Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
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Bloody fucking hell! It won't come loose!
The handsome, high-powered superbike accelerated steadily while Krittithee leaned down close to the bike. He glanced in the rearview mirror and found several large bikes chasing after him. The two hands gripping the handlebars squeezed even tighter as he twisted the throttle to go even faster.
The cool-looking bike swerved, cutting off several sedans, but when he looked back, he found that they were still biting close, refusing to let go.
Brrring!
The sound of a horn blared loudly across the entire road. It wasn't just one driver with evil person habits cutting him off; there were several of them, causing distress to everyone using the road. Meanwhile, Krittithee, who had accelerated ahead, felt drops of sweat on his forehead that dripped down to his chin.
Bloody fucking hell! I’m not good with roads like this!
Graph roared inwardly. He wasn't used to driving on roads packed with cars like this. Even though he'd had this bike for several months, he mostly just went back and forth between home and school, or took it out in the middle of the night. Having to drive while dodging cars required more concentration than usual, until the veins at his temples bulged from stress.
How do I get away?! How the bloody fucking hell do I get away?!
The chase on the road, where the lead bike seemed to be at a complete disadvantage... The chase that had started about ten minutes ago.
Since parting ways with his close friend, all Graph had done was ride his bike, following them obediently, pretending he had resigned himself and wasn't thinking of escape. Only when he was sure he had been out of his friend's alley for a while did he show his true colors... That Âi Graph was nobody's well mannered youth.
So, when they were careless at a red light he’d just passed, Krittithee managed to steer the bike to turn onto another road, shaking off the sedan that had been leading them from the start. But he couldn't escape all of them, leading to this high-speed chase on the road. What now?
Under Construction
“There!” But then, Graph caught a glimpse of a red and white sign that read ‘Under Construction’. He remembered that this area had just had a new road cut, and it wasn't officially open yet, so there weren't many cars. Accelerating on an empty road would likely let him escape them better.
Screech!
The sound of brakes rang out, followed by the sound of revving the engine. Graph slowed down at the turn and then steered the bike into that construction road. Meanwhile, the lump of flesh in his chest was working hard, trembling violently. He didn't know if it was fear or excitement. He only knew that even though he was exposing himself to the wind hitting him, his back was soaked with sweat.
“I’ll definitely escape! Once I get past this road, I’ll definitely escape!” The long, straight road, as far as the eye could see, made Krittithee whisper hoarsely. Both hands and feet worked together to accelerate the engine, causing the speedometer needle to climb higher and higher.
Sure that he would escape, the eyes under the helmet glanced back once more, only to find that they couldn't accelerate fast enough to keep up with him. But the moment he turned back to gloat smugly...
Screeeech!
“Hey!!!”
Suddenly, the sedan he had shaken off shot out from a small alley right in front of him, blocking the path. Graph yelled out, braking so hard the bike wobbled for a moment. But he still had enough presence of mind to steer it back, before his eyes widened in shock when he saw that those chasing him were about to catch up.
“Damned shit-lizard! Damned shit-lizard! Damned shit-lizard!!!” Krittithee could only curse as he made a split-second decision to swerve into the central U-turn lane, changing to the main road on the other side, struggling desperately to escape. Because he was thinking of the terrible outcome that would follow this.
Whether they were Phô’s enemies or Phîi Pakin’s, my corpse wouldn't look pretty either way, Graph thought.
Gasp!
“Âi-despicable-person!” Before he could even finish that thought, Graph yelled out as the path ahead was blocked by... road barriers.
Concrete road barriers were placed side-by-side, blocking the path so thoroughly that not even a motorcycle could get through. His survival instinct made him brake as hard as he could, until the sound of the tires grinding against the road surface echoed, shaking the surroundings. Krittithee’s eyes widened in fear.
He was going to crash!
“Remember, if you can't control the bike, let it go. A broken bike is better than death,” Sai-fah had said.
Suddenly, Sai-fah’s words flashed into his head. So....
Crrrash!
“Ouch!” In that life-or-death second, Graph decided to slide the bike down onto the road surface. At the same time, he let go of the handlebars and pushed himself away from the large piece of metal that, if crushed under, would undoubtedly leave him crippled or dead. His body slid along the road, tumbling over several times, right as a loud Crrrash echoed everywhere.
“Hek, hek, hek...”
Graph lay on the road, breathing heavily and rapidly, thanking the thick leather jacket and helmet that kept him from meeting the lord of the dead. But when he looked at his beloved bike, he saw that both of its wheels had slammed into the road barrier, before its side scraped along the ground, causing sparks. Fortunately, it didn't explode. Only the two thick, heavy tires were spinning wildly, pointing up at the sky.
