Gas Gas Gas

John took a look around and frowned.

What a mess.

Alpha was standing there, tears running down her face and looking like a girl who had given up on the world.

Yakuza were swarming all around, armed with guns... thankfully just pistols.

And then there was that young woman who seemed to be the boss of the men. That same young woman who ran into a building when she saw him after he first arrived back on Earth.

In short, just about two steps above the worst case scenario, and only because Alpha had broken down in tears instead of going around in a bloody rampage.

Although he was worried about that as well. He had never seen her cry at all, and for her to do so now of all times...

Well, he could think about that later.

The young woman... No, from what he sensed earlier, her name was Asako Seiryuu.

Asako turned and looked at John with wide eyes, flushing red. "Y-You're...?!" She coughed, quickly regaining her composure and then said, "You're this girl's father?"

John walked over to Alpha, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

She flinched, lowering her head and avoiding John's gaze.

Seeing that made John sigh.

It seemed like he really needed to have that talk with his eldest daughter soon.

But first, this mess of a dramatic situation.

Asako was waiting for an answer, managing to put on a composed mask instead of her flustered expression earlier.

John didn't respond. Instead, he motioned towards his car.

The yakuza in the distance reacted, but before they could move forward, three shadowy figures stepped out.

The first was a muscular man in a light grey blazer, suit pants, and a maroon shirt with an upturned collar. His hair was slightly spiked upwards and he had a stern face, eyes narrowed.

The second was man with a lean muscular build. His hair was short, cropped just above his ears, with the rest shaved. An eyepatch covered his left eye, and he wore a snakeskin jacket and leather pants, open to reveal a floral Hannya tattoo with snakes around his arms and chests.

The last figure was a tall man, powerfully built and with a buzz cut. A heavy jacket covered his black t-shirt, which was paired with green camo pants and combat boots.

Asako's eyes widened before quickly narrowing.

Did she sense the 'presence' of the people that John called?

Well, he didn't blame her considering they were modeled after the Dragon, the One-Eyed Demon, and the Tiger.

John glanced back and said, "You guys. Keep the others in check and watch over my beloved daughter."

Silent nods in response.

Of course. Unlike the real deals, they were just copies. Models made of the memories John had from the games that he fleshed out with combat techniques and fragments of Daos that he had accumulated. In short, puppets- No, the game characters that he had controlled in the past.

But that didn't make them any less dangerous.

As one, the three Yakuza game legends moved to surround Alpha, backs turned to keep the real yakuza in check.

It was unnecessary, considering Alpha's true nature, but appearances mattered in situations like this.

Alpha looked over to John and muttered, "Father-"

"We'll talk later, Alphy. For now..." He turned to Asako and said, "From the situation, it seems my daughter lost a race, huh?"

Asako flinched, caught off guard at being suddenly addressed. But the yakuza heiress nodded and leaned on the Ferrari. "That's right. We made a bet to race and she lost fair and square."

John's gaze flicked towards the BMW and then he said, "I don't know if it was 'fair and square' considering you have a manual and modified car while she was running stock... But fine. In that case, how about another wager?" John walked back and leaned against his car. "I'm sure you know what this is. After all, a young woman skilled enough to beat my beloved daughter in a race surely knows her stuff."

Asako glanced at the car and said, "I do. But is that the real thing?"

"If you mean if it's an eight-six, then yes. And it'll be yours if you can win... Ah, though I'd like to ask to borrow a car to head back in that case."

"That seems... fair." Asako narrowed her eyes. "But if I lose?"

"Then I take back my Ferrari and we call it good." John stepped forward, idly tucking his hands into his pockets and letting out a roguish smile. "What do you say? Or are you afraid of losing to this old man in a race?"

Asako blinked and muttered, "I don't know if someone like you can be considered old."

"Hm?"

Asako coughed, flushing a bit, and then nodded. "Fine. I'll take you up on your wager."

