Chapter 55

“I never knew Godzilla could cry.”

‘Hey don’t be mean, she’s human too you know?’ Aida lightly punches Denzo’s arm after making a snide comment on his boss.

It has already been a week since Denzo had last visited Champworld to clock in his hours but for some reason it has been closed ever since the incident of “the visitor”.

He was about to change the tires on a legendary Nissan Skyline when a stranger had visited the shop that made Val lose her composure. It was such a scene that he couldn't believe what was happening in front of him. As far as he knew, Val only had one emotion… and it was anger and anything else other than that was just variations of monotonous resting bitch faces. To see her shed a tear and run towards a man whom he assumes was someone from her past was eye opening that it almost made him feel emphatic towards her.

Though the immediate follow up slap pulled him back down to reality as she proceeded to angrily lecture him about things he didn’t care about, because his ears automatically closed whenever Val starts screaming at him, or anyone for that matter.

‘You know Ai, once you start working there you’ll know what I mean.’ Denzo said as Aida recoils upon hearing him.

‘Bold of you to say that I’m even considering working there…’

‘Why I thought you were looking for work before the holidays?’ Denzo asked.

‘Yeah but not there… I dunno shit about cars.’

‘Hmm… then what do you want to work on, Ai?’

…

‘Ai?’

A voice from behind had interrupted the two as Yukino passed by them in the common room, holding a stack of folders and papers as she headed for her office.

‘Hmph…’ Aida reacts peevishly, sparking Denzo’s curiosity.

‘Why? What’s up?’ He asked.

‘No it’s nothing…’ Aida answers coldly. Yukino reappears once more after setting down her documents inside her office as she makes a sly face whilst looking at the two of them.

‘So you’ve gotten to that “phase” already huh?’ She said with a smirk.

‘So?! Why do you care?’ Aida snarked as Denzo looked at Yukino confused.

‘Oh she’s just mad cuz I told Nica to go find another school.’

‘Fuck off Keeno!’ Aida snaps after hearing Yukino’s nonchalant response about Nica’s troubles.

‘Ai… stop it.’ Yukino said and as soon as the words reached her ears, Aida immediately rose up to go and attack her. It was a good thing Denzo was on guard and got a hold on her arms, sparing Yukino from getting hurt.

‘Lemme go! Are you telling me you’re siding with this bitch?!’

‘No… but hitting her won’t fix anything either… You’d just be like my boss, shoot first then ask questions later.’

…

…

‘Fine…’ A dejected Aida Murai responds as her body relaxes. As an unexpected consequence, this has made Denzo feel happy about painting Val in a bad light in Aida’s mind. Besides giving her a good “bad example” to avoid, he also gained a new ally in the “we hate Val fanclub” as the only other member with him in the club was J2.

‘Keeno can you explain what the fuck is this all about?’ He asked, keeping his grip on Aida just in case she continued to say things that would annoy her.

‘As I have said… she’s just mad because I suggested that Nica should just transfer out of this school.’ Yukino answered.

‘Because of Neil?’

‘Yes… afterall we can’t be there for her twenty four seven to watch over her to keep her safe against Neil. Besides, knowing him, if he saw us keeping guard he’ll just attack some other girl to get our attention, then Nica would be alone to his devices then.’

‘But Nica’s not stupid! She can defend herself!’ Aida shouts.

‘I know she’s not but Neil’s a cunning cunt. It doesn’t matter how witty or brawny you are… He’ll always find a way to get his wish.’

Yukino’s answer seems to settle Aida as Denzo finally lets go of her arms, sensing her pulse calming down as he proposes the two sit down for some drinks. Yukino and her obliged and take their spots at the common area as Denzo gets the drinks from the freezer. Both of them requested the same flavored light beer and figured he’d join them with the same drink as he scoured the freezer for it, coming across a bottle of mule on the way.

‘Oh…’

An immediate flashback of the “mule incident” passed through his mind. As he changed his preference from the flavored beer he wanted earlier.

‘Thanks Denzo!’

‘Thanks Lo-uhh- - Denzo…’

Aida stumbles as Yukino struggles to keep herself from commenting. Thankfully she managed to keep her mouth shut but it didn’t matter as she had already made the connection.

