Chapter 1

Xyrica's POV :

Hearing the sound of car engines racing makes my heart beats fast because right now, I am betting all that I have in this game. Just one more round and I’m the winner.

“Weaklings… they can’t even catch up with me,” I said as I stepped at the accelerator pedal to make my car go faster and to cross the finish line first.

People may see this as a simple race but for me, this is a stepping stone to my goal which is finding the real reason why my parents died. It sounds stupid because people won’t see the connection between my goal and the race, but I’m doing this to build a name for myself. I can’t just expect people respecting me without a title, connection and money because the world does not work like that.

“Oh, I can see Black Demon’s car taking the lead. This girl is always ahead of every opponent!” Masayang sabi ng isang announcer.

“Demon! Demon! Demon!” Hearing them cheer for me really boosts my energy. My energy to cross the finish line and I knew was born for this.

I am Xyrica Dela Vega, the Queen of all Racers and if I'll win this race now, mapatutunayan ko talaga sa kanilang lahat na kahit babae ako ay magaling ako. I didn’t expect that by wanting a title for myself would mean I would find that one thing I’m really good at.

Napasigaw ang anouncer at sinabing, “The winner is… Black Demon!”

Puro sigaw na galing sa mga tao ang narinig ko pagbaba ko sa kotse. I don't care about them anyway, gusto ko lang ang title at trophy then I'll leave this place instantly.

“This is my girl,” masayang sabi ni Michiaki and then hugged me tightly. “You’re the best!”

I’ve got nine supportive male gangster friends and Michiaki Furukawa Yoshida is one of them. We consider him the leader of our group because he got what it takes to lead besides being the oldest of the group. He is great when it comes to communication skills, he always look at the positive side of things that’s why he rarely give up on difficult times and the one thing I can’t forget about him which is not related to being a leader is his obsession with daggers. He collects kinds of daggers from all over the world and I have seen a few of them which the others told me was just 1/8 of his collection.

“Get off me, Michiaki. Ayokong masabihin nila na boyfriend kita,” sabi ko at tinulak siya papalayo.

Whenever there are gangsters na humahamon sa amin ng race, ako palagi ang pinasasali nila dahil alam nilang buhay ko na ang pagra-racing. I don't know why I get so addicted to this, it came to me so naturally. Siguro namana ko ang skill na ito sa mga magulang ko pero paano ko nga ba malalaman, e patay na ang mga magulang ko.

“I’m sorry for hugging you in the public but by the way, congratulations again. Nakuha mo na talaga ang title na 'Queen of All Queen' sa racing,” sabi ni Michiaki, nakataas ang mga kamay na para bang may hawak na banner.

I rolled my eyes then said, ”What the hell? Do you really think I am that weak? Porket ako lang ang babae sa grupo natin it doesn't mean I'm the weakest,” sabi ko kay Michiaki, binigyan ko siya ng isang masamang tingin at papasok na ulit ako sa sasakyan ko.

“Black Demon, can we have your autograph? We're your biggest fan,” sabi nitong babaeng sumandal sa sasakyan ko.

“What do you think are you doing?” Naiiritang tanong ko sa biggest fan ko raw.

“What did we do? We just want your autograph,” sabi niya sabay lahad ng notebook niya.

Tinitignan ko lang ang notebook na hawak niya at tinignan ulit siya.

“If you really are my biggest fan, do you know how much is my car costs and how much I love it?” Naiiritang tanong ko sa kanya.

Umalis siya sa pagkakasandal ng kotse ko at inayos ang damit niya. Inabot niya muli ang notebook at hinihintay na kunin ko ito at bigyan sila ng autograph.

“You know what? Just forget it, hindi mo naman talaga malalaman kung gaano ko kamahal ito. Tsaka mas mahal pa ang kotse na ito kesa sa buhay mo. So please, just get lost!” Pasigaw kong sabi sa kanya, pumasok na sa kotse at umalis.

