“Can I ask you something?”

    “Go ahead.”

    “How old are you?”

    “Nineteen.”

    Then Tom asked Aneko: “And how are you?” “Fifteen.” she answered. “You don’t seem like it.” he said. “What do you mean?” Aneko asked. “You seem older.” Tom answered. “Not again!” she thought. Then another crossed her mind. “You’re not a mortal, are you?” Aneko asked Tom. “No.” he said uneasily. “Then what are you?” Aneko asked. Tom hesitated, then he said: “I’m a demimortal.” “A demimortal eh?” said Aneko. The messenger nodded. “Well, I’m an immortal.” the princess said. Tom stopped shocked. “You’re….an….are you serious?” he asked. Aneko nodded. “Whoa! I’d never thought I’d meet another one!” he yelled in shock. Aneko grinned. “Just as long as you’re mortal-friendly….” Tom began. “Oh I like mortals! I’m even married to one!” Aneko cut in. “Then we’re good.” the messenger said. “Now, can we keep going?” the princess asked. “Sure.” said Tom. Then he started his motorcycle back up. “So how old are you really?” Tom asked as they were riding. “Fifty-three.” Aneko answered. Tom tried not to laugh.
    Matilda watched Kris, Basil and Madeline play on the floor. She seemed distant and cold. Matilda had run away from home to Japan. But she was beginning to wonder: Was it worth it? That’s when Madeline’s warmth and kindness lead her here. But she still wasn’t happy. Why?
    Matilda looked over at Joe. He was staring at her. She didn’t know whether to feel relief or nervous. Joe started walking towards her. Matilda became tense. “What do I do? What do I do?” she thought. “It’s okay.” Joe said in a low ton from behind. Matilda shot around. “Just come with me.” said Joe. Matilda followed him outside.
    Aneko and Tom went downtown. Tom was looking around. “Hey there!” he finally called out. Aneko looked up. She saw another boy with blackish-purple hair cut short dressed in black jeans and a white t-shirt. Tom pulled closer to him. Once he stopped, Tom and Aneko got off. The boy walked closer. “What took ya?” he asked. “Oh, had a job to. Just same old-same old.” Tom answered. “Aw. I see.” the boy said. Then he looked at Aneko. “Who’s this?” asked the boy. “Tsukibara Aneko.” the princess answered. “Young Adrian.” the boy said. “Where’s Tony?” Tom asked. “On one of his ‘dates’.” Adrian said. “Oh! I see.” Tom said slyly. “Let’s go see him!” “Yeah, I’ve got to see this!” Adrian said. The boys looked up at Aneko. “Aren’t you coming?” he asked. “Uh….yeah.” said she. Then the three left.
    “Explain yourself.” Joe said to Matilda. “About what?” Tildie asked. “Well, your story.” he said. Matilda tensed up. What was she to say? So she took a deep breath. “I ran away from home.” Matilda admitted. That was a start. “My mom was abusive.” Keep going. “I was scared of her. One day…” No turning back now. “She almost killed me. I couldn’t take it anymore so I ran away!” Matilda burst into tears. “Where did you come from?” Joe asked. “Pittsburgh.” she sobbed out. “Damn! You came far!” Joe muttered. “Don’t worry, aside from crankiness, you’re going to be fine here.” “Thanks.” said Matilda. “Now come on.” Joe spoke up. “Okay.” the girl said. Then she followed him back inside.
    Aneko, Tom, and Adrian went to the Floating World café to find Tony. “I’d hate to miss his seventy-fifth rejection!” Tom said aloud. “Really? I thought that was eighty-nine.” said Adrian. “It’s going to be seventy-five.” said Tom. “Oh.” said his friend.
