Chapter One-hundred Forty-Eight: A Score to Settle

Chapter 148

A Score to Settle

Jordi was driving in downtown Pink Top City, wearing his black suit work uniform and zip-up boots. He turned to the Megalos Tower and went into the underground employee parking lot to park his car.

When he entered the tower, he retrieved his work ID card and swiped it through the time clock machine to clock in for work. He saw some young secretaries by the elevator checking him out.

Secretary: “Morning, Jordi.”

She blushed. Jordi smiled and nodded. He pressed the elevator button and stepped in when the door opened. He saw Alfie in there, dressed in a brown American-cut suit, a white pressed shirt, a brown tie, and brown derby shoes.

Alfie: “Good morning, Jordi. Nice day out, isn’t it?”

He chuckled and pressed the button for the eighty-fifth floor. Jordi forced a smile.

Jordi: “Yes, it certainly is.”

Alfie smiled at him as the elevator ascended.

Alfie: “Did you know they’re putting a Voyage Burger in the tower?”

Jordi forced a smile. Excellent, just what this tower needs, he thought dryly.

Jordi: “No, I didn’t know that, but thank you for telling me.”

He said cordially.

When the elevator reached the eighty-fifth floor, Jordi got off and went straight to the break room. He saw Stefano sliding his credit card into the vending machine and pressing every button to purchase chocolate bars, chips, and candy. Stefano wore a pink double-breasted suit, a white pressed shirt, a black bow tie, and brown loafers. Jordi slammed his hand against the machine and leaned his weight against it. He smiled at Stefano, who raised his head slowly.

Stefano: “What do you want?”

He muttered as his fat fingers grabbed the snacks from the collection tray.

Jordi: “You know damn well what I want.”

He went to the door, closed it, and locked it.

Stefano: “Get the Hell out of my way! I am damn tired of your boss wasting company funds to chase pretty boys!”

He snapped and tried to shove him out of the way. Jordi delivered a hard kick to his ass, and Stefano crashed to the ground, crushing the bags of potato chips and popping them, and his bars slid on the floor.

Jordi: “Don’t act stupid, Stefano!”

He snapped as Stefano panted and scrambled to his feet. Jordi kicked him down again. Stefano yelled in pain and flailed his feet and legs like a turtle on its back.

Stefano: “Damn you! I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

He blubbered. Jordi knelt to him, grabbed his collar, and delivered a right hook to his jaw. Stefano cried out.

Jordi: “You were spying on Gina! I saw you and I know it was you!”

He barked. Stefano gasped at him.

Stefano: “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I am going to human resources about this, and the fact that your boss wastes money on nonsense!”

He spat.

Jordi punched him again, and his glasses flew off and slid across the room.

Stefano: “H-HELP! CRAZY MAN IS ATTACKING ME! I DID NOTHING WRONG!”

He squealed. Jordi delivered another punch, hitting him between the eyes. Stefano wailed in pain as blood ran down his face. Jordi rose, unlocking the door and opening it.

Jordi: “Don’t stalk Gina. Stay the Hell away from her. What I did today was a warning. I can do so much worse.”

He said it in a tone that he’s not to be crossed and shook his forefinger at him.

Stefano: “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”

He wailed and sobbed. Minerva stepped into the doorway with Alfie behind her. She wore a blue plunge dress that fell to her knees, paired with a blue blazer, black nylons, and heels. She smirked at Stefano.

Minerva: “I was going to punish you, Jordi, but seeing this? I’ll let it slide.”

She purred.

Stefano: “Damn you, Minerva! You’re wasting company funds to chase pretty boys!”

He whined.

Minerva: “I’ve not wasted any company funds, you fat oaf. You, on the other hand? The cleaning bill alone to house those two inept buffoons would buy out Voyage Burger.”

She clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes.

Alfie: “Ma’am, did you know they’re putting a Voyage Burger in the tower?”

He chirped. Minerva turned to him with a scowl.

Minerva: “How is this relevant to me?”

She asked sharply. Alfie drew back.

Alfie: “Sorry, dear.”

He mumbled and broke out into a sweat.

~

Stefano entered Craig and Makayla’s loft. He stepped over the number of beer bottles and empty food containers as he staggered upstairs. He opened the door to Craig’s bedroom. Craig was still sleeping in his bed, completely naked.

Stefano: “Craig! I have an announcement to make! I am going to build a robot! You’re piloting it!”

