“Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Our flight is being diverted to Ninoy Aquino airport in Manila due to technical difficulties. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience. Please contact our cabin staff if you had a connecting flight out of Bangkok.”

  Ishiro looked at Hotaru with an air of consternation.

  “We should have taken my plane. I’m never flying commercial again!”

  Hotaru didn’t reply. He felt every bit as upset as Ishiro about the delay, and the fact that Ishiro was right didn’t help one bit. He raised his hand, trying to call the attention of the hostess, who was already dealing with another passenger.

  “Are we going to crash?” the passenger, an old lady said in panic.

  “No, don’t worry. The airport is just below us, we can land without any problem.” the hostess reassured her with a smile.

  “Are you sure? My nephew is an engineer and —”

  The hostess noticed Hotaru’s hand raising from the first class seats and jumped on the opportunity.

  “Yes, don’t worry. Please excuse me, I must…” she mumbled as she headed toward the “first class” section of the small aircraft.

  “Yes, Sir?”

  “What time will we arrive in Bangkok?” Hotaru asked in an icy tone.

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  “I am sorry, sir, that will depend on the ground team—”

  “Give me your most realistic estimate. Don’t sugar coat it.”

  She sighed. “It probably won’t be before tonight. As you are first class passengers, you can wait in the lounge and enjoy the complimentary lunch…”

  “What about an alternate flight?”

  “I am sorry, we do not have another flight available from Manila. Please put your seat belt on, we will be landing soon.” she said, heading toward another passenger.

  “We could enter the Philippines on a visa exemption and buy a new ticket from there,” Ishiro said.

  “That means going through the immigration, booking another flight and checking in two hours in advance. It could take longer than waiting for this flight to continue.”

  As soon as the plane landed, Hotaru’s phone rang.

  “Koji?”

  “We think they are staying at the Peninsula Hotel! The receptionist couldn’t confirm the name, but he’s almost sure it’s them! When can you get there?”

  Hotaru cursed. “We’re stuck in Manila Airport—technical difficulties. We’ll arrive at night in the best of cases.”

  “We booked you a suite at the hotel for a couple nights. Go there as soon as you land.”

  “Do you have their room number?”

  “3506.”

  “Can you get us a room next to hers?”

  “The floor is full, but your suite is on the 36th floor, just one floor above hers. You’ll just have to go down in the morning.”

  “Great work, Koji!”