?

Show us a record time!

Right!

Amazing.

They're fast! They're both almost done with their stops.

V-ZEN's Rin is out first.

The King can only rue his bad luck.

No, a race isn't just about the drivers.

Pulling off that swift tire change just shows how amazing the whole V-ZEN team is.

Rin and the King are chasing down the drivers up ahead of them.

Wow. They're already here.

Too bad.

So this is the end.

Their idea to outsprint them wasn't a bad one.

But right now, these two had the speed to overhaul them.

So they can't be stopped?

Right. Even if it could be done, only the Queen would be able to pull it off.

Why? Why are you all giving up?

Good.

But you're not enough.

More.

More. More!

I can't get enough of it.

And the Queen blocks!

She won't let them past!

That's the Queen for you. She's hanging on despite being on old tires.

I won't let you two hog the spotlight.

The Queen is off the track!

The race...

It continues!

Alice, you...

I wouldn't want to get in the way of such an amazing race.

That aside...

Ah! Frustrating!

The King takes the lead!

But the gap between them is tiny.

Revol Bur—

Whoa!

The King blocks! Rin can't get past him!

His offense and defense have no weaknesses.

Like this, it'll be difficult to pass the King.

We're now on the final lap.

Just a little more.

A little more.

If I don't do this, ami-chan will never let me live it down.

And I don't want that!

This time, for sure...

I figured you'd do that.

Is it over?

I do not think so.

Huh?

Oh!

Hit it, ami-chan!

Counting down.

Three.

Two.

One.

Now!

Now.

Not so fast!

Go!

She did it!

The winner of the final round of NEX Race is:

Team V-ZEN's Rin Rindo!

I couldn't see it back then.

But now, I finally can.

Starting automatic safety driving.

Good work, Rin.

I lost hands down.

Is that why you're smiling?

That's a first.

Now I can finally just be a regular driver again.

It feels great knowing there are drivers faster than me out there.

Outstanding. As agreed, I look forward to working with you next year.

Thank you very much.

As for your next target, let's see...

You must claim the drivers' title.

Understood.

Yes, this is only the beginning...

for you young drivers.

You were amazing, Rin!

That day, I gave up on my dreams.

But I was able to take to the stage once more.

All thanks to the effort lots of people put in on my behalf.

That's why I wanted to meet their expectations.

Right?

And I think I was able to just about fulfill them.

Is it just me or has everyone been picking on me more aggressively?

It's because you beat the King last year.

Great.

Well, do your best.

Yes, ma'am.

Oh, that's right.

PR wants you to choose a nickname.

A nickname?

Y'know, like "The King" or "The Queen."

Hmm...

How about the "Goddess"?

All right then, "Goddess."

Kidding, kidding, kidding!

What should I choose?

Oh, what about "Prima"?

But I guess that's already taken.

"Étoile"?

"Étoile"?

Motor racing's top star:

Highspeed Étoile!

Just kidding.

Just kidding.

Illustration: Takuya Fujima