Chapter Five

KUMOKU

As the two individuals approached him, he couldn't help but notice their contrasting appearances. The red-headed man carried himself with an air of politeness as he greeted me with a respectful "Good day, sir." His demeanor seemed at odds with the intensity that lingered in his eyes, and he raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

The thought crossed his mind, "What did you do, Hisashi?"

They inquired about the owner of the sleek black S13, which he nodded at the question. As he released a puff of smoke, a nonchalant response escaped his lips, "Yes, I do. Why?"

The red-headed man shifted his weight, a sense of purpose emanating from him as he explained, "I was looking to talk to him."

With a touch of mischief, he couldn't resist playing along, pointing towards the bustling kitchen of the restaurant. "Busy at the moment."

Amidst the excitement of the encounter, he couldn't help but notice the red-headed man reaching into his back pocket, producing a business card. With a slight hint of disappointment, he revealed the purpose of their visit, "Oh well, can you deliver this? Thursday night at 11 pm, we have a reunion down at the Fuhi Station."

Taking the card from him, he read the inscription, "Hen Akoto Takawara, DFurious Team Leader."

An amused chuckle escaped his lips, the tip of my cigarette lingering at the corner of his mouth. "Will do."

As both men retreated to their White S14, he couldn't help but grin, anticipating the reaction he would get from Hisashi. he looked at the girl inside the restaurant and she me groaned, clearly familiar with his penchant for interest situations. Little did he know that accepting that business card would set in motion a chain of events that would forever alter the course of her life in the racing world.

HISASHI

The restaurant where Hisashi worked alongside her uncle held a charm of its own. As soon as one stepped inside, they were greeted by the warm glow of dimmed lights that illuminated the dining area, casting a cozy ambiance that invited customers to relax and savor their meals. The walls were adorned with framed photographs chronicling the restaurant's history, capturing cherished memories of Aimi, the late wife of Kumoku, and the essence of their love for the culinary arts.

She felt her uncle's eyes on me, followed by the unmistakable expression that said, "Oh, what have you done now?"

Four little letters popped into her mind, feeling the weight of the situation.

Hisashi watched her uncle finish his cigarette and stride into the restaurant, passing by the bar and lightly brushing his shoulder against hers while whispering, "A minute."

"Aigo," Hisashi muttered, knowing she was about to receive an earful.

Gesturing to her coworker and friend Xiangua to take care of her table, Hisashi followed her uncle into the kitchen. There, he stood with his arms crossed, ready to address the issue.

"What did you do?" he questioned, already having an inkling of what might have happened.

Hisashi opened her mouth to respond, but the words seemed to evade her, leaving her tongue pressing against the back of her teeth in frustration.

"Did you race in the streets?" her uncle probed further, looking both stern and concerned.

With a deep breath, Hisashi confessed, "The left mirror didn't break itself. Some dumbass was recklessly driving."

Kumoku snorted, placing the business card on the table at the center of the kitchen amidst the vegetables they were cutting. "Well, apparently, they want to recruit the owner of the car."

Hisashi shook her hands in a dismissive motion, gesturing her reluctance, "I have no intention-"

But Kumoku cut her off, pointing at the card, his finger pressing on it firmly. "Before you say more, you should."

Surprised, Hisashi questioned, "Wait -What? What about the no racing on the streets?"

Kumoku chuckled, grabbing a towel and slinging it over his shoulder in a smooth swoop. "I didn't learn it from a school, Hisashi. Besides, you're old enough. Experience the world. You don't need to be tied down here 24/7 at the diner."

"I want to help," Hisashi said softly, feeling a mix of emotions.

"And you have done it so perfectly," Kumoku replied, refraining from placing a hand on her shoulder but conveying his support with a gentle squeeze in his tone. "I want you to see the world. His world."

His world, thought Hisashi, recalling the famous racer Shin Jung, her father, her uncle's best friend, and brother in crime.

"And besides," Kumoku added with a sly grin, "I would love to see their faces when they find out it's a woman."