Something unexpected

While they sat at the restaurant's perfect spot, waiting for their meal to arrive, Jiro decided to strike up a conversation with Moriko. He wanted to learn more about her interests. Leaning in slightly, he asked in a casual tone, "So, Moriko, what are your interests? Do you have any hobbies or passions that you enjoy pursuing?"

Moriko, slightly surprised by Jiro's genuine interest in her, hesitant, she smiled and replied, "Well, I do have a few interests of my own. I'm quite fond of music, especially classical music. I've always had a fascination with the violin."

Jiro raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Classical music, huh? That's interesting. What draws you to the violin in particular?"

Moriko's eyes sparkled as she began to explain her passion. "There's just something about the soulful melodies and the way the violin can evoke emotions that captivates me. I even learned to play it when I lived in Italy for a while."

Jiro's eyes flickered in interest upon Moriko's mentioned of living in Italy. Moriko noticed this so she decided to probe a bit more into that topic, hoping to keep the conversation engaging.

"Have you been to Italy?" Moriko asked curiously, hoping that Jiro's interests might align with her experiences.

Jiro leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "Yeah, a few times," he admitted, his tone somewhat cryptic. "I've had some business there."

Moriko raised an eyebrow, curious but not wanting to pry too much into Jiro's dealings. "Italy is such a beautiful country," she said instead. "I lived there for a while, and the culture, the architecture, and the food were amazing. Do you have any favorite places or experiences from your visits?"

Jiro smiled faintly, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "Italy certainly has its charm. There's this little café in Rome that I used to visit," he began, sharing a more personal side of himself. "They made the best espresso I've ever had. And the view from the rooftop was something else."

In reality, the café that Jiro mentioned was in Sicily and it held a much deeper significance than he had revealed to Moriko. It wasn't merely a charming place for coffee and relaxation; it was a clandestine meeting point where underworld alliances were forged, and shadowy deals were struck.

The rooftop of that very café had witnessed some of the most significant moments in Jiro's life. It was where he had met with powerful mafia leaders, where secret agreements had been made, and where alliances were solidified in the world of organized crime.

From that vantage point, high above the serene streets of Sicily, the mafia gang leader had once shown Jiro the sprawling dominion of their criminal empire. The breathtaking view had extended far beyond the café's rooftop, revealing the extent of their influence and control over the island.

However, realizing that delving further into a conversation about experiences in Italy might accidentally reveal some dangerous aspects of his life, Jiro decided that it was best to steer in a different direction. He shifted his attention back to Moriko, a faint smile gracing his lips.

"You know," he paused, "I've been quite curious about something since we met earlier. Your talent in taekwondo. That's quite impressive. How did you get into it?"

Moriko appreciated the change in topic and leaned in slightly, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Oh, I've always been interested in self-defense and physical fitness. When I was younger, I started taking Taekwondo classes. It wasn't long before I fell in love with the discipline and the sense of empowerment it gave me. Over the years, I've competed in tournaments and even taught some self-defense classes."

Although Moriko shared her passion for Taekwondo with Jiro, there was a deeper and more personal reason behind her dedication to the martial art. Her father had been an 8th dan black belt and a highly respected master in the art of Taekwondo. He had been her first teacher, imparting not just the physical techniques but also the philosophy and discipline that came with it.

"That's incredible. It must have taken a lot of dedication and hard work. Do you still practice Taekwondo regularly?" Jiro was genuinely intrigued by her passion for martial arts. 

Moriko nodded. "Yes, whenever I can find the time. It's a great way to stay fit and sharp."

Jiro listened attentively, genuinely interested in her response. It seemed that he wanted to get to know Moriko for who she was, not just as Mariko's twin sister.

When their Italian dinner was served before them, Moriko and Jiro continued to engage in a lively conversation. They spoke about their interests, life experiences, and even shared a few humorous anecdotes. The atmosphere between them was surprisingly relaxed and comfortable, as if they had known each other for much longer than just one evening. While they savored their meals, Moriko learned about Jiro's love for classic motorcycles and his passion for restoring vintage bikes. He spoke animatedly about the joy of riding on the open road, the wind in his hair, and the sense of freedom it brought him. Moriko found herself captivated by his descriptions, imagining the thrill of cruising on two wheels.