‘Oh… I thought you were gonna go for the same beer as us?’ Yukino asked.

‘Ummm… yeahhh… I just felt I needed something a little stronger to hit the spot.’ He replies, hiding his nerves, hoping she did not notice.

…

…

‘So you mean that Nica’s troubles are solved now?’ Aida asked, looking a little more relieved after hearing Yukino’s account of what happened inside the Robbie household.

‘Only half of it… we still need to catch Neil though.’

‘Oh yeah… right.’

‘But what about this proposal of yours? How are you guaranteeing Nica’s safety in a week?’ Denzo asked as Yukino gave him a sly smile.

‘I’ve already contacted some friends… that’s all I’m giving you.’ She answered teasingly as Denzo squinted his eyes trying to figure out why she was being secretive.

‘Oh well whatever… just tell us if you push thru with it, although it’s gonna look weird to have some men in black follow her around all day like she’s some sort of rockstar.’

‘Oh trust me, I’m not that indiscreet.’ Yukino replied.

The trio had continued to talk about Nica and how they were going to tackle catching Neil until Denzo’s phone had rang, prompting him to step out of the area to answer it.

‘Hey… Denzo here.’

‘Hey… just letting you know I’m reopening Champworld tomorrow so we’ll be back in business then.’ The voice of Val thru the phone had his brain trigger his fight or flight but for some reason her pitch felt different to his ears but he couldn’t point out why. All he knew was that he felt “okay” in coming back to work, which normally he wouldn't be.

‘Sure… are you finally gonna introduce me to my reward?’ Denzo asked.

‘Yup! As soon as you're done with the GTR I can show it to you.’

‘Cool then.’

‘Okay just calling to let you know. See yah tomorrow.’

…

…

‘Strange…’ Denzo whispered to himself as he went back to Yukino and Aida. But not without carrying refills in his hands as he decides he wants to celebrate a bit before returning to his daily grind under the terror of Valentina Fe.

[5pm - Next day.]

Denzo arrives at the parking lot of Champworld looking surprised at how much had changed since they had closed a week prior. The usual bare gravel parking now has potted plants lining up the far edges of the lot, clearly delineating where patrons could park their vehicles. There are also newly erected roof overhangs that formed a direct path towards the garage entrance to provide visitors a sheltered path going inside the garage during stormy weathers. He also couldn’t help but notice that the supports Val had used to erect the roof were the same supports that were salvaged from the mezzanine floor in Jack & Barry’s arcade area, giving the discarded pieces of steel a second life.

Also in line with the theme of reused props, the vintage looking gasoline pumps that stood near Tally Alley were also reused as a convenient parking slot marker for customers as they couldn’t paint lines atop the gravel surface of the lot.

There was a surprising amount of change within the parking lot alone in just a short amount of time, which is something that has Denzo looking with his mouth wide open, astonished at the amount of work that has been done while the garage was supposed to be “closed”. This had gotten Denzo feeling doubts about his role within Val’s company as certain questions floated within his mind.

‘Did they REALLY close the place?’

‘Or did they just made an excuse to prevent me from going?’

‘If so… Am I really needed?’

Disturbing doubtful questions loomed within him as he paced towards the entrance of the garage, noticing the amount of salvaged props and debris still scattered about near the building’s storage area. And as he approaches the double doors leading inside, it swings open to reveal a familiarly unfamiliar looking man holding power tools and scrap metal in his arms.

‘Oh… You must be Denzo!’ The man said. ‘She told me you were coming in today so I did some tidying up. She’s waiting for you inside.’

Denzo looked confused and felt confused at the same time. He didn’t know what the stranger meant by tidying up and he was surprised that Val had told someone about his attendance let alone talk about his existence. What was even weirder for him was the strange positive vibe he had gotten from the stranger. Like his presence alone was some sort of a godsend, sent to uplift the spirits of everyone in close proximity to him. A presence that was the complete opposite of Val’s oppressive and intimidating atmosphere that he was gravely used to. Which was why experiencing something that was inherently “good” for him made him feel nauseous-ly alienated and on guard, waiting for someone to spring up from the bushes and tell him it was all a practical joke.

But this was nothing compared to when he had opened up the doors.

The first thing that entered his mind was through his ears.

There was music playing in the air. And no parties were to be found.

