Chapter 4: I speak Japanese, don't you?


While I had been occupied talking to the bartender, Morra had walked in with his aide, who's name I'd quite forgotten, but I did recognise him from the show for all the 40 seconds he'd been in it. His talk with Sands was brief and I could see Sands pointing at me right before Morra walked in my direction, leaving his aide behind with Sands.

He wasn't as obvious about it as Sands had been, but I was sure he was as much trying to get an impression of me as I was of him. Going by that fact I just openly stared at him, not even trying to hide it. Even if it was just for the little while as he walked up. He looked just as good as he did in the movie, (before the bad haircut at the end) and extremely hot in his black suit.

Thinking I should try to make at least a positive impression I smiled at him, that kind of knowing smile that pisses off people, like when you're trying to hide what you're going to get them for Christmas. He didn't seem too bothered, and if anything he seemed ever so slightly more intrigued. When he arrived in front of me I could feel my excitement rising.

"Miss Pink Pajamas."

"Edward Morra."

"We finally meet."

"Yes, I've been looking forward to meeting you ever since we spoke this morning. Please sit." I said retaining my smile the whole time. He sat down on the barstool besides me.

"So you have some compromising information about me, or so you claim. You got your meeting, what do you want to do now?" He said leaning in, his voice soft and smooth, curiosity evident but the threat was all too painstakingly clear.

His sparkling blue eyes were completely focused on me and I could feel a blush rising to my face. Trying to calm myself I played with the rim of my dress.

"Well, obviously that would be using any and all information I have to my advantage. Isn't that how the human race has gotten this far as a species?" I could see his eyes turn dark as he renewed his views on me as a potential dangerous enemy. I recognised the look, it was the same look he gave the Russian after he took NZT during their last stand-off. And that actually made me think of something.

"What do you know and what do you want?"

"I know a lot things." I said trying to hide the fact that, I thought he was less original then I expected from someone on NZT. He seemed to catch onto the fact that I was mocking him though, as he looked even less pleased.

I thought it time to put him out of his misery though and, like him, I looked him straight in those bright blue eyes.

"You don't have to look so sullen Edward, because I don't actually want to blackmail you. For someone on NZT you're not very quick when it comes jokes."

"You're an amazing liar. I don't think I've ever seen someone this good before now, not even on NZT."

I couldn't help but let out a giggle at that.

"Thank you, that's a nice compliment, but I am not on NZT."

"I have no reason to believe that though."

I kept looking at him trying to decide if I could push him a bit more. I don't know if it was the alcohol but I just went for it. I slowly got up from the stool as not to alarm him, I leaned forward until I could feel his breath on my cheek.

"But what if I wasn't lying?" I whispered in his ear.

He seemed startled, as if that simply hadn't occurred to him, that he had been so focussed on trying to find signs to my deception he hadn't thought I might not be lying at all. Classic NZT. I straightened up and sat back on my own barstool, waiting for him.

"If I can believe you and you're not planning on using what you know to blackmail me, what are you planning to use it for, some kind of trade then?"

"You really can't think of anything else? Anything at all?"

I could see him trying to gauge me and trying to come up with something, but I could tell he found any possible answer his NZT brain brought him as unlikely as the others.

"Is this just a warning?" He asked, for the first time a questioning expression on his face, I found it terribly cute.

"What about helping you."

If I had been amused by Sands surprised faces, imagine my complete joy at his stunned face. I had trouble suppressing a burst laughter but I managed, I nearly cried though.

"I'm sorry for laughing, but with all that brain power of yours, you really thought that there was zero possibility of me simply wanting to help you?"

"Even if you're not lying, I've been a politician long enough not take that at face value. What's your angle?"

"Ulterior motives... hmmm... I don't really have any, I just genuinely want to help you. No wait that's not entirely true, I'm also curious, about NZT, about your booster shot against the side-effects. And also about you, and whether you really were as handsome in person as on camera. The free stuff today was just a bonus, I mean unless I was buying myself an island I probably wouldn't even dent your vast fortune even if I tried. Soooo, I do hope to leach off you for a while. I do plan to make it worth your while though."

"So you know about NZT and the booster shot too."

"Yeah, I just said that, and you are just as handsome, maybe more so than on camera." I said trying my best not to snort.

