` willow ~ ! `

🎯 “planning the heist” The group chat immediately turns into chaos:

Oscar: So like… how do we even get volleyball tickets? George: They’re called VNL passes, mate. Max: Just call them and ask. Pierre: Do we even know when they play near us?? Charles: I will research. I am good at research.

Fifteen minutes later, Charles drops a link to the VNL schedule.

Charles: They play in Italy next month. That is close to the European GP. Lando: Perfect. We’ll say we’re doing “team building.” Carlos: And by team building, you mean ambushing Y/N with front-row seats. Lewis: Exactly.

🕵️‍♂️“the cover story” The week before the match, you get an email from the media coordinator:

“Hey, can you cover a special crossover sports event for the F1 website? Bring casual clothes.”

You shrug it off, assuming you’ll be interviewing some local athletes for a feel-good piece. Meanwhile, the grid is congratulating themselves for pulling off the perfect lie.

🎟️ “the reveal” The morning of, you’re walking into the arena with Carlos and Lando when you spot a massive banner:

FIVB Volleyball Nations League — Japan vs Italy

You stop dead. “No. No way. No way you—”

Lando grins like a child on Christmas. “Surprise.”

Carlos hands you an envelope. Inside: front row tickets. Your name is on the seat tag.

Before you can even process, Lewis walks up with a laminated badge. “Also, you’ve got post-match interview access.”

You blink. “You’re joking.”

Max smirks. “We don’t joke about this.”

🏐“the match” You’ve interviewed F1 world champions. You’ve sat next to Toto Wolff in strategy meetings. None of it prepared you for watching Ran Takahashi in person.

Every time he serves, you grip Lando’s arm. Every time he spikes, you gasp loud enough for the drivers to laugh.

Charles leans over mid-match. “You are more excited than when Max won last season.”

He’s not wrong.

By the third set, the entire F1 crew is into it—Max is analyzing formations like it’s race strategy, Pierre is loudly cheering in French, and George is recording “for social media” (read: blackmail).

📸“the backstage chaos” After Japan wins, the media handler leads you backstage. The drivers trail behind like proud parents on a school trip.

When Ran finally walks in, you freeze.

He smiles, polite and warm. “You must be Y/N? The F1 journalist?”

You nod too quickly. “Yes—I mean—hi—uh—yes.”

From behind you, Carlos coughs, “Smooth.”

You fumble with your recorder. “Okay, um, congratulations on the win. How—how do you… keep your composure when—uh—”

Ran laughs softly. “When the match gets intense?”

You nod again, mentally screaming.

📝“the actual interview” Once you get over the initial brain fog, you slip into your element:

You ask about his training mindset.

You compare volleyball’s quick decision-making to F1’s split-second calls.

You talk about representing your country on a global stage.

He answers thoughtfully, occasionally smiling when you draw parallels between the sports.

Behind you, Lando is whispering to Oscar, “She’s actually holding it together now.”

🎤 “the moment” At the end, you thank him for his time. Ran hesitates, then says:

“I’ve actually seen some of your F1 interviews. They’re very good.”

You blink. “…You—what?”

He smiles. “Media day with the drivers always looks fun.”

You’re still processing when Pierre loudly says, “Y/N, he’s flirting.”

You nearly drop your mic. Ran just laughs and shakes your hand.

🍝 “the debrief” Later that night at dinner, the grid will not stop teasing you.

Lando: “You went full heart-eyes.” Carlos: “I’ve never seen you that nervous.” Max: “Do you want us to invite him to a race?” Lewis: “We could make it happen, you know.”

You groan. “You’re never going to let this go, are you?”

They all shake their heads in unison.

📱“the internet finds out” By the next day, clips are everywhere:

You gripping Lando’s arm during a spike.

George filming your stunned reaction when Ran walked in.

The handshake moment, slowed down with romantic music.

Twitter captions range from:

“Y/N meeting her idol is my Roman Empire.”

“Protect this crossover at all costs.”

“Someone get Ran to a Grand Prix.”

“the thank you” That evening, you send a message to the driver group chat:

“Seriously… thank you. You guys didn’t have to do this, but it’s one of the best days of my life. I owe you all.”

Charles: “No debt. Just happiness.” Lando: “Okay but maybe you can get me Ran’s autograph.” Carlos: “She’s blushing again.”

You smile at your phone, heart full.

It wasn’t just the tickets or the interview. It was the fact they’d listened, remembered, and moved mountains just to see you happy.

And you know you’ll never forget it— Not the match, not the handshake, and definitely not Operation Ran Takahashi.

End.