The tension in the air was palpable as Hisashi followed Hen Akoto toward his car. She could feel the eyes of the other team members on her, their curiosity no doubt mirroring her own. It wasn't every day that Hen invited someone new for laps—especially someone who was still earning her stripes with the team.
Sliding into the passenger seat of Hen's S14, Hisashi was struck by how different the atmosphere felt compared to her own car. While her Black Panther carried the crisp scent of citrus and was meticulously organized, Hen's car had a chaotic charm. Empty iced tea bottles rattled as he grabbed them hastily, tossing them into the back seat without a second thought.
She caught herself glancing at the dashboard, memories of their last ride together surfacing unbidden. The kiss. She quickly shook her head, brushing the thought away. This wasn't the time to dwell on personal moments.
Hen, however, was all focus. His normally laid-back demeanor had shifted, replaced by an intensity that seemed to emanate from every fiber of his being. His knuckles tightened over the steering wheel as the engine roared to life, the sound vibrating through her chest. The weight of his concentration was almost tangible as he glanced at her briefly. "Ready?"
Before she could respond, the car launched forward with a force that pressed her back into the seat. The acceleration caught her off guard, the sheer power of the vehicle far exceeding her expectations. This wasn't just a drive—it was an experience.
The difference in Hen's car was immediately evident. The forced gravity from the modified horsepower pinned her in place as the engine growled and purred, an intricate symphony of raw power. Each shift of the gear was smooth yet commanding, and Hen's movements seemed almost synchronized with the car itself. His hands worked the wheel with a precision born from countless hours of practice, his right hand deftly shifting gears without hesitation.
The first corner approached, and Hisashi braced herself. Hen didn't brake the way she expected; instead, he downshifted, letting the momentum carry the car into a perfectly executed drift. Smoke curled behind them, the tires screeching in protest as the car hugged the curve with grace and control. Her grip on the door tightened as she tried to match his rhythm, her ears attuned to the unique hum of his car.
Each turn was an artful display of skill, the white S14 gliding across the asphalt like a dancer on stage. The line Hen took was flawless, a perfect intersection of speed, balance, and control. The interplay between the car's power and Hen's mastery over it left her in awe. She had always thought of herself as a skilled driver, but seeing Hen in his element made her realize how much room she had to grow.
Hen's footwork was equally mesmerizing. His left foot danced over the clutch and brake while his right maintained a delicate balance between throttle and precision. The way he shifted his body weight through each turn added an almost visceral layer to his driving—like he and the car were one entity.
As they neared the end of Hen's run, the tranquility of the road was shattered by the sudden appearance of two glaring headlights in the rearview mirror. Hisashi shielded her eyes momentarily, squinting to discern the car's form behind them. The sound of the engine revving aggressively cut through the air, signaling a challenge as the vehicle closed the gap between them.
Hen's expression darkened instantly, his jaw tightening as he glanced into the mirror. "What the hell…" he muttered, his tone a mixture of irritation and focus.
The car behind began tailgating Hen's White S14, its intentions clear as it inched dangerously close. Hen's grip on the wheel tightened, his muscles visibly tensing as he pressed harder on the gas. Hisashi could sense the shift in his demeanor—gone was the controlled precision of moments ago, replaced by a fierce determination.
The trailing car expertly navigated a corner, its engine growling as it surged forward to run side-by-side with the S14. The shimmering red body of the vehicle caught the light, its chrome wheels flashing menacingly. Hisashi's eyes widened as she recognized the form—it was a red Toyota GR Supra. The tinted windows concealed the driver, adding an ominous air to their sudden appearance.
"That bastard," Hen hissed under his breath, his voice laced with venom. "DriftOne leader."
Hisashi's heart raced as she turned her attention to the Red Supra. Its movements mirrored Hen's perfectly, its aggressive tactics pushing the S14 toward the edge of control. Her breath hitched as the Supra edged closer to her side of the car, forcing the narrowest of gaps.
"You goddamn son of a bitch!" Hen growled, the frustration evident as he worked to keep their car steady. His knuckles whitened against the steering wheel, his teeth gritting audibly. He spared a glance at Hisashi, noticing her shallow, rapid breathing.
Sensing her distress, Hen abruptly downshifted, letting the S14's speed drop. The Red Supra surged ahead, its engine roaring triumphantly as it disappeared into the darkness, its tail lights fading into the distance.
The White S14's engine calmed to a purr, but the tension in the air remained palpable. Hen slowed the car, glancing at Hisashi out of the corner of his eye. Her shoulders were stiff, her hands trembling slightly as they clutched her lap. Tears streamed silently down her cheeks, her breathing still uneven.
Caught off guard, Hen pulled over to the nearest side lane, parking the car. Unbuckling his seatbelt, he turned toward her, concern etched into his features. "Hisashi, are you okay?"
