They reached the corner and leaned over the rail to see who would be around the corner first.  Aika ignored the text block, watching the street, but Joy was not so disinterested.  The Tennin was totally focused on the road, until Joy said her name.  And then the question after.  Joy would be able to see Aika<em>blush</em>, and then a single word response.  "I..."  But that was all she got out before the cars whipped around the corner for the last leg of the race.  Two cars were out in front, with most of the rest not all that far behind.  Both Exalts recognized the blue-white racer that led the group - that was Ichiro.  As for the car that was so very close by him...Aika<em>did</em>recognize it as the car belonging to the driver that Miku had been chatting up before the race.<br/><br/>It was so close; one move could decide whether or not they had her help or whether they would need to look elsewhere, or even something different.  They started running back towards the stands, going as fast as they could manage in their outfits.  They got to their previous positions back at the start of the race with<em>just</em>enough time to turn and watch as Ichiro blasted across the finish line, winning the race.  The two girls shared a brief hug and then Joy was up on the rail, expertly balancing thanks to all her martial arts training.  They were both ecstatic over the win - they now had Miku's help!  Albeit, at a bit of a price...<br/><br/>The same embarrassed look came over Aika's face as Joy asked her about seeing Ichiro again.  "Once...maybe twice..."  Before she could say more, a voice cleared itself to their left.  Looking over there, they could see Miku standing there.  "Well.  It seems our contest is at an end.  And as per the terms of said contest, I will help you."  It was hard to read her expression, but she didn't look angry or upset over her loss.  Another prompt appeared.<br/><br/><div align="center"><tt class="bbc_tt">Miku Hatsune (Air Ryuujin) is now your ALLY!</tt></div><br/>"I'll see you back at the Shrine..." And she simply walked into the crowd of queens that now surged around Aika, all of them gushing about how what a good luck charm she was that she had even managed to beat Miku (though perhaps they were not aware of<em>all</em>the things that had transpired in said victory), and the Air Ryuujin vanished.