Feels Like the First Time

Chapter Seventeen - Sushi and Trains

Takashi's shoulder pressed against mine as we watched the sushi chef artistically carve the fish on the other side of the counter. I couldn't take my eyes off of the chef's movements, his small hands flew through the motions of his work with such speed and assuredness that it was completely fascinating. After a moment, the chef placed a small order of our food in front of us and I winked at Takashi before bowing my head and
singing "Itadakimasu". I heard Takashi chuckle next to me as I picked up a tuna nigiri with my chopsticks. A soft moan escaped my throat when I tasted the gloriously fresh fish and the fluffy rice. Takashi turned to smile at me, I returned the smile then wiggled in my seat to show how much I was enjoying it, making Takashi chuckle again.

"That was so good!" I said to him after I'd eaten the other tuna nigiri, leaning my head onto his shoulder.

"Good." Takashi mumbled, bumping his head lightly into mine. The chef leaned over, placing two salmon and cucumber maki on my plate, and two eel nigiri on Takashi's.

"Would you like to try one?" I asked Takashi, gesturing to my plate. He turned to me with a small grin then opened his mouth, indicating that he wanted me to feed him. I chuckled, picked one up with my chopsticks then placed it delicately in his open mouth, all the while holding eye contact. I raised an eyebrow in question of how it was to which he nodded in reply, making me smile in response. Before I could reach for my own maki, Takashi picked up one of his eel nigiri and held it out to me.

"I've never had eel." I admitted, biting my lip to build myself up to what I imagined to be quite a slimy food. I noticed Takashi's deep grey eyes shoot to the lip that I was biting before rising back to my own with a wink. I laughed at the wink which sent a little thrill through me and, shaking my head, I leant forward to take the nigiri in my mouth. I looked away from Takashi as I chewed, releasing a unique taste into my mouth. Swallowing, I turned back to find Takashi staring at me. He smiled at me before eating his own nigiri.

After a few more rounds of small plates, Takashi and I left the restaurant, heading back to the station. It wasn't long before Takashi grabbed my hand, pulling me closer into him, and I leaned my head onto his shoulder. The streets of Ginza were still busy even though it was dark but it didn't take us long to reach the station where we waited for a train heading back to Waseda. Instead of looking out the windows, my head remained on Takashi's shoulder and his head fell to rest on mine during the short journey. I took a moment to enjoy Takashi's scent, turning me head slightly more into his neck; he smelt like a dark garden or a patch of wildflowers that only bloom in the moonlight. His smell was intoxicating, so fresh but dark and tempting at the same time. I allowed my nose to caress his neck and was rewarded with a sharp intake of breath from him. Before I realised it, we were pulling up to our station so we stood and made our way through the University again.

"I've enjoyed today." I informed Takashi, swinging our hands locked between us.

"Me too," he replied with a soft smile. His eyes lingered on mine for a moment longer than expected making me grin before turning back to watch the path in front of us. The night was quiet around us in comparison to Ginza but you could still hear cars on the main road a few streets over. The small lamps along the paths reflected off the pond and occasionally glistened when a Koi would swim to the surface. Takashi and I walked in silence, enjoying the night air and the pretty park, our hands still firmly locked together. It wasn't long before we reached the door to my building so I offered Takashi a drink in my flat.

"I want to," he started and I could sense the "but", my heart sinking a little. "but if I come upstairs I won't want to leave." My heart rate instantly went up at his admission.

"Would that be so bad?" I asked, placing his hand on my waist and leaning into him slightly. I couldn't describe why I wanted him to stay tonight, but I knew that this was going to be something I would regret if I didn't at least try.

"No." He answered making me frown since he made no movement but continued to stare down at me. "I have work tomorrow." He explained after a moment, saying it as though that answered everything.

"Do you not have a change of clothes?" I asked, offering him a clear escape route if he decided he wanted one even though every part of me screamed not to.

"I do." His answer confused me even more.

"So, why is this a problem?"

"I'll have to get up early tomorrow."

"I need to too. I have a meeting at ten. If you don't want to stay then don't, Takashi." I was starting to get a little bit frustrated at his unhelpful responses. It was like he wanted me to tell him that I didn't want him to stay. When the thought occurred to me, I knew that was the case.

"Takashi, I want you to stay tonight. Please?" I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck. After a short pause, he smiled and nodded before heading to his car to grab his change of clothes.