Her hands flew to her face, muffling the small sobs that escaped. Her body trembled as she struggled to steady herself. Hen's hand found her shoulder, his touch firm yet gentle. "Hey," he said softly, his voice low. "It's alright."
Without warning, Hisashi leaned into his chest, her sobs intensifying as she clung to him. Shocked but instinctively protective, Hen wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. His hand brushed through her dark locks in a soothing motion, his shirt dampening with her tears.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible between sniffles.
"No," Hen replied firmly, his voice filled with a rare softness. He gently broke the embrace, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze. "This isn't your fault. I shouldn't have engaged. These DriftOne guys—they're reckless. I let them get under my skin, and that put you in harm's way. That's on me."
Hisashi shook her head, wiping her face with trembling hands. "I just... I need to let go of it," she said, her voice shaky. "Old habits."
Hen hesitated for a moment, his hand lingering on her shoulder before offering a faint, reassuring smile. "We'll work on it," he said, his tone steady. "Let's get you back."
He started the car again, the engine purring back to life as he shifted gears. The drive back was quiet, the hum of the road filling the space between them. Both were lost in thought, the weight of the night lingering like the faint scent of burnt rubber in the air.
As they made their way back, Hen rested his forearm casually on the center console, his mind occupied by the night's events. He felt the soft tips of Hisashi's fingers brush against his forearm, the touch light and tentative, yet it sent a peaceful warmth coursing through him. He glanced over at her, noticing she was gazing out of the window, her profile serene yet pensive. The moment felt intimate in its simplicity, her presence both grounding and comforting.
The steady hum of the engine filled the car, mingling with the faint rhythm of the tires against the asphalt. Streetlights flickered past, their glow casting fleeting patterns across Hisashi's face, softening her features. Hen couldn't help but steal glances, observing the way her lashes fluttered as she blinked, the delicate curve of her jawline. She seemed lost in thought, her silence pulling him in, making him wonder about the storm of emotions swirling within her.
The air between them was thick with unspoken words, the weight of the earlier encounter lingering. Hen wanted to say something, anything, but the right words eluded him. Instead, he focused on the road, his grip on the wheel firm yet relaxed, the rhythm of driving offering a familiar solace. Hisashi's presence was an anchor, her quiet strength palpable despite her earlier vulnerability.
As they neared their destination, the parking lot came into view, illuminated by the muted glow of overhead lamps. Hen brought the car to a gentle stop, cutting the engine and letting the quiet settle around them. For a moment, neither of them moved, the stillness stretching into something almost tangible.
Hen turned to her, his expression softened with concern. "Are you going to be okay?" he asked, his voice low, almost hesitant.
Hisashi turned to meet his gaze, her dark eyes shimmering with a mix of emotions—gratitude, weariness, and something deeper, something that made Hen's heart ache. "I think so," she murmured, her voice steady despite the vulnerability it carried. "Thank you, Hen."
He nodded, a faint smile curving his lips as he reached out, his hand finding hers. The gesture was simple but spoke volumes, a silent promise of support. Hisashi's fingers tightened slightly around his, and for a moment, they simply sat there, connected by a touch that felt far more significant than words.
Then, before Hen could process what was happening, Hisashi leaned in. The warmth of her breath brushed against his skin, and then her lips met his in a kiss that was soft, tentative, and filled with a quiet longing. Hen's eyes fluttered closed as he responded, his hand moving to cup her cheek, the kiss deepening with a sense of inevitability.
Her tongue brushed lightly against his lips, and Hen responded instinctively, allowing the kiss to grow more intense. The taste of her, the feel of her warmth, the way her hand rested lightly on his chest—it was overwhelming in the best way possible. In that moment, the world outside ceased to exist, leaving only the two of them in their shared cocoon of intimacy.
When they finally parted, their foreheads rested together, their breaths mingling in the stillness. Hisashi's voice broke the silence, a quiet confession that sent Hen's heart racing. "I do like it too."
Her words hung in the air, and Hen opened his eyes, startled by the admission yet unable to suppress the grin that spread across his face. Hisashi pulled back slightly, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush, but her gaze remained steady, unwavering.
Hen exhaled a shaky laugh, running a hand through his hair. "You're full of surprises," he said, his voice low and filled with a mixture of awe and relief.
Hisashi smiled faintly, her eyes glimmering with something that Hen couldn't quite define but felt compelled to explore. They sat there for a moment longer, the weight of the night pressing down on them, yet the air between them felt lighter, charged with the promise of something more.
As Hisashi stepped out of the car and made her way toward her own, Hen watched her go, the soft sway of her figure illuminated by the glow of the streetlights. His chest felt tight, his thoughts racing with possibilities and hopes he hadn't allowed himself to entertain before.