It was actual working hours with people working around the place, and music was playing.

This has never been done before. He’d usually use his earphones to numb the silence; but for some shocking reason he does not need that anymore.

Everyone was humming and singing all along as the music filled the air. He even saw J2 from afar sweeping the pitlane asphalt whilst dancing.

Simply put; to his eyes it all looked like he was watching a Disney musical.

The only thing that was missing were the choreographed dance numbers.

…

-Knock-knock-

‘Come in’

Denzo opened the doors towards Valentina Fe’s office and was immediately surprised at how different it looked as the bare walls and plain filing cabinets had been changed and rearranged.

It was cozy.

And with it, the oppressive feeling was nowhere to be felt.

The bare white walls have now been decorated with all the mementos taken from the fire as well as some of the salvaged photos her and J2 had with their time working inside of the establishment. She had her table replaced, which is something she had lamented about ever since the party, along with new furniture pieces that made the office more accommodating to visit.

‘Oh… umm good morning…’ He said, words that felt strange to say especially since it was towards a person he would normally not tell it to. But for some weird reason his mind had blurted out the words before he could even have the chance to filter it.

‘Good morning.’ Val replies, as Denzo felt a chill down his spine after hearing it. ‘Take a seat.’

He takes a seat on the new sofa that flanked either side of Val’s new desk as his bottom sinks on the comfy new cushions that she now had inside her office.

‘Whatcha think about the new office?’ Val asked.

Sensing no malice or traps with how she had worded it, along with the vibe she was currently radiating, which was eerie to say the least. Denzo decided to take a risk and answered honestly.

‘It’s cozy.’

He said, as he was horrified immediately after releasing those words to her ears.

She smiled.

‘It is right? It’s exactly the kind of vibe I wanted for this place. I’m glad it all worked out in the end.’ Val said as she looked around the space with a glimmer in her eyes.

‘It’s because I also helped right?’

A strangely familiar voice echoed from behind, which brought another horrifying sight to Denzo’s eyes.

For a split second.

A tiny miniscule split second.

Denzo had caught a simple indistinguishable look in Valentina Fe’s face. An eerily unsavory look that Denzo was familiar with as he had seen it in a more flattering light before seeing it from Aida’s face everytime she sees him. That quick transition from normal to melted chocolate poured into a hot cup of cocoa with marshmallow toppings.

It was something he had never thought of witnessing as a certain look that existed within his boss. He only thought of it as uniquely Aida’s. He never knew it was a certain look any woman could have towards certain people. And this was the only time he had noticed such behavior.

It was eye openingly uncanny.

…

‘Denzo, sorry I don’t think I have introduced you two properly yet…’ Val apologetically reacts as he pulls the man in front of Denzo and properly introduces him.

‘Denzo, this is Satoshi Kaido. An “old” friend of mine back in the day.’

‘Old friend?’ He said in a teasing tone.

‘Shush!’ Val reacts with a sucker punch to his arm.

‘Ow… heh… Anyways, Call me Ash.’ The man said as he extended his arm towards the boy as Denzo replies back with the handshake.

‘Nice to meet you Sir Ash--’

‘Nuhnuhnuhnuh! Just Ash. No honorifics.’

‘Okay Ash!’ Denzo chuckles as he replied which left him feeling confused at the back of his mind. ‘Why am I all chummy with this guy all of a sudden?’ He thought.

‘Anyways… I believe I still have your surprise waiting in the garage for the whole week. I think it's time for me to show you what it’s about, am I right?’ Val said as she props her elbow atop Ash’s shoulder, leaning into him while Denzo watches her body language with quite the curiosity as he nods. Enthusiastically asking Val what the surprise was.

‘Oh so there’s a surprise?’ Ash asked.

‘Yes there is! I was about to show him but your sorry ass had to show up.’ Val responds as Denzo hears the old Val peeking in from behind the curtains.

‘Oh shit then haha. Don’t let my presence disturb you. Let’s check it out.’ He replies as the three went down together towards where the surprise was stored. And all the while whilst they were walking there, the only thing that Denzo could think about was how much of a fever dream this had all felt for him. He even tried to “wake” himself up from sleep by pinching his cheeks and arm painfully hard to check if he was even dreaming.