He snapped and stomped his feet. Craig’s eyes fluttered. He let out a yawn followed by a belch. Then his eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas.

Craig: “...You mean I get to be like UltraMechaRobots?!”

He yawned again. Stefano eagerly nodded.

Stefano: “That’s right, and YOU’RE going to kill Jordi!”

He cackled.

Craig: “Kill him with my charm? Fuckin’ oath I will!”

He grinned, flexing his biceps. Stefano scowled at him.

Stefano: “No, you’re going to use the robot to kill him, and I expect nothing less!”

He barked. Craig’s smile died on his lips.

Craig: “Pfft, like fuck I ain’t! I’m gonna rock up there with my wicked sick robot, and he’ll be like ‘Ohhh, Craig, you're so wicked sick with your cool robot! I wanna fuck ya!’ and then I’ll be like, fuck yeah!”

He smiled dumbly.

Stefano glared at him.

Stefano: “You’re going to kill him, Craig. No ifs, ands, or buts.”

He snapped and stomped his feet, storming out and slamming the door. Craig pouted.

Craig: “Pfft, we'll see ‘bout that, ya fat geezer cunt.”

~

Deimos carried luggage to his car while Tristan watched him. Deimos wore a black Bathory tank top, torn jeans, and cowboy boots. Tristan wore a black waistcoat, black trousers, a red pressed shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a striped tie, and black wingtip Oxfords.

Tristan: “We just reconciled, Deimos. Do you have to go now?”

He knit his eyebrows. Deimos sighed and took Tristan’s hands. He kissed them and kissed his lips. Tristan moaned into his mouth.

Deimos: “I need to train so I can reflect on myself to do better for you.”

He whispered. Tristan was saddened and didn’t want him to go, but he understood.

Tristan: “All right, Deimos. Do what you must.”

He said gently and cupped his face, tracing his thumb over his cheek. Deimos leaned into his hand.

Deimos: “I won’t be gone long. Just a few days.”

Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “You’re right. I will miss you terribly.”

He said softly. Deimos sighed and kissed him.

Deimos: “And I will miss you just as much.”

The two kissed deeply, and Deimos threaded his fingers through Tristan’s hair.

Deimos climbed into his car, and Tristan sighed, trying to put on a brave face.

Tristan: “Drive carefully and call me when you reach your destination.”

He nodded. Deimos graced him with a tender smile.

Deimos: “I will, Tristan, and if anything happens, I am coming to you.”

He said firmly but gently. Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “All right. I love you.”

Deimos smiled.

Deimos: “I love you, too.”

They kissed again.

Deimos started his car and looked behind his shoulder as he reversed out of the driveway. He shifted into the first gear and drove down the road. Tristan waved as he watched him go, and a pang of sadness filled his heart.

~

Jaxon was sitting out on his front patio reading a manga in Japanese and smoking a cigarette. He wore a white silk shirt with intricate, highly decorative, and elaborate gold patterns, reminiscent of the baroque, paired with black tight jeans. He had his bare feet up on the railing as he read. Tristan walked up to his house and smiled at the wooden statues of cats in sunglasses that Celeste had made and placed on the lawn.

He sat by Jaxon and sighed. Jaxon closed his book and gazed at Tristan, noting his despondent disposition.

Jaxon: “What’s wrong?”

He asked. Tristan leaned back and groaned.

Tristan: “I’m… disheartened that Deimos is leaving for a few days. Maybe I’m overreacting, but we just reconciled, and he’s going to train for a few days.”

He sighed.

Tristan: “I know he wants to work on himself and reflect so that he doesn’t make the same mistake twice, but shouldn’t we do that together?”

He asked him. Jaxon nodded.

Jaxon: “Well, this is what I would want to do—work on it together, but I think Deimos has a different approach from us. He feels he has to do this alone, and maybe he doesn’t want you caught in the crossfire. I also think he feels guilty that it escalated that far, and he wants to avoid that.”

He explained. Tristan leaned over, pressed his palms together, and blew air through his slightly parted lips.

Tristan: “Yes, that sounds like something he would do.”

He said in a breathy voice that trailed off.

Jaxon put his arm around Tristan.

Jaxon: “Look, man, Deimos is crazy about you, and he needs to work through this. He will be back.”

He reassured him. Tristan smiled slightly and nodded.

Tristan turned to Jaxon and noticed something was bothering him, as well.

Tristan: “Okay, so you listened to me vent. Now it’s your turn.”

He smiled. Jaxon looked away.

Jaxon: “Am I that obvious?”

