CHAPTER 10 THE FIRST RACE

The sound of an engine roaring through the air had become familiar to Miyaka.

It was strange.

Years ago, the loudest sound in her life had been Moises laughing beside her.

Now, it was the sound of tires against asphalt.

The smell of gasoline.

The vibration of an engine beneath her hands.

The rush of adrenaline through her veins.

Racing had become her escape.

But perhaps it was becoming something more.

It was becoming a part of who she was.

“Miyaka!”

She pulled off her helmet.

Jason was standing near the pit area, holding a bottle of water.

“You almost gave me a heart attack!”

Miyaka laughed.

“Why?”

“You took that last corner way too fast!”

“But I made it.”

“That doesn't mean you should!”

She took the bottle from him.

“Relax.”

“I am relaxed.”

“You're sweating.”

“Because of you!”

Miyaka laughed.

“You worry too much.”

“Someone has to.”

She drank some water.

Then she looked toward the track.

“When's the next race?”

Jason stared at her.

“You're already asking?”

“Of course.”

“You just finished one.”

“And?”

“And normal people rest after racing.”

“I'm not normal.”

Jason sighed.

“I know.”

Miyaka smiled.

She turned toward the track again.

There was something about racing that made her feel alive.

Every time she crossed the starting line, she felt as if she could leave everything behind.

The questions.

The memories.

The waiting.

Especially the waiting.

But sometimes, even at the highest speed, she couldn't escape one thought.

What would Moises think if he saw me now?

She shook her head.

Not today.

Today was about racing.

---

A few minutes later, a black sports car entered the track.

Jason pointed toward it.

“That's Kairo Bennett.”

“Who?”

“You don't know him?”

“No.”

“He's pretty famous around here.”

Miyaka watched as the driver stepped out.

Kairo removed his helmet.

He was confident, relaxed, and completely comfortable around the racing crowd.

A few people immediately approached him.

Miyaka wasn't impressed.

Jason noticed.

“You're not going to say hello?”

“Why would I?”

“Because he's good.”

“So?”

“He's won several competitions.”

Miyaka shrugged.

“Then he should be good.”

Jason laughed.

“You're impossible.”

Kairo glanced toward them.

Their eyes met.

He smiled.

Then he walked over.

“You're Miyaka, right?”

She raised an eyebrow.

“How do you know?”

“I watched your last race.”

She crossed her arms.

“And?”

“You're fast.”

“Thank you.”

“But reckless.”

Her expression changed.

“Excuse me?”

Kairo smiled.

“You heard me.”

Jason immediately stepped between them.

“Oh no.”

Miyaka looked at him.

“What?”

“I know that face.”

“What face?”

“The face you're making right now.”

Kairo laughed.

“I didn't mean to offend you.”

“You did.”

“I was complimenting you.”

“By calling me reckless?”

“It's part of the compliment.”

Miyaka stared at him.

“You're annoying.”

“And you're interesting.”

Jason groaned.

“Great.”

Miyaka looked at him.

“What?”

“I've seen this before.”

“Seen what?”

“Two competitive people meeting.”

Kairo laughed.

“Don't worry. I like competition.”

Miyaka smiled.

“Good.”

She stepped closer.

“Because next time, I'm beating you.”

Kairo's eyebrows lifted.

“Next time?”

She pointed toward the track.

“Race me.”

Jason covered his face.

“Miyaka…”

Kairo smiled.

“Deal.”

---

The race was scheduled for the following afternoon.

By then, the entire track seemed to know about the challenge.

Miyaka versus Kairo.

The newcomer versus the champion.

Jason stood beside Miyaka while she prepared.

“You don't have to do this.”

“I know.”

“You're nervous.”

“No.”

“You're tapping your foot.”

“Because I'm excited.”

“You're nervous.”

Miyaka smiled.

“Maybe a little.”

Jason placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Just remember why you started.”

Miyaka looked at him.

“Why did I start?”

“You told me.”

She thought for a moment.

“To feel free.”

“Exactly.”

She smiled.

“Thanks.”

Jason nodded.

“Now go beat him.”

She laughed.

---

The cars lined up.

The crowd grew louder.

Miyaka tightened her gloves.

She looked at Kairo in the car beside hers.

He gave her a confident smile.

She smiled back.

The starting lights came on.

Three.

Two.

One.

Go.

Both cars launched forward.

Miyaka pressed down hard.

The engine screamed.

Kairo took the lead.

Miyaka followed closely.

First corner.

Second.

Third.

She could hear the crowd.

But she didn't listen.

She focused only on the road.

Kairo was fast.

Very fast.

But Miyaka refused to fall behind.

She pushed harder.

Her tires gripped the track.

The final turn approached.

Jason watched from the barrier.

“Come on, Miyaka!”

She took the corner.

Kairo was still ahead.

Then she saw the opening.

She accelerated.

For one brief moment, both cars were side by side.

Kairo looked toward her.

Miyaka grinned.

“Not today.”

She surged ahead.

The crowd erupted.

Miyaka crossed the finish line first.

She had won.

---

Kairo got out of his car and walked toward her.

Miyaka removed her helmet.

He held out his hand.

“Congratulations.”

She shook it.

“Thank you.”

“You really are fast.”

“I told you.”

Kairo laughed.

“You're also reckless.”

She rolled her eyes.

“You're still saying that?”

“Yes.”

“Then I'll race you again.”

“Anytime.”

Jason approached them.

“Please don't encourage her.”

Kairo laughed.

“She doesn't need encouragement.”

Miyaka looked at Jason.

“He's right.”

Jason shook his head.

“I'm surrounded by crazy people.”