It really seemed I had a knack for this, as he seemed to debate whether he should be offended, flattered or annoyed. Just because he'd been on NZT for so long didn't quite mean you couldn't at all guess what he was thinking about. He was able to hide it if he tried I imagined, we'd seen him do it in the film. It's just he either didn't care to hide it, or he just forgot to. Personally I thought it was the former one.

"So exactly what do you have to offer, that you'd pick me of all people?" He asked, challenging me along the way.

"Some advice."

"So you plan to give me, the guy with a nearly 4-digit IQ advice? Didn't you say you weren't on NZT? What could you possibly have to offer that I don't already know? And even if you do know something I don't, why help me? Why would you want to help me?" There he was, the Edward Morra with his arrogant ass that I knew from the movie. The guy who talked down to Carl van Loon at the end of the movie. Confident in everything he did and always sure he was ahead of everyone else. However that he wouldn't take anyone's good will reminded me of the Eddie Morra pre-NZT.

"So, it's not at the 4-digits yet. How do you even measure it at this point btw?" He looked at me oddly, like I'd just chosen the most strange thing to focus on.

"I can give advice, because I know your strengths, but I also know your weaknesses."

"What weaknesses, though?"

"Oh Eddie, you have many."

"Like?"

"You have a tendency to think so far ahead that you forget about the here and now, just because you're on NZT doesn't mean you're omnipotent. You can't see what you're not looking for. The fact I managed to surprise you proves that. But, there is more."

Exceptionally intrigued he leaned in the more I talked, until our hands on the bar nearly touched.

"You don't go out of your way to hurt people, but if it's for the greater good you don't give a damn about collateral. Tell me Eddie, when you've built yourself a new world, a better one. Will you realize that you are burning? The reason I want to help you... Help you build this better world, is because I want to believe that under all the bravado, cynicism and narcissism, you're still a good person. And I just want you to stay that way. Just because you've become more than you were, doesn't mean you should become a machine."

"You sometimes think too much, and feel too little. You need to remember, that world doesn't just need cleverness and calculations, it needs kindness, gentleness, warmth, or the world will become violent and cold. You have the power to free our world and make it wonderful, full of adventure and beauty. End world hunger, eradicate disease, end war, end racism. You could unite the very world under your banner to create the next one."

I don't know what came over me, but a passion I'd never felt before welled up inside me. I was pretty much like Eddie, or Brian for that matter before. I might not 've been such a failure as them to that point, but like them I'd lacked direction, I was just existing, surviving, barely living. I had no great passions for anything other than travelling, but had always lacked the discipline to make it my job. If I could retain my own morals like Brian on NZT, I could have the potential to do so much good in this world. I wanted to really do it. I really genuinely wanted to help Eddie Morra, and by extension Brian, this world, and make it a better place. It seemed I wasn't the only one being impressed by my own passion, for even the Senator seemed to hang on my every word.

"I want to be a part of that. Help you achieve it, but I also want to keep you from becoming an unfeeling machine. I want to find you when you're lost. Think with you when you're stuck. Give you a different perspective than your own when you need it. I will help you see the way out of your problems without creating more hate and sorrow. Because I want to keep you from creating so much collateral damage, you'll end up self-destructing before you even reach these end goals. You'll crush yourself under guilt of the good that you'll destroy." I took a deep breath, my voice almost a whisper by now. I leaned in even further.

"You need me, because you can't do it alone. No, even if you could, I wouldn't want you to, because this world, it doesn't belong to just you. It belongs to all of us. It is our collective responsibility, not just yours, and even if you argue that it is, because you have the power, I do not want you to carry that burden alone."

When I finished I was completely flushed and out of breath. I don't even know when I'd gotten up from my barstool, but then I realised, my face was mere inches from his. I smirked and sat back down, trying hard to hide my slightly flustered state. He kept quiet though, seemingly still too stunned. I couldn't bear to hold his piercing gaze any longer and I was about to look away, when he broke into the first real smile I'd seen this evening.

"That was... amazing, how do you know all that? Just wow... That was.. beautiful... Who are you?" He spoke quickly but softly, the last part as if copying me barely above a whisper.

I didn't know what I was thinking, my thoughts too jumbled to make sense of, so I just looked away, trying to hide the heat on my face and I hoped my ears weren't too obviously red. The one coherent thought I did have, was that I wanted to leave my old self, and my old name behind. So when he asked again a few seconds later I gave him another answer he didn't expect. I looked straight at those amazingly blue eyes and said:

"Senator, if you want to know who I am, find out for yourself, get to know me, for I have no other name to give you."

