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[ Her shoulders stop clenching and ease down, a small smile on her face as she giggles in return. ]

Perhaps if Mako-chan was driving it... she's quite the driver!

[ But it's curious to her that Goro can drive, having known his fondness for cycling around. ]

Is it difficult? I've been reading the DMV handbook so I can start learning by spring.

I don't find it difficult. It's much different than riding a bicycle though.

[ He stops at the first red light they've come to so far, relaxing in the driver's seat. At least it's relatively quiet on the road. ]

I could teach you. Maybe after dinner, you could drive home? It's quiet and we're not too far...

[ Haru's hands stay neatly atop her lap, though at the corner of her peripheral vision does she spy on Goro's hands every now and then, the temptation to reach out strong.

Her fingers curl toward her palm instead. ]

Would you? Oh! That might be a lot of fun... the traffic is nowhere near as intimidating as Tokyo.

I would be my pleasure. I could help you study for the test you will have to take. We'll take it slow and easy.

[ The upside to living in Florida: the roads weren't slick with ice and she wouldn't have to worry about other cars too much because of the date. As long as they stay off the highway it wouldn't be so bad.

He finally pulls off the road into a parking lot. The downtown area is filled with restaurants and hotels, perfect spot for a holiday dinner if you're in town visiting or on vacation. ]

It's not too far of a walk from here. My coworker said that it's close to the Marriott. It's a little hidden, so keep an eye out for a small cloth sign.

That's alright. The weather is perfect for a stroll.

[ She smiles lightly at him, her hands sliding behind her as she interlocks her fingers. ]

As much as I miss the winter scenery, it's nice not to have to wear thick coats and boots just to walk a little bit.

[ And her hands fall back to either side of her hip, her heart skipping a beat as she wonders if Goro will take hers into his. She doesn't try to even hint at it, again, as tempting as it is. ]

You and Mako-chan make driving look so effortless. I admit I'm a bit nervous to try...

I can't help but miss the snow a little bit. Perhaps we could find a way to see this worlds Japan.

[ Gosh to go home. To go see Tokyo and see the differences, or see the familiar. He wouldn't feel so out of place, talking in English, working with the translator they were provided.

He glances, briefly, to her hands, before he finally reaches out, taking her hand in his. ]

Driving is... something you practice. I was not the best at it when I started. [ He admits. ] I think you'll be fine. You've been reading the manuals pretty thoroughly haven't you?

[ The slightest brush of his hand on hers earns a light jump from her initially, but once she's managed to relax she allows her hand to settle into his. (She hopes he doesn't notice how warm hers is.) ]

Um... [ Distracted she is at first, but she shakes her head to snap herself out of her stupor. ] Yes! I read a little bit more everyday.

Learning the signs are interesting. Their yield sign looks kind of like a stop back home.

That was my issue when I was on the road. [ He laughs a bit, a slight blush on his cheeks as he holds her hand. It was a little surreal that he was able to hold her hand, to be public about a relationship without being stalked by the media. ] I ran a few stop signs while I learned.

I've focused more on the color scheme rather than the shape to help me understand it a little better.

You did?

[ It's difficult to imagine the detective running stop signs, which is illegal.

Then again... as Phantom Thieves hardly most of what they did was legal anyway. ]

Oh! Colour scheme is a good idea. All the different shapes honestly blend together for me.

To be fair, it was an accident.

[ And thankfully no one was around to see him do it but his partner at work. Who still, to this day, laughs at him about it. ]

Ah! Here. [ He points out the sign, changing the subject to dinner. It was hidden, a stairwell heading down into what appeared to be a basement. ] Shall we?

Let's go.

[ She can't help a wider smile this time at him, her cheeks a brilliant red. Still, she places a hand on the railing to help guide herself down the stairwell, checking back to see if Goro is right behind her when she reaches the bottom. ]

It's already got such a secretive vibe. How exciting.

It comes highly recommended. [ He smiles, following her down the stairs.

The familiar sound of "Irasshaimase!" as they stepped into the small lobby area hit him a little bit. How could he miss something so simple? The welcoming tone, the sound of the words in his ear -- he missed Tokyo much more than he realized. He squeezes her hand, just slightly, grounding himself before he catches the hostess.

Five minutes so they can clear a table, and she's off. ]

[ How comforting the greeting is that her heart begins its on yearning for home. It's coming up to two years for her by spring, such a long time to be away from Tokyo, even if her house is empty with only the live-in maid, she misses familiarity a lot more than she likes to admit.

Haru glances around the room idly, curious about the decor and trying to gather the ambiance of the restaurant in the meantime. ]

It's been a while since I've eaten out, too. I don't know if I want to order so soon or wait a little bit before that.

We could start with an appetizer. Take our time to decide.

[ He's glad when they're finally lead to their seat. Despite being imPorts, they weren't treated any different than the other patrons, which was a relief. The hostess hands over the menus and she's off again. ]

Oh! They have shumai.

[ And his one enemy. Takoyaki. ]

Ah! I can't remember the last time I had some of that. Do you want to order some?

[ Oh, she's definitely looking at the takoyaki option. ]

Something spicy might be nice...

Edited 2020-01-12 05:34 (UTC)

I'd love to.

[ A pause. ]

Ah, you saw the takoyaki, didn't you? [ It's a teasing tone in his voice at least. ] It does look good though...

Do you want to order some of that as well?

[ She may have forgotten the takoyaki incident.

Oops. ]

[ He chuckles, brushing his hair behind his ear. Maybe he should cut it. ]

I'd like that. It's been a while since I've had it.

[ Honestly, it's been a long time since he's had a lot of things that were featured on the menu. Age kodako, katsudon, buta miso itame -- it was almost like being home. ]

Wow, look at this menu... I almost want a little bit of everything, but then I'll have no room for dinner!

[ Alright, maybe she'll stick with the original choice and forgo the rest of it. She's also conscious of how much she'll eat in front of Goro tonight, lest she look like a glutton. ]

Um, should we order?

Maybe we could come here for a date night or two?

[ Let them try as much as they could on the menu, enjoy the seasonal dishes that they offered. It would be nice to have some routine in their lives while dealing with the day to day that was this universe. ]

Let me see if I can flag down the waitress.

[ Lucky them he didn't have to. She appears with a few glasses of water and takes their appetizer order. ]

You know, [ He starts after she leaves. ] it's nice being able to use Japanese with the staff. Makes me a little homesick though.

Oh... of course! I-if that's what you would like.

[ Her heart swells at the idea, unable to help the shy smile on her face. She isn't able to maintain eye contact for that moment, twiddling her fingers apprehensively. ]

Ah, yes! [ She adds then, trying to stay on topic. ] It's funny how there are so many of us Japanese here, but we don't use our mother tongue as much as we should.

I would love to do that.

[ Oh boy. The L word. He glances away, actually shy by the use, heart racing because why had he used it? They weren't... at least not yet. But he would love to spend more time with her, to go on dates like this more often. ]

Perhaps we could use it more at home? With us sharing the space with Yusuke and Futaba, it wouldn't be a far stretch to do so.

Edited 2020-01-14 20:44 (UTC)

I think we should.

[ Small comforts and all that. ]

It's not possible to forget the language here, is it?

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