Chapter 2: Apple of Temptation part 2

Notes:

So many ideas popping into my head for the story. So glad I'm done with this chapter, and Adam. I hope I did his creepiness justice. The next part should be Reki and Langa yay!.

The S community message boards were going crazy tonight.

○: A tie. A fucking Tie! Can you believe it!?

tBy¤J33FVU: That Reki was on fire!

Greeeeen》: Shit this can't be real, Adam didn't win?! How is that possible?!

GreenT Greeeeen》: Adam still didn't lose though!

Mary 641872 GreenT: But he also didn't win?

KABOYcha k□boy98465: Have you heard? Adam lost!

DARWu tBy¤J33FVU: He was burned so badly by Adam, but he got back up every time. Dope!

medama yaki444 Yankee: The red head jumped off a fucking cliff, a CLIFF! The little dude was catching serious air!

super◇GGG yRCU KABOYcha: ADAM DIDN'T LOSE! IT WAS A TIE!

First Space Daddy006: It's gonna be a 3 way race! Holy shit! Who do think will win?

KIWI-bomb kiwi_bomb_798¿: Have you heard about the new shopping district? They got some Sick skate spots

seno b0583 First Space Daddy006: ADAM DUH!

HelloGeorge another George8: Are you coming to the last race? It's gonna be Epic!

Sk8Girl321 Seno b0583: My bets on Snow! Though Reki is a wild card, anything could happen.

Sk8terBoy123 Sk8Girl321: Yeah Adam's reign is coming to an end!

¤SkTzD3ZLG: Reki is a new rising star in S!

CherryLover Joes_1_Tru_Wify_001: Adam should be disqualified for what he did to Cherry though ️

I Joes_Abs_002: All's fair in love and skateboarding, anything goes in S.

Ainosuke frowned at his phone in annoyance as he tapped out of S's social media and switched to the S courses cameras footage from earlier that night. With over 40 cameras around the course, and a few drones catching blind spots, Ainosuke is able to see every moment of the race.

The storm outside was growing in intensity as Ainosuke leans back in his chair, having showered and changed into dry clothes, his sole focus was on the wall of monitors. His finger tapping impatiently, switching the cameras from one moment to the next.

He could still feel the embers of his emotions that he felt during the race flicker to life as he watched the events unfolding in front of him. But now that he was no longer on the race track, he could focus on the details he missed.

Reviewing the footage from the S cameras he was able to watch the race between him and the red head from start to finish. Analyzing the brats every move Ainosuke begins to understand that from the moment the amateur arrived he had been betting everything on his choice of wheels to give him an edge.

Ainosuke leans to his right slightly, elbow resting on the arm of his chair and his chin resting on top of his fist. His eyes narrow in concentration as he takes in every moment.

First was the red head trying to avoid his fake love hug, he obviously put thought into how to avoid it beforehand; "sloppy" he thinks. And that no matter how many times he tried to take the other skater out….he kept getting back up on his board.

"What a persistent brat". He mumbled softly. Watching as the punk took everything Adam threw at him, and still didn't give up. He thought he had the red head's true nature figured out.

And then he jumped off the cliff.

He can tell that the idea was inspired from Snow. That was the first moment that Reki truly surprised Adam. He thought it was just a fluke.

The next came when the brat had the audacity to try and imitate his 'Love hug' as he latched onto Adam, and now Ainosuke can see that Reki was just stalling for time till the rain came.

"He was prepared to do whatever it took…Guts and dedication". Ainosuke let out a slight huff of annoyance…and a small smile began to curl on the corner of his lips.

The sight of the redhead stubbornly hanging onto Adam for all he was worth was actually amusing him now. Ainosuke still felt little annoyed at being caught off guard, but it was fading.

"He was right though…I didn't think I would need to take him seriously, and that's why I almost lost" Ainosuke clench his fist as a rush of anger surged up. "Defeat is unforgivable" he grit out between clenched teeth.

Ainosuke's small smile faded as he watched Reki's gamble pay off, as Reki pulled a head of Adam. But what really got his attention was seeing Reki dodge his 'Full Swing Kiss' using his jacket to not only block his vision at the right moment, but it also caused him to be fooled into thinking he made contact.

"Saucy brat" he mumbles, with noticeably less heat in his voice as his anger simmers down. "It was a….smart move" he mumbles grudgingly.

