A few minutes pass, and cars from outside the garage can be heard making their way to the track. Ghazali and the rest moved their equipment to the pitlane to prepare for the practice session. Alice notices that Sugimoto is returning to the garage and she puts on a calm demeanor. She notices that Sugimoto has a slight blush on his face and decides to tease him for it.
"Seems like somebody had a good time." Alice jokingly said to him.
"We only had some small talk, nothing much." Sugimoto calmly said as he petted her head.
Alice felt a bit flustered and pushed his hand off her head. Then Ghazali approached them.
"Alright drivers, it's time to move out and head to the pits. The stewards will give us a quick briefing before practice so get there in time." Ghazali told them.
The drivers nodded and drove their cars to the pitlane. They parked inside the garage where the rest of the crew awaited them. As soon as they got out, the crew began doing a final inspection of their cars before practice. Then the stewards called them over for a quick briefing.
"Man briefing is such a bore! They do know we're professionals right?" Sugimoto yawned slightly as he said that.
"It's just a procedure Senpai. Besides it's just for a bit." Alice told him.
"Yeah yeah. Let's get it over with." Sugimoto huffed.
Alice and Sugimoto went inside the briefing room. There, they saw the race marshall standing at the front of the room while the drivers sat down to listen to the steward's lecture. They took a seat and listened to their briefings. As they sat, Alice caught a glimpse of Richard, who was also present. She stared at him as she remembered the day they encountered each other at the restaurant with her grandfather.
"Why was he talking about that incident with my grandfather? Does he know something that happened on that day?" Alice thought to herself.
As she stared at him, Richard looked behind and caught Alice in the act. Alice immediately noticed and looked away and acted naturally. Richard returned his attention to the stewards and Alice was sweating a bit.
"Crap, he totally caught me staring." Alice muttered to herself.
"You okay kid? You seem nervous." Sugimoto asked concernly.
"N-No. I'm good!" Alice blurted a bit loudly.
The stewards and the rest of the drivers noticed and turned their attention towards her. Alice saw that all eyes were on her and began lowering herself down.
"Please, no talking during the brief? Understood?" The head marshall told her.
"Y-yeah, I'll be quiet from now on." Alice muttered to them.
Alice felt embarrassed and covered her face from the embarrassment. After the briefing ended, they all returned to their respective garages in the pitlane. Alice went inside her car and placed her head on the steering wheel, seemingly appearing in a depressed mood.
"Why does it have to happen to me..." Alice muttered to herself.
After sulking in the car, she got out and went up to the rest of the gang who were just chatting.
"Why the long face Alice? Did something happen?" The manager asked.
"Ah, she got scolded by the stewar-" Sugimoto was about to say but was cut off by Alice elbowing him in the guts.
"It's nothing, I was just getting into the mood for the session." Alice calmly told them.
Ghazali and the manager watch as Sugimoto holds his guts in pain and they all calmly express a small smile.
