He likes her...

Kenji couldn't help but feel a little concerned about Moriko's extended absence in the restaurant's comfort room. He was aware that she had gone to freshen up, but it was taking longer than expected. In his mind, he was contemplating asking Mariko to check on her sister when he noticed Mariko engrossed in her phone, texting someone with a focused expression.

Deciding not to disturb Mariko, Kenji leaned back in his seat, still keeping an eye on the restaurant's entrance in the hope that Moriko would return soon. He was genuinely interested in getting to know her better and wanted their dinner to continue smoothly.

Mariko, engrossed in her texting, noticed Kenji's slight disappointment and immediately decided to explain. She put her phone down and addressed him with a reassuring smile.

"Kenji, I apologize for Moriko's sudden departure," Mariko began. "She had an emergency to attend to, and she had to head home quickly. I hope it doesn't cause any inconvenience."

Kenji appreciated Mariko's consideration and nodded, though he couldn't hide a tinge of disappointment. "No problem at all, Mariko. I understand that emergencies happen. I just wished we had more time to get to know each other better."

Mariko nodded in understanding, sharing his sentiment. "I'm sorry about that. We can always plan another get-together soon, so you'll have a chance to spend more time with her."

Kenji brightened up at the suggestion. "That sounds great, Mariko. I'd really like that. Thank you for understanding."

As Mariko and Kenji continued their conversation, Mariko couldn't shake off her curiosity about Kenji's sudden decision to organize the dinner. She leaned in slightly, her tone filled with curiosity.

"Kenji," Mariko began, "I couldn't help but notice that you've never really organized a dinner like this before. Is there a special reason behind it?"

Kenji hesitated for a moment, considering how much he should reveal. However, he respected Mariko and didn't want to keep secrets. He decided to be honest.

"Well, Mariko," Kenji began, "I've been intrigued by your sister, Moriko, ever since I met her today. There's something about her that's quite captivating. I thought organizing this dinner would give me a chance to get to know her better."

Mariko couldn't help but smile, realizing that her intuition was right. "I see," she said, suppressing a grin. "Well, Moriko is quite a unique person. I'm sure she appreciated the dinner, and I'm glad you two had a chance to chat."

Kenji smiled back at Mariko, feeling relieved that she didn't seem upset by his admission. "Thank you, Mariko. I hope I'll get the opportunity to see her again soon."

Mariko nodded, thinking that perhaps a bit of matchmaking was in order. "I'll make sure to arrange that. Maybe the next time, all three of us--- or just the two of you can have dinner together."

Kenji's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "That sounds like a wonderful idea, Mariko. I look forward to it."

Kenji then leaned in slightly and asked, "Mariko, I couldn't help but notice that you and Moriko seem to be quite different from each other. Can you tell me more about your childhood? Were you always this different?"

Mariko smiled, thinking about the obvious differences between her and Moriko. "Oh, absolutely," she replied. "Ever since we were children, we've had our own unique interests and personalities. Moriko was always the more adventurous and outgoing one. She loved trying new things, like martial arts, and was quite independent from a young age. As for me, I was more reserved and focused on my studies. I've always been drawn to technology and business."

Kenji found the contrast between the sisters fascinating. "It's amazing how you both turned out to be so successful in your respective fields," he remarked. "It must have been quite an interesting journey growing up together."

Mariko nodded. "Yes, it definitely was. We've always supported each other's endeavors, even if they were very different. It's part of what makes our bond so strong."

Kenji forced a smiled, appreciating Mariko's dedication to her sister. "It's clear that you care deeply for each other," he said. "That's something truly special."Kenji's eyes revealed a hint of discomfort. It was clear that Kenji had complex feelings about sibling relationships, possibly related to his own family dynamics.

He quickly changed the subject, asking Mariko more about her work and Nexus. However, the brief moment of tension lingered in the air, leaving Mariko to wonder about Kenji's past and the reasons behind his somewhat strained reaction to the topic of sibling love.

As Kenji and Mariko continued their dinner, the atmosphere felt more like an extension of their earlier business meeting. They discussed Nexus, its upcoming product launch, and the potential impact of their collaboration. They touched upon market strategies, the competition, and shared insights on industry trends.

Despite the initial tension over the topic of sibling love, their conversation flowed smoothly as business partners. They were both passionate about their work and dedicated to making their collaboration a success. As they delved deeper into the discussion, the dinner transformed into an opportunity to brainstorm and exchange ideas, reinforcing the professional bond between them.

The restaurant's ambiance and the delicious food on their plates served as a backdrop to their strategic planning. The evening became a productive and fruitful continuation of their partnership, setting the stage for the exciting developments to come in the world of virtual reality and gaming.