Street Racer || Yang Jungwon

°•♡•° / 17

—— Seori

As the echoes of the racing engines surrounded us, I gathered the courage to voice the question lingering in my mind. "Jungwon, what do we do now? You're the adult here, always saying we're just friends, that you don't want anything romantic with me, that I'm just a kid. And now, here we are."

Jungwon sighed, his gaze searching mine as if seeking the right words. "Seori, I never expected this. I never expected to question what I thought was so clear. But I can't deny that something has changed between us."

I furrowed my brow, still grappling with the unfolding complexity. "Changed how, Jungwon? What are we now?"

He ran a hand through his hair, a sign of his own internal struggle. "I don't have all the answers, Seori. We navigate this together. I never saw you as more than a friend because I convinced myself that's all it could be. Now, I'm not so sure."

The uncertainty hung heavy in the air, a palpable tension that mirrored the racing anticipation around us. "So, what does that mean for us?" I pressed, seeking clarity in the midst of our emotional unraveling.

Jungwon took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. "Let's take it one step at a time. I don't want to rush into anything, and I don't want to hurt you. We can explore what this means for us, but cautiously, okay?"

Nodding, I acknowledged the fragile nature of our newfound connection. "Cautiously," I repeated, as if testing the weight of the word on my tongue.

Jungwon's touch was gentle as he wiped away the remnants of my tears, his thumb brushing softly against my cheek. "Seori, go back to the hut. I really need to get prepared for the race."

I hesitated, the lingering uncertainty making me reluctant to step away. "But, Jungwon, can you promise me you won't ignore me again? I don't want to go back to feeling like you're avoiding me."

He met my gaze with a sincerity that softened the edges of the racing world around us. "Seori, I won't ignore you. We'll figure this out together, but right now, I need to focus on the race. I promise, we'll talk after."

Nodding reluctantly, I took a step back. The fear of being left in the shadows of uncertainty lingered, but I forced a small smile. "Okay, Jungwon. Just... don't forget, okay?"

He gave a reassuring nod, his eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and vulnerability. "I won't forget. Now, go back to the hut. I'll find you after the race."

As I turned away, heading back to the hut amidst the sounds of revving engines and the anticipation of the race, I carried with me a blend of hope and apprehension.

As I walked back into the hut, Yeji's concerned eyes immediately fixated on my red, teary eyes. She asked, "Seori, what happened out there?"

Sunghoon, still lingering in the hut, glanced over and caught sight of my emotional state. His expression shifted from curiosity to genuine concern. "Jungwon didn't do something stupid, did he? Sometimes, he's dumb when it comes to love."

I managed a weak smile, trying to reassure them both. "No, no, it's not like that. We just had a talk. It's complicated."

Yeji's eyes narrowed, reading between the lines. "Complicated, huh? Well, you better spill the details, Seori."

Before I could respond, Sunghoon, ever the joker, chimed in to lighten the mood. "Seori, you know Jungwon can be a bit clueless when it comes to matters of the heart. Maybe we need to give him a guidebook."

Yeji and I chuckled, the tension in the room easing slightly. Sunghoon continued his playful banter, "Seriously, though, don't let that racer intimidate you. You need to keep him on his toes. Make him work for it!"