Pitbabe S2, Chapter 30 pg 2
. Pitbabe S2, Chapter 30 pg 2
Except today.
The oddity that made me pause was a completely unfamiliar car.
A bright red Toyota Supra MK4, looking utterly out of place in this small alley. But what stood out even more was the guy standing next to it, sipping a bag of soda from Auntie’s shop. That annoyingly familiar face ruined my peaceful morning in mere seconds, just by standing there sipping. He still managed to look like a street punk without even trying—a special talent he could probably list on his resume, if he ever wanted to ensure he didn’t get hired.
“Hey! Alien!”
I planned to pretend I didn’t see him and walk away, but my legs moved slower than his thoughts and gaze.
“Been ages, man. Missed you.”
Winner rushed toward me like he was genuinely thrilled to see me. His smile was so sincere it was creepy. If anyone passed by now, they’d probably think we were long-lost best friends or something. In reality, we were nowhere near friends. I wouldn’t even call him a fellow living being. Beyond his irredeemable character, his personality was utterly unlikable. The only redeeming quality was his racing skills, which might’ve been surpassed by younger guys by now. Ever since that incident two years ago, Winner hadn’t raced on the track again.
“Seeing things?” I squinted at him. “Missed who?”
“You, buddy.” The punk acted like he was about to sling an arm around me, but luckily I dodged in time, leaving him grabbing air. “What’s that? Why you acting so distant?”
“When were we ever close?”
“Man, seriously?” Winner whined. “You’ve punched me in the face so many times, and that’s still not close?”
I wanted to laugh at his dumb joke, but that might make him think we were actually chummy. So, I swallowed the laugh instead.
“What the hell are you doing around here?”
“Harsh greeting, huh?” Winner chuckled. I don’t think I was imagining that he seemed more relaxed than usual, like he wasn’t seriously looking for trouble. Just messing around for fun. Still, no way I could trust this guy. “Just passing through. No need to look so suspicious.”
“Sorry, can’t help it.”
“Fine, I’m not here for you then.”
“So, there’s someone you are here for?”
“Guess so.” The punk shrugged. “You know where they are?”
Winner’s gaze shifted, a whiff of something shady hitting my nose. This wasn’t hard to piece together. Him showing up out of nowhere in this area, far from his usual haunts. The person he said he was looking for. That question just now.
The fact that Kenta had been staying at my place often wasn’t exactly a secret. For someone like Tony, a big shot, if he got suspicious, it’d take just a few days to dig up the truth. Hell, he might’ve had people tailing Kenta for a while already. It was us who were careless, thinking the people from that house wouldn’t care much about a washed-up lackey who’d been out of the game for a while.
“Who’re you talking about?” I asked, probing. Though I was pretty sure who he meant.
“Who’re you thinking of right now?”
“Charlie?”
“Don’t play dumb with me, Kim,” Winner just laughed. I think he looks smarter when he acts like that, or maybe he’s actually gotten smarter, now that Kenta isn’t trailing behind Tony like before. He probably got a promotion, so he’s had more chances to use his brain, I guess. “Why would Charlie be hanging around here?”
“Maybe he’s choosing to stay in a place someone like you wouldn’t expect.”
“If he was really around here, you wouldn’t be talking about him. You guys protect each other like crazy, always playing happy family.”
I’m serious, you know.
Winner’s learned how to use his brain more.
“Plus, Charlie isn’t hard to find. With that glow around him, where could he hide? Right now, it’s just not his time yet, that’s all.”
Hmm… he’s definitely using his brain more, but his mouth still runs ahead of it.
If Tony were a bit smarter, wouldn’t he have figured out who to keep around—Kenta or this dimwit? I think the answer’s pretty obvious. But, looking at it another way, maybe it’s Tony’s own kind of cleverness, keeping someone who’s not too bright but loyal, while Kenta… he’s got enough potential to have rebelled from the start. He was just caught in a cycle of gratitude drilled into him since he was a kid, so it took him a while to break free. Now that he’s bold enough to run from that house, Tony’s trying to chain him down for some reason.
A reason even Kenta himself doesn’t fully understand. But whatever it is, I’m sure it’s not good for him.
Kenta’s situation might need more digging, but first, once I get out of this mess, I need to warn Charlie that the dog gang is planning to come for him. And it doesn’t seem like it’ll just be a sneaky bite like before. My gut’s telling me this time it’s a step above—or maybe the final, ultimate step.
“Real talk, no bullshit,” Winner said, his eyes serious. “Why do you trust that Ken guy?” I stayed silent, unsure what info could slip out and put Kenta in a bad spot. Keeping quiet seemed safest. “You really think someone like Ken can be trusted? He betrayed Tony, who raised him from a kid, so what’s he worth to you?”
I stayed silent, and Winner… he just kept rambling.
“Plus, Ken’s not dumb. He knows who’s got the upper hand in this game. You think he’d pick the losing side? He’s lucky Tony even gave him a chance after what he did. Now he’s probably working hard to repay that debt. You’re the only one who thinks someone like him can change.”
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