Ame groaned in confusion as she saw the zip-up Hao brought in amongst the laundry. Why did Marion not toss it in the lost and found? And why did he leave it? She took it from the laundry basket and threw the towels into the washer; Marion could finish them since Ame's shift was over.

Tossing the zip-up over her arm, she took it to the primary office and opened the door to find Manta inside. Her brow puckered. What was he doing here this late? Manta was the bookkeeper of the inn and the sole benefactor, donating millions to turn Anna's dream into a proper business. As a long-time friend to Yoh, Ame was in awe at his commitment.

"Ame? What are you still doing here?" Manta asked upon seeing her.

She gently smiled. "I stayed over to start the laundry. And to bring this to the lost and found."

Ame showed him the zip-up and watched as Manta puckered a brow.

"Hao was wearing that when he came in," he mentioned.

Ame agreed with a nod. "Marion tossed it into the laundry for some reason."

"That can't be a coincidence," Manta thought.

He sighed. "Marion is a friend of his, Matilda and Kanna too. You could give it to one of them."

Ame didn't know that. The three waitresses never mentioned Hao to her before.

"Yeah, I'll do that."

She wished Manta a good night, then gathered her bag and hurried to the inn entrance. Outside she saw Kanna against the wall smoking a cigarette. Ame was relieved to know that she was still around. The waitresses sometimes worked over as instructed.

"I'm glad I caught you," Ame said as she let out a deep breath.

Kanna puckered a brow and hummed as Ame showed her the zip-up.

Hao left this," she mentioned. "Manta said that you're a friend of his. Do you think you could give it back to him?"

Kanna shook her head. "I won't see him for a week or two."

"Maybe Mati or Marion could take it," Ame mentioned.

She should have put it in the lost and found bin.

"Why not take it to him?" Kanna suggested as she blew smoke into the air. "You seem the most concerned about it."

Was she? Ame grunted. Perhaps she was. There was a strong interest in him that drew her like a moth to a flame. But what made her like this? Ame wasn't sure.

"I don't know where he lives," she declared.

Kanna grinned. "Let me write it down for you."

She thanked her.

Ame woke up early on Sunday and dressed in a blouse and shorts. Her shift at the inn started much later, so she decided she had time to take the zip-up to Hao at his apartment. She took it from her dresser then quickly fled onto the crowded street, heading to the address Kanna wrote down - an apartment in the Minami district.

Knocking on the door, she waited for someone to answer. Once they did, Ame was in awe upon seeing who stood on the other side. She had no idea Luchist knew Hao.

"Herr (mister) Lasso," she greeted. "It's nice to see you again."

Said man grinned. "Likewise."

Did he know she was coming? Or perhaps he knew they would meet again so soon.

Luchist motioned for her to come in, but Ame shook her head.

"I only came by to give something back to Hao that he left at the inn," she mentioned.

He hummed. "Kanna mentioned that you'd be coming by. Master Hao was eager to speak with you."

Ame relaxed her shoulders. He wanted to see her. A strange sensation washed over her; solace.

"I have a few hours to spare," she said with a gentle smile.

Luchist moved aside and let her come in before shutting the door. Ame stood beside him, glancing around the bare room. She noticed a young dark-skinned teen on the couch across from her and grinned as Luchist led her through the crowded apartment. Did other people live here? Perhaps Hao was a hoarder.

Leading Ame to the back room, Luchist knocked on the door and waited for confirmation before he let her step inside, giving them privacy.

Ame saw Hao at a table and hummed as he offered her a seat. A bed in the corner gave him the impression that she was in his bedroom.

"It's a mess; I am aware. But this apartment is only temporary while we're in the city," Hao mentioned.

Ame shook her head. "It's not an issue."

She sat down and laid the zip-up onto the tabletop.

Hao grinned. "Thank you for bringing it back."

"It was no problem" she replied. Her face heated up in embarrassment. "I made sure to wash it for you."

He hummed. "That's generous of you. Though, I admit I left it there on purpose in hopes that you would find a way to return it to me."

He did what? She was in awe at his blunt comment.

"Why?" Ame asked in shock.

Hao narrowed his eyes. "Because I want to get to know you."

Her heart pounded in her chest. Was Hao serious?

Again she asked, "Why?"

"Does there have to be a reason? That's how attraction works," he explained with a laugh. She was a naïve girl.

But she met him only a few days ago. There was no way he liked her.

"Umm, I don't know what to say."

No one had ever told her that they were attracted to her, at least not openly as Hao had.

"Have dinner with me soon," he suggested.

Heat spread across her face. Ame opened her mouth to give him an answer, a confirmation, a rejection; she wasn't sure which. But a knock on the door interrupted her.

Hao narrowed his eyes in annoyance as Luchist walked in. He carried a cell phone in his hand.

"Forgive me, but you have a phone call. It's essential," Luchist mentioned.

Hao sighed and turned his attention back to Ame. "I hate to cut this short, but I have to deal with a client. Give some thought to my offer in the meantime."

What sort of work did he do?

She nodded and stood up, waiting for Luchist to walk her to the front door. The said man wished her a brief farewell and watched as she left.

Ame leaned against the outside wall and grinned. Yes. There was no reason to think it over. Her answer was yes.