Hikari exits the taxi with her luggage, tips her driver, and walks to where the directions on her map lead to the castle. She happily sighs as she listens to the birds singing in the palm trees.

I can hardly wait to see Mr. Cash, Hikari thinks to herself. This meeting is the thing that I need right now to gain inspiration and confidence. Mr. Cash is always great at that. I wonder what the castle looks like. I hope there’s a beach nearby, or at least a pond to practice meditation.

Hikari’s rapid thoughts disappear when she notices a tall and cross-looking man strutting down the sidewalk leading from the castle.

Hikari remembers the photo of the man from her letter and realizes he’s Flip. Recalling her infamous welcome to Monte Carlo by the obnoxious security officer, she decides to avoid him altogether.

Hikari brusquely walks past Flip with her head held high. Flip still notices her and yells, “Hey!”

“I can’t talk,” Hikari quickly says. “Have a good day.”

Flip quickly runs and blocks her path to the castle.

“Let me guess,” He says, “Cash Castle?”

“I don’t know, or care, what you’re talking about,” Hikari says. “Now stop bothering me.”

Flip refuses to budge. He eyes Hikari’s pants and notices she has a playing card sticking out from a back pocket.

Hikari notices this, then glares and says, “What are you, a pervert?”

“What!?” Flip exclaims, suddenly red in the face.

“I don’t know what you think of Japanese women, but we’re not toys for you!” She shouts. Several birds fly out of the trees.

“Okay, okay, let’s not get testy. I’m only wondering if you want to see the castle. I’m sorry to bother you. Have a good afternoon.”

Flip walks away from the path to the castle like a dog with its tail between its legs, wiping his sweating face with a handkerchief.

Hikari smirks, puts the card in a safer spot in a compartment in her backpack, and continues to head towards the castle; the birds returning to their original spots in the trees.