Race 10 – The Race Day
Dawn at Kaiyo's Home
The first light of morning crept over the small wooden floorboards, brushing Kaiyo's fur with pale gold. His eyes opened slowly, muscles stiff and sore from the previous day's preparation. Tail coiled tightly around his legs, ears flicking at the faint hum of distant engines. Somewhere in Apepolis, other racers were already awake, stretching, tuning, checking.
Tsuki sat cross-legged on the floor, polishing tools, tail flicking lightly with every movement. Mori-Mori lay sprawled on the couch, notebook of last-minute adjustments tucked against his chest, occasionally peeking over the pages with concern.
Kaiyo swung his legs over the bed. Claws flexed as he stretched, every joint stiff but alert. "Morning," he muttered, voice rough. "Inferno's waiting. No time to waste."
Tsuki's ears twitched. "You hear them too, right? Engines already running in the distance?"
Kaiyo nodded. "Every hum, every vibration. They're alive, and I can feel them. Every rhythm, every pulse of the track before it begins."
Mori-Mori yawned. "I stayed up checking calibration, oil pressure, brake tension, suspension… Everything has to be perfect today."
Kaiyo's eyes narrowed. "Good. Then let's go."
Breakfast was quick and minimal—every bite sharpened his focus. Fur bristled slightly with the tension and anticipation. Tail flicked as he flexed his claws. Tsuki leaned against the doorway, tail twitching.
"Clothes? Checked. Gear? Checked. Mind? Focused?" he asked.
Kaiyo's claws flexed. "Focused. Inferno isn't just metal. She responds. I respond with her."
Mori-Mori tapped the notebook. "Final check: tires, brakes, suspension, engine… everything perfect."
Journey to the Track
The truck rolled over quiet streets. Morning air smelled of asphalt, dew, and faint smoke. The distant hum of engines grew louder, echoes bouncing from buildings. Kaiyo's tail flicked nervously, coiled around the seat, muscles tense. Every vibration of the truck carrying Inferno traveled through him.
Mori-Mori pointed ahead. "Engines are louder. Other racers are warming up. Be ready."
Kaiyo flexed claws on the seat edge. "I hear them. Every engine, every hum, every movement. I can feel the others before they move."
Sunlight reflected off Inferno beneath the tarp. Every curve, every panel gleamed, perfect. Kaiyo's muscles tensed with anticipation.
Arrival at the Track
The track thrummed with life. Engines roared, tires squealed, mechanics shouted, fuel burned. Heat and vibration traveled through the asphalt, echoing across the grandstands.
Kaiyo parked Inferno. Claws left faint scratches on asphalt. Fur bristled, tail coiled around the base of the seat. He scanned the crowd. Racers adjusted tires, shouted to their crews.
A car drew his attention—a tall, imposing figure in a plain, unremarkable vehicle. White fur, pink skin, towering presence. Nothing flashy, yet intimidating.
Tsuki muttered: "That… that's strange. Look at him. No flashy design, but… his presence."
Mori-Mori's tail twitched nervously. "Yeah… odd. Who is he? Never seen him before."
Kaiyo's ears flicked. "He's watching. Always watching."
The figure didn't speak. No movement, just calm, measured scanning of the track. Arrogance in posture, cold precision. No one knew him.
The Grid – Moments Before Start
Red lights glowed above the track. Racers tensed, engines screaming. Asphalt shimmered under the morning sun. The smell of fuel, hot rubber, and metal hung thick in the air. Tail coiled, claws gripping, fur slick with sweat.
Yellow… green!
Inferno shot forward. Tires screamed. Dust and smoke swirled. Fur along Kaiyo's back bristled. Tail flicked lightly. Claws dug into the wheel.
Mori-Mori over comm: "First turn coming! Stay inside!"
Tsuki: "Remember Kaiyo… stranger in the plain car. Watch him. But focus on your rhythm."
Kaiyo (thinking): Rhythm. Inferno knows. I know.
First Laps – Chaos and Precision
Engines roared, tires screeched. Dust swirled around asphalt. Inferno hugged every turn, responded to every shift of Kaiyo's weight. Tail flicked, claws flexed with every gear change. Fur bristled with acceleration.
Kaiyo glanced at the plain car. Smooth, almost eerie precision, yet completely unknown. Mori-Mori: "That one… too calm. Not showing off. Watch him."
Tsuki: "Weird… blending in, yet… off."
Echoes of engines thundered. Each curve, each straight, Inferno moved like a living creature. Kaiyo leaned, braked, accelerated, launched down straights with perfect control.
Dust, smoke, engine roars, sunlight glinting off metal—everything became one sensation.
Observation and Strategy
Kaiyo adjusted mid-lap. "Inferno… stay tight." Tail coiled around the seat. Claws gripped the wheel. Fur bristled. Tires bit into the asphalt.
Mori-Mori: "She's… incredible. Look at her handling."
Tsuki: "Perfect line, Kaiyo. Keep pressure. That unknown… still close."
Kaiyo's ears flicked at every vibration of the track. Every sound, every pulse. The unknown driver in the plain car remained calm, silent, arrogant. Watching. Measuring. Perhaps Kaiyo would earn respect… someday.
Further Laps – The Race Deepens
Inferno tore through straights, hugged corners with precision, tires screeching. Fur along Kaiyo's back bristled, tail balancing. Claws flexed. Every shift, every brake, every acceleration fed through his nerves.
Dust rose behind, engine roars echoed, heat radiated off the asphalt. The unknown car in the distance remained silent, smooth. Mori-Mori's tail flicked anxiously.
"Something's strange," Mori-Mori whispered. "I've never seen him act like this."
Tsuki: "Focus on Inferno. Every movement, every shift. He's unknown, but we have control."
Kaiyo leaned into the next hairpin. Claws dug into the wheel. Tail coiled, ears alert. Fur bristled. Inferno responded perfectly.
Dust, smoke, engines, sunlight—everything became a blur of speed, precision, adrenaline.
End of Race 10