On second thought, you decide to be the more mature kid and let the whole Clown issue pass. For one thing, showing it to Kokoa would spend precious time and energy that you have rather better uses for; for another, it might traumatize the kid, which would upset the rest of her family. You've managed to avoid getting in trouble with the Shuzens thus far, and see no sense in spoiling your track record just because their youngest member is a bit of a brat towards you.

Besides, you're still not convinced that the Clown wasn't some kind of eldritch abomination in happyface. Better not to invoke his image if you can help it.

"Anyway," you continue over the sound of Kokoa's amusement, "like I was saying, I've seen more demons just in the first-round lineup than I had all the years I've lived in Sunnydale. At least, that I'm aware of. The supernatural seems to be a lot less hidden on this side of the pond - or is that just for the tournament?"

"A bit of both," Akasha says. "The European nations - and by extension, the modern Americas - have been trying to ignore or rationalize away the supernatural since the Renaissance, which was six hundred years ago. Japan didn't adopt that way of thinking until about a hundred and twenty years ago, so a lot of its old traditions and beliefs are still alive in the modern populace, at least in comparison. The martial arts community tends to be particularly old-fashioned in that respect, this tournament especially so; attendance is by invitation only, and everyone here either was already in the know, or else had a family member or teacher who felt that it was time to give them their first taste of reality."

"You really never saw any demons before?" Kahlua asks, disappointedly.

"Just the one, that I know of," you reply. "It probably helped that I've been trying to keep my head down and avoid attracting attention at home, at least until I'm strong enough to make sure everyone I care about is safe. I mean, as far as I know, my folks are either ignorant of the weirdness or deep in denial about it, and my little sister's only two; I'm not going to put them at risk if I have a choice in the matter."

"Oh, you have a little sister, too?" Kahlua asks, now delighted. "Is she cute?"

You smile. "I like to think so. I mean, we do look a fair bit alike, though her hair is more red than mine."

"Cute little redheaded sisters are the best," Kahlua states, while glomping hers.

You don't disagree, but you also don't say anything in the face of the stinkeye Kokoa is giving you for having set her big sister off like that.

You spend a few more minutes making polite conversation with the Shuzens - mostly Kahlua, who is curious about your life. You try not to let too much slip - things like your address and the names of your family and other friends are decidedly off-limits - and while Kahlua doesn't appear to mind or even notice the evasions, you're pretty sure that Akasha isn't fooled. She doesn't appear to mind, though; actually, she spends a good part of the time talking to Briar, after first apologizing for not introducing herself to the fairy when you stopped by before the first round. There's a formality to how the two older females interact that you haven't seen from Briar before, and you get the feeling that it's a thing for supernatural adults - some kind of code of conduct that lets the people and things who go bump in the night (or even in the shadows of day) interact with each other without resorting to violence first thing.

Eventually, you manage to steer your chat with Kahlua around to the point where you're able to withdraw gracefully and return to the waiting area. It's just in time, as you're down to the last minute before the second round begins; most of the other remaining competitors are already waiting, the Announcer is nearby, checking his microphone, and the girls have re-formed as a group, looking on as one while you and Briar approach.

How do you want to spend the first part of the round before your match with Amae?