Chapter Twenty-Two

Lunchtime went smoothly, May scolding Isha for missing breakfast that morning, making him take a break for lunch. As Mr. Ilan had mentioned that morning, dinner was essentially nonexistent in the terms of customers.

"There. That should be the last for a while." Mr. Ilan stated as a group left, Rose and Isha cleaning up where they had sat. "Now, about the sound system we had previously talked about?" He inquired Isha.

"Well…" Isha set the dishes in the sink, Rose starting to wash them. "First off, is there even a computer here? I haven't seen one."

"Ah… would that be necessary? I don't really have the space for something that big…" Mr. Ilan nervously twiddled his mustache. Isha stood still for a bit, blinking a few times.

"Do you know what a computer is? I know Rose doesn't." He pursed his lips. He was steadily realizing how old the people he was surrounded by were.

"Hey! Rude thoughts mister!" Rose spat at him from the kitchen, huffing at him. ISha just laughed a little, forgetting her ability to do that.

"When was the last you used, or have seen, a computer old man?" He asked in a lighthearted tone, watching Mr. Ilan pour a cup of coffee.

"The second great war, I think. I wasn't around them much after. Those things were huge though, and loud! Do I need one?" He tilted his head at Isha, stroking his mustache.

Isha just laughed for a bit to himself, covering his mouth.

"Okay, okay. Yeah, I'll get a computer tomorrow for the shop then?" He suggested, taking the cup up from the counter.

"Sounds good… Take May with you, she needs to be out more. I'll close down the shop while you're out." Isha tilted his head, furrowing his brow as Mr. Ilan stated this, twiddling his mustache.

"Are you sure about that? Don't you think people will think something's off? For a twenty-four-hour café, it sure is closed a lot." Isha joked, scratching his cheek nervously.

"Nah," Mr. Ilan just waved his hand, smiling softly. "I need to take time to rest here and there. Besides, I'm sure it will be easier to set up a big machine like that without people around." He added, stroking his mustache as he thought to himself.

"They're not that big anymore Mr. Ilan, some can even fit in a bag or a small knap sack." Isha informed him, still scratching his cheek nervously.

"Really? Has it really progressed that far?" Mr Ilan's eyes seemed to pop at the though. It made sense, as far as he knew the largest hard drive held maybe 40 kb. Isha nodded, taking a sip of the coffee.

"However, if you're going to do that, I might as well take the liberty of setting up internet and maybe even a television and cable or something." Isha added, thinking to himself out loud.

"Ooo! A television?" He heard May in the background.

"Mhm! Isha has a big one! It is really colorful. It's like a magic box, ah! But the people are not trapped inside." Rose explained to May in the kitchen, boasting about her knowledge. She couldn't go that far into the kitchen, but luckily the sink was close enough.

"Wha! Color? I thought they were black and white?" May tilted her head. Rose shook her head.

"Ufufu. Don't worry May, I'll teach you!" She told her, puffing her chest out. Isha had some doubts but decided not to say anything.

"Whatever you see fit. You know more than I, so I'll entrust it to you. Don't worry about expense, I have well more than enough in the safe." Mr. Ilan proudly stated.

"A safe? What about a bank or a credit card?" Mr. Ilan furrowed his brow.

"The bank is for saving isn't it? What good will it do when we need to spend it? And I've heard of a credit card, I don't know what it is, but some customers ask if we take it." Mr. Ilan stroke his mustache as he thought to himself.

"I see…" Isha let out a dry laugh to himself. "Mr. Ilan. I'm going to teach you a whole lot about somethings you've missed out on." The old man nodded to Isha.

"I'll be in your hands then; I'll look forward to learning tomorrow." He replied, smiling to Isha. "By the way, Rei is going to be back in about two days. You really did a number on her." Mr. Ilan stated, polishing a mug.

"Oh…" Isha's blood went cold again as he remembered this morning and last night. He had tried his best to forget, but he should have known it'd only come back. "What did… I so?" He asked, looking up at Mr. Ilan.

Rose and May had gone silent, only the sound of May's cooking coming from the kitchen. Mr. Ilan was silent for a bit to, pondering to himself as he stroke his mustache.

"Well. Nothing to bad. You kicked her into the wall after losing control, and I subdued you. We'll talk more about it when she returns." Mr. Ilan stated, resuming the polishing of the mug.

"But-" Isha was cut off but Mr. Ilan looking at him, pausing from the polishing.

"We'll talk more about it when she returns." He stated in a more serious tone. "Until then just enjoy yourself. Dark thoughts should not be dwelled on for to long. At least not by oneself." And with that the conversation had ended.

Isha nodded, staring into the coffee. After a few more moments of silence, May and Rose brought out dinner.

"Hamburgers for Rose and Isha, and tyuna for me! And I got chocolate cake for everyone!" She cheered, trying to lighten the mood as she set food in front of Isha, sitting next to him. It was still a bit weird to hear her say tyuna without her ears and tail, but she probably risked it too much recently to let them out on the café floor.

Rose sat on the other side of Isha as he nodded his thanks and began to eat, thinking to himself. Mr. Ilan sighed a bit, but resumed his normal smiling state, patting Isha's shoulder.

"I didn't mean harm Isha. I just don't want you thinking down a dark road." He stated ti Isha, smiling at him. Isha nodded in response.

"I know… It's not really that… It's something else I'd rather not talk about." He replied, keeping his gaze down. Mr. Ilan gave his shoulder a squeeze.

"You're not alone Isha. Remember that." And with that the old man went into the backroom to get more coffee beans, seeming to be low in one of the jars he kept up front. Isha didn't say anything and the girls let him be while he ate, not really sure what to say to him. So, they just ate in quiet for a bit.