The redhead took a deep breath. “Do you know...anime?”
Aquila chuckled. “We have some familiarity with it.”
“I think we’re more manga than anime,” Yukari said with a grin. Sayori elbowed her.
“Can you come to our club?” the redhead asked. “We love anime and Japanese stuff, and some of us are even trying to learn how to speak Japanese, and–”
Aquila raised her hand. “We’d normally be delighted to, but we’re just passing through, and we have a schedule to keep. I’m sorry.”
“But, we’ve got cupcakes, and green tea, and...”
“Don’t bother them, Sarah,” the blonde said, getting up from her seat and stepping over. “I’m sure they’re very busy, and missing out on your delicious cupcakes will be their loss.”
Aquila took a quick glance at the blonde’s character description and stiffened. Keeping her face neutral, she made a show of rubbing her leg. “Sorry about that,” she said. “It’s an old leg injury from a couple of years ago...it still sometimes hurts a bit.”
“Oh, come on, Angie,” Sarah said. “They’re Japanese! Why, they could be our guests of honour, and–”
“Don’t be pushy, Sarah,” Angie interrupted, locking eyes with Aquila. “If they don’t have time, they don’t have time. Now come back to the table, and let’s talk about club night. Please pardon us.”
Aquila gave her a friendly nod and smile. “Not a problem.” She watched as Angie made her way back to her table, and then said in Japanese under her breath, “I’ve made a terrible mistake. As soon as we’ve paid our bill, we need to get out of here.”
“What’s wrong?” Kasumi asked in Japanese.
“This isn’t just a science fiction story world like I thought,” Aquila replied. “It’s horror.”