---

Later that evening, Miyaka sat alone near the edge of the track.

The sun was beginning to set.

She watched the sky turn orange.

Kairo walked over.

“You always sit alone after races?”

“Sometimes.”

“Why?”

She shrugged.

“I like quiet.”

“You don't seem like someone who likes quiet.”

She smiled.

“I'm full of surprises.”

Kairo sat a few feet away.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Depends.”

“Why do you race?”

Miyaka looked toward the track.

“I like speed.”

“That isn't the whole answer.”

She didn't respond.

Kairo waited.

Finally, she said,

“When I'm racing, I don't think about anything else.”

“Anything?”

“Anything.”

He studied her.

“Are you running from something?”

Miyaka looked at him.

“Maybe.”

“Someone?”

She became silent.

Kairo didn't push.

After a moment, she smiled.

“Maybe someday I'll tell you.”

“I'll wait.”

She laughed.

“You don't even know me.”

“Then I'll get to know you.”

Miyaka shook her head.

“You're strange.”

“So are you.”

She smiled.

For the first time in a long time, she realized she had made a new friend.

Not someone who knew her childhood.

Not someone who knew Moises.

Someone who only knew Miyaka.

And strangely, she liked that.

---

That night, Miyaka returned home.

She opened the small wooden box where she kept Moises' letter.

She took it out.

She had read it hundreds of times.

She smiled.

“I won another race.”

She placed the racing medal beside the letter.

“I wish you were here.”

She looked at his words again.

I will never stop looking for you.

Her heart tightened.

“Are you looking for me?”

She whispered.

She knew it was impossible for the letter to answer.

Still, she waited.

Then she laughed softly at herself.

“You'd probably tell me I'm being dramatic.”

She looked at the photograph.

“I'm growing up, Moises.”

She paused.

“I wonder if you are too.”

---

Across the country, inside a massive glass building, a young man stood before a wall of windows.

He was wearing a black suit.

His expression was calm.

Serious.

Powerful.

On his desk were business reports worth millions.

His assistant entered.

“Mr. Laurent.”

Moises turned.

“Yes?”

“We have the information you requested.”

Moises looked at the folder.

“About her?”

“Yes.”

He took it.

Inside were photographs.

Miyaka.

Racing.

Laughing.

Standing beside Kairo.

Moises stared at the last photograph.

His expression changed.

“Who's he?”

“Kairo Bennett. Professional racer.”

“Why is he with her?”

“He races at the same track.”

Moises' jaw tightened.

“Are they close?”

“We don't know.”

He looked at another photograph.

Miyaka was smiling.

A genuine smile.

One he hadn't seen in years.

His chest tightened.

“She looks happy.”

The assistant nodded.

“She is.”

Moises looked away.

“That’s good.”

But his voice didn't sound convinced.

The assistant hesitated.

“You could contact her.”

Moises shook his head.

“Not yet.”

“Sir…”

“I said not yet.”

He placed the photographs down.

His eyes remained on Miyaka.

Four years.

Four years of watching from a distance.

Four years of wanting to return.

Four years of keeping a promise by staying away.

But something had changed.

She wasn't the little girl he remembered.

She was becoming someone stronger.

Someone fearless.

Someone who didn't need him anymore.

And that frightened him more than any enemy ever had.

Moises whispered,

“What if she doesn't need me when I finally return?”

The assistant didn't answer.

Moises looked at the photograph one last time.

Then he smiled faintly.

“She always wanted to race.”

He touched the image.

“I'm glad she's chasing her dreams.”

But deep inside, another thought burned.

I wish I could be there.

---

The next morning, Miyaka woke up to a message from an unknown number.

Congratulations on your race.

She frowned.

Who was this?

Another message arrived.

You're becoming very good.

She stared at the screen.

Her heart began beating faster.

Then one final message appeared.

Keep racing, Miyaka. But be careful who is watching.

Her smile disappeared.

She immediately called Jason.

“Jason.”

“What?”

“I got a strange message.”

“What kind?”

She read it to him.

Silence.

“Jason?”

“Don't reply.”

“Why?”

“I don't know.”

“Then why are you scared?”

“Because…”

He paused.

“I've seen messages like that before.”

Miyaka's expression changed.

“What do you mean?”

Jason didn't answer.

“Jason.”

“I'll come over.”

“Why?”

“Just don't go anywhere alone.”

The call ended.

Miyaka stared at her phone.

For the first time in years, the feeling she had buried returned.

Fear.

Not fear of racing.

Not fear of losing.

Something different.

Something she couldn't explain.

She looked toward the window.

The street outside looked normal.

But she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching.

---

That same morning, Moises stood in his office.

His assistant entered.

“Sir.”

“What?”

“The message was sent.”

Moises turned sharply.

“What?”

“To Miyaka.”

His expression darkened.

“I told you not to contact her.”

“We didn't.”

Moises froze.

“Then who did?”

The assistant handed him another file.

“We traced the number.”

Moises opened it.

His face became cold.

The name on the report made his blood run cold.

Victor Armand.

Moises slowly closed the file.

After all these years…

Victor had found her.

He looked out the window.

And for the first time since he left Miyaka behind, Moises realized something terrifying.

The distance he had created to protect her…

might no longer be enough.

He picked up his phone.

“Prepare the car.”

His assistant stared at him.

“Where are we going?”

Moises looked at Miyaka's photograph.

His voice was quiet.

“I'm going to see her.”

And somewhere far away, Miyaka was still staring at the mysterious message on her phone.

She didn't know it yet.

But the waiting was almost over.

Because the boy who promised to come back…

was finally on his way.