As the evening wore on, they realized that they had much more in common than they had initially thought. Despite the unusual circumstances of their meeting, there was an undeniable connection between them. Time seemed to fly by as they continued to enjoy each other's company, forgetting about the outside world for a while.

By the end of the evening, as they finished their dessert and coffee, Moriko and Jiro couldn't help but exchange warm smiles. It had been an unexpectedly pleasant dinner, one that neither of them had anticipated when they first crossed paths. They both felt a surprising sense of satisfaction in each other's company. Also, the Italian cuisine had been exquisite, and Chef Takashi's culinary skills had left them both thoroughly impressed.

Moriko was the first to express her gratitude. She turned to Chef Takashi and offered her compliments, praising him for the delectable meal. Then, she turned to Jiro and thanked him for the treat, her smile genuine and appreciative.

Just as Moriko was about to suggest that it was time to part ways, Jiro surprised her by expressing his gratitude as well. He looked into her eyes and spoke earnestly. Jiro mentioned that he had been pondering Moriko's earlier words about taking a chance. He admitted that he now thought it was a good idea to introduce himself formally to Mariko.

Moriko forced a smile in response to Jiro's unexpected decision. She nodded, her expression subtly unsettled.  "That's a positive step, Jiro," she replied, her tone encouraging though. "It's always better to be straightforward and honest with people. I hope it goes well when you do."

As Jiro mentioned that he'd formally introduce himself to Mariko, a bittersweet feeling washed over Moriko. She couldn't help but feel a gnawing disappointment, even though Jiro seemed to had enjoyed their evening together. The bitter truth remained, Jiro's heart still belongs to Mariko, and it was clear that his feelings for her twin sister ran deep.

She couldn't fault him for that, of course. Love, especially unrequited love that had persisted for almost a decade, was a powerful force. Mariko had obviously left a lasting impression on him, one that time hadn't been able to erase.

Moriko was happy for her sister, truly she was. But deep down, there was a small part of her that wished, just for a moment, that it was her whom Jiro saw that day. So he'd longed for her instead of her sister, Mariko. 

It was a complicated mix of emotions, and Moriko knew it wasn't fair to hold those feelings against Jiro. After all, they had only just met, and it was impossible for him to change his longstanding affections in one evening. She had to remind herself that sometimes, life didn't unfold the way we wished it would.

So, despite Jiro's insistence on driving Moriko home, she politely declined his offer, appreciating his generosity but not wanting to impose further.

With a smile, she said, "Thank you, Jiro, for the wonderful dinner and the company. You've already done enough by treating me to this great meal. My apartment is just a short distance away, and I can easily grab a cab. I'll be fine, I promise."

Jiro nodded reluctantly, realizing that Moriko had a point. He couldn't push her further, especially after their dinner had ended on such a positive note. Reluctantly, he said, "Alright, Moriko. But if you ever change your mind or need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. It was a pleasure spending time with you tonight."

With those parting words, Moriko left the restaurant, and Jiro watched her go, his thoughts swirling with the unexpected connection he had found in her. He couldn't shake the feeling of attachment that had settled in his heart. It was strange, and he found himself questioning the source of these newfound emotions. Was it because Moriko was Mariko's sister, and he felt like he had gained the approval of someone so important to the woman he had admired for years?

He couldn't deny that spending an evening with Moriko had been unexpectedly enjoyable. She was witty, charming, and easy to talk to, and he had genuinely liked her company. But what did that mean for him and his feelings for Mariko?

Jiro's heart was a complex puzzle, with pieces that didn't quite fit together the way he had expected. He couldn't help but wonder if he was starting to see Moriko as more than just Mariko's sister. Perhaps, in that one evening, a connection had formed that he hadn't anticipated.

As he continued to walk towards the parking lot, he knew he needed time to sort through these feelings. He had to figure out what was truly in his heart and whether his attachment to Moriko was a fleeting moment or the beginning of something new and unexpected.