Chapter Nineteen

Thirteen years ago

Hisashi leaned against the rusting chain-link fence that bordered the middle school's basketball court, watching as a group of students played a casual game. The warm afternoon sun cast long shadows across the asphalt, and the sounds of laughter and sneakers squeaking against the ground filled the air.

As she scanned the court, her eyes fell on a figure standing alone near the edge, watching the game with a focused expression. Hisashi recognized him immediately—Miroku. With his dark skin contrasting sharply against his bright blue eyes, Miroku stood out in the crowd, his presence commanding attention even from a distance.

Miroku was a boy whom he had attention most of the time. He was handsome, smart, and very charismatic. Despite being a newly transferred student, he had adapter well in the school.

Curiosity piqued, Hisashi made her way over to where Miroku stood, her footsteps echoing softly on the pavement. As she approached, Miroku turned to glance at her, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of surprise and interest.

"Hey," Hisashi greeted, offering a small smile.

"Hey," Miroku replied, returning the smile with a hint of uncertainty. Despite his reserved demeanor, Hisashi sensed a warmth and sincerity in his gaze.

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the game unfold before them. Hisashi couldn't help but admire Miroku's quiet confidence, his presence calm and assured even in the midst of the bustling schoolyard.

After a while, Hisashi mustered up the courage to strike up a conversation. As they talked, she discovered they shared a mutual love for reading and a fascination with online gaming. With each passing minute, their conversation flowed more easily, and Hisashi found herself drawn to Miroku's thoughtful insights and gentle demeanor.

"What's your name? "Miroku asked, his eyes glancing with appreciation.

"Hisashi," she replied calmly, smiling at the process.

"Miroku, " he said, offering his hand, "Let's not loose our communications. I like you."

The statement was bold, making Hisashi blush.

Three years later

Hisashi and her friend Michelle sat at a cozy café, their school bags slung over the back of their chairs as they chatted animatedly. The lively buzz of the café surrounded them, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter from other patrons.

"So, girls' night this weekend?" Michelle asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Hisashi grinned, nodding eagerly. "Absolutely! It's been ages since we've had a proper girls' night out."

Michelle nodded in agreement, her enthusiasm matching Hisashi's. "I know, right? We definitely need some time to unwind and have fun."

Hisashi's expression shifted slightly as she hesitated, her gaze flicking to her phone for a moment before returning to Michelle. "Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about," she said, her tone more serious now.

Michelle cocked her head, her curiosity piqued. "What's on your mind?"

Hisashi took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before speaking. "Well, I was thinking about asking Miroku if it's okay for me to go out. You know, since we're dating now."

Michelle's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait, ask Miroku for permission?" she exclaimed, her disbelief clear.

Hisashi nodded sheepishly, feeling self-conscious. "Yeah, I mean, he's my boyfriend, and I want to make sure he's okay with me going out without him."

Michelle frowned, shaking her head slightly. "I understand wanting to be considerate, but asking for permission seems old-fashioned, don't you think?"

Hisashi sighed, feeling torn. "I guess so, but Miroku's always been really supportive, and I don't want him to feel left out or worried."

Michelle nodded thoughtfully, considering Hisashi's perspective. "Okay, I see where you're coming from. But you're allowed to have a life outside of your relationship too. It's important to spend time with your friends and have fun without constantly worrying about what your boyfriend thinks."

Hisashi nodded, grateful for Michelle's perspective. "I'll talk to Miroku about it and see how he feels."

Michelle grinned, raising her coffee cup in agreement. "To girls' night!" she declared, and Hisashi couldn't help but laugh, feeling thankful for her supportive friend by her side.

Hisashi nervously approached Miroku, who was sitting on a bench in the school courtyard, engrossed in his phone. Taking a deep breath, she mustered up the courage to broach the topic that had been weighing on her mind.

"Hey, Miroku," she began tentatively, "can we talk for a moment?"

Miroku glanced up from his phone, his expression unreadable. "Sure, what's up?" he replied, his tone neutral.

Hisashi hesitated, her nerves getting the better of her for a moment. "Well, Michelle and I were planning to go out for a girls' night this weekend," she started, "and I wanted to ask if it's okay with you."

Miroku's brows furrowed slightly as he considered her request. "Girls' night, huh?" he mused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "I don't know, Hisashi. I'm not really comfortable with you going out without me."

Hisashi's heart sank at his response, disappointment flooding through her. "But Miroku, it's just one night," she protested, trying to keep her tone calm. "Michelle and I haven't hung out in ages, and I really miss spending time with her."