He frowns softly as he watches himself slip in the rain and fall into the mud. Burning the image into his mind, as a reminder that even small things can tip the scales of fate. He watches as he sees himself lose control in anger and catch up to Reki.

His brows furrow in concentration as they both near the finish line and Ainosuke notices the way Reki wobbles slightly "His truck is probably damaged.." he thinks when his attention is grabbed to right before they cross the finish line.

Ainosuke sits up sharply and leans forward in anticipation, all his attention focused on the next moment. He can tell even from the footage that his mind wasn't playing tricks on him. Because right before they crossed the finish line.

Reki was in 'the zone'….and Adam had been pulled into 'the zone' with him.

Ainosuke freezes the screen to right before they cross the finish line scrutinizing Reki's face and staring at his eyes, noticing how they look gold in the lights of the factory. Closing his eyes for a moment he tries to recall the feeling of being in 'the zone'. It was so brief and he mostly only remembers feeling anger and disbelief and then it melts away for a split second, and all he remembers is the rush to reach the goal first….and the thrill of a good race.

He lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding as he opens his eyes to see Reki's staring back. He can see the determination in Reki's stance and the excitement and thrill in his eyes from the race. He also now notices the wide smile not just on Reki's face, but Ainosuke can see that Adam is also smiling. He blinks in surprise. Even after watching it happen all over again, he can't deny that Reki not only surprised him…..but he actually felt a thrill at the end. A sensation he hasn't enjoyed since his first race with Langa, though different it was still present.

A small chuckle escapes his lips and his eyes light up with mirth. He feels his mouth widening into a smile as a sensation bubbles up from inside him and he throws his head back laughing. Eyes closed from the intensity of his sudden laughter he pushes his hair back with one hand as he calms down from his unexpected laughing fit.

The giddy feeling of excitement he gets from thinking of skating with Langa isn't the same feeling as to what he's feeling now. He's not sure what exactly he is feeling. But he knows come tomorrow night he'll be able to experience it again. "It might be too early for him, but if I can guide him….then we can see which of the two is my true Eve" A chuckle, darker than any he has laughed tonight escapes his lips. His laughter subsiding, he resumes the recording.

Ainosuke lifts an eyebrow in surprise as he watches the front left wheel of Reki's skateboard break and shoot off into the crowd.

"Puppy?" Ainosuke called out into the darkness not taking his eyes off the screens.

Tadashi steps forward silently from where he was standing by the doors. "Yes Ainosuke-sama?" Tadashi waits quietly for Ainosuke to give him an order.

"Be a dear and go fetch me Reki's wheel" Ainosuke's voice is light and filled with mirth.

Tadashi can't see what face Ainosuke is making. But he pauses for a moment, eyes shooting to the windows and the raging storm outside, blinking in slight confusion before he answers apathetically "Of course sir, I'll be right back".

"Good doggy" Ainosuke hums absent-mindedly as he continues to watch the last of the recording.

Watching as Reki lets out his laughter exclaiming how fun skating is. Ainosuke feels a little shot of pleasure shoot through his body. Pleased that after everything that happened Reki enjoyed skating with him. Ainosuke unconsciously rubs the inside of his forearm gently.

As Tadashi is closing the door, he sees Ainosuke caressing his inner forearm. Tadashi frowns slightly, a small thought of worry for Reki crosses Tadashi's mind. And then the door is closed and he is left alone. Tadashi sighs softly before he leaves the estate, on the hunt for a broke skate wheel…

Ainosuke watches as Reki is surrounded by his friends. The brightness that shines from him spreads warmth to those around him. "Like sunshine" He mumbles softly.

An almost feral grin spreads across his lips as he watches how Reki, even bruised and battered, still doesn't lose that spark in his eyes as he confronts Adam. Another new experience, few he's raced against get back up and don't cower before him. "Hmm being able to rise up from the ashes, a little Phoenix in the making".

Standing from his chair he raises his arms above his head stretching, smiling as he watches both Snow and Reki being led out of the factory by Cherry and Joe, Miya still clutching Reki's hoodie as they leave.

A large maniacal smile spreads across Ainosuke's lips as he taps his heels in a quick little dance of excitement before he makes his way out of his office and heads towards his bedroom.

"Oh I'm positively shivering in anticipation!"