Original subtitles

So wait, why did doing that get me disqualified?

Because those are the rules.

Well, I'm not gonna be bound by any rules!

You don't have to be "bound" by them. Just follow them.

Bah.

Rin.

Yes?

That overtake was cool, though.

Hikari!

And croquettes at this hour will make you gain weight.

Do you know how much effort it takes to make cars even one gram lighter?

I'm so sorry. I'll jog for longer tomorrow.

So please don't tell Gen-san.

We'll meet at nine, all right?

Understood!

Hey, Hikari.

Are you doing something?

Not really.

Rin Rindo.

Telephone. Call Chitose Kagura.

Hi.

Listen, there's something I want to ask you.

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 Queen's Invasion

Currently maintaining a speed of 8 kph. Keep up this pace.

Thanks for joining me.

Keeping an eye on my driver's health is part of the job.

Sure is!

Running here again...

Life's so unpredictable.

Yup.

Do you regret it?

No. It's challenging, but I'm having fun.

Not that.

Oh.

Sometimes, I see it in my dreams.

But it's like, what can you do? That's how I see it.

I see.

I think.

You think?

The final stretch!

I won't lose!

Running drill complete. Great work.

Let's meet again this evening for more training.

Whew, I'm beat.

I've been waiting for you,

Rin Rindo.

Hm?

Who are you?

Huh?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm Alice Summerwood.

You drove well yesterday.

Yesterday?

Oh!

Rin's face right now...

She's definitely thinking, "Oh! This person's a fan who watched yesterday's race!"

Oh, no, I didn't do that well.

Your overtake in the final turn was especially wonderful.

Thank you!

Don't just say, "Thank you!"

Oh, hey! Are you hungry? We're about to go eat. Wanna join us?

Sure! I wanted to talk with you some more, too.

Of course! I'll be happy to answer any questions!

She seems to be having fun, so whatever.

Monkichi

Monja

Mon

ki

chi

Okonomiyaki

Over here, Alice.

Monjayaki?

Kimchi Natto

Oyster Dotenabe

Hokkaidosan

Jjigae Tofu

Kimchi Pork & Squid

Deluxe Curry

Fish Roe Mochi Cheese

Fantastic!

They're an important cultural asset, after all.

Ouch!

If you've brought a customer, hurry up and seat them.

Fine.

Is this your place?

Yup.

Grandma's monja is the best in Tsukishima.

This is monja?

Wait just a bit more.

Okay.

Hey...

Wait.

Now?

Almost...

Now!

Huh?

L-Like this?

You just eat this?

It's good.

It's hot, so be careful.

Good!

It's on the house.

Thank you!

One for me, too, Grandma.

That'll be 80 yen.

Just water, then.

That was delicious.

I'm glad you liked it.

So, what did you think of yesterday's race?

Huh?

A lot.

A lot?

It was a lot!

Huh?

The main race was way different from qualifying.

Everyone passing, like zoom zoom, right on the edge, like buzz buzz.

Maybe you don't know what I'm saying...

You're right. The main race is on a whole other level.

Right! I did all that practice, attended meetings, got advice...

But as soon as the race started, it all flew right out of my head!

Don't just laugh about it.

I understand. It's that feeling of all your prep work melting away and disappearing.

You understand?

And before I could do anything, people just kept overtaking me.

I wanted to pass at least one person.

So I gave it a go!

But it turns out it was against the rules.

It's so hard when there are so many rules.

Yup, I thought as much.

I want to thank you for the monja. Can I take up a bit more of your time?

Oh, but I have training...

Don't worry.

We're heading the same way.

Cash only.

Is Japan really like this?

No, just this place.

No!

Who, me?

Obviously.

Alice IOU 1,000 Yen

F-Fine.

Alice IOU 1,000 Yen

I'm sorry.

Don't worry about it!

Fish roe mochi cheese, please.

Coming up.

You have a pretty good simulator.

Hi, Alice.

Hi, Chitose.

Oh, c'mon. This is way too sudden after that call yesterday.

It suits me, right?

It'll be expensive.

Oh? You'd be able to collect my racing data.

It wouldn't be weird for me to ask for money instead.

They seem to know each other.

No "seem" about it.

Wait, does this mean Alice is...

You finally realized?

...a racing superfan?

Sure. You could say that.

Just so you know...

I won't hold back.

You guys found that girl, right?

Looks like she's caught the eye of the most troublesome person.

Oh, it's not just me, though.

That girl's already made it onto the stage.

Aren't you happy?

Sure.

Rin, go jump into the simulator.

R-Right.

Hm?

I'll be joining you.

It can jerk around a lot, so be careful.

Thanks for the tip.

Hey, is it possible she doesn't...

Yup. She has no clue that she's the Queen.

We need to teach her more than just the rules.

You have a rare opponent today.

Alice says she's my fan.

So even after a result like that, you can gain fans?

Great observers know greatness when they see it.

I see. Are you ready?

