As the charity portion of the dinner party approached, Hanako sat outside in the veranda and enjoyed a moment of quiet. The cool air was welcome against her skin and she sighed in content.

"Needed a break?"

Hanako looked up and saw Keigo approaching with two glasses of wine in hand. She smiled and took the one he offered her, thanking him. "I don't think I'll ever get used to big parties and events like these."

Keigo chuckled. "They're not really my thing, either, but it's for a good cause so I put up with it."

Hanako sipped the wine and smiled. "This is really good."

"Peach Moscato," Keigo said, taking a sip of his wine. "I remembered that you enjoy fruity wines,"

"Mmm," Hanako nodded. "I do. When I took a trip to America a few years ago, I tried this really yummy wine called Arbor Mist. It was super cheap, but really well made for being so affordable. They had blackberry, peach, cranberry, raspberry, mango, exotic fruit, and passion fruit among a few other flavors and they came in Merlot, Chardonnay, Moscato, Zinfandel, even Pinot Noir, and Pinot Grigio."

"Arbor Mist, huh?"

"Mhmm. I would love to get some here, but they don't sell it in Japan and I can't even imagine what it would cost to have it imported here." Hanako sighed. "At least we can get good wine here."

Keigo mused over the new information and looked up at the stars with Hanako as they enjoyed the wine. After a few minutes, though, he looked back down at her and asked, "Hey, are you hungry?"

Hanako raised a brow with curiosity. "I am, why?"

Keigo smirked and gestured towards the street. "Let's get out of here."

"What about the charity? Shouldn't you be here for that?"

Keigo shrugged. "I've already made my donation, mingled with people, and made my appearance. It won't kill them if I leave." He offered her his hand. "Come on, I want to take you somewhere."

Hanako eyed him curiously for a moment, then took his hand. 'Wow, his hand is so big and warm...' she noted, feeling as though her dainty hands were a bit dwarfed as his fingers wrapped around hers and he pulled her to his feet.

Keigo led Hanako back to the car, sneaking them out through a side entrance. He gave the driver directions, then sat back as Hanako looked out the window- fiddling with the hand strap of her clutch.

"You really do look great tonight," he said, leaning back a bit and making sure that his wings weren't in the way.

Hanako looked over at him and smiled, hoping the low lighting would hide her blushing. "So do you. It's much different than your usual attire; it really suits you."

Keigo chuckled. "Pun intended?"

Hanako felt her blush deepen as more of this new side of him started to show through, bit by bit. "Pun intended." She glanced out the window, hoping to change the subject. "So, where are you taking me?"

"My favorite place to eat."

It didn't take long for them to reach their destination, a place well known in Fukuoka called Yakitori Yoritomi Midori- also simply known as Yoritomi. As they were seated, Hanako felt a bit uncomfortable with the looks that they were receiving from other patrons.

"Sir, aren't we a bit overdressed for this place?"

Keigo chuckled. "Maybe, but who cares?"

"People are staring, though."

"So let them stare," Keigo leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands with a coy smile. "It'd be a shame if they didn't appreciate such a beautiful sight."

Hanako's cheeks began to burn anew and she was grateful for the distraction as their waiter came to take their drink order. As they placed their drink orders, both choosing a simple peach drink, Hanako tried to keep her focus on the menu.

'He's acting a bit differently tonight...' she thought to herself. 'Maybe it's just because we've never hung out outside of work before? At least while it's just the two of us, that is.'

"So, do you know what you want?"

"Hmm?"

Keigo watched her a moment. "Are you alright?"

Hanako nodded, offering him a smile. "Yeah, sorry, just lost in thought a bit. What are you getting?"

Keigo glanced down at the menu in front of him. "Definitely the chicken skewers," He looked up at her. "How hungry are you?"

"Scale of 1-10, probably about a 7 currently."

"Let's get the combo platter, then."

Hanako looked at the menu and saw what he was talking about- the combo platter, consisting of yakitori, gyoza, okaka onigiri, and saba yakizakana with miso soup on the side. "That actually sounds perfect."

"Great," Keigo smiled, then took her menu as she handed it to him and passed both the menus to the waiter as he came back to their table. "Combo platter, please, with two sides of miso soup."

"Of course, anything else?"

"That'll do for now."

As Hanako and Keigo enjoyed their meal together, they talked a bit and got caught up after having had a rather busy last couple of weeks. As they sat talking and eating, they both began to realize just how much they were enjoying themselves together.

