Chapter 8: Coffee or Tea?

 “Do you want coffee or would yoy rather have a tea?” Kei asked Hana as he pressed the buttons on the vending machine.

The AoyamaGroup offices were incredibily well equipped. You could find just about anything there.

“I’ll have tea, thanks.” Hana replied, leaning against the narrow counter by the window, overlooking the city.

Kei glanced at her. She looked exhausted, like she’d barely slept.

“Stayed up all night watching movies?” He teased with a smirk.

Hana’s eyes widened, caught between embarrassment and surprise.

“You still remember that?!”

“You used to binge movies till late at night and then show up to school looking exactly like that, the next day.”

Hana straightened up immediately, fixing her hair and posture, clearly a little self-conscious.

Kei handed her the tea and sat down beside her.

Excited, Hana grabbed her phone and showed Kei a photo she’d taken with one of her favorites actors.

“See? I chose this job because it gives me a chance to work in the film industry. I even met Ryu! The actor from that crime series i used to watch all the time!”

Kei smiled. Whenever Hana talked about movies, her passion was contagious.

“ I noticed your phone case the other day. I remembered it was from a movie.”

Kei said pointing to the image on the back of Hana’s phone.

“I really wanted to see it when it came out. But i never got the chance.

When i saw the picture, i thought you were still into movies.”

He took a sip of his bitter coffee.

Hana looked at him, surprised almost in disbelief.

“Really? You never got the chance to seeing it?”

Kei felt her gaze on him. There was something almost sad in her tone.

-Is it really that big deal not seeing a movie when it comes out?- He thought.

“I had something really important to do that day… And then i just never got the chance.” He replied, turning his eyes toward the city beyond the glass.

“I see…” Hana finished her tea without adding anything else.

“But, i did catch up on it later. As soon as the DVD came out, i went and i bought it.”

Hana lowered her gaze and smiled faintly. The atmosphere in the small lounge suddenly felt dimmer.

“Hey Hana, actually…!

Sora burst into the room, cutting Kei off mid-sentence.

“Taking a break without me, guys?” He joked, stepping right behind them.

Kei and Hana turned around.

“We’re seriously behind schedule. The presentation’s jus over a week away. So, i was thinking we should work through the weekend.”

Sora locked eyes with Kei.

“it’s not like you’ve got anything better to do, right?”

“I did have plans at Shinjuku Garden this weekend. But nothing i can’t reschedule.” Kei replied calmly.

“Shinjuku’s park is really beautiful. The atmosphere there is so peaceful and relaxing.” Hana chimed in.

“Oh? You had a date with that cute girl from the station?”

Sora pushed a little further, grinning.

Hana turned sharply to Kei, waiting for his answer.

“What are you, a stalker?. Anyway, it wasn’t a date. Just a sightseeing thing.”

- Why did i justify myself? I wasn’t obligated to respond- Kei thought.

Sora burst out laughing.

“ No,no, not a stalker. I just happened to see you while i was picking up a client.”

He wiped a tear from his eye and continued:

“I don’t want to ruin anyone’s fun. So why don’t we all go work at the park? A calm setting brings good ideas.”

Hana lit up at the suggestion.

Kei, meanwhile, tried to figure out what Sora was really up to.

“And Hey, feel free to bring that girl along too. Wouldn’t want your -sighetseeing trip- to go to waste.”

Sora secretary entered the lounge, carrying a stack of documents.

“Mr.Sora, the clients from KYT Industry are waiting for you in the meeting room 5. Please don’t keep them waiting”

Sora sighed.

“ Looks like i’ve got to run. See you all at Shinjuku Garden on sunday morning.”

And just as quickliy as he had arrived , he left the room with his secretary.