Chapter Text
"Are you sure this is the right place?" I asked Alex for the 3rd time.
"I am sure boss. The man with the information races here every Saturday. it's confirmed," he replied.
Oh god Ash, you are a gang leader their is nothing to be nervous about. Who am I kidding there is a perfectly valid reason.
"Ash"
There is my reason. Why did I think it was a good idea to bring Eiji with me. Oh that's right, it's because Yut-Lung might know where we live and the thought of Eiji being somewhere that snake can attack without me around is a nightmare I don't wanna have.
I look back at the black-haired man sitting beside me dressed in clothes totally out of his normal character. I had told him to wear clothes that will fit the surroundings of a street race and honestly, he outdid himself. I had assumed that he had no taste in fashion because of that ugly bird he wears but when he walked out in that deep-purple t-shirt, faded jeans, and platform high boots I was taken by surprise. He looked more like he belonged in this world than being an outsider.
"Yea Eiji." I say with a small smile.
"Are you okay?" He asks tilting his head slightly to the right while doing so. God, if I wasn't already in love with him I would have fallen now. So kind, so caring. I would question what I have done to deserve him but I know I don't.
"Yea I am good" I reply.
"If you say so." he says not pushing further even though I am sure he knows I am lying.
As we drove in, the place seemed to have no end, it is illegal street racing, I know the police are not good at their work but damn even I expected better from them. A whole lot of cars, all of with seemed to be modified.
Then suddenly I heard Sing scream "There, That's our man."
I looked at where he was pointing and saw a man not older than 30 leaning on a blue car with a cigarette in his hand. His dirty-blond hair was shoulder-length and grey eyes. He fit the description. He was surrounded by men that looked like racers.
I parked 'my' red car which was a gift from dino. I never wanted to be in this car ever again but it is a sports car and won't make us stand out here unlike normally. We four got out and walked towards that man. By the time he noticed us we were already in front of him. He took a long drag out of his cigarette, let the smoke out in the air, and dropped the cigarette for what can only be a dramatic purpose.
"So who do we have here. The infamous Ash Lynx" He said.
"Look I have nothing against you, give me the information I want and we will be on our merry way. Don't make it difficult for the both of us" I say with my boss voice at full. What I just said was true he had nothing to do with me. He just had information and I want it nothing else.
"Well, Ash that would be a problem. I don't give anything for free." the man said with a smirk. The same expression countless have had before having their way with him. So this is how it will be, I thought while mentally groaning.
"Race me"
If I didn't have a perfect poker face my surprise would have been apparent. "Race you?" I ask suspicion voiced clearly.
"Yes Ash Lynx, you are in a racing den what did you expect" Clearly amused
A bit behind me I heard Eiji's breath audibly hitch. I wanted to turn around and ask him if he was fine but if I did it would give away that he is important to me and would put an even bigger target on his back.
"So what do you say, you will get what you want if you won against me in the race." his smirk still in place.
"I accept" And as I said that his smirk grew wider and other racers looked surprised.
"Well, I hope you wouldn't mind if it was a drift race because this place specializes in those."
"A race is a race it doesn't matter" and as I said that I heard Eiji say 'I swear to god all Americans are the same' and that man turned to him.
I turned around to see Eiji's face expecting worry or something similar but all I saw was irritation. He made a moment of eye contact during which his expression clearly said 'please don't stop me'.
He stepped in front of the man and said something I never thought I will hear him say.
"So you want a drift race, I am your opponent."
Everyone hearing the conversation was stunned except the two participating. "You got a real catch here Lynx, if he already wasn't in your gang I would have asked him to join me. I am Marco" he said with confidence.
"Eiji what are you doing?" I ask with a cool voice while panicking inside.
"Well, you don't know how to drift so it's obvious you will lose. So I am racing on your place" He said in a matter-of-factly tone.
I was about to say something about how he was being stupid but then I saw his eyes telling me that he knows what he is doing and asking me to trust him. I gave him a small nod and stood back.
Then he turned to the man who called himself Marco and said "It's not a problem, is it" in a tone that would have been quite seductive if not for the hint of irritation daring him to disagree.
"Oh not at all" Marco replied matching the tone "Though what are you putting on the line." At this, the Japanese male said "The usual of course." with more confidence than ever.
"I am liking you more and more with each passing minute. Our race will be at 12, we'll meet on the deepest floor." Marco said and then got in his car. He drove off but not without throwing a wink and a flirtatious smile towards his opponent.
At that, Eiji turned around to face me and said "So what time is it?" like the last 2 minutes didn't happen.
Me, Alex and Sing together shout "What were you thinking?"
At that, his face had a puzzled expression, and said "What do you mean? Ash was going to race him and that would have been stupid so I stepped up."
At that Sing looked at him like he was being ridiculous which to be fair he was. "How was Ash being stupid? " He asked.
"Well correct me if I am wrong but you don't know anything about drift racing do you?" Eiji asked me.
"Well I don't but you don't either."I say, and that came out in a harsher tone than I meant.
First I got Eiji to race on my behalf and now I am being rude, great going Ash. I look into his eyes and they seemed determined but also a bit of hurt was reflecting in that beautiful chocolate mess.
"Ash." He took a deep breath "All of you follow me."
We three shared a look but followed him without saying anything. I know that he was being ridiculous, racing Marco but he didn't deserve my harsh tone. I will never admit it but he was right. I don't even know what's the difference between a normal race and a drift race. But still! He shouldn't risk his well-being for someone like me. While I was drowning in self-hatred we reached an elevator.
"Let me show you what Marco meant by a race." he said as the elevator door opened.
We all got in and Eiji pushed the button for the deepest floor, where we were to meet for the race. As it stopped moving, the door opened, and we saw a world similar to our's but totally different at the same time.
Hundreds of people crowded around the tracks, music so loud and the cheers even louder. Adrenaline, excitement, and emotions running high and engines even higher. Before we could even register our surroundings the cheering got even louder, something I didn't think possible. Two cars racing way faster than what would be considered safe. That's when I realized that this is a parking lot and the racing happens here. The 2 cars reached a pretty sharp turn with not a lot of space.
"They're going to crash."Alex said under his breath.
A part of me thinks the same, but it won't make sense. If the majority of racers were unable to do this so many people won't be interested in watching but no way accidents aren't common. Like look at the track, it's too small for two cars to simultaneously drive, let alone race. Just as I was thinking this, both the engines get louder and the cars suddenly change directions with such smoothness I won't be surprised if someone declared this an art form. I look at the Japanese that is going to be doing in a matter of 30 mins.
"Eiji-" I start with worry apparent in my voice.
"Ash, listen to me. I know what I am doing. I have done this countless times and never got in an accident. I have seen it all and know what to do in every possible situation that can happen" Desperation is clear in his voice.
"Only if I am also in the car." I say finally thinking it over for a while.
I know I am being reckless, I know I should be stopping Eiji but by judging with his voice he has already decided that he is going to race, and convincing him to not will be next to impossible. Yea I could drag him back to our apartment but I would be forcing him to do something and that would make me no better than 'them'. Actually, I am no better than them but Eiji doesn't deserve that. Hell, he doesn't even deserve to be coped up in that apartment. No matter how pretty and comfortable it's still a cage and I keep him locked up. looks like I am no better than Dino.
I would never admit it but the reason I am insisting to be in the car would stop Eiji from doing something too reckless. Is it wrong? yes. Is it manipulative and am I taking advantage of his nice nature? Definitely. Do I regret it? No, anything to keep him safe.