The phone vibrated in her pocket for the fourth time. Ren took off the latex gloves and threw them in the bin. She wiped the talcum powder on her lab coat and picked up the phone.

"Nakagawa speaking,"

"Miss Nakagawa Ren, my name is Natsume Hina, I am calling from **** Agency."

Ren straightened up. "Yes?" her palms suddenly felt sweaty.

"I am calling to invite you to a requested meeting. Will Friday 16:00 pm be of convenience to you?" the woman's monotone voice continued talking, but the only thing Ren heard was Friday 16:00 pm.

"Yes, I will be there."

"Should you have any issued finding the Agency, please do not hesitate to call us. Have a good day." The woman hanged up, leaving Ren in a bemused state. Suddenly a smile crept on her face. She put her phone away and put on another pair of latex gloves. The safety goggles were securely pushed up her nose as she returned to the blood samples. So, he did not forget. She thought, feeling unusual lightness in her chest. She took a couple of deep breaths savouring the moment and proceeded to prepare the samples for the next series of experiments.


Friday came quicker than she expected. She hummed a song under her breath as she tried to choose what to wear. The woman who called her did not specify any details of the meeting. So, the meeting could either be business oriented or more personal. "It's a dilemma for sure," she mumbled under her breath and ran a brush through her long hair.

When she entered the Agency a woman in her mid-forties stood up from her desk and greeted her. She led her to the conference room and offered the girl a seat. Ren unbuttoned the oversized dark blue blazer and sat down.

"Can I offer you something to drink?"

"Coffee please,"

"Milk, sugar?"

Ren shook her head. "Plain."

Soon a steaming cup of coffee was placed in front of her and the woman hurried to exit the room. Ren leaned back on the comfortable leather chair and looked around. Like Toshinori's place the décor was minimalistic and practical. She sipped the coffee, noting that it was just as good as the one Toshinori made for her. The door open and his large figure stepped into the room. Her lips parted as her eyes laid upon his buff body in formal black trousers and a white shirt, which hugged his frame like second skin. Ren had never been attracted to built men, in fact, most of the time, they made her cringe, but something about the way he held his posture attracted her.

She felt heat rise to her cheeks. Ren swallowed suddenly aware of her racing heartbeat.

"Miss Nakagawa," he said striking her with a small smile.

"Mr Symbol of Peace," she nodded getting up and shaking his hand.

"Toshinori,"

"Ren,"

He sat opposite her and allowed the silence to settle between them. They watched each other intently. Ren took another sip of the coffee and shifted in her seat.

Toshi's eyes travelled from her face to her earring, feeling the urge to run his fingers over them, just like the first time he saw her. His gaze slid to her neck as he searched for the hints of the slower tattoo, but this time it was perfectly covered with a white blouse.

"You've been seeking audience with me for quite a few times." He finally said. "I was surprised to see the number of times you have called in the previous two months."

She nodded lightly, understanding that the conversation they were going to have will revolve around work.

"I have contacted your Agency several times, but each time I received a polite rejection." She started returning to her "business" self. "The reason I have requested a meeting was to invite you to participate in my research." Ren pushed a strand of her hair back and opened her bag taking out a folder. She placed it in front of herself and gently pushed it towards Toshinori. "This is a detailed overview and plan of the research I am currently working on. Briefly speaking it is a biological study of quirks on genetic level." She interlocked her fingers in front of her. "I am looking at the role of genes in determining the traits and strength of the quirks, starting from the weakest, and slowly accelerating to the strongest. You are known to have one of the most powerful and unique quirks. If you would agree to participate in my study, it would be a supreme donation to the area of genetic research." As soon as she finished her speech, Ren felt relieved.

Toshinori Yagi listened carefully to her explanation, feeling more and more tense with every word. The gentle smile never left his face, yet his insides were twisting in numerous knots.

"I understand," he finally said, "But unfortunately I must decline," his throat and mouth felt dry as he spoke those words.

Ren could barely hide her disappointment.

"Of course," she finally spoke. "I appreciate your directness; everybody is entitled to their privacy." She reached out for the file, but he stopped her.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to read over it," he said politely, but the truth was that he just wanted a reason to meet her again.

Ren smiled. "Of course." She finished her coffee and got up. "Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to see me," she said extending her arm for a handshake. Toshinori's large hand connected with hers, but he did not rush to release it. The nerve endings on his skin stirred and tingled sending waves of pleasure throughout his body.

"If you are free, would you like to have dinner with me?" his kind blue eyes looked directly into hers. There was a pang in her chest, which forced to clench his hand a little tighter.

"I'd love to," she responded, cussing at herself in her mind. The dinner was uncalled for and completely unprofessional. Ren was shocked at how easily she gave in. Toshinori opened the door for her and they made their way out of the Agency.

"What food do you like?" he asked opening the car door for her.

"Pizza," she responded without thinking.

He chuckled.

"What?" Ren questioned, putting on the seatbelt.

"Nothing. Nothing at all. Pizza it is."