He laughed.

Tristan: “You and I pick up emotions.”

He shrugged and smiled. Jaxon laughed humorlessly.

Jaxon: “That we do…”

He said in a barely audible whisper.

Jaxon: “So after… Seashell Cove…”

He began with gritted teeth. Tristan looked away and looked back at Jaxon, rubbing his back.

Tristan: “It was tough on both of us.”

Jaxon nodded and inhaled sharply.

Jaxon: “It was, but… fucking Ivy either read Celeste’s mind or got it from a dumb Hallmark movie that I want a ‘normal’ girl I can save… because I saved Chelsea a lot, and her… death affected me profoundly.”

He said with strain, and his bottom lip trembled. Tristan frowned.

Tristan: “I know, Jaxon. It did. I still find it difficult to discuss.”

He confessed. Jaxon nodded.

Jaxon: “Celeste was going to break up with me because she thought I had feelings for Chelsea… I saved her a lot, and her death affected me. She gave me the third degree when I was traumatized. I witnessed someone kind to me turn into a monster before my eyes, and this monster almost killed Celeste. Yeah, no shit it affected me. I just didn’t need it from her. I know Ivy is a bitch and planted the seed, but I expect that from her. I expected better from Celeste, and I felt I had to apologize.”

He inhaled sharply.

Jaxon: “Up until last night, I felt it was never resolved. I addressed those with her, and she was making cutesy lines and tickling me. She apologized, but I wanted to convey my feelings. I didn’t want to listen to puns.”

He added.

Tristan: “I understand this and agree with you, but Celeste… was apologizing in her way. She’s not going to approach these issues as you and I would; she has a different approach, but I do believe her apologies were sincere.”

He said gently. Jaxon sighed and nodded.

Tristan: “Celeste and Deimos see things in black and white when there are gray areas. Yes, you saved Chelsea often, and her death affected you immensely, but this doesn’t mean you had feelings for her and wish to have a ‘normal’ girl to save. It means you were kind to her and wanted to help her because when you were in the same predicament five years ago with Noriko, no one helped you.”

He explained. Jaxon nodded in agreement.

Jaxon: “Celeste also added that you and I fell for the fake diary Ivy made and pretended it was Chelsea’s.”

Tristan paused and hung his head in shame.

Tristan: “...We did. If Chelsea were alive and never forgave either of us for believing those lies, I wouldn’t blame her.”

He raked his fingers through his hair.

Jaxon: “I think she would.”

He smiled a bit.

Jaxon: “She was a kind person, and she knew Ivy was a bitch.”

Tristan smiled at him.

Tristan: “She certainly was and certainly knew that.”

Celeste sauntered onto the lawn carrying a bag. She wore a leopard-print crop top, a spiked collar, Daisy Dukes, and black mules.

Jaxon: “Hey, babe!”

He smiled tightly.

Tristan: “Hello, Celeste.”

He nodded. Celeste fished into the bag and pulled out three Ramune sodas. She handed the peach to Jaxon and the banana to Tristan.

Celeste: “ ‘cause you’re a peach and I go bananas for Tristan’s feet!”

She laughed. Tristan laughed awkwardly. Jaxon smiled and laughed. She pulled out a grape soda for herself.

Celeste: “My tongue and your feet make a grape pair.”

She snickered. Jaxon let out a peal of laughs.

She sat by them.

Celeste: “Take off your shoes and socks, Tristan.”

She started untying his shoes and removed them, and pulled off his sheer socks. He fanned his toes out. She sat between the two men and kicked off her mules. Jaxon leaned back and put his arm over Celeste.

Jaxon: “Ramune soda, huh?”

He smiled. Tristan scrutinized the bottle. He peeled off the plastic covering the top and tried to open it, but struggled with the task.

Tristan: “Sorry to ask you this, Celeste, but would you open it?”

Jaxon: “Oh, this is how you open it.”

He used his fingers to separate the plunger from the outer plastic ring on top. He then positioned the plunger on top of the marble. He gripped the bottle with one hand, and with the heel of his other hand, he pressed down firmly until he heard the marble pop down into the bottle.

Tristan: “Oh, interesting! Thank you!”

Jaxon smiled and handed the bottle to him.

Jaxon: “You’re welcome!”

Celeste broke off the top, trying to twist it off.

Celeste: “Oops.”

Jaxon laughed.

Jaxon: “It’s okay, babe!”

He put his arm around her and kissed her head.

