Chapter 11 — Victory on The Track

Engines roared to life. Two machines streaked across the track, their wheels biting the asphalt as the night lights blurred past.Even with Ryota’s men trying every dirty trick imaginable, Hana’s focus never faltered. Her hands moved with surgical precision, steering through chaos like a dance—elegant and unyielding.When the checkered flag fell, she crossed the finish line first.
Kaiser’s voice thundered through the speakers.「JJ-san WON!!」
The crowd erupted—cheers shaking the air.
Ryota slammed both fists against his car roof, face red with rage.「FUCK!! FUCK, FUCK, FFFUUUCCCKKK!!」His voice cracked with disbelief. 「They cheated… they had to!」
As both cars returned to the gathering area, Kaiser and the MAL crew approached.
「Whoa, JJ-san… why’s there paint all over the windshield?」JJ smirked, calm as ever.「Quick-dissolving paint. Funny enough, Ryota’s family owns the company that makes it.」
The crowd caught on instantly—and booed Ryota’s team off the track.
Hana leaned over the hood, exhilarated.「Woah… that was amazing!」JJ chuckled.「Didn’t know you’d make such a great getaway driver.」Hana’s lips curled.「I’m not as sheltered as you think I am.」JJ grinned.「Guess you’re right.」「Still, how’s this car so fast?」「Simple,」 JJ said, tone light but proud. 「I’ve got connections in Militia. This thing’s basically a military vehicle disguised as a sedan. Runs on water and other liquids too.」Hana blinked.「You made it look like a normal car?」「Gold in a batch of fool’s gold,」 JJ teased.Hana giggled.「You really messed up big time, Ryota.」Ryota growled.「Shut up. We’re leaving.」JJ stepped forward.「Hey, Ryota. You owe us the money—and the cars. You agreed: loser walks home.」One of Ryota’s guards, RG#01, aimed his gun.Ryota smirked. 「We’re not paying—」
Before he could finish, every gun in the crowd turned on them.
Ryota froze.「W-what… how?」JJ’s grin widened.「Didn’t I say I have Militia connections? They let me bring anything short of military-grade weapons. And this is MAL territory—Motors and Luxuries. No one leaves without paying what they owe.」
One of Ryota’s guards muttered under his breath. 「He’s not the same brat from five years ago…」Ryota exhaled sharply. 「Fine. We’ll pay.」JJ smirked.「No wonder Yuna can’t stand you or your brothers—highly disappointing.」Ryota tensed, but RG#01 held him back. 「Sir, we’re outnumbered.」JJ chuckled, eyes gleaming.「Finally, a smart guard. Listen carefully—my rank outranks your entire family. Only my grandmother sits above me. So unless you want me to make a call that’ll ruin the Satos’ little empire… I suggest you keep quiet.」Ryota’s face paled. 【Is this… why she defies me so easily? Who the hell is this Samuels scum?】
Ryota paid, humiliated, and left.The MAL crew lowered their weapons.
Hana exhaled, still stunned. 【He made the Sato heir back off… JJ’s influence is real. Even without his family.】JJ turned to her, voice soft again.「So, Hana. Shall we go home?」She blushed faintly.「Yeah.」「Kaiser,」 JJ called. 「Turn those cars race-ready. I’ll handle the clearance later.」「Got it, JJ-san. When you’re back, these won’t be the lame machines you see now!」JJ grinned.「Good. Peace.」「Peace,」 Kaiser echoed.
◽The Next Day — Wednesday, 06 April 2050◽
Riyuka scanned the classroom.「Sakura… heard from Hana?」Sakura shook her head. 「No. Thought you might’ve.」Riyuka sighed, glancing at Renji and Mikado. They both shook their heads.「Damn… where could she be?」Just then, Hana stepped in, smiling nervously.「Morning, Riyuka. Sorry for not calling yesterday.」Riyuka exhaled in relief.「At least you’re okay. But—where’s that Jerry guy?」「He’ll be here later,」 Hana said.Sakura’s eyes widened, noticing Hana’s fresh makeup and designer outfit.「Wow… you must’ve spent a lot!」Hana laughed softly.「Oh, this? I didn’t spend a cent. JJ did it all—from the makeup to the clothes.」「He did?」 Sakura blinked. 「He’s that good?」「Better than most professionals,」 Hana said proudly.Riyuka crossed her arms.「Are you sure he’s not… you know, gay?」Hana chuckled. 「Nope. He’s got a daughter. Said he practiced so he could help her when she grows up.」Riyuka smirked. 「A doting dad, huh?」「Yeah,」 Hana smiled softly. 「Anyone who sees them together would wish for what they have.」Riyuka leaned closer, teasing.「Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for him.」Hana’s face turned bright red.「N-no way!」Sakura giggled. 「Didn’t think anyone could make Hana blush like that.」Hana pouted. 「So what if I did? It’s not like he’s playing me.」Riyuka raised a brow. 「And how can you be sure?」Hana chuckled, looking away.「Can’t say that.」
◽Tea Time◽
Jerry sat calmly, eating while the others gathered around.「So… what’s this about?」 he asked.Riyuka spoke first, tone sharp. 「What’s your deal with Hana?」Jerry smiled faintly. 「We’re dating.」「For real?!」 Sakura gasped.「For real,」 Jerry said simply. 「Remember when you warned me not to hurt her? So relax—I won’t. Besides, Shizuko loves having Hana around. Last thing I need is my daughter mad at me.」Riyuka blinked. 「Aren’t you two moving a little fast?」Jerry shrugged. 「In my world, this is slow.」 He turned to Hana. 「Oh, and by the way—we’ll be getting married soon.」
Everyone froze.
