The group gathered in the cool night air as the evaluation was about to begin. The faint hum of engines created a charged atmosphere, and the headlights illuminated the makeshift track nestled in the hills. Alexander stood with his tablet in hand, a picture of calm professionalism, while Hen Akoto remained unusually quiet, his gaze focused on the black S13 beside him. Hisashi could feel his energy, a quiet intensity brewing beneath his calm exterior.
"I'll ride with you as you race Hen," Alexander explained, his voice steady as he looked up from his tablet. "I need to track your movements, timestamps, and general responsiveness through the corners."
Hisashi nodded, her expression a mixture of determination and excitement. She glanced over at Xiangua, who had tagged along, leaning casually against a nearby car, her eyes already scanning the crowd for potential candidates for her "future boyfriend" list. Hisashi smirked, shaking her head. Xiangua's intentions were always transparent.
As the group prepared for the race, Hen Akoto approached Hisashi, his usual confident grin replaced by a more reserved demeanor. "You ready?" he asked, his tone steady but softer than usual.
"Always," Hisashi replied, matching his gaze with her own. She could feel the unspoken tension between them, a residual effect of whatever Yuri had said earlier. Hen seemed distracted, yet his focus on the race ahead was unyielding.
They lined up at the starting point, engines growling in anticipation. Hisashi tightened her grip on the steering wheel as Alexander settled into her passenger seat, tablet in hand.
"Remember," Alexander said calmly, "This is not just about speed. I'm looking at your control and decision-making. No reckless moves."
Hen Akoto's white S14 revved beside her, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement, remembering their last encounter on the empty streets. The signal was given, and they were off.
The course was filled with tight corners and inclines, perfect for showcasing their skills. Hen Akoto's car stayed close to hers, mimicking her movements as they drifted around the first sharp turn. Hisashi felt the familiar thrill of the chase, her car responding to every subtle adjustment she made. Alexander observed quietly, his eyes darting between his tablet and the road.
Hen was relentless. His S14 seemed to glide effortlessly, matching her pace through the challenging twists. Hisashi pushed harder, her tires screeching as she executed a perfect drift, smoke billowing behind her. She glanced in the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of Hen's focused expression, his red hair illuminated by the streetlights.
As they approached the final stretch, Hen pulled alongside her, the roar of their engines creating a symphony of adrenaline. For a brief moment, their cars were side by side, the world around them fading into the background. Hisashi couldn't help but grin, the competitive fire in her eyes matching his.
With a final surge, Hisashi crossed the finish line a hair ahead of Hen. She exhaled deeply, her heart pounding as she brought her car to a stop. Alexander stepped out, jotting down notes on his tablet, his expression unreadable.
"You both did well," he commented, his voice neutral. "I've got what I need for now."
As more cars began to arrive, the crowd grew larger, and the energy in the air became electric. Among the newcomers, a distinct roar of a motorcycle engine caught everyone's attention. A sleek bike rolled in, its rider exuding effortless charisma. Yuri dismounted, his dark hair tousled perfectly, and a sly grin playing on his lips. Hen Akoto groaned audibly, recognizing the incoming chaos his friend was likely to bring.
"Why is he here?" Hen muttered, rubbing his temple.
Yuri waved dramatically as he approached, his signature charm drawing stares from the crowd. One particular gaze lingered longer than the others—Xiangua's. Her eyes lit up as she took in the motorcycle, a known weakness of hers.
"Well, well," Yuri said, his voice smooth as silk. "Niko, you didn't tell me you were putting on a show."
Hen glared at him. "This isn't a show. And what are you doing here?"
"Supporting my dearest friend, of course," Yuri replied, his grin widening as he glanced around. His eyes landed on Xiangua, and his expression turned playful. "And who might this lovely spectator be?"
Xiangua smirked, stepping forward with a confidence that rivaled his own. "Xiangua. And you must be the infamous Yuri."
