✓ | starboy, nishimura riki

STARBOY | 32

AFTER WAKING UP THE NEXT DAY WITH CHOI MISO'S BODY STILL IN AGONY, NIKI SUGGESTED THAT THEY HEAD OVER TO HEESEUNG'S PLACE.

Ever since Niki had first met Heeseung, he started to see him as an older brother and look up to him. Lee Heeseung was there to give the Nishimura boy advice when he needed it and he sure as hell was there when the younger boy was in need of a good lecture. So, when Niki was in a situation like he was, with his girl badly hurt because of the Socs, Heeseung was the first person that came to mind for who could help solve the issue.

"What the hell happened?!" The two heard Heeseung question as they walked through the door, Niki's arm protectively wrapped around Miso's waist.

Ria's eyes widened at the sight of her badly injured friend and she immediately stood from the dining table, throwing the playing cards she once had in her hand on the table and walking over to the Choi girl with concern written across her face.

"It was them Socs, man." Niki explained, shaking his head slightly as he helped Miso sit down on the sofa beside Jungwon, who quickly made sure she was okay. "They slugged her on the South Side 'cause they found out she's been hanging around here."

It was visually obvious that everybody in the house grew angry and annoyed at that due to their clenched jaws and a few of them folding their arms across their chest and creases forming between their brows. Not only were they vexed because of what they did to Miso, but they were furious with the fact they did it on the South Side — their side.

"A race has gotta happen, Heeseung." Sunghoon stated, looking over at the eldest boy, who was leaned against the doorway that lead to the corridor of bedrooms. He nodded his head in agreement and stood up properly, licking his lips as he pulled out a cigarette from his back pocket and lit it using his lighter.

"Yeah, we'll do a race instead of a rumble this time 'cause of the tie. We can't afford to let anyone else get injured." He declared, blowing out the smoke, his perturbed eyes hesitantly leaving Miso's wounded figure on the sofa. "And if the Greasers win, those Soc-Bastards can't creep onto our territory any longer, vice versa." He informed everyone with a shrug.

"Sounds like a plan," Jake bobbed his head, taking a swig from his beer before turning to look at Jay. "Spread the word to some of your old Soc friends — I'm sure they'd love for a catch up." He jokingly said, chuckling to himself as if he was the funniest person ever.

All Jay did was roll his eyes, lighting his cancer stick and nodding his head, before he stood up, putting on his leather jacket that was around the chair he was once sat on and making his way over to the front door.

"I'll come with." Sunghoon announced, following after Jay, who had already left the house. Who knew what could happen if Jay went alone?

"Well, who's gonna race?" Sunoo wondered, sadly looking away from Miso and over at Heeseung.

Heeseung stayed silent for a moment, almost like he was deep in thought as he tried to make a decision. It was his race arena at the end of the day, so he had every right on deciding who would and who wouldn't get to race.

"Niki, you can race, and so will I," The Lee boy eventually broke to anticipating silence, glancing over at Niki, who had his back leaned against the wall. "Kazuha will race also — Jay, Sunghoon and Yunjin too."

"I wanna race." Ria stated, causing Heeseung to look over at her. The Sim girls arms were folded across her chest as she sent fierce eyes his way. She seemed confident in what she wanted to do and that only made Heeseung huff and nod his head in agreement.

"And I think Miso should be our flag girl." Ria then suggested with a smirk on her lips whilst looking down at Miso and sending her a wink.

Immediately, as soon as the words escaped Ria's mouth, Miso's eyes widened in shock and she began to shake her head, far too shy and self-conscious to do that job — especially with her bruised face.

However, as Miso took a glimpse at Niki, wondering what he thought of that idea, she couldn't help but have her mind slightly changed as she noticed the small smirk tugging at the Nishimura boys lips.

"Yeah, you should definitely do it, Miso!" Sunoo beamed as his eyes lit up with excitement.

Miso remained quiet for a moment as she rethought her decision. A big part of her wanted to do it and was telling herself just to go for it and that she only lived once, yet another part of her was telling her not to, and that she should just stay in the crowed.

"I mean, it's not like we have a flag girl for the race." Niki spoke up, shrugging his shoulders as he sent a mischievous smile towards the Choi girl. "So you wouldn't be taking anybody's place."

A sigh escaped Miso's lips and her shoulders slumped as she soon nodded her head in agreement, ignoring her fathers crude comments about Flag girls that played over and over again her head.

★

A little while later, when Jay and Sunghoon had eventually returned back to Heeseung's place, telling everyone that almost everybody from both the North and South side knew about the upcoming race, they all sat around, sipping their beers, smoking their cigarettes, watching whatever was playing in the television or playing Poker.

The room was dimly lit, giving a cozy feeling to the chaotic home and as Miso sat on the sofa, leaning into Niki's chest whilst he had his arm around her, she couldn't help but feel at home...

"Does it still hurt, Doll?" Niki softly asked, gently brushing his knuckle across the bandaged cut on Miso's cheek.

The girl nodded, looking up at Niki who couldn't help but release a sad sigh. He hated seeing her this way.

"I'll get 'em back in the race, okay?" He gently reassured, nobody else hearing or seeing the soft side to the Greaser boy — and all Choi Miso could do was nod her head again, sending him a grateful smile before resting her head on his chest.

She trusted Nishimura Niki.

★

Apologies if this chapter feels rushed!! I was also writing this whilst my sister was SNORINGGGGG 😑😣 #sendhelp