"You really..." He started, but he was interrupted by a woman yelling, and we both looked behind us.

The table behind us, the Japanese family, was having a very heated argument. The daughter was raising her voice to tell her parents off, before she started crying and stormed off to the bathroom. I had an inkling about what happened though. I'd been able to overhear some of the conversation since before I'd started to chat with the bartender. And even during the my conversation with Morra, they'd raised their voices even more.

Trying to distract him from the fact I had no identity in this parallel? universe I spoke up.

"Apparently the parents arranged a marriage for her, but she's not happy about it at all. Her parents invited her here under false pretences, saying they were going to celebrate her finishing university and getting a good job offer. However if she refuses the marriage, so her father is threatening to cut her off. She said she doesn't care and that she'll manage on her own just fine. I think she might be right, she might have to decline the job offer she just got from the big supermarket chain in Japan though. Her father has too much influence in the country... Got to admire her for the stubborn independence she's showing though."

"You speak Japanese." It was a statement not a question, but I just treated it like it was.

"Yes, quite fluently in fact, don't you?" I got a smile as answer, and it made me think of something interesting. While it was getting more and more likely I would be able to get Morra on my side. Or rather, myself on his. I was still quite alone in this world. I mean an all of two contacts in my phone was quite pathetic.

"Say, want to bet I can get her to come out of the bathroom smiling?" A mischievous grin spread on my face and I got up. I gave a wink to Morra as I looked behind me, not even waiting for his answer and followed the daughter into the woman's restroom.

Humming a famous children's movie's tune I walked into the bathroom. Thinking about the conversation to come I mentally switched to Japanese. I looked over to the mirror and there she was, I walked up to the mirror pretending to fix my hair.

"Excuse me, are you alright. I'm sorry but I couldn't help but overhear."

"You... You speak Japanese!"

"Yes a little, I am not Japanese though."

"Oh gosh, this is so embarrassing. I never thought anyone in the restaurant would understand. I'm so sorry you had to hear all that."

"It's fine, I actually think you're very brave for standing up to your parents like that. Are you really going to be okay if he cuts you off though? Your father is a very influential business owner, isn't he?"

"Eh, yes, he's a big shareholder of Chubu E. P. and he also owns his own company, so maybe not. I just might have to stay in the US, since I might not be able to return to Japan. But other than that I should be fine. I just graduated and scored a big job in Japan, I might have to cancel that. But I do believe I can find my own success even without my parents help." She said it bravely and firmly, but her eyes were tearing up again. It seemed that although she was firm in her stance breaking with her parents hurt more than she was trying to let on.

"That's an amazingly positive outlook. I really admire you and if the worst comes to pass, I'm sure you'll be alright. But do you really hate the prospect of an arranged marriage that much? Or could it be you already have a boyfriend?" I said, winking at her.

"No, no that's not it at all." She said blushing. It seemed that even though she was from a more progressive generation, even for a rich family, she was still a bit prudish. "I just hate the idea of having my life controlled, I don't want to be pushed into a loveless marriage, just so my father can have an heir."

"Then do you have someone you like?" I said slightly teasing, trying to get her mind off what just happened.

"No, there's no one." She said blushing even more furiously, but she was also finally smiling too.

"I'm sure someone as cute as you will be able to find someone in no time if you tried." I said and I wondered how many times she was going to blush from only small things. After a few seconds she was a bit more open than I expected, but I liked her more for it.

"I think it might've actually been easier to get my parents to shut up if there was though. I'm not saying I need a boyfriend right away, but at the moment there's not even someone I like. I am curious to what dating would be like though, I've only ever focussed on my studies and I might be.. lacking a bit in that area."

"I'm sure if you paid attention you'll see that guys are falling for you left and right. I mean what's not to like, you're brave, nice, and pretty. Who knows maybe you've already met prince charming and you just haven't noticed it before?"

Her expressions were amusing to see as they flashed over her face. I wondered if she had someone particular in mind as I made that statement, or if she was just getting used to the idea of herself dating someone.

"Makes me wonder though, have you met the person you parents want you to marry before? Are you sure he's not your prince on a white horse? It would be a waste of a perfectly good man otherwise." She seemed a bit scandalized I spoke up for her parents, but she did think about it for a bit before she answered.