Thump!
“Ouch!”
“Have you run out of steam yet, Khun Graph?”
But before he could collapse exhaustedly, Krittithee had to cry out in pain as a large-built man stepped forward and stomped his foot down on his shoulder. What's more, that sinister face leaned over his head, grinning disgustingly as he asked with feigned concern.
“You damned shit-lizard!”
“Ouch!”
“Youths these days have no manners, do they, Khrap?” The action made Graph roar loudly before he cried out when the tip of the shoe ground into his shoulder again. Graph used his other hand to grab the man's ankle, gritting his teeth to pull it away, but the adrenaline that had surged earlier was now depleted, leaving him exhausted too.
“What do you want?! Why did you capture me?!” When he couldn't match the strength, he shouted angrily, making the listener laugh.
“I promised you I’d tell you if you came with us willingly. But since you played a trick like this, there's no need to keep that promise, is there...”
“Âi-despicable-person! How dare you say that after sending a whole Âi-heartless-mob to catch me alone?” Graph gritted his teeth tightly, suppressing the pain because he didn't want to show weakness to anyone. He was also trying to think of a way out because the fate in their hands was certainly nothing pleasant.
“I heard you’re quite powerful... So much so that Nai Pakin had to subdue you himself. So I brought some too,” the man said while lifting his foot, then moved to squat down, letting Krittithee slowly push himself up to...
Ptooey!
Thud
“Don't you dare compare yourself to Phîi Pakin, Âi-heartless-person!” Graph spat in his face and also snarled back in a contemptuous tone, which made the man fall completely silent, raising a hand to wipe the spit from his face. The eyes that had looked amused turned vicious and grim, almost making Graph flinch.
“So protective, Âi Nong. You don't know that he’s just like the rest of us!” He must have been so angry that he could no longer maintain politeness, while yanking Graph’s collar up to face him.
“If you don't know anything, don't show off,” the man said.
“You’re the one who doesn't know anything! Phîi Pakin doesn't act like an evil-scum-of-society person like you do!” At the very least, the Phîi Pakin he knew didn't act like a sneaky, backstabbing dog like this. And it seemed that provoking him to anger worked, because the listener was now devoid of a smile. Only sharp eyes stared, wanting to slash Graph’s body to pieces.
“Then why don't you tell me what your goody-two-shoes Phîi Pakin would do in this situation?” A question Graph used his head to answer urgently, and then his peripheral vision caught sight of his beloved bike, which made him retort.
“Race me!”
“Hmm?” The man turned to look him in the eye, forcing Graph to repeat himself.
“If I win, you have to let me go.” This time, the man looked at him with interest before laughing.
“Fine. But if you lose, get ready to become the Mia of those damned animals.”
Words that made Graph feel the most fear since the chase began until now.
The route designated as the temporary racetrack was a newly built road that hadn't been opened yet. It was a long, straight road with nothing on it, which meant that all the two racers had to do was accelerate their bikes to the limit to be the first to cross the finish line.
Whoever is faster wins. A simple rule that was harder than anyone thought.
“Ready, Phîi Graph.”
Graph was lifting a hand to hold his injured shoulder when those damned animals were lifting his superbike to the starting point. The condition of the bike didn't look good; the beautiful body, freshly painted, had a large scratch and was dented in. He worried in his heart if the engine had problems too.
Hmm.
At the same time, another young man in his prime was pushing a vivid red Japanese superbike to line up beside it. He also turned to tell the person who seemed like the leader.
Gra... The owner of the name they called was a large-built man with a vicious face, shifty eyes, and an aura around him that seemed unapproachable and untrustworthy. Krittithee was asking himself if he had thought this through, racing against them.
What if they play a trick... But if I don't race, it’s like letting them take me without a fight, and I’m not that kind of person, Graph thought.
“You understand the rules, Âi Nong.”
“You sure you won't cheat?” The other party turned to ask, making Graph narrow his eyes distrustfully. Even though a moment ago that party had been extremely angry, almost killing him for spitting in his face, now he was grinning widely, making a bloodthirsty face that made Graph’s hair stand on end. Then he smiled, making Krittithee feel anxious.
“Don't slander me so carelessly... If you win, you can go,” the man affirmed, making Krittithee feel a bit more relieved.
Just a long straight road. My bike is better too, Graph thought.
Krittithee comforted himself, glancing at the large, vivid red bike as if to intimidate it, then looked down at his own high-performance superbike, whose performance was second to none.
I have to win. I must win!
