Night Runners

Kai climbed into the passenger seat of Ami's S2000, the door shutting with a precise click. The soft hum of the engine filled the cabin, a stark contrast to the deep growl of his C5.

Ami didn't say much as she pulled onto the mountain road, smoothly shifting gears, her posture relaxed but focused. The road ahead stretched into darkness, only illuminated by her sharp white headlights and the distant glow of the city below.

Kai glanced at her. "Where are you taking me?"

Ami smirked slightly. "Just going for a ride."

Kai exhaled, watching the road blur past. After a moment, he asked, "So, I meant what I said earlier. I'm starting my own crew."

Ami's hands tightened slightly on the wheel, but her expression stayed neutral. "Yeah?"

Kai nodded. "Yeah. But I'm not looking for power, or control, or any of that Black Widow nonsense. I just want people who love cars and racing. That's it."

Ami was quiet for a moment before she smirked. "That's kinda dumb."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?"

She shrugged. "No turf? No politics? Just racing? You really think that's gonna work in Marrydale?"

Kai grinned. "Guess we'll find out."

Before Ami could respond, a pair of headlights appeared in the rearview mirror.

Bright. Fast.

And closing in.

Kai frowned, twisting in his seat. "That guy's coming in hot."

The low, distinct wail of a rotary engine filled the air, the sound building like a banshee's scream as the approaching car got closer.

Then, without hesitation, the car swung wide on the next corner, its rear tires breaking loose in a perfect drift.

A matte black RX-7.

It slid past them effortlessly, as if it had been dancing through these roads its whole life, before snapping back straight and rocketing into the next bend.

Kai whistled. "That was clean."

Ami's eyes narrowed. "Who the hell is that?"

Kai watched as the RX-7 disappeared around the next turn, taillights glowing like embers in the night.

"Follow him."

Ami glanced at him but didn't argue.

She dropped a gear, the VTEC kicking in with a sharp wail as she pressed the gas, her S2000 surging forward.

They chased the RX-7 through the next series of twisting mountain corners, but whoever was driving had absolute control.

His car rotated perfectly on every drift, the rotary engine screaming through the high revs as it powered out of each bend.

Kai leaned forward, watching carefully.

It wasn't just raw skill.

It was discipline.

The way he transitioned, the way his weight transfer was flawless, the precision of his throttle control—this wasn't just a reckless street racer.

This guy had been doing this for years.

They followed him down into the city, the glow of neon signs replacing the darkness of the mountain. The RX-7 finally slowed, taking a casual left turn down a quieter street before pulling into a parking lot.

A café.

Kai blinked. "Wait, seriously? All that just to stop for ice cream?"

Ami pulled up across the lot, watching as the driver climbed out.

He had a lean figure, wearing oversized pants and a black hoodie, his hands tucked into the front pocket as he strolled inside.

A few minutes later, he came back out, holding a small cup of ice cream, eating it with slow, deliberate motions.

Kai squinted. "Okay. That's kinda funny."

Ami tilted her head. "Think he's Black Widows?"

Kai shook his head. "Nah. I've seen most of Ryo's crew. I would've heard about a driver like this."

Ami sighed. "Well, only one way to find out."

Kai opened his door and stepped out.

The RX-7 driver didn't react, still casually enjoying his ice cream.

Kai walked up, stopping a few feet away. "Yo. That was some clean driving back there."

The guy barely glanced at him. "Thanks."

Kai smirked. "Where'd you learn to drive like that?"

The driver took another slow bite of ice cream. "Practice."

Kai chuckled. "You in a crew?"

The guy shrugged. "Nah. Just passing through."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? With skills like that?"

The driver finally looked at him. His eyes were calm, unreadable, like he didn't really care about the conversation. "What, you recruiting?"

Kai grinned. "Yeah. Thinking about starting my own crew."

The driver licked his spoon. "You got a name?"

Kai paused. "…Not yet."

The guy smirked. "Then why would I join a crew that doesn't exist?"

Kai exhaled, shaking his head. "Fair point."

The driver finally extended a hand. "Johan. Johan Mikage."

Kai shook it. "Kai Damons."

Johan nodded toward Ami's S2000. "Your girl drives clean."

Ami leaned against the door, arms crossed. "I can hear you, y'know."

Johan grinned. "Yeah. That's why I said it."

Kai laughed. "So, Johan. What are you even doing in Marrydale?"

Johan looked at his RX-7, then back at his ice cream. "I just like driving."

Kai tilted his head. "That it?"

Johan's expression didn't change. "That's it."

Ami narrowed her eyes slightly. She wasn't convinced.

Kai wasn't either.

Nobody drifted like that just because they "liked driving."

There was more to him.

But for now?

Kai let it go.

He had a feeling this wasn't the last time they'd see Johan Mikage.

Kai nodded slowly, rolling the name over in his mind.

"Night Runners. That is the name."

It wasn't about power. It wasn't about control.

It was about the love of driving.

About freedom.

The streets belonged to the people who lived for them—the ones who didn't race for territory, but for the thrill of the night itself.

Johan scooped another bite of ice cream, watching Kai carefully. "Night Runners, huh?"

Kai smirked. "Yeah. You in?"

Johan was quiet for a moment, staring down at his cup. Then he chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"You don't just invite someone into a crew over ice cream, man."

Kai shrugged. "Maybe you do if it's good ice cream."

Johan huffed a small laugh but didn't answer.

Kai could tell he was thinking about it.

Ami pushed off the S2000, hands in her jacket pockets. "Alright, well, this has been fun, but we should probably head back before Dai loses his mind."

Johan tossed his spoon into the trash. "Dai, huh? You know him?"

Ami nodded. "He's our mechanic."

Johan tilted his head slightly, a flicker of recognition passing through his eyes. "Dai Takeda?"

Ami's expression didn't change, but Kai felt the air around them shift.

"Yeah," she said cautiously. "You know him?"

Johan thought for a second, then shrugged. "Nah. Just heard the name before."

Kai narrowed his eyes. Something about the way Johan said that didn't sit right.

Ami didn't press it, but her grip on her jacket tightened just a little.

Johan stepped back toward his RX-7, opening the door. "I'll keep an eye out for your Night Runners."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "That mean we'll see you around?"

Johan smirked, flipping his keys in his hand. "Maybe."

Then, with a smooth motion, he climbed into his RX-7, the rotary engine firing up with a high-pitched growl.

The car rumbled softly, idling for a moment.

Then—tires screeched as he launched out of the lot, the RX-7 whipping around the corner in a smooth, effortless drift before disappearing into the night.

Kai exhaled, rubbing the back of his head.

"That guy's interesting," he muttered.

Ami didn't answer right away. She stared after the RX-7, her expression unreadable.

They both climbed in the S2000 and drove back to pick up Kai's C5.

The Night Runners.

It had a nice ring to it.

Now, he just needed to prove it meant something.