Michiaki's POV :

Hinayaan nalang namin na umalis si Xyrica kasi kung pipilitin namin siya na manatili rito ay alam naming magagalit lamang siya. May temper pa naman ang babaeng iyon at mahirap siyang pakalmahin.

“Well, I guess maiiwan na naman tayo,” sabi ni Yuan.

Yuan Ace Takishima is one of the members of Akinomo Phoenix Gang, which Xyrica didn’t know of. Despite the fact that this guy is gentle when it comes to talking and always has a sleepy face, he has a huge obsession about shoes. I'm not just talking about collecting branded shoes because he has tons of it, I'm talking about how obsessive he is on protecting his shoes against everyone.

“Malamang, naiwan kaya niya ang trophy at pera. Nakalimutan man lang magpasalamat sa mga fans tsaka sa prize,” sabi ni Jhin.

Jhin Cylocks Lazaro goes well along with everyone as long as he is happy. Ayaw niyang nakikipag-away kasi ayaw niya magkapasa at masugatan but when provoke, he would fight and makes sure wala siyang gasgas. He makes sure everyone is safe kaya panatag ang loob ko na naging member siya ng grupo.

“Is she really that rude? I can’t believe it, this will go into my vlog you guys,” sabi nitong babae sa mga kaibigan niya.

I sighed and went to Xyrica’s upset fans then said, “I’m really sorry for the way she acted. Mahal na mahal niya kasi ang sasakyan niya kasi may sentimental value ito sa kanya, ito nalang kasi ang naiwan niyang alaala sa lolo’t lola niya.”

Ngumiti sila at tumango nalang. Bago sila umalis ay nagpaalam muna sa amin.

“Alam mo si Xyrica napakatopakin talaga,” sabi ni Yuan.

“Why are you stating the obvious? Kita na nga diba na iniwan na naman tayo?” Sarkastikong sabi ni Jhin.

Siguro binisita ang puntod ng lolo at lola niya o kaya ay umuwi sa dating bahay niya.

“Ang pangit ng laro, natalo tayo sa isang babae!” Naiinis na sinipa ng isang lalaki ang gulong ng kotse niya.

Bakit hindi niya sipain yung pintuan o kaya ang salamin ng kotse niya para mas masaya, diba? If he's trying to destroy it, why not crashing it into a big tree or in the LRT? Hindi lang naman siya ang nakita kong bad mood dahil natalo. Madaming nagreklamo sa mga opponents ni Xyrica, mostly kasi mga lalaki ang opponent niya at tatlo lang silang ang babae sa race, natalo pa ang dalawa.

May lalaking lumapit sa isang bad mood at tinapik ang balikat nito. “It's okay bro, hahamunin natin siya ulit.”

Well, good luck with that. Hindi niyo naman matatalo si Xyrica kasi magaling siya. She usually doesn't care about the price because she cares more about the title. I don't know why she's really into it pero ang mga kasama ko ang masuwerte sa desisyon ni Xyrica kasi mapapasakanila ang pera. Minsan lang kasi kinukuha ni Xyrica ang pera but if she wants the money, binibigay naman namin sa kanya.

“Let's go. I've got the money and the trophy. I'm sure Xyrica wouldn't mind. Minsan niya lang naman tinatanggap ang pera. Look at it now, umalis siya without it kaya tayo na ang bahala nito,” sabi ni Klent.

Klent Brimson is known as the money keeper of the group. Siya rin ang in-charge sa mga gustong hamunin si Xyrica at ang dakilang hacker ng grupo. He might be passive sometimes but I can say… he's doing his job well than mine. Klent is the one who make sure Xyrica’s opponents are well-known and rich, kami kasi ang nagbe-bet habang naka-focus si Xyrica sa race.

