(Y/n)'s POV

I swung my jacket over my shoulder as I skidded to a stop. A few fans whistled flirtatiously, making me smile yet roll my eyes at their nonchalant manner.

Langa and Miya were waiting by the start line, yet the latter seemed irritated. Reki was still making last minute adjustments to Langa's board, and so the two were simply waiting.

"Are you mocking me?" Miya asked.
"My board's being made right now...it's here," said Langa.

Reki hurriedly thrusted the board at his friend, smiling that energetically fulfilling smile of his. The lights flashed red, going down in order. Reki stood beside me. We watched in anticipation.

"Give it all you've got, Langa!"

It went green. The two were immediately skating down the track. Shadow was suddenly in his car, ready to chase after the two. Reki and I wasted no time and jumped inside with Reki at the front while I took the middle at the back.

"Go go, they're getting ahead!" exclaimed Reki.
"Tch, alright!" Shadow replied begrudgingly.

Miya was ahead of Langa, when the latter performed a flawless air. Sparks lit off in my chest. My fingers gripped the front seats, digging into its soft leather material.

The two were vying to go faster, to accelerate. A grin touched my lips as Langa kicked off a tree to get ahead. Miya didn't lose a hair of his determination, executing a perfect railslide to gain speed around the corner.

I watched in rapid concentration as they skated through the course, eyeing every detail and grinning at every trick performed. Reki was shaking and shouting at Shadow, perhaps on a subconscious mission to make him deaf.

"Langa, go for it!"
"Oh yeah! Go Langa!" Reki yelled.
"Shut it! I'm trying to drive!" Shadow retorted.

They had finally gotten to the abandoned factory, yet Miya was still ahead. Reki and I jumped off the car, running to the finish line to see the end result. I gripped his hand, he squeezed mine back.

"Langa, the wheels!" Reki shouted at him.

Langa seemed to get the message, kicking his board up to slide on the rails. He turned his board, carefully manoeuvring over the crack. Now it was simply a matter of speed.

We waited. We watched. Langa's board slid over the line just before Miya's could. Reki and I cheered, running up to greet our victorious friend.

"Congrats Langa-"
"(Y/n)! Reki! I..."

I held out a hand to which he took. A charming smile graced my face as my fingers tightened around his. You won. I wanted to convey these feelings. I wanted him to know how happy I was.

"It's all due to the amazing board I made," Reki exclaimed.
"But I was the one who did the skating..." Langa replied.
"Heh, your skating was amazing too."

People gasped as a figure entered the scene in an overly dramaturgical manner. His attire was reminiscent of a noble jester in my opinion, making me question how his dramatic actions were simply the norm.

"Isn't that Adam?!"
"The legendary skater?!"
"I can't believe he's here!"

The legendary skater stared down at us, a sharply pretentious smile coating his mouth before turning to look at Miya. I unconsciously took a step towards the young boy, wary of the skater who had beaten my uncle.

"How disappointing. You're all empty now," he exclaimed to Miya.
"And what gives you the right to judge him like that?"
"Ah, sweet Rose. I knew your uncle."
"Oi, take that back," Reki said angrily.
"It's fine. It's true anyway," whispered Miya.
"No, it's not. Adam, I'll make you take it back...with this!"

Reki held out his skateboard, challenging the man standing in his way. The crowd roared, both in shock and excitement. My eyes narrowed as Adam's gaze fell on Miya. Within a second, he was beside Langa.

Miya suddenly grasped my hand, preventing me from stepping in. Although his expression portrayed no emotion, his large eyes were wary and somewhat worried.

"If I win, you apologise to Miya," Reki said.
"And if I win, I can skate against Snow," replied Adam.
"Reki, are you crazy?! You should rethink this! Not even my uncle could beat him!"
"Little Rose, that was simply a mere accident. I daresay he might've had a chance at winning if not..."
"If not for your recklessly stupid, unnecessarily dangerous skating," I growled.
"I'll do it," Langa exclaimed.
"Oi, this guy's on another level! I-"
"Can you beat him?" he asked.
"...no."
"Then you can at least help me and Reki."

I heaved a great sigh, knowing I'd be unable to stop these two. Adam was immediately admiring Langa; his stance, his skating, his...everything. A sickening feeling dwelled in my stomach.

My hand was sweating. I was...scared, not of his skating but for my friends. Miya was squeezing my hand, waking my mind from its journey down memory lane.

"I'll see you soon, Langa-kun," said Adam.
"Don't forget our bet," Reki replied.
"Langa-"
"Oh my, what do we have here? The unnoticed redhead challenged Adam to a beef?" Ruka asked in a pretentiously shocking tone as she slowed to a stop on her skateboard.

Everyone watched as the tension rose, choking us in its merciless hold. The air was tight with silence, an almost unbearable silence. Ruka suddenly donned an innocent smile, her eyes glinting dangerously beneath her mask.

"Adam, it's such a pleasure to meet you. I'm Artemis," she greeted.
"I'll admit I've watched you skate before...but I was bored to death," the legend replied nonchalantly.
"...eh?"
"I have no interest-"
"No, you'll have to be interested! I challenge Rose to a beef! The loser will renounce their skater title and go by the name of 'Idiot Newbie'," she exclaimed.

I stared at her, cocking my head to the side as I considered her challenge. A smirk adorned my face.

"Sorry, I'm not interested."

Miya's hand was ripped from my grasp, making me turn around to see what had happened. Unsurprisingly, her guards had accompanied her to S and were currently holding Miya captive, using gloved hands to prevent him from speaking.

"What about now, Rose?"

Adam now seemed to notice the beautiful yet dangerous skater standing before me. He tilted his head as if considering her but said nothing. I clenched my fists.

"Fight, Rose!"
"Accept her challenge!"
"Don't listen, Rose!"
"Ugh fine, if it will stop your constant begging you entertainment-hungry watchers! But just so you know, Artemis...I can beat those guards of yours so bad you'll wish you never messed with me."
"Try it, I dare you," she hissed.

The crowds began roaring. Not only was there a beef between Reki and Adam but also one between Ruka and I. All my heart held was foreboding dread...I couldn't...feel the excitement at all...