Chapter Eight

The diner buzzed with its usual morning activity as Hisashi found herself once again serving the faces of the DFurious Team. Their leader, the red-haired man, had become a regular customer, often accompanied by Alexander, the brown-haired guy, and other team members. Their visits had turned into a daily routine, trying to strike conversations with her, and Hisashi had been doing her best to evade their persistent questions.

On this morning, she spotted the White S14 pulling into the parking lot as she finished preparing the first serving. This time, it was only the red-headed leader stepping out of the car, and she couldn't help but notice it was the first time she had seen him alone.

With a soft whisper of morning, he settled down at their usual spot in the right corner of the diner. Having served them for a week now, Hisashi had picked up some interesting details about their preferences. Alexander, for example, was a devoted coffee lover, always ordering the same dark roast with a splash of milk and no sugar, and he consistently asked for a side of vegetables with his meals. On the other hand, Hen was an iced tea enthusiast, known for easily gulping down three glasses during his visits. Unlike Alexander, his orders revolved mainly around meat with minimal greens.

As she sighed, placing her notepad for orders into her apron's pocket, her colleague Joshua, the assistant Kumoku hired for the kitchen, noticed her expression "You okay His?"

Joshua had initially tried to flirt with her, but upon realizing her disinterest, they had grown close and became like good brothers-in-arms. He looked over to the red head and added, "If you need me to get rid of him-"

"No its fine Josh, I got this."

Adjusting her dress slightly, she filled a glass with ice tea and approached the red-headed leader.

"Morning, "she placed the Ice Tea on the table and took out her notepad, clicking her pen in readiness to take his order.

"Nice memory."

As he looked up from the menu with a grin, Hisashi couldn't help but notice the weariness in his eyes, the small circles under them, and the redness in the sclera. It was evident that he had barely slept the previous night.

"Well you seem to have become a regular nowadays, " she replied as he scanned the menu.

"I wonder why?"

As Hen Akoto Takawara replied with a grin, Hisashi couldn't help but wondered what had been keeping him up, but the playful atmosphere between them made it difficult to broach such a personal topic.

Her attention momentarily shifted as she scanned the diner, noticing Maru, the other server, entering with a friendly wave and clocking in at the cash register. Hisashi appreciated Maru's presence; he was like a trusted companion in this bustling environment.

Xiangua's words echoed in Hisashi's mind, stirring a sense of unease within her. She realized she had spent most of her college years studying, working at the diner, and driving with her uncle around the streets. Her world had become a bubble, isolated from the experiences and connections that others her age had cultivated.

As she reflected on her life, Hisashi couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for the opportunities she had missed. She longed for the kind of connection and excitement that Xiangua spoke of, but she didn't know where to begin.

Seizing the opportunity to connect with Hen, Hisashi took a seat in front of him, placing her notepad on the table as she rested her chin on her hand, her elbow supporting her weight. With her posture relaxed yet attentive, she looked up at him. It was a subtle gesture, an invitation to open up.

Hen, noticing the change in her demeanor, looked up from the menu to meet her gaze. As their eyes locked, Hisashi observed a clear substance moving around the iris of his eye. She pondered for a moment whether he was wearing contact lenses thus, she playfully thought, "So you need glasses?"

"You could go back to sleep and give up, " she suggested. Hisashi's suggestion for him to go back to sleep and give up whatever had been keeping him awake was her way of showing she cared. Even amidst the playful atmosphere, she couldn't ignore that he appeared fatigued and burdened by something. Her caring nature couldn't help but extend to someone she had started to form an unexpected connection with.

"As appealing as that suggestion is, you know what I said; You need a team. You're not safe." He placed the menu down.

"Its not like these people will murder me-"

"These DriftOne members can do scary stuff. They have no morale."

"I can take care of myself-"

"Im sure you can but I don't trust Tawa in this matter."

"Because I'm a woman?"

"Let us help you," he interrupted, "Be part of us, get to know us and what we do."

In their exchange, there was a delicate balance of vulnerability and strength, and Hisashi couldn't help but be drawn to his unwavering determination to protect her, even if it meant putting himself at risk. She felt the connection between them deepening, but she also knew that her own path and sense of independence might clash with the offer he was extending.

As the morning light gently illuminated the diner and the sounds of the bustling establishment surrounded them, Hisashi and Hen were caught in a moment suspended in time. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a silent acknowledgement that there was more to their connection than just casual banter. It was as if the diner itself had become a stage for their burgeoning emotions and the complexities of the path that lay ahead.

Despite the playfulness of their conversation, emotions ran deeper beneath the surface, and as they continued to gaze into each other's eyes, the world around them seemed to blur, leaving only the two of them at the center of this intimate moment.

"I'm no car expert, " Glancing out the window at his white car parked nearby, their conversation took a more personal turn, and she discovered he had noticed her fondness for cars.

