My White Comet

Chapter 1 –

"I sometimes wonder whether you guys are just too manipulative or am I just easily swayed by your words."

"Tsk tsk. My dear Sumie, you wanna know the truth?" Nyoko asked back. She held Sumie's gaze through the rear view mirror. "Keep your eyes on the road, please." Sumie shot back.

"The latter," chuckled Aki.

"AKI!" Sumie whined. "Now you guys really make me feel stupid," Sumie slightly pouted and looked out of the car window.

"Sorry, sorry," Aki said, turning around to look at her. "We're just going out for some fun," Sumie couldn't help but feel uneasy when she heard Aki say the word fun. Earlier on that evening, Aki and Nyoko had come over to Sumie's place for a surprise visit. The moment they barged in, they instructed Sumie to change, informing her that they're bringing her out. Sumie had stayed put on the couch, not giving in to their orders. However, 1 and a half hour later, the trio are on the road, in Nyoko's car with Aki and Nyoko up front and Sumie alone at the back. To top it all off, Sumie doesn't know where they're going except that they're now up at a mountain.

"And since when is fun associated with being up on a mountain?" Sumie said glumly.

Nyoko and Aki exchanged glances before laughing out loud. Sumie rolled her eyes and decided to continue to stare out of the window.

The stars were shining brightly that night and the lush greenery of the mountain provided a spectacular view. The soft purring of the engine and the surrounding silence offered a serene atmosphere. Almost immediately, Sumie felt relaxed.

A good way of de-stressing, she thought.

She had been too caught up in the hustle and bustle of the city that she frequently forgets to lie back and take a breather. She then leant back comfortably against the backrest.

Sumie Nishihara owns a café, a small but cosy one. Business is good and she's been up and around for the past 3 months ever since her café opened for business. She had her parents to thank for as they were the ones who made it all happen. Her filthy rich parents were against it initially as rich girls don't do small businesses like this but being the independent and determined kind of girl Sumie is, they eventually gave in. She would forever be indebted to…… Am I seeing things?

Sumie sat up straight. She wasn't imagining it. The image of a huge young crowd was clearly forming right in front of her eyes. She looked around and saw many cars. Racing cars to be exact. Different groups of guys, some wearing similar jackets with weird words on the back, skimpily-clad girls…

Nyoko eventually parked the car and all three stepped out. "Aki, can you please tell me what's going on?"

"Nyoko!" a male voice shouted. "Takumi!" Sumie spurned around to see a young cute guy walked over to where they're standing. He seems familiar but Sumie just can't put her finger on it. Nyoko hugged the guy and then both of them turned to look at Sumie and Aki.

It finally dawned of Sumie. Of course, Takumi is the guy that Nyoko brought to Sumie's café a few days ago. They'd been on a couple of dates and he is the object of Nyoko's conversation for the past week.

"Hey girls, you all are just on time" Takumi greeted them. "Come on, follow me," Nyoko then walked hand in hand with Takumi.

"Takumi's competing today and wanted Nyoko' support. So, that's why we're here." Aki finally explained. "He races?" asked a very lost Sumie. Aki looked at her as if she's growing another head. "Err… yah.." Sumie just nodded and looked around. On the opposite side of the road was another group, which Sumie assumed is the opponent.

"I'm sooo excited!" Nyoko squealed as soon she joined them. "I've always wanted to see Takumi race." Nyoko sighed dreamily. "Your wish will be fulfilled very soon," Sumie replied. "Hey how come you never told me that he races?"

Nyoko slumps her shoulders and gave Sumie an exasperated look. "So all those stuffs I told you about Takumi definitely fell on deaf ears."

"Whoops, sorry" was all Sumie could say. "Look, his car's coming." Sumie saw a black and white Trueno slowly approaching and soon it stopped right at the starting line, which is front of her. A guy stood in the middle of the two cars and immediately the crowd quietened.

"Fellas, today we're witnessing a race between the Blue Horizon and Project D." The crowd then started yelling and cheering. The guy started talking some more but Sumie wasn't listening. She was more interested in looking around at the crowd. Soon, her eyes fell on this particular guy. It was weird because all she could see from this angle was his back. He was quite tall, black hair with soft blonde highlights, donning faded jeans and olive green jacket. He was talking to Takumi who was listening intently to every word. Takumi then walked away and that guy turned slightly, showing Sumie his side profile. Her gaze must be intensifying because the next moment, the guy turned to look at Sumie showing his beautiful face to her.

His sharp features justify his striking appearance. His lips, formed into a slight smirk as if mocking at her own thoughts. However, amidst all of that, it was the depth of his stare that attracted Sumie. His eyes, they were cold yet intensifying. Sumie felt herself drawn to him. The more she tried to break the gaze, Sumie found herself getting sucked deeper into his whirlpool stare.

"… and Ryosuke Takahashi!" a voice boomed, breaking into Sumie's thoughts. The guy took one last look at her before walking towards the crowd who was cheering him on.