Racing Hearts | Shinichiro {?}

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The early morning sun peeked over the horizon, casting golden light on the lot. Y/N arrived clutching a set of revised plans.

The week had been exhausting, her days split between classes and perfecting the design, but something about the project kept her going. It wasn’t just the work—it was the people. 

The sound of an argument greeted her as she approached the garages. 

“I told you to bring the reinforced steel, Kazuki! Not this flimsy crap!” Takeomi’s voice carried, rough and irritated. 

“Relax, old man,” a new voice retorted, its tone laced with sarcasm. “It’s just a delay. We’ll get the right stuff tomorrow.” 

Y/N stepped closer, spotting a lanky guy with messy black hair leaning against a truck. His smirk was sharp, his arms crossed over his chest. 

“And who’s this?” he asked, nodding in Y/N’s direction as soon as she came into view. 

“Don’t start, Kazuki,” Shinichiro said, walking over with an easy stride. “Y/N’s the architect.” 

Kazuki raised an eyebrow. “The architect? You’re hiring college students now, Shin?” 

Shinichiro rolled his eyes. “She’s good. Better than you, anyway.” 

Y/N stiffened, unsure how to respond, but Emma quickly appeared, pulling her into a hug. “Don’t mind Kazuki. He likes to act like he’s the boss, but really, he just likes hearing himself talk.” 

“Hey!” Kazuki protested, but the teasing grin on his face took the sting out of it. 

Another voice chimed in, softer and measured. “Kazuki, quit wasting time. The more you talk, the less we get done.” 

Y/N turned to see a tall woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor. She wore her hair tied back and had an air of authority that immediately commanded respect. 

“Y/N,” Shinichiro said, gesturing to her. “This is Mitsuko. She keeps us from falling apart.” 

Mitsuko offered a polite nod. “Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about your designs.” 

“Oh,” Y/N stammered, feeling suddenly self-conscious. “I hope they’re okay.” 

“They’re more than okay,” Mitsuko replied, her tone firm. “We’ve been trying to get this project off the ground for months. You’ve done more in a week than we’ve managed in a year.” 

Y/N felt a flush of pride but quickly shifted focus. “I brought updated drafts,” she said, holding up her portfolio. “Do you have time to go over them?” 

“Always,” Shinichiro said, leading her toward the workbench. 

As they reviewed the plans, the crew began moving around the lot, preparing materials and setting up tools. Kazuki joked loudly with Wakasa, while Benkei calmly hauled heavy beams as if they weighed nothing. Mitsuko, clipboard in hand, directed the chaos with precision. 

“You’ve got quite the team,” Y/N said, glancing at Shinichiro. 

“They’re a handful,” he admitted, smiling. “But they’re family.” 

The word lingered in the air, heavy with meaning. Y/N could see it in the way the crew interacted, the unspoken trust that tied them together. It was something rare, something she hadn’t realized she craved until now. 

As the morning wore on, Y/N found herself drawn into the rhythm of the group. Mitsuko asked for her input on the lounge layout, while Emma roped her into organizing tools. Even Kazuki begrudgingly admitted her suggestions for the workshop made sense. 

By lunchtime, she was seated on a stack of crates, sharing sandwiches with Emma and Wakasa. 

“So,” Wakasa said, leaning back with a lazy grin. “What’s a college girl like you doing hanging out with a bunch of delinquents?” 

“Good question,” Y/N replied, taking a sip of water. “Still trying to figure that out myself.” 

“Hey!” Emma protested, nudging her. “We’re not *that* bad.” 

“Speak for yourself,” Kazuki called from across the lot, earning laughter from everyone. 

Shinichiro appeared then, wiping his hands on a rag. “All right, break’s over. Let’s get back to it.” 

Y/N watched as the crew sprang into action, their movements efficient despite the banter. For the first time in years, she felt like she was part of something bigger than herself—a team, a vision, a family. 

And as Shinichiro caught her eye and gave her a small, knowing smile, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was exactly where she was meant to be. 

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