A black 1987 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur pulled up to the house and parked on the curb. Stepping out of the car was Hiroto Tachibana. He wore a black American-cut suit, a white pressed shirt, a blue tie with silver dots, and black cap-toe Oxfords. Jaxon blinked when he saw his father approach the house. Hiroto glared indignantly at the lawn ornaments. He then smiled at Jaxon and knelt with both knees on the ground, placing his hands flat on the ground in front of him, and his forehead touched the ground. Jaxon’s mouth hung open at what he saw.

Celeste: “What’s he doing?”

She whispered.

Tristan: “He’s doing a dogeza bow… to apologize.”

He whispered back, unsure of Hiroto’s intentions.

Hiroto: “Jiro… Noriko-chan to kekkon shite kudasai. Tasukete kudasai…”

He begged. Jaxon furrowed his eyebrows. Tristan surveyed Jaxon’s body language and that of Hiroto. He cupped his mouth.

Jaxon: “Yaritakunai!”

He snapped.

Jaxon: “Kanojo ga nikui!”

He added angrily. Hiroto raised his head and glared at Jaxon.

Hiroto: “Jiro, Noriko to kekkon shinakya dame da! Washi no inochi ga kakatteru n da!”

He snapped at him and pounded his fist on the ground.

Jaxon: “Dō demo ii n’ da yo!”

He waved his hand and looked away with hurt. Hiroto glowered at him.

Jaxon: “Dete ike!”

He commanded. Hiroto rose and shot his forefinger at Jaxon.

Hiroto: “Tada de wa sumanai zo…”

He hissed and stormed off to his car.

Jaxon looked away and embraced himself. Celeste rested her head on his lap. Tristan locked his gaze on Hiroto and watched him drive off.

Tristan: “I could tell from his body language and yours that he didn’t apologize. What did you say?”

He asked Jaxon. Jaxon shook his head.

Jaxon: “He said he wants me to marry Noriko, and his life is at stake.”

He muttered. Tristan raised an eyebrow.

Tristan: “Did he say how?”

Jaxon cupped his mouth and shook his head.

Jaxon: “No, but if I were to guess, it’s because he got someone pregnant or someone has footage of him fucking some bimbo in his office and they threatened to publish it if I don’t marry that Viking weirdo.”

He explained with hurt. Tristan grimaced.

Tristan: “I’m sorry, Jaxon.”

He said softly.

Celeste: “Ya know, I got some groceries on my trip to the store! I am making Shin-Yamato style pork and peppers!”

She beamed. Jaxon smiled a bit.

Tristan: “Okay, I’ll leave you two to that.”

He smiled and rose. Jaxon grabbed his hand and knit his eyebrows.

Jaxon: “Don’t go.”

Tristan raised his eyebrows.

Tristan: “All right, thank you, if you’ll have me.”

~

After Celeste made dinner, she placed the pork, bell peppers, and sauce over a bed of white rice and put it in front of Jaxon, Tristan, and herself. She sat down and used her fork to dig in. Jaxon picked up his chopsticks and ate the food.

Jaxon: “Mmm!”

He smiled. Tristan ate his food in small, delicate bites with a fork.

Tristan: “It is delectable.”

Jaxon smiled tightly.

Jaxon: “My grandmother made this for me a lot. I loved it. She gave the recipe to my mother, and whenever we had it, Ichiro would always toss the peppers to where I sat and ate, and my father would always spank me because he thought I dropped the peppers to the floor.”

He laughed humorlessly. Tristan gazed at him with sadness.

Tristan: “I am so sorry, Jaxon.”

He said softly.

Jaxon drew a breath and rubbed his eyes.

Jaxon: “I wish he had never come here today.”

Celeste knit her eyebrows. Tristan sighed sadly and looked at him empathetically.

Tristan: “He has some nerve to waltz in here and make demands of you…”

He paused.

Tristan: “Do you think he will try to force you to marry her?”

He asked grimly. Jaxon laughed awkwardly and ate his food.

Jaxon: “I had that hunch, but I hope not! Besides, I have my Green Queen to protect me!”

He forced a smile and patted her hand. Celeste rubbed against him, marking him as hers. Tristan couldn’t shake it; the feeling; he also had that sensation.

Celeste: “Did you have any girlfriends or boyfriends before you were forced to be engaged to Noriko?”

Jaxon shook his head and thrust pork and peppers into his mouth.