Graph reiterated to himself because he was thinking that this might be an unprecedented opportunity to prove himself. If he won, besides escaping from them, Phîi Pakin might change his perspective of him a little. Besides, if I didn't escape... I would definitely get scolded, Graph thought.
Krittithee was thinking that if Phîi Pakin found out about this, the things I would be scolded for were: being dim-witted, foolishly getting myself into trouble, and worst of all... being a burden.
He didn't want to see the other person’s coldly-aloof expression again.
I must win. I must survive. I must make Phîi Pakin see that I can take care of myself! Graph thought.
The thoughts of Krittithee, who took a deep breath, grabbing the helmet to put on his head again while looking at that young man wearing slacks and a shirt, looking like an office worker. But he swung his leg over the bike with agility, and the expression seen before he put on the helmet... was confident of victory.
This demeanor made Graph unable to stop thinking that he was skilled too.
Don't think stupid things, Âi Graph. Just twist the throttle, Graph thought.
His slender figure patted the bike's body lightly, as if telling it to help him. Then he pushed the dark visor of the helmet down. Started the engine...
Vroom, Vrooom.....
A roaring sound emanated from the engines of both bikes like lions roaring. A sound that made Graph feel an indescribable anxiety. He glanced at the other bike, whose engine was even louder, the exhaust pipe roaring intimidatingly, making him grip the handlebars tighter than before.
“When riding, you need a lot of concentration. A powerful, beautiful bike is more dangerous than a regular motorcycle. Riding well and being able to ride are different. And you came to learn because you want to ride properly, right? I tell you, the first thing you need is concentration. Let it wander, and a beautiful bike becomes twice as dangerous,” Sai-fah had said.
Phîi Sai-fah’s voice still echoed in his head, making Graph turn to look at the road ahead... at the end where a sedan was parked, blocking the way.
The finish line was before that point, and he had to brake in time.
The powerful engine still roared, while the flag in the hand of the young man standing at the starting point was raised high as a signal that when it swung down, it was the starting bell.
Calm down, Âi Graph. Calm down. I can do this. Accelerate. Twist the throttle. Release the clutch. Shift gears. Accelerate to the max. Control the bike to stay... Once I reach the finish line, just downshift, release the clutch, and brake hard.... That's it, Graph thought.
Then.
Just that... which, if I fail, could mean my life, Graph thought.
Whoosh
Go!
Instantly, the raised flag swung down, making Krittithee, who was reciting the steps, command the blue lion to leap out onto the road at high speed. There was no engine stutter like Sai-fah often complained about, but now wasn't the time to be happy. It was time for the concentration he needed to command the engine to accelerate even further.
Click
Graph shifted gears, twisted the throttle, while the numbers on the speedometer climbed rapidly in just a few seconds. The wind hitting his body was unbelievably strong.
But Krittithee didn't care. He looked only at the finish line ahead, focusing his mind on making his hands and feet work together, listening to the engine sound in his ears that told him I can do it!
But...
Vreeem
Graph was sure he had a fast start, accelerating without stuttering. But the truth he learned from a glance in his peripheral vision... It was faster!
The vivid red superbike was pulling ahead of him bit by bit, and it was increasing the gap in just a few seconds. Graph tried to accelerate too, but it was at the limit of what the engine could do in terms of speed increase per second compared to the other.
A slower acceleration rate means a slower increase in speed, and that means... I’m going to lose, Graph thought.
Vroom, vroom, vreeem
“Bloody fucking cur!” Graph caught a glimpse of its malicious gaze glancing back to meet his eyes. Moreover, its engine roared loudly as the gap widened. Even though it was less than a meter, he was falling behind. His mind was already convincing itself that I would lose, I was going to lose now.
“It’s just a youth’s toy,” Phîi Pakin had said.
Suddenly, Phîi Pakin’s words flashed into his head, and Graph understood in that second.
He had chosen this bike because of the brand, because he thought it was cooler than anyone else's. But he forgot the truth that it wasn't a race bike by nature. No matter how safe it was, it couldn't match a race bike by nationality!
The thoughts of Krittithee, whose confidence was fading more and more. Large drops of sweat flowed down his temples. Both hands felt damp, and his brain was telling him... don't be stubborn.
No! I have to escape! Graph thought.
The realization that occurred in just a few seconds, and then Graph saw something.
Click
Suddenly, the blue bike slowed down, letting the fiery red bike surge ahead, leaving a gap. But just as everyone was confident the race was over, the stubborn youth worked his magic.
Screeeech!
Krittithee managed to downshift and reduce speed, hitting the brakes to swerve the bike off the race course, aiming for the U-turn point he had escaped from earlier. He leaned until his knee almost touched the ground because of the sudden sharp turn, praying in his heart that the bike would still be functional until he escaped, then shot off the course amid the astonished stares of the others.
