Hisashi pulled into the familiar parking lot late Friday night, her body aching from a long shift at the diner. The weekend rush had left her exhausted, the constant clatter of dishes and the hum of chatter still ringing faintly in her ears. But she wasn't one to miss a night at the lot, especially not after a week like this. She shook off the fatigue with a deep breath, determined to shift gears and enjoy the night.
After a quick wash-up, she'd chosen an effortlessly stylish outfit: a jean jumper skirt over a green sleeveless turtleneck bodysuit, paired with long, high-knee socks and her well-worn Converse sneakers. One strap of her jumper hung casually off her shoulder, revealing a hint of her bodysuit beneath. Her damp black hair, faintly scented with citrus shampoo, framed her face in loose waves, and despite her weariness, her look radiated an understated charm.
As she approached the group, her eyes landed on Hen Akoto and Alexander, leaning over the hood of Hen's pristine White Nissan S14. They were engrossed in a video playing on the laptop balanced atop the car. Hen was particularly focused, his brows furrowed in concentration as he mindlessly popped Frito's into his mouth.
"Evening, guys," Hisashi called out, her voice bright and cheerful, cutting through the quiet hum of the lot.
Hen jerked at the sound of her voice, swiveling around so abruptly that he inhaled a mouthful of chips the wrong way. A cacophony of coughing followed as he tried—and failed—to compose himself, his face turning an impressive shade of red. Alexander, failing to suppress his laughter, patted Hen on the back, his amusement echoing across the lot.
"Jesus, Hisashi," Alexander said, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "Do you always make such dramatic entrances? Poor Hen here nearly bit the dust."
Hisashi chuckled, stepping closer and plucking the bag of Frito's from Hen's hand with a teasing grin. "I didn't mean to scare you," she said innocently, though the mischievous sparkle in her eyes suggested otherwise.
"Hi—Hisashi," Hen managed to sputter, his voice cracking slightly as he avoided her gaze. His eyes betrayed him, darting briefly to her outfit—the jumper's off-shoulder strap, the curve of her figure, the casual confidence in her stance—before quickly snapping away, his cheeks glowing crimson.
Alexander watched the exchange with a knowing smirk, leaning back against the car. "Do you want iced coffee?" he offered, his tone laced with casual mischief. Without waiting for an answer, he nudged Hen. "Go grab her one."
Hen hesitated for a second before muttering something incomprehensible and stalking off to the nearby vending truck, leaving Hisashi and Alexander alone.
"What was that about?" Hisashi asked, raising an eyebrow as she crossed her arms, her tone tinged with curiosity.
Alexander shrugged, still grinning. "We were watching one of your runs from the last meet," he said, gesturing to the laptop. "Hen's been obsessing over this move you pulled—some weight transfer on an uphill hairpin. Claims it's 'efficient.'" He mimicked Hen's serious tone, his grin widening.
Hisashi tilted her head, intrigued. "Efficient? Is that his way of saying I'm good?"
Alexander chuckled. "More like his way of saying he's trying to figure out how you make it look so damn easy."
Just then, a sleek red Honda Civic glided into the parking lot, its glossy finish gleaming under the dim streetlights. The car drew everyone's attention as two women stepped out, their outfits immediately catching Hisashi's eye. One wore a pastel ensemble of violet and white, the soft hues clinging to her figure, while the other opted for earthy tones of cream and dark brown, her style no less revealing. Both exuded a confidence that was as bold as their attire, their short skirts and fitted tops leaving little to the imagination.
"Oh, Alexis!" the taller woman called out brightly, her tone sugary sweet as she sauntered toward the group. Alexander's previously easygoing demeanor shifted, his smile faltering just enough for Hisashi to notice. His wave was half-hearted, and the smile he offered was stiff, almost reluctant.
Curious, Hisashi raised an eyebrow, popping another Frito into her mouth as she observed the unfolding interaction.
"Hello to you too, Hana," Alexander replied, his voice dripping with a mix of sarcasm and thinly veiled exasperation. He leaned against the hood of the car, his arms crossing in a defensive gesture.
Hana's expression lit up the moment her gaze landed on Hen Akoto, who had just returned with drinks in hand. His brooding aura didn't seem to deter her excitement. "Hen!" she squealed, practically bouncing as she closed the distance between them.
