the Final Wall

The impact shook the black car as if it were a toy. Ren and Naoki barely had time to process the first blow when they received the second, much more violent one, from the rear. The metal creaked and their necks began to jerk violently.

Ren turned in his seat, looking toward the back of the car. He saw it clearly. The yellow sports car was right up against his bumper. Through the other car's windshield, he saw Seraphine. There was nothing left of the foreign queen. Her makeup was smudged, her blonde hair was a tangle from the wind, and her face was contorted into a grimace of pure hatred. She was shouting something muffled by the glass, but Ren could read her lips perfectly: “ You ruined my plans! I'll kill you! ” The fact that he had humiliated her at the parade and now at the wedding was unacceptable to her ego.

“ Hold on tight, young master Ren !” Naoki shouted.

A deadly race through the streets of Tokyo began. Naoki, with his years of driving training, tried to shake her off in the afternoon traffic. But Seraphine was a reckless driver; she didn't care about scratching her million-dollar car or endangering other drivers as long as she could hit them again.
“ She's crazy! ” Ren exclaimed, watching as the yellow sports car tried to ram them to overturn them. 

They reached a busy intersection. The traffic light was turning red. Naoki saw his chance. Without saying a word, Naoki slammed on the brakes and turned the steering wheel violently to the left, pulling into a narrow street at the last second. Seraphine, blinded by rage and speed, couldn't react in time. She tried to turn, but her tires lost traction. The yellow sports car skidded out of control, crossed the intersection, and crashed into a parked truck.

Ren looked back. Seraphine's car was wrecked and smoking. He saw Seraphine pounding the steering wheel with her fists, unharmed thanks to the airbags, but screaming and cursing at Ren as she was trapped in the wreckage of her own revenge.

“ Finally, we've lost the young master. ” sighed Naoki, straightening the car.

Ren and Naoki thought they had finally gotten rid of their problems. The road to Mio's church seemed clear. But their victory was short-lived. The vehicle's engine began to sputter and lose power. Black smoke began to pour out of the engine. “ No, not now... ” Naoki muttered, pressing the accelerator with no response. The car moved forward a few more meters and came to a complete stop.

In the end, the blows Seraphine had dealt to the car had taken their toll. The vehicle was dead.

Naoki hit the steering wheel with anger. “ No, no, damn it! I'm so sorry, young master! ” said Naoki, lowering his head in shame. “ I have failed you... ”

Ren opened the door and stepped outside. He adjusted his jacket, which by now was torn and somewhat battered, and looked at his loyal friend. “ Don't apologize, Naoki ” Ren said with a sincere smile. " You helped me break free from Seraphine and brought me here. You've done more than enough. “ Ren put a hand on his shoulder. ” Thanks, buddy. I'll run from here. "

Without wasting another second, Ren started running. His leg, which his father had injured days earlier, hurt more and more, but adrenaline and excitement were his motivation.

He was only a few blocks away. He could see the spire of the Crystal Cathedral in the distance.

“I'm coming for you, Mio. Wait for me.”