“Damned nuisance!” Gra cursed loudly because he couldn't change direction to follow in time. He could only watch the other bike accelerating alongside the main road on the other side, utterly furious, then steered to make a sharp turn, accelerating to follow in that direction.
But just as Graph thought he was about to escape...
Screeeech!
Suddenly, several large cars drove towards him from the other direction, making his eyes widen. Both hands and feet had to work together, commanding the bike to brake as hard as possible. Luckily, his bike wasn't completely wrecked from the previous crash, as it was working at full capacity, reducing speed and making the beautiful bike skid its rear wheel, emitting a loud sound before stopping completely in the middle of the road, between life and death.
Can’t escape! Graph thought.
This is what Graph thought as his eyes widened, looking at the two cars that had come to block his path, and behind... they were catching up.
However, suddenly, a metallic gray supercar shot out from nowhere at high speed, before the sound of tires grinding against the road echoed loudly, causing gray smoke to plume out. Then the powerful car stopped beautifully, blocking the path, and making everything... fall completely silent.
Just a few seconds, but it made Graph’s eyes widen, and he could only utter...
“Phîi Pakin!”
The owner of the metallic car appeared with a dignified and imposing manner that others couldn't match.
The person who was stepping out of the car and looking this way.
Gasp!
The moment Krittithee’s eyes met those sharp ones, he flinched involuntarily. Fear ran down his spine and spread throughout his entire body because he had never seen... such a cold-blooded gaze.
Had Phîi Pakin’s eyes always been this terrifying? Graph thought.
Even though Krittithee had seen these eyes glance at him countless times, he had never seen them like this before, this time. And his heart told him I never wanted to see it again.
It was many times more frightening than when he looked at me with annoyance, Graph thought.
While the owner of those eyes walked towards him, Krittithee tried to open his mouth to explain something, anything.
“It wasn't my fault...”
Whoosh
But the young man walked right past Krittithee, who was speaking, without regard, leaving Krittithee standing stunned, while Panchai walked up close to him.
“Are you alright, Khun Graph?”
“No... but...” The question made Graph come to his senses, causing him to turn sharply to look at those who had been chasing him, who were now parked, blocking the road on the other side. At the very front was the fiery red superbike.
“It’s alright now. Please, this way,” Panchai said.
“How did you get here, Phîi? How did you know where I was?!” Krittithee, who hadn't recovered from the shock, asked in a trembling voice, even though his heart was ordering him to collapse to the ground with relief.
Safe now! Survived! Graph thought.
“We can talk about that later, Khrap. But for your safety, Khun Graph, please get in the car first,” Panchai said, giving a faint smile while gesturing towards the large black car, but Krittithee still turned to look at another person who was standing facing a dozen people alone.
“But Phîi Pakin...”
“Khun Pakin will be fine,” Phîi Chai affirmed, then pushed Graph’s back, startling him into stepping into the car. Then the young man nodded to his subordinate who had come with them to handle the battered superbike, which was more wrecked than this morning when he had delivered the bike. Meanwhile, Graph wondered how he and the boss had managed to show up here.
As for why they found them... They were in a meeting when the boss's phone rang, and for whatever reason, Khun Pakin stormed out of the meeting room like a hurricane, giving orders quickly until they caught up like this.
That superbike had a GPS installed for Pakin, to avoid Krittithee, but it was hard to believe that in just one day it had become the best location marker.
Graph had already gotten into the car when Pakin was standing with his hands in his pants pockets, waiting for the other party, who took off his helmet and walked towards him.
“Well, I wondered who it was... It’s just Khun Nopphon’s lackey,” Pakin said.
“You damned shit-lizard!!!”
The moment he saw the face, Pakin with the cold gaze spoke first, the corners of his lips lifting into a faint smile that made him incredibly terrifying.
Words that made the other side's subordinate roar in extreme anger, but Gra just raised his hand, even though his eyes clearly showed hatred.
“Hello, Khun Pakin. Surprised to meet you in a place like this,” that party said, making Pakin laugh softly as if amused, though his eyes didn't smile at all.
“I’m surprised too...” Pakin fell silent for a moment, and also stopped laughing, then said...
“I just found out that Khun Nopphon keeps a pack of dogs, and even lets them out to bite ordinary people. Oh, no, wait...” Pakin made a face as if apologizing for speaking without thinking, because...
“Not ordinary people, no. Just one youth. But he let out a whole pack... I’ll have to reevaluate your boss.”