Yuri bowed slightly, his charm dialed up to maximum. "Infamous? I like the sound of that."
Hen sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as the banter unfolded. Hisashi watched the scene with mild amusement, her earlier tension easing as she observed the dynamic shift among the group.
"Great," Hen muttered under his breath. "Now there are two of them."
Hisashi leaned against her car, her eyes scanning the lively scene of the gathering.
Hisashi observed the interactions between Alexander and his girlfriend, Rose, she couldn't help but notice the distinct aura that Rose exuded. With a slim and modeling physique, Rose carried herself with a confident demeanor that demanded attention. Upon arriving at their late meetups, Rose's eyes landed on Hisashi in a challenging manner, her long auburn hair cascading past her shoulders as she briskly reached for Alexander's arm, as if marking her territory. The piercing gaze from her blue eyes seemed to convey a clear message to Hisashi: "This is mine."
Hisashi understood Rose's possessive gestures. After all, Alexander was undeniably attractive, with a well-built physique that many girls would undoubtedly find appealing. She observed how Alexander's behavior shifted in Rose's presence. He would always keep her by his side, their hands finding each other effortlessly, even during discussions or when recording videos for the team. Hisashi admired their relationship dynamics, always attentive and affectionate towards her. They shared a strong bond, and Hisashi couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the way they complemented each other.
Amidst the male-dominated environment of the team, Rose's presence provided a refreshing contrast, and Hisashi couldn't help but find it endearing to witness their bond. Though she attracted attention from other male members, Hisashi's distinct aura served as a natural deterrent, allowing her to maintain her focus on the camaraderie and the shared passion for drifting.
Engines roared in the background, and laughter filled the air as car enthusiasts mingled and shared stories of past races. Yet, her gaze inevitably drifted toward Hen Akoto.
He was surrounded, as usual, by a small cluster of admirers—mostly women. They hung on his every word, their laughter punctuating the air at his effortless charm. Hen's body language was open, relaxed, and confident, a natural leader in his element. Hisashi noted how he gestured animatedly while speaking, his red hair catching the flickering light from a nearby lamp.
Despite the ease with which he interacted with the group, something shifted whenever his eyes met hers. Hen's confident demeanor faltered just slightly, his cheeks taking on a faint tinge of pink before he quickly looked away. Hisashi couldn't help but smirk to herself. For someone so adept at handling attention, it was amusing to see him unravel, even briefly, under her gaze.
It was curious, though. Hen Akoto had no shortage of admirers—people who openly vied for his attention—and yet, he hadn't made a move on her. It wasn't as though she lacked appeal. In fact, Hisashi was well aware of the attention she garnered from others. Even now, she could feel the weight of lingering glances from a few onlookers.
But Hen... he was different. She noticed the way his tone softened when speaking to her, how he seemed to gravitate toward her despite the crowd surrounding him. Yet, he hadn't crossed that invisible line. It made her wonder—was it her connection to the racing world? Did he see her as a fellow driver and nothing more? Or was there something else holding him back?
Hisashi's thoughts drifted back to her last relationship, a painful chapter she had worked hard to move past. She had built walls around herself since then, choosing to focus on her passion for cars rather than risking vulnerability again. Maybe that was why she found herself so perplexed by Hen. He didn't seem like the type to shy away from what he wanted, and yet, here they were—dancing around an unspoken tension that neither seemed willing to address.
She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watched him. The way he interacted with the girls surrounding him—it wasn't flirtatious, not really. It was more as if he was trying to shield himself, to counter something, maybe even Yuri's constant teasing. It was almost as if he was using their presence as a buffer, a distraction from whatever he didn't want to confront.
Despite the body language exchanged between Hen and the girls, Hisashi couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity—and perhaps, just a twinge of irritation. If he could command so much attention and charm so easily, what was stopping him from making a move? Was it respect? Caution? Or something else entirely?
Whatever it was, it left her in a frustrating limbo, torn between intrigue and exasperation.