Michiru has just barely changed into her blouse and capris when the commotion starts. Grabbing her purse, the young reporter slips quietly into the kitchen, where she can get a better view of what's going on.

"Tenoh! You fucking asshole!"

Michiru is surprised to see Haruka's security guard, the burly Taylor, waving a gun at Haruka's head.

"Hey, calm down now," Haruka tries, putting her hands up to signify a peace-making attempt.

"Calm down? Tenoh, you fucking son of a bitch. You've ruined me!" To emphasize his point, the big man kicks over a chair in the guest area.

"What exactly are you talking about?" Haruka tries again to settle the situation.

"Oh, so you're going to play dumb now? Hmm, okay, let me spell it out to you. Let's pretend that it was your boss who just announced to the world that he was going to hand you over to the authorities. Let's say it's your ass that's going to end up in jail. Or your neck that's going to be wrung by the Mafia."

"What, the Mafia? What are you talking about, Yamada?"

Michiru stifles a cry as she watches 'Taylor' suddenly kick Haruka hard at the knee and bring the tall woman down to the floor. The blonde groans and puts her hands over her head to show her surrender.

"God, Tenoh, are you really that stupid?" Leaning down over the blonde, the security guard growls out his sob story. "For years I've watched your company succeed, Haruka. And with every quarter, every milestone, I've watched you increase your own wealth. Another car. Another house. It's never enough for you, is it? And meanwhile, I'm barely making ends meet, barely able to support myself and my family."

"Yamada, please. You earned a very generous salary. It's not my fault that you drank and gambled it away."

Kicking Haruka in the stomach, the big man laughs and leans back down. "You're so arrogant, Tenoh. When I first met you, you were a nobody. And I taught you, and I trained you, and I made you so good at racing that we were teammates. Partners. Equals! Without me, you'd still be a punk kid wasting away your life."

The burly man sighs dramatically and lands another heavy kick against Haruka's ribs. "But when you built your company, did you make me an equal? Hell no. Sure, you gave me a nice title and a fair chunk of change. But did you let me make any important decisions? Introduce any of the cars at the PR events? Even attend any of the charity functions? No. You wanted all the fame, all that glory, all the women, all to your own. You selfish prick."

"Yamada, I'm sorry," Haruka concedes. "You're right, I should have involved you more in the company. Made us equal partners."

"Yes, you should have. But it's too late now. I was hired to do a side job, and I did it very well. And I was so, so close to collecting my award, Haruka. That is, until you ruined everything today."

"Honestly, Yamada, I still don't understand."

"SHUT UP!" the big man warns again, stepping onto Haruka's back until the blonde cries out. Moving away from the blonde to stare out the window, Yamada begins his full explanation.