Chapter Eighteen

At the next practice session, Hen Akoto arrived to find Hisashi already there, tinkering under the hood of her car. She seemed focused, her brow furrowed in concentration. Hen couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity and concern as he approached her.

"Need help?" Hen asked, leaning in to inspect the engine alongside her.

Hisashi looked up, a hint of relief crossing her face at the sight of him. "I'm not sure. It's been making some strange noises lately," she replied.

Hen nodded thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the engine compartment. "Let's take a look."

As Hen began explaining the situation and pointing out various parts under the hood, Hisashi listened intently, her curiosity evident. She had always been more of an instinctual driver, relying on her intuition to navigate the twists and turns of the road. Hen's technical expertise offered her a new perspective, and she appreciated the deeper understanding of the inner workings of her car.

Hen couldn't help but notice the way Hisashi's black leggings hugged her form, accentuating the contours of her well-defined curves. As she leaned in to inspect the engine, his gaze involuntarily traced the graceful arc of her silhouette, the subtle sway of her hips captivating his attention. The dim light highlighted each enticing contour, momentarily leaving him spellbound. He quickly averted his eyes, feeling a mix of admiration and embarrassment at his wandering thoughts.

Despite the tension that seemed to crackle between them, Hisashi chuckled softly, a gentle attempt to dispel the sudden atmosphere of intensity. Her laughter served as a bridge, connecting them in a moment of shared understanding amidst the mechanical intricacies of the engine.

Hen's expression softened at the sound, a faint smile gracing his lips. It was a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken attraction that lingered between them, a fleeting moment of vulnerability amidst the practical task at hand.

"I think I see the issue here," Hen said, pointing to a cracked belt. "Looks like it needs replacing."

Hisashi grinned, relieved that the problem was easily fixable. "Thanks for your help. I'm terrible at troubleshooting."

Hen smiled back, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "That's why we're here. Do you want to see if we can find some spare parts?

Suggesting they take his car for a spin to find a nearby car parts store, Hen's proposal was met with a nod of agreement from Hisashi. Despite the minor setback with her own vehicle, she found herself grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with Hen.

As they traveled together in his car, the air between them crackled with an unspoken tension, a silent acknowledgment of the underlying attraction that simmered beneath the surface. With each glance exchanged and every gentle touch of their hands on the armrest, a current of electricity seemed to course through Hen's body, sending tingles of excitement down his spine.

Despite his experience with women, there was something distinctly different about Hisashi. She possessed a rare combination of brightness and innocence, tempered with a fierce and fiery spirit that captivated him. Her passion for drifting resonated with him on a level he hadn't experienced before, forging a connection that transcended the boundaries of mere friendship.

But it wasn't just her love for drifting that drew him to her. There was something inherently magnetic about Hisashi, something that stirred feelings of happiness and nervousness within him. Unlike his usual composed demeanor around women, Hisashi had the power to unsettle him, to evoke a tightness in his chest and a fluttering in his stomach that he hadn't felt in a long time.

In Hisashi, Hen found himself confronted with the exhilarating uncertainty of a crush, the exhilarating thrill of possibility tinged with the fear of messing it all up. And there was one thing Hen Akoto couldn't deny he appreciated about a woman – the captivating contours of a shapely rear end. Hisashi's figure, with its sleek lines and well-defined curves, certainly didn't disappoint in that department.

Most of the women Hen had been involved with had possessed the sleek, defined features often associated with models. While many boasted ample bosoms, it wasn't necessarily what Hen valued most. Hisashi presented a different allure. She may not have been busty, but her physique was wonderfully proportioned, exuding a balanced elegance that Hen found undeniably appealing. Her choice of clothing only stressed her natural curves, enhancing her allure in a subtle, yet captivating manner. It was a refreshing departure from the typical standard of beauty Hen had encountered, and he found himself drawn to Hisashi's unique and understated charm.

As they pulled into the parking lot, the sight that greeted them was one of chaos. Several cars were parked haphazardly around, and the air was thick with the sound of heated arguments between members of the DriftOne team and Hen's own team. Hen wasted no time, swiftly exiting the car and making his way over to the fray, intent on diffusing the escalating tension. However, his efforts at mediation were momentarily diverted as he caught sight of Hisashi's car. The vehicle bore clear signs of vandalism, with significant damage visible from afar. Hen's brow furrowed with concern as he took in the scene, realizing the severity of the situation.

Upon closer inspection, all of the car's tires had been punctured, and the exterior was covered in scribbles from canned air sprayed around the doors and windows. The deliberate act of vandalism sent a wave of frustration and anger through the group, adding fuel to the already tense atmosphere.

Hen's fists clenched with anger as he surveyed the scene, his gaze flicking between the rival team members who wore mocking expressions on their faces. "Why the hell would you do this?" he seethed, his voice laced with frustration. "Are you all acting like a bunch of immature ten-year-olds?" His tone was sharp and biting, his words a reflection of his exasperation at the senseless act of vandalism.

Amidst the turmoil, a red Supra pulled over, and its driver emerged,with a sly smirk at the sight of the damaged black car.

Hen Akoto's eyes darkened, watching the DriftOne Leader arriving the scene.

******

As they pulled into the parking lot, the sight that greeted Hisashi was one of chaos. Several cars were parked haphazardly around, and the air was thick with the sound of heated arguments between members of the DriftOne team and Hen's own team. Hen wasted no time, swiftly exiting the car and making his way over to the fray, intent on diffusing the escalating tension. However, Hisashi remained seated, her eyes immediately drawn to the scene in front of her.

Her beloved car, the one meticulously restored by her uncle Kumoku, bore clear signs of vandalism. The tires were punctured, and the exterior was defaced with crude scribbles from canned air sprayed around the doors and windows. The deliberate act of vandalism sent a wave of frustration and anger through Hisashi, and she could feel her pulse quicken as she took in the damage.

Hen's fists clenched with anger as he surveyed the scene, his gaze flicking between the rival team members who wore mocking expressions on their faces. "Why the hell would you do this?" he seethed, his voice laced with frustration. "Are you all acting like a bunch of immature ten-year-olds?" His tone was sharp and biting, his words a reflection of his exasperation at the senseless act of vandalism.

Hisashi's heart sank as she continued to stare at her car, the memories of her late father flooding her mind. The car was more than just a vehicle; it was a tangible connection to her father and a symbol of her journey in the racing world. The sight of it defiled filled her with a deep sense of loss and anger.

Amidst the turmoil, a red Supra pulled over, and its driver emerged with a sly smirk at the sight of the damaged black car. Hen Akoto's eyes darkened as he watched the DriftOne leader arrive on the scene. Hisashi's eyes locked onto the figure, and suddenly, her world came to a halt.

Her body trembled involuntarily as memories of her tumultuous past relationship flooded her mind. It was none other than her ex-boyfriend, Miroku Romulus.