Hen, however, didn't so much as glance in her direction. His sharp focus remained on the drinks he carried, his dark eyes scanning the group as he distributed them with practiced indifference. Hisashi noticed one of the cups was her favorite—a thoughtful touch that didn't escape her attention. She sipped it slowly, her lips curling into a subtle smile she tried to hide behind the rim. So he does pay attention, she thought, her chest warming at the realization.
"What are you doing here?" Hen finally asked, his tone flat and edged with irritation as his gaze flicked briefly to Hana. His words were more perfunctory than welcoming, his disinterest palpable.
Hana, undeterred by his cold reception, looped her arm around his forearm in a possessive gesture. Her voice shifted, turning sharp with a mix of accusation and entitlement. "Why haven't you replied to my texts?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing.
Hen smoothly stepped out of her grasp with a calm yet deliberate motion, his focus never breaking as he handed the last drink to Alexander. His response was curt, delivered with an air of finality. "Been busy," he said, his tone dismissive.
Hana's eyes darted to Hisashi, narrowing slightly as she took in the black-haired woman seated beside Alexander. Her tone shifted, becoming pointed as she asked, "And who's this?"
Hen's demeanor stiffened slightly, but his voice remained even. "Newest member of my team," he said, introducing her without hesitation. "Hisashi."
Hisashi raised her head, meeting Hana's scrutinizing gaze with unshakable composure. She nodded politely, her voice calm and collected as she said, "Nice to meet you, Hana."
Hana's forced smile faltered at Hisashi's poise, her irritation bubbling just beneath the surface. "You never mentioned adding girls to your crew," she remarked, her tone tinged with disdain.
Hen, leaning casually against the hood of his White Nissan S14, crossed his arms. "Since when do I owe you updates on my crew?" he countered, his voice sharp but measured.
Hana's frustration became more apparent as she stomped her foot, her irritation spilling over. "You should—"
"We're not together, Hana," Hen cut her off firmly, his tone final. The bluntness of his words hung in the air, a clear line drawn between them.
Hana's mouth opened, but no words came out. Her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger as she looked between Hen and Hisashi. Hisashi maintained her calm exterior, sipping her coffee as though unaffected by the rising tension.
Alexander, sensing the awkward atmosphere, placed his drink down and gestured subtly to Hisashi. "Hey, Hisashi," he said, clearing his throat. "Come with me for a moment. I need to go over something with you."
Hisashi caught the cue and rose gracefully, her calm demeanor still intact. As she passed by Hen, their eyes met briefly—a silent acknowledgment of the situation. With a small nod, she followed Alexander, her coffee in hand.
As they walked away, the sounds of Hana's grumbling faded into the background. "That was... something," Alexander commented, glancing sideways at Hisashi.
"Something, indeed," Hisashi replied, her voice steady but carrying a hint of amusement. She glanced back at Hen, who remained steadfast against Hana's tirade.
"You get used to it," Alexander said with a smirk, his tone light. "Hen has a knack for attracting trouble. You just happen to be a new kind of interesting trouble for him."
Hisashi raised an eyebrow at Alexander's remark but didn't respond, her thoughts lingering on Hen's unflinching composure and the way he'd handled Hana's intrusion.
As they distanced themselves from the escalating drama, Hisashi couldn't help but voice the curiosity that had been brewing inside her. "Ex?" she asked, her tone laced with intrigue as they made their way toward her car. She placed her empty coffee cup on the roof of the vehicle, folding her arms casually.
Alexander nodded, taking a deliberate sip of his drink before elaborating. From their vantage point, they could still see Hen and Hana in the distance. Hen stood firm, his expression unreadable, while Hana gestured wildly, her frustration evident.
"They used to be together," Alexander began, his tone factual but tinged with amusement. "Hen wasn't exactly into the 'relationship' thing. It started as something casual—a friends-with-benefits situation. But she got... attached. Too attached."
Hisashi raised an eyebrow, glancing briefly at Hen and Hana before turning back to Alexander. "Possessive?"
"Very," Alexander confirmed, leaning slightly against her car. "She didn't just want Hen. She wanted control over his time, his decisions, his life. Pushed away anyone she thought was competition. The usual psycho ex-girlfriend package."