“What should we do about it? Alam mong madami na tayong pera sa isang kwarto, diba?” Tanong ni Yuan

Yes, Yuan is right. We don't do banking. Mas tinuturing naming banko ang bahay namin and it's all Xyrica's money, sa mga pinanalo niyang race. Just like I've said, she's usually into title and not money.

“Let's just go to Allen's club. For sure madaming chicks doon,” sabi nitong babaerong si Warren.

Warren Choi is Allen's partner in crime when it comes to finding beautiful and potential ladies to flirt with. Back when we were at the academy, he sleeps in every class but never fail any subject. He is good at Hapkido and he loves snow boarding. His parents owned famous winery and is partnered with famous hotels and restaurants in the world.

I can proudly say that our group is from a prominent family and we were born with a silver spoon in our mouth.

“Game!” Masayang sabi nilang lahat tapos tumingin sa akin.

“Why are you so quite, Michiaki? Nasaktan ka na naman ba ni Xyrica?” Tanong ni Warren.

“Dahil ba sa sinabi niyang, 'Get off me, Michiaki. Ayokong sabihin nila na boyfriend kita.' Napaka-sensetive mong tao," sabi ni Klent, mimicking what Xyrica to me and it's not cool. Tumatawa silang na ang lahat.

“Stop it. Nakikinig lang ako sa inyo, mga tanga so ano na?” Sabi ko.

“Let's go to Allen's place. Lagot sa atin ang lalaking iyon kapag nagkataon kasi hindi siya nanuod sa race ni Xyrica,” sabi ni Yuan.

Isa-isa kaming pumasok sa mga kotse namin at pumunta sa club ni Allen.

Xyrica's POV :

“I can now proudly say na you raised me well, both of you. Kung hindi dahil sa inyo ay hindi ko maabot ang plano ko at lalong hindi ko makikilala ang totoong ako. Thank you so much, lolo’t lola. I promise I will visit you soon again," sabi ko at inilapag ang mga bulaklak na hawak ko sa puntod nila.

I'm at the cemetery. I’m giving my grandparents a bouquet of flowers. I'm also done telling them about the race, alam kong proud sila sa akin tungkol dito kasi ito palagi ang sinasabi nila sa akin.

“I wish you guys were here to witness everything. I owe you my life and I love you so much,” medyo naiiyak na sabi ko at umalis na.

Hindi na ako magtatagal, I wanted to rest para makapunta sa bahay nina Michiaki mamaya. I was also thinking of going to this top 1 school in the world which is Gangster Academy. I have heard that they only want students who are rich, famous, intelligent, talented and etc. For students who are not rich and famous? Huwag na kayong pumasok sa Academy.

Gangster Academy is also known as the rival school of Gang-Ku-Fia Academy but it's sad to say that Gang-Ku-Fia Academy is always number two. I guess they just can't beat Gangster Academy.

I wanted to tell my friends about my decision but I think I know their answers already, they would say a big, fat NO kasi ayaw nilang nasasaktan ako. I think it’s gibberish. Alam naman nila na hindi na ako bata kasi magkasing-edad lang kaming lahat, except ni Alver sa ang mas nakakabata sa amin.

But I’ve got a plan in mind to make them say the sweetest word YES and I hope it turns out well.

－

I was planning on visiting my friends after resting a bit yesterday but I ended up waking up late. I guess I'll have to make it up to them today. I brought my car and headed to the other house. I sighed, I think breathing deeply is all that I need for now. I’m still exhausted from all that had happened yesterday and I haven't enjoyed my victory yet. Maybe now is my chance to celebrate it, together with my friends.

“I hope you are all awake now. Malalagot talaga kayo sa akin,” sabi ko.

Ako kasi ang alarm clock na gumigising sa kanila sa umaga kasi mga tulog-mantika talaga sila. Minsan ako pa ang nagluluto sa kanila ng breakfast para makakain, minsan din ay nagpapa-deliver nalang sila. Ewan ko nalag kung saan sila pupulutin kung wala ako.