The next day Souda arrived for his "lesson."

"So lets begin." Said Koizumi.

"What do you have in mind for today?" Asked Souda, his eyes briefly examined Koizumi's pictures.

"Conversation." Replied Koizumi.

Koizumi sat down on her bed.

"So start talking."

Souda rubbed the back of his neck.

"Alright..." Said Souda. "How have things been with you?"

"Good, you?" Replied Koizumi.

"Yeah." Said Souda. "In fact earlier today I jurry rigged-"

"Stop!" Said Koizumi. "Sonia might not be interested in your mechanic work, so dont bring it up unless she asks."

"Good point." Said Souda. "What else do you got?"

"Try bringing up similar interests." Said Koizumi. "Something you both like."

Souda scratched his chin.

"Something we both like... The beach!"

"Something more specific." Said Koizumi. "Like a tv show or a book."

"Um... I don't read for fun." Said Souda.

Koizumi groaned.

"Why do you even like her again?" Asked Koizumi.

"Look, lets just move on to some other strategies." Said Souda.

"Fine." Replied Koizumi.

They spent the next hour working on Souda's conversation skills.


Souda laid on the floor.

"So are we done for today?" Asked Souda.

"Almost." replied Koizumi. "I think its time for a test run."

"Test run?" Asked Souda. "What do you mean test run?"

Koizumi got off her bed and smiled.

"Follow me and you'll see."

Souda shrugged and got up, following Koizumi out of the cabin.


Koizumi led Souda to the beach. There was only one other person on the beach besides them, the ultimate swordswoman Peko Pekoyama. She was practicing kendo with her bamboo sword.

"What are we doing here?" Asked Souda.

"Testing what you've learned." Replied Koizumi.

She pointed to Peko.

"Go up to her and have a conversation with her."

"What?!" Exclaimed Souda. "One wrong move and she could kill me!"

"If things look bad I'll come in and stop it." Said Koizumi.

"I barely know a thing about Peko though." Said Souda.

"You know as much about her as you do with Sonia." Said Koizumi. "Now get in there."

Souda gulped and walked towards the swordswoman, Koizumi hiding behind a palm tree.

"Uh... Hey Peko."

Peko stopped and looked at Souda.

"May I help you?" Asked Peko in her usual emotionless tone.

"Um... Nice weather we're having." Said Souda.

"I suppose it is." Replied Peko.

"Um...did you do something with your hair?"

Peko glared at Souda.

"If you are attempting to flirt with me, your attempts are futile."

"N-No." Said Souda. "I was just trying to make conversation, ya know."

"I don't."

"I'll just leave you to your ken-"

Souda noticed that Peko's kendo duffel bag was set against a nearby tree with a wrench sticking out.

"Whats with the wrench?"

Peko looked at the bag, then back to Souda.

"My plumbing has been acting odd lately." Said Peko. "I was hoping to fix it myself."

"Do you know anything about plumbing?" Asked Souda.

"It shouldn't be difficult."

Souda smiled.

"I can take a look at it later if you want." Said Souda.

"I do not wish to trouble-"

"Its no problem." Said Souda. "I'm happy to help, plus it'll be better if I do it since I know how to."

Peko nodded.

"In that case could you stop by tomorrow morning and see what you could do?" Asked Peko.

"Sure thing." Replied Souda.

"Its getting late." Said Peko.

Peko grabbed her bag and prepared to leave.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Peko left the beach. Once the coast was clear Koizumi got out of her hiding place and approached Souda.

"Well I held a conversation." Said Souda

Koizumi shrugged.

"I guess it counts." Said Koizumi.

Koizumi crossed her arms.

"Are you really going to be okay with her plumbing though?"

"Oh its no problem." Said Souda. "I like fixing things."

"Guess your not as lazy as I thought you were." Said Koizumi.

"Hey!"

"Well I'll see you tomorrow." Said Koizumi. "Same time same place."

Koizumi left the beach, leaving Souda alone.

"Well i'm making progress..." Muttered Souda as he left the beach.