Street Racer || Yang Jungwon

°•♡•° / 2

—— Jungwon

Driving away from Seori's house, I couldn't shake off the mix of annoyance and amusement that her presence had stirred within me. Mumbling to myself, I muttered, "What a disturbance," a faint smirk betraying the contradiction of my thoughts.

I navigated the city's streets, each turn bringing me closer to the pulsating heart of the street race scene. The neon lights illuminated the adrenaline-charged atmosphere as racers and their sleek cars gathered at the start line. My friends, including Jake, awaited my arrival.

Pulling up to the scene, I was met with curious glances and raised eyebrows. Jake approached, a smirk playing on his lips.

"So, what was that all about with the girl?" he asked, the hint of amusement evident in his tone. "She said you hit her?"

I rolled my eyes, dismissing the question with a nonchalant shrug. "Just a minor incident. Accidentally bumped into her during a race. No big deal."

Jake raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Accidentally? That's not like you, Jungwon. You've never let anyone mess up your races before."

I leaned against my car, crossing my arms. "Well, things change. She's just a kid who got in the way."

Jake's expression shifted from amusement to concern. "You're acting different, man. What happened?"

I waved off his concern, my gaze fixed on the start line. "Nothing happened. Let's focus on the race. That's why we're here, right?"

As the engines revved and the anticipation built, the cityscape transformed into a battleground of speed and adrenaline.

The cheers of victory echoed through the night as I parked my car at the side, surrounded by the neon glow of the city. My friends approached, and their congratulations a chorus of approval. Jake, Heeseung, Jay, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Niki – each of them had a grin that mirrored the satisfaction of another race won.

"Jungwon, you killed it out there!" Jake exclaimed, giving me a playful nudge.

I grinned in response, enjoying the camaraderie of the moment. The exhilaration of victory was a familiar high, but amidst the celebration, the topic of the girl resurfaced.

"So, what's the deal with that girl?" Heeseung asked, the curiosity evident in his expression. "She sounded pretty shaken on the call."

I leaned against my car, dismissing their questions with a nonchalant shrug. "Just a minor incident. Nothing to worry about."

Jay chuckled, shooting me a sly look. "Minor incident? That doesn't sound like the Jungwon we know. Spill the details, man."

Sunghoon joined in, his grin mischievous. "Come on, give us the scoop. How did you end up colliding with a girl of all people?"

Niki, ever the playful one, added, "Was she cute? Did she leave an impression on our fearless leader?"

I sighed, feeling their collective curiosity closing in on me. "She's just a 16-year-old girl. Little kid got in the way during the race."

Their expressions shifted from curiosity to something more teasing. "A 16-year-old, huh?" Jake raised an eyebrow. "What did she look like? Blonde, brunette, short, tall?"

I waved off their inquiries, trying to maintain an air of indifference. "Just a kid. It's not a big deal."

Sunoo smirked, nudging me playfully. "Come on, Jungwon. You can tell us. Is she someone who's going to make the mighty Jungwon's heart flutter?"

I chuckled, rolling my eyes at their teasing. "She's just a kid, guys. I'm 20. Let's not get carried away."

My friends, persistent and teasing, continued their banter about the mysterious girl, weaving imaginary scenarios between us. Laughter echoed through the neon-lit night as they concocted fake tales of romance, drama, and unlikely connections.

"Come on, Jungwon, admit it. She's got you smitten," Jay teased, his grin wide.

Sunghoon chimed in, "I can see it now, Jungwon and the mysterious girl taking a moonlit stroll. Romantic, isn't it?"

Niki added a theatrical touch, "Picture this – Jungwon, with a bouquet of flowers, confessing his love to the girl by the street race finish line."

Their laughter enveloped the atmosphere as they playfully nudged me, prodding for a reaction. I shook my head, rolling my eyes at their antics.

"You guys are delusional. She's just a kid," I retorted, attempting to put an end to their over-the-top scenarios.

Heeseung joined in, his grin mischievous. "Ah, but you know what they say, Jungwon – age is just a number."

I sighed, realizing that my attempts to divert the conversation were futile. "Look, she's immature. I'm not interested in dating a 16-year-old kid. End of story."

Jake raised an eyebrow, his gaze challenging. "Never say never, Jungwon. Love works in mysterious ways."

I scoffed at their melodramatic take on the situation. "There's no love story here, guys. It was just a weird night. Let's drop it."

Despite my protests, their laughter persisted, blending with the city's nightlife. As we stood in the neon-lit glow, I couldn't help but wonder how this seemingly ordinary night had taken unexpected turns. The collision with the girl had left lingering echoes, and the laughter of my friends seemed to reverberate with the mysteries that the streets held. The night might have started with a race, but the finish line was yet to reveal the twists that awaited.

ﾟ.+:｡Time skip .+:｡

Days went by, and the echoes of that peculiar night lingered in the back of my mind. The city returned to its rhythmic pulse, street races resumed, and life moved forward. Yet, amidst the adrenaline-fueled nights, thoughts of the girl, Seori, and our unexpected collision occasionally crossed my mind.

One evening, after another victorious race, my friends gathered as we lounged in a familiar hangout spot. The neon lights painted the scene with hues of vibrant energy. As we bantered and shared stories of recent races, the topic of Seori surfaced again.

"So, Jungwon, have you seen that girl again?" Sunoo asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I shook my head, a tinge of annoyance evident. "No, and I don't plan on it. She's just a kid, remember?"

Jay grinned, nudging me. "Come on, Jungwon. We're just messing around. But seriously, you have to admit, it's an interesting twist in your usual racing tales."

As the conversation continued, the night unfolded, and with each passing day, the memory of Seori and our collision began to fade. Street races consumed my evenings, and the city's vibrant lights became my backdrop.

A time skip brought us to a moment where the streets witnessed a different Jungwon – focused, determined, and still entangled in the thrill of racing. The laughter of my friends became a constant companion, and the neon-lit nights transformed into a routine of high-speed pursuits.

Yet, in the midst of the city's ceaseless energy, a subtle curiosity lingered. The memory of Seori, the girl who had momentarily disrupted my fast-paced world, remained like a puzzle piece waiting to be connected.

As the days went by, I couldn't predict when or if our paths would cross again. The city held its secrets, and the streets whispered tales of unpredictable encounters. Little did I know that the next chapter of this story would unfold in ways I least expected, revealing that even the most routine nights could lead to the extraordinary.

To be continued...