Shit. Cornered by a drunk samurai wannabe the size of a Gundam. Talk about timing. Zaniel pulls me back into the booth, shaking his head. What have I gotten myself into? Time to do the only thing I know how: smile, nod, and make the best of things until I get myself back to my apartment, alive and physically unscathed.

The giant man makes a grandiose gesture to the schoolgirl, who bows with a polite “shitsureishimasu” before sliding into the seat as far as she can. I’m a little offended until the giant squeezes himself in and plops down on the cushion hard enough to make it pop. He still has one massive tree-trunk leg sticking out of the booth. “We weren’t properly introduced. I’m Akki. I have a feelin’ Zaniel-kun still hasn’t told you about me.”

Something tells me not to confirm this fact, nor offer my hand. I give him my best Zozo smile. “I’m Cybelle. Nice to meet you.”

“Cybelle?” he snorts. “That’s what you call yourself? Heh. Never heard that one before. You ever hear that one, Hino? ’Cause I’ve never heard of it. Weird, huh?” Akki can’t seem to get over this new combination of sounds he’s discovered. “Cybelle. What kinda name is that, anyway? Cybelle … Cyb … elle. That’s a new one. Never heard of it.”

“Relax, dude,” I mutter. “Didn’t ask if you had.”

Zaniel looks like someone just jabbed him with a fork. He looks at Akki and seems relieved to see the giant laughing that loud barking laugh of his. “Oh, ho, ho, still cheeky, I see. I like that. Anyway. This is Hino.”

“Nice to meet you, too.” I nod at her. It doesn’t make sense to fuel this conversation any further. Not that Hino looks interested in talking. She just sits there and stares in my general direction through her shades. “Sorry to cut this short, Zaniel, but I have to —”

“Sumimasen, okyaku-sama,” two waitresses sing in harmony as they carry a giant platter of fries between them and set it on the table. “‘Potato Mountain’ degozaimasu! Jibun rashiku ite kudasai!” They bow and leave. Shoot, I forgot we ordered this. But judging by the disgusted look on this Akki guy’s face, I don’t have to share.

“Don’t mind Hino, Sigh-belle, she’s a bit of a bitch around strangers. No manners whatsoever, right? Not that —”

“Excuse me, Cybelle-sama,” Hino cuts him off, clearly not listening to a word her friend is saying. “May I ask you … what are you doing here in Japan?”

“Uh, well … I work for an eikaiwa, about twenty minutes west of here.”

“No. I mean, where did you come from? How did you come to be here?”

“I …” I’m temporarily distracted by the plate of quivering fish flesh a waitress sets down in front of the giant man, along with his four glasses. He slurps it down with one hand before the waitress has even finished bowing. “I came from Canada?” I want to add by plane, but something about this girl scares the sarcasm out of me.