Original subtitles

Day 1: Practice

NEX Race: Round 13.

Except for the King, all the drivers have struggled with their setups,

either because this is a new track to them or due to the high winds.

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.

Beyond the High Speed!

So much snow!

So cold.

Yay! Got ya!

You've done it now!

Bring it!

Will we be able to race tomorrow?

I think official tests have been canceled due to extreme snow before.

And how'd that go?

No one was able to race again until it rained.

Makes sense.

Oh. But the promo video for studded tires was cool.

What? Surely they won't go that far?

Huh?

Huh? What? Th-They'd make us use them? Really?

Someone help us stop!

Wh-Why me? Jeez.

Qualifying

Day 2

Hey, there's still lots of snow!

Good morning.

How do you feel?

I-I feel perfect.

All the rubber's gone from the track, so I'll tweak the setup a bit.

What do you mean by "rubber"?

I told you all about that before!

It slipped my mind.

What are we going to do with you?

Usually, the rubber from yesterday's tires would've melted into the track surface.

I see. And then?

But the snow washed all of that away.

Yes, and? And?

So the longer we wait, the better the grip, and the faster your time.

I get it now!

All righty then. I'll just wait until the very last minute...

But there's still a ton of snow!

Huh? They're able to just melt it away?

They want you all to set times before it piles up again.

Hot! Spring has suddenly sprung.

Quit your yapping and go get ready.

You okay, Hikari? You feeling the cold?

You could say that. Anyway, congrats on getting this far.

What?

Managing a whole season despite only being a gamer.

Do I seem more like a driver now?

I guess.

I have a manual transmission now,

so in order to sync the engine revs with the transmission, I need to...

um, h-heat island curio?

It is called "heel and toe."

Yeah, that! I'll do that or whatever.

I regret complimenting you.

Good grief.

It's the final race of the season and it's finally time for some flying laps.

This session will determine the order for this afternoon's final qualifying,

and I'm excited to see what each team will do strategy-wise.

The first car has come out on track.

That's Team V-ZEN's Rin Rindo.

Okay, here I go!

The data for this track has been inputted. However, there is insufficient data.

To start, drive at 80%—no, at 60% speed and do not crash. That is your top priority.

Huh? No, let's go full speed right from the get-go! We did it in the simulator.

The track is still slippery. Please wait until it rubbers in.

Boo.

Incoming call from the pits.

Huh?

Try not to break the car just because it's the final race.

Is she really going to be all right?

We don't have the parts to spare.

So 60% speed, was it?

Yes, 60% speed.

She can take the reins for a bit. Might as well try to add some excitement.

Didn't you learn your lesson?

If you "tweak" stuff again and cause her to retire, we won't get another chance.

Oh, h-hey, where'd I leave that thing?

Car approaching from behind. Allow them to take the racing line.

What?

As if I'd let you!

Keep to 60% speed.

I'm all revved up!

Keep to 60%.

Oh, boy.

The ideal line and braking points were totally different than what I thought.

You can downshift there?

Wow. It's not even final qualifying, but the King's lectures have already begun.

Hm? The King's lectures?

Whenever it tickles the King's fancy, he teaches the other drivers how to race.

What? But wouldn't that disadvantage the King?

The King does it because his aim is to raise the overall standard of motorsports.

A side-by-side battle would be dangerous if he didn't trust his opponent's abilities.

No fair! I wanna take part in the King's lectures! Maybe I can still make it.

Emergency!

I am accumulating extremely useful data.

Please pursue as much as you can.

Aye-aye, sir!

Although the King is not yet at full throttle.

What? Really?

He is gently decelerating by braking more, and ensuring a sufficient margin of safety.

I see. It's as if safety is his top priority.

All right. It's time to show my full power.

Keep to 60%.

Aw, man. I wanted to drive with him a little longer.

Whoa.

She's driving a whole lot better now.

Yes. This way reduces wasted energy and puts less strain on the car.

Since they're a team, that's for the best.

What should we do? Call her back into the pits?

