Hanuel's POV
Seoul Tech University...
Standing in front of the gates, watching the calm stream of students walk in and out, I can't help but beam like a crazy person. The tiny voice in my head is screaming, Yes! I'm finally here!
I've been in Seoul for a month now....but who's counting? The semester officially started a week ago.
Pulling out my phone, I snap a picture of the bold lettering across the entrance that proudly declares the university's name. I quickly send it to my parents before shoving my phone back into my pocket and stepping inside.
Almost immediately, my phone buzzes again. I glance at the screen and see a message from Yoona.
[Where are you? I've been waiting for you in front of the faculty for ages! *angry face emoji*]
I chuckle and hurry across campus until I spot my best friend standing with her usual resting bitch face. But the moment our eyes meet, her expression brightens into a wide smile.
She runs toward me, and I run to her. We collide in a hug, clinging to each other like we didn't just meet up last night. The moment doesn't last, though. Yoona tugs lightly at my ear, and I yelp as if she's trying to rip it off.
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Let go!"
"You're terribly late! Are you even sure you want to join the auto club?" she scolds, finally letting go.
"Yes!" I pout, rubbing my ear. "It's a stepping stone for me."
Yoona sighs and shakes her head. "I can't even join. When I was in my first year, they literally rejected me."
"They won't reject me," I say firmly. "And once I'm in, I'll make sure you join too so we can work together."
Yoona laughs, her brown eyes lighting up. "You've been saying that for a year... ever since I told you I got rejected."
I hook my arm through hers, and we walk away from the faculty building, chatting about what to eat for lunch while she leads me toward the famous auto club garage.
The garage is huge, and I slowly let go of Yoona as we walk inside. The air smells of oil, metal, and something sharp that makes my blood hum with excitement. The auto club's workshop is louder than I expect. K-pop blares in the background, boys clatter with wrenches, laughing too hard, barely glancing at us standing in the doorway.
I can't stop smiling, but Yoona looks nervous, like she's afraid I'll be crushed if they reject me. But I stand by my words. They're not going to reject me.
I knock against the metal frame of the door, and instantly every boy in the room turns toward us. Their faces flicker with surprise before they glance at each other.
"Hyung! You've got visitors!" one of them calls out, chuckling before giving us a once-over from head to toe.
I shoot him a nasty side-eye, and his smile vanishes so fast it makes me scoff.
That's when a guy walks in...dark hair, dark eyes, tall. He stops short, recognition flashing across his face as he looks straight at Yoona.
"Ah? Yoona?"
Yoona lifts her hand in a hesitant wave. "Hi… um, my friend here wants to join the auto club." She gestures at me. "Hanuel, this is Choi Minho, the senior mechanic."
Minho's eyes snap to me in surprise. "Your eyes… and hair…" He actually points, and I immediately take a step back, glaring at him.
Yoona jumps in, rescuing me like she always does. "Hyung, those are her natural features. She has heterochromia… and piebaldism."
"And pointing is very rude," I cut in sharply.
Minho drops his hand, laughing nervously. "I apologize for that."
I force a smile, because I'm here to get a spot in this club, not to get offended by someone pointing at my face. Still, I know what he sees... my left eye grey, my right eye green, one half of my hair stark white, the other deep black.
So yeah. I'm an outcast.
"I'm Jang Hanuel, first year. My major is mechanical engineering. I'm into auto and moto sports, I'm good with engines, I can even build engines and I learned everything from my dad, who runs a repair shop in Incheon. I promise to make sure our university wins FSK this year if you let me and Yoona join." I blurt it all out in one fearless rush.
Yoona stares at me in shock, clearly not expecting me to drag her into this. The music has stopped, and the three boys in the room gape at me like I've grown a second head.
"You'll help us win FSK? Just because you're good with engines?" The first guy scoffs.
"No girls allowed," the second guy adds with a frown.
The third just stares silently, and my face darkens. "Seriously? Old-age misogyny?!" I snap at the second guy.
"I don't like her, hyung," he mutters under his breath.
I don't give a shi—
Yoona squeezes my hand before I explode completely. She knows me too well; my thoughts always write themselves on my face. I take a deep breath, while she turns toward Minho, who hasn't said a word. He's just… staring.