Before long, the waiter came to inform them that they were just about to close.

"Oh, already? Wow." Keigo said, checking his watch.

Hanako looked at the waiter apologetically and offered him a smile. "I'm so sorry, we must have lost track of the time. We'll take the check and get out of your hair."

The waiter set their check on the table and Hanako reached for her clutch to help pay, stopping only when Keigo put a hand over hers and shook his head.

"This is on me," Keigo said, taking out his wallet and handing his card to the waiter.

"Sir, let me at least help cover half?"

"Absolutely not, this is my treat,"

"A-Are you sure?"

"Of course," Keigo smiled, then thanked the waiter when he returned and left him a generous tip. "See you next time, Choji,"

"Of course, sir, you're always welcome any time. Have a safe night, both of you."

Hanako followed Keigo to the entrance and took the elevator down to the ground floor, falling in step beside him as they left the Umai Building that was home to many restaurants- including Yoritomi.

"Thank you for tonight, sir," Hanako said, holding her clutch close. "I had fun."

"Me too," Keigo offered her a smile. "We should do this more often."

"I'd like that," Hanako replied, returning his smile. "It's getting late, though, we should probably head home."

Keigo sighed. "I suppose you're right."

Hanako eyed him curiously for a moment. "That's a new tone," she noted, giggling a bit. "Having to much fun to call it a night?"

"I am actually," Keigo stopped as they reached the car. "But, I think I've taken up enough of your time this evening. Let me give you a ride home."

"Thank you," Hanako slid into the car as he opened the door for her and waited while he got in on the other side.

"Where to, sir?" the driver asked as Keigo closed his door.

"Ajisai Apartments, near Rakusuien in the Hakata Ward, please," Hanako answered.

"Very well."

As the driver started the engine and began the half-hour journey to the Hakata Ward.

"So, Sumiyoshi, huh?"

Hanako nodded. "It's not too far of a walk, thankfully. I take the 553 route every day unless it's raining, then I'll take the bus from Meijimachi Street and it goes along the 202 route."

"That's a twenty-minute trip either way while taking a car is only five," Keigo noted. "Why not go by car?"

"I like walking. I always bring a change of shoes so I'm not walking heels the whole time." Hanako smiled. "Besides, wouldn't you rather fly or walk than take a car?"

"Fair point."

Hanako looked at him, seeing a bit of concern still etched into his furrowed brow. "What is it?"

"Nothing, just wondering how safe it is," he said. "Even without villains about, there's still the Yakuza to deal with. Fukuoka does have the highest number of Yakuza in Japan."

"Aww, you're worried," Hanako teased a bit. "Don't worry, sir, the nearest Yakuza syndicate is an hour's drive away. Sumiyoshi is a quiet and safe area, which is part of why I chose it."

Keigo studied her expression for a few moments. "Alright, but if you ever feel unsafe you need to let me know."

"I will, I promise." Hanako reached up and poked his cheek. "And I never make a promise that I can't keep."

"We're here, Miss Itami."

Keigo and Hanako looked out the window as they pulled up to Ajisai Apartments.

"Nice place," Keigo noted as they got out of the car and he walked her to her unit.

"It is, I really like it here."

They climbed the stairs to the fifth floor in silence until they reached her door- Unit 509. "This is me," Hanako said as she turned towards him and smiled, hoping he wouldn't notice how flushed her cheeks were. "I really had fun tonight, sir, thank you."

"Thank you for coming with me," Keigo replied.

"And next time, dinner is on me, deal?" Hanako raised a brow, looking up at him hopefully.

Keigo chuckled and nodded. "It's a deal, Miss Itami."

"Sir, we've worked together long enough now that you can just call me 'Hanako'," she said, finding that she really just wanted to hear how her name sounded with his voice.

Keigo was surprised a bit by her request, but he was more than happy to oblige her. He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently. "Have a good night, Hanako."

Between the warmth of his hand and the look he gave her when he kissed her hand, Hanako felt butterflies in her stomach and her face felt as though it would erupt with bashfulness. "Y-You too, sir,"

Keigo chuckled as he stood straight and watched her fumble a moment with her keys, but before she slipped inside he paused for a moment to add, "Oh and Hanako?"

"Yes?"

"Happy birthday."

Hanako stood there, stunned, as he turned away with a smile and waved as he headed back down the stairs towards the car. 'He knew it was my birthday...?'