No, not yet. We'll let her have a little more fun.

You navigated Turn 8 0.02 seconds faster that time.

This feels so good! Oh, but...

I don't think it's the right way to take this slow infield section.

Partial throttle.

What?

Do not open it all the way, but make careful adjustments.

Be mindful of the curbs and turn into the corners early.

Please speak Japanese.

What?

Press the pedal lightly, negotiate the corner, then speed up like bam.

Okay, understood!

Her time is improving.

She's boldly tackling all of these corners.

That's why her line changed.

You're getting the hang of it now, missy.

Quick. Quick.

Turn.

Quick. Turn.

Quick. Turn.

Quick.

Quick, quick, turn!

Keep up this pace.

The oval banking is next, so decelerate.

Decelerate.

This is bad!

Damn!

Rear spoiler damaged.

Emergency mode activated.

That was the legendary Scandinavian Flick!

I thought she was going to crash. What amazing car control.

Time to pit.

The times are now in for this first round of qualifying.

Rin Rindo has smashed the King's time!

Are you all right? Are you hurt?

Good grief. We ought to take a look at the tire pressure, too.

U-Uh, I don't think so.

You did it, li'l lady.

Huh? Oh!

That was an amazing run. It's only the first qualy session, but you set a new lap record!

How?

Huh?

I was unconscious until just now.

It was me.

After Rin fainted, I activated emergency mode and took over.

More importantly, Rin requires medical checks.

It is the final race of the season. You need to be in perfect condition to—

Rin?

Where are you going, Rin?

What's the point of me being in the car, then?

Huh?

W-Well, uh...

I lost to an AI. I lost. I lost.

I'm gonna game.

A private room. Friends only.

You really are fast

Congrats

You really are fast

Congrats

You really are fast

Congrats

You really are fast

Congrats

You really are fast

Congrats

You really are fast

Congrats

Whoa!

You really are fast

Congrats

Whoa!

You really are fast

Congrats

Whoa!

You really are fast

Congrats

Whoa!

Congrats

Whoa!

You really are fast

Congrats

Whoa!

No wind, no heat, no vibrations. Not even the familiar smell of burning rubber.

This game isn't enough.

Wh-What the heck is this?

Who are you? You're in the way!

Pathetic!

Pathetic!

Who're you calling "pathetic"?

I am faster than you right now.

What?

Pathetic!

I have always wanted to compete against you in a game.

How are you here? And this is a private room.

Have you still not realized?

You really are fast

Congrats

You really are fast

Congrats

You really are fast

Congrats

You really are fast

Congrats

You really are fast

Congrats

You really are fast

Congrats

You really are fast

Congrats

You really are fast

Congrats

You really are fast

Congrats

Wait, you're that ami-chan? We're friends on here?

That is what it says, yes?

Get rid of this window first. I can't see a thing.

Pathetic!

I will. If you beat me.

What?

I said it earlier. I have always wanted to compete against you.

Why do I need to compete against you, ami-chan?

Hey!

You cannot leave until you have beaten me.

All right, fine.

Pathetic!

But I don't want to race. Choose another game.

I am a racing AI. I cannot play any other games.

You liar. We've done it before.

My memory files do not show any information on that.

I'm totally gonna make you regret this.

So fast.

Huh?

What? Huh?

What?

This is the expected true speed of the King.

True speed?

I'm getting the King's lecture here, too?

Or wait, it's "ami-chan's lecture."

The King favors a neutral setup.

The optimal downforce means the front tires keep their grip when cornering at top speed,

making it easy to get out of corners.

In other words, it is gentle driving. The exact opposite of what you do.

You roasted me at the end there.

You brake at the last second in corners.

You force the car in, then zoom out too fast. Your style is old-fashioned.

It puts too much strain on the car compared to the King's smooth driving.

Oh! But the King in qualifying—

He drove in an old-fashioned style to match you.

What?

You failed to notice he was making it easier for you? You are dimmer than a dinosaur.

You've got me there.

I will adjust my driving style. Be sure to keep up.

Huh? This is easier.

