Hojo caught that the girl backed down after a pointed look from the other one. She was obedient enough to take such vague instruction from her fellow specimens, then, if easily riled.

Hojo put his awful coffee down again, reaching into a pocket to retrieve a slim silver case, which he opened, took a slender white cigarette from, and then closed before putting the tip of the cigarette between his lips. He struck a match, and lit his cigarette, before shaking the flame out, and tossing the spent match into the sink.

Then he picked up his coffee. "Give my regards to your owner," he said, exhaling neatly and leaving a small cloud to hover at face height in the room, before he made for the door.