Daarin | ダーリン | Oscar Piastri

S2 E6: Has and Had

"Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting. But sometimes, it's just too much to ask."

— Unknown

7 April 2024
Suzuka, Japan

The roar of the engines filled the air as the Osaka Grand Prix surged into its final laps. The sun blazed brightly over the track, casting sharp shadows.

Oscar was currently in fourth place, the same position he had qualified in the day before, with DRS behind Carlos Sainz.

The whole McLaren garage was holding their breaths, including the group of 23-year-olds watching from the side, for the past few laps, Oscar had been breathing down the neck of Carlos Sainz but never close enough to overtake. However, now it seemed that Oscar was going to-

"Yea!" The mechanics in the garage all stood up and cheered, hugging each other, as Oscar executed a quite daring maneuver, slipping past Carlos Sainz and seizing third place.

Before Emiko could even comprehend, she grabbed Kotoko's hand and shook it in excitement, with her signature cheeky smile that made her eyes sparkle.

Her friends who were cheering as well, gave each other a quick raise of their eyebrow at Emiko before shrugging and continuing to celebrate.

As the last lap approached, Sarah made her way over to the group gesturing for them to follow her, following the request made by Oscar, heading in the same direction all the other team members were moving.

"Oscar told me to bring you guys to the podium if he managed to finish in the top 3." Sarah notified the group with a proud smile.

Emiko wanted to shoot Sarah back with a smile, however, she had finally realized the huge smile on her face and quickly toned it down.

Kotoko noticed this and scoffed, nudging her friend.

◇

"In 3rd place, for the second time in a row in Japan, Oscar Piastri from Australia." The McLaren team erupted in cheers as they watched their driver walking out and standing on the 3rd-place platform.

Oscar stood on the podium with his typical gentle and reserved smile with his hand in front of him. The ray of sun shined directly on the podium which made his hair seem golden.

Emiko stared in awe at the man as he looked over his team. Just as his eyes shifted to the back of the McLaren team crowd, his eyes caught Emiko.

His typical smile then turned into a mischievous grin which made Emiko raise a brow at him.

Oscar pointed to his shoe and the champagne which reminded her of the bet she had made with him the day before during his small birthday dinner when she was a little tipsy.

If he got on the podium she would have to-

"Emiko, you have to do a shoey!" Xander burst out laughing together with the rest of her friends. Seemed like they remembered too.

Emiko looked back up at Oscar as she mouthed a please putting her hand in front of her begging. Oscar saw this and shook his head before looking away, the grin remaining on his face.

Emiko muttered a small curse at herself, for enjoying Oscar's celebration a bit too much before she went back to the present celebration.

◇

"Come on Emi! Do the shoey you lost the bet!" Xander grinned as he raised his voice over the music of the private club.

"I was drunk when I made that bet!" Emiko glued herself to the seat.