Oil-Soaked Pride, Mechanic-Approved Love

Haruka

Just one more bolt and this carburetor will purr again.

Michiru

Haruka, the crankcase is cracked. You’re swimming in motor oil, not fixing anything.

Haruka

I don’t need a mechanic. I’ve got instinct and a torque wrench.

Michiru

Please, let me call the shop. Your pride is bleeding worse than this engine.

Haruka

(That sounded expensive—)

Michiru

Haruka, the whole pan just ruptured! We’re standing in a lake of 10W-40.

Haruka

So... maybe your mechanic idea wasn’t the worst.

Michiru

I’ll phone now. And you’re buying me a new blouse.

Michiru

You're back under there? I thought we agreed on a mechanic.

Haruka

He wanted to replace the whole block. I just need to retime the cam.

Michiru

Haruka, you chased away the only person who could help us.

Michiru

This isn't pride anymore—it's sabotage.

Haruka

Watch me. One perfect ignition and she'll sing again.

Michiru

(She's going to destroy herself to prove she doesn't need anyone.)

Michiru

The engine—it's actually catching!

Haruka

Told you. Nobody knows her heart like I do.

Haruka

(But that knocking... that's not victory. That's a death rattle.)

Haruka

(Towed back to the garage like a corpse...Michiru won't even look at me.)

Michiru

The mechanic will be here in twenty minutes. Try not to attack this one with a lug wrench.

Haruka

That knocking was just the belt skipping a tooth. I could retime it myself if you'd—

Michiru

You stranded us on the freeway! I had to hike two kilometers for signal!

Michiru

This isn't about racing anymore—it's about basic survival.

Haruka

(If I can just get her to fire once, she'll remember how we used to fly...)

Michiru

Haruka...look at me. This car isn't your identity.

Michiru

Let the mechanic fix her. Then we'll rebuild—together.

Haruka

(She's offering me a way out...but what if the mechanic says she's totaled?)

Michiru

Trust me this once. The mechanic owes me a favor—he'll save your baby.

Haruka

(But what if saving the car means admitting I can't save her myself?)

Haruka

(Generic plastic wheel...feels nothing like my worn leather. Michiru hasn’t spoken since we left the garage.)

Michiru

(The silence is louder than any engine ever was. She’s still hiding something.)

Haruka

Michiru... I wasn’t just racing. I was racing for pink slips. Our car...I bet her.

Michiru

You wagered our car? On a street gamble?

Haruka

I thought if I won, we could upgrade everything. If I lost...I’d rather wreck than hand her over.

Michiru

You magnificent idiot. Cars can be replaced. You can’t.

Haruka

(She’s not walking away. After everything...she’s still here.)

Michiru

I love you, Haruka. Even when you’re a reckless disaster.

Haruka

(Next exit—home. But maybe...maybe we take the long way.)