Chasing the final ride

The streets of Seoul had quickly become familiar to me, the neon lights and fast-paced city life oddly comforting. The thrill of riding through the city every night kept me grounded, as if the world around me wasn't collapsing. I could almost forget, in those fleeting moments of freedom, that I was running out of time.

After that first night, the race with Luke lingered in my mind. I tried to push it to the back of my head—he was just some guy, right? But there was something magnetic about him. His confidence, his casual grin as he effortlessly matched my speed, the way he just seemed to understand the joy of the ride. It was the first time in a long time I felt like I could truly be myself.

For the next few weeks, we kept in touch, meeting up whenever we could, usually for a late-night ride through the streets of Seoul. He was always punctual, always ready for the next challenge. I quickly learned that he wasn't just a good rider—he was competitive, the type of person who enjoyed pushing boundaries, always seeking that next level.

I had gotten used to seeing him now, his dark eyes behind his helmet, his carefree laughter when we exchanged banter. But I still didn't know much about him. Other than his name, "Luke," and the fact that he was a really good rider, I didn't know a thing about his life. And that was fine with me.

I wasn't looking for connections.

But, somehow, with each ride, each little interaction, a connection started to form between us—quiet at first, a subtle kind of chemistry that I couldn't quite ignore.

That night, the air was cool, the city lights sparkling like diamonds in the distance. I had just finished a long day of wandering Seoul on foot, exploring new cafes and alleyways, when I decided to take my bike out for a spin. I didn't call Luke this time; I just needed to clear my head.

I revved the engine and set off, the hum of the bike almost soothing. I didn't know where I was going—I never did. I just followed the road, winding through quiet streets, feeling the wind rush past me, the world fading into a blur.

But then, I noticed a familiar sight up ahead—black leather, sleek, and fast. I smirked, my heart picking up speed.

Luke.

He was there, on the same stretch of road, as if waiting for me. Without a word, he pulled up beside me. I didn't have to look over to know it was him. The way his bike sounded, the rhythm of the ride—it was unmistakable.

"Hey, sunshine," Luke's voice filtered through my helmet.

The familiar nickname made me smile. I wasn't sure why he kept calling me that—sunshine, of all things—but there was something warm in it, something that made me feel like I wasn't just some stranger to him.

"Hey, yourself," I replied, not looking at him just yet. I had a bad habit of keeping my focus ahead when I was racing, but it was almost like I wanted to hear him say something first. Let him lead this moment.

"Ready for another race?" Luke's voice was teasing, a playful challenge in the air. "I warn you, I'm in the mood to win tonight."

I raised an eyebrow behind my visor. "Isn't that the point of racing?" I replied, my grin wide beneath my helmet. "I thought you came here to have fun."

"Oh, I'm definitely having fun," he said with a laugh. "But I don't back down. You've got some competition tonight, Iris."

I couldn't help the rush of adrenaline that flooded me. The same feeling I got when we first raced together—the feeling of being alive in a way that was different from anything else. I leaned forward, feeling the pulse of my heart quicken, and twisted the throttle.

The roar of the engine filled the night air as I shot forward, pushing myself to the limit. Behind me, Luke was right on my tail, effortlessly matching my speed. We weaved through the streets, racing past the brightly lit shops, the flickering neon signs, the occasional car pulling up in front of us. The rush of it all was intoxicating. It was the only time I felt truly free.

I glanced to my left, and for a moment, I saw him. Luke, riding next to me, his posture confident, a grin on his face that made me feel like I was in a race with no finish line. He caught my gaze for a second before looking ahead, focusing on the road.

"You're getting better," he said, his voice a little more serious this time, though the grin didn't leave his lips.

I didn't answer right away. I just kept pushing forward, feeling the road underneath me and the wind rush past, the only sound the roar of the engines. He was right. I was getting better. Racing with him felt like the most natural thing in the world, like we were two forces in sync with each other. It wasn't just about winning. It was about the connection between us, the unspoken bond that tied us together through the hum of our bikes.

We slowed down after a while, coming to a stop at a quiet intersection. Luke pulled up next to me, taking off his helmet. The night air hit us both, and I finally allowed myself to look at him properly. His black hair was slightly tousled from the ride, his dark eyes gleaming with something that I couldn't quite place. There was an energy in him that I hadn't noticed before. Maybe it was just the ride, or maybe it was something else, something between us that was hard to ignore.

I tugged off my own helmet, breathing in the fresh air. "You're pretty good yourself," I said, feeling a bit shy under his gaze. For some reason, it wasn't like the usual teasing banter we shared. This time, I felt something different.

"Thanks," Luke replied, his tone softening just a little. He pushed his hair back, his smile more genuine this time, less playful. "You've got a good grip on that bike. You're not just here to ride. You actually get it."

I wasn't sure how to respond. His words sent a flutter through my chest.

"Where are we headed tonight?" I asked, trying to break the slight tension that hung in the air. I didn't know what to make of it, but I didn't want it to get weird. I had enough weird in my life already.

He looked around for a moment, scanning the street, and then turned back to me. "How about a different route tonight? Follow me."

I nodded, not hesitating. For the first time in a while, I didn't mind where the night took me. I didn't mind following him.

The sound of our bikes filled the empty streets as we rode side by side again. The city was quieter now, but it didn't matter. In this moment, there was only the road ahead and the feeling of freedom between us.

We didn't race this time. We just rode, like we were two pieces of the same puzzle, silently enjoying each other's company.

Luke, the guy I didn't know much about but felt oddly comfortable around.