The smell of antiseptic was as familiar as home.
It drifted through every room of the Aster house, mixing with the faint scent of coffee that had long gone cold.
My parents were a doctor and a nurse.
Long shifts, emergency calls, and sleepless nights were simply part of our daily life.
The sun had barely risen when they were already getting ready to leave again.
“Rubi, Yuri!
Don’t miss the bus,” Mom reminded us while putting on her coat.
Even after a whole night at the hospital, she still smiled at us.
“We won’t,” Yuri answered before I could.
Dad gently patted my head as he walked past me.
“Good luck on your first day.”
I nodded with a small smile.
“Good luck.”
As soon as the door closed, I hugged my sketchbook against my chest.
The worn cover and the charcoal pencils inside always made me feel a little calmer.
Yuri adjusted his school bag and looked at me.
“Nervous?”
“A little.”
He smiled.
“Mirae Academy is just another school.”
“It doesn’t feel like ‘just another school.'”
“It will after today.”
I let out a quiet sigh.
“I hope so.”
Emmi was already waiting outside.
“There you are!” she waved excitedly.
“Come on!
We’re going to be late.”
Unlike me, Emmi looked completely relaxed.
“I still can’t believe you two finally transferred,” she said while walking toward the bus stop.
“You’re going to love Mirae Academy.”
Yuri raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve been saying that since last month.”
“Because it’s true!”
She leaned closer to me and whispered dramatically,
“And there are lots of handsome boys.”
“Emmi…” Yuri sighed.
“What?
I’m just helping Rubi feel excited.”
I couldn’t help laughing.
For the first time that morning…
I felt a little less nervous.
The bus arrived a few minutes later.
We found seats near the window.
Emmi continued talking about clubs, teachers, and the huge school festival while I quietly watched the city pass by.
Then—
VROOOOM!
A loud sports bike shot past the bus.
The sound tore through the air.
Everything around me froze.
My fingers tightened around my sketchbook.
My breathing became uneven.
That sound…
I knew it.
I wished I didn’t.
For a split second, flashing lights, an ambulance siren, and broken memories filled my mind.
My hands began to shake.
“Rubi.”
Yuri immediately reached for my hand.
His voice was calm.
“Look at me.”
I couldn’t.
“Rubi.”
His grip became firmer.
“Breathe.”
I forced myself to lift my eyes.
“You aren’t there anymore.”
Slowly…
Very slowly…
My breathing returned to normal.
The memories faded, but the fear remained.
It always did.
Nearly twenty minutes later, the bus stopped in front of Mirae Academy.
I looked up.
The campus was far bigger than our old school.
Modern buildings stood beneath the bright morning sky while students in neat uniforms walked confidently through the gates.
It felt like a completely different world.
Emmi smiled proudly.
“Welcome to Mirae Academy.”
After entering the campus, Emmi headed toward our classroom while Yuri and I followed our homeroom teacher.
When the classroom door opened, dozens of eyes turned toward us.
“Our class has two transfer students today,” the teacher announced.
“Please introduce yourselves.”
Yuri stepped forward first.
“My name is Yuri Aster.”
He gave a polite bow.
“I hope we can get along.”
The class greeted him warmly.
“You may sit beside Emmi,” the teacher said.
Yuri nodded and walked to his seat.
Then…
It was my turn.
I slowly walked to the front of the classroom.
My palms felt sweaty.
Everyone was looking at me.
I quietly pressed my thumb against the edge of my sketchbook before taking a deep breath.
“My name is…
Rubi Aster—”
BANG!
The classroom door swung open.
The room instantly fell silent.
A tall boy stood in the doorway.
His uniform was neat despite being late.
A black helmet rested under one arm while a leather jacket hung casually over his shoulder.
Several girls whispered excitedly.
“Takoru…”
“He’s late again.”
The teacher closed her eyes for a second before speaking.
“Mr.
Ryuzaki.”
“You are late.”
“Again.”
“Take your seat.”
Takoru didn’t argue.
He didn’t apologize.
He simply walked toward the back of the classroom with slow, relaxed steps, completely ignoring the curious stares around him.
Without saying a single word, he sat beside the window…
Right next to me.
He placed the helmet on the desk.
Rested his head on his folded arms.
And within seconds…
He was asleep.
I quietly sat down beside him.
My eyes slowly drifted toward the black helmet.
To everyone else…
It was just a cool motorcycle helmet.
To me…
It was the sound that had stolen someone precious.
I wasn’t afraid of the boy sitting beside me.
I was afraid of the world he belonged to.
To be continued…
Welcome to Chapter 1 of The Biker Who Stole My Fear.
This story is a slow-burn journey about healing, friendship, growing up, and finding courage where fear once lived.
Every character has their own dreams, struggles, and hidden scars, so I hope you’ll enjoy watching them grow together.
Before you start reading, I have a few questions for you: – What was your first impression of Rubi?
– Do you think Takoru is just another arrogant biker, or is there more to him?
– If you were in Rubi’s place, would you be able to sit beside someone who reminds you of your biggest fear?
I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments.
Thank you for giving my story a chance.
See you in Chapter 2.