Jaxon: “No, I wasn’t allowed to. My father prohibited it and said I wasn’t allowed to until I finished school and got a job. But that changed when I was forced to be engaged to that weirdo when I was still in school.”

He explained.

Celeste: “Did you finish school?”

Jaxon inhaled sharply and shook his head.

Jaxon: “When I was engaged to Noriko, my grades slipped, and I was skipping school. I didn’t care anymore. I didn’t want to marry her.”

He said sadly and raked his fingers through his hair.

Celeste: “Why did you go along with it?”

Jaxon: “I think I wanted my parents’ love and acceptance, so I did what I could to make them happy… but I wasn’t happy.”

He admitted and sighed.

Tristan surveyed him. He knew what it was like to have a strict parent who demanded a lot and gave nothing in return.

~

After dinner, Noah started cleaning up the table and placing the dishes in the dishwasher. Celeste, Jaxon, and Tristan sat in front of the TV.

Celeste: “Let’s rent a movie! Tristan can drive me!”

Jaxon: “What and leave me here alone?”

He knit his eyebrows.

Tristan: “Celeste, Jaxon is vulnerable right now. He needs company.”

He said gently.

Celeste: “Okay, how about you and I walk to the video store?”

She said to Jaxon. Jaxon smiled a bit.

Tristan: “I can watch the fort!”

He nodded.

Jaxon: “Are you sure?”

He rose and went into his bedroom to get a pair of sheer socks. He sat down to put those on his feet. Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “Of course!”

Jaxon put on his Chelsea boots and zipped them up, and Celeste slid her feet into her mules.

Celeste: “Be back soon!”

She waved as the two left the house.

~

Celeste and Jaxon walked through the neighborhood. An athletic East Indian man with silver hair and wearing shorts and sneakers, pulled a rickshaw and approached them.

Rickshaw man: “Care for a ride, lovebirds?”

Celeste: “It’s not that far.”

She stated.

Rickshaw man: “Nice tour of the city! It’s a romantic ride you two won’t forget!”

He smiled. Jaxon thought he needed money, and it would be nice to have a ride with his lady.

Jaxon: “Sure, why not?”

He smiled a bit. Celeste grinned at him. She leaped into the carriage and held Jaxon’s hand to help him up. He took her hand and sat by her. She rested her head on his shoulder, and he grasped her hand, intertwining their fingers. The man pulled the carriage, and Jaxon inhaled sharply. He couldn’t shake this bad feeling in his gut, but tried to remain optimistic. Celeste was with him to protect him. The man pulled the carriage through a park with a breathtaking view of the lake, where swans and fireflies danced over the water’s surface. Jaxon admired the view and looked down at Celeste lovingly.

They rode through a pathway of sakura petals and across a bridge in the park. Jaxon felt a knot form in his stomach. They were further away from their destination and home. He smiled down at Celeste. They gazed into each other’s eyes and kissed.

Suddenly, they came to a stop.

Jaxon: “Everything okay?”

He asked the man. The man panted and didn’t reply.

Jaxon: “Are you all right?”

He asked again and rose. He then heard the door to a van slide open and saw a man in a suit wearing a Burger Berserker head.

Jaxon: “The fuck?”

The man raised his gun and fired at Celeste, shooting her in the chest and out of the carriage. She fell on the ground with a thud.

Celeste: “OOOPH!”

She grunted and coughed.

Jaxon’s eyes widened with horror, and his heart sank to the ground.

Jaxon: “CELESTE!”

He screamed in agony and jumped out of the carriage to heal her. His heart was pounding in his chest, and his hands trembled with fear. The man with the Burger Berserker head grabbed Jaxon.

Jaxon: “LET ME GO, ASSHOLE! CELESTE!”

He bellowed and tried to thrash around and fight off his grip. The man bound his wrists with duct tape and then his ankles. He threw him into the car and secured him to the seat with a seatbelt.

Jaxon: “LET ME GO! CELESTE!”

He roared and cried out for her. The van pulled ahead, and Jaxon jerked against the seatbelt. He turned around in horror to see Celeste lying on the road.

Jaxon: “CELESTE!”

He screamed and thrashed around in his seat, desperately trying to break free. His heart felt like it was about to leap out of his body as he screamed in agony and desperation.

They drove further and further away from her, until she wasn’t seen anymore. His bottom lip trembled and tears streamed down his cheeks, and he let out a mighty, helpless scream.

