TOKYO DRIFT, Han Lue ✓

02| DON'T LEAVE TOWN

Upon Serenei's relocation from the United States to Tokyo, Japan, she approached the transition with thorough preparation. Her prior studies about Japan and the language, initiated when her father first made the move.

However, despite her preparation, the challenges that awaited her in Tokyo proved tougher than anticipated. Beyond the linguistic and cultural adjustments, she found herself confronted with the unsettling experience of derogatory slurs, among the many challenges she had yet to fathom

Han found Serenei to be an individual with an incomparable personality. From the moment he first laid eyes on her to the present day, he was astounded by the exceptional luck life had granted him. Their journey together, starting from the day of their first date at a race where he introduced her to the art of drifting, solidified in his mind that she was the one.

Beyond their connection, Serenei brought valuable contributions to his garage, with her engineering expertise and discerning eye for graphics. The unexpected twist in this tale of love was the realization that he would fall for an American, a circumstance he had never envisioned.

Serenei suppressed a silent scoff, her discomfort escalating as the situation ceased to amuse her. As a fellow Gaijin, she couldn't help but feel uneasy witnessing Takashi's inappropriate behavior, especially considering Neela's presence. Despite Han leaning into her for reassurance, all she desired was to put an end to the pointless confrontation.

"Takashi!" Neela scolded him.

"We were just talking." Sean attempted to justify.

"This isn't your scene," Neela sternly informed him, while Morimoto subtly gestured with his wrench, urging Sean to read the room. The situation grew more serious, and Han's attempts at physical contact only flustered Serenei further as she swatted his hands away.

"Would you stop!" she whispered with urgency.

"That word you called me, gaijin or something, what does that mean or something?" Sean provocatively inquired, with Twinkie visibly on edge, hoping for some semblance of reason.

"It means, turn around, keep walking,"  DK responded with a sarcastic smile.

"That's exactly what we gonna do. Come on, man. Let's roll." Twinkie guided Sean to turn around, a move for which Serenei mentally expressed gratitude.

In an unexpected turn, Sean faced them once more, challenging the atmosphere.

"Now see, that's funny, 'cause I thought I was like, in a free country, where a girl can talk to whoever she wants" Twinkie sighed, and Serenei pinched the bridge of her nose.

DK stepped forward, asking,  " You know who I am boy?"

"You're like the Justin Timberlake of Japan right?" DK took another step forward, but Neela stopped him.

"God, he's really pushing it. Just like his sister." Han chuckled quietly, earning a jab from Serenei.

"Leave."

Despite Twinkie's attempts to apologize on Sean's behalf, Serenei sensed tension when DK turned to look at her, likely realizing who Sean was.

Han nudged her to stand up, and they left the scene, "Hey D, let's go! it's time to race!"

"Hey, good luck Timberlake!" Now he had done it and there was no one saving him.

Sean's remark further escalated the situation, and Serenei groaned while Han snorted. Takashi, losing his patience, charged toward Sean, setting the stage for an impending clash.

"You're the lucky one, 'cause I'm about to race."

"Then let's race" DK laughed in his face.

"Bro, you got no car!" Serenei spoke up laughing. DK laughed too and pointed at her statement.

"Easy to sound cocky when you got no ride" DK laughs.

"Take mine" Han's voice chimed in. Serenei turned around swiftly. Everyone's mouths silently parted. Sean caught the keys without batting an eye.

"Are you insane? Like actually clinically mentally insane?" Serenei was losing her mind.

"Let's race," Takashi says. He turns around and starts walking while Serenei just stops.

"What? I wanna see what the kid's got." Han shrugged.

"Han! You have no idea what he did to his car. He drove it through a house and flipped like fifty times!" She was holding his hand and yanking at it.

"It's my car." He laughed, not listening. He was yanking back and dragging her with him.

"You could see what the kid's got in other cars. He can't drift! He'll totally wreck Mona." She knew how much time, love, and happiness Han spent on that car. She didn't want it to go away all because of her hard-headed brother.

She turned around and started walking when she realized there was no hope left and he wasn't listening to her. He caught her step and gently pulled her by the hand.

"I'm ignoring you."

"You couldn't ignore me if you tried" he pecked her lips.

Serenei's anxiety heightened as the events unfolded, and she found solace in Han's comforting presence. They reached the start line, where they sat on the hood of a nearby car, Serenei taking a pack of chips from Han's hands. Twinkie's disapproving headshake revealed her brother's lack of capability, leaving her concerned.

Twinkie passed by, shaking his head at Han, causing Serenei's hopeful expression to sour. Sean's inexperience with drifting raised doubts, and she put her head in her hands. Han rubbed her back, finding amusement in what he perceived as an overreaction.

She didn't look until she heard "Go!" She looked up just to see Sean turn around the corner.

Everyone started to run around and disperse in rhythm. A loud crash was heard and it was Sean hitting the wall. Earl walked by, saying "I told you!"

Finally, after a cluster of people, Han got up still munching on the peanuts. He nudged Serenei to stand up and she picked up her pace walking a step in front of him, bumping into his shoulder.

Han was beginning to get an idea about her brother and he was thinking he may have made the wrong decision. She stepped inside the empty elevator and tapped the close button. Han barely managed to get inside.

"Come on, ba-" he began, but she stopped him.

"Han. You straight-up sent Mona to hell." Serenei deadpanned.

"I can exchange one car for knowing what a man's made of." he assured, but she refrained from making any remark. The elevator halted, and they stepped out into a roaring crowd, reuniting with their friends.

As the sounds of cars neared the finish line, Serenei tapped her foot anxiously. DK drove up, drawing everyone's attention. Yet, the faint roar of an engine hinted at another approaching vehicle. Mona, utterly demolished, abruptly drove up, leaving Serenei in shock.

Absolutely demolished.

"I think I'm gonna throw up," she frantically expressed, her hand on her head. Han, though concealing his emotions, cared deeply, evident in his eyes.

Twinkie, Reiko, and Earl approached the car, their expressions mirroring shock. Serenei approached her brother and leaned down to the window.

"God I don't know who taught you to drive but this ain't some off-road shit you did back home." She walked towards the elevator, and Han followed after her

Approaching the vehicle, Han offered a stern piece of advice. "Don't leave town," he stated before walking away with Serenei.

"He owns you now," Twinkie waved to Sean, marking the aftermath of the chaotic events.