The hostess looked deeply apologetic, constantly bowing and murmuring apologies. Hana suddenly found herself stuck in an awkward situation, unsure of how to proceed.

"It is fine. I will take it from here. Excuse us," Ren said, his eyes focused solely on Hana.

The door slammed shut as the host quickly left the two of them alone.

At the same time, they both began,

"I want to apologize..."

"Thank you for..."

Then, Hana spoke first, "I'm sorry. You go first, Dr. Jenkins."

Ren inwardly cursed at how easily the word "sorry" fell from Hana's lips. He had always noticed it, but couldn't bring himself to comment. However, that was beside the point, so he continued,

"I wanted to apologize for the sudden absence. It was unfortunately rather impromptu but very important that I had to be there."

As the words left his mouth, Ren began to wonder why he was apologizing in the first place. The same thought was going through Hana's mind - he didn't owe her any explanation for leaving.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room, neither quite sure how to proceed. Hana fidgeted nervously, her gaze downcast, while Ren stood there, his expression guarded, unsure of how to navigate this unexpected encounter.

"I wanted to thank you for the night at the rooftop. And I also wanted to return your jacket. I don't know what came up to me that night. I spoke out of line. I am sorry-" Hana started fiddling with her nails, the familiar nervous habit taking over.

Ren cut into her words, taking slow, deliberate steps towards her. "Shizumi, you know, when you say a word a lot, it starts to lose its meaning. You are not at fault. You don't need to apologize to me for anything. You did nothing wrong, do you hear me?"

The space between them had grown smaller with each word until Hana felt the weight of his presence much closer than before.

"Dr. Jenkins. I'm so--" she caught herself, "I mean, I understand."

Ren suddenly became aware of their proximity and quickly stepped back, his usual composure slipping. "I apologize. I got carried away. Forgive my intrusion."

A small giggle escaped Hana's lips at the sight of his flustered state - here he was, doing exactly what he had just cautioned her against. The sound seemed to lighten the tension in the room.

Trying to change the subject, Ren cleared his throat. "So, what brings you here?"

"Mira... she brought me here," Hana replied softly. "I should call her to see where she is."

"You should," Ren agreed, his tone carefully neutral despite the slight tension in his jaw.

Suddenly, Ren remembered his cousin who was supposed to be there. He picked up his phone and sent a quick text message: "Where are you?"

Within seconds, a reply came in: "I already left. Something came up. Your car is at your spot. Enjoy your date."

Ren scoffed under his breath. Of course, Jiro already knew Hana was here. He had eyes everywhere - it was his restaurant, after all.

Turning to Hana, Ren offered, "I can send someone to show her the way, so she doesn't get lost."

"You don't have to do that, Dr. Jenkins," Hana answered, locking her phone screen. "She said she had a meeting to attend and left already."

Ren found the situation too perfectly planned. "You don't say. A coincidence? I actually came here with my cousin, Jiro. You met him at my parent's party last time. He also had something come up and had to leave suddenly."

Hana remembered briefly who that was, but could affirm that she had never seen him anywhere else or heard Mira speak about him. It must have been a coincidence. Ren, however, felt something amiss.

They sat opposite each other at the table, where sunlight streaming through the window caught the chandelier above, casting patterns across the polished surface between them.

Her eyes followed the patterns cast on the table by the chandelier, the silence starting to lean towards awkwardness.

Ren pressed a button on the table and spoke with practiced ease, "My regular but make it two. Drinks, non-alcoholic. Thank you."

Hana felt distinctly out of place as she sat and listened to Ren make the order, her eyes searching the table for a menu that wasn't there. She felt small in the opulent space, acutely aware of the gulf between their worlds.

"There is no menu usually in this room," Ren explained, noting her searching gaze. "It is Jiro and I's private room. So, we don't need any."

"Oh! I see," Hana managed, trying to keep her voice steady. She struggled to contain her awe, the question looming larger in her mind: who exactly was Dr. Jenkins?

Ren caught her slightly widened eyes as they took a second sweep of the room, and a small smirk played at the corner of his mouth.

He took a sip of his water, a feeling of pride stirring within him despite his lack of attachment to material possessions.

"Based on how much we know about each other, I would have to note that you have quite the advantage over me," Ren said, his tone measured.

He noticed her brows raise in question.

