The underground racing arena buzzed with noise—engines roaring, crowds screaming, lights flashing like lightning. The smell of burning rubber filled the air as Leon Titan, the infamous racing prodigy, stepped out of his sleek black motorcycle.
His fans swarmed around him immediately.
"Second Master Leon! You were amazing!"
"You almost broke the speed record!"
"Marry me, Leon!"
He waved them off lazily, running a hand through his messy, wind-blown hair."Tch. That last turn could've been sharper."
Amanda and Aria walked into the arena entrance. Aria looked around—loud engines, burning oil, fans shouting… Definitely Leon's world.
"With all this noise, he'll surely notice us," Amanda whispered.
But Leon didn't look up.
Aria took a deep breath and shouted—
"LEON!"
Leon froze.
Slowly… very slowly… he turned around.
His eyes widened.
He blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then he dropped his helmet on the ground with a loud clang.
He pointed at Aria dramatically."A-Am I dead?"
Amanda: "Huh?"
Leon stepped back in shock."Did I crash in the race? Did I hit my head and die? Why am I seeing my sister here?!"
Aria's lips twitched.
"I'm not dead, YOU IDIOT."
Leon still stared at her like she was a floating spirit."No, no, no… this is too real… too detailed… ghosts don't usually look THIS annoyed…"
Aria cracked her knuckles.
"Leon."
Leon gulped."Yes… ghost— I mean sister— I mean hallucination—"
Aria kicked him. Hard.
THUD.
Leon flew backward, rolling on the ground dramatically."AAARGH—!! OKAY THIS FEELS REAL!"
He lay sprawled on the floor, clutching his stomach.
A girl in the crowd gasped loudly."HEY! How can you beat our HERO like that?!"
Another girl stepped forward."Yeah! No one touches Leon! Who even ARE you?!"
Leon lifted himself halfway and waved frantically toward them."No! No! Don't attack her! You can see her too, right?!"
The girls blinked at Aria.
"Of course we can see her."
Leon's face drained of color.
"So… she's real?"
Aria crossed her arms. "Yes."
Leon's eyes filled instantly with tears. He stood up and stumbled toward her, then without warning—
He hugged her tightly, burying his face in her shoulder.
"Oh god… we all died in the race competition… I must've died too… and finally… FINALLY… I can see my sister…"
Aria froze.
Amanda cleared her throat loudly."Second Master… it is REAL. She's truly back."
The crowd gasped.
"Aria Titan?"
"The lost Titan heiress?"
"But she was missing for eleven years!"
Leon stepped back, his eyes swollen and red."Aria… it's really you… How—how did you come back? Where were you? Why didn't you contact us? Why—why—"
His voice cracked. The strong, fearless racing champion had turned into a crying child.
Aria softened her expression."I'll tell you everything… but not now."
Leon sniffled, wiping his face with the sleeve of his jacket.
"But I've been looking for you every day… and Elias—he almost went crazy—and the youngest cried himself to sleep—"
Aria placed a hand on his shoulder."It's a long story. A very long one."
The crowd slowly stepped back, giving them space.
Amanda spoke gently, "Second Master, let's not make a scene. Let's take Miss Aria home."
Leon nodded quickly, almost desperately."Yes. Let's go home. Right now."
He grabbed Aria's wrist like she might disappear if he let go.
"Wait," Aria said softly. "I want to walk out on my own."
Leon released her but hovered protectively at her side, glaring at anyone who came too close.
"Move aside!" he barked at the crowd. "My sister's coming through!"
Fans parted in awe.
"Leon has a sister?"
"She's so beautiful!"
"They look alike!"
Aria walked with calm dignity, Leon guarding her like a bodyguard.
Once outside, Leon exhaled shakily.
"I'm never letting you out of my sight again," he muttered, voice still trembling.
Aria chuckled. "You're still dramatic."
"I thought you died!" Leon exploded again. "And then you show up during my race and KICK me—"
"You were being stupid."
"I WAS IN SHOCK!"
Amanda covered her mouth to hide a laugh."This is definitely your sister, Second Master."
Leon sniffed again."I'm not crying. It's just… dust."
Aria rolled her eyes."Let's go home."
Leon nodded instantly."Yes. Home."
He opened the car door for her like she was made of glass.
Aria stepped inside.
Leon closed the door gently, took a deep breath, and whispered—
"She's back…"
Then he walked around and sat beside her.
No more hallucinations.
No more eleven-year nightmare.
His sister was real.
She was alive.
And she was finally going home.