Street Racer || Yang Jungwon

°•♡•° / 4

—— Seori

Saturday night arrived, and Yeji and I made our way to the address Jungwon had given me for the long-awaited cup of ramen. The atmosphere around us hinted at the anticipation of a race, and as we approached, the place indeed resembled a starting line, filled with the vibrant energy of the racing world.

Spotting Jungwon leaning against his car, engaged in conversation with someone, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. I bubbled with enthusiasm, Yeji by my side, as I tapped his shoulder to get his attention.

Jungwon turned around, his gaze meeting mine as he looked down at me. Without a word, he handed me a bag full of ramen cups. My eyes widened at the unexpected bounty, sparkling with delight at the sight of the precious ramen within.

"Here's your ramen justice," he said, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

I grinned, feeling a mix of triumph and gratitude. "You actually did it! I didn't think you'd take it seriously."

Jungwon shrugged, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Well, I figured it was easier to just give in to the Ramen Queen's demands."

As we exchanged playful banter, a friend of Jungwon's approached us. He introduced himself as Jake, and my attention shifted to him as he shook our hands. However, it seemed that Jake's interest was not solely in our ramen saga. His gaze lingered on Yeji, and a subtle curiosity flashed in his eyes.

Yeji, always composed, reciprocated the handshake with a friendly smile. I couldn't help but sense a subtle shift in the air—a twist in the tale that extended beyond ramen justice and street races.

As we stood there, the start line of an unexpected encounter, I couldn't predict where this chapter would lead.

As Yeji nudged me, suggesting it was time to go home with my newfound ramen bounty, my attention became captivated by the world of street racing around us. The vibrant energy of the scene, the revving engines, and the anticipation in the air fascinated me. Instead of heading home, I found myself bombarding Jungwon with questions as he prepared for the race.

Wide-eyed and curious, I looked around as if seeing this underground world for the first time. I couldn't resist touching some of the racing equipment, immersing myself in the atmosphere. Jungwon, preoccupied with the upcoming race, warned me to step away, reminding me that this place wasn't meant for kids like me.

Offended by being labeled a kid, despite being 16 years old, I pouted in response. Yet, rather than looking frustrated, I unintentionally exuded a cute charm. "I'm not a kid, Jungwon," I protested, crossing my arms with a playful defiance.

He glanced down at me, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Seori, this isn't a playground. It's a race. Go home before you get yourself into trouble."

Undeterred, I continued with my barrage of questions, fascinated by the high-speed world unfolding before me. "Why do you guys do this? What's the thrill? And how do you manage to race without crashing into everything?"

Jungwon sighed, a mix of patience and amusement in his expression. "It's a passion, Seori. The thrill is in the speed, the adrenaline. And as for crashing, that's where skill comes in. Not something for everyone, especially not kids."

Despite his warning, I couldn't help but wander around, soaking in the atmosphere. My actions, instead of being frustrating, seemed to amuse Jungwon and his friends. The city's neon lights illuminated the playful interaction, and the night held a whimsical charm as our paths unexpectedly crossed once again.

As I continued to linger around, soaking in the excitement of the street racing world, Yeji gently interrupted our exploration. She informed me that her mother had texted her to come home, and with a nod, I acknowledged her departure.

"Alright, Yeji, go ahead. I'll catch up with you tomorrow," I said, turning back to Jungwon with a mischievous smile.

Now, left alone amidst the neon-lit chaos of the race scene, I faced Jungwon once again. "Looks like it's just you and me now," I remarked playfully, my curiosity undeterred.

He sighed, seemingly resigned to my presence. "Seori, you really should head home. It's not a place for someone like you."

I grinned, adopting a determined tone. "Well, since Yeji left, I'm officially under your care now. Besides, I'm not a kid, remember?"

Jungwon chuckled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Fine, just stay out of trouble. And don't touch anything."

As he prepared for the impending race, I continued to linger around, my curiosity getting the better of me. The city's neon lights cast a glow on our playful interaction, and the night seemed to unfold with a rhythm of its own.

—— Jungwon

With the start of the race drawing near, I led Seori to one of the huts where my friend Sunghoon often sat when he wasn't participating in the races. I figured it would be a safe spot for her to observe without being in the midst of the racing action. Turning to Sunghoon, I instructed him to look after Seori while I hit the streets.

"Keep an eye on her, Sunghoon. I'll be back after the race," I said, emphasizing the importance of her safety.

Seori, however, wasted no time in asserting her independence. "I don't need a babysitter, Jungwon. I can take care of myself."

Amused by her spirited response, I couldn't resist ruffling her hair, a playful gesture that seemed to catch her off guard. She shot me an adorably indignant look, complaining, "Hey, you ruined my hairstyle!"

I chuckled, appreciating the mixture of determination and cuteness in her protest. "Sorry, Seori. Consider it a racer's touch. Now, behave and stay here. No wandering off, okay?"

She huffed, pretending to be annoyed, but a playful spark lingered in her eyes. "Fine, fine. Just go and win your race or whatever."

Leaving Seori in Sunghoon's company, I made my way to my car, the familiar engine roar echoing through the night. Sliding into the driver's seat, I took a moment to focus, the anticipation building as I revved the engine. The neon lights painted streaks across the asphalt, and the city seemed to hold its breath in preparation for the impending race.

As the light at the starting line turned green, signaling the beginning of the race, I hit the accelerator with precision. The car responded, tearing through the streets with an exhilarating speed. The wind rushed past, and the neon-lit cityscape blurred into a vibrant streak of colors.

Navigating the labyrinthine streets, I felt the familiar thrill that came with each race, the competition and the pursuit of victory fueling my adrenaline. The twists and turns of the road became a dance, a rhythm I knew well, and the city's heartbeat synced with the pulse of the race.

With every twist and turn, I couldn't help but wonder how Seori was faring in the hut with Sunghoon. The thought of her playful defiance lingered in my mind, adding an unexpected layer to the race's excitement. The night held a unique energy, where the pursuit of victory intertwined with the unpredictable connections that had woven themselves into the tale.

As the race continued through the winding roads, the neon lights illuminating the way, I focused on the finish line ahead.

To be continued...