Chapter 2 – The Shadow Garage
That morning, Shadow's hideout felt different. Usually, it was filled with the roar of engines on test runs or small quarrels between Shima and Ryuji. But today, the air carried the smell of fresh paint and wooden boards. Ryuji was busy hanging a simple sign at the front door: "Shadow Garage – Motorcycle Modification & Repair."
"Is it straight yet?" Ryuji asked, standing half sideways to check if the board wobbled.
Shima let out a sigh, grease still staining his hands as he held a screwdriver. "If it's crooked, leave it. As long as people can read it."
Ryuji shot him a sharp glare. "Hey, first impressions matter. If the sign looks crooked, who's going to trust us to fix their bikes?"
Shima only shrugged and crouched back down beside the engine he had been working on since morning.
From the distance, footsteps echoed. Toru entered, carrying two small boxes of new tools. His face was as serious as ever, though there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes as he watched his protégés at work. "You finally look like real mechanics."
Ryuji grinned. "All thanks to your idea."
"It's not my idea that matters," Toru replied, setting the boxes down. "What matters is how you carry it out. Remember, this garage isn't just a business. It's also a shield for Shadow."
Shima closed the engine cover and looked up. "A shield?"
Toru nodded. "Yes. People will see you as ordinary mechanics. They won't suspect you're building something much larger."
The words lingered heavily in the air. Shima lowered his gaze to his grease-stained hands. Deep down, he knew that ever since Toru brought up this plan, their lives would never be the same again.
---
By midday, the garage door creaked open. A young man stepped inside, wearing a black leather jacket and holding his helmet in one hand. His cautious eyes scanned every corner of the room.
"This is a new shop, right?" he asked flatly.
Ryuji quickly stepped forward. "That's right. What can we do for you?"
The man gestured to his motorcycle parked outside. "The engine keeps stalling. I've taken it to two shops already, but none could fix it."
Shima rose to his feet, glancing briefly at the bike. With just one look, he sensed the problem. "Bring it in," he said shortly.
The man hesitated, surprised by his confidence, but complied. He pushed the bike inside, watching closely as Shima crouched down to examine the engine. Shima's hands moved fast, like he already knew every bolt and wire within.
"The carburetor's clogged," Shima muttered. "And there's a loose wire in the ignition system."
Ryuji nodded, preparing the tools. "How long will it take?"
"Not long."
Within minutes, Shima dismantled, cleaned, and reassembled the parts. The man's wary expression shifted into amazement as the engine roared back to life, smooth and flawless.
The man gave a faint smile. "That was fast. You guys… are impressive."
Ryuji chuckled. "Of course. Shadow Garage doesn't mess around."
But Shima remained silent. There was something odd about the man's eyes. They didn't just show relief as a customer, they looked as though he was assessing them for something more.
After paying, the man walked toward the door. Before leaving, he turned once more. "I'll be back. I know plenty of friends who could use your help."
When the door shut behind him, Ryuji cheered. "See? Our first customer was a success!"
But Shima kept his eyes on the door. "That man… he's not just an ordinary customer."
---
Later that afternoon, Hayato arrived with a large thermos of hot coffee. He set it on the table, then glanced at the freshly hung sign outside. "Shadow Garage, huh? Interesting name."
"Ryuji picked it," Shima replied, wiping his hands.
Hayato poured coffee into cups, his voice calm. "It sounds cool. But be careful. A name like that might draw the wrong kind of attention."
Toru gave him a sharp look, as if understanding the hidden meaning behind his words. "You speak as though you've experienced it yourself."
Hayato smiled faintly. "Maybe I have."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words leaving only more questions about who the café owner really was.
Shima sipped the warm coffee, his mind still replaying the image of their first customer. Somehow, he felt that man's arrival wasn't a coincidence. Something larger was on its way something that would test them all.
The day ended with their garage officially open. But beneath the scent of oil and coffee, a faint whisper stirred, a resonance that warned their fragile peace would not last.
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