After the flames, she rises again
1401 Words
AFTER THE FLAMES, SHE RISES AGAIN
News spreads fast in elite circles.
But Kira’s race?
It didn’t just spread , it erupted.
By the next morning, her name dominated every school forum, social media thread, and private group chat. Clips of her last overtake had gone viral, replayed, slowed down, edited with dramatic music, and even plotted on racing analysis channels.
#KiraTheProdigy trended for hours.
Even people who didn’t know her had formed opinions.
And everyone in school was talking.
The School Reacts , Shock, Regret, Worship
The once-noisy hallways fell silent when Kira entered.
Silent.
Not with hatred, but with stunned awe.
Whispers scattered like ripples:
“Is that really her?”
“She drove like a professional… no, better.”
“She overtook seven cars in two minutes,, HOW?”
“Was she pretending to be an academic nerd this whole time?”
“She’s… insane. In a good way.”
“Is there anything she can’t do?”
Girls who once gave her side-eyes were suddenly smiling warmly, acting friendly as if they’d always admired her from the beginning.
Boys looked at her like she was a living legend.
And the best part?
Those who mocked her the most online…
…were experiencing one of the most brutal public U-turns in history.
The same netizens who typed:
“Trash rich girl.”
“Daddy’s princess.”
“She’s all books, no skill.”
Were now posting:
“WE APOLOGIZE QUEEN KIRA.”
“SLAY MOTHER.”
“Never doubting again.”
“I fear her. I love her.”
“She overtook physics itself.”
One fan page even emerged overnight:
@KiraRacingGoddess
Already at 12,000 followers.
Departments in the school suddenly began sending polite invitations.
The Sports Department:
“We’d be honored if you join us, Miss Kira.”
Mechanical Engineering Department:
“Your understanding of acceleration curves was astonishing , you must consider our program.”
The Business Department:
“You clearly have leadership & strategy, we would love to mentor you!”
Even the Dean sent a request for a private meeting.
Kira… simply walked through the admiration calmly.
Gracefully.
Unbothered.
She had already survived much better in her first life.
But inside, her chest felt strangely warm, much happier than in her first life.
Tina walked beside her, still visibly emotional but proud.
“I… I didn’t know you could do that,” Tina whispered, rubbing her eyes.
“Kira… you were unbelievable. I’m so proud of you.”
Kira smiled, patting her shoulder gently.
“Don’t cry. It was just a race.”
“JUST A RACE?”
Tina stared at her in disbelief.
“You rewrote the LAW OF GRAVITY.”
“Do not be HUMBLE”
Kira laughed softly.
But in the deepest corner of her heart, she felt a quiet thrill.
Perhaps… she missed this.
Her past life’s speed.
Her freedom.
The wind.
Meanwhile, Samuel Watches the Replays… Again
In the skyscraper office of White Corporation, Samuel played the race clips for the fourth time.
He was in his private lounge, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a tablet. His expression was calm, but something heated flickered beneath the surface.
On the screen, Kira leaned into a sharp curve, her hair whipping behind her, her eyes sharp as a blade.
Samuel’s jaw tightened.
“Replay it again,” he said softly.
His assistant blinked.
“But sir… you’ve already…”
“Again.”
The assistant gulped.
“Yes, sir.”
And so, the clip played again.
This time, Samuel leaned forward slightly.
This time, he noticed her expression when she overtook the final car.
That small smirk.
That confidence.
That fire.
Something inside him twisted.
“Sir…” the assistant ventured carefully, “your smile is showing.”
Samuel’s face darkened instantly.
“I did not smile.”
“…Yes sir. You absolutely do not smile. Ever. I must be hallucinating.”
Samuel ignored him completely.
Instead, he murmured under his breath, so quietly the assistant barely heard:
“She’s extraordinary.”
The assistant’s eyes widened.
So the rumors were true.
The Young Master… was falling.
And falling
That evening, the estate was peaceful.
Kira had just finished showering and was preparing for bed when she heard a knock on her window, not her door.
She frowned.
Then opened the curtains.
Samuel stood outside.
In the balcony.
Hands in pockets.
Moonlight brushing his hair.
Eyes locked with hers.
He had climbed all the way up the side path.
“Kira,” he said softly.
“I need to see you.”
Her breath caught.
She opened the window.
“You could have used the door.”
“I didn’t want to wait.”
Her heartbeat stuttered for a moment.
He stepped inside with quiet confidence, closing the window behind him.
They stood close.
Too close.
Samuel exhaled slowly, gaze traveling over her face as if trying to memorize every line.
“I saw you race,” he said.
“I know,” she whispered.
He paused.
“You were unreal.”
Kira felt a smile tug at her lips.
“Are you complimenting me?”
“I’m stating a fact.”
“And, also complimenting you..”
There was jealousy in his eyes too.
The kind he didn’t try to hide.
“You’re trending everywhere,” Samuel murmured.
“People online are obsessed with you.”
He whispered the next words darkly:
“I don’t like it.”
“Only I deserve to be obsessed “
Kira blinked, surprised.
“…You’re jealous?”
“Very.”
Her breath hitched.
Samuel moved closer.
“I’m proud of you,” he said, voice deep.
“But I dislike seeing others worship you. They don’t deserve to look at you like that.”
Her heartbeat accelerated.
“Samuel…”
He lifted a hand and gently touched her cheek.
“I came to congratulate you,” he whispered.
“And to see you.”
Their breaths mingled.
But Kira stepped back slightly, her ears burning.
She wasn’t ready.
Not yet.
Samuel noticed, but didn’t push.
Instead, he softened, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.
“Don’t hide from me,” he murmured.
“I meant what I said. I’m proud.”
Kira’s chest warmed.
“…Thank you.”
He lingered longer than necessary.
Too long.
And she felt every touch
Elsewhere, at a noisy bar, Steven watched the race clips on his phone.
His fist tightened around his glass.
“That girl…” he whispered.
“She was supposed to be destroyed by Sara. Not shining like this.”
People around him whispered:
“Isn’t that the girl Steven used to run after?”
“She’s a monster behind the wheel!”
“She’s gone viral!”
Steven’s jaw clenched harder.
Kira wasn’t supposed to glow without him in it.
She wasn’t supposed to become untouchable.
His obsession reignited, hotter, darker, more twisted.
“I need to see her,” he muttered.
“I need her back in my cage.”
But he had no idea…
Kira would never fall for him again.
Back at home, her mother hugged her tightly.
“Kira you…you scared us! Why would you do something so dangerous?!”
Her father sighed deeply, though his eyes shone with pride and indulgence .
“You were magnificent… but please, no more reckless surprises.”
Kira smiled gently.
“I’m fine. And I won’t be reckless.”
Her parents exchanged looks.
“Kira…” her mother whispered, “you’re becoming someone extraordinary. We just want to keep up.”
Her heart softened.
This life…
was different.
And better.
Meanwhile in a luxurious living room, Samuel’s aunt slammed her tablet down.
“That girl is becoming too popular!”
Fina scoffed, arms crossed.
“She’s pretending. No normal girl is good at racing, school, and catching the attention of Samuel, it’s impossible .”
Her mother hummed.
“She’s dangerous and smart. If Samuel likes her too much, he’ll never support your father in the company.”
“And what about me?” Fina’s voice cracked slightly.
“What about my years at his side? People already think she’s better than me!”
Her mother squeezed her hand.
“That girl must be handled before this gets out of control.”
Fina’s eyes glowed with resentment.
“She embarrassed me already.
I won’t let her embarrass me again.”
- Writer
