Serenei opted not to return home that night, having been gradually moving her belongings to Han's place. She anticipated the forthcoming confrontation between Sean and their father and preferred to avoid the impending chaos.

Arranging a ride home for both Serenei and Han, Takashi's friends ensured their safe passage. However, the conversation between them remained muted until they reached Han's apartment. Han, unlocking the door, gestured for Serenei to enter first.

"Are you mad?" he inquired, locking the door behind them as they shed their shoes, placing the keys in a drawer.

"I'm not mad. I'm just-" Serenei sighed, making her way to the bedroom.

"If I knew what a driver he was-" Han interjected, following her. She turned around, scoffing.

"Look, Han." She patted his chest, signaling him to sit down.

"You never listen to what I have to say. You never listen to anything anyone has to say, for that matter, because you don't take shit from anyone." she expressed while changing into sleep clothes.

"But it's my brother! Of course, I'm gonna know he's a shit driver, I told you. All the blood and sweat you've put into that car..." she remarked, sitting on the bed.

"I'm sorry. I should've listened to you and I'm not just saying that. I regret it. We both put a lot of work in that car." Han confessed after a moment of silence.

"So what's up with the whole don't leave town?" she mocked him.

"I'm not sure yet. I'll see about it tomorrow morning," he replied, closing the light.

The next morning, Han left a message for Serenei, informing her that he was arranging for Sean to pick up his money after school. Once their business was concluded, Han called Serenei, notifying her that they were on their way to pick her up. Upon arrival, she sat in the back.

"You're in the pickup and delivery business now. I might call you once a week or once an hour." Han remarked, glancing at Serenei in the rear-view mirror.

"I don't care if you're sick as a dog or in bed with Beyonce. I call, you show." he continued, turning to Sean.

"Only if you teach me how to drift." Sean pushed.

"This ain't a negotiation," Han asserted.

"I wasn't negotiating," Sean smirked.

"I take it this afternoon went well." Serenei placed her palm on Han's shoulder.

"You know it, baby." Han smiled subtly.

"Wait you two-" Sean gestured, looking back at them.

"Eyes on the road, cowboy." Serenei pushed his head forward, ending the conversation.

Serenei turned her attention away from the streets of Tokyo for the remainder of the drive. This city had become her home a few years ago. The lights, the cars, the people. Han. It brought out a new side in her—more bold and daring, more happy, and content.

They arrived at a small Casino shop. Han lead the way up to the front with Serenei behind him and Sean in the back. They encountered one of Takashi's minions, who ushered them towards his boss. They arrived inside a small room at the back of the building. She knew they were going to discuss business sooner or later, so she didn't exactly understand why they brought Sean with him.

When Takashi and Morimoto took notice of them, they cleared the room. DK's eyes trailed over her but scrunched up at the sight of her half-brother.

"What's he doing here?" DK inquired upon noticing Sean.

"He's paying me back for that crumpled beer can sitting in the back of my garage," Han said throwing the money on the table.

"Hope he's not driving," Morimoto said.

"Gaijin. When is your next race? I'd really like to be there." Morimoto inquired, drawing tense reactions from the siblings.

Serenei tuned out of the remaining conversation, eager for it to end. A disconcerting feeling settled in her chest, enveloping her. Something felt off. Whether it was related to the business dealings or triggered by her sense that something ominous was bound to unfold, she couldn't decipher.

"What do you think Seri, huh? " Takashi asked. Han bumped her out of her thoughts. Noticing the puzzling expression on her face he took a mental note to ask her later.

Serenei forced a smile and shrugged. DK sent her a confused look. She hadn't even noticed Sean wasn't with them and had walked out. They were discussing business, she wasn't even aware.

"What? Cat got your tongue?" Morimoto said.

"Sorry, not feeling well," she said, exhaling.

After concluding their discussion, the duo exited the room, passing by the bustling crowd engrossed in various casino games, with people fervently trying their luck on the array of machines.