"I've only met him once a few years ago, other than that I know he's also a rich shareholder but I don't have much of an impression otherwise." She seemed to be thinking deeply on what I said. So she didn't say anything else.

"Well, did he at least look good?" I said in a teasing manner again, trying to make her lighten up.

She seemed to think some on it before slowly answering that as far as she remembered he was at least not ugly.

"Then how about a compromise with your parents, maybe if you agree to at least meeting him, maybe even a few more dates and if you really don't like him, then when you walk away, you'll at least know he's not The One and then your parents may be more understanding of you rejecting the marriage too.

A compromise might be the only way to avoid a complete break with your family. Or at worst it will just happen a little later, so if you have no one else you like, why not give it a try? The date might be surprisingly fun. And since you haven't had much experience with dating you could also just treat it like a practice run. Since you're just going to date, there's also nobody stopping you from going on dates with others in the meantime either."

She listened with wide eyes as I spoke. It seemed I'd given her a perspective she hadn't thought of yet. Which I could understand perfectly well. When emotions were involved and tensions ran high it was hard to keep calm and see the different perspectives that objective people would have. When I finished I gave her a sneaky smile. She seemed to at least consider the idea as she was deep in thought and I gave her one more push.

"You can't meet The One, if you never meet anyone at all."

"Maybe you're right, I have nothing to lose. I'm still angry at them though, the only reason my father is insisting on this arranged marriage is because he wants to keep his own business in the family. Up until I started university he probably thought I would take over the company one day."

"Assuming you don't want to take over, why not?"

"I have no interest in the electricity business. I studied to become a dietician. The job I got offered is for a big supermarket-chain to help develop new, healthier recipes they can sell in their stores. Even though this happened, father always taught me to look for my own success and not just rely on him. Now that I just graduated he wants me to become a housewife instead, it's just too hypocritical."

"That's amazing, congratulations on graduating and scoring such a big job. I understand, you really shouldn't become just a housewife, that would be such a waste of your studying and talents."

"Right!"

"Even if you do end up marrying someday, you really shouldn't just give up on everything else. Make your husband stay home instead."

She seemed to have relaxed considerably, even laughing with me, and despite the fact, that this started off as just a bet I kind of liked her enough to actually want to become her friend, the first real one I would have in this alternate reality.

"On you parents perspective... Maybe they just really want to have grandkids soon?"

I think that this time she blushed the most out of all the times. I couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Come on, we've been in the bathroom long enough. I'll be rooting from the sidelines you while you talk to your parents. I also need to get back. There's still someone waiting for me."

"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry for keeping you here so long, all just because you were worried about me. You've helped me so much, I really feel so much better now, how can I repay you?"

We walked out of the bathroom together and even though we didn't part ways quite yet, and we just stopped next to the bar to keep talking just a little longer, we were visible to both the parents of the girl and Morra. I positioned myself in such a way I could see the parents and Morra if I tilted my head slightly.

"It's fine, really. I'm just glad you're feeling better."

"No, no that won't do, come on at least let me do something in return."

"Alright, how about you come and tell me your contact info after talking to your parents, I'll be here for some time too so don't worry about taking a while. I'm curious to know how it turns out, whether it goes well or not."

"Alright I promise to come over when I resolve things with my parents, say is that person at the bar the person you are with?" She said pointing at Morra.

"Great, maybe we can exchange numbers and maybe go shopping together some time? And yes that's my date." Whispering that last part to her.

"Oh my, so you have found yours then? She said knowingly, as we both burst out in laughter.

"I don't know yet." I said honestly. "It's only our first time meeting in person, but he is handsome right?" I said jokingly, though still meaning it.

"My yes he really is a cut above, as long as that's not all there is to him." So she really did have some wits about her I thought as we both kept laughing. Even more so when I thought about how funny it was, that we both just openly stared at Morra and talked about him like he was a common sorority girl and we were some jocks.

"Haha, no he actually has brains too, he works for the government, he'll be a senator soon and I think that he'll even be president one day."

"Gosh, no... wait, you're joking, aren't you?"

"No, I'm really not kidding, just wait and see. One day, for sure... Anyway you should go back to your parents, they've been staring for a while now." She turned around and probably realized that I was right.

"Alright, I'll come by when it's all over and let you know how it went."

"I'm rooting for you, you're not alone." I said as she started to walk back to her table. I gave her a thumbs up when she looked back slightly anxious, before I walked back to take my seat next to Morra too.