"I don't need you to be. " He said, " People can buy parts for cars but talent can't be bought; It's made and you have that."

He leaned back, his hand holding the lower end of his ice tea. "Besides, it's not like you dont know the difference between a Nissan 180sx and a Mazda Rx7."

She laughed softly and looked back at him, " Of course."

"Lets restart." Drawing her attention back to him, he leaned in closer, closing the distance between them. "I'm Hen Akoto Takawara."

Hisashi looked at Hen's outstretched hand. She wasn't keen on social interactions. During her college years, she realized her name would spark interest in other males who had a penchant for racing. Over the years, she avoided people altogether, preferring the solitude of her own company and the thrill of the race track.

"Hisashi Jung," she finally said, her voice steady but guarded.

The moment their hands touched, that same electrifying sensation coursed through her, a spark of connection that seemed to bridge the gap between them. Hen's grip was firm and reassuring, his smile genuine and filled with a mix of admiration and respect. The atmosphere between them felt charged with an unspoken connection. Goosebumps formed on Hen's pale skin as well, and their eyes locked, leaving Hisashi breathless. The corner of his cheek flustered, mirroring her own reaction.

"Wait," Hen Akoto cut in, his mind racing. "Shin Jung?!"

His surprise was palpable in his tone. Oh boy

"Yeah."

"The rally racer?" His astonishment was clear as he tried to process the information. She nodded in response.

Hen Akoto laughed nervously, his hand running over his red hair. "I'm surprised and amused at the same time. That explains a lot."

"Well," she intervened, "I prefer to be known as myself and not just as the daughter of a rally racer. I wasn't born with a wheel in my hands like people expected."

Hen Akoto grinned, making a gesture of sealed lips. "Well, your secret's safe with me."

Hisashi felt a slight relief at his words. She had always been wary of people who only saw her as Shin Jung's daughter. The charged moment between them lingered, a shared understanding forming.

"You ready for order? Let me guess, T-bone Medium rare with Hash browns and two bacons strips."

With a nervous laugh, he agreed, and the two of them found themselves entangled in a moment of playful camaraderie, their encounter taking an unexpected turn as the morning light illuminated the diner, turning it into a backdrop for a budding connection neither of them could ignore. "I'm liking your memory."

Hisashi smirked, " Perks of my job." Hisashi couldn't help but smirk at Hen Akoto's playful remark, feeling a sense of satisfaction at her ability to handle the banter with ease. With a gentle sway of her hips, she gracefully moved over to the counter where Joshua was busy working. The ambiance of the diner was bustling and lively, with the aroma of food filling the air.

The door of the diner swung open, announcing the arrival of Kumoku, Hisashi's uncle, with a mumbling "morning morning" under his breath. His eyes gazed around the diner and landed on the corner of the room where Hen Akoto was sitting , now with his phone out typing on the screen. He walked over his niece.

"Do I need to start requesting my gun permit?"

She couldn't help but roll her eyes playfully at his comment. " Really, at this time."

Kumoku grinned, holding his hand high and entering the kitchen. " Just saying!"

Few minutes passed and Hisashi carried the plate of food and a glass of iced tea to Hen Akoto's table, his first glass already empty. With a friendly smile, she set the items before him, a hint of playful flirtation in her demeanor as she said, "Enjoy."

Just then, a taxi pulled up outside the diner, drawing their attention to a striking individual stepping out. This man exuded a dreamy and enigmatic aura, akin to a Kpop idol. His soft, messy black hair framed his slender face, and his dark blue eyes had an alluring charm. He wore a blue sweater that perfectly complemented his features and dark gray jeans, adding to his captivating presence.

Hisashi noticed how Hen Akoto's expression changed upon seeing this newcomer. The man had an unmistakable effect on Hen, who seemed taken aback. He attempted to hide his appearance from the window, showing a hint of discomfort.

The new individual noticed Hen and Hisashi and greeted them with a bright smile.

"Shit." She heard Hen Akoto cursed and looked away, hiding his appearance from the window. "Shit." he said again.

Hisashi looked at the shocked expression of Hen Akoto to the new individual.

He entered the diner with an air of confidence and familiarity, addressing Hen affectionately, "My dearest Niko!"

She heard Hen Akoto groaned, as the guy's voice boomed in the diner. Hen's reaction to this man arrival is filled with a mixture of surprise and resignation, making it clear that this guy was no stranger to creating some sort of commotion. He sat down beside Hen with a charming smile, enjoying the effect he had on his friend. Hen's mood appeared to shift to one of mild concern.

"Yuri," Hen said

"Oh Niko dearest!" he said as he picked on a bacon strip, "Alexander said you went out early in the morning."

"Weren't you coming next week?" Hen asked, moving his plate away from Yuri, glaring at him as he chew on his bacon strip.