"You know quite a bit about me, including where my family lives. You have also had the unfortunate privilege of my family dynamic, firsthand..." He noticed that bringing up that subject was sore for both of them, so he quickly deviated. "So, tell me about you, Shizumi, if you want to."

Hana pursed her lips together, thinking of how to respond. What could she say? 'Oh! Nice to meet you, I'm Hana Shizumi. My family practically banished me to secrecy because I invoke memories when I touch people, leaving me with a permanent phobia of touch which sends me into waves of panic attacks.' Of course not.

"There is really nothing about me, Dr. Jenkins," she finally said, her voice soft but resolute.

He took a moment to gather his thoughts, leaning back in his seat, his gaze never leaving hers. "How about this? Ask me anything you'd like to know."

Hana's fingers traced the edge of the tablecloth, a nervous habit she couldn't quite suppress.

He smiled gently, his voice softer than before. "Come now, surely there must be something you're curious about. Take your time, I will answer to the best of my abilities."

"I shouldn't," she said finally, her eyes dropping from Ren's intense gaze. "Dr. Jenkins, I don't have the right to pry."

A soft exhale escaped Ren - something between a chuckle and a sigh. "Then I will ask" He leaned forward slightly, his curiosity piqued. "Would that be fine by you?"

Ren's gaze lowered to her gloved hand, which she tucked under the table, "Your hands..." The word hung heavy between them. "Why do you always cover them?"

"Hmm..."

At that moment, there is a knock. Fate had other plans, putting a stop to Hana's almost confession. Saved by the bell...or knock.

"Come in," Ren called.

The door opens to a waiter wheeling a cart of food into the room. He sets the table in silence and moves to serve the wine into the cups.

"Leave it. The bottle too," Ren instructs.

The silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the soft clink of glasses quietly placed on the table. Hana's fingers traced the rim of her glass, her mind racing. The host bowed and wheeled the empty cart out of the room.

Before he could return to their previous topic, Hana started, "Dr. Jenkins, shouldn't we be worried about your mother finding out about our meeting?"

"Don't worry about her," his eyes darkened, "Let's eat before the food gets cold."

Hana let out a sigh of relief at her successful diversion.

Ren decided to play along. Maybe the question was too personal, seeing that she went out of her way to avoid it. He reached over, grabbing the scissors before sliding her bowl to himself, cutting up her noodles, and then sliding it back.

She takes a bite, letting out an involuntary moan at the savory taste of the ramen soup. She notices eyes on her, and the realization of her action causes her to break into a fit of coughs.

Ren refills her glass of water and passes it to her.

"There is nothing to be embarrassed about," he said. "Jiro went all the way when handpicking the chef for his restaurants. The foods are nothing less than delicious." He filled their wine glasses, sliding hers over to her.

"Are you okay though?"

"I'm... okay. Thank you," she replies while dabbing her mouth.

"However, I would advise you not to do that in front of others," Ren swirls his wine and takes a sip, neatly hiding his grin.

He made sure not to pry into her family matters but was asked despite having a good guess of what the answer was.

"Did you see her? I mean your mother, after that night?"

Hana's chopsticks froze mid-air, hovering above her bowl. Her shoulders tensed almost imperceptibly. "No, I didn't. She was transferred the next day. There was no use."

"I see," Ren responded, his fingers tracing the rim of his wine glass, watching her carefully.

"Eating here reminds me of the Ramen spot that Mira and I go to," Hana said, her voice softening as she relaxed her grip on the chopsticks.

"I mean it is not as fancy as this but it is..." A small, genuine smile crossed her lips, "...nice."

"Maybe I would have the privilege of visiting that place," Ren leaned forward slightly, his gaze intent. "If you don't mind that is."

"It's not a secret place, Dr. Jenkins. You can always-"

"I meant, with you, Shizumi," he interrupted, his tone deliberate.

Hana pursed her lips, bowing her head towards her bowl, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink.

"Are you okay, Shizumi? Your face is red," Ren observed a hint of amusement in his voice.

Hana touched her cheek with the back of her gloved hand, a nervous gesture that betrayed her inner turmoil. "Eh... the... soup... it is hot. That's why," she stammered, not meeting his eyes.

"Of course."

Seconds flowed into minutes, and the once-full plates and wine glasses were now empty.

"I enjoyed the ramen. Thank you, Dr. Jenkins," Hana said, her voice soft but genuine.

"Are you ready to go?" Ren asked, his gaze steady on her.

Hana nodded a simple, understated gesture.