From his face I could only read intrigue, like I had suddenly become the most interesting thing ever. It was a look I quickly recognised from the movie and tv-show. That he would now direct one at me made the heat rise to my face. Not trusting my voice I kept quiet. Despite wanting to hide my blush, since I was sure it was visible, my desire to just stare back won out.

"You really are full of surprises, I've never met someone like you before, it's like a fresh breath of air or a spring shower."

"My oh my Senator, you really know how to give a girl a compliment." I said winking. He looked a little shocked, as if he just realized he said something out loud he hadn't meant to. It was only briefly however as his usual small smile quickly replaced the shock.

"If you're impressed now, imagine what I could do while on NZT" I said with a smirk.

"I'm not entirely sure, I dare do that."

"Oh come on. I thought it was obvious I didn't want to become your enemy and I really want to help you. So how about it Senator? Partners?" I said holding out my hand, wondering if he would take it.

"You're telling the truth aren't you? That you're not even on it."

"Yes, I've never tried it before and I don't know if I will be different or even like myself on it. Maybe I won't even agree with the views I have now, but I'm willing to take a chance and risk it. Ultimately I can only find out by trying after all. I do know how the drug works though. My prediction is that I won't be all that different even if I do take it. I know who I am and who I want to be, NZT just helps you in that regard and it works even better when you're already smart, right?"

"The fact that you were able to get this information and are unwilling to share how you got it makes it had to trust, but for better or for worse, I believe you. We really might just make a good team. To that end, I'll give you a chance, I'm willing to take the risk for now, so prove me worth it." He said in his usual soft smooth voice and it took a bit, but he finally took my hand and we shook on it.

"As always, calculating the odds against the most profits, are we? I can't make you trust me, but I can try and earn it little by little as we go, a chance is all I need... And Senator, we won't just make a good team, we'll be a great one. Let's build this new world from the ground up together, shall we?" I said giving him my brightest of smiles.

"I've been wondering for a while now, but you keep calling me Senator, why?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm just sure you're going to get elected. You'll soon need to get used to it anyway Senator Morra. So why not start right away?"

"You're really that convinced?"

"Yes, why wouldn't I be? Becoming Senator isn't even the end goal. To really change things you need to play the game, cut through the noise and win it. If you can't even make it to the senate what have you been taking NZT for?"

"At this point I don't know whether to be impressed or insulted."

"Does it need to be just one of the two? But I'd say impressed since I wasn't insulting you. You are going to make it."

"Hmmm..." He didn't say anything but he did keep staring for a while. On any other occasion, with any other man, I might have become shy or bashful and looked away. But there was something so inherently interesting about him, his unblinking blue eyes, that I seemed to have forgotten that social habit. So I stared as unblinkingly back at him, fascinated by those bright eyes. Waiting for him to make the next move.

"That bartender keeps staring at you."

"Yes, I know, that's the exact reason I'm not looking." I said, not even looking away.

"What did you tell him?"

"Curious?"

"Always."

"It was nothing more interesting than the truth though, oh and a small sentiment of love."

"From those overtly lascivious gazes, I'd say you did more than that."

"Maybe, maybe not..."

"You're not bothered?"

"Not really, are you?" I challenged.

But all I got from that last exchange was that he seemed to slightly squint his eyes just a tiny bit. Giving up on winning our staring contest, I finally blinked and looked away.

"Do you happen to have some business cards with you?"

"Yes, why do you ask?

"That Japanese girl is going to come over here soon and I want to give her and her family your card." He looked slightly mystified but he did take out a small case from his inner pocket and gave me a card. He gave small sigh when I asked for another two and a pen but he did as I asked again. Having the three cards in my hand and the pen, I took out my phone and copied down the number for my own contact info on one of the cards. Finished I handed him the pen back.

Not a second later I could see the daughter standing up from the table and heading towards us.

"How did you know?"

"I asked her. The timing because she was smiling and so were the parents, she must have been able to smooth things over with them and reconciled."

When she arrived at the bar, she broke into another wide grin. "I can't believe it, but it worked, your advice might have just saved my relationship with my parents." She said so happy she was practically bouncing up and down.

"I don't know how to thank you... errrr... Oh my god.. I just realized I don't even know your name! My apologies for my appalling manners. My name is Yoshioka Aimi." She said, adding the courtesy bow.

