Lime

The night city flashed past, its lights blurred. Y/N pressed herself closer to Lime's back, feeling the cool of his leather jacket against her skin. She'd come to him in desperation, begging him to rescue her boyfriend, Bars, from some shady debt situation. Lime had agreed surprisingly quickly, but instead of going to negotiate, he'd brought her here—to the abandoned highway where the final round of the illegal race was taking place.

Lime slowed as they drew level with the buzzing crowd at the start. "Watch carefully," his voice in the helmet's earpiece sounded icy calm. "Your 'victim' is about to enter the track."

Y/N froze. Among the dozens of powerful bikes, she instantly recognized one—a matte Kawasaki with distinctive scarlet stripes. Bars was sitting on it. But he wasn't alone. Behind him, her arms wrapped possessively around his waist, her whole body pressed against his, sat a red-haired girl in a bright jumpsuit. She was whispering something into his helmet visor, and Bars was gently rubbing her knee.

Something inside Y/N shattered with a clang. She lived for racing, knew every bolt on the bike, and understood its "language" without words. This wasn't a hostage or a random passenger. The way they leaned in sync, the way Bars checked her footpegs—they were a couple. A team.

“He said they were holding him in the basement for debts...” Y/n whispered, feeling nausea rising in her throat.

"He's paying off his debts," Lime chuckled. "But not with money, but with victories for her father. She's his ticket to the big leagues, Y/N. And you were just a convenient cover."

The engines roared. The race had begun. Lime twisted the throttle, taking off after the leaders. His powerful bike easily paralleled the track along the technical strip. Y/n saw Bars confidently cornering ahead, battling for first place.

Suddenly Lime pressed a button on the steering wheel, connecting to the general radio channel of the racers. "Bars, do you hear me?" Lime's voice cut through the wind. "Look to the right. Do you recognize the passenger?"

Y/n saw Bars turn his head for a second. His bike swerved slightly as he recognized her in the back seat.