Clench
Pakin’s eyes scanned the hands of the person in front of him, clenched together so tightly the bones almost cracked, indicating the anger at being looked down upon. But where was he wrong?
Capturing one high school brat with a whole pack of lackeys... How low have they sunk? Pakin thought.
The thoughts expressed through Pakin’s eyes, and that made them retaliate with anger on behalf of their pack leader.
“Should we take him, Phîi? They’re far fewer than us,” one of the lackeys said.
“Shhh... I think you should teach the ones at the end of the line a lesson first. Otherwise, the disgrace might reach the pack leader...” Pakin said.
“Âi-despicable-person!”
“Stop!!!” Before he could lunge at Pakin, Gra shouted loudly, making everyone freeze, surprised that the boss ordered a stop when he had been insulted to this extent, even though he never yielded to anyone. And that made Gra grit his teeth tightly.
“You’re quite cowardly, Khun Pakin, to bring weapons along like this,” Gra said.
That made everyone turn to look behind Pakin, and they found that Pakin’s mere three subordinates had their hands on the guns at their waists, ready to draw them out if anyone thought of playing tricks with the boss. Meanwhile, Pakin just smiled.
“It’s called being well-prepared. Because I already thought I might have to shoot one or two dogs dead,” Pakin said. After saying this, he swept his eyes to look at the other party's subordinates, which made them fall completely silent, inadvertently stepping back in fear. Because the look in this young man’s eyes meant... he was serious.
If you want to try, come on, Pakin thought.
Of course, no one dared.
“I don't think you should interfere. I agreed to race with that youth,” Gra said.
“Oddly surprising,” instead of answering, Pakin raised a question, then continued...
“Since when have you sunk so low as to challenge a 18-year-old youth to a fight?” Pakin asked.
Thud
“And I don't consider this a competition. There's no referee, certainly no clear rules, no judge. There are just dim-witted lackeys standing around watching their dim-witted boss challenge a youth to a race,” Pakin said.
There was no mercy. Every word from Pakin continuously infuriated the other party. And even though that side had come with a dozen people, just Pakin standing still here alone was enough to make no one dare to walk past him.
“I think that youth isn't worthy of you. If you want to race, I’ll arrange it. On a proper track, with an audience, with prestige, and with a competitor who can be called a challenge. Not using a powerful bike to act like worthless trash like this. How about a proper track?” Then Pakin smiled a little more, but his eyes were serious.
If you think to play, come play with me, not that Âi-juvenile-hellspawn! Pakin thought.
Both the words and the gaze made the listener's face twist with rage, but he still suppressed it until his hands shook, then said in a heavy voice,
“I can back down for now. But at least I know that youth is important to you,” Gra said, meaning he wanted to see Pakin’s expression change, but...
“Don't misunderstand,” Pakin said before continuing in a tone so cold it seemed devoid of emotion.
“That youth is just still useful to me, that's all,” Pakin said.
That Âi-juvenile-hellspawn, not even a little bit! The words made the listener narrow his eyes slightly, as if observing. And he wanted to smack his subordinate's head for saying that this youth was so important that this Âi Pakin came to pick him up and drop him off. Because the gaze, because the words said that he... didn't care.
“Let’s go!” Therefore, he gritted his teeth and told his subordinates.
“Wait,” Pakin called out to stop them, as he took another step forward to whisper,
“If I were your boss, I wouldn't mess with that youth again. I heard you’re bidding on building an expressway. If you don't want your money sunk because of dim-witted subordinates, it’s better not to mess with that kid,” Pakin said. After saying this, the young man stepped back, looking at the person who had been his adversary since he first returned to Thailand.
The moment Pakin returned to Thailand, he jumped into the same industry as his Phô. And because he didn't spare anyone's feelings, he conflicted with many people's interests. Even the land for building the race track, he obtained by conflicting with a certain influential figure who had also eyed it, until he became a target. And with this attitude of sparing no one's feelings, he became an immature entitled brat in their eyes.
An immature entitled brat who was expanding his influence all over Thailand.
“Oh, and please tell your boss...” Pakin stepped back out, said as if he just remembered, then lowered his gaze as if looking at a stray dog.
“If I were your boss, the first thing I’d change is my subordinates,” Pakin said.
The two young men looked at each other silently, and then it was the listener who turned around.
“Let’s go, damned nuisance! Are you going to stand there looking dim-witted much longer?!” Then he yelled at his subordinates to vent his anger. After that, they all got into their cars and drove away with their anger multiplied, leaving the one who had achieved victory with just a few sentences still standing with his hands in his pockets, with a gaze... cold-blooded.
If they think to play me, I’ll play them back twice as hard! Pakin thought.
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