The van was parked in front of the Shin-Yamato embassy. It was a two-story Georgian Revival-style stone building with subtle Japanese influences. There was a cobblestone courtyard and driveway in front of the building. Hiroto and Mayumi walked down the driveway and toward the van. Mayumi wore a red pantsuit with red heels. Jaxon swallowed hard and felt as if Reona cracked between his feet, opening up the gates of hell. The driver stepped out and opened the door for the two of them. They stepped into the van, sitting across from Jaxon. Hiroto gazed at his son, who glared at him.

Hiroto: “I told you I would settle this.”

He said coldly. Jaxon glared at him, his eyes filled with anger and tears, feeling betrayed and deeply hurt.

Jaxon: “I am not your slave!”

He barked.

Jaxon: “I hope Ichiro kills you. You’re dead to me.”

He snapped. Hiroto’s hand flew across his face, delivering a slap so hard his head his the side of the door.

Hiroto: “You watch it, Jiro! You should have done this years ago! It’s your fault your grandmother died!”

He barked.

He then pointed to Jaxon’s chest tattoo.

Hiroto: “And THAT is getting removed! You’re not part of a gang!”

Jaxon glared at him with hatred and panted.

Jaxon: “Like that’s worse than what you’re doing?! So, you sell your son into slavery because you got caught fucking bimbos my age?!”

He rasped through hot tears.

Hiroto: “I am NOT selling you to slavery! You are doing your duties! You WILL marry Noriko!”

He fired back.

Jaxon: “Over my dead body!”

He spat. Hiroto’s face contorted with rage. He rose and started punching Jaxon repeatedly in the face. Jaxon winced and recoiled from his punches. The betrayal hurt more than the blows. Mayumi sat there filing her nails.

Mayumi: “I need to get a manicure.”

She muttered as her husband punched her son, and he wailed in pain.

Hiroto panted with rage at his bloodied, beaten son. A red glow surrounded Jaxon as he healed his wounds. Jaxon felt a mixture of anger, hurt, and betrayal. He looked out the window and sobbed, hoping Celeste would find him.

The van pulled up at the airport. Jaxon’s heart thundered in his chest. The driver opened the door for Mayumi and Hiroto. The man in the Burger Berserker head, unbuckled Jaxon and grabbed him, hoisting him over his shoulder.

Jaxon: “NO! NO! LET ME GO! HELP! HELP ME!”

He screamed and thrashed around. His heart sank when he saw the private jet with that hideous Viking on it. Varg the Viking was on the body of the plane, with each of his giant feet painted on each wing. His stupid smiling face and eyes were painted on the cockpit of the aircraft.

He carried Jaxon into the plane, which had eight brown seats, a lounge, and a mural of Yvette and Varg riding on his cow to Pizza Hutch, which covered a significant portion of the wall.

Mayumi glared indignantly at the wall and jet. The man threw Jaxon into a brown seat and strapped him in. Jaxon looked out the window, and his eyes darted to Yvette wearing a medieval dress while riding on a cow with Varg. Hiroto and Mayumi sat across from Jaxon.

Hiroto: “I’m famished. What’s on the dinner menu?”

He asked a stewardess who wore a Burger Berserker head.

Stewardess: “There’s a menu for Voyage Burger and Pizza Hutch.”

She said robotically. Mayumi grimaced, and Hiroto gaped at her.

Hiroto: “Is that it? We only have to select from terrible food?”

He asked sharply.

Jaxon: “You want me to marry that weirdo! You will have to eat nothing but that. I had to when you forced me to be engaged to her!”

He spat. Hiroto glared at Jaxon.

He turned to the stewardess with a smile.

Hiroto: “Any wine?”

Stewardess: “No, Mr. Tachibana. All we have is soda. We have cola, lemon-lime, root beer, orange, and grape, and it’s served in a Varg the Viking cup.”

She said flatly. Hiroto gaped at her. Jaxon laughed bitterly, and Hiroto glared at him.

Jaxon: “If she’s going to be your daughter-in-law, you’re going to be subjected to this Varg bullshit a lot. I had to put up with it and endure her torture for years.”

He sneered.

Hiroto: “Do you have any coffee?”

He asked with some irritation, trying to hide it.

Stewardess: “No, Mr. Tachibana, it makes Noriko super hyper into ‘ravage like a savage’ mode.”

She explained.

Hiroto: “Is there ANYTHING good on these menus or are we limited to terrible food?!”

He fielded scathingly. Jaxon rolled his eyes.

Jaxon: “I know how you feel, it’s like how you want me to select a terrible bride.”

He huffed.

