Street Racer || Yang Jungwon

°•♡•° / 28

—— Seori

As Yeji and I settled onto a couch in the hut, our attention focused on the monitors displaying the ongoing street race, Sunghoon's voice cut through the ambient noise. He posed a question that momentarily pulled us from the excitement of the race.

"How are your relationships with these street racers going?" Sunghoon inquired, his tone lighthearted yet curious.

Yeji smiled, her gaze drifting to where Jake's car raced around a corner on the screen. "Things are going well between Jake and me," she replied, her voice filled with affection.

I hesitated for a moment, grappling with how to articulate the complexities of my relationship with Jungwon. "It's... mixed," I finally admitted, choosing my words carefully. "We're friends, but there's also something more there."

Sunghoon's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his playful demeanor surfacing as he leaned back against the couch. "I'm surprised Jungwon and Jake went for 16-year-olds like you two," he remarked, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Especially considering how Jungwon used to insist that you were just a kid to him. Remember how he used to say there was nothing romantic between you two? And let's not forget your obsession with Ramen, which earned you the nickname Ramen Queen."

A blush crept onto my cheeks at the mention of Jungwon's past remarks and my love for Ramen, a nickname that had stuck since the early days of our friendship. Despite his initial reservations and our shared affinity for playful banter, our relationship had evolved over time, growing into something deeper and more meaningful than either of us had anticipated.

"I guess things change," I replied with a small smile, acknowledging the shift in dynamics between Jungwon and me. "And as for Ramen, well, some things never change."

Yeji chuckled beside me, her laughter echoing in the dimly lit hut as we returned our focus to the race unfolding on the monitors. Despite the teasing and the uncertainties that lingered in the air, being here with Yeji and Sunghoon reminded me of the unwavering support and friendship that anchored me amidst the chaos of the street racing world.

ﾟ.+:｡ Time skip ﾟ.+:｡

As the race came to an exhilarating end, with Jungwon emerging victorious, he returned to the hut accompanied by Jake, Jay, Heeseung, Niki, and Sunoo. The adrenaline of the race still lingered in the air as they entered, their triumph evident in their expressions.

Feeling too lazy to get up from the couch, I remained seated as Jungwon made his way over to me. I held my arms open for a hug, a warm smile gracing my lips as he approached.

But before Jungwon could reach me, Sunghoon's playful voice cut through the room. "Don't be a coward, Jungwon," he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Make it official with Seori already."

Jungwon chuckled in response, but there was a hint of hesitancy in his voice as he replied, "It's not that simple, Sunghoon. Dating a 16-year-old when you're 20 isn't exactly easy."

His words struck a chord within me, a mixture of disappointment and understanding swirling inside me. I knew that our age difference posed a challenge, but I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for a more defined relationship with Jungwon.

As he finally reached me, Jungwon wrapped me in a warm embrace, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the uncertainty. Despite the complexities of our relationship, I couldn't deny the connection that bound us together, a bond that transcended age and circumstance.

With a soft sigh, I rested my head against Jungwon's shoulder, relishing in the warmth of his embrace. The chatter and laughter of our friends filled the room, but in that moment, it was just the two of us, sharing a quiet moment amidst the chaos of street racing.