Ikigai ⌈Fast and Furious⌋ (✓)

九

Reminder: All italic words are spoken in Japanese unless stated otherwise.

┈ ┈ ┈ ⋞ 〈 東京 〉 ⋟ ┈ ┈ ┈

Even if Takana didn't expect the exchange to go sour, pulling up to Han's garage at exactly midnight was nerve-wracking. For all her bravado in front of her brother earlier, she was extremely nervous that Han would try to go back on his word.

All of the bays of the garage were open and Takana could see Han leaning on Sean's red Evo, waiting for them. Upon further inspection, she could see Sean himself on the lofted part of the garage, as well as Twinkie, Reiko, and Earl. All of them looked somber, but tensed, especially as Takashi steps out of his car.

Takana steps out of her car, following Morimoto and Takashi into the garage. The other three stay by their cars as they were instructed.

Takashi takes measured strides towards Han and punches him in the jaw, knocking him back against the Evo's hood. "I vouched for you. I stuck my neck out for you. And this is how you repay me?"

Han sits up slowly, pressing the heel of his hand to his red and swelling jaw. "This ain't the boy scouts. This is what we do."

"It's not what partners do."

Han scoffs as he picks up the bag at his feet and shoves it at Takashi. Takashi hands the bag off to Takana, who walks back over to her car to count the money.

It takes a few moments, but she eventually comes to the conclusion that the money is all there. Leaving it in her car, she walks back over to the group of Takashi, Morimoto, Han, and, frustratingly, Sean.

"I thought we were friends," Sean says, looking at her.

Takana crosses her arms. "Just because I forgave you doesn't mean we're friends. Now stay out of this. It has nothing to do with you."

"I'm Han's driver. I think I do have a say in this."

Takana looks at Han. "What did I tell you, Han?"

Han mimics Takana's pose, leaning against the Evo once more. "And I told you that I ain't the kid's daddy. He can do what he wants."

"And what he wants is going to get him killed."

Takashi steps in. "As amusing as this is, we need to go and get this in the system as well as get word to Uncle that it's been taken care of."

"He comes after me, our deal is off," Han states.

Rolling her eyes, Takana responds, "You don't heed what I say and I can guarantee life for you will be much harder."

"Again with the threats, princess."

"Not a threat."

Turning on her heel, Takana makes her way back to her car and slides in, waiting for Morimoto and her brother, who throws a parting jab at Han, to climb into their cars before she starts the car and reverses away from the garage. As they pull out of the lot that houses the garage, Takashi takes the lead, followed by Takana with Morimoto behind her. The other three cars are in a random order, following behind until they reach the main streets of Tokyo, where they break off.

Pulling into the parking lot behind the casino that holds Takashi's office, Takana steps out with the bag of money, handing it to Takashi as they take the back door into the building.

Once in his office, Takashi pulls out the money and counts it again while Morimoto takes a seat on the leather chair against the wall beside Takashi's desk chair and pulls Takana down to sit across his lap. Neela sits on the arm of the couch, holding Takana's hand as they all watch Takashi.