Hiroto: “Stop whining about nothing, Jiro. You’re going to have an amazing life, and you’re helping your father.”

He shook his forefinger at him.

Mayumi: “We’ll have to get something to eat in Apple City.”

She said to him.

~

Fabien stood over Celeste, who lay on the street. He wore a green plaid shirt over a “Nuklear Inoxikation Sucks” black t-shirt, jean shorts, and flip-flops. He stood next to a tall, muscular Latino man who wore his dark green hair in a mullet and wore a Bart Simpson shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a red plaid shirt tied around his waist, and brown work boots. Tristan drove up to them and got out of his car, and knelt to her.

Tristan: “CELESTE?!”

He called her and raised his head.

Tristan: “Where is Jaxon?”

Fabien: “A man in a Burger Berserker head took him and threw him in a van.”

He replied. Tristan felt a sense of tension forming in the pit of his stomach.

Craig: “HEY! What the fuck is this?! Who the fuck is this?”

He snapped and flared at the man with Fabien.

Fabien: “This is Sergio, Craig. Unlike you, he works and pleases me, but mainly pleases me.”

He replied evenly. Craig frowned.

Craig: “How could you do this to me?! I’ll kick your ass, cunt!”

He marched up to Sergio, cracking his knuckles and raising his fists at him. Sergio shot his fist out at Craig, punching him across the park, and he landed in the pond.

Sergio: “There’s a sick lady here, man! Can you not?!”

He snapped. Fabien looked at him with stars in his eyes and held him close.

Fabien: “My hero!”

He chuckled.

Tristan moved Celeste’s hands and saw a bullet shell on her chest, dented in. He lifted it off and saw a bruise on her chest. He formed a slab of ice.

Tristan: “Do any of you have a cloth or something to wrap this in?”

He asked. Sergio handed him his jacket. Tristan thanked him, wrapped the ice with it, and applied it to Celeste’s chest. Celeste’s eyes fluttered.

Celeste: “Jaxon?”

She grumbled. She snapped her eyes open and shot up.

Celeste: “JAXON?! Where is Jaxon?!”

She cried and winced in pain when she clasped her chest. Tristan held the compress.

Tristan: “Take it easy, Celeste. Fabien told someone in a Burger Berserker head took him. I can only guess who it is, and the first two don’t count.”

He said grimly.

Celeste: “NO! Hiroto took him! We have to get that bastard, Tristan! We have to save Jaxon!”

She said doggedly as she rose. Tristan held her close. Fabien knit his eyebrows.

Tristan: “And we will, but we have to know where they went.”

Celeste: “He left nothing behind, except me, and your father’s cat can’t find him unless Jaxon left an object behind!

She said fervently. Tristan led her to his car.

Tristan: “Don’t worry, Celeste. We’ll find a way.”

He reassured her.

~

Tristan drove with Celeste, who sat with her arms folded, gazing out the window. Tristan heaved a deep sigh.

Tristan: “I’ll get answers from Hiroto’s workplace.”

He sighed.

Celeste: “They’re in Shin-Yamato at that mansion!”

Her voice rose.

Tristan: “It seems simple, but I get the feeling that is not the case.”

He said as his voice trailed off.

Celeste: “We don’t have time to go on hunches, Tristan.”

She knit her eyebrows.

Tristan: “But we can’t afford to make mistakes either.”

He pulled up to the front of the Shin-Yamato embassy and parked the car.

~

Tristan entered the embassy and saw an indoor display designed to resemble a traditional Japanese room or tea house. Inside the structure, several small figurines dressed in traditional Japanese attire are depicted as engaged in various activities, possibly representing a tea ceremony or everyday life. They were on tatami mats with green walls and shoji screens.

A young Japanese secretary approached Tristan with a smile. She wore a light blue blouse with puffy sleeves, a blue pencil skirt, and blue heels, and her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail.

Secretary: “Can I help you, sir?”

Tristan smiled at her.

Tristan: “Yes, would I be able to see Hiroto Tachibana?”

He asked gently. The young woman shook her head.

Secretary: “No, sir, he’s out on business and he won’t be back for a while. You will have to make an appointment.”

Tristan leaned closer and smiled, showing his teeth.

Tristan: “It’s terribly urgent.”

He whispered. The secretary froze.

Tristan: “J’ai vraiment besoin de votre aide.”

He purred and smirked. He placed his hand on his chest.

Tristan: “Je vous serais éternellement reconnaissant…”

He whispered, locking his emerald eyes on her. She bit her bottom lip, drinking him in and finding him so handsome.

