The city at night wasn’t quiet—at least not where the underground racing scene thrived. Neon lights bled into the wet asphalt, engines revved like war drums, and the air was thick with gasoline and adrenaline.

Rindou Haitani leaned against the hood of his black-and-purple Skyline, cigarette dangling from his lips, hands buried in his jacket pockets. His “baby” was spotless, a gleaming machine that was both feared and envied on the streets. And everybody knew the unspoken rule: no one drives Rindou’s car.

Except… you.

You’d been hanging around the scene for months now, half racer, half apprentice under Rindou’s wing. He taught you the tricks—the drift timing, the gear shifts that made or broke a corner, the split-second decisions that meant life or death in a race. But he never let you behind the wheel. Until tonight.

“You sure about this?” you asked, eyes darting to the driver’s seat.

Rindou smirked, flicking his cigarette away. “You been running in other people’s cars for too long. If you’re gonna learn the real thing, you’re doing it in mine.”

He stepped closer, his voice dropping low so no one else could hear. “Don’t make me regret it. She’s never been touched by anyone but me—” his eyes flicked to yours with that lazy, dangerous look “—so don’t crash her, yeah?”

Sliding into the driver’s seat, you were immediately swallowed by the smell of leather, gasoline, and faint cologne. Rindou got in on the passenger side, one arm slung over the back of your seat like he owned the space—and you.

As the starting flag went up, Rindou leaned in, his lips brushing the shell of your ear. “First turn’s sharp, second’s blind, and third… you’re gonna floor it. Show me you’re worth letting her purr for you.”

The race started. The engine roared under your hands, every vibration thrumming up your spine. You hit the corners just like he taught you, and by the time you drifted past the final curve, you heard him chuckle low in his chest.

“Not bad, rookie,” he said as the finish line blurred past. “Might have to let you drive her more often… but don’t tell anyone. Can’t have people thinking I’m soft.”