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"It’s an apology For how I acted yesterday Nothing personal, and nothing rohten, but so out of this universe along with the last of Zabadoobians "Right An apology Okay"

"You sound disappointed"

"I don’t want you to be alarht be crazy I am the opposite of disappointed I a I would like o on a not-date with my worst enemy who just went on a date with my friend, which, by the way, I paid hi! How cool is that! Just drive so we can get this over with, you alien!"

He sas

-12-

3 Years

17 Weeks

5 Days

We drive forever Fiveever Sixever Sevenhundredever We wind past decrepit buildings skinned with age and scabbed with graffiti A ht over a loaf of bread a hons in Korean and Chinese blare in all colors of the rainbow, the s in It’s the exact opposite of the clean, fancy area of toas vo me to a black-market butcher to sell me for body parts?" I politely inquire Jack pulls into a parking space and takes the keys froets out and I follow his stride down the dark sidewalk

"You know, if you wanted my liver, all you’d have to do is ask nicely I’ out With my fist in your face"

"Body parts aren’t on the ht in the future"

"Oho! Was that a double-entendre? Thanks, but when you’re as fantastic as I am you can’t afford to sleep with nerds"

He suddenly veers right, into a tiny alleyway So this is where I meet my end – in an alley of Chinatown, chopped up into little pieces and shipped to China to replace some old businessman’s cirrhosis-infested liver My eyes widen when he pushes open a tiny door and walks three or so steps down into a restaurant A counter sits in theruby slabs of tuna and pale swathes of yellowtail Sushi chefs expertly slice and dice and mash rice Only a few people are at the bar, and the hostess, a short Japanese woman with a dimpled face, quickly darts to us

"Jack!"

"Fujiwara-san," He inclines his head She reaches up and, to my utter shock, pinches his cheeks like he’s a child

"Look at you! All bones, no fat! You haven’t been eating!"

"I eat well enough" Jack insists, not even trying to push her away as she straightens his shirt collar for him Her dark eyes lock onto me, and she sht any of your friends before Was beginning to think you didn’t have any!"

"She’s not ives up "Fujiwara-san, this is Isis Blake"

"Ahh, Isis-chan!" Fujiwara bows, and I bow back and alood to meet you"

"Nice to meet you, too," I say Fujiwara turns to Jack

"Usual?"

He nods "Please"