Satzu one-shots + incorrects

The track holds my greatest love (3)

Miami Grand Prix

Miami International Autodrome, Miami Gardens

57 laps

"We're here at the first ever race in Miami and it is electric in the circuit!"

"And look at Ferrari! There is nothing stopping them as they maintain this brilliant lead. That beautiful start has charged Chou straight to the top of the pack."

Miami is a party scene waiting to happen. Anticipation thrums through the crowd, who is already indulging and partying and celebrating before the race has finished. The energy is high and all-consuming. Tzuyu feels it even as she enters the final five laps of the circuit.

The race may have had her start in P3 but Tzuyu pushed past the leaders in the beginning of Turn 1. She built on that momentum, keeping her moves clean and sharp until she was able to overtake Mercedes on Lap 9. From there, it was a battle of endurance to keep P1.

"Keep it steady. Watch that safety car. We're entering the final stretch," Jihyo's nerves are palpable through her clipped words. Short and to the point. No unnecessary advice sprouting in Tzuyu's ears. There's no need—not when she feels the drone of the engine, the crunch of smooth pavement under her tires, the victory that is sweet and decadent on the tip of her tongue.

Lightning hums beneath her hands, her grip tight on the steering wheel as she laps and laps and laps, until the chequered flag is within grasping reach. Elation fills Tzuyu's chest to the brim, ecstatic waves battering against the gate of her sternum. She screams victoriously, and hears her team celebrating in turn.

The winners' ceremony is a buzzing hub of activity, reporters and officials and fans crowding the drivers as they stand atop the podium. After the champagne drips down her uniform, Tzuyu ambles to the room used for the post-race interview.

Of course, that's when it goes downhill.

So far, everyone has been pulling back their punches, beating around the bush about the topic of Chou and Minatozaki. No one has blatantly brought up the topic again for fear of awkwardness and the ugliness of fan-wars and the social media firestorm that would burn everyone involved if anyone addressed it.

Until now.

It's not surprising that it's a new and young reporter. One too eager to bring back a scrap to the news outlet that tugs at the leash of his corporate collar.

"Tzuyu, over here! Mercedes had the lead in the beginning! Do you have anything to say to your ex-partner? Did Minatozaki say anything to you after the race? There's been instances of tension regarding the two of you again?"

The mention of tension makes Tzuyu...well, tense up. Dahyun is stiff beside her, and so is Mina, who was passing by, as they gaped at the reporter's carelessness. Words swirl in her ears until they are muffled, voices ringing like they are underwater as a memory bubbles to the surface. It overtakes Tzuyu's mind easily enough, and all she can do is grip the couch's armrest as she is reminded of the past.

Sana appears in her mind, as she always does.

But this moment is different. This instance has been set in stone, chained to Tzuyu's memory like a rattling ghost.

Silver and teal surround her. They are here once more, in the Mercedes garage, transported three years back in time. Tzuyu recognizes this moment—how could she not? It is the last fissure that split up the famous Mercedes duo. The crack in their partnership that sent everything shattering to a million pieces.

Pieces that she left behind, unable to be picked up until a year later.

"Oh, come on, Tzuyu. Don't be a sore loser."