But so far all he can confirm was that everything was indeed happening, and it was happening fast.

…

‘Ready?’ Ash asks the pair of them with his hands at the ready, grasping the covers that hid the surprise underneath. J2 was also psyched to see how Denzo would react to the surprise, taking a break from his duties around the garage so he could stand beside him when the covers were lifted.

‘Okay on three…’

‘One…’

‘Two…’

‘Thr--’

Before the count can even be completed, Ash had pulled on the covers swiftly revealing the prize underneath. To Denzo’s eyes he was sort of confused as to what he was looking at but everyone else was looking at him with cheers and smiles so he thought he would just play along and pretend to vaguely understand what was in front of him. But if there was something he could be sure about; It was a car.

Whatever “IT” is.

‘Cool! You guys got me a car!’ He exclaimed, doing his best impression of genuine surprise.

‘Yes I did.’ Val proudly declares as J2 cheekily smiles besides her, possibly trying his best to keep his sarcasm at bay. ‘It’s an old car but since old cars are easy to maintain and build, I thought that this would make a perfect gift for you.’ She continued.

‘Oh… cool… so I gotta build it?’ Denzo replies, alarm bells steadily building up at the back of his mind.

‘Yeah! That’s the joy of it. Getting to build and drive your own car is the best thing ever. It makes you feel more connected with the car that you drive since you had built it yourself.’ Val adds.

Denzo was stunned as a million different things were racing through his mind. On one hand he knew all too well that such a gift would never go for free and expected as much but on the other hand he felt underwhelmed since he knew how much work he would need to pour over this “gift” before he could actually drive it. Defeating the purpose of what a “gift” is in Denzo’s mind.

‘Denzo.’ Ash calls him from the side. ‘Just think of it like you’re building a Gunpla. That kind of joy.’ He said, sensing that Denzo must be doubting the value of such a gift.

‘Kid believe me when I say we’re not scamming you for extra labor. That’s yours.’ J2 adds knowing fully well what Denzo was thinking at the moment.

‘J2 shut the fuck up! What the fuck are you saying?’ Val reacts in shock at J2’s reply, but she quickly catches on after realizing Denzo might have some doubts.

‘Listen Denzo, this was how I acquired the GTR.’

Val said as Denzo’s eyes sparked with curiosity. ‘It’s true. My old boss told me to restore an old jalopy that he got from the back of his shop. Never knew it was an old classic until I read the papers that were hidden in the dash.

It’s also the reason why I met Ash here.’

She smiles as she mentions his name. ‘Back then he was just a nobody mechanic who likes mixing paints, asked me to test out this new color he was experimenting on in exchange for a free body kit. Inclusive of installation of course.’

She said with a nudge as the man in front of them rolled his eyes and sighed.

‘Yeah yeah I remember….

Kid, beware when making deals with women. Never let them set the terms in the name of chivalry, otherwise they’ll scam you out of a million yen body kit.’ Ash interjects with Val suddenly raising her fists at Ash, making him flinch.

‘Pussy…’ Val smirked.

Denzo kept his eyes on the car as the Adults bantered around him. He was trying his best to figure out what kind of make and model the car was but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. The shape of its body resembled the vintage American muscle cars of the 20th century but the overall size of the car was lacking. Also as he looked at the engine sitting inside of the car he figured that it didn’t look like a big American V8 which further fed his suspicion that it was a Japanese made sedan.

It has four doors, manual transmission and analog dials and the headlights and grille that were neatly placed on the floor was far from familiar to him.

He also noticed that the car was missing its badge to which he asked Val its whereabouts. She only smiled and said to him: ‘What for? Are you looking to restore it? Race it? Or daily drive it?’

The question struck Denzo in a way that finally made him realize that the adults were not joking.

This is going to be his car.

And with that realization, a person came to his mind.

But suddenly he refrained from pushing the topic any further.

As this was his first step into gaining his independence.

And one cannot practice it if they continue to worry about the bosom that nurtured them.

So with this, He has made his resolve.

‘Hey Val?’

‘Yep?’

‘What the fuck is this car supposed to be anyways?’

The sun had already set as Denzo and J2 were finishing up on organizing his own garage space while Val and Ash took the opportunity to leave them to their own devices and head over to her office for some time alone. As they stood above them, watching the two have a good time coordinating the build, Ash catches a brief glimpse of a smile from Val’s lips as he drew his face towards her to get a closer look.

