That afternoon lead to a number of new things for me I’m still too embarrassed to admit to all of them. Suffice to say Nana would not let me out of her arms until the next morning.

I was up and dressed first. I felt far lighter but… well the experience had been weird. I liked a lot of it but processing all that had happened felt like it would take time. I was trying to put together something resembling a meal when Nana sat up and stretched. I started to avert my eyes out of habit but after all we’d done yesterday it seemed kinda pointless. She tossed on some undies and joined me in the small kitchen.

“Not much here sadly.” I said looking at what leftovers we had on hand. Nana came up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist. She pulled me back into a romantic hug. I blushed. Nana kissed my neck.

“C’mon you ass I wanna eat.” Nana… no Blast whimpered like a puppy. This girl was such a pain. I peeled off her arms and spun around. I wrapped my arms around her neck and she placed her hands in the small of my back. I leaned in and kissed her. It was still awkward and I didn’t know how I felt but she held me close as I did it. Something about the way she wanted... me was intoxicating. I mean… I’m ME. Still the sparkles in her eyes said she liked what I was doing so I kissed her again. I wasn’t sure if I was doing it right but… it made her happy and that was enough to make it worthwhile. Blast’s hands began roaming and slipped down past my hips where she grabbed my behind quite firmly causing me to jump a bit. I was not used to girls grabbing my butt okay. She has a hungry look that told me she was ready for more.

I wouldn’t have it I was starving and it didn’t look like there was breakfast here.

“I know what you want but I have to eat something and there is nothing here.”

Blast let out a frustrated sigh. Clover had taken all of her money and I had none to start with. So we agreed we’d go work things out with Xianying. I got my girl to get some actual clothes on and we got on the bike. I would have thought simply taking food from restaurants would be an option yet it was actually a big no-no. Apparently the Boss insisted we pay for anything we wanted. I guess there was some logic in that. Why bother taking money in the first place if we weren’t going to spend it?

When we started walking into the club Blast took my arm and hung off it. She was actually blushing the dork. The staff girl who usually worked the front was startled as we walked in. Her eyes widened as she saw Blast leaning into me as we walked. Blast looked needy as I pushed her aside and opened up the heavy wood door to the back. Xianying sat in the back with one of the Hostess's I’d seen before but not the same one that’d been sitting on her lap the other night. The two of them were taking turns tapping away at a tablet like they were playing some kinda game.

I felt Blast try and take my hand but I shot her a warning glance. I was really not ready to tell everyone about us… well I very much wanted to figure out what we were before trying to explain it. Stepsisters? I mean our parents weren’t married so that was out… sorta. Besties with Benefits? Maybe, but it was clear I was not ready to call her my “Girlfriend“ a shiver ran down my spine thinking about it. Good or Bad I couldn’t tell.

“Fine, fine just take it.” Xianying pulled some large bills out of her wallet and handed them over. I was glad she was being a good sport in all this I bowed out of respect. She waved it off. “With everything going on right now I guess it can’t be helped.”

“What is going on?” There had been quite a bit of conflict with other clans lately but I hadn’t been told anything.

Xianying signaled the hostess and she too the cue to leave shutting the door tight behind her.

“It's a long coming power struggle within the Kojima Clan. The current matriarch Kaede Kojima attempting to fight off her cousin Kirito. The bastard was doing time when the pervious matriarch passed on. Seems he managed to secure an early release somehow. We think it might have to do with one of our former members, Fujiko Nanji. She was a technical genius easily one of Japan’s greatest hackers. She was our ace in the hole, a prodigy in her own right. If she’s working for Kirito that represents a unconscionable threat. It would be bad if she were to slip through our fingers. Nanji has a distinct golden dragon tattoo on her arm. If you see her call the Boss, tell her where you are and nothing more. It is vitally important you do not speak of her outside this room. Understand?“

Xianying relaxed as we nodded firmly. I’d never seen her speak so seriously about anything. This Nanji must be serious if the Boss and El Pollo were both so adamant about capturing her.

The door swung open behind us and Tsubasa strolled in humming to herself.

“Well you look like you’re in a good mood.” Xianying commended as Tsubasa placed a small plastic bag on the table and began rummaging through it,

“Yeah I just picked up some cat toys.” She replied unpacking some toy mice.

“Why exactly?” I felt compelled to ask nobody around here owned any pets I was aware of,

“Because, I’ll find it hilarious. Seriously you guys should come with this is going to be amazing.” Tsubasa said stuffing the toys into the pocket of her jacket.

“We were actually just about to get some breakfast.” I realized I’d been speaking for Blast and I this whole time while she’d remained surprisingly quiet.

“Really? Cause it's like 10:30. You should really get your life together.” Tsubasa barely stopped for a breath before adding. “I’ll go with you it feels like I haven't eaten in days. I should probably ask Blue if she’s up for it.” Tsubasa pulled out her phone and fired of a quick text message.

“Excuse me?” I asked incredulously I’d kind of been expecting to get a proper date with Blast out of this and it was quickly turning into a double.

“Yeah, did you know Aoi’s name is Blue in English? Crazy right? I’ve been using it as a cute nickname.” Tsubasa shoved her phone back in her pocket as the door to the changing rooms opened and Aoi popped in.

“I was right down the hall you could have just come and asked me.” Aoi crossed her arms and glared at Tsubasa.

“Sorry, Blue I didn’t know.” Tsubasa gave her an modestly exaggerated frown as Aoi’s melted. She jumped into her lovers arms and the two kissed passionately. I could feel Blast squeeze my hand.

“I have to pee one sec!” I slid past Aoi down the hall with Blast following close behind. She followed me into the bathroom without a word.

“Is something wrong?” Blast looked a bit hurt.

I brushed a loose hair out of my face while I thought how best to say this.

“No! I’m just.. Not used to all this.” I had a feeling I knew where this was going.

“Aoi and Tsubasa kiss all the time. You know nobody here cares...”

I shifted uncomfortably and Blast looked even more hurt. I scrambled for the words.

“This is all new to me! I’ve never kissed anyone in front of other people you know that!” I really didn’t want her to think I didn’t want to kiss her I was just nervous.

“Well...Neither have I! But… you know...” Blast trailed off cringing a bit.

“I’m sorry” was all I could think to say.

“You’re sorry for what?” Blast suddenly sounded annoyed.

“I’m just… sorry!” I put up my hands in case she decided to hit me.

Blast growled at me in frustration. She left the bathroom ahead of me. I took a deep calming breath and a part of me felt as if I had really messed up. I really hoped we’d both be less grumpy after food.

As it turned out our double date had turned into a group date. Blast, Aoi, Tsubasa, Xiangying, the hostess from earlier and myself all piled into a booth clearly not designed for six people at the Denny’s down the street. Yes there are Denny’s in japan. Not they are not anything like the ones in the west why would they be? You can’t order curry or omurice at Denny’s in America. Well that was Sophie's experience when she visited Delaware with her family. Apparently her mother was really into Nascar. Which I could sort of appreciate I mean I could talk all day about the new JDF-44 prototype that had just been tested by Alita Heavy Industries. It had a new composite in it's air-frame that was frighteningly effective. While not a forward swept wing aircraft itself it's new composites could lead to one being viable in the future!