Moriko decided to shake off the self-pity that had briefly consumed her thoughts. She realized that dwelling on her insecurities wouldn't get her anywhere. Instead, she turned her attention back to the stalker.
With a more composed demeanor, Moriko asked, "By the way, I never got your name. What's your name? And where are you taking me?"
Jiro introduced himself with a polite nod and a small smile. "I'm Jiro Tachibana. Nice to officially meet you, Moriko."
He continued, "Originally, I just wanted to have a private conversation with you inside the car. However, I realized you might be hungry, considering you were supposed to have dinner with Mariko and your guest. So, I thought it would be best to take you to another restaurant for dinner. What do you say?"
Moriko hesitated for a moment, torn between her initial reluctance and the undeniable growling of her stomach. With a slightly sheepish smile, she finally nodded and said, "Alright, dinner sounds good. Lead the way, Jiro."
After a few minutes of driving through the city's bustling streets, Jiro and Moriko finally arrived at their destination. They pulled up to a luxurious restaurant known for its elegant ambiance and exquisite cuisine. It was a dimly lit place with soft, golden lighting that created an intimate atmosphere. The tables were adorned with fine white linens, and crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the dining area. It seemed like the perfect place for an impromptu dinner. Jiro parked the car and turned to Moriko with a friendly smile, gesturing for her to follow him inside.Moriko, feeling a mixture of curiosity and hunger, stepped out of the car and followed Jiro. She couldn't help but wonder what this unexpected evening would bring and how it might change her perception of the mysterious man beside her.
As they stepped inside, they were immediately attended to by the well-trained staff. The hostess led them to a private booth tucked away in a cozy corner, ensuring their privacy. Moriko couldn't help but notice the attentive service they received and wondered why they were being treated like VIPs.
Jiro, who seemed quite familiar with the restaurant, simply smiled as they were seated. It was clear that he had connections here, but Moriko decided not to press the matter. Reaching the cozy corner table, Jiro pulled out a chair for Moriko and gestured for her to take a seat. Moriko settled into her chair with a nod of thanks, appreciating Jiro's courteousness.
Jiro then explained, "I wasn't entirely sure what type of cuisine you'd prefer, so I thought this place would give us plenty of options. They're known for their versatility, and I have a bit of influence here, so we can even have the chef prepare something special for us."
Moriko glanced around the restaurant, taking in the warm atmosphere and the delicious aroma of food. She couldn't deny that it seemed like a great choice. "Sounds good," she replied with a smile. "I'm quite hungry, so let's see what they have to offer."
With that, they settled into their seats, and Jiro signaled for a waiter to come over. As the waiter approached their table, a sudden interruption occurred. A tall and energetic man with disheveled hair and a playful smile intercepted the waiter. He greeted Jiro warmly, addressing him by his first name, "Jiro! Long time no see!"
Moriko observed the exchange with curiosity as the waiter seemed a bit flustered. It became apparent that this new arrival was a chef as he wore the kitchen attire of the restaurant.
The chef couldn't help but steal a few glances at Moriko. There was an amused twinkle in his eyes as he looked back at Jiro, grinning playfully as if to tease him about his stunning companion. It was clear that Takashi was enjoying the situation, and he seemed to be silently applauding Jiro for having such an attractive dinner partner.
Jiro, who was aware of his former subordinate's friendly banter, couldn't help but roll his eyes at the chef's antics. He mouthed a silent "cut it out" to him, which only made the chef chuckle more.
Moriko, picking up on the playful exchange, couldn't suppress a soft laugh. It seemed that even in unexpected situations, a touch of humor and camaraderie could be found.
Jiro decided to take control of the situation, not wanting Takashi to tease him any further. He then cleared his throat and said, "Moriko, this is my friend, Takashi. He's the head chef here."
Moriko nodded politely and extended her hand. "Nice to meet you, Takashi."
Takashi shook her hand with a friendly smile. "Likewise, Moriko. I hope you enjoy your meal tonight."
With the introductions out of the way, the atmosphere at the table became more relaxed, and they turned their attention to perusing the menu and discussing their dining preferences for the evening.
As they went through the menu, Moriko expressed her preference for a simple Italian dinner. She chose three Italian dishes: Margherita pizza, Spaghetti Carbonara, and Tiramisu for dessert. Jiro was pleasantly surprised by her choice, and it piqued his curiosity.
He couldn't help but ask, "Moriko, you seem quite well-versed in Italian cuisine. Is there a particular reason why you prefer it?"
Moriko chuckled softly before responding, "Well, I spent some time in Italy for work a while back, and I fell in love with their food. It's simple, yet it bursts with flavor. Plus, I picked up a few Italian recipes during my stay, so I like to indulge in some nostalgia from time to time."
Jiro nodded in understanding, appreciating the insight into Moriko's background.
Jiro then turned to Chef Takashi to confirm the orders. "Takashi, I'll have the same as Moriko," he said, curious to see what kind of palate Moriko had. He knew that Mariko had a preference for Japanese cuisine, so he wondered of the twin sister's food preferences.
Chef Takashi nodded with a grin, "Of course, coming right up."
As they waited for their meals, the atmosphere in the restaurant remained cozy and inviting, with soft jazz music playing in the background. The warm ambiance and the anticipation of a delightful Italian dinner added to the pleasantness of their evening.
As they waited for their Italian dinner to arrive, Jiro decided to break the ice and start a conversation with Moriko. He cleared his throat and began, "I need to apologize for the way I approached you earlier. You see, I've seen your sister, Mariko, from a distance for a while now, and I... well, I guess I was too shy to introduce myself."
Moriko listened attentively, her curiosity piqued. "Shy?" she raised an eyebrow.
Jiro nodded, feigning a bit of embarrassment. "Yeah, you could say that. She's a CEO, a woman who's out of my league, and I thought it would be best to just admire her from afar. A guy like me should know his place, right?"
Moriko felt a mixture of pity and admiration for Jiro. She had never thought about it from his perspective before. Her heart softened as she considered how difficult it must have been for him to approach someone like her sister.
"It's not easy to approach someone you admire," Moriko replied with a kind smile. "But sometimes, taking a chance and getting to know them can lead to unexpected connections."
As Moriko spoke those words, she couldn't help but feel a pang of envy toward her twin sister. For the first time, she realized that she might have developed some feelings for the man who had been stalking Mariko – an unexpected twist of fate she wasn't quite ready to confront.
Shameful of her real feelings, Moriko quickly scolded herself for the envy that had briefly flickered within her. It was an emotion she hadn't anticipated having, and she certainly didn't want to harbor such sentiments. She knew she had to respect boundaries and not allow herself to become entangled with someone who clearly had an interest in Mariko.
As she resolved to keep her distance from Jiro after this dinner, Moriko also decided that it was best to let the authorities handle the situation. It was time to put an end to her involvement with the man who had been stalking her sister. This would be their last encounter, and she was determined to focus on her own life and not let any lingering feelings complicate matters further.
With her decision made, Moriko returned her attention to the conversation with Jiro, determined to enjoy the rest of the evening without any emotional entanglements.