New Faces (for acuya)

Julia laughed a bit more as Kozue nudged her with her elbow. This definitely wasn’t the happiest topic to discuss, though the blonde was just glad she was able to keep the mood lightened as much as possible at least.

And after Kozue’s last comment, Julia gave her a couple pats on the shoulder. “I hear ya. Sucks when ya put so much effort into doin’ whatcha think’s right only for it to not work out. But hey, straightenin’ out one of his guys is still somethin’. Sounds like his life’ll be better for it.”

It was easy to see why losing the match would take all the motivational wind out of that. Still, Julia held a friendly and (hopefully) encouraging smile. “And ya know what they say. If at first ya don’t succeed...”

"...drink yourself into a blind stupor?" Kozue held up the glass and let what was left slosh around near the bottom. "Think it was something like that. I'm close."

Kozue took her time with the last few drops, savoring them with quick and solemn sips of serenity."I'm being a buzzkill, sorry if the mood's a little dead. I get a little chatty after a few drinks. Moreso than usual. And you're right. Doing a little good was better than doing no good at all."

She sighed and reached in her pocket, setting her phone on the table to check the time. Getting up there. "Thanks for hearing me out. And the drinks." She turned to Julia with a warm smile and gave Julia her own pat on the back. "You are an exceedingly cool person. Seriously."

Julia gave another soft laugh as Kozue finished the saying. “Yeah, something like that.” she said jokingly as she lifted her glass to drink down the last remaining bits of her drink as well.

“No, no, you’re fine!” Julia said reassuringly. “I know these ain’t exactly the happiest things to talk about. Shit happens, and sometimes we need to vent about it. That ain’t your fault. Besides, it taught me a few things about the company I probably oughta know.”

When Kozue set her phone down and looked at the time, and Julia glanced at it too. She was probably going to have to get on over to the train station to head back over to Tokyo soon, though the thought was kind of a bummer. She’d really enjoyed getting to talk to Kozue. “No problem! And thanks! You’re pretty awesome yourself.” she replied with a smile. The blonde then took out her own phone and typed out the number, then showed it to Kozue. “Here’s my number. Next time I’m in Kyoto, or if ya ever come to Tokyo, lets hang out again, alright?”