The former Golden Pro Wrestling Pure Gold Champion tightened the airplane seatbelt around his lap to a safe, yet still comfortable position. Next to him was Aiko, his childhood sweetheart who he now called his wife.

It was only days before that Fuse had attempted to assassinate the leader of the Yakuza crime syndicate in Tano, Japan. But that plot had gone terribly wrong, and rather than rid himself of Yakuza’s influence, he had become ensnared in it further.

To his surprise, his childhood sweetheart, Aiko, turned out to be the daughter of the local Yakuza crime lord. And, she was all too happy to partake in the family business, which now included controlling Fuse in America for the foreseeable future.

A flight attendant silently smiled down to Fuse and Aiko, and blushed when she saw Aiko’s wedding ring. Aiko beamed back up to the woman.

To say that the wedding was rushed would be an understatement.

Fuse could barely explain to his parents why he and Aiko had suddenly decided to become engaged, and they were especially caught off guard when he informed them that the wedding would happen within a matter of days before returning to America.

“Now, my sweet, Fuse,” Aiko whispered to him. “When we get to America, it’s very important that we maintain your image with the Memphis wrestling fans. Very important. If you are a fan favorite, your merchandise will continue to sell in Japan, and my family needs that money.”

He could barely bring himself to look over at her. Ever since he discovered the truth about Aiko, he was ashamed and disgusted at the circumstances of his life.

Fuse’s wife became impatient and tugged on his sleeve until he finally looked over at her with a contemptuous face.

“Yes, Aiko, you will sell my merchandise. Your family will profit. All will be fine.”

The once-sweet young woman furrowed her brow back at Fuse.

“Listen, Fuse. We don’t have time for any of your self-pity. Let’s just get to America, we’ll have me introduced as your lifelong love that you just had to marry and bring back from Japan. The foolish Americans will love it! Who knows, maybe we’ll get some Aiko merchandise going, as well.”

Aiko grinned and lost herself in some self-absorbed fantasy about her new life in America, while Fuse slumped in his seat next to her.

It was time to go back to Memphis.