I was rapidly thinking of what to do now, I could hardly tell her to call me Miss Pink Pajamas too. Then again I had said that Morra could. I'd pushed myself into a corner now. Trying to hide my problem I bought myself a few extra seconds by introducing Morra first. Until I found the perfect way out.

"This is Edward Morra, as I said he's a candidate for the US senate." Unexpectedly he stood up same as me as I introduced him and as he should, he made the appropriate courtesy bow back to Yoshioka. It seemed that he surprised Yoshioka, as he gave her a fluent greeting in Japanese as well. While I was impressed by the bow, I expected the fluency.

"And my name is Aria, it's very nice to meet you Yoshioka-san." I said, giving my own bow after as well. All straightened up I could see Morra giving me an odd look.

"Nice to meet you too, Aria-san, Morra-san."

"I'm glad everything worked out with your parents. Here take this, it also has my phone number on it." I said handing her the business card with the phone number on it, with two hands per usual and a bow.

She took the card in the same manner, impressed by my perfect mimicking of the custom.

"Come meet my parents, they'd like to thank you too. I told them that you helped advise me."

"Alright." I said smiling.

I grabbed Morra's arm and basically dragged him over to the table as I followed Yoshioka.

"Aria?" He whispered in my ear, soft enough for Yoshioka not to hear it.

"Air, you called me that remember." I whispered back.

We introduced ourselves to the parents and I handed them the cards in the same manner as before. Some pleasant conversation followed, lead mostly by Morra and Yoshioka's father as they talked about his company. They got on quite well and even more so when they started talking about stocks. I didn't quite mind it too much but unsurprisingly it sounded suspiciously like Morra was giving him some advice.

After a bit of time, the subject turned to Yoshioka and her graduating and possible marriage, things became a little tense for a bit until her father ordered some champagne, and when everyone had a glass he proposed a toast.

"To my beloved daughter, congratulations on getting your degree. I hope a long and healthy life for you, to your new friends and maybe even a future husband. I wish you all the happiness in the world, AndMayYouGiveYourMomAndISomeGrandkidsSoon. Kampai!"

I gave another small burst of laughter as I joined in on the toast. Though the youngest Yoshioka who was now positively a tomato was looking like she'd rather melt thought the floor, but she couldn't help but smile at me after seeing me laugh, supposedly she hadn't quite forgotten that I guessed her parents motives so accurately.

The night went by quickly and it was past twelve when the Yoshioka's got up to bid us farewell and goodnight.

When Morra and me were left to our own devices we went back to the bar.


A/N 1: A part of this scene was based of The Great Dictator Speech, by Charlie Chaplin, watch it on Youtube if you've never seen it before. Especially now more than ever, we need to remember his words. Equality for all, #BlackLivesMatter.

A/N 2: I have been to Asia, and actually do speak some Japanese, I'm not as fluent and I can't read it as well as this OC here though. I am however very familiar with the people and their culture, I'm very familiar with their mannerisms too, since I've lived together with some before. I also thought about actually putting in the Japanese version of the conversation in the chapter, but I thought better of it since I can't read kanji and it would be embarrassing to use Google for it.

A/N 3: Chubu E. P. = Chubu Electronic Power is a big utility provider in Japan and is currently ranked as one of the 50 largest companies in Japan. I don't know for sure if it even really is divided by shares, but I would assume so, other than the name and ranking all details about it are fictitious.

A/N 4: Kampai is Japanese version of cheers when drinking.

A/N 5: The name Aria means several things, In English it's a long accompanied song for a solo voice, typically one in an opera or oratorio, in Italian it means 'air', in Hebrew, it means Lioness and it's derived from Ariel, meaning "lion of God," Furthermore, in Greek mythology, Aria was the name of a beautiful mortal woman from the island of Crete and in Arabic origins it means 'she who brings rain'. There are probably more, but these are the most common ones.

A/N 6: For those unfamiliar with Japanese. They say their family name before their personal name, and in Japan it is the right etiquette to address them with their family name. You keep using the family name until you either get to know them a lot better or until they say it's okay to use their given name. The -san suffix is also a formality rule. And it is incredibly rude to call someone without it when you are meeting for the first time. It is not the only suffix they use, but it is a more common one when talking to an equal. They usually forgive foreigners for their ignorance of this custom though, but if you know the language even on a basic level you are expected to do it.


Hope you all like this chapter :D

Thanks again for the proofreading Krunk.