Miroku shook his head, his expression firm. "I get that, Hisashi, but I don't like the idea of you going out without me there to look out for you," he insisted. "What if something happens? I wouldn't forgive myself."

Hisashi's frustration grew as she listened to his reasoning. "Miroku, you know Michelle and I will be safe," she argued, her voice tinged with frustration. "We're just going to a café, not a wild party. And besides, I'm not a child – I can take care of myself."

Miroku sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, Hisashi, and I trust you," he said softly, "but I can't help worrying about you when you're out late at night. It's just who I am."

Hisashi felt torn, understanding Miroku's concerns but also feeling stifled by his protectiveness. "I get that you care about me, Miroku, but I need some freedom too," she said, her voice tinged with sadness. "I don't want our relationship to become all about restrictions and rules."

Miroku's expression softened as he looked at her, his gaze filled with affection. "I don't want that either, Hisashi," he admitted, reaching out to take her hand. "But I just can't shake this feeling of worry."

Hisashi squeezed his hand gently, a mixture of emotions swirling inside her. "I understand, Miroku," she said softly, "but I hope you can trust me to take care of myself. I'll always be honest with you about where I am and who I'm with."

No, unless I'm there too," Miroku asserted firmly, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.

"But that defeats the purpose of a girls' night out," Hisashi protested, her frustration evident in her tone.

"I know Michelle, and she can get sidetracked easily. I don't want you getting caught up in any trouble," Miroku explained, his concern for Hisashi's well-being palpable.

"But-" Hisashi began, but Miroku stood up abruptly, his imposing figure towering over her. He reached out, wrapping his hand around her possessively.

"Where you go, I go," Miroku declared, his lips grazing Hisashi's neck in a gesture of dominance.

Hisashi felt tears welling up, but she fought to keep them at bay. "Okay," she conceded weakly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Miroku's grip around her tightened slightly, his lips brushing against her neck in a possessive gesture. Hisashi forced a smile, trying to hide the turmoil raging inside her. "Hmm, better," he murmured, his breath sending shivers down her spine.

As Miroku continued to hold her close, Hisashi's mind raced with conflicting emotions. She knew she shouldn't have to sacrifice her autonomy for the sake of their relationship, but she also didn't want to upset Miroku or risk damaging their bond.

Feeling defeated, Hisashi buried her feelings deep down, pushing aside her desires in favor of keeping the peace. But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped, longing for the freedom to make her own choices without Miroku's constant supervision.

With a heavy heart, Hisashi resigned herself to the fact that for now, she would have to sacrifice her plans for a girls' night out in order to appease Miroku's insecurities. But she couldn't help but wonder how long she could continue to suppress her own needs for the sake of their relationship.

Present

His appearance had altered little over the years. He still maintained a well-groomed look, but now his hair had grown longer, cascading in loose waves down to his shoulders. The wavy locks framed his piercing blue eyes, standing out against his black skin and muscular physique. His attire exuded elegance and sophistication, fitting him snugly and accentuating his features, resembling a model straight out of a magazine. Yet, despite his refined appearance, the wicked gleam in his eyes remained reminiscent of his past days.

As Hisashi's mind raced, she made the connection. The driver of the Red Supra they had raced against was none other than her ex-boyfriend, Miroku Romulus—the most detestable driver in Hen Akoto's eyes.

The sight of him standing there, reveling in the damage done to her car, reignited a mixture of fear, anger, and betrayal within her.

Miroku's smug expression only intensified her emotions. She could feel her hands clenching into fists, her nails digging into her palms as she struggled to maintain her composure. She wanted to confront him, to demand why he would do something so cruel, but the words caught in her throat, tangled with the memories of their past.

Her hand reached for the half-empty bottle of water she had bought while shopping for parts with Hen Akoto and she exited the vehicle.

The sound of her door hushed the crowd into silence. Hen, sensing the shift in Hisashi's demeanor, turned his attention back to her. The concern in his eyes deepened as he saw her trembling, her usually composed facade cracking under the weight of the situation. Hen Akoto's expression shifted to concern as she stumbled over the crowd furiously.

However, Miroku's smirk seemed to vanish in an instant at the sight of the black-haired girl, replaced by utter surprise as his lips moved to pronounce her name.

Hen Akoto knew Hisashi's fierce demeanor when her car was involved, she showed her anger with Tawa once. He tried to follow the girl but she was fast. Hisashi's hand swung the open bottle of water at Miroku, spilling the remaining contents on the rival driver, taking him by surprise.

"How—" she started to say, thrusting the bottle at his chest after spilling the water.

