A Man's Pride
We were on our way back to the quarters after finishing the quest.
Whew, it felt good to really let loose again.
We got our pay, so how about a drink to celebrate?
There's a place I've been meaning to try out.
Sounds good to me.
Harley, is milk all right?
Of course. You never know when or where you'll have to ride, so staying sober is a must.
If you can't even handle your own body, you've got no business calling yourself a real man.
Ain't that right, Dave?
Grrrnk!
You heard that, Captain? Even Dave agrees with me.
We were chatting as we walked through the shopping district when we noticed a commotion up ahead.
*Crash*
What're you looking at, huh? Is this a freak show to you?
Hey boys! Smash everything!
A biker gang was blocking the street with their bike hogs, tearing up a shop.
Ugh, not those bikers again. They've started stirring up trouble even in the city now.
Probably because the shop refused to pay protection... Unbelievable...
...Captain.
Wait here. I'll be right back.
Come on, Dave.
Grrnk, grrnk!
Stop, Harley.
Let the town guard handle this.
You want us to just sit here until they show up?
We're already getting blamed just for riding, and you want me to stay quiet?
This is a matter of pride.
Even if it's you saying it, I can't back down from this one.
Harley ignored me and walked straight toward the gang.
Hey, punks. That's enough.
Huh? You're... Harley McCoy?
What's a drifter like you doing in NOA?
I'm on a race. The Journey.
So if you know what's good for you, get out of my sight.
Unless you want to get humiliated in front of all these bystanders.
Haha! Acting all tough when you're here alone?
Perfect timing. I've been meaning to get payback for what you did to me.
Oh yeah? So you're one of the guys I trashed before?
Hard to remember. I've beaten up so many thugs, I've lost track.
Playing dumb?! We were the ones guarding the rail site you and your gang stormed!
Ohhh. You were those hired goons chasing out the wild hogs.
In that case, this just got personal.
I'm gonna grind you into the dirt. Mount up.
What? You challenging us to a race?
Yeah. That's how real riders settle things.
Or what, you so high on extortion money you forgot what it means to ride?
Hahaha! That's such a fossil move!
Fossil?!
Come on, McCoy. Who'd waste time on some kiddie street race?
This is about turf now. Stick your nose in and you'll get hurt.
...So you'd rather throw hands than race?
Fine. Let's do this.
I've been itching to wipe the floor with you anyway.
You sure talk big.
There's over twenty of us. You really think you can take us all on?
The crowd watching began to stir and back away.
Everyone could feel the tension rising.
She's not alone.
And who the heck are you? You don't look like part of her crew.
...Captain, don't butt in.
Me and Dave can handle this ourselves.
I'm not gonna stand around while my Journey member fights.
Hmph... Just don't blame me later.
Dave, let's go!
Grrnk, grrnk!
In the end, Harley won—completely and overwhelmingly.
Moments like this really drive home the fact that this tiny girl is the leader of a biker gang.
Hey, say that line again.
What was it? "Stick your nose in and you'll get hurt"?
Gah...! *Gasp* You freakin' monster...!
Cut the crap. Just answer the damn question.
Or do I need to carve it out of you with my axe?
P-please...! Don't kill me...!
Put your weapon down and hands in the air!
Armed town guards swarmed the street, surrounding the scene.
...Tch. Took the town guards long enough.
Harley McCoy! Follow the orders!
Resist, and we WILL take you down by force!
What are you idiots waiting for?! You saw her! She tried to kill me!
Arrest her! Throw her in a cell!
Shut it, punk!
Krgh...!
You wreck the place and then act like the victim? Some real man you are.
Harley! Calm down!
That brat... Is she just ignoring us completely?!
Arrest all of them!
Thanks to witnesses explaining the situation, we were questioned and released the same day.
But...
Captain, as you know, Harley McCoy is a delinquent with a criminal record.
If this happens again, prison will be the only option.
She didn't start it.
She was trying to help people.
Is that so? She still chose a fight over calling us.
Tch...
Listen closely, Harley McCoy.
If you're jailed, your Journey ends.
What? Under what authority?
What do you think? You can't take part in trials from a prison cell.
That reckless pride of yours could cost the whole Journey.
Not just for you, but your Captain too.
Ghh...!
This is your final warning, Captain.
Please keep that in mind.
...After that warning, our walk back to the quarters felt heavier than ever.
...
...Sorry. I acted without thinking.
It's okay.
No, it's not. I almost blew the whole Journey for a stupid reason.
I don't believe in dropping out mid-race.
And... this matters to you too, not just me.
Then let this be the last mistake.
Deal?
*Sigh*
Captain. I swear on my pride as a real man.
From this day on, I swear I won't stir up any more trouble.
I'll finish the Journey just to spite those stuck-up town guards.
You sound fired up.
Damn right I am.
You jumped into the fight for us back there.
At that moment, both me and Dave felt our blood boiling.
Grrnk! Grrnk!
Knowing the risks and still stepping up takes real guts.
Only the bold can do that.
So what's a little self-control, if it means I get to ride with you?
Thanks.
That means a lot.
Haha, you're way too modest!
All right! I've decided! Bit late, but let's grab that drink for you, Captain!
...In the end, Harley drank way too much milk that night and gave herself a stomachache.