"How did they even convince the city to let us do this?" asked John Strom, ignoring the banter of the two manchildren.
"The governor of Tokyo knows how good this is for tourism," the coordinator said.
"There is no way that was reason enough. She would not risk something like this to attract a few people who may or may not want to click a picture."
"You would be surprised about your popularity these days. I don't know about international tourism, but at least people from other prefectures would want to visit, if only briefly."
"Spill the beans, how much did you pay her?" Averie asked.
"Don't say something that will get us in trouble." He lowered his voice. "We did not bribe her with money."
"What did you bribe her with, then?"
The man cleared his throat awkwardly. "You might need to provide autographs or a few props we used on set, is all I am saying."
There was utter silence for a moment.
'Time for me to vanish in the shadows.'
"Bye-bye—" Averie cut the call "—losers."