"Dare—" she added as Miroku stepped back, alarmed, astonishment on his face, slapping the bottle away.

"—you do this to my car!" Hisashi finished, landing a straight blow to Miroku's lips, making the Black male thrust his head back, drawing blood and causing him to stumble to the ground.

With astonishment, Miroku looked at the girl, his hand now on his bleeding lips and nose. "Hisashi?!"

Furious, Hisashi stood tall, her body shaking with anger and tears forming at the corner of her brown eyes. Nobody moved an inch. The members of all teams were astonished at Hisashi's reaction and at how unexpectedly the black man responded.

Miroku swiftly got to his feet, disbelief in his eyes as he asked, "Your car? The Black Panther is yours?"

Hisashi snarled, wanting to hurl another punch at Miroku, who flinched, hurt evident in his blue eyes. Hen Akoto tried to grab Hisashi's hand, attempting to control the situation, but the girl slipped out of his grip and approached the black male.

"So this is what you do now!"

"This is not the—"

Hisashi pushed him back, forcing Miroku to grab her by the wrist. " Shi, if I—"

"Don't call me that!" She hissed with hatred.

Hen Akoto's team watched the scene of confusion in their eyes. However, Alexander's gasped draw his attention and the brunette brought his hand to his mouth upon realization. "No way! No fucking way!" Hen Akoto looked at his roommate for answers.

"Let me fucking go, Romulus!" Hisashi struggled against Miroku's grip on her wrist.

"I'm sorry. Let's put it back in our past—"

Hisashi snarled angrily. "Don't even think about it!"

"We can start over—"

The words hit Hen Akoto like a bucket of cold water. He remembered the mention Alexander made at their apartment after the Hanna incident. Hisashi has had her awful share of possessive ex-boyfriends in her life.

Hen Akoto wondered what kind of ex-boyfriend Hisashi would have had in her past, worried he wouldn't fit in. But never, in his wildest imagination, did he think Miroku would fit that picture.

As Hisashi's anger boiled over, she tried break Miroku's grip, her frustration and indignation driving her actions. Hen's instincts kicked in, and he quickly moved to intervene, striding briskly over to the scene and forcefully breaking the grip Miroku had on Hisashi.

The sudden act only stoked Miroku's anger further, as he lost his grip on Hisashi, now turning his ire towards the red man, pushing him harshly in his rage. "What's your problem?" Miroku spat out, his voice dripping with hostility.

Hen Akoto acted swiftly, using his left arm to guide Hisashi to safety and using the other to push Miroku away in response to his aggression. "What's YOUR problem?" Hen shot back, his voice firm and assertive. "Let her go."

Locked in a heated standoff, Miroku glared deadly at Hen, his blue eyes flickering with emotion as they bore into the red haired man. They stood at the same height, their proximity sparking a tense energy as their auras clashed, each emanating a sense of protectiveness and possessiveness over Hisashi.

"This is none of your fucking business, Takawara," Miroku growled, his tone dripping with disdain.

"The fuck it is," Hen retorted, his glare unwavering. "She's a member of my team!" Hisashi's anger seemed to diminish slightly as she watched the two leaders face off.

Pointing at the Black S13, Hen continued, his voice dripping with contempt. "Your members vandalized her car for fun! How much lower can you go?"

Miroku's jaw clenched at the accusation, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "That wasn't my doing," he shot back, his voice sharp with defiance. "And you have no proof it was my crew."

Hen's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. "I don't need proof to see the truth," he retorted, his voice cold and cutting. "You and your goons have been targeting Hisashi from the start, and I won't stand for it."

Hisashi stepped forward, her voice firm as she addressed both men. "Enough," she commanded, her tone carrying the weight of authority."Both of you, stop."

For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air, tension crackling between them like lightning before a storm. Then, with a reluctant nod, Miroku backed down, his gaze still burning with anger. "Fine," he spat, his voice laced with venom. "But mark my words. This isn't over."

Miroku glared back at Hen, his eyes darting briefly to Hisashi. A fleeting expression of hurt flashed across his face before he turned around, gesturing to his team to leave. "Let's go," he muttered, the venom in his voice palpable.

With that, he turned on his heel and stalked away, leaving Hen and Hisashi alone in the wake of their confrontation. As the dust settled, Hisashi turned to Hen, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice soft but sincere.

Hen offered her a reassuring smile, his own anger fading in the face of her appreciation. "Always," he replied, his voice steady with determination.

Alexander sighed, breaking the tense silence. "Should we get a tow back for your car?"