Racing Hearts | Shinichiro {?}

➽──────────────❥

The tension in the garage was palpable, hanging like a thick fog as the crew gathered around Shinichiro. He had just returned from the underground race, the victory still fresh on his face, though there was something darker lingering in his eyes.

Y/N had never seen him this quiet before. Usually, he was filled with unshakable confidence, but now, something had changed. 

Y/N paced back and forth near the workbench, her fingers absentmindedly tracing over a set of blueprints.

The victory was supposed to feel good, but the events of the night—Kaito's aggression, the near-miss—kept replaying in her mind. She had always known Shinichiro was dangerous, but seeing it up close, feeling the raw power of the race, made it all too real. 

"Y/N," Shinichiro's voice broke through her thoughts, low and steady. 

She turned, meeting his gaze. His usual playful expression was gone, replaced by something more solemn.

He walked toward her, taking a step closer than she was used to, his presence filling the space between them. 

"You okay?" he asked, his eyes searching hers for any hint of doubt or concern. 

"Am I?" she replied, her voice sharper than she intended. "You almost got yourself killed out there. Do you even care?" 

His jaw clenched slightly, and for a moment, Y/N wondered if he would snap back at her. But instead, he took a breath, his gaze never leaving hers. "I care about this crew, Y/N. About all of you." 

"And yet, you're willing to risk everything for a race," she shot back, her frustration rising. 

Shinichiro remained silent for a beat, then spoke in a softer tone. "This isn't just a race. It's everything. It's the only way I can keep this place, keep my family, safe." 

Her heart twisted at the words. She knew the garage meant a lot to him, but hearing him speak so frankly about his motivations was a raw truth she wasn’t prepared for. 

The sound of footsteps interrupted their conversation. Kazuki appeared at the door, his usual mischievous grin replaced with a more serious expression. "Shin, we've got a problem." 

Y/N turned to face him. "What happened?" 

Kazuki glanced at Shinichiro before answering. "Kaito's not backing down. He’s pissed, and now he’s threatening to go after the garage. He’s got connections." 

The weight of the words hit Y/N like a punch to the gut. The world of racing and underground dealings had always felt distant, like a dangerous game that didn’t concern her. But now, she was caught in the crossfire. 

Shinichiro’s face hardened. "He can threaten all he wants. But if he thinks he can intimidate us into backing down, he’s got another thing coming." 

Y/N took a deep breath, her mind racing. "What are you going to do?" 

Shinichiro's expression softened slightly, but the edge was still there. "I don’t have a choice. I’ll have to confront him. I can’t let him think he’s in control." 

She shook her head, frustration bubbling up again. "This is exactly what I was afraid of! You think you can just challenge him and everything will be fine?" 

Shinichiro’s eyes narrowed, the familiar glint of defiance flashing in them. "I can’t just let him walk all over us. You know what he’s capable of, Y/N. We can’t back down now." 

Before Y/N could respond, Mitsuko stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "You’re both right. But rushing into a fight without a plan will only make things worse." 

Benkei, who had been standing quietly in the corner, finally spoke up. "We need to be smart about this. Shin, you’re not going in alone. The crew will stand with you." 

Y/N’s heart fluttered at Benkei’s words. She wasn’t sure if it was the idea of Shinichiro being in danger again or the fact that the crew had her back, but the tension in her chest loosened slightly. 

"We need a strategy," Mitsuko continued. "Kaito might be a loose cannon, but he's not invincible." 

Shinichiro nodded. "Fine. Let’s come up with something. But I’m not backing down." 

Y/N could see the fire in his eyes, and for a moment, she felt like a bystander in his world. She didn’t belong here, not in this chaotic, high-risk life. But the thought of leaving, of stepping away from everything, felt impossible. 

“Shin,” she said softly, stepping closer to him. “Promise me you’ll be careful.” 

His eyes softened at her words, and for a brief second, there was something vulnerable in his gaze. "I promise." 

The tension in the room was thick, but Y/N knew this was far from over. The race had been just the beginning. With Kaito’s threat looming over them, things were about to get a whole lot more dangerous. 

The sound of engines revving in the distance echoed through the garage, a reminder of the world they were all tangled up in. Y/N swallowed her fear, standing tall. She didn’t know what was coming next, but one thing was certain: she was in this now, for better or for worse. 

As the crew gathered around Shinichiro, preparing for the inevitable showdown with Kaito, Y/N couldn’t help but feel that things were spiraling out of control. But one look at Shinichiro, his resolve unshaken, and she knew she couldn’t back out now. They were in this together, for better or for worse.

➽──────────────❥