"Good. Ah, but could you call off your men?" John nodded towards the yakuza in the distance and said, "My daughter's had a rough day already, and I'd appreciate it if you let her relax a bit. You know?"

Asako frowned. "That's-"

"Lady Asako!" The bald man that had called out to Asako earlier pointed at John and said, "You can't trust him! That man is the one that our recruits saw-!"

"Oi." John glanced at the man and said, "I ain't talking to you."

"Kuh-!" The bald man flinched and then stumbled back, tripping over his feet onto the ground.

At the same time, the other yakuza raised their guns, aiming at John. One, two... about a dozen of them. And there were a couple of men slyly inching forward, hiding beneath the shadows amidst the car headlights.

Seeing that, John let out a long-suffering sigh. Still, instead of being angry, he looked to Asako and said, "Listen. I... have had a very, very, very trying time since I've arrived in Japan. The last thing I want to do is get into a turf war with the locals. But." He narrowed his eyes. "I'm not above doing it if you all tick me off. And believe me, I'm a half-step away from being ticked off. So, not that I'm threatening you or anything... but I'd really appreciate it if you told your men to back down. Please."

John waited.

If things went south, he was prepared to turn time back and drag Alpha away-

Ah, wait. That would mean that Beta would have to do all of her work again. And she would be aware of the fact that she'd have to do it as well.

Which meant that he actually couldn't turn time back.

Then... Gah. Dammit.

And then now that he had done this, he'd sown all sorts of bad karma. Not to mention Alpha...

Fortunately, it seemed that wouldn't be a problem.

Asako nodded and then said, "Stand down."

"Lady Asako!"

Asako crossed her arms and glared at her men. "Did you or did you not choose to follow me? Do I have to beat all of you senseless again?"

Silence. Then, all the yakuza went back into their cars.

John noted a few of the more determined ones still aiming guns at him from inside the windshield, but that was fine.

Asako turned to John and said, "Is that good enough?"

John gave a bright smile. "Thanks."

Asako flushed and then coughed, averting her gaze. "A-Anyway, the race!" She walked back into her BMW and said, "A single lap?"

John walked over to his car as well and said, "We'll do three. Wouldn't be fair otherwise."

"Hoh~?" Ayako turned back and said, "Confident, are we?"

"You'll see. And I really want my car back, you know?"

Mostly because it'd be a pain registering another one...

Ayako giggled. And then she froze and coughed, quickly ducking into her car.

John resisted the urge to sigh at that and got in his car as well. But as he did, he noticed Alpha walk over. Seeing that, he rolled down his window.

"Father. This... I..." She mumbled, tripping over her words.

John shook his head and said, "Stay put. We'll talk on the drive back."

Alpha flinched and then lowered her head. "...Understood, Father."

John tapped his stereo, turning on some Eurobeat and then shifted his key, starting the engine. After that, he looked at the Yakuza legends... or rather, his shadowy copies of them and said, "Remember what I said."

Three curt nods.

Seeing that, John drove his car up next to Asako's BMW.

The Seiryuu heiress rolled down her window and said, "On three?"

John shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me. In fact, ladies first." He smiled and waved his hand ahead.

Asako's narrowed her eyes, anger flickering in them for the first time. "Oh? Then you don't mind giving this lady a head start?"

"Like I said, go-"

Before he finished, Asako sped off.

Seeing that, John sighed and turned up his stereo.

He fiddled with his gear shift, checking the stick. No problems there. Then he checked his e-brake. Again, no issues.

Of course, the car was essentially brand new so there wouldn't be... but it was good to make sure he didn't make a mistake in recreating it.

Since everything was in order, John turned his attention ahead.

Asako had already sped off, reaching the first bend.

But it didn't matter.

John shifted into first gear and then stepped on the gas.

"...After this, I am absolutely going to become a shut-in for a week to sort out all of this karma."

Muttering that, he sped off, chasing after Asako.