Fair Trade

When Sei knocked on the door of the security office attached to the first floor, Mark, who was eating a hamburger, reached out his hand.

She rolled her eyes and handed him a hundred-dollar bill. Then, with a bright smile, he raised his bottom and held out a key that he had hidden beneath the cushion.

“Will I be able to finally hear the engine today?”

“Just eat your hamburger.”

“You know I took great care of the bike for you.”

“I see, thank you. Anyway, I’ll go out now and return tomorrow, so don’t close the warehouse door.”

Mark nodded, bringing his index and thumb together in an ‘OK’ sign. Sei opened the side door connected to the management office and went inside. A warehouse filled with musty odors and dust came into view.

When she removed the silver cover, her S1000RR was waiting for her in a modest position. Sei put on her helmet, plugged in her phone and earphones, and finally started her bike after a long period of keeping it in storage.

With the sound of the loud engine, the warehouse door began to slowly open. After a few squeezes of the handle, the heated engine growled like a beast as if it was about to leap out.

As soon as the warehouse door was completely opened, her bike sped out into a narrow alley.

* * *

Las Vegas.

The great abode of pleasure. A desert miracle and Nevada’s largest tourist city.

When Sei arrived at McCarran International Airport, she took a taxi and headed for her destination.

She looked for Lilly’s current whereabouts. For the first time in a long time, Sei grinned without reservation. Fortunately, Lily’s whereabouts could be tracked using the social media apps’ live feature.

She couldn’t help but giggle at Lily’s current whereabouts, which everyone was raving about.

Lily White, a global racing model.

Sei shook her head slowly, recalling the day when Lily was her partner.

The Lily, who was crazy about chemical formulas and looked shabby 365 days a year, and the present Lily looked like two completely different people.

She seemed even more unfamiliar to her as she posed on the bonnet of the new Rolls-Royce car.

People who visited Las Vegas naturally exposed Lily’s location by posting pictures of vehicles on social media that they could not afford even if they had money.

Sei then took out Yuri’s velvet case that she had brought in her backpack. She then put the earrings on both of her ears.

The hand mirror was honest. The design didn’t go well with her sporty clothes. While fiddling with the heavy ruby, the taxi stopped when it reached its destination.

Sei got out of the vehicle and raised her head to gaze at the stunning splendor.

As she arrived at the casino hotel, fireworks went off over her head. A fireworks display was prepared by the hotel for guests. For a brief period, everyone’s gaze was drawn upward.

Suddenly, she was curious about the approximate price of the fireworks display. She pondered how much people would pay for a fleeting impression. This was a society where some individuals were willing to spend money that others couldn’t ever imagine having in their entire lifetimes for the sake of some momentary entertainment.

After all, this world was nothing more than a train that ran on injustice and unfairness as fuel.

Found you.

Shortly after walking, Sei found a vehicle exhibition hall surrounded by colorful spotlights. Taking off her hat and tucking it into her bag, she brushed her fingers through her luscious hair and ruffled it gently. Beautiful models stood in front of their respective vehicles, greeting potential buyers and sending hand kisses.

Among them, Lily stood out. Unlike others, she sat motionlessly, but she exuded a unique aura of elegance that complemented the car.

Sei stretched her neck from side to side to relieve the stiffness and walked forward through the crowd.

The sound of music resounded in her ears. The gazes of the two women crossed among the multitude of people. To be precise, she was the only one who was happy. Lily looked rather aghast. Sei slyly waved her hand at Lily, who recognized her at once.

“Hello, Lily. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

* * *

Sei shoved her face in front of Lily, who avoided looking her in the eyes.

“You seem as though you knew I was coming to visit you.”

Lily got up and gave an uneasy smile. She opened her room’s refrigerator, took out two cans, and handed one to Sei.

“Do you want some?”

“No. I’m here to see you. I need to get going, so I’ll ask you right away.”

“Obviously! There must be a reason why you came here all the way from New York. What’s the matter?”

Sei took a look around the hotel room, which was as opulent as Lily’s reputation. Lily seemed completely different from the past. From personality to appearance. Also, the way she talked.

She thought Lily’s chances of making the gold bar were quite slim.