Street Racer || Yang Jungwon

°•♡•° / 13

—— Seori

Amidst the celebration of Jungwon's victory, laughter and cheers echoed through the hut. As the night waned and everyone began to disperse, I noticed Jungwon engaged in conversation with Sunghoon. Unintentionally eavesdropping, I overheard them discussing the playful conversation Yeji and I had about having an older street racer as a boyfriend, specifically referring to Jungwon and Jake.

An unexpected surge of embarrassment washed over me, and I couldn't resist approaching them, my cheeks tinged with a subtle blush. "Sunghoon, shut up," I playfully scolded, hoping to divert Jungwon's attention away from the topic.

With a mischievous grin, Sunghoon complied, but not before sharing an amused glance with Jungwon. Feeling a need to escape the potentially embarrassing situation, I announced, "I'm going home. I'll see you guys later."

To my surprise, Jungwon followed me outside the hut, his hand gently wrapping around my wrist. "You're not going home alone at this hour," he asserted.

I turned to him, a mix of emotions swirling within me. "Jungwon, it's fine. I can handle myself."

But he persisted, "I'm not letting you go home alone. Besides, maybe I don't want you to go home just yet."

His words hung in the air, a subtle invitation that intrigued and surprised me. I looked up at him, meeting his gaze. "Well, maybe I don't want to go home just yet either," I admitted, a hint of vulnerability in my voice.

The city streets, bathed in the residual glow of the night, became the backdrop to a moment suspended between friendship and the unspoken possibilities that lingered in the air.

As Jungwon led me behind the hut, a sense of anticipation lingered in the air. I stumbled back against the sturdy structure, the city's night enveloping us in a cocoon of shadows and whispered possibilities.

In the dim glow, Jungwon leaned in, a playful glint in his eyes, and asked, "So, what were those imaginations you and Yeji were talking about?"

His proximity sent a shiver down my spine, and for a moment, the city's soundtrack faded into the background. I met his gaze, a mix of uncertainty and curiosity dancing in my eyes.

"They were just silly scenarios, you know? Imagining what it would be like to have older street racers as boyfriends," I replied, attempting to downplay the conversation.

Jungwon's lips curved into a smile, and he chuckled, "Silly scenarios, huh? I'm curious. Paint me a picture."

I couldn't help but blush at the request, the playful banter creating an intimacy that felt both exciting and nerve-wracking. "Well, it was more like Yeji's imagination running wild. Late-night street races, mysterious racers stealing hearts—stuff like that."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained. "Mysterious racers, huh? Anything else?"

I hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Maybe a bit of romance in the air, the thrill of the race adding an edge to the connection between the racers and, well, someone like me."

Jungwon leaned in a little closer, his gaze intensifying. "And what about someone like me?"

My heart quickened, the unspoken tension between us palpable. "Someone like you? The charismatic and elusive racer who adds a dash of danger to the mix," I replied with a teasing smile.

He chuckled, the sound resonating in the quiet night. "I see. And do these scenarios involve unexpected moments behind huts with mysterious racers?"

The playful glint in his eyes sparked a fire within, and I found myself drawn into the banter, acknowledging the unspoken possibilities that lingered in the air. "Maybe they do," I admitted, a hint of a smirk playing on my lips.

As the banter with Jungwon grew more intense, I felt a wave of uncertainty washing over me. The unspoken tension lingered in the air, and for a moment, I found myself on the edge of a narrative that could take unexpected turns.

Sensing the shift, a sudden desire to break the tension seized me. In a whimsical attempt to lighten the atmosphere, I slipped back into the familiar role of the immature Seori, the one who behaved like a kid craving simplicity in the midst of complexities.

With an impish grin, I blurted out, "You know what? Forget about mysterious racers and intense moments. I just want ramen."

The unexpected declaration hung in the air, a quirky twist that diffused the mounting tension. I couldn't help but laugh at the abrupt shift from a moment charged with unspoken possibilities to a craving for something as comforting and straightforward as a bowl of ramen.

Jungwon, caught off guard by the sudden change in direction, chuckled in response. "Ramen, huh? That's a sudden shift in gears."

I nodded enthusiastically, embracing the lightheartedness of the moment. "Well, sometimes you just need a bowl of ramen to make everything feel simple again. Let's go find a place that's still open!"

The city, with its vibrant energy, became the backdrop to our playful banter. The Ramen Queen and the Bad Boy Racer, momentarily diverted from the complexities of the night, embarked on a quest for simplicity—one bowl of ramen at a time.

—— Jungwon

Finding a still-open ramen shop, Seori and I settled inside, the cozy atmosphere providing a contrast to the city's vibrant exterior. We ordered our bowls, and soon enough, the steaming dishes arrived, filling the air with the comforting aroma of noodles and broth.

As we indulged in our ramen, I couldn't help stealing glances at Seori, captivated by the genuine joy on her face as she happily slurped the noodles. The simplicity of the moment, the warm glow of the ramen shop, and her infectious laughter created a tranquil haven in the midst of the bustling city.

However, a lingering tension from our previous banter behind the hut weighed on my mind. I couldn't quite comprehend the sudden shift in dynamics. Seori's playful declaration about ramen had lightened the atmosphere, and I found myself grateful for the diversion. It was as if the Ramen Queen had a magical touch to turn even the most complex situations into something simple and enjoyable.

Reflecting on the moments behind the hut, I admitted to myself that I had teetered on the edge of crossing a line. The playful teasing about her conversation with Yeji had brought us closer, yet the undercurrents of unspoken feelings were palpable. I couldn't deny the magnetic pull between us, a pull that, in that vulnerable moment, might have led to something more.

I shook off those thoughts, focusing on the warmth of the ramen and the laughter that resonated in the air. Seori's presence, her carefree spirit, and the delightful slurping sounds filled the space between us.

After the last traces of ramen disappeared from our bowls, Seori looked at me with a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Let's spend the night walking around the city!" she suggested, her enthusiasm evident.

I hesitated, mindful of the late hour. "Seori, it's getting really late. We should probably get some sleep," I replied, attempting to steer us towards a more sensible choice.

However, her response caught me off guard. "I don't want to go home. I want to be around you," she said, her words hanging in the air.

Surprised by her admission, I considered the implications. It seemed our night was taking unexpected turns, and the dynamics between us were evolving in ways I hadn't anticipated.

After a moment, I suggested an alternative, "How about we go back to the street race venue, get my car, and I'll take you to my apartment? It's not too far, and you can stay there for the night."

Seori's eyes lit up at the idea, and with a nod, she agreed. Little did I know, the decision to extend our night would mark the beginning of a new chapter—a chapter where the Ramen Queen and the Bad Boy Racer navigated the city's streets not just in pursuit of adrenaline but in pursuit of a connection that surpassed the boundaries of the ordinary.

To be continued...