Chapter 7 — "Glove Compartment Lies"
The air felt thick, like the city knew secrets it wasn't telling.
Morning – 7:22 AM, Home
Mari lingered near the door, tying her shoes slower than usual.
"You coming?" I asked, jingling the LFA's keys in my palm.
She looked up, eyes distant.
"Yeah. Just… weird dreams."
"About?"
She shook her head. "I don't remember."
But the way she studied me all morning said otherwise.
---
7:41 AM – Drive to School
Traffic was light, but my chest was heavy.
Mari kept fiddling with her phone, glancing between me and the glowing screen. Her bag was half-zipped. Her uniform blazer slightly wrinkled. She'd been off since yesterday.
"Something wrong?" I finally asked.
She looked up. "Do you know anyone called Phantom Redline?"
My heart hit the brakes, even if the car didn't.
"…Sounds like an anime character."
"Some girls at school were talking about him. There's a whole channel now. Illegal street races. All filmed from weird angles. No one shows their face, but... that car looks a lot like yours."
I gave a quiet laugh. "The LFA's a rare car. People like to cosplay."
Mari didn't laugh.
"Right," she said. "Cosplay."
She got out of the car at the gate without saying goodbye.
---
10:46 AM – RINK Garage
Reika was already waiting when I got in. Legs crossed on the hood of her S2000, sunglasses pushed up into her messy hair.
"You're late."
"You're early," I replied.
"Maybe I was hoping for company."
She hopped off the hood, stepping closer, voice dropping. "Shoji says you haven't decided about Crimson Night."
"Still thinking."
"Well think faster. Invitations are rare. 'No Rules, No Lines, No Limits.' It's not just a race—it's the underground proving ground."
I wiped grease from my hands, watching the way her eyes danced across my face.
Then she said it:
"You ever think about who you'd bring to the finish line?"
I paused.
"What if I said I wanted it to be me?"
Before I could respond, the door behind us creaked.
Mari.
Holding a convenience bag, frozen in the entry.
"Oh," she said, voice small. "I didn't know you had… guests."
Reika turned, smiling politely. "And you are?"
"My sister," I said quickly.
Reika blinked.
Then smiled wider. "Of course."
Mari placed the bag on the counter. "Shoji said you forgot your lunch."
She didn't meet my eyes.
"I'll go."
She left before I could stop her.
Reika turned to me, unreadable. "Cute. But she's not just a sister, is she?"
I didn't answer.
She nodded. "Didn't think so."
---
9:38 PM – Street Edge, Crimson Night Entry Drop
I rolled up slow. Handed the unmarked envelope to the guy in the A80 Supra. He opened it, saw the custom glove, black with red-stitched initials: *KR.*
He nodded. "You're in."
I turned to leave.
Then heard a whisper:
"Phantom Redline."
My name.
No, my mask.
I didn't turn around. Just slipped back into the LFA and vanished into the city shadows.
---
10:47 PM – Home
Mari was awake.
Sitting on the couch. Waiting.
Her phone open on her lap. A paused frame from one of the race clips. The LFA in frame. Screaming around Sector 7. A red blur against black asphalt.
"You lied," she said.
"I was protecting you."
She stood. Her voice shook. "From what? The truth? From you?"
I stepped forward, voice low. "From the danger. From the world I chose when you still needed someone to get you to school on time."
Her eyes welled up.
"I don't want to be protected. I want to be trusted."
Silence hung like smoke.
Then she said, barely audible:
"Do you think of me… the same way she does?"
I couldn't lie.
"…More."
Her breath hitched. She turned away. "Then why does it hurt?"
I didn't have an answer.
Only the sound of her footsteps retreating to her room.
And the ache of an engine still cooling.
---
[End of Chapter 7]