I’m the Only Bike Queen

Chapter 2

Meanwhile, the commentators outside the circuit had already begun building suspense for the live audience.

They were all saying that Sophie, the three-time champion, would finally see her legend come to an end at Soulreaper today.

I understood immediately.

Adrian was clearing the way for Claire.

There was no way I was going to let them get what they wanted!

The next second, I squeezed my eyes shut.

"Sophie, listen to me. Close your eyes and you won't be scared."

Adrian's false words from earlier echoed in my mind again.

But I wasn't closing my eyes because I was giving up.

I was trying to remember.

Where had I last been before the fog appeared?

And how far had I traveled since then?

I had completed four thousand seven hundred laps on this track.

No one knew it better than I did.

It had been roughly three thousand meters since the previous corner.

Based on the speed I had been traveling at...

I knew where I was!

Even though I still couldn't see anything through my visor, I could now estimate my approximate position on the track.

Soulreaper was right ahead.

I still had time to adjust!

I immediately took precise control of the clutch.

At the same time, I rapidly reduced my speed with a series of short, controlled taps on the rear brake.

I gently pushed on the handlebar and began adjusting the bike's angle.

Fifty meters.

Forty meters.

Thirty meters...

Just then, the thunderous roar of an engine erupted behind me.

Someone was catching up!

And it wasn't just one rider.

The exhaust notes of several motorcycles grew closer and closer.

Because my eyes were still closed, I could only rely on sound to judge their positions and racing lines.

Fifteen meters.

Ten meters.

Five meters.

Now!

I shoved the left handlebar forward.

The motorcycle immediately hugged the inside curb of the track.

It was an extremely dangerous move.

But I had no other choice now.

If I didn't take the gamble, I was as good as dead.

Bang!

A deafening crash exploded just outside my helmet.

As the motorcycle behind me entered the corner, its side case clipped my bike.

The tremendous impact shoved me straight toward the center of the turn.

I used the force of the collision to quickly adjust my direction while getting back on the throttle.

My knee nearly scraped the ground as I skimmed along the edge of the curb.

The entire motorcycle shook violently under the immense centrifugal force.

Finally, the bike came back onto the correct line.

I snapped my eyes open.

Cold sweat had completely soaked through the inner layer of my racing suit.

My heart was pounding so violently it felt as though it might burst out of my chest.

Soulreaper.

I had made it through!

Just now, I had used the force of the motorcycle hitting me from behind, combined with a shift in my own center of gravity, to force my way around the deadly corner while hugging the inside edge of the track.

The motorcycle that had hit me brushed past my rear end, made it safely through the turn, and soon disappeared ahead.

But my motorcycle's front fork had already struck the loose stones along the curb.

The entire bike shook violently.

In the end, both the motorcycle and I went crashing into the gravel trap.

Almost at the exact same moment, an even more horrifying sound of twisting metal came from behind me.

Another motorcycle had lost control.

It went straight over the barrier and plunged off the cliff.

That was too close...

I lay sprawled in the gravel trap, gasping for breath.

The inside of my helmet was drenched in sweat.

My ears were ringing badly, the noise making my temples throb with pain.

It wasn't until then that I realized the zipper of my racing suit had somehow burst open.

The jade pendant that had always hung around my neck had fallen out as well.

When my motorcycle crashed into the gravel trap just now, the small pendant had struck the instrument panel.

Now it had broken cleanly in two.

Adrian had put that jade pendant around my neck with his own hands.

I used to look at it and joke, "Who wears a necklace while riding a motorcycle?"

Four years ago, I had always complained that the pendant got in the way when it hung around my neck.

But Adrian had told me very seriously, "I went to church and prayed over this especially for you. Riding motorcycles is too dangerous. I have to pray that you stay safe."

After saying that, he carefully placed the jade pendant around my neck.

He even tied a knot in the silver chain that was extremely difficult to undo.

"Sophie, when you wear this, it'll be like I'm always right there beside you. I'll be with you through every track you race. You're going to become the number one queen of motorcycle racing."

I reached up sharply and ripped the remaining silver chain from my neck.

Then I threw it straight onto the ground.

Adrian had been right about one thing.

That jade pendant really did work.

Only now, the jade had shattered.

And so had my feelings for him.

Just then, Adrian's voice suddenly came through my earpiece.

"You're definitely going to be this year's MotoGP queen, Claire."

I frowned and covered my ear with my hand.

At first, I thought I was hearing things because of the crash.

After all, Adrian had already deliberately disconnected my channel.

Just moments ago, he hadn't even been willing to say another word to me.

But the next second, a harsh burst of static crackled through the earpiece.

I quickly realized something.

My channel had somehow accidentally connected to Claire's comms!

Then I heard Claire's amused voice.

"Adrian, you're being so good to me. Aren't you afraid Sophie will get mad?"

Adrian answered almost immediately.

"What is there to be afraid of? She's beaten you to the championship three years in a row. It's long past time for someone else to take the queen's crown."