Scene 1 - After Rain
The coastal road shimmered like poured mercury.
Streetlights reflected in the puddles, stretching into the distance where the sea met the dark.
Kenta eased the van onto the narrow street, the Bento Box humming under its own weight.
Steam leaked from the take-out trays in the back, and the scent of soy and ginger filled the cabin.
He liked the silence after rain.
No engines, no voices-just the drip from the awnings and the sound of tires over wet asphalt.
It made the city feel half-asleep, half-forgiven.
He turned left toward the docks, checking the delivery slip again.
CHROME SAINTS MOTOR GARAGE - COASTAL DISTRICT 7.
He'd never heard of it.
Probably another night-owl order.
Scene 2 - The Garage
The place looked more like a shrine than a shop: steel doors open, light pouring onto the street, music low and steady.
Rows of motorcycles lined the wall-chrome polished to mirror brightness.
Men and women in black jackets leaned against the frames, laughing in the low blue light.
Kenta stepped out, clutching the paper bag.
Kenta: "Delivery for... whoever's hungry?"
The laughter stopped.
Every face turned his way.
One of them, a tall rider with silver hair and oil-stained hands, walked forward.
His jacket read RYO TANAKA - CHROME SAINTS.
Ryo: "You're the tofu ghost."
Kenta: "I'm a delivery driver."
Ryo: "Same difference, tonight."
He took the food, set it on a workbench, and studied Kenta's van.
Ryo: "That's the machine from Kurage?"
Kenta: "It survived."
Ryo: "Then so did you."
The riders laughed softly again, but this time it wasn't cruel-more like recognition.
Ryo nodded toward a stool.
Ryo: "Eat with us. It's bad luck to leave without tasting your own cooking."
Kenta: "It's not mine. My dad makes the broth."
Ryo: "Then you carry his name. That's enough."
Scene 3 - Stories in Steam
They ate from paper bowls around a low heater.
The bikes gleamed behind them, engines cooling with little metallic sighs.
Someone poured tea from a thermos.
Ryo asked where he'd learned to drive.
Kenta said he hadn't-he just never stopped moving long enough to crash.
They laughed, the sound rough but honest.
Then a younger rider, lean and restless, slammed down his cup.
Younger Rider: "If he's really the ghost, prove it. Race me to the lighthouse."
Ryo: "Enough."
Younger Rider: "You said respect is earned."
Kenta hesitated.
He'd promised himself no more accidents.
But every eye was on him now, the same quiet challenge he'd felt on that mountain road.
Kenta: "If I win, you pay double for the noodles."
Ryo: "And if you lose?"
Kenta: "You still pay double."
Even Ryo smiled at that.
Scene 4 - The Lighthouse Run
They lined up at the pier.
The lighthouse blinked white across the water.
Kenta's van idled beside the chrome-black bike.
No music, no countdown-just a nod.
The bike leapt forward, slicing through puddles.
Kenta followed, the van heavy but steady, tires whispering on the wet road.
Halfway there, the bike slipped on sea spray, corrected, but lost momentum.
Kenta stayed even, letting gravity pull him into each turn.
He wasn't fast; he was patient.
The van's reflection rippled in the road like a ghost chasing itself.
They reached the lighthouse together.
The bike stopped first, engine growling.
Kenta rolled to a halt beside it, both drivers breathing hard.
The younger rider laughed.
Younger Rider: "You don't even look scared."
Kenta: "I was too busy driving."
Scene 5 - After Midnight
Back at the garage, Ryo handed Kenta a rag to wipe the rain from his face.
Ryo: "You've got no bike, no gang, no need to prove anything. That's rare."
Kenta: "I just deliver food."
Ryo: "Then deliver here when you can. Saints need a reminder of what calm looks like."
He pressed a silver emblem into Kenta's palm-a small badge shaped like a flame wrapped in wings.
Ryo: "Not a membership. A favor. If you ever need a road cleared, show that."
Kenta nodded, unsure what to say.
He tucked the emblem into his jacket pocket.
Scene 6 - Home
When he returned to Harbor Noodles, the sign was already flipped to CLOSED.
Inside, Teo sat by the counter with an untouched bowl in front of him.
Kaiya had fallen asleep at the table, notebooks scattered around her.
Teo didn't look up.
Teo: "You drove far tonight."
Kenta: "Just a delivery."
Teo: "All roads are deliveries."
Kenta placed the silver emblem on the counter.
Kenta: "Payment."
Teo: "Keep it. A road never forgets who walks it."
The broth in Teo's bowl had cooled, skin forming over the surface.
He broke it gently with his spoon.
Teo: "Good broth forgives delay. People don't."
Kenta watched the steam rise again, thin and wavering.
Outside, the sea shifted under the moonlight, reflecting chrome and ghosts alike.
End of Episode 4 - "Chrome Saints"