Always.

Hey, c'mon. You're so slow.

She's here already!

How's she so fast?

Because she's the Queen.

She's way too good!

Well, she is second in the rankings.

Hold it! Timeout! Timeout!

No timeouts. Keep going.

You monster!

How could she be so fast?

This is a good lesson.

She said she was my fan, but could it be she's not just any fan?

Oh? Has she finally figured it out?

No.

I know! She's a huge gaming fan, too!

Why can't she connect the dots?!

She just makes strong assumptions.

Looks like you're all having fun.

Grandpa!

Ms. Alice is the same as ever, huh?

Yes. She's racing purely on intuition.

She's always been the willful type, never listening to a word we say.

But I guess that's what it takes to win.

So how's our li'l lady doing?

Well...

What a mess.

Right?

She does practice, though.

She always gets like this when it's the real deal.

She's gained 100 grams in weight.

Oh, that's because of last night's croquette.

No more croquettes for you!

Hikari! I told you not to tell him!

I was always gonna.

You're nine laps behind now.

Ah, I can't take this person anymore!

Well, I guess that's how it is.

Driver's heart rate is increasing and brain waves are distressed.

It is recommended that you calm down.

If telling me to calm down worked, I wouldn't be struggling!

You must be lacking skills.

You can say that again.

Getting passed so many times by a gamer...

I haven't had any redeeming moments!

It cannot be helped. You two are on different levels.

You said that so bluntly.

It is the truth.

Rin, what will you do?

This punk...

She really isn't holding back.

Nice. I'm all pumped up.

Okay, here I go!

Heart rate increasing further.

Brainwaves...

Stable.

Rin, are you all right?

Rin?

She's coming around.

How can you tell?

Look at the spot where our li'l lady was passed.

It's always the same corner.

Precisely.

But why?

Who was behind her when she passed the King?

Ah!

In other words, this is her revenge.

The Queen sure is terrifying.

I don't care if it was a coincidence or not. Show me how you raced against the King,

Rin Rindo!

Rin. Alice's car is approaching.

Hey, ami-chan.

What is it?

Let me know the right timing.

Understood. Commencing countdown.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

Zero.

Get her, Rin!

This is it!

Oh, boy.

Good grief.

Rin...

Guess it's not gonna be that easy.

Well, that's how it goes.

Okay.

Good work.

I couldn't show off.

Hm?

Well, you see, Alice, you said...

Your overtake in the final turn was especially wonderful.

That's what you told me, right?

So I tried to recreate what I did in the last race...

But I failed.

Rin.

Seriously, this kid.

It's 100 years too early for you.

Rin! Join my team!

Huh?

What's the problem? With you, things'd be a lot more fun. Right?

No "Right?" about it! Don't go headhunting our driver!

Don't get in the way!

I sure will!

Why?!

Uh, what do you mean "why"?

Even as she is now, she's our driver. We can't let you take her away.

Alice's team?

If you were with us, we could climb higher.

What do you think, Rin?

I'm sorry.

Why?

Um...

There's something I want to do.

But there have been things that have prevented me from doing it.

And I wondered if it would all end if I continued doing nothing about it.

But...

Someone asked me, "Wanna try?"

I want to meet those expectations.

And win with them!

Excellent!

Huh?

This is good. No, even better than that! Rin, you're fantastic, after all!

What?

I'll push you even further in the actual race, so look forward to that.

Okay!

Wait, the actual race? What do you mean?

Rin...

NEX Race.

Second in the rankings: Alice Summerwood.

Also known as the Queen.

Second? Alice? The Queen?

Huh?

The Queen?!

It's a pleasure, my little rival.

Here we are at race number four. The King leads from the Queen.

In third, it's the Queen's Shield, Richard.

He blocked me today, too.

A very "Richard" performance, Richard.

If you can't pass, you can't progress.

But still, he's so cool.

Why, thank you.

Wh-Why are you here?

I heard my name.

Why do you race like that?

Yeah! If you didn't waste so much time on us, you'd be able to fight with the King more.

Why?

To thoroughly mark and crush those who would become the Queen's enemies...

That's my role.

He said we're fit to be the Queen's enemies!

Does that mean he accepts us as drivers?

It's scary how much talent oozes from us.

I told them I'd crush them.

Why are these girls so excited?

Also, that kid got disqualified.

Hurry up and surpass me.

Otherwise, you won't be acknowledged by the Queen, let alone the King.

Maybe he's not such a bad guy, after all?

Yeah. He's pretty cool.

He's nice when you talk to him.

Towa! I thought she was a fan, but she was the Queen!

That happens.

I know, right?

Actually, it doesn't.

Which is it?!

Let's try to remember the faces of those we compete with.

Next time on HIGH SPEED Étoile: "The King's Arrival."

The King's Arrival

Rin, do you remember the King's face?

Name: Alice Summerwood Team: Arianrhod Grand Prix (AGP)

Illustration: Takuya Fujima