He looks crestfallen. I’m not about to give up, though. “That’s true! I’m free to do language exchange, though. You can teach me Japanese!” Japanese that I don’t need, but I’m not about to tell him that.

“Excuse me,” Lieko is still looking to the waiter, “but our English teacher doesn’t understand this is not allowed. I’m very sorry for her rudeness; our manager will talk to her about this tomorrow. Now, we must go. Thank you for the delicious meal. Gochisousama deshita!”

“Lieko-sensei,” Misaki whispers. “I think, what Shibelle-sensei means is —”

Lieko gives her a look that would stop a bullet train. “Gochisousama deshita,” she repeats to the waiter with an extra syrupy smile.

“Mata okoshi kudasaimase!” the staff sings. Sexy Server Man ushers in the next group. He’s already forgotten me. I’m just another customer to him.

Everyone spends another five minutes standing around outside, yammering about how cold it is. Misaki asks the others how I can stand the cold without a proper jacket, and why am I not worried about getting sick. I fish out my keys and unlock my bike. It’s high time I get out of here.

“Ah! Shibelle-sensei, you ride bicycle?” Misaki cocks her head, noticing my bike as if for the first time. “But, Shibelle drank wine. Is it dangerous? Abunai deshou?”

“Sou desu ne …” the others agree. “Maybe, Cybelle-sensei should walk back to the station?”

Lieko clicks her tongue and says something to her train pass holder about how Cybelle must know she cannot ride her bike if she has alcohol. If police see me, I could be charged and Zozo would get in trouble. Well, duh. Did I just get off the plane?

“Actually, I live this way. Past the stadium. See that 7-Eleven down there?” I point. “My building is right there.”

“Oh, really?” Misaki cocks her head. “Eh, zannen … maybe, we are tired. We should take a rest. But maybe we may see your apartment another time?”

My ass, you will. “Sure.” I force my face into what I hope looks like a smile. Misaki, swaying a little, goes in for a hug. “Well, see you all tomorrow!” I bow instead of meeting her halfway. “Otsukaresama desu!”

“Otsukaresama desu!” the teachers sing in high-pitched chorus. “Goodbye! See you again!”

“Ah mou, hayaku shinasai!” Lieko snaps, already several feet away. They high-heel-jog after her. Fine by me. I’m just glad they didn’t hug me. Sober as a judge, I hop on my bike and pedal like hell.