It wasn't actually McDonald's. The elegant multi-storey café built in the middle of a roundabout that brought together parks and skyscraper areas wore the name Julie's. The mega-size poster of the famous girl brawler seemed to waste her most inviting smile: the streets of afternoon-turning-evening, normally an hour busy with people and means of transportation, were abandoned. Equally, no one was spending his or her time seated at the well designed restaurant tables behind see-through walls and the only movement inside was that on a big TV screen above the bar. That drew the attention of the only passerby who approached timidly as if he was new in the town. Oh, dear! His very being there was so out-of-place that he had to be an alien.
Ren Krawler entered through the automatic door that moved aside soundlessly, fighting the feeling of being detected. That should be paranoia. No one was around. Television had just broadcast a face he knew; he wanted to hear the news and then disappear quickly. The adverts flickered on the screen instead and Ren groaned with disappointment. Should he go?
Too late: a hairdo of the bartender that had sat down to watch the show rose above the counter. Ren winced. He was on a huge planet that was crowded by copycats but he doubted that even the craziest of them would opt for such a horrible set of orange dreadlocks.
"Ren Krawler!" Dude's big mouth dropped open so wide that Ren started to fear about his safety. Good that the astonishment evolved into a super-wide grin. "Ren from Gundalia! Is it really you?"
"Of course, it's him." Linehalt answered before Ren did. The latter nearly moaned with despair. His last hope to deny his identity had just evaporated. "Who else you think it might be, a clone?"
"Little dude!" Jake exclaimed with amusement as if talking Bakugan were a rarity. They shouldn't be. That's why it was called Bakugan City: talking Bakugan could be seen nearly on every shoulder. "Good to see you again!"
"Don't call me little dude!" Linehalt glared. "For you, I'm Darkus Linehalt."
"Calm down, he didn't mean it." Ren touched the tiny black monster with his fingertips. "Hi, Jake. How are you doing?"
"I'm great! I'm the king of the place!" Jake replied with a huge proud gesture.
"Oh, sure." Ren had to decide upon something. Things had taken a rather bad turn. Meaning, Jake was a heartily guy but he was the worst thing that could happen to Ren's plan and the plan was to stay on the Earth unnoticed. "It's nice, just a bit… empty."
"Don't say. It's normally full." Jake stretched his muscles to hide disenchantment. "People come here to watch Bakugan battles on TV. It should be packed right now because this duel is the most important. Dan Kuso meets the title pretender Gunz Lazar! I ordered extra supply of soft drinks for tonight. We have a new energy drink to promote, it's called Dragon Thrasher. It's quite popular already. However, it seems that most of the folks have gone to Bakugan Land. It has opened recently. They have an open-air screening of the match, live music, and fireworks – not to mention that they have Bakugans! It's quite an attraction."
"Aw, yes." Ren uttered. It was awkward. "They should come here. This place is good and it has a nice name, Julie's."
"Well, it actually is Julie's." Jake blushed. "She's the owner."
"Right." Ren was happy he finally found something they could talk about. "Didn't she run a café in Bayview?"
"Oh, Ren. You talk like an alien!" Jake laughed, and then cut the merriment politely. "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend. It's unbelievable that you don't know! Julie Makimoto is a model, a popular TV reporter, and she also owns several brands and a restaurant chain! It's Julie: it means talented, successful, and beautiful. She's also very kind and a real friend. When they axed me from the series and I had missed too much training to get back into the football team, she gave me this job. It's nothing much but it's important to stay around in Bakugan City. They might want me back for an episode or two. I'm still a star after all! I keep receiving fan messages. Wantcha see?" Jake reached for his iPhone. "Dear Jake, you're the less convincing villain I've ever seen on TV – it doesn't sound like a compliment but it is. I spoke to this girl and she assured me that she meant it in the best sense possible. Jake, you suck. You and your atrocious dreads ruined the third season – well, some people are nasty, I can't deny it. But it's not like my friends are ashamed of me, no! They only needed two places in the team for brawlers from Gundalia and Neathia last year and I stepped aside. I'm a team player. Mira Clay is back to take the Subterra spot this season so they couldn't have me back but otherwise they're always happy to see me."
Ren watched Jake's lips while the sense of his words faded. Maybe, it wasn't that bad at all. Jake talked a lot; that was true. But who was actually listening to him?
"Hey, Ren, I'll bring us some food before the action starts." A particularly tempting fast food advert apparently took the effect on Jake. Or, his fifteen minutes of not eating were just over.
"Aw, I'm not – hungry." Ren uttered but Jake was already gone to the kitchen. Cautiously, Ren stepped towards the exit door but Linehalt seized his collar to hold him back.
"What does that shit mean, you're not hungry? Your human form needs a food intake every four to six hours and has to be well rested once a day. You should know well enough by now!"
"I didn't come to the Earth to enjoy myself, Linehalt. I'll stay in the shadows and check some information. If it will prove right, I'll warn a few people and then – then –" Ren dropped his sight. Next moment, he shivered: with a corner of his eye, he had caught a reflection on the shiny floor. It resembled a face of a man wearing sunscreens but there was no one when Ren raised his head. He made a deep sigh. "Sorry, Linehalt, you're right! I need food and sleep or paranoia will take over. I can stay here. Maybe I'll be rewarded if I listen to a guy that nobody listens to."
"Hopefully you'll be rewarded with a double serving of food. You must be starving."
"Look, there are more important things than a slice of pie that I clearly don't deserve!"
"I hate when you treat yourself like that. I might forgive that bastard Linus Claude that he crushed your knee but not what he did to your confidence." The red pinheads of Linehalt's eyes glowered. "You really loved and respected him and he decided you deserved death. No wonder you walk around with these eyes of a lost puppy and deep inside believe he's right."
"Is he not? Remember, I might have you killed because of my issues." Ren whispered, starring into the countertop.
"How many times should I repeat it? I'm a soldier. It's my job. Plus, nobody has to deserve death. It's included in the scope of delivery." Linehalt noticed that Ren bit his lip to hide a smile and added mordantly. "Oh, I forgot. I can't be a soldier. I'm but a nicely architected toy."
Ren's face twisted with regret.
"Linehalt, I apologized several times already –"
"Fish & Chips Vallory style, enjoy!" A big plate landed in front of Ren and the appetizing aroma made him forget the argument. Unbelievable as it was, Jake could cook. The fish was white and juicy and the sauce was just inspirational. The bonus was that Jake had his mouth full and couldn't talk for a little while. Somehow, all this evoked painful memories about the time they shared in a different kitchen in another galaxy. Well, maybe Ren shouldn't let the pain win. Maybe he should use his experience?
"Jake, I wanted to ask you something. I need to stay on the Earth a bit and I desperately need a job. Can you help me?"
"What, a job? You should ask Marucho." Jake's enthusiasm went down. "They probably need IT specialists in Marukura Corporation."
"Oh, no, please, not Marucho!" Ren nearly choked with food. "Brawlers surely have their own plans and they must be terribly busy. Besides, I want to learn something about real life on the Earth. I want to do something simple and remain unseen. Can I work in your kitchen, please? I can cut salad or do the washing up. You won't be the only chef that has an illegal alien in the catering area!"
Jake's mouth was full but his jubilant face clearly expressed that he found this idea amazing. He'd probably celebrate the news with another excited outburst of words but the TV took their attention wholly next moment.