Highway 143 | Ryeji

07 - Foul Play

Ryujin Montecarlo

After watching the first batch of racers compete in street drift and drag, we were up next. Initially, I thought what Yuna signed us up in was just the opening event, turns out, this is the highlight of the night. I met up with Madden to check out my car for any issues, but good thing I always gear it up before a big race.

As I wait at the relay point to let myself settle down, Yeji seemed to distance herself since.

As Smoke began his intro, reminding the rules of the race and the possible consequences, this relay was already proving to be more intense than any solo run I'd ever been in. Drifts and Drags were usually done in secluded spots we know, but this time...This will happen in the main street—a race in the heart of Michigan.

The lineup was intense. There's eight of us competing, and the cash prize is more than what I need. With what I've heard, the son of the politician in town will also be watching.

I wonder if his dad knows what the fuck he's up to.
Now that's news.

The drones sent out to surveillance the race are now set up. We'll be watching our partners from the screen placed inside our cars.

It was me and Yuna, the Saint Claire twins, two jocks from Sterling Heights, and of course, Javier and Valentino.

Ahead of me, I could see the starting racers—Yuna, Hyunjin, Jennifer, and Seth—lining up. Yuna looked calm, confident, as always. But I could tell she was wired beneath the surface. This race was a different beast, and we both knew it.

I leaned back in my seat, adjusting the transceiver in my ear. Yuna's voice went through for a second, "You ready, kid?" I asked her.

"I don't have a choice, do I?,"

she said and chuckled. This is what I love about her. Even in situations like these, she'd still find a way to enjoy herself.

"Drive safe and fast."

"Unnie, those two words don't belong
together when I drive."

"Come back in one piece is what I meant."

"It's cute when you're worried, unnie."

"Yuna, the race is literally about to start."

When the go signal fell, the first racers shot off the line. I felt proud as I watched Yuna take off, fighting to stay on Hyunjin's tail.

Hyunjin, as expected, was leading. His Mazda was cutting through the streets in a blink of an eye. Jennifer was holding her own, too, and Seth's Challenger was already beside her, taunting.

Yuna was holding her own, but I could hear the frustration in her voice through the transceiver.

"Hyunjin's pulling ahead. I'm closing the
gap but he's fucking fast."

"Keep tight," I said. "You'll get him at the hand-off. I'll be on standby."

Henceforth, the racers devoured the streets of downtown Detroit, making their way between traffic, skimming past pedestrians who were foolish enough to be out at this hour. The crowd along the sidewalks cheered as they passed, money being exchanged for betting on whoever reaches the line first.

Hyunjin was giving everyone a hard time. Yuna was right behind him, getting closer with every second, but it was clear that he wasn't letting her beat him. They were approaching the relay point, the place where everything would shift.

"Hyunjin's about to tag out,"
Yuna called.
"You're next, unnie. I'll be there soon."

I took a breath, knowing I had to be ready. The handoff was critical. One slip, one delay, and the race could be over for us.