Roundabout Way to You

34. Arena

Ayut's car pulled into the parking lot of a go-kart arena. Mihit was steering the car into a parking space with a satisfied smile on his face.

Ayut glanced around, surprised at how deserted the place looked. It was a bit expected that Mihit had suggested they hang out together on a Sunday. 

"This is where we are hanging out?" Ayut asked, his curiosity piqued. He wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

Mihit nodded as he turned off the engine. "Khrab. I thought it'd be fun. I am sure that you will like it, phi."

Ayut chuckled nervously, unbuckling his seatbelt. "Are we the only ones here?"

Mihit grinned as he stepped out of the car. "Khrab, Phi. A friend of mine owns the place, and he let me have it for the day. Just us, no crowds, no distractions."

The thought of having the whole arena to themselves made Ayut's heart race a little, though he wasn't sure if it was from excitement or nerves. 

He had known Mihit for a while, mostly through work. He had always tried to keep their interactions professional to avoid complications. 

Ayut followed Mihit toward the entrance, trying to ignore the flutter in his stomach. 

As they walked through the entrance, the vast expanse of the track came into view. The karts were lined up neatly, and the entire arena was lit with the soft glow of the setting sun. It looked like something out of a movie, the perfect setting for a thrilling night.

"So," Mihit said, turning to face Ayut with a playful gleam in his eye, "ready to suit up and hit the track?"

Ayut hesitated momentarily, his mind racing with thoughts of how unusual this situation was. But as he looked at Mihit, who was clearly excited, he felt his apprehension melt away. 

'Don't overthink, Yut. It is just two people having fun. You need to loosen up. You don't even remember the last time you had done something just for the joy of it.' Ayut thought in mind.

"Alright," He said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Let's do this."

They headed to the small locker room where the racing gear was stored. 

Mihit handed Ayut a jumpsuit and helmet, explaining the basics as they got ready. He seemed more relaxed and carefree than Ayut has ever seen him.

Once they were suited up, he led the way to the karts, the engines already humming in anticipation. 

Ayut slid into his kart, feeling the rumble of the engine beneath him. He glanced over at Mihit, who was grinning like a kid about to dive into his favorite ride at an amusement park.

"Ready?" Mihit called out over the noise.

Ayut nodded, gripping the steering wheel. "Ready!"

With that, they took off, the karts speeding down the track. 

The wind rushed past Ayut's face as he navigated the first turn, the thrill of the race instantly taking hold. He could hear Mihit laughing as he pulled ahead, the sound infectious and lighthearted.

Despite his best efforts, Mihit was clearly the better driver. He handled the sharp turns with ease, always managing to stay just out of reach. 

But Ayut didn't mind. It wasn't about winning, it was about the experience, the freedom of the open track, and the simple pleasure of racing against someone who made it all feel so effortless.

After several laps, they finally slowed down, pulling into the pit area. Both of them were breathless and grinning as they removed their helmets.

"That was amazing!" Ayut exclaimed, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't realize how much I needed that."

Mihit laughed, leaning back against his kart. "I told you; you would enjoy it, phi. I figured we could both use a break from everything."

Ayut leaned against the wall, still catching his breath. "You were right. This was... different. But in a good way."

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the thrill of the race still lingering in the air.

As Ayut looked at Mihit, he couldn't help but notice how easy it felt to be around him tonight. There was no pretense, no need to put up walls. It was just the two of them, enjoying each other's company.

"This was really nice, Mihit," Ayut said softly. "Thank you for this. I didn't expect to have so much fun."

Mihit turned to him, his expression softening. "I am glad you came, Phi. I've been wanting to spend time with you outside of work, just the two of us."

There was something in Mihit's voice that made Ayut's heart skip a beat. He wasn't used to this kind of attention, especially not from someone like Mihit. It was unsettling in a way, but also... exciting. He found himself wanting to explore this new side of Mihit, to see where it might lead.

"Well, you certainly succeeded in getting me out of the office," Ayut replied with a chuckle. "But I have to ask, why go-kart racing? It's not exactly a typical choice."

Mihit shrugged, a playful smile on his lips. "I figured you would appreciate something a bit different. Plus, I am pretty competitive, and I thought it would be fun to see if you could keep up with me."

Ayut laughed, shaking his head. "I see how it is. I will admit, you definitely have me beat in the racing department."

"Don't worry," Mihit said, his tone teasing. "I'll go easy on you next time."

Next time. The words hung in the air, and Ayut felt a strange sense of anticipation. Despite his reservations, he couldn't deny that he enjoyed Mihit's company more than he expected. 

But he also knew that letting himself get too close could lead to complications, complications he wasn't sure he was ready for.

"Maybe I will hold you to that," Ayut replied, his voice light but his thoughts far from it.

As they made their way back to the locker room to change out of their racing gear, the atmosphere between them was lighter, and more relaxed. 

Ayut couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them tonight. It was subtle, a barely noticeable change, but it was there—a connection that hadn't existed before.

After they were dressed, they walked back to the car. 

Mihit opened the door for Ayut, his usual playful smirk softening into something more genuine. As Ayut slid into the passenger seat, he caught Mihit's eye and felt a warmth spread through him. 

This wasn't just about the race, or the fun they had had. It was about something more, something that was beginning to take root between them.

As they drove, Ayut found himself thinking about how different tonight had been, how different Mihit had been. And as much as he tried to keep his guard up, he knew it was starting to slip.

By the time they reached their apartment, the nervousness from earlier had melted away, replaced by a comfortable silence that lingered between them. Mihit parked the car and turned to Ayut with a smile.

"Thanks for coming out today, P' Yut" Mihit said, his voice warm. "I had a great time."

"Me too," Ayut replied, meeting Mihit's gaze. "It was... unexpected, but I am glad I came."

They sat there for a moment, neither of them wanting to break the spell that had formed between them. 

"Good night, P' Yut," Mihit said softly, his voice tinged with something unspoken.

"Good night, Hit," Ayut replied, his heart beating just a little faster.