Chapter 23

The warm hum of the diner's chatter came to an abrupt halt in Hisashi's mind as the familiar yellow Nissan 180SX pulled into the parking lot. Her grip on the coffee pot tightened as she watched the car circle to the back, deliberately slowing near her S13. She knew that car. She knew him.

Tawa.

Her stomach churned at the sight of him stepping out of his car, his authoritative swagger filling the space before he even spoke a word. His gaze swept over the parking lot until it landed on her through the diner's window. His lips curled into that infuriating smirk, a smug expression that screamed provocation.

"What's wrong with that idiot?" Xiangua's voice broke through her thoughts. She stepped beside Hisashi, her brows knitting as she followed the line of her friend's gaze.

"A dumbass from the street racing scene," Hisashi muttered, her eyes narrowing. "One I happened to humiliate."

Xiangua snorted, but her laughter carried a hint of unease. "You're not planning to face him, are you?"

"He's making it obvious he wants me to," Hisashi replied, already untying her apron.

"Hisashi, please don't start," Xiangua groaned, but her plea fell on deaf ears as Hisashi pushed through the diner's door and stepped outside.

The sunlight felt harsh against her skin, or maybe it was the intensity of her disdain as she approached him. Tawa's smirk widened as she neared, his posture radiating smug confidence.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was sharp, cutting through the tension that hung between them.

Tawa chuckled, the sound grating against her nerves. "You owe me money."

Hisashi scoffed, her arms crossing as she stopped a few feet from him. "Owe you? Let me remind you—it was you who knocked off my side mirror with your amateur driving skills."

The remark struck a nerve. Tawa's smirk faltered, his expression twisting into a flash of anger. He straightened, his voice dripping with irritation. "You got fucking lucky—"

"Lucky?" Hisashi cut in, her tone dripping with mockery. "You want to test my 'luck' again?"

Tawa's face darkened, and before she could react, he closed the distance between them in a few angry strides. His hand shot out, grabbing her arm roughly, yanking her closer.

"You think you're hot shit, don't you?" he sneered, his grip tightening. "I can, of course, let it slide… for other options."

Hisashi's stomach churned with a mix of disgust and fury as Tawa leaned in closer, his hot breath brushing against her ear. His words dripped with venom and arrogance, the kind of slimy confidence that only fueled her rage further.

"I promise I'll be gentle," he murmured, his sinister smirk widening.

Her fists clenched at her sides, the burning desire to break free consuming her thoughts. Before she could act, the sharp slam of a car door shattered the tension, drawing both their attention. Hen Akoto's figure emerged from the side of the diner, his red hair catching the sunlight like a warning flare. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with a quiet fury that made the air around them feel heavier.

"Get your hands off her," Hen growled, his voice cold and lethal as he closed the distance with slow, deliberate steps.

Tawa stiffened, his smirk faltering for the first time. "This doesn't concern you, Takawara," he sneered, though the grip on Hisashi loosened ever so slightly.

Hen stopped just inches from Tawa, his presence commanding, his jaw clenched. His gaze flicked briefly to Hisashi, his features softening momentarily as he assessed her state, before snapping back to Tawa with a glare that could cut through steel. "You've got three seconds to let her go," he warned, his voice low and unwavering, "or you'll find out exactly how much it concerns me."

Tawa's jaw tightened, his bravado faltering under the weight of Hen's threat. "Always trying to show off in front of a pussy-?" Tawa spat, his arrogance giving him false courage.

Before the insult could fully leave Tawa's lips, Hen Akoto's fist collided with his nose in a flash of controlled rage. The impact was swift and brutal, sending Tawa reeling backward as his grip on Hisashi broke instantly.

Tawa staggered, clutching his face, but his fury quickly overtook his pain. With a roar, he swung at Hen, his fist slicing through the air. Hisashi barely managed to step out of the way, her heart pounding as she moved to safety.

Hen Akoto, however, remained steady. With a practiced motion, he blocked Tawa's punch with his forearm, the force of the swing barely registering on his face. Using the momentum, Hen delivered a powerful kick to Tawa's chest, the impact sending him sprawling to the ground with a loud thud.

Tawa groaned, scrambling to his knees as he shot a glare up at Hen, his bravado now replaced with humiliation and frustration. Hen stood tall over him, his eyes still burning with fury, but his voice calm and steady as he spoke.

"Touch her again," Hen said, his tone icy and deliberate, "and you won't have a car left to drive."

Tawa glared, his lips curling into a snarl, but the threat in Hen's words and the power behind his strikes left no room for doubt. Muttering curses under his breath, Tawa staggered to his feet and retreated toward his car, his ego bruised as much as his body.

Hen Akoto's gaze remained fixed on Hisashi, his sharp eyes scanning her as if checking for any hidden injuries. His voice, steady but laced with concern, broke the tense silence. "You okay?" he asked, his tone softer now but still firm. "What were you thinking?"

Hisashi nodded, her hands brushing off the faint marks where Tawa's grip had been. "I can handle myself," she replied, her voice steady, though the slight tremor hinted at the adrenaline still pulsing through her veins. Her words carried defiance, but Hen could see the tension lingering in her posture.

Hen's jaw tightened, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. His gaze lingered on her, a mix of relief and irritation flickering across his face. "Next time," he said, his tone firm but calm, "call me before you try to face someone like that alone." His eyes locked onto hers, his expression resolute. "I told you these people are the worst, Hisashi. They don't play fair."

Hisashi met his gaze, her defenses softening slightly as she absorbed his words. "I wasn't going to let him intimidate me," she said, her voice quieter now, but still holding a trace of defiance.

Hen sighed, running a hand through his hair as he struggled to temper his frustration. "I get it," he admitted, his tone softening. "You're strong. You don't back down, and I respect that. But that doesn't mean you have to face this kind of crap on your own." His expression shifted, his concern shining through. "You don't have to prove anything to anyone, least of all an asshole like Tawa."

Hisashi looked away for a moment, her gaze settling on the distant horizon as she considered his words. Finally, she nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Fine," she conceded, glancing back at him with a hint of playfulness. "But only because I don't want you swooping in and stealing all the glory."

Hen's lips curved into a small, relieved smile, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Deal," he replied, his voice lighter now. "But I reserve the right to swoop if necessary."