Pitbabe S2, Chapter 37 pg 5
Pitbabe S2, Chapter 37 pg 5
“Got his autograph yet?”
“Jeez, Phii Alan,” I said. No matter how many races I came to, Jeff’s partner never stopped teasing me about being a Pitbabe fanboy. At first, I thought it was funny, but now I was starting to get embarrassed. “I asked for his autograph ages ago.”
“Oh, yeah?” Phii Alan said with a laugh. “What about a photo?”
“Ugh, I wouldn’t dare.”
“Why not? Babe’s cool with it. If you ask, he’d let you take one.”
“Nah, I’m good,” I said, pretty sure I was flashing an awkward grin. Jeff always said I made this face when I had to turn down someone’s kindness. “Just letting me hang around the pit is already a lot.”
“A lot? You’re my little brother, man.”
Phii Alan’s words weren’t a big deal, but the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice gave me a weird feeling. Honestly, it happened a lot. I often felt strangely familiar with the X-Hunter team, and they were always so nice to me. Everyone would come up to chat, tease, or joke around like we’d known each other forever whenever I showed up here or went to the garage with Jeff. And they’d often look at me with an expression I wasn’t sure how to read.
It’s like they’re always sad or missing something.
Sometimes they talk about things I don’t understand. For example, once Phii Alan said to me, “You’re the prince of Team X,” before letting out a dry laugh and saying, “Just kidding.” Another time, Phii North said I was Dean’s eternal rival. I didn’t get it then, but I kept it in my heart and laughed along. When I asked Jeff about it, he always gave the same answer: “They’re talking about stuff you forgot.” He never gave a straight, serious explanation about what those words actually meant.
The thing is, there are a lot of events from the past that I can’t remember. Jeff said I was in an accident, and the head trauma caused me to lose some of my memories. The first time I heard that, it felt hollow and strange. But when Jeff said my memory loss was like a Korean drama protagonist’s, I brushed off those weird feelings entirely.
The fact that some of my memories are gone doesn’t affect my daily life much. I still live normally, study (I’m in my bachelor’s degree program now), and learn and remember new things just fine. If there’s anything that bothers me, it’s probably the confusion when strangers approach me. When I go out, I often feel like I’m being stared at. Sometimes people come up to chat or ask for photos, like I’m some kind of celebrity. Jeff explained that before the accident, I was somewhat famous. When I asked what I was famous for, he always said, “Your good looks,” every single time, until I lost the mood to ask anymore.
So, I concluded that some of what Jeff says isn’t true. He just gives half-hearted answers because he’s too lazy to explain in detail. As for him saying I was famous, I’m 100% sure that’s a lie. I’ve searched my name online multiple times, and there’s nothing about me. If I was really famous, why isn’t there a single trace of my face or name on any platform? What, am I supposed to be famous among aliens or something?
My head starts throbbing whenever I try to think about these things, so I gave up digging deeper. Even if I did, I doubt anything important would come up. Just getting through each day is enough for me now. I don’t hope for much more than that.
“That look again,” Phii Alan said, lightly pushing my head. “I meant you’re Jeff’s big brother, so you’re like my little brother too.”
“Oh…” I nodded. “Thanks.”
Phii Alan smiled back. He seemed like he wanted to say something but ultimately chose not to. At that moment, the race was about to start. The crew stood ready in front of the monitors, the countdown began, and the four-wheeled rockets shot off from the starting line.
The captain put on his headset.
Phii Babe took the lead as usual. He’d secured first place in qualifying, earning the right to start at the front. His form today was impressive, his speed as breathtaking as ever. His cornering was razor-sharp, and his balance was perfect. It’s incredible how he keeps improving, even though he was already so skilled and nearly unbeatable before. Usually, someone that good doesn’t excite the audience much because you can predict how they’ll drive and what the race results will be. But Phii Babe isn’t that kind of racer. He keeps pushing the standard higher, endlessly, always surprising the crowd and his competitors.
Phii Babe is absolutely incredible.
I stared at the screen without blinking, my heart pounding as if I were the one behind the wheel. It raced even faster when the camera zoomed in on Pitbabe’s car. Over the past year, Phii Babe switched to a new car for the races—a Nissan Skyline GT-R in blue that’s been the talk of the town. Normally, he always raced with the same car, so when he started using this “horizon” in recent seasons, people began speculating about what it symbolized. Some said he might be planning to retire (personally, I think that’s unlikely), while others claimed he’s in love, and the new car represents his partner.
The race results were as expected—Pitbabe crossed the finish line first, clinching the championship for another season. That race was even hailed as one of his greatest victories ever. The second-place finisher was just as noteworthy: Willy, a rising star from ETA, took runner-up with a new personal record. Willy is considered the most promising racer of his generation after Pitbabe. Some even say he could be the next Pitbabe, which, to me, is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.
There’s no “next Pitbabe.” There’s only one Pitbabe.
“Great job, Babe!”
Phii Babe, Dean, and Phii North returned to the pit after the race. Phii Alan, Jeff, and the mechanic team rushed over to congratulate them excitedly. Phii Babe high-fived Phii Alan, grinning widely as he recounted the race’s highlights with enthusiasm. Then Willy, from the neighboring pit, walked over. The two chatted and teased each other so comfortably, it didn’t even seem like they’d just been competitors. Their closeness has sparked rumors that Pitbabe from Team X and Willy from ETA are dating. Honestly, it’s not impossible, but if I’m going by my gut, I’d say it’s not true.
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