With a teasing tone, Yuri playfully remarked, "Oh, but I couldn't miss out meeting the lady that got you all worked up-"

"Hey Hey," Hen cut in, trying to keep the conversation lighthearted, but his flustered cheeks gave away his unease.

As Yuri's attention turned to Hisashi, he greeted her with enthusiasm, "The talented Black Panther," he said, now looking at Hisashi with a broad smile.

Hisashi smiled modestly, feeling a hint of admiration mixed with uncertainty in the presence of this captivating and confident individual.

"Yuri Kurosawa, " he said taking her hand by surprise. His warm gesture made her blush slightly, unsure of how to respond to such an unexpected encounter. "You do not know how much of an impact you have done to this gentleman."

Amidst the lively and playful atmosphere of the diner, Hisashi found herself intrigued by the dynamics unfolding before her. The unexpected arrival of Yuri had certainly added an intriguing twist to her usual routine, leaving her curious to see how this encounter would unfold.

"Impact?" she asked, slightly confused. She couldn't help but feel curious about the impact Yuri mentioned on Hen Akoto, who seemed to be a respected and formidable figure within the drift racing community.

"This man has been texting nonstop about you-"

"Yuri please-" Hen said, feeling embarrassed and helpless, his fork now playing around his hash browns. Amidst the lighthearted banter, Hisashi could sense that Yuri's teasing might make Hen Akoto a tad uncomfortable. Despite his embarrassment, Yuri's playful demeanor added a layer of charm to the atmosphere, and his banter with Hen Akoto revealed a close friendship between the two. Hisashi felt a mixture of amusement and slight embarrassment as she observed their interaction. While the attention flattered her, she was also bewildered by the sudden interest she seemed to spark.

Yuri looked from Hen to Hisashi and grinned, " Nice meeting you deary. Can I get a coffee Please?"

Hisashi smiled, lost,"Of- of Course." As Hisashi served the coffee to Yuri, she noticed how the man's dark blue eyes seemed to sparkle with mischief and joy. His confident and charming nature made him an intriguing character, and she found herself drawn to the enigmatic aura that surrounded him. She couldn't deny that Yuri had an infectious energy that seemed to light up the diner.

As Hisashi made her way back to the counter, she couldn't help but overhear snippets of the conversation between Hen Akoto and Yuri. Yuri Laughed, "I cant believe it!"

Hen cut a part of his steak, rather annoyed by Yuri, " Dont say a word." Hen Akoto muttered, attempting to brush off the subject. He focused on his steak, trying to maintain his composure and not reveal too much about his feelings. Hisashi noticed a faint blush on his cheeks, which seemed to confirm that there was more to his interest in her than he let on.

"She is the one that has you speechless." Yuri's teased," The manly and great Hen Akoto is made a freaking puddle of goo because of her!" He playfully said, causing Hen Akoto to shoot him an annoyed glare.

"We'll she's now a member."

Yuri clasped his hands together with an Aww sound, earning a glare from the red head. "And soon to be girlfriend I presume." Hen Akoto's reaction was comical, nearly choking on a piece of steak in surprise.

"Jesus Yuri!" He exclaimed, He quickly took a gulp of his ice tea, trying to regain his composure.

"Oh come on Niko," Yuri's tone shifted slightly as he became more serious, still enjoying the opportunity to poke fun at his friend. He leaned in, a knowing glint in his dark blue eyes as he remarked, . "Every girls that goes in your life always ends up in your pants."

Hen Akoto's face turned even redder, and he shot Yuri a warning look, hoping to silence his friend's provocative comments. He spoke in a hushed voice, trying to keep the conversation private, "This is different, Yuri. She has this different aura. I can't figure her out."

Yuri leaned back, holding his coffee cup with both hands, a playful smile still lingering on his lips. He seemed to savor the unfolding drama between his friend and the mysterious newcomer. Hisashi, in the background, couldn't help but feel a mixture of curiosity and self-consciousness, aware that she was the subject of their conversation.

As Yuri took another sip of his coffee, he let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying the tension he was creating. He looked at Hen Akoto with a knowing expression, "Oh, this season is going to be pretty damn interesting."

Hisashi observed the interaction from a distance, feeling a bit like an outsider observing the dynamics of this close-knit group. Hen Akoto and Yuri shared a strong bond and that Yuri was well-versed in teasing his friend. Despite her slight unease at being the center of attention, she appreciated Yuri's lightheartedness, which added an element of excitement to the otherwise ordinary morning in the diner.

As she returned to her duties behind the counter, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the rollercoaster ride that had unexpectedly become a part of her life. The red-haired leader of the DFurious Team, the charming Yuri Kurosawa, and the other members had already made a lasting impression on her, and she knew that her journey with them had only just begun.