‘They say you are a terror now…’ Ash said as Val recoils, startled that his face was too close to hers. She quickly collected herself before giving him a reply.

‘So what if I am? I have to.’

‘No you don’t…’

Ash gingerly tried to caress her cheek but Val pushed him away as she visibly started to breathe heavily. Her eyes, looking straight at his soul, puzzled, lost.

‘Why are you here?’ She asks. Hoping for clarity.

Ash looks down and bit his lip, as if he had to hold back an outburst after hearing such a question.

‘You arrive here unannounced, you keep helping unannounced, for christ sakes you even make your own suggestions on how I should run the place but I swear every time I get the chance to ask you the reason, you go and find an excuse to avoid an answer.

What are you doing here Satoshi?’

Val impatiently asked again. This time her frustration was seeping through the cracks in her armor.

Ash just smiles and replies: ‘Don’t lie, those suggestions really worked and the place has been running--’

‘SATOSHI!’

‘...’

A moment of silence had passed by the two as Ash’s kind eyes slowly turn to disdain as he grips his fists tighter, trying his best to dampen the words he was about to say.

‘I could ask the same to you.

You came back unannounced.

You went and challenged everyone unannounced.

Hell, you even visited your old boss that you hated so much.

…

And I was left out.

Intentionally.

Unannounced.

…

It was a good thing, that in Japan… Birds can talk.

Otherwise I would’ve continued living in obscurity.

Is it not why you NEVER reached out to me?’

Ash was staring straight at Val, unflinching and unblinking, as he made his feelings clear to the woman who stood before him.

And a single tear fell.

Because no matter how hard she tries to look. There was no right answer.

For either of them.

…

‘I had to.’ She finally responds, as his face reacts with a bitter look.

‘I can’t… after everything I can’t.’

‘But we can.

Val we can. I know we can. I am sure we can.

This past week was proof--’

‘THIS PAST WEEK WAS A LIE!’

Ash was taken aback as Val hit him back with a counter of her own. A harsh truth. As the tears started to flow towards her cheeks.

‘You come in, do a lot of good stuff and then what?! What for Satoshi?! So that I'll come back to your arms again, is that what?!’ Val shakes her head as she leans over her table to support herself. ‘This is my fault… I dunno why I waited this long to have this talk with you… I should’ve done this sooner. As soon as you appeared!’ She said as she slammed her fist on the table.

‘Then why didn’t you?’ He asked.

And as soon as he asked, a vase soon came flying towards his face. Thankfully he caught it.

‘Then why didn’t you?’ He asked again. Val threw a book towards him. Thankfully he caught it.

‘Why didn’t you?’ He asks calmly. Slowly approaching her. Threw a pillow. Again he caught it.

‘Why didn’t you, Val?’ He asked softly. He was near enough. Tries to slap him. He caught it.

‘Val…’ He utters under his breath. She kicks him. Stood his ground. Ended up pushing herself instead of him. She nearly falls off the table.

He caught her.

…

For a room that was supposed to be drenched in silence. It was loud.

Breaths were being held, their voices suppressed.

The only noise they heard was the beating that was deep inside their chests.

And then without rhyme, and now without reason, the flag of surrender briefly waved.

As quietly they closed their eyes and fooled their pride, to rest.

…

‘I- I’m sorry…’ She said, her eyes were away as if they were trying to escape towards a quieter place. Her lips were quivering as its thirst was barely quenched but the heart knew what needed to happen.

His eyes had turned from yearning and into shock then down towards a bittersweet smile. He knew what she had meant, as the bittersweet became more bitter than sweet and his chest had turned into a pincushion. At the end. At least he knew he wasn’t wrong.

He came for an answer, and he stayed because of hope.

Now he has nothing more to ask.

He takes a deep, deep breath. And exhales.

He bows like the way his countrymen would. Bit his lip. And slowly but unsurely, turned around and walked away.

As soon as he exits, J2 enters with an air of confusion on his face.

And as he sees Val sitting on the table that was gifted with love, crying with tears of grace.

He knew.

‘Boss… no… Val…

You fucking idiot.’