Establishment

Kai leaned back against the S2000's seat, watching the city lights blur past as Ami drove them back toward the docks. The night was still alive—neon signs flickering, groups of street racers gathered in empty parking lots, the distant echoes of revving engines and tire squeals.

But Kai's mind was somewhere else.

Johan Mikage.

The guy was a ghost. No crew. No reputation in Marrydale. And yet, he drove like he'd been born on these streets.

And that comment about Dai…

Kai glanced at Ami. She was quiet, staring at the road with an unreadable expression.

"You believe him?" Kai asked.

Ami didn't respond right away. She shifted gears smoothly, the S2000 humming through the revs.

Finally, she exhaled. "I don't know."

"Seemed weird, right? The way he said Dai's name?"

Ami's fingers tightened on the wheel. "Yeah."

Kai studied her. "You never really talk about him. Dai, I mean."

Ami sighed through her nose. "There's nothing to talk about. He taught me how to drive, how to work on cars. That's it."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"

She gave him a side glance, and for a second, he saw something flicker in her eyes—hesitation, maybe even pain.

But she didn't say anything else.

Kai didn't push.

He had a feeling he'd get the real story when she was ready.

At Dai's garage, the lot was mostly empty. The metal roll-up door was still open, warm fluorescent light spilling onto the pavement.

Kai's C5 sat parked near the entrance, the deep blue paint reflecting the glow of the streetlamp overhead.

They walked toward the garage, the smell of motor oil and burning rubber thick in the air. Inside, Dai was hunched over a workbench, welding sparks flying as he worked on a stripped-down engine block.

He didn't look up. "You took your time."

Kai smirked, leaning against the tool rack. "Had an interesting night."

Dai shut off the welder, setting it aside before finally turning to them. "Yeah?"

Ami crossed her arms. "We met a guy. Johan Mikage. Drives a black RX-7."

Dai's expression didn't change. "And?"

"He knew your name," Kai said, watching him carefully.

For the slightest fraction of a second, Dai's fingers tensed—barely noticeable. But Kai caught it.

Then, just as quickly, Dai shrugged. "Lots of people know my name."

Kai didn't buy it.

Ami clearly didn't either.

But neither of them called him out on it.

Not yet.

They spent the next hour working on Kai's C5, tightening up some suspension adjustments and checking the brakes.

Ami tossed Kai a bottle of water as he leaned against the hood, wiping his hands on a rag.

"So," she said, "what's next for the Night Runners?"

Kai exhaled. "Need a home base."

Ami nodded. "You got a place in mind?"

Kai thought about it. "Not yet. But we need somewhere. A real crew needs more than just a name."

Dai, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.

"There's an old warehouse near the south docks," he said. "Used to be a tuning shop. Been abandoned for years."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "You think we could use it?"

Dai sighed. "Probably. But if it was that easy, someone would've taken it already."

Ami crossed her arms. "That means there's a reason no one's touched it."

Kai grinned. "Guess we should go find out, huh?"

Ami smirked. "You really don't know how to slow down, do you?"

Kai shrugged, tossing his rag onto the workbench. "Not really."

Dai shook his head. "You're gonna get yourself killed one of these days."

Kai just grinned wider.

Kai leaned back against the hood of his C5, his mind already turning over Dai's suggestion.

An old warehouse near the south docks.

It wasn't much, but it was something.

A start.

Ami watched him, arms crossed. "You really think we can just take it?"

Kai smirked. "Only one way to find out."

Before she could respond—

His vision flickered.

A sudden, sharp distortion.

Then—

[System Update]

Main Quest Issued: "Establish the Night Runners."

Objective 1: Recruit at least three members. (1/3 - Ami Sato added.)

Objective 2: Secure a base of operations. (No location set.)

Bonus Challenge: Gain public recognition as a new racing crew. (Win a recognized race.)

Failure Penalty: System privileges will be temporarily restricted.

Reward: Unlock Crew Features + Access to Special Races.

Kai blinked as the words flashed across his vision.

The system was forcing his hand again.

Not a death threat this time, but still a clear demand.

Night Runners wasn't just an idea anymore.

It was real.

Ami frowned. "Kai?"

He exhaled, shaking off the system's lingering presence. "Yeah?"

"You just zoned out for a second."

Kai glanced at her, then at Dai, who was watching him carefully.

"Nothing," Kai said. "Just thinking."

Dai narrowed his eyes slightly, like he didn't believe him.

But he let it go.

Ami took a swig from her water bottle, then tossed it into a bin. "Well, if we're checking out this warehouse, we should do it soon. If it's actually worth something, we won't be the only ones looking at it."

Kai nodded. "Tomorrow night."

Ami smirked. "You're not gonna sleep, are you?"

Kai grinned. "Not a chance."

He could still feel the system's message burned into his mind.

This was just the beginning.