Feels Like the First Time

Chapter Nine - The Drive

My phone rang next to me on the sofa. I paused my music and answered the unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Hannah-chan?"

"Honey?" I asked, recognising the voice.

"Yeah! Are you free on Saturday? I want you to come to mine for dinner." His excited voice came through the phone and I could imagine him rocking onto the balls of his feet. I flicked through my mental calendar then rolled my eyes at myself knowing that I was definitely free.

"I'm free. What time would you like me to be there?" I asked a smile growing across my face.

"Takashi will pick you up! He'll be there at 5." He was speaking rather quickly now but my stomach did a slight flip at his name.

"That's nice of him but I can make my own way there." I said, hoping that Honey would argue the opposite.

"No, he said he wants to." Although I doubted that he said that, his comment made me smile.

"Okay, does he know where I live or shall I meet him somewhere?"

"He'll pick you up from your house." At this a thought popped into my head.

"Oh, does he know my address?" I asked suspiciously. I thought I knew the answer.

"Yes." Honey said confirming my suspicion.

"Great! Oh, Honey, how did you get my number?"

"Eto ... Got to go. See you Saturday!" Honey said hanging up. My eyes narrowed as they stared in the direction of Mei's flat but I just chuckled and shook my head.

* * *

My sea green eyes stared back at me from the mirror pensively. I bit the inside of my cheek as I checked over my reflection. The black polo neck and skater skirt clung to my curves and my makeup was smoky but not too dark. I gave on last fluff to add the slightest volume to my curls then grabbed my handbag and left.

There was a soft, icy wind that pinched at my cheeks as I stood outside my building. I took a deep breath and could taste the ice on the wind. Japan will be beautiful in the snow, I thought to myself with a smile. I had always loved winter and the purifying touch of new snow, it hadn't really snowed in England for a while so I couldn't wait for the snow here. I thought back to a holiday I'd had with my family where we all went to a cottage in February. It had snowed so much that we were stuck for a day, but we didn't care as we made our way to a nearby hill with sleds. My brothers had even managed to get my 70-year-old nan on the back of one and then came sprinting back up to get her inhaler.

I was still smiling in memory when a black Mercedes pulled up in front of me. I dipped my head to see Takashi in the driver's seat and gave a small wave before opening the door.

"Thank you for picking me up," I said as I stepped into the warm car. "It's really good of you."

"Honey told me to," he informed me as he pulled away from the curb, his face blank. I knew it, I thought to myself.

"Ah," I nodded, taking a moment to assess his expression. Although it seemed blank his jaw was slightly tense. "I'm sorry. I did say to him that I could make my own way there. I didn't mean to cause you any inconvenience."

I saw his jaw unclench as he quickly glanced at me. After a moment he seemed to make up his mind as he gave a gentle nod, "I'm not complaining." He mumbled with a quick flash of a grin making me chuckle as he repeated my words from the other week. I looked out of my window to see the dimming sky tinged with a deep salmon colour over the buildings.

"Do you think it will snow?" I asked, not realising I'd spoke out loud until Takashi replied.

"Not yet." He replied with his own speculative look at the sky. I smiled at him and continued to enjoy the silence until a thought popped into my head.

"Oh, I wanted to ask you, what do you do? As in, for work?" I asked letting my gaze rest on his masculine features. His eyes shifted to me for a brief second, meeting my own, and then back to the road before answering, "Lawyer."

"Really?" I was surprised by his answer. "I expected you to do something a bit more hands on." I bit my lip as my statement made me think of his hands. They were definitely built for action, his entire body was, I couldn't imagine him sat behind a desk. Although, as I began to think about it, I couldn't help but smile at the image of him in a suit sat behind a large desk wearing glasses.

He shrugged at my statement turning my smile into a frown as the muscle twitched in his jaw.

"Is that what you've always wanted to do?" My question made his jaw twitch again and I realised this might be a sensitive area. "I'm sorry, you don't have to tell me." I apologised waving off the subject. He shot me a surprised look before taking a deep breath.

"Family business." He mumbled by way of explanation which I nodded at.

"What else do you do? Do you have any hobbies?" I asked after a moment, trying to change the subject. I saw his face soften again and my heart sighed.

"Judo and Kendo." He replied with a very slight upward curve to his lips.

"Oh really?" His response didn't surprise me; I could easily picture him in a gi. "I've always loved martial arts; I did a bit of judo when I was younger. I miss it. Where do you go? I'd love to start up again."

His mouth twitched into a brief smile. His face is so warm when he smiles, I thought to myself as I studied him. "My family's dojo." He replied. My eyebrow rose a that.

"Oh, that's cool! Do you know anywhere that I could try then?"

After a few moments of silence her replied, "I can."

"You can, what?" I asked confused.

"Teach you." Although his face was blank again I could see a nervous glint to his eyes as they shifted to me.

"That's so sweet of you. How much would you want?" His brow furrowed quickly at me question before he smiled at me gently.

"Nothing."

I froze slightly at his response and the smile he was giving me. "Well let me repay you somehow." I said and he became thoughtful for a moment.

"Make me dinner. Saturday?" He replied, a small smirk forming on his face.

I let out a short laugh at his response. Yeah, I can do that, I thought with a nod.

"I'll pick you up at 10." He informed me, his smirk growing as we pulled into a driveway.

A/N: I know the past two chapters have been a bit short but the next one will be longer. Please let me know if you prefer the longer or shorter chapters. As always, would love feedback and votes etc.

Also, I'm a little worried that I'm not quite getting Takashi right so would love to know what you all think.

Love yus xxx