Keep Going Crazy Chapter 3

‘But he got along well with Jamie, didn’t he?’

Ryeoun rolled his eyes, unconsciously trying to resolve the question that came to mind.

Unfortunately, the only man who could provide an answer was standing over by the monitors, poring over his telemetry.

Jamie Hawkins was the person who had been Helix Racing’s second driver before Ryeoun transferred.

He had currently moved to Meridian after receiving a higher salary offer. Jamie’s departure had left the seat vacant, creating an opening for Ryeoun, so he was someone Ryeoun was grateful for as well.

Aiden didn’t have any particularly close drivers, but from what Ryeoun could see, he at least seemed to have a solid rapport with Jamie, his former second driver.

Before Ryeoun claimed the seat, Jamie had driven alongside Aiden at Helix for four years.

It was even public knowledge that Aiden and Jamie often spent time together on a yacht in Monaco.

Even if he wasn’t an extremely sociable man, he seemed to let his guard down around the driver he raced with… or so it had seemed? Was that not the case?

Because the gap between the Aiden Carter reflected in the public eye and the person he’d just met face-to-face as a teammate was so vast, Ryeoun couldn’t help but feel confused.

There were hundreds more ‘typical’ things that came to mind when thinking of the man called Aiden Seunghyun Carter, but Ryeoun soon stopped thinking.

Because Aiden finally turned to look at him and smiled.

It was a brief moment, but Aiden had definitely smiled. Whatever his intentions had been, it was the first positive reaction Ryeoun had received in return.

Again, reflexively giving an eye-smile, Ryeoun soothed his churning stomach. Aiden then began talking with the director, Rowan, once more.

“He’s handsome…”

Young-hoo, standing beside him, blankly voiced Ryeoun’s sentiments. Honestly, he really was fucking good-looking.

“Strictly speaking, he’s pretty.”

“You always have to nitpick about that stuff, don’t you?”

Young-hoo shot him a glare at Ryeoun’s retort. Ryeoun just shrugged. He was getting scolded for not even saying anything wrong.

In reality, Aiden Carter was a man for whom the word ‘pretty’ suited him far more than ‘handsome.’

It might not be the most appropriate thing to say to a tall man of 189cm with broad shoulders and well-maintained, solid muscle… but Ryeoun genuinely thought so.

Even when catching glimpses of him passing by here and there, he’d always thought he had an incredible face. But seeing his smiling face up close, he was even better-looking than Ryeoun had imagined. It was almost dazzling, probably because of that shimmering blond hair.

With his bright blond hair and light brown eyes, Aiden Carter was a man who stirred up buzz with his looks alone, separate from his skill.

His face, with pale skin and faint freckles visible up close, was composed of delicate lines as if crafted with care by a god.

His wavy hair even made him look elegant, so the word ‘beautiful’ suited him perfectly.

“Tch.”

Ryeoun clicked his tongue without realizing it.

Setting aside the fact that he was a driver he admired, or the team’s first driver, or a jerk who didn’t seem to like him… Aiden Carter’s face was to his taste.

There had always been good-looking drivers, but Aiden stood out even among them. To the point where even people who didn’t know F1 would like Aiden Carter.

However, even though a flower that perfectly suited his taste was right in front of him, Ryeoun no longer felt nervous or excited. The first impression had been pretty damn sour.

The fact that he was smiling now actually bothered him more. The expression on his face when they’d first greeted each other had clearly seemed like he didn’t like Ryeoun… Maybe he thought he’d failed to hide his expression, and figured giving one smile would make everything go back to how it was?

If that was his thinking, then no way. Ryeoun wasn’t that easy of a man. He wasn’t so foolish as to go gooey-eyed over a single smile from a guy who’d made a crappy first impression.

“Not tired? You’re going to work out tonight, right? Going to stay and watch Aiden’s test?”

At Young-hoo’s question, Ryeoun snorted.

“I’m not watching.”

“Then I’ll pack up your stuff.”

While he busily gathered the tumbler and dusted off the toes of his shoes that had been stepped on twice, the team manager approached them.

