When Drea answered his plead with a sweet smile, he  can say that that's the closest thing he had to an acceptance.

Jared had a tough life. Aside from his mother, no one saw him past his mistakes, past his flaws. Actually, he's not even noticed by much. But then there's Drea, opening her arms and welcoming him to her world.

Osaka is a beautiful place. People are nice and warm despite the winter cold, they're very much into technology, and his hotel room proves all that. 

"Welcome to Japan," Drea smiles when they got to his room. "Now you take your rest, have some time in the jacuzzi, and tomorrow I'll fetch you for breakfast. Is that good?" 

He is still trying to absorb all of this that's why he can't answer anything better than an awkward nod. First, she bumps to him at the airport, saves his luggage from a stranger, accompanied him to this hotel, and they're having breakfast together now? Does she know all of this? Is she spying at him, too?

Unbeknownst to him, he's staring at her unconsciously. Drea laughed it off.

"You look tired. Go get some rest now," she tapped his arm then turned around where the open door awaits for her to come out.

"Thank you," he uttered shyly. Therr was a blush of red across his cheeks that he didn't like. 

She just waved goodbye and closed the door behind her. When she was finally gone, Jared removed his beanie, revealing that not-so-goo-looking head of his. Suddenly, he became conscious. If he will be with her tomorrow, alone, he should be wearing something to cover it up because she would sure tease him about it. 

He's got no idea as to.where she's staying the night, he should be worried, but since she's a local here he assumes she's got a house or at least a staying area. So instead of thinking about it, he just did what she told him to do-- get some rest, have some time in the jacuzzi. 

The night was fine.

"Yo Jared, you in there?" 

It was the first knock on his door the other day. He's thankful to have woken up an hour prior just to get ready for the day. If not, Drea's loud voice would've been his alarm clock and she would see him in his jammies. He's not comfortable around her when he's not wearing office clothes.

Today, he wore a simple white hoodie. Not much for fashion but this is the first time in years that he was so conscious about grooming himself. He spent time in front of the mirror and he doesn't usually do that. Honestly, though, why is he treating this out-with-Drea thing like a date?

He walked to his door and opened it to find Drea standing five inches away. There was already a smile on her face when the first thing she did was check him out. 

To his surprise, she's wearing almost exactly the same clothes he is. White hoodie, jeans, a black little bag. Everything was the same except that the hood of his jacket is up his head. 

Drea's brows creased. "What's with the hood?" She tiptoed to remove the thing on his head but he was quick to step back so she won't reach it. 

"Don't mind it, let's just go." 

They stayed walking but the woman won't stop teasing him. She would jump as they walk just to reach his head and that's annoying him.

"Jared, that haircut is trendy here, don't worry." She laughed but he wasn't convinced to put the hood down. he still had to stare at her eyes for a couple seconds to confirm before he sulked at wearing it off.

Her playful smile lit up the alley they were at. Spending the morning, they headed to a restaurant that served the best Japanese cuisine in town. Drea even bragged about it. 

This is not how he pictured his vacation to be. Not that he's complaining, this is a bit better in a way of convenience but him being here to forget all about New York is somehow ruined because of a co-worker's sudden appearance.

"This is why Captain Bowers didn't appoint me as your partner," she says in the middle of eating. 

"What?"

"You hate me."

"Huh?"

"Michaela loves me, you don't. I'm lucky she's my partner." She then proudly ate a nigiri using her chopsticks.

"She loved me, too," he mumbled softly. But since it's only them two in their table, she heard it clearly and smiled.

"Now that's what we're here for! Come on, don't be shy, pour your heart out."

"Are you always this curious?"

She winked. "A little bit."

And so it started. He doesn't know where he got the courage or the trust to tell her all about his relationship with Michaela-- except for the unexplainable parts of course-- but she didn't mind. Though it was cheesy, a little too pupp-love-ish, toxic. She seems to understand everything and nods at it unless she's got something to say or a joke to crack.

He just said to himself two days ago that Drea is suspicious but here he is, walking with her in the streets of Osaka while talking about the prom night when he asked Mick as his date.

He's enjoying the talk, eyes on her as they walked, and since he's from New York, he didn't mind the cars on the streets but Drea watched them all for him until one of his feet almost stepped out of the pavement and she grabbed him by his hand. His hand.

"This is Japan, not New York, Vasquez. Jaywalking is a thing here." 

She dragged him to the other side of the street, crossing the correct pedestrian lane while still holding his hand. It didn't seem to be a big deal for her so it shouldn't be a big deal for him either. But her hands are impeccably warm that he can't just ignore. Besides, no one held hands with him for a long time so maybe he's just surprised of what she did.