Chapter 25: A Date in Shibuya
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A Rare Break from Business
Ethan had spent the entire day negotiating with Skysoft, finalizing the Japan expansion deal. The weight of the success should've been enough to make him feel accomplished, but instead, his thoughts kept returning to a text he'd received from Grace an hour ago.
Grace: One night. No business talk. You in?
He couldn't help but smile at her bluntness. Of all the things to get a message from her about, this wasn't what he had expected.
Now, standing outside a quaint café in Shibuya, Ethan glanced at his watch, unsure of what to expect. He was used to the professional, polished Grace—the one who kept things tight and efficient. But tonight? She had invited him out with the promise of no work. Just… them.
He glanced up as the sound of heels tapping against the pavement caught his attention.
Grace emerged from the crowd, dressed in a sleek black dress that hugged her frame perfectly, with a soft leather jacket tossed over her shoulders—nothing like her usual business attire. Ethan blinked, feeling a surprise flicker in his chest.
"You're staring," she said, a playful smirk curving her lips.
Ethan cleared his throat, trying to hide his surprise. "Just surprised. You look…" he hesitated, searching for the right word. "Different."
She raised an eyebrow, her gaze mischievous. "Good different or bad different?"
"Good," he admitted, his tone soft but sincere. "Very good."
She gave a little nod, satisfaction in her smile. "I'll take that as a win."
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Exploring the Streets of Shibuya
Shibuya pulsed with life—neon lights bathing the streets in hues of electric blue and pink. The air was thick with the energy of laughter and conversation. Music spilled from street performers hidden in the corners. Couples strolled hand in hand, lost in their own worlds.
Grace walked ahead, leading the way through the bustling crowds. "It's nice, isn't it? Just being in the moment."
Ethan glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You say that like we're usually stuck in the past or the future."
"Aren't we?" she countered, her voice light but with a layer of truth. "It's always about the next step. The next deal. The next big thing. But tonight, no strategy. Just… enjoy."
He smirked, amused by the challenge she presented. "Sounds like you're daring me to let go."
She turned, walking backward for a brief moment. "Think you can handle it?"
His smile grew wider. "We'll see."
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A Fortune Teller's Prediction
As they wandered deeper into Shibuya, a small, weathered stand caught Grace's attention. An elderly fortune teller sat behind a glowing crystal ball, her wrinkled hands beckoning them forward.
Grace, always game for a laugh, raised an eyebrow. "Let's do it."
Ethan hesitated, a playful smirk curling on his lips. "You actually believe in this stuff?"
"Nope," she said with a shrug, "but it might be fun."
They sat down, the fortune teller's intense gaze fixed on them as she studied them both. Her fingers danced across the crystal ball before she spoke, her voice low, almost hypnotic.
"Two paths," she murmured. "Once separate, now crossing."
Ethan and Grace exchanged an amused glance, but the fortune teller's eyes didn't leave them.
She focused on Ethan. "You chase ambition… but someone will make you question what truly matters."
Grace's laughter broke the tension. "Sounds like your daily schedule, huh, Ethan?"
The fortune teller turned her gaze to Grace. "And you… you fear losing control. But love… love is the greatest risk of all."
Grace's expression flickered with something unreadable. For a split second, Ethan thought he saw a vulnerability flash in her eyes, but it was gone before he could register it.
Ethan chuckled, trying to ease the odd tension. "Well, that was cryptic."
Grace handed the woman a few yen with a light-hearted grin. "Thanks for the 'wisdom,'" she said with a playful tone.
As they stepped away, Ethan nudged her gently. "So? What's your takeaway from all that?"
Grace scoffed, shaking her head with a knowing smile. "That we just got scammed out of 500 yen. But I'm good with it."
Ethan laughed, but a small, curious part of him lingered on the fortune teller's words.
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Arcade Rivalry: Grace's Hidden Talent
Wandering further, they stumbled upon a hidden arcade—one of those vintage places tucked between the alleyways, brimming with neon lights and retro cabinets. The sound of buttons clicking and old-school music filled the air.
Ethan grinned. "You any good at fighting games?"
Grace cracked her knuckles with a confident gleam in her eye. "Try me."
They picked an old Street Fighter machine, the familiar pixelated characters ready for battle. Ethan played confidently, but it didn't take long for Grace to completely dominate him in the first round.
"What the—?" Ethan stared at the screen in disbelief.
Grace smirked, unphased. "Told you."
Ethan narrowed his eyes, determination flashing across his face. "Okay. Best two out of three."
The rematch was fierce. Grace's playstyle was fast and unpredictable, while Ethan's game was more strategic. In the final round, he barely clutched the win.
He dropped the controller onto the table, exhaling in triumph. "That's game."
Grace exhaled, shaking her head, conceding defeat with good humor. "Fine. You win."
Ethan leaned in, his voice teasing. "You know what that means, right?"
She rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. "I'm buying dinner, aren't I?"
He gave a satisfied nod. "Correct."
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Dinner with a View
Later, they found themselves at a quiet rooftop izakaya, the city of Tokyo spread out below them, the skyline dotted with glittering lights. The crisp air felt refreshing as they settled into their seats, surrounded by the peaceful hum of distant traffic and conversations.
Grace took a slow sip of sake, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "You ever think about what's next?"
Ethan, leaning back into his seat, shrugged. "In business?"
She shook her head. "In life."
He was caught off guard, his mind working to catch up. "I… haven't had much time to think about it."
She studied him carefully, her expression unreadable. "I get that. But sometimes, it feels like we're always moving so fast. We don't even know where we're going."
Ethan paused. "Do you know where you're going?"
Grace looked away for a moment, the weight of her thoughts evident. "Not really. I've spent so much time trying to prove myself, make my mark… I never really thought about anything else."
Ethan sat with her words, trying to grasp the undercurrent of emotion she was hiding behind her cool exterior. "Maybe it's not about knowing the destination. Maybe it's about figuring it out as you go."
She gave him a small, surprised smile. "That's surprisingly insightful, Carter."
He raised his glass, the mood lightening between them. "Hey, I have my moments."
They clinked glasses, a brief moment of shared understanding passing between them.
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The Almost-Kiss Moment
After dinner, they walked back through the dimly lit streets of Shibuya. The vibrant energy of the city seemed distant now, replaced by a quieter, more intimate atmosphere between them.
Grace's voice broke the silence. "Tonight was… nice."
Ethan nodded, his throat suddenly tight. "Yeah. It was."
She hesitated, taking a deep breath. "We should—"
She stopped mid-sentence, her gaze lingering on him, as if weighing the next word. Their faces were closer now—closer than they'd ever been. Ethan could feel the air between them thickening, electric with the unspoken.
His eyes flickered down to her lips, and for the briefest moment, he thought she might lean in. Then—his phone buzzed.
They both flinched at the sudden interruption.
Ethan glanced at the screen—another damn business email.
Grace sighed, her lips curling into a wry smile. "Saved by the bell, huh?"
Ethan chuckled, glancing at her with an apologetic grin. "Guess we're still terrible at taking a break."
She shook her head, clearly amused. "Go. Read your email. We'll see each other tomorrow."
Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Ethan standing there, staring after her.
As he watched her fade into the night, something stirred in him—something he couldn't quite name. Maybe it was nothing.
Or maybe, it was something worth exploring.
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End of Chapter 25
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Next Chapter: Chapter 26 – The European Expansion Begins
Ethan and his team head to Europe for Money Masters' next phase.
New investors. New rivals. New opportunities. The dynamic between Grace and Ethan deepens, and a new chapter unfolds.