    A few minutes later, Adrian called out: “Look! There’s Tony!” Tom and Aneko looked up. They saw a tan-skinned boy with short blond hair dressed in a fine suit walking gloomily towards them. “Hey Tony!” Tom yelled. The boy looked up. He ran over to them. “How was your date?” Adrian asked once the boy got to his friends. “She rejected me.” Tony answered sadly. “Oh.” said the boys. “That’s rejection number seventy-five.” Tom reported. “Do have to keep count?!?” Tony asked. Then he glared at Aneko. Tony rushed over to her. “You’re cute! Are ya single? Let’s go out.” he said. “Uh…. Arigato. I’m Tsukibara Aneko and I’m taken.” the princess answered. *Sweat drop on Tony’s head* “All right.” He sighed. “This is Kanal Tony.” Adrian said. “I see.” Said Aneko.
    China was sitting on a bench in front of the drug store with a bottle of sake in her hands. Today was a boring day. Kris and Basil were baby-sitting and Aneko was nowhere to be found. Well, what now? China decided to get a few drinks and roam the streets of Kyoto. But that didn’t help one bit. She was still bored.
    “When is this day going to get interesting?” China thought bitterly. That’s when she saw him. China looked and saw a boy with blond hair to his shoulders with a guitar on his back. She immediately fell in love! China rushed from the bench and flocked over to him. The boy looked up. She nearly collapsed on him. China looked up. The boy was silent. “Hi there. I’m China.” she said trying not to sound like a ditz. The boy kinda smiled. China’s eyes lit up as she blushed. “Hi babe.” he said. “Name’s Robert.” “Can…..Can….Can I……Can I…..?” China tried to get out. “Walk with me? Sure. Date me? Oh yeah!” Robert said quickly. China was amused. Then they walked off together.
    Aneko and boys decided to stay in the café. Tom, Tony, and Adrian were talking up a storm. Aneko boredly looked around. Then something caught her eye. A little girl that looked ten with black hair to her shoulders was wandering about the café. The princess became curious. So she got up and walked over to the child. When she got close, the girl looked up. “Hi there. My name is Tsukibara Aneko. What’s your name?” Aneko approached kindly. The child said something insulting in Icelandic and ran off. *Sweat drop on Aneko’s head* “A little bad-mouthed aren’t you?” she asked. The boys came over to her. Aneko looked up. “That wasn’t smart.” said Tony. “Why? Who is she?” the princess asked. “That’s just Bjork. China’s little sister. Stay away from her, she’s like a little savage.” Adrian said. “Oh, I see.” Aneko said. She looked up at Bjork again. The child was gone.
    Another residence came to the Kay-san house by late afternoon. The kids heard a thud at the doorstep. They looked up. “What was that?” Madeline asked. “We’re going to see.” Basil said serenely. Then she and Kris went to the door. The door creaked as Kris opened it. A boy with a sake bottle in his hand laid on the doorstep. Basil was struck with horror. The boy looked up. He was drunk. “Hey…there.” the boy slurred out. “Uh…. are you okay?” Kris asked. “Huhh….uh……yeahhh……*hic*” he said. “Well, let’s get him in.” Basil said at last. “Right.” said Kris. Then the women grabbed him and dragged him inside. “My name is Adam Prinze.” said the drunken boy as he was dragged in. “That’s nice Adam.” said Kris unenthusiastically. Adam rambled on until he passed out.
    Aneko, Tom, Tony, and Adrian stayed at the café until sunset. The boys left Aneko. So she walked home by herself. As Aneko was walking along when she met another new friend. She saw an Indian-looking girl with long black hair dressed in a pale dress. Aneko decided to walk with her. So she picked up the pace. The girl turned to see her getting closer. “Hi ya.” Aneko said once she got to the girl. “Hi.” the girl said nervously. The princess smiled. “I’m Tsukibara Aneko.” she said. The girl relaxed. “My name is Al-Mar Mata.” she answered. “Mind if I walk with you?” Aneko asked. “Oh no.” Mata said quickly. “Arigato.” said Aneko. Then the girls walked home.
That evening, Basil asked Aneko: “So how was your day?” “Fine. I met some new friends.” her roommate answered.