Chapter 2
The Door of Possibilities

The Regency Bar rose before us, its front bathed in the subdued glow of lanterns. Hiro shoved the door open, pulling me along in his wake. The atmosphere hit me at once: lively conversations, clinking glasses, jazz playing low. Not bad.

Yoshi, my friend, the girls are over there, said Hiro, pointing at a table with his chin.

Three women were waiting for us. I followed Hiro, discreetly taking in the decor. Chessboards here and there, a few guys concentrating on their games. The place had character.

Hi, girls, said Hiro, kissing a brunette. This is Yoshi, the colleague I keep going on about.

Akiko, the brunette introduced herself with a knowing smile, and my friends Mei and Yuki.

I greeted them with a nod. Mei, clearly straight from the office, had swapped her jacket for a more relaxed look. Yuki, in sportswear, stood out in this hushed bar but carried it off perfectly.

Pleased to meet you, murmured Mei with a shyness at odds with her curious gaze.

At last! exclaimed Yuki. We were starting to think Hiro had made you up.

I sat down between the two of them, noticing it was the only free chair. Calculated, Hiro.

Fuck, you're going to scare him off before he's even ordered, laughed Hiro.

I hailed the waiter with a gesture. A whisky. Then, turning to the girls: So, the verdict? Do I match the portrait Hiro painted of me?

Yuki sized me up openly. How do you survive in your corporate jungle? Must be epic, no?

Coffee, overtime, and sometimes... I raised my glass, which had just arrived. A pick-me-up to remind me that I don't run the world yet.

Mei giggled, her hand brushing my arm. And there I was complaining about my internship...

In what? I asked.

Cosmetics. Between the lipstick tests and my boss who... She blushed.

Who she has a massive crush on, Yuki finished without mercy.

That's not true! protested Mei, but her smile gave her away.

What do you do, Yuki? I went on.

Shrink. But tonight I feel like being on the patient's side for once.

She gave me a lingering look. Direct, that one. Not unpleasant.

And you, Yoshi, Akiko resumed, Hiro told us you play chess?

I glanced at the game tables. Now and then. Why, are there enthusiasts here?

Hiro snickered. Are you kidding? It's THE house speciality. Games until all hours, guys who think they're Kasparov...

Interesting. I sipped my whisky, feeling the alcohol warm my throat.

A different perfume suddenly reached me. Subtle, a blend of flowers and precious woods. Nothing like the sugary notes floating around our table.

I turned my head instinctively. A figure had just come in, heading for the counter. Midnight-blue kimono, a fluid walk that cut through the bustle around her. She made her way through the crowd with natural ease.

Our eyes met for a second. I nearly knocked over my glass.

Yoshi? Mei's voice brought me back to earth. You were saying you had a story about your last chess game?

Ah, yes. I forced myself to look at her. Well, as it happens...

Fuck, impossible to concentrate. Out of the corner of my eye I could still see that figure at the bar. Yuki's laughter, Hiro's comments, Mei's questions—everything reached me as if through a filter.

I stood up, trying to look natural. Right, I'll go get us another round.

Great! said Yuki. Bring me something with fruit in it, I'm not fussy.

I nodded mechanically, already moving toward the counter. Toward her.

The crowd seemed to be conspiring against me. I threaded my way between the groups, dodging the waiters, my eyes fixed on her.

When I reached the counter, I found myself only a few steps from this stranger. Up close, she was even more beautiful. Her dark kimono contrasted with the paleness of her skin, and her gestures had a precision that fascinated me.

She stood there, motionless, watching the ballet of the barmen. When she turned slightly, our eyes met again. This time, she did not look away.

I felt my pulse quicken. Fuck, what was happening to me?

Gathering my courage, I approached. For an instant I hesitated over how to proceed. Then, recovering my reflexes, I leaned slightly toward her.

Good evening, I said simply. Would you do me the honour of accepting a drink?

She tilted her head, an enigmatic smile on her lips. In the half-light of the bar, her eyes shone with a gleam I could not decipher.

Gladly, she answered in a soft voice that made me shiver.

I signalled to the barman, aware that the evening was taking a completely unexpected turn. Behind me I could vaguely hear my companions laughing, but they suddenly seemed very far away.