"Miss Kaioh, lovely to see you as always. We've missed you around here. Shall I take you to your usual seat?" The handsome host's smile is genuine, and his eyes sparkle as he takes in Michiru's graceful white dress adorned with a simple red brooch. "Brave choice of colour," he adds, raising his eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
"I guess I am feeling rather courageous tonight," Michiru says with a laugh. "I'm not quite sure what I'm getting into here, but it isn't the usual dinner occasion. Is there a Haruka here yet?"
"Ah yes, the famous Haruka Tenoh. I'll take you right over. This way, please." The host takes the lead, showing Michiru towards one of the outer seats in the revolving restaurant that would offer an unhindered view of the city. Before arriving at the table, the host leans down to whisper into Michiru's ear. "Listen, Miss Kaioh. I know that it's none of my business, but I just ask that you be careful. You're not the first pretty lady that Ms. Tenoh has brought here."
"I understand", the young woman replies with a sweet smile, "And I do appreciate your concern." As the host makes his exit, Michiru turns her full attention to her dinner companion.
"Miss Kaioh. You look...amazing," Haruka's voice is at its huskiest, and the look in her eyes reveals her approval.
Michiru is pleased, sensing that this game would be even easier than she expected. "You clean up well enough yourself," she offers, returning the compliment with a smile. "Quite handsome, even."
Indeed, Haruka is back to her formal ways, having chosen a white shirt with subtle ruffles and a bow tie, along with a dark jacket, to frame her figure. "I took the liberty of ordering our wine and our appetizers. I hope you don't mind."
The latter phrase is obviously a statement, not a question, and everything that Michiru has read about Haruka Tenoh's domineering tendencies is instantly confirmed. "Not at all," the smaller woman replies, reaching into her purse and pulling out her voice recorder. "A little wine will help set the mood for our interview, don't you think?"
Haruka's eyes narrow as she stares at the device on the table. "I'd prefer to use the term 'conversation'. And I'd much prefer that we don't record any of it."
"That's fine. But I'm going to start my piece by saying that you are most obviously a control freak who could benefit from increased yoga and meditation. We do live in Vancouver, after all."
Even Haruka can't help smiling at the joke made at her expense. "Fair point, Miss Kaioh." After nodding to their server to pour the white wine, Haruka turns her gaze towards the window. "Beautiful view, isn't it?"
"Absolutely. I love watching the waves, the ebb and flow of the tides. I could get lost in it all day." The aqua-haired beauty has a dreamy look on her face as her eyes follow the patterns of the ocean.
"I'm afraid that I'm going to have to interrupt your fantasies with some dinner. Why don't we decide what we're going to eat, and then we can get to know each other better?"
The two women place their orders, then focus on the wine in front of them in a surprisingly comfortable silence. Finally, Michiru reaches out to put the voice recorder back into her purse, and looks squarely on her companion. "Okay, Haruka-san. That's enough stalling. Now I want to know everything there is to know about you."