"You know," Minho finally speaks, "we already have three drivers. We just brought in a rookie first-year, and he's gunning for FSK too, just like—" He cuts himself off mid-breath, his eyes pinning me, but I don't look away. "What makes you think…"
"You think we can't win? Just because we've never done it before doesn't mean we won't." I cross my arms, glaring at the second guy. "I'm sure you're all smart, but brains alone won't cut it. You need fire. Power. And maybe stop being sexist." I drag out the last word deliberately.
Minho exhales heavily. "I'll… think about it. I'll give you two an answer tomorrow."
Not a rejection! I break into a smile and glance at Yoona, who squeezes my hand tighter.
"You're seriously considering this, hyung?!" the second guy blurts out in disbelief.
I ignore him completely, tugging Yoona along as we leave the garage.
Once outside, she bursts out laughing. "You are awesome."
"I know," I grin. "And you're going to sneak me into the underground race at the Han River Bridge again."
"This is the fourth time! Come on, Hanuel," Yoona stares at me like I've lost it.
I just flash her my dimples, hug her, and whisper dramatically, "Oh, you love me."
Yoona bursts out laughing, rolling her eyes. After we return, we go our separate ways in the faculty. Me, a first-year in mechanical engineering, and her, a second-year in electrical engineering. She's the one good with wires.
After classes, she texts me that she'll pick me up at my apartment, and I couldn't be happier.
Honestly, underground racing teaches me more about engines than school ever does. It pushes me to research, to experiment. And ever since I came to Seoul, I've been hooked on one racer in particular. The legendary driver they call Ghost.
I know that can't be his real name, but still… I can't wait to see him race tonight. That guy is a monster on the track.
Yoona pulls up at 8 p.m., and I hop into her car. Music blasts at full volume before she shoots me a look and asks, "When are you going to repair your bike?"
I blink. "I just need to change the tires and..."
She gives me that I'll-pay-for-it-if-you-can't look.
I grin. "Don't worry, Yoona."
She frowns but doesn't argue. Soon we park a safe distance from the bridge because, yeah, this whole underground race thing is completely illegal.
At night, the Han River bridges stretching across Yeouido, Mapo, and Banpo transform into high-speed tracks, dripping with neon, adrenaline, and that king-of-the-city energy, even under the constant threat of police raids.
Epic.
We slip into the crowd. K-hip hop thunders through massive speakers. Girls and boys laugh, bet, and dance. Food trucks line the edge, the smell of fried snacks and sweet syrupy drinks filling the air.
Key word: Pa. Ra. Dise.
Yoona and I hand our tickets to the guard, who waves us through. The race hasn't started yet.
Before long, Yoona gets distracted by some guy who recognizes her. I remember seeing him the last time we came by. He flirts, she laughs, and they hit it off again. I'm still not sure if they're dating.
I drift away from Yoona, curiosity pulling me toward the area where the racers' cars are lined up for inspection. Engines hum and the smell of oil and exhaust hangs heavy in the air.
That's when I spot it.
A sleek, black Hyundai i30 N. Ghost's car.
My pulse quickens. I edge closer, but no one is around. As I move in, something catches my attention. The radiator cap isn't sealed properly. Steam hisses faintly, the sharp scent of coolant hitting my nose.
The car's on the verge of overheating.
What the—? If no one fixes this, it'll blow mid-race. Why hasn't anyone checked?
I crouch beside the car, frowning at the rising steam. Snatching a pair of gloves left on the engine bay, I touch the hose. It's vibrating, far too hot.
I scoff under my breath. "The idiot didn't even bleed his cooling system…"
Looks like a mechanic was working here but stepped away. The tools are scattered everywhere. I grab a small ratchet, loosen a clamp, and hiss as a puff of trapped air escapes.
With a little grin, I tighten it back, strip off the gloves, and wipe my hands. "Perfect."
"What are you doing?"
The voice behind me is low, calm, and vibrating with anger. I spin and my breath catches.
Ghost.
I recognize him instantly, though he's always hidden behind that helmet. Rumor says only close friends and fellow racers have seen his face.
But right now, he removes the helmet.
And I'm met with a sharp, frowning face framed by chin-length, ruffled dark hair, his dark eyes burning into me. Handsome. And furious. Wow!
"Are you sabotaging me?" he demands, storming toward me.
I stumble back, staring at him in disbelief. "What? I fixed the car! It was overheating, you idiot!"
His frown deepens, his glare stabbing me. "Stay away from my car or I'll get security."
I gape, too stunned to reply at first. Then, without a word, I flip him the middle finger and storm off, seething.
"Go crash you, idiot."