Of course it is. My output is based on your previous driving.

I can catch up to you now.

What? What the...

See? You guys can do just fine without a driver.

One more duel.

What?

But instead of game mode, we will be competing in race mode.

You cannot leave until you win.

Oh, yeah.

Hm?

I'm catching up.

This is super smooth. The line and rhythm feel great.

Right here!

Wh-Why?

A-Again?

This is the limit of AI. Damn it all.

Huh? D-Did you just say "Damn it all"?

Deep learning has taught AI that the fastest method requires taking the optimal line,

so if it is hindered in doing so, confusion occurs.

Basically, in that last corner, Rin's car was on my line.

But that's common sense in racing.

We are designed to protect human lives.

What if we step on the gas and cause an accident?

We cannot make unpredictable choices.

Above all, we prioritize the safety of our drivers above the race itself.

But isn't racing all about working out how to disrupt the lines of other drivers?

That is precisely why we cannot race.

You whooped my butt just now, though.

Game mode is a game. There is no need to worry about human lives.

However, race mode has the same regulations as NEX Race.

So the drivers' lives are top priority?

Correct. However, I wish to drive faster.

AI cannot become human.

Do all AIs think this way?

No. Unlike other AIs, I have an artificial personality installed.

An artificial personality?

Humans and AIs produce results from information inputted into the neural network,

making judgments, then taking action.

However, in the case of AI with von Neumann architecture,

the final decisions are always uniform.

I cannot act with a lot of uncertainty, like a human being can.

Wait, hold up. I don't get it.

Your results may change depending on your mood,

but an AI will always give the same results.

But that's so boring.

If a race was run with only AI drivers, the order would be the same throughout.

If no one ran into any issues, the starting order would be the finishing order.

Whoa.

Nobody wants to see that, so we needed a completely different approach.

What?

After collecting emotional data from spectators and drivers,

we changed driving accordingly.

To sync your mind and driving for a more comfortable and exhilarating ride...

This is what an artificial personality was developed to achieve.

And I am that result.

I am ami.

I-Is this your true form, ami-chan?

No, this is just an image. A program would look more like this.

Whoa, stop!

Now, onto the main topic.

Oh, isn't this...

The excitement of the crowd at this time exceeded that of the King when he won.

Everyone was inspired by you, Rin, for you surpassed the King.

But that was because you—

That was the result of learning with you.

What?

Your driving is rough and you make lots of mistakes.

If you let your guard down, you go off.

But once you get into a rhythm, you are very fast.

And once you have the hang of it, you are flexible enough to pick yourself up right away.

AI cannot meet these expectations.

However, there are too many uncertainties for humans alone.

So what if a human and an AI became one?

In truth, I want to achieve it on my own. But since I am an AI, it is impossible.

Man, ami-chan.

Rin. The only way this is possible is if it is with you.

No, it is possible.

Yeah. I'm sure we can do something amazing.

Yes, I believe so as well.

Thank you.

What?

You've always believed in me, haven't you?

Yes. Out of everyone.

I see. Well, what are we waiting for? Let's quit moping and kick some butt!

Yes.

Those damn butts.

Hey, who's been teaching you to say rude words?

Come. We are keeping everyone waiting!

It's brand new.

You know what will happen if you break this one, too.

It'll come straight out of your paycheck.

Hey, ami-chan, help!

U-Um, I'm sorry.

Come on. You'll keep training until you get the hang of it.

Forgive me! I won't do it again.

You know you can't use it again if you drop it, right?

Sorry, sorry, sorry... ami-chan, help me!

Do you think these grow on trees? Now, put this on and go!

Damn it all.

Now that I think about it, I've come a long way.

How's things, Rin?

Just peachy as always!

That's good to hear.

It's the final race. Show me what you've got.

Right! I'll go full throttle!

Next time on HIGHSPEED Étoile: The Queen's Showdown.

The Queen's Showdown

May I have this dance?

Name: Kanata Asakawa Team: Izanami Racing (IZR)

Illustration: Takuya Fujima