Chapter 13

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Hatori grinned at her and managed to stifle a laugh as he sat down.

She peeked up at him through her lashes as she squeaked out, "Sorry about your shoes."

He thought Mimi's nervousness made her twice as cute; she was just like a scared little kitten. "Hey, don't worry about it. Besides, it was completely my fault. I shouldn't have startled you like that." Looking at her plate of gyoza and the destruction she had caused with her chopsticks, "Is the gyoza not good today?" he asked. "I hope that's not the case, because it's what I ordered."

Mimi looked down at her plate and blushed again. "To be honest, I don't know. I was miles away." She grabbed a small piece of food with her chopsticks and quickly put it into her mouth, almost missing completely in her haste. "No need to worry, it's good."

He smiled at her, trying very hard not to laugh. Her reactions were very cute and amusing. He could tell that she was flustered and trying to hide it. "That is a relief. This place is out of the way for me, but I just love the food. I make it a point to come here when I have time."

Mimi was blushing again, turning a shade similar to that of a beetroot. He flashed her a smile as she stared at him, and stared right back, enjoying the chance to admire her perfect face. He couldn't stop looking into her icy grey eyes; they were mesmerising. He thought her alabaster skin, short height, and slim figure with curves in all the right places made her look like a beautiful pixie, straight out of a fairytale.

He could tell she felt like she was a small fly caught in his web and the more she tried to fight it, the more stuck she became. All in all, she was right where he wanted her, but he decided to let her off the hook and broke the stare first. "My name is Kanzaki Hatori. I guess you like the food here as well. I seem to see you every time I come here.''

Her relief was visible as her whole seemed to relax. "It's nice to meet you, Kanzaki-san, and you're right, I love the food here. I make it a point to come here every Thursday after work. My name is Fairfax Mimi, by the way."

He noted she used the Japanese custom of using a person's surname and honorific title when talking to them. Most westerners knew using a person's first name was considered very familiar. Someone could be offended if they didn't know you, but he found most westerners still had trouble using this custom. It was the same with the honorific title.

"Mimi. Is that short for something?" he asked, curious to find out the story behind it. Mimi wasn't a typically western name and that it meant ears in Japanese.

He had yet to start eating; he was enjoying watching her reactions too much to take his eyes off her. He, like her, had been watching from nearby for weeks. He thought that her sandy blond hair, which came half way down her back, was adorable. It made him want to reach out and pull one of her curls to watch it bounce.

Mimi flushed with embarrassment. "Yes, it's short for Amelia, but my friend Ritsu, um," she paused to correct herself, "Ritsuko had a hard time with my name and she thought Amy was boring. So she started calling me Mimi and it stuck. I've grown so used to it that these days I don't use my real name."

Hatori chuckled. "That's funny." He could tell there was more to the story by her reaction, but he didn't want to push her too much. He was happy to wait until she felt comfortable enough with him to share it. "So, do you work around here?''

"Only on Thursdays. I tutor a kid. Normally I teach English for a language school that's close to the university I go to. What about yourself? You said this place was out of the way for you?'' Mimi couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear as she spoke.

"I work in Marunouchi, in management." Hatori could see her nervousness subside the more she spoke and he really enjoyed finding more about her.

"You weren't kidding when you said this place is out of the way for you," Mimi said as she beamed at him.

They continued to talk, and before they knew it, it felt like they had been friends for years.

Mimi looked at her watch and sucked in a sharp breath when she realised it was 11:30pm. "I didn't realise it was so late. Kanzaki-san, I've really enjoyed talking with you, but I've got to get home." Regret strained her voice as she got up to leave.

Hatori followed her out of the restaurant. He wasn't about to let her walk home on her own at that time of night. "I'm sorry I kept you out so long. I hope you don't have far to go. And you can just call me Hatori."

"No, I don't have to go too far. My university is in Minato, so it's only a few stops on the metro." As Mimi started walking in the direction of the subway station, he reached out and lightly caught her shoulder.

"I feel really bad about keeping you out this late, especially as it can get rowdy on the trains," he said, when she turned around. "Please, let me give you a ride." There was absolutely no way he was going to let her take the train. The drunken men were notorious for getting grabby and he didn't want anyone to grope her.

"Thanks, that's very kind, but I'll be okay, really. Besides, I'm sure Minato is out your way."

"It's not a problem, and it's the least I can do," Hatori insisted, giving Mimi a warm smile. He held out his hand and hailed a taxi. ''I won't take no for an answer.''

"Okay, but at least let me pay for my half of the ride," she said. He was about to protest, but she cut in. "You don't live close to Minato, do you?"

"No, I live in Ginza, but does that matter?" he replied as he opened the taxi door, waiting for her to move toward the taxi.

"Um..." Mimi hesitated on the sidewalk. "That's so far out of your way. I feel guilty that you have to go so far just to get me home."

Her reluctance to let him pay the fare made him smile. "Get into the taxi Mimi," he said firmly, taking control. Holding the door open for her, he gently placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her in. Once inside, he said to the driver, "Please take us to..." He looked a Mimi and smiled. "What's the name of your university?"

"The American University in Minato," Mimi answered. Once the destination was established, the driver took off.

The trip didn't take long at all. When she started to take out her purse to pay, Hatori put out his hand to stop her. "Absolutely not. If you want to pay me back then agree to go out to dinner with me tomorrow."

At hearing that she gave him a bright beaming smile and blushed bright red. "I would love to, but I can't do tomorrow. I have to teach a few classes, but my weekend is free."

"Then the weekend it is. Can you give me your number so I can call you and arrange a time?"

She gave him her number, babbling in an over-excited rush. "Thanks again. I had a really fun time, Hatori," she said as she was getting out of the taxi,

Hatori grabbed her hand before she stepped out of the taxi and they both felt a burst of electricity crackle through their hands. She inhaled sharply, looking up into his eyes. He was shocked by their connection, but was able to control his reaction. He smiled at Mimi. "I'll give you a call in the morning when I know what my schedule will be like for Saturday." He let her hand slip out of his as she nodded and left the taxi.

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Looks like love is in the air. 

This song I first heard off of psycho pass another good anime. Can't wait for the movie to come out dubed. (I do watch some in Japanese with subs but I always enjoy it more in English.) 

Thanks for reading and don't forget to vote. 

Xoxo jj

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