Race 8: Project Kaiyo – The Observer
Hospital, Dawn
Kaiyo lay motionless, hooked up to monitors, staring at the ceiling. Every breath reminded him of his injuries, yet his fingers itched for the wheel.
The door creaked open. A nurse stepped in, followed by Tsuki, his fur streaked with grease and hands stained red from work.
Tsuki: "Hey. How are you holding up?"
Kaiyo (hoarsely): "Like a caged animal… and you look like you've been wrestling the whole workshop."
Tsuki smiled, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. He set a sheet of plans on the table — the outline of a new car.
Tsuki: "I don't want you going back to that old wreck. We're building something new. Something that's yours."
Kaiyo raised an eyebrow, momentarily forgetting the pain.
Kaiyo: "You're building…? Alone?"
Tsuki: "Not alone." (He glanced sideways.) "Come on, take a look."
Mori-Mori peeked into the room, awkwardly carrying a bag brimming with tools.
Kaiyo looked at him in disbelief.
Kaiyo: "Who is this?"
Mori-Mori (nervously): "Your new engineer. Part mechanic, part… fan."
Kaiyo let out a short laugh, wincing slightly from the pain, yet his gaze never left the plans.
Kaiyo (quietly): "Build it. Fast. I don't have time to lie in a hospital bed."
⸻
Workshop, Night
The engine roared to life for the first time. The echo bounced through the empty garage, and Mori-Mori practically jumped for joy.
Mori-Mori: "Ha! It works! I knew it would work!"
Tsuki pressed his hand to the hood, feeling the vibrations. Pride flickered in his eyes.
On the chalkboard, "Project Kaiyo" was scrawled in bold letters, dates crossed off one by one. Another race was coming faster than Kaiyo's wounds could heal.
⸻
Apepolis, Dark Alleyways
In the shadows of crumbling walls stood a tall, imposing figure. A white gorilla with a pink belly and pale pink skin, his fur shining in the weak lamplight. His eyes were cold and focused, curiosity rather than anger reflected in his gaze.
Drax: "I heard macaque is coming back… They're building him a new car. Wonder if he can actually pull it off."
He didn't raise his voice, didn't issue orders. His people lingered in the shadows, ready only to observe.
Drax: "Let them go. I want to see if he wins. If he does — I'll know it's worth watching. If not — he'll dig his own grave."
⸻
Workshop, The Next Day
Tsuki and Mori worked on the suspension when something rustled outside the window. Mori jumped, but Tsuki waved it off.
Tsuki: "Rats. Nothing new."
Yet in the darkness, someone was observing every move, memorizing every detail of the new car.
⸻
Hospital, Evening
Kaiyo remained strapped to the bed. Beside him lay a photo of his old vehicle — now reduced to ashes.
He stared at the plans Tsuki had brought him. A spark of determination ignited in his eyes.
Kaiyo (thinking): "I won't just come back. I'll see if I'm really capable of winning. And I'll find out who'll be on the track across from me."
⸻
Race 8 Ending
The car was almost ready. Kaiyo still unable to drive. In the shadows, Drax watched, curious but not interfering. The moment was near when everything Tsuki and Mori had built would face its ultimate test.