“Woon, go home and get some good rest.”

“I will. Good work today.”

“What did I even do? Ah, by the way, are you planning to stay and watch Ed’s test too? I’m not sending you off against your will, am I?”

At his hesitant question, Ryeoun smiled and waved his hand.

“I was just planning to head back anyway. I’ve been cooped up in the car for hours.”

Honestly, he was curious about the test, but if he stayed planted here in this state, he’d only end up in a worse mood.

At his playful retort, the man nodded and lightly patted Ryeoun’s shoulder.

“That’s true. How’s your condition? You didn’t overdo it, did you?”

“Over this?”

“Fair enough, Woon is still young.”

“Exactly.”

Ryeoun laughed lightly and continued.

“Oh. By any chance, could I see Aiden’s test results later?”

“Of course. Come by headquarters when you have time.”

“Will do.”

While the team manager and Young-hoo exchanged farewells, Ryeoun smiled and let the other team members know he was planning to head back.

Farewells began to pour in from all sides. As he exchanged goodbyes with the director, Ryeoun casually took in Aiden with his eyes.

He was busy fiddling with his phone, as if he didn’t have a single shred of interest.

‘No friends, huh.’

Once his pride was stung, nothing looked good.

It was true that Aiden had turned and smiled at him… but he couldn’t understand why his mood felt this dirty and unsettled.

‘Was it really just my imagination?’

That thought even crossed his mind. But Ryeoun soon shook his head and erased the thoughts about him.

Whether he liked it or not, they were going to be facing each other for a whole season.

So there was no need to think too deeply.

As time passed, he’d naturally come to understand him.

With that light heart, Ryeoun left the circuit.

“I wasn’t imagining it.”

At Ryeoun’s words, Young-hoo’s eyes widened as he asked back.

“What wasn’t?”

“About Aiden.”

“Aiden? Why? Did something happen between you two today?”

That couldn’t be. If something had happened, he’d feel less frustrated. Ryeoun tossed off his tie in frustration.

It was the day of a private sponsor meeting before the start of the Grand Prix season.

The meeting, held in a private lounge at a prestigious hotel, was an event that only invited a small number of people, but it was one of the fairly important schedules before the Grand Prix season opener.

It was an event where the team presented its goals for the new season to the sponsor representatives, the drivers who would be together for the season exchanged greetings, followed by a private briefing and a simple commemorative photo shoot.

Until just before they left, Ryeoun was perfectly calm. It wasn’t a huge event, nor was it the kind of nerve-wracking venue like a fan event.

Sponsors wanting to do a final check before the Grand Prix started—that was nothing new.

Moreover, the sponsors weren’t ignoring Ryeoun or disliking him. If anything, they were more inclined to support him so he could grow well. So from Ryeoun’s perspective, there was nothing particularly uncomfortable about it.

But at the venue, which he’d arrived at with a light heart, Ryeoun encountered an unexpected situation.

Namely, the team’s first driver, Aiden Carter, had started acting like an unexpected obstacle!

At the timing of the driver introductions, it was perhaps only natural that attention would gravitate toward Ryeoun, the team’s new driver. Because the sponsors were more intrigued by the unpredictable rookie driver than by Aiden, who consistently delivered stable results.

That didn’t mean the attention on Aiden had diminished at all. It was just that, a few times, really just a few times! The spotlight had shifted to Ryeoun for very brief moments.

But just as questions were pouring toward Ryeoun at the photo wall, Aiden subtly cut them off.

‘There’s a lot of attention on Mr. Han, who’s transferred to Helix—does that feel like pressure?’

‘Have you adapted to the racing car yet?’

‘Is Mr. Carter, the first driver, helping you out?’

As soon as Ryeoun heard his name among the reporters’ questions, Aiden smiled and grabbed the microphone. Before Ryeoun could even open his mouth.

‘I intend to offer as much help as I can with any advice.’

At those words, the direction of the questions shifted back toward Aiden. At first, Ryeoun thought it was a coincidence. But Aiden’s interference didn’t end there.