Sanemi straightens up, studying Mizu from afar. There's something off about his posture, like he's hiding pain. He wonders if it's true that Mizu is injured. The organizer announces the start time, and Mizu revs his engine, taking his position at the line. He's determined to race despite whatever condition he's in. Sanemi takes his position beside Mizu, feeling a strange mix of relief and concern. He leans closer to Mizu's bike, speaking low enough for only him to hear.
"You shouldn't be here if you're hurt." His voice is gruff, but there's genuine worry beneath it. He knows how dangerous racing can be when someone's not at their best. Mizu tilts his head slightly, acknowledging Sanemi's words. He doesn't respond verbally, but the way he grips his handlebars tighter speaks volumes.
The flag drops, and they both take off. Mizu's starting slower than usual, confirming Sanemi's suspicions about his injury. Sanemi matches Mizu's pace, staying close to him. He can see Mizu struggling to maintain speed, his bike wobbling slightly on turns. It's clear he's pushing through pain.
The track winds through the city, the moonlight casting long shadows. Sanemi keeps glancing at Mizu, torn between wanting to win and wanting to make sure he doesn't crash. Mizu suddenly accelerates, as if trying to prove he's fine. His engine roars louder as he pushes his bike to its limits. The adrenaline seems to be helping him temporarily forget the pain. Sanemi follows suit, matching his speed again. The wind whips past them as they race through a tunnel. The finish line is approaching fast.
Mizu's bike lurches slightly on the straight, and Sanemi sees him wince behind the visor. He's clearly reaching his breaking point. The finish line is just ahead, with Sanemi in the lead. The crowd is going wild, chanting Kaze's name. Mizu's grip on his bike is white-knuckled as he fights to stay ahead of Sanemi. Mizu is breathing heavily, his shoulders shaking slightly. He's trying to appear normal, but Sanemi can see the tremors in his body. Sweat drips down his neck, visible even in the dim lighting.
He notices Sanemi approaching and straightens up quickly, attempting to stand tall despite the evident pain. Sanemi stops in front of him, crossing his arms again. His expression is stern behind his helmet. "Get off the bike, idiot. You're going to make it worse." Mizu tenses at the command, but doesn't move. His pride won't let him show weakness, even to his rival.
"I'm fine," he grits out, though his voice is strained. Sanemi lets out an exasperated sigh. "You're not fine. You're pushing yourself too hard. What happened to you?" Mizu's jaw clenches. He glances around at the crowd, who are still watching them. "Nothing happened. Just a scratch." He lies, clearly not wanting to discuss it in public. Sanemi steps closer, lowering his voice further.
"Bullshit. You can barely stand. Let me see." His tone leaves no room for argument, though there's still that underlying worry from earlier. Suddenly, red and blue lights flash in the distance. Sirens wail as police cars approach the scene. The crowd starts to scatter, realizing they've been caught. Mizu's eyes widen behind his visor, and he curses under his breath. Sanemi quickly grabs Mizu's arm, pulling him away from his bike.
"We need to get out of here. Now." He starts dragging him toward a side alley, knowing the cops will check all exits. Mizu stumbles slightly, his injured state making it difficult to keep up with Sanemi's pace. He tries to break free from his grip. "Let go, Kaze. I can handle this myself." But his protest is weak, and he's clearly in no condition to handle anything. Sanemi tightens his grip instead of letting go.
"You're in no state to handle anything. Stop being stubborn and move." He pushes Mizu into the alley, positioning himself between him and the approaching police. Kaze glances back at the police, who are now searching the area. He leads Mizu deeper into the alley, toward a hidden path he knows well. "There's a way out through the old warehouse. Stay close and don't make any noise." He whispers, keeping his voice low enough that only Mizu can hear.
Mizu nods slightly, though he's clearly in pain from the movement. He winces as they walk, each step jostling his injuries. The warehouse looms ahead, its dark silhouette casting long shadows. Kaze can hear the police getting closer, their flashlights sweeping the perimeter. Kaze quickly checks the entrance to the warehouse. It's unlocked, likely from the previous night's workers.
"In here. Quickly." He pulls Mizu inside and closes the door behind them, plunging them into near darkness. Only a few emergency lights are on. The interior of the warehouse is filled with crates and equipment. Kaze guides Mizu behind a stack of crates, creating a makeshift hiding spot.
"Stay here. I'll check if the coast is clear." He peeks through a crack in the crates, watching as the police search the outside. The police are methodical in their search, moving systematically through the area. One officer shines his flashlight directly at the window where they entered. "Damn it," Kaze mutters under his breath. He can see the officer's shadow moving closer to the warehouse door. Mizu holds his breath, his body tense. He's completely still, not even daring to breathe too loudly.
The officer stops at the door, speaking into his radio. He seems to be reporting their position to the others. "They're splitting up. Some are coming in." Kaze whispers urgently to Mizu. Mizu's eyes widen in alarm. He grips his side unconsciously, where the pain is worst. His breathing is shallow and quick.
The sound of multiple footsteps can be heard approaching the door. The officer tries the handle, finding it unlocked. They're about to enter. Kaze quickly scans the area for an escape route. There's a ventilation shaft above them, but it's too high for Mizu to reach in his condition. He makes a split-second decision and points up. "Can you climb?" He asks Mizu quietly, knowing the answer might be no. Mizu looks up at the shaft, then down at himself. He shakes his head slightly, a mix of frustration and resignation on his face. He can't climb with his injury.
The footsteps are getting closer, and the door starts to creak open. They're running out of time. Kaze curses silently. He can't leave Mizu here alone, but he also can't fight off the police with his friend injured. He grabs Mizu's arm again, pulling him further down to hide behind a stack of smaller crates. "Stay absolutely still. Don't move unless I tell you to." He positions himself protectively in front of Mizu, ready to take the fall if they're discovered.