"miss hasegawa," he says with a slight nod of his head at her whilst the bartender, anton, moves to grab the second bottle. nikkari does as he always does - extends an arm out for yumi to sit, tucks some of his papers into a folder, and turns his computer screen away. 

it has a privacy screen and even then, glimpsing it shows only his real estate backend.

"if you'd prefer i reserve a conference room, i'd be happy to oblige, though i would miss the wine." he smiles. "and the company."

anton returns, displaying the bottle in careful fashion. nikkari's gaze sweeps over it only briefly before giving a nod. he inspects the cork, swirls a taste, and muses, "ah, it's lovely. thank you, anton," he says, as the bartender pours yumi's supposed glass.

Yumi Hasegawa

☉

he's hedged his bets. he's done his own digging. jayden cross accepting him into the fold of the organization has given him some measure of reach, despite being low on the totem pole. her books are beautifully done. public records are flawless, despite the impromptu disappearance of the previous owner. the place seems better in her care anyway.

"a host that values their ambiance uninhibited by the blue light of computer screens," he says dryly, though his expression is teasingly light. 

"you ought to send a search party after me if that happens. i'm a horrible creature of habit, save for when i'm not." he tips his glass towards anton. "and besides, where else would i go that would treat me like you do here?"

he turns his head. "honestly, it's made me feel as though i need to do something deserving of your time." he smiles cheekily. "and what could i do that might captivate the lady hasigawa?"

Yumi Hasegawa

☉

his interest is piqued at normally and at her suggestive language, he raises a brow and tips his glass towards her. their conversations are typically interesting; he's learned a decent bit about her interest in tea, glimpsed hints of her life before hoenn and what makes her yumi. 

he scans the phone screen with careful consideration. she's a decently big enough name that his face might stick in the mind of a few. his civilian persona might benefit from the peppering and if his suspicions are correct about yumi, it would only be a boon to his network. 

but he finds himself wondering if he's only mulling these things over under a need for justification - he wants to go. and he wants to go with her. 

"do you prefer box seats or orchestra?" he asks.

Yumi Hasegawa

☉

box seats would be more intimate. he takes a careful sip of his wine while she deliberates. she's a social enough butterfly, amiable with her guests, but there's a chance she prefers the cover of felt curtains, the lights askew, the people distant. he craves it - admiration from a distance. to be in something, but not part of it.

she makes her decision and he quirks a smile around his swallow, wine beading his lips.

"i trust your judgment, but that's not the question, is it? no, miss hasegawa, i prefer box seats, but it would be of little consequence to me if i know you prefer orchestra. have you seen them before? in johto?"

Yumi Hasegawa

☉

it would be in poor manners to object and besides, he'll be able to enjoy himself more this way, like she says. so he acquiesces with a shrug of his shoulders and has the courtesy to look away from the screen while she completes the transaction. 

more than the prospect of spending time with her is the tantalizing tidbit of information she drops. her lips twist and intrigue blossoms, curiosity smoothed over with a pass of fiddling fingers over his tie. he thumbs the silky accessory and contemplates her discomfort. 

"i will," he says firmly. he sets his glass down and tilts his head, allowing a blink's time to examine her face. "i never had an appetite for the arts. my mother fell in love with a tortured artist - my father - and blamed all of her miseries on him." his lips twinge in a smile.

Yumi Hasegawa

☉

he had opened the door, curious to see if she'd want to pass through the threshold. the how is respectable - a gentle probing, a soft conversation between companions. he could wave it away if he wanted to, turn their discussion back to wine, if there are any renowned names in the upcoming performance, etc.

"precarious," he says. "she was young when she had me, but she was a strong woman. kept her head above water, a roof over us, and went hungry if we didn't have enough food for the two of us."

he chuckles. "she was a cunning, manipulative woman, and i was folded into her and my aunt's family business rather young." the implication lingers there in his eyes. he takes a light sip of wine.

Yumi Hasegawa

☉