Waking up to multiple notifications on his phone is never a pleasant start to the day. Because invariably, it’s something he doesn’t want to deal with. Today, there’s a moment where he thinks he’s finally caught a break. They’re all from Kwonho. It isn’t until he opens them that his neutral expression starts to turn into a frown.
[ From: 권호 ] dude. what the fuck?
[ From: 권호 ] i saw you last night…
[ From: 권호 ] kind of a weird secret to keep from your best friends, but you do you
[ From: 권호 ] just don’t get killed, okay?
The words all make sense on their own, but the picture they paint doesn’t. He wracks his brain trying to recall if there was anything he’d done that would piss Kwonho off, but he comes up with nothing. He hadn’t gotten drunk enough to black out, either – hadn’t drunk anything at all.
[ From: 태민 ] what are you even talking about
[ From: 태민 ] i worked last night. came home. ate some chicken nuggets and passed out
[ From: 태민 ] what did you think i did???
He’s too tired for this. He leaves his phone on the counter while he washes his face and brushes his teeth, and by the time he’s done he’s gotten a reply.
[ From: 권호 ] oh… well damn
[ From: 권호 ] i did think it was a little weird you dyed your hair blond again
It takes several more minutes to get the whole story out of him. Apparently, on the outskirts of Seoul, there is a rather active drag-racing circuit. Apparently, at these races, there is a driver who looks exactly like him. Or close enough to fool someone he’s known for years.
He gets directions. He has the night off. He’s got to see this for himself.
It takes half an hour on the subway, and another half-hour of walking. It makes sense – hard to do this kind of thing closer to civilization without getting caught. When he smells exhaust he knows he’s close. He pushes his way to the front of the crowd for the best possible view of the drivers as they tear past, deafeningly loud. The wind kicks up. He shoves his hands into the pockets of his jacket and waits.
He’s by himself again. It happens more often these days, given that his brother has a rather hectic schedule right now. It’s getting easier for him to be here alone. Maybe his most recent friend has been helping. It’s not as lonely.
He’s driving the Skyline again, because his cover is already blown at this point. His name is on the books - or, the pseudonym he uses, anyway. Chances are, he’s not getting a good return on the bet he’d put on himself before rolling up to the starting line. People already know the end of the race before it starts.
But when it does start, it’s almost magical. Always is.
The girl in the middle of the improvised track smiles at the windshields in front of her and the crowd on either side, raises the flag, and it’s like time stops. The last second is always the longest. Engines rev at the peripherals of his awareness. Then the checkers drop and he slams his foot on the gas pedal.
The tires start spinning and he’s propelled forward at a speed that no living creature should be able to attain. Technology is wonderful.
It’s like he has tunnel vision. His awareness is consumed with the road in front of him, the sight of the finish line in the distance, and the hum under his fingertips. One hand on the wheel, one on the gearshift. He has to shift down as he gets closer to his destination, and he takes the time to peer into the rear view mirror. His competition isn’t far behind, but the gap is enough that when he hits the end, victory is indisputable.
Rubber screeches against the pavement as he hits the brakes maybe a little too hard. His head almost thumps against the rest and he realizes he's breathing a little heavy. Adrenaline surges, he kills the engine, frees himself from his seat belt, and opens the door.
People cheer. They always do. Secondhand high permeates the crowd. He breathes it in, revels in it. He grins. A man approaches him with a wad of bank notes and he pockets them. Not as hefty as he’s used to, but hey - he’s not in it for the cash anyway.
He closes the door and leans against the car to look at the throng before they start setup on the next race and he has to get out of the way. He can hear the guy he bested swearing behind him, but pays it no mind. Instead, his eyes trail over various faces, all preoccupied with each other or the event. Except for one.
He almost double-takes. That’s his face. But it isn’t.
The hair is different, the eyes are different, but it’s unsettlingly familiar. It’s not the same as when he looks at Pixiu, either. It’s been a long time since he’s encountered anyone else that looks like they do. A hundred years, at least. His smile vanishes.
He’s not so sure he should look too much into it, but finds himself compelled to find out more about the guy. He doesn’t look away as he pushes off the car and approaches.
“Strange… Thought I left all my mirrors at home.”