Chapter 37_ Feisty Pair

As Arya playfully pinched Kane's arm and teasingly stuck out her tongue, she turned to Selma and Alex, who were eagerly awaiting the start of their challenge. "Are you both ready to embark on this challenge?" she asked.

"Ready," Alex replied with a confident hum.

"Excellent. Let's get started," Arya said, as Selma and Alex positioned themselves at the starting line, revving their engines. "Three, two, one," she counted down, with Kane chiming in to finish with a resounding, "GO!"

With their engines roaring, Alex and Selma raced down the acceleration line, bumping into each other in their competitive fervor. "I hope they don't get hurt," Arya expressed her concern.

"Don't worry, Tigress. Despite appearances, those karts are actually quite safe," Kane reassured her.

"But why do they keep pushing each other like that?" Arya asked, observing the two teens playfully jostling for position.

"Because the first one to reach the curve gains the advantage. They're quite a feisty pair, I must say," Kane commented, enjoying the playful banter between Alex and Selma. As they approached the top bend, Selma deftly cut in front of Alex and took the lead, with Alex close behind. "Damnit, that was a good move," Kane remarked.

"Do you think Alex can catch up?" Arya inquired, tilting her head as she looked to Kane for his opinion.

At her words, a sly grin spread across Kane's face as he replied, "Well, she is a capable racer. Maybe if the kart was fueled with hormones instead of-"

"Excuse me? What are you implying?" Arya interjected, giving Kane a pointed look before returning her attention to the race. On the second bend, Alex impressively took the lead, carefully maneuvering the curve and narrowly avoiding the wall. "Woooooo! Go Alex! Go!" Arya cheered.

"Attaboy!" Kane joined in the cheers, as Alex expertly drifted around the hairpin, only to be surprised by Selma's sudden burst of speed, narrowly edging ahead in a cloud of white smoke.

"Goodbye, Alex," Selma winked as she passed him, surprising both Alex and Arya who watched her with wide eyes. Even Kane couldn't help but be impressed.

"It's official, I want Selma with Alex," Kane declared, and Arya turned to give him a strange look before turning her attention back to the kart track where Selma was straightening her kart and shooting towards the final curve.

"She's so fast. I doubt Alex will be able to catch up with her," Arya remarked with a small smile, making Kane shake his head.

"A race isn't over until it's over. Come on, Alex," Kane encouraged, urging Alex to keep going. As Selma reached the curve, her wheels screeched as she tried to cut it, but she went too wide and her kart crashed into the tire wall, coming to a sudden stop.

"Selma!" Arya and Alex called out in concern as Alex pulled the hand-brake and rushed to Selma's side.

"Are you okay, Selma?" Alex asked with worry in his eyes as he helped her out of the kart.

"Yes, I'm fine...just a little disappointed," Selma replied with a slumped shoulder.

"Don't be. The important thing is that you're not hurt," Alex reassured her, and Selma smiled gratefully at him.

"But why did you stop? You had the victory in your hands," Selma asked, puzzled, and Alex glanced at Kane with a knowing smile.

"A wise man once told me that there are more important things in life than winning," Alex commented, recalling the conversation he had with Kane the night he raced with Piston.

Flashback:

Following a night of revelry at the bar with Alonso, Kane made his way to Arya's apartment, slightly inebriated and hoping she would be asleep upon his arrival. He rang the doorbell, but instead of finding Arya, Alex answered the door and gazed at him intently.

As Kane settled onto the couch, Alex joined him and inquired about his drinking. Sniffing at his mouth, Alex asked if Kane was feeling down about losing the race and turned his gaze towards him, waiting patiently for a response.

Kane chuckled and tousled Alex's hair, explaining, "No, Alex. I am not upset. Moreover, my drinking was not due to losing the race. I was simply out with a friend and indulged in a few drinks."

Alex nodded, but his furrowed brows indicated he had more to ask. "Why aren't you sad about losing the race? When I was 12, I failed an English exam and felt miserable. I could not even face my sister. It was so uncomfortable."

Kane's heart swelled with affection for Alex, and he gently caressed his face. However, a flash of Arya's face crossed his mind, causing him to blink before responding, "Alex, winning is not everything. Sometimes, we must experience defeat to grow and learn. Embracing failure is just as important as embracing success in life. Do you understand?"

With a nod of comprehension, Alex looked up at Kane with admiration, and Kane nodded in approval before heading to his room.

End of flashback.

"What could possibly be more captivating than winning?" Selma queried with a quizzical brow.

"You." Alex replied, causing Selma to beam as she moved in for a peck on the cheek, leaving Alex momentarily frozen before breaking into a smile, returning the favor.

Observing them with delight, Kane silently applauded and nodded, "That's my boy!"

Turning to Arya, the grin on her face radiating infectious joy, Arya expressed her gratitude, "Thank you for helping Alex with all of this. It would have been a disaster without you."

"I merely did what any friend would do. Your brother has a heart of gold, that's what sets him apart." Kane humbly replied.

Making their way to the racing pit, Selma approached Arya with an ear-to-ear smile, "Hey Arya, I know Alex is always wrapped up in helping you out and such, but I was hoping I could borrow him for the evening."

With Alex standing sheepishly behind her, clasping her hands in a plea and nodding eagerly, Arya couldn't help but chuckle, knowing that refusing would only brand her as the ‘evil sister’. "Of course you can. He's all yours." She acquiesced.

Beaming with gratitude, Alex mouthed a "thank you" to Arya, who resisted the urge to pat his head in front of Selma, instead smiling warmly at him.

"Fantastic! I promise to return him in one piece." Selma assured with a playful wink, leading a willing Alex to the waiting car. With her driver holding the door open for them, they made their way inside, the driver taking the wheel and driving off.

With a smile, Kane turned to Arya and exclaimed, "Just look at those two! You truly are the most amazing sister in the entire world!"

Arya responded, "Oh, who could resist them?"

"Actually, quite a few people," Kane countered. "The reality is, my dear, that this world is dark and full of terror."

Arya laughed in response. "But there's still good in the world. I just hope they'll be okay."

Kane reassured her, "I'm not worried at all. Selma has a major crush on Alex. There's no doubt about that."

Arya looked at him curiously. "How do you know for sure?"

"Trust me," Kane replied confidently. "It might not be obvious to everyday observers, but she purposely drove into that wall."

Arya was shocked and had not noticed anything beforehand. She thought Selma was a tough girl who only cared about herself.