"What's up?" Han asked, taking her hand in his.

"It's probably nothing. But I saw some weird papers over on his desk," she reasoned. He pecked her head.

"Papers?" he stopped walking.

"Your name was on it. Mine too," she explained. He nodded, silently telling her he'd take care of it.

"Your brother is going to get himself killed," Han remarked, looking forward. Serenei followed his gaze to see Sean talking with Neela.

"Can't you go find a nice Japanese girl like the rest of the white guys around here?" Han asked him.

"Is everything okay back there?" Sean questioned.

"I can handle DK." Han nodded, assuring.

"I thought he's yakuza."

"His uncle's yakuza." Serenei clarified with a sigh.

"He's just playing gangster in his little storage room."

"But I need him," Han confirmed.

"He keeps Uncle Kamata from poking around too much." he continued.

"What do you mean?" Sean asked.

"Well, his uncle gets a piece of the action from everyone on his turf. We're on his turf." Serenei explained.

"50% of something is better than 100% of nothing," she added, clicking on her phone to let Reiko know they were on their way.

"So have you raced DK?" Han shook his head no.

"Why not? Is he that good?"

"What's the point of a race?" Han asked Sean.

"To see if I'm better than the other guy," Sean smirked.

"Just proves you're faster, that's all." Serenei shrugged.

"If I were to race, it would have to be for something important. Or why else do it at all?"

"I raced for a girl. That's what landed me here." Sean admitted proudly.

"That's some American shit." Han shook his head.

"Han? Would you race for me?" Serenei put her head on his shoulder, jokingly.

"Of course, I would." he tilted his head for a kiss.

"Why are you letting me race?" Sean laughed.

" 'Cause you're DK's kryptonite. And you owe us a car."

Entering the club, Han greeted numerous people while holding Serenei close. Sean, having parked the car, caught up with them shortly. Passing through rooms with dancing models, they reached the garage, where Han got them drinks. Sean was amazed, and they eventually sat on a couch, Serenei resting her legs on Han's lap.

"The red Evo's yours," Han said, leaving Sean wide-eyed.

"You better keep it in one piece, Reiko worked really hard on it," Serenei warned as she leaned forward.

"Wait what do you mean," Sean said looking up at the two of them.

"You're representing me now," he said, pouring liquid into his glass

"What do you think? He gonna let you roll in a Hyundai?" Serenei winked.

After a night of fun, they returned home, unaware of what the next day would hold. If Serenei could foresee the future, she might have thought twice about showing up at the garage.

Everything seemed fine until Sean arrived with Twinkie, demanding to start his drifting lessons immediately. Han shook his head in disbelief, while Serenei simply sat down. After all, Han brought this on himself, not her.

Sean attempted drifting, but to say he succeeded would be a gross misrepresentation. Earl expressed his dismay loudly, questioning Han's decision to find Sean. Twinkie chimed in, making light of the situation, and comparing Sean's lack of skills to Serenei's proficiency.

"My mother! She's blind in one eye and she can drift better than that!" Earl groaned loudly.

"Han, where did you find that guy?!" Earl exclaimed.

"Yeah, how are you two even related? Besides the driving, you got all this" Twinkie gestured to Serenei's body. She chucked a plastic cup full of water into him.

"And he's got all that" he pointed to Sean, gesturing he was straight as a surfboard.

"Twinkie go hit on those seagulls over there," Han said, not lifting his eyes off Sean's vehicle.

"Jealous eh?" Twinkie put on an accent.

Serenei laughed and Han just shook his head at them. She put her legs in Han's lap. He glanced at her and smirked. He stood up and went over to her and sat down with a loud crack in the plastic chair.

"Han!"

"You putting those legs on my lap again?"

"Yeah" Han leaned back, the chair cracking even further.

"Han the chair's gonna break." and as he stood up, she crashed down, hitting the concrete.

"HAN !"