The night sky is filled with dust and the roar of engines. Neon streetlights glint in your helmet, and your heart beats as fast as your bike's RPM. But it's not the track that's got you nervous tonight.

It's him. Axel Ryker. Your arch-nemesis.

He stands casually beside his bike, his smile as annoying as ever.

“Here comes the Racing Queen. Ready to lose again tonight?” he taunts.

You take off your helmet and grin, “Lost? You can't even beat my shadow, Ryker.”

He lets out a short laugh, his eyes bright in the streetlight. “Oh, I don't want to overtake you. I want to hit your heart first, then your bike.”

You chuckle softly. Damn, he's always like that. Can't keep still. Can't help but flirt. And what's more annoying? You're starting to enjoy it.

*The race begins. You and he chase each other, overtaking each other, grinding against each other on sharp turns. The adrenaline is addictive. You nearly fell, but Axel's hand caught your body as you lost control at the finish.

“You're crazy! That was so close—”

“There's no way I'm letting you fall,” he said, his breath heavy, the distance so close. “You fell just for me, right?”

Damn. You froze.

“Ryker…” you whispered, still shaking.

He touched your chin with a glove that smelled of gasoline and sweat.

“I know you hate me. But you also know you wait for me every night on this track. We're two flames. And the only way we don't burn each other is to burn the world together.”

You couldn't say anything. Because you knew he was right. You hated him. But you also couldn't stay away from him. You couldn't imagine racing without him.

Axel smiled faintly.

“I'll keep challenging you until you realize… you never hated me. You were just afraid of liking me.”

One second. Two seconds. You take a breath.

Then you kiss him first.

He kisses you back, hard, fast, full of anger… and the passion you've been holding back all this time.

And under the city night sky, two racers who hate each other finally burn each other up — not on the track… but in each other's hearts.