Chasing After You |Seongjoong|

*26*

The Rising Suns and Speed Dragons gathered in the garage, the air thick with tension and unanswered questions. The once-vibrant space now felt sombre, as if the recent race had drained all of their energy. The silence was deafening. No one knew where to begin, but the need to discuss the events of the previous night was undeniable. The weight of the recent race hung heavy in the air, a silent reminder of the dangers and uncertainties that lurked on the racetrack.

Yunho, calm as always, cleared his throat. He was the one to break the silence, his voice carrying a hint of concern.

"What happened during the downhill race, Captain?" he asked, his question echoing the unspoken thoughts of everyone in the room.

"It's complicated," Hongjoong replied, his gaze shifting towards Seonghwa.

Seonghwa, who had remained silent through the tense conversation, took a deep breath. He knew the time had come to reveal his past, no matter how difficult it might be. The weight of the secret had been heavy on his shoulders for too long, and he was determined to set things right. Even if his confession would lead to doubt and suspicion among his teammates, he believed that Hongjoong would support him.

"I need to confess something," Seonghwa began, his voice trembling slightly. "Before I created the Speed Dragons, I was a member of the Dark Lords. I've been hiding my past from you. I'm sorry."

A wave of shock washed over everyone in the garage. No one had anticipated such a revelation. The news was like a bolt of lightning, shattering the silence. It explained why Seonghwa had been so adamant about avoiding a race against the Dark Lords. Even in their younger days, when the Speed Dragons were challenged by the infamous team, Seonghwa had insisted that San step away from the confrontation. San finally understood the reason behind his leader's decision.

"Hyung, you should have told us," Wooyoung blurted out, his voice filled with concern.

"Wooyoung's right," Yeosang added. "If we knew about it, we would have never voted for the challenge."

"Hwa, we're a team, and you're our leader. The past doesn't matter," San stepped in.

Seonghwa was on the verge of tears. He couldn't believe how understanding and accepting his friends were. In the past, he had been consumed by fear and self-doubt that he had kept his secret hidden. But now, he realized the depth of their friendship. The four men embraced in a tight group hug, their bond strengthened by the shared experience.

Once the group hug ended, Seonghwa and Hongjoong found themselves ready to talk. They explained everything to their teammates. They told everyone how the Dark Lords pushed Seonghwa out of the road. And how they attempted to do the same with Hongjoong. Hongjoong also explained why he fought Juyeon, leaving out the details.

The conversation then shifted to the team's performance during the race. Everyone was eager to share experiences and celebrate their victory. Despite their previous rivalry, they had proven they could work together as a cohesive unit.

As Hongjoong watched his teammates, a warm feeling bloomed inside him. He was proud of what they had accomplished, and he knew their bond had grown stronger than ever. A thought crossed his mind. A vision of a future where they could continue to race together, united by their shared passion and determination.

"I have a proposal for the future of our teams," Hongjoong stood up, his voice filled with excitement. "Let's continue racing together as an alliance."

"Are you serious," Mingi asked a hint of joy in his voice.

"Look at it this way," Hongjoong explained. "We work well together and can help each other. By combining our strengths, we can become an even stronger force in the racing world."

"I think it's a good idea," San nodded. "I mean if everyone's on board."

"Sure, why not?" Jongho patted San's back. "Let's do it."

The room erupted in cheers. The Rising Suns and Speed Dragons had finally found a way to overcome their rivalry and work together for the common good. Their alliance would not only strengthen their position in the racing world but also solidify the bonds of friendship they had forged.

...

The garage, once filled with the excitement and camaraderie of the team, now felt eerily quiet. Most people had left, leaving behind only a sense of anticipation. Jongho and San approached Hongjoong, their faces etched with a mix of concern and determination.

"We need to talk about that guy, Juyeon," San said, his voice barely above a whisper. The gravity of his words hung heavy in the air.

The three of them sat down, their eyes locked in a silent conversation. As they prepared to discuss the matter, a sense of unease washed over Hongjoong. He knew that whatever they were about to say would be significant.

"What about him?" Hongjoong asked, his voice masking his growing unease. He knew deep down that conversation was going to be difficult, but he was determined to face it head-on.

"I have a feeling there was something between him and Hwa," San continued, his eyes fixated on Hongjoong.

"Yeah, I saw it too," Jongho added, his voice filled with concern. "That guy might do something to your boyfriend, Hyung."

Hongjoong sighed, his head leaning on his hands. He knew that wasn't his story to tell, but San and Jongho had already pieced the puzzle. With a heavy heart, he decided to reveal the truth. At least part of it.

"Juyeon is Seonghwa's ex-boyfriend," Hongjoong spoke, his voice quiet.

The three of them shared looks, their faces etched with a mixture of shock and concern. Even though San and Jongho had suspected something was going on between Seonghwa and Juyeon, heaving the truth was still a blow. Their initial disbelief quickly turned into a growing sense of worry. They knew that Juyeon was capable of anything, and they feared for Seonghwa's safety.

"We should do something about him," San said, his voice filled with determination.

"Yeah! Maybe we can break down his car?" Jongho suggested, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Don't worry about that. I've already taken matters into my own hands," Hongjoong chuckled. He leaned back, feeling a sense of relief that he wasn't the only one determined to protect Seonghwa.

Hongjoong shared his plan, and the two of them agreed to help out. There wasn't much left of the plan to finalize. They just needed to protect Seonghwa in case that guy tried to hurt him. But the last detail was left for Hongjoong alone. He was set on ruining the Dark Lords and Juyeon, especially Juyeon.

A determined glint flashed in Hongjoong's eyes as he thought about the final piece of his plan. It was a risky move, but he believed it was necessary to protect Seonghwa and bring down the Dark Lords. The weight of responsibility was heavy on his shoulders, but he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.