Snippet #2570486

Kanno watched Jackson being making a fool of himself before her father and was puzzled as to why he would do so. Jackson had already proved to her he knew Japanese and how to conduct himself while in Academy City. It finally occurred to her that he was trying to help ease the blame off of Kanno and on to him. Her father glanced over at her and asked " Who is this and does he know Japanese?"

While she appreciated his efforts, Kanno had long learned that lying to her father would only dig a deeper hole for herself, but perhaps she could get away with a little. " His name is Jackson Del McHolanway, and he does know Japanese as well as you know English. He goes to my school and I had asked him to take me around today, so I didn't have the opportunity to answer any calls that were made to me. I believe he is new here so he doesn't understand all the customs.

Her father nodded and then switched to English to humor Jackson.

" Forgive me for interrupting your...time together. Kanno didn't come home and ah... take out the trash I was worried and I located her here. I am Director Hsu , her father whom she may have told you about. I must thank you for taking her out tonight, but it is getting late and she'd best be getting home.

As he turned to walk away, he realized that McHolanway sounded familiar, then remembered they were researchers that had been recalled for an experiment he was sponsoring.

" That's right, you're the sole son of the Dr. McHolanways. I do remember them saying something about having a son. The institute we are both a part of happens to be throwing a celebration, and I don't think they'll mind me extending an invitation to you. I believe that you may be the first friend Kanno has ever had. I do hope you'll consider it and talk to them about it. Anyways,we must depart, good night."

Kanno followed her father out the door and was ushered into the bulletproof car her father traveled in. As the car started up and began to move, her father looked out the window and said, " I'm sure you've seen the practical aspects of his ability today. However, the Void is both unique and also very powerful in the right hands. That boy can be very useful in the future, and might even be able to help you if you wish. There are always ways to get people to do what you want. We'll be following him tonight so you can observe his abilities; we can discuss your failure to answer the calls later."

With that the car pulled off the road and waited for Jackson to leave the arcade.