Hisashi hummed in understanding, a faint shadow crossing her face as she let out a soft sigh. "I know how that feels," she admitted, her voice quieter now. It wasn't often that she opened up, but the familiarity of the topic nudged her to share.
Alexander tilted his head, intrigued. "You?" he asked, his brow furrowing slightly.
"My ex," Hisashi continued, her gaze drifting somewhere distant. "He couldn't handle me with my friends. Tried to make me cut with them. Said it wasn't 'safe with them.'" She scoffed at the memory. "I was young, naive. It messed me up. My uncle stepped in, pushed me out of that toxic mess, and got me into driving."
"Driving as therapy?" Alexander ventured, his curiosity piqued by the personal note in her words.
Hisashi gave a small, wistful smile. "You could call it that," she replied cryptically, leaving Alexander to wonder about the details.
Their attention was drawn back to the scene unfolding nearby. Hana's arms flailed as she angrily pointed at Hen, whose face remained stoic, his sharp jawline set with unwavering resolve.
Hisashi frowned, tilting her head slightly. "Is it always like this for him?" she wondered aloud.
Alexander exhaled, a trace of weariness in his expression. "Hen attracts these types. It's like he's got a magnet for possessive girls who can't take no for an answer. But I'll admit," he added, his tone softening, "I've never seen him as serious about anyone as I am with Rose. Most of the time, it's just surface-level."
"Do I need to start watching my back for psychos now?" Hisashi joked, trying to lighten the mood, though the idea of drama didn't exactly thrill her.
Alexander chuckled, his laugh genuine. "Only if you're planning on being with him," he teased. His words hung in the air for a moment, and he noticed the way Hisashi faltered, her casual stance stiffening slightly as she choked on her words.
Catching her reaction, Alexander softened his tone. "You're different, Hisashi," he said earnestly, meeting her eyes. "Hen's not used to someone like you. That's why she's mad."
Hisashi didn't respond immediately, her mind swirling with thoughts she wasn't ready to acknowledge. She turned her attention back to Hen and Hana, who were still engaged in a heated exchange.
Alexander straightened, finishing the last of his drink before strolling back toward the pair. His presence alone seemed to command attention as he approached. "Alright, people, chill," he said calmly, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
Hana's glare turned on him, her frustration not abating. "How can you allow this?" she spat, her tone dripping with accusation as she motioned toward Hisashi.
"Hana," Alexander said evenly, his expression neutral but firm, "we're building a team. A real team. And she has the skill to back it up."
"Oh, so she can drift now?" Hana sneered, her tone mocking as she crossed her arms.
"Do you want to find out?" Hisashi interjected, stepping forward to stand beside Alexander. Her eyes met Hana's with unflinching confidence, and she raised an eyebrow in challenge. "I've got my car ready. Do you?"
Hana's mouth opened, but no words came out. The sharpness in Hisashi's tone, coupled with her steady gaze, silenced her. Hen, still leaning against his car, glanced at Hisashi, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Hana scoffed, her perfectly manicured nails tapping impatiently against her arm. "I don't need to. But I know what makes a good driver, and I don't see anything impressive here."
Alexander glanced between the two women, his lips twitching in amusement. "Well," he drawled, "this is getting interesting."
Hen ignored him, pushing off from his car and stepping closer to the brewing argument. "Hana, that's enough," he interjected, his tone firm but not unkind. "You don't need to stir things up."
Hana turned to Hen, her irritation now directed at him. "Oh, so you're defending her now? A newcomer who probably doesn't even know how to handle her car?"
Hisashi smirked, Her calm demeanor only seemed to further irritate Hana. "You seem pretty invested in someone you think can't drive," Hisashi said, her voice smooth, her words cutting.
Before Hana could respond, Hen stepped forward, his laptop in one hand as he grabbed Hisashi by the arm, urging her towards his car. "Get in," he instructed, his tone urgent.
Hisashi complied, following Hen to his car as he quickly opened the door and gestured for her to enter. With a sense of urgency, Hen climbed into the driver's seat, slamming the doors shut before turning on the ignition. Without wasting a moment, he drove off, leaving Hana behind.