Taking a break from practice, Alexander sipped his beer leisurely, glancing at Hisashi, who was scrolling through her phone. "Got any burning questions?" he asked casually, his voice laced with curiosity.
Hisashi looked up, a flicker of interest crossing her face. "Have you raced much before?" he asked, leaning slightly forward.
Shaking her head, she replied, "I've mostly avoided it—unless someone needs their ego bruised."
Alexander clutched his chest in mock pain. "Ouch! Straight to the heart. You don't pull punches, do you?"
"No point," Hisashi replied smoothly, her gaze sharp. "I don't tolerate idiots who treat safety like a joke."
"Right there with you," Alexander said, raising his beer in a mock toast. "That's why we don't run during high-traffic hours. We stick to spots and times with minimal public risk."
"Hen even works with a few officers to make sure our activities steer clear of the public," Alexander added, clearly enjoying the topic.
Her eyebrows arched in skepticism. "And the police are okay with that?"
Alexander grinned. "Hen's got contacts. His mother holds some key contracts in Chunanami."
"Congress?" she pressed, intrigued.
"Federal," Alexander clarified with a nod. "She's no lightweight. Anyway, unlike official races, our events are more about tactics—who leads, who strategizes, who finishes first."
"It's not just about the car's horsepower then?" Hisashi mused, her curiosity deepening.
"Exactly," Alexander confirmed. "It's about skill, control, and reading the track."
"Are the competitors aggressive?" she asked, setting her phone aside completely.
Alexander leaned back slightly, his expression darkening. "Some, yeah. Most crews are chill, but DriftOne? They're egotistical jerks. They think being the first makes them the best."
Hisashi nodded, absorbing the layers of complexity to the racing world. It was thrilling and a little intimidating. Before she could delve further, Hen Akoto approached the table, sweat glistening on his brow, his red hair wild from exertion.
Without a word, he grabbed Alexander's beer and took a long swig.
"Really?" Alexander complained, gesturing to his empty bottle. "Get your own, Hen."
"What are you two scheming?" Hen asked, his tone casual, though his eyes lingered on Hisashi.
"I'm enlightening Hisashi on the rules," Alexander replied, smirking.
Hen grinned, setting the bottle down. "Ah, the basics: shine and hit the finish line before the other guy does."
Alexander groaned. "That's the most watered-down explanation ever from a leader."
"But it's accurate," Hen retorted. "No lectures needed."
"Please, I've kept this team organized while you've been winging it," Alexander quipped, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth.
Hen's attention drifted to Hisashi, who watched their banter with raised eyebrows. "Pardon his theatrics," Alexander said with mock gravity.
"I'm not theatrical—" Hen began, but Hisashi interrupted by grabbing the bottle from the table. Their fingers brushed, and she felt a tension ripple through him. With a small grin, she finished the last of the beer and set the bottle back down.
"Well then," she said, standing, her tone teasing. "Mr. Leader, what should I do?"
Hen froze, momentarily caught off guard. His gaze roamed over her, lingering a second too long on her sharp, confident posture and the subtle curve of her smile. Words escaped him, and for the first time, he felt genuinely speechless.
Alexander's laughter shattered the silence. "Thank you, Hisashi. I've been waiting for someone to finally shut him up."
Hen shot Alexander a glare, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Shut up, Alex," he muttered, standing abruptly.
Now standing almost eye level with Hisashi, Hen's gaze locked onto hers for a brief, electric moment. His eyes dipped slightly, tracing the outline of her face, her neck, and the way her hair framed her features. He quickly shook his head as if to clear his thoughts and turned away.
"I'm doing another run," he announced, his voice gruff.
As he strode off, Alexander leaned closer to Hisashi, smirking. "Congratulations, Hisashi. You've officially rendered the great Hen Akoto tongue-tied."
"Should I be flattered?" she asked, amused.
Alexander laughed softly. "Absolutely. I like you more by the second."