Secretary: “H-He told me he was going to Apple City. I don’t know where, but he said Apple City.”

Tristan took her hands and smiled.

Tristan: “Vous êtes sûre?”

She swallowed hard.

Secretary: “He didn’t say anything else! He was vague about it.”

She stammered. Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “Merci beaucoup.”

She swooned, gazing into his eyes. He released her hands and blew a kiss.

Tristan: “Au revoir!”

He waved and left. She dropped to the floor and blushed.

He rolled his eyes as he left. Whatever helps Jaxon, he thought. Apple City is vague, though, he thought.

He climbed into the car with Celeste and adjusted his rearview mirror.

Celeste: “So?”

Tristan: “He’s gone to Apple City. I don’t know where, though.”

Celeste: “Okay, let’s get Trevor and teleport there!”

She hissed. Tristan started the car and shifted gears.

Tristan: “Celeste, Apple City is so huge, it makes this city look like a village. We need to hone in on a specific place.”

He said as he drove down the road.

Celeste: “And how will we find that?”

She pouted.

Tristan: “That’s the neat thing: we don’t.”

Celeste pouted, and her fangs overhung her lips.

Celeste: “Then how do we find Jaxon?!”

He pulled in front of PixelSun Securities.

Celeste: “Syliva, huh?”

Tristan: “Yes, she aided us last time in locating Jaxon.”

He nodded.

Celeste: “I remember. Why not go to her in the first place?”

Tristan: “I figured we could get answers from Hiroto’s workplace. It was a start.”

He said as the two got out of the car.

They entered the building and saw Sylvia working fervently at her computer. She wore a white, pressed shirt, a black tie, and a brown sweater over it, paired with khakis and loafers. She raised her head to see Tristan and Celeste.

Celeste: “Help us find Jaxon!”

She commanded. Tristan put his hand on Celeste’s shoulder.

Tristan: “Hello, Sylvia. How are you feeling?”

He asked genially.

Sylvia: “Oh, I’m working away in here and busying myself! Without telling Blair, I have made arrangements with Ashley to prepare a feast for Demetrio’s birthday, featuring his favorite meals. We both miss them terribly but understand they had to leave and why.”

She said coolly. Celeste tapped her foot.

Celeste: “Oh wow, a bunch of stuff I don’t care about! I need to find Jaxon!”

She pounded her fist on the desk. Sylvia jumped.

Tristan: “You’ll have to forgive Celeste, Sylvia. When it comes to Jaxon, her emotions run high. I hope you understand.”

He said gently. Sylvia smiled.

Sylvia: “I do. I am glad you found someone whom you can share your life with, Celeste.”

Celeste folded her arms and pouted.

Tristan: “All I know is Hiroto Tachibana has Jaxon, and he has taken him to Apple City.”

Sylvia quirked an eyebrow.

Sylvia: “Why on Reona would Hiroto do such a thing to his son? He seems like a kind man.”

Tristan heaved a deep sigh. He didn’t want to have this debate.

Celeste: “He’s not a kind man; he’s an asshole!”

She huffed.

Sylvia: “Dear me, Celeste.”

She cupped her cheek as her jaw hung open.

Tristan: “Nevertheless, I need to know where in Apple City he is staying. It would be greatly appreciated.”

He said, taking on a note of impatience. Sylvia’s fingers flew over the keyboard as she worked her magic. Celeste paced around the office impatiently.

Sylvia: “Hmm…”

She cupped her mouth. Tristan leaned over.

Sylvia: “He didn’t take his usual private jet… or the company jet. I noticed one of Nobuyuki Nakamura’s jets landed here in Pink Top City and left for Apple City.”

Tristan folded his arms over. I figured that, he thought.

Sylvia: “And… he and his wife, Mayumi, checked into The Prince Kentaro Hotel. It’s a Japanese-themed hotel in Little Xiangdong. It’s noted for its luxury, Japanese decor, tatami suits, and it’s a place for Shin-Yamato weddings.”

She muttered. Celeste gasped.

Celeste: “Let’s go, Tristan.”

She pulled on his arm. Tristan drew a long breath. He withdrew his checkbook and wrote a check to Sylvia. He handed her one.

Tristan: “Thank you, Sylvia. See you later.”

He said as Celeste pulled him out of there. Sylvia waved.

Sylvia: “Oh, I meant to tell them I was going to grant Ashley an award for kindness!”