"Um. No."

"Then I think we're done here. Thank you for the tea."

"... Thank you for coming."

"It's no problem. You can call me anytime."

"What, really?!"

She gets up from the table. "Trying counts, girl. Better than most of my clients. But things will go better if you really do get that looked at."

"A-alright!"

Kumi walks off into the garden and disappears behind a hedge.

Well, then. That's killed her mood rather thoroughly. 

She curls up in the blankets again and lies still.

Her phone rings.

She picks up. "Hello, who is this?"

"It's Aurica. I'm bored, want to talk?"

"Not really, no."

"That's a shame. Should I just stop bothering you?"

"No, I... I could maybe use your advice on something. How do you manage... things... with Ishaza?"

"You're going to have to be more specific about which things you're talking about."

"I mean... treating her well."

"Did they not teach you how to treat people right back in elementary school?"

Sigh. "I mean, how do you be sensitive to the fact she's a - an escort."

"Uh, mostly I just ignore it, it doesn't have much impact on our relationship. I know I'm not going to her for - bonding, you know?"

"...I guess that makes sense. And you don't think it - reflects on you, to use her services?"

"Not any more than using the Rose Bowers already does."

"I guess that makes sense."

"That reminds me, I've been meaning to introduce you to Ishaza. Would you be interested?"

"Maybe later, alright? Right now I'm not sure I'd be good company."