Hisashi glanced at Hen's retreating figure, her thoughts swirling. She'd expected confidence, maybe even arrogance—but not this quiet vulnerability. Not the way he seemed so thrown by her. It was intriguing. And unsettling. And she couldn't deny—it made her want to know more.
Alexander stood up, stretching his arms with a satisfied sigh. "Well, I'd better get back to work. Rose, honey," he called, gesturing to a striking blonde who was heading their way, "I'll leave you to have some girl time with Hisashi."
Rose approached with an easy, confident stride, her golden hair catching the light as her round, bright blue eyes sparkled with warmth. "Perfect. You've been hogging her long enough," she teased Alexander before sliding into the seat beside Hisashi with effortless grace. "Hi, Hisashi, right?"
Hisashi looked up from her phone, a polite smile forming on her lips. "That's me."
"So, are you into drifting?" Rose asked, her tone light and curious as she leaned on the table.
Hisashi nodded, feeling a little more at ease in Rose's friendly presence. "My dad and uncle were into it before. After my dad passed away, my uncle thought it was important for me to learn."
Rose's expression softened, a touch of sympathy in her bright eyes. "I'm so sorry to hear that."
Hisashi shrugged, her voice warm but steady. "It was a long time ago. I've come to terms with it."
The two sat in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping their drinks as the faint buzz of the crew's chatter filled the air. Then Rose tilted her head, her lips curving into a mischievous smile. "So... who's caught your eye?"
Hisashi nearly choked on her coffee, her eyes widening in surprise. "What? No one," she stammered, her cheeks tinged with pink. "I'm not looking for a relationship. Not after my last ex—"
Rose waved a dismissive hand, cutting her off with a laugh. "It doesn't have to be serious, you know. And don't let one bad relationship scare you off. Trust me, I've been there. My ex was a total disaster, but then I met Alexander, and he's been the sweetest guy ever. Complete 180."
Hisashi hesitated, fidgeting with her mug. "I'm not really into socializing much. It's just not my thing."
Rose leaned in, her grin turning sly. "You're doing fine so far. And don't think I didn't notice earlier—you've got someone in mind."
Hisashi's blush deepened as her gaze flickered over to the group nearby. Though she said nothing, her flustered expression and the subtle direction of her glance were more than enough to give her away.
Rose followed her gaze, a playful whistle escaping her lips. "Oh, Takawara? I'm not surprised."
Hisashi whipped her head back around, frowning in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Rose giggled, clearly enjoying her friend's flustered reaction. "People talk, Hisashi. And Hen's reputation precedes him."
"Reputation?" Hisashi asked, her curiosity piqued despite herself.
"They call him The Beast, you know," Rose said with a teasing grin. "On the track, he's relentless, almost untouchable. Off the track..." She trailed off, giving Hisashi a knowing look. "Let's just say he's got... energy."
Hisashi's cheeks turned crimson as Rose leaned back, her expression a mix of amusement and mischief. "Rumor has it he's... very dominant. Confident, commanding, and let's just say he knows how to handle more than just a car."
Hisashi coughed, nearly choking on her coffee again. "How do you even know that?"
Rose's grin widened. "Girls talk. I'm just an excellent listener."
Hisashi rolled her eyes, though a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Sounds like you've got a whole dossier on him."
Rose shrugged with a laugh. "Hey, you're the one blushing over him, not me. But seriously, if you're just looking for some fun, he's probably a safe bet. And who knows? Maybe there's more to him than meets the eye. Guys like him—charming, confident—they usually have layers."
Hisashi's frown softened into a thoughtful expression. "You really think so?"
"Absolutely," Rose said with an encouraging nod. "I wouldn't have gotten Alexander if I hadn't taken a chance. Sometimes, you just have to leap."
Hisashi smiled faintly, Rose's words echoing in her mind. "Maybe you're right."
"Of course I'm right," Rose said with a wink, her playful grin returning. "Just don't let him get too cocky. Guys like Hen need to work for it."