"Let's be on our way then."

They walked side by side, ignoring the glances of people walking by until they reached the hallway where the host had first received Hana and Mira. As they approached the exit, Hana stopped and turned towards him, executing a quick, precise bow.

"Thank you very much for lunch today. I should be on my way now," she said, her posture rigid with politeness.

Ren looked at her with a tilted head, a small smile gradually spreading across his face. Did she think he would let her leave just like that?

"Let me drop you off" Ren's voice was soft but carried an unmistakable finality.

Hana froze mid-turn, "I... "

He took a step closer, not enough to invade her personal space, but close enough that she could feel the weight of his presence. "I insist."

Her fingers twisted the fabric of her gloves - a nervous habit he was beginning to recognize.

As he drove, Ren noticed Hana kept looking at her vibrating phone with sad and fearful eyes. She was hesitant to pick up the call, instead watching it ring and then disconnect.

He couldn't bring himself not to notice every side of her, whether he liked it or not. He was intrigued by the woman. Seeing her anything short of happy was something he couldn't bear.

Ren pulled over to the side of the road, unnoticeable to Hana, who remained focused on her phone.

"Give me a minute," he said.

"Okay," she answered mindlessly.

Hana continued staring at the screen as it rang and disconnected, leaving a missed call notice. Suddenly, she felt something cold touch her cheek, causing her to gasp.

She found herself face-to-face with a small bowl of vanilla ice cream.

"Someone's face was red earlier because of the heat. I figured she needed a little cooling down," Ren said casually, with an undertone of tease.

Her eyes moved from the dessert to his face. A big smile crept up, tears gathering at the edges of her eyes.

"You don't want it," he wiggled it at her, "Okay, I'll have it all for myself then."

She reached out and grabbed it, but he pulled it away quickly. "You said it was mine, Dr. Jenkins," she protested.

"Shizumi, I never said it was yours. I said someone's," he leaned closer into her space, noses almost brushing. "The last time I checked, your name isn't someone, Hana."

Hana sucked in a breath as she found her eyes searching his. Using the distraction to her advantage, she reached out and snatched the cup from his hands.

"Well-played, Shizumi," he leaned back into his seat, "well-played..."

Hana stuffed her mouth quickly. He was close, too close for colleagues. She had to do something before it was too late, and her stupid heart wasn't making things easier.

***************

"Do you think that they would suspect that we set them up?" Jiro asked a hint of mischief in his voice.

"I highly doubt Hana would even realize that," Mira responded. "How about your cousin?"

"I can never truly tell with him," Jiro mused. "He might find it suspicious, but I doubt he would have time to think about that with your friend with him."

Jiro continued, "How were you able to come up with such a good plan?"

Mira raised an eyebrow. "Are you assuming that I am not smart?"

"I know you are trying to turn this on me," Jiro chuckled.

"No no, missy. By the way, why are you trying to get them together? I mean, I'm not against the idea at all. My cousin needs someone in his life. But Hana, from what I have seen, won't fit into my family. Not like Ren is any better. But you know my aunt would be strongly against them, among other things. And from what you told me, it seems Hana assumes my cousin is dating Lia. Isn't that worse?"

Mira's expression softened.

"JJ, Hana has been through so much. A situation like your family is exactly what she ran away from. However, there is something different about your cousin for her. I can't tell you much about it, but he has answers Hana can't find anywhere else. I just want to give her the push she needs. Nothing more..."

"But Ren, he is... well, Ren," Jiro said with a knowing tone.

"He can't be that bad. I mean, he is rich, successful, a doctor, and his voice..." Mira began, a hint of playfulness in her voice.

"Mira!" Jiro interrupted his tone a mix of warning and exasperation.

She smiled at the effect that had on him. "All I am saying is, I want to help my friend solve her problem and you want to help your cousin solve his. It is a win-win situation."

"Why do I feel like I'm at a loss here?"

"Oh shush, stop complaining," Mira retorted.

Their conversation was interrupted by the soft chime of Mira's phone. She glanced down, and her entire demeanor shifted as she saw the caller ID. The playful spark in her eyes disappeared.

She showed the ID to Jiro, whose eyes widened in horror.

"Hana's mom?" Mira affirmed with a nod.

"What does she want?"

"We'll just have to find out now, won't we?"

Her finger hovered over the accept button, a moment of hesitation revealing the depth of her apprehension.

"Hello?"