「Huh?」 Hana blinked.Jerry smirked. 「You told me to talk to my family, remember? I did. Grandma said: ‘Either make her my granddaughter-in-law or don’t come back.’ So congrats, Ms. Allen—you just gained access to the world’s most dangerous weapon.」He stood, stretching. 「Ooh… seconds.」 Then left.Mikado blinked. 「Weapon? What did he mean?」Renji frowned. 「Yeah… what weapon?」Hana’s mind raced. 【Weapon… is he saying if I stay with him, I’ll learn what’s really behind this feud?】
◽Confrontation◽
Yamato approached with his usual smirk.「Well, well… if it isn’t the university princess.」Hana exhaled sharply. 「What do you want, Shinji?」「Relax. Just wanna talk. We were friends once, remember?」「Tsk… we were never friends.」Yamato laughed. 「Touchy. Where’re you headed?」「None of your business.」
He grabbed her wrist. Renji and Mikado instantly stepped forward, matching Yamato’s men.
「Woah, stand down,」 Yamato said mockingly. 「You two look like you’ve never fought before.」Renji glared. 「Hana’s our friend. You don’t get to treat her like that.」Yamato snorted. 「Captain Save-a-Hoe, huh? Prove it.」A calm voice cut through the tension.「Weak people pretending to be tough… could you not? It’s embarrassing.」Yamato turned, sneering. 「What did you say, monkey?」Jerry sighed. 「I said—let her—」
Before he finished, Yamato’s fist connected—four quick hits.Blood trickled from Jerry’s lip. He didn’t even flinch.
「Better bite down,」 Jerry muttered, dialing emergency services. 「Yes ma'am four students from Kaigen Toshi University.」
Then, with a fluid motion, he leapt—striking back. In seconds, Yamato and his friends lay sprawled, bruised, and unconscious.
「There. Now you’ve got faces only a mother could love.」Then he hung up the phone call too.Hana blinked in awe.「You never told me you could fight like that.」Jerry smirked. 「Guess I’m rusty. Shouldn’t have bled from a weak punch like that.」Riyuka frowned. 「You talk like you’ve got superpowers.」Jerry leaned back. 「I’m as close as you’ll get. Look me up—Jerry Samuels.」Riyuka scrolled her phone. 「Just says you’re from a Militia conglomerate family.」「Then read how we made our fortune.」She scrolled again—eyes widening. 「That’s impossible… to build that empire in less than fifty years—」「Exactly,」 Jerry said. 「Now ask yourself how we really did it.」
Riyuka stared silently.
Jerry’s tone sharpened.「Not trying to scare you, Tachibana. But maybe you should ask your old man about me.」Riyuka frowned. 「And why would I?」Jerry’s gaze darkened.「Because I can smell the blood of a killer on you. When you’ve lived your life in war, you can tell the difference between civilians and soldiers.」
He pointed—first at Sakura, then Hana.
Renji blurted, 「Hana didn’t kill anyone!」Jerry’s expression didn’t change. 「I know. But can you say the same about the people who brought her into this world?」
The silence was suffocating.
Then, with a teasing smirk, he broke it.「Anyway… did Hana tell you what she did yesterday?」Hana’s cheeks flushed. 「W-What do you mean?!」
Jerry grinned. 「You know at Mal.」Hana sighed, laughing nervously.「Oh… that. We went to MAL yesterday afternoon.」「And?」「I… I won a full-mile drag race against Ryota Sato.」Sakura’s jaw dropped. 「Wait—the Ryota Sato-sama?!」Jerry tilted his head. 「What’s got her so excited?」Hana chuckled. 「He’s an actor, rapper, and dancer.」Jerry scoffed. 「A worthless piece of shit has fans.」Sakura gasped. 「How could you say that about him?!」Jerry shrugged, completely unfazed.「Because… he is.」