Race to you

Chapter 6: 🏍️

I'll show you how to enjoy and live your life outside the racetrack.

Those exact words kept on ringing inside Kimhan's head: when he reached home, when he ate dinner, while taking a shower, and even when he was scrolling online, those words were the only thing that had been running in his mind.

Live his life outside the racetrack? Kim paused the video of his race that he was watching, staring at the wall where pictures of him and his team from different races were plastered, and thought of what his life would look like if he were not a racer but just an ordinary music major student.

Growing up, he was only stuck inside the four walls of their house. He and his brothers—even their cousins—were homeschooled until high school. Even then, he and his brothers were still being compared to each other as if they were in a match on who is a better son by their own father.

When Kim's father died, that's the only time he could feel freedom. Freedom to do what he loves: music and racing. He goes to uni from morning 'til afternoon, then spends the rest of the day on the track. But as time went by, and the more races he won, he needed to choose one, and for his oldest brother—who made him love racing—Kimhan chose the life on the track.

So when Porchay told him he would let him live his life outside the racetrack, Kimhan felt intrigued. Because what is life outside the track? What's the difference between spending your time at the racetrack and hanging out with friends in malls? Oh... Hanging out with friends in malls... Kimhan hasn't done that before. He doesn't even remember when was the last time he visited a mall.

Porchay, this is Kim.

You told me to message you when I have nothing to do.

Kim typed his messages to Porchay before his right thumb hesitantly pressed the send button.

He has decided he wants to know and see the things he's been missing out on. He wanted to experience things he hadn't done before, things people his age would've enjoyed doing. And Kimhan wants to experience those with Porchay.

P'Kim!

Hello!

You have no schedule today?

He does.

Kim has scheduled practice in the afternoon, but no, he will not go to the racetrack today. Not when it was Kinn who scheduled his practice. You need to improve your speed and stability; you're going against the Thongdee Motors for the championship Kinn reasoned to him.

I don't have any schedule today, Porchay.

Kim typed in a reply.

Then...

Do you want to sit in on our classes today?

Porchay instantly replied. And the idea of Kim sitting beside Porchay as they listen to class discussion together—topics that he probably already knows—made Kim smile on his own. He couldn't wait to be an Anantrameka University's music major freshman again.

That sounds like fun. What time is your class?

Kim replied with a huge smile on his face. He hops off from his bed and goes to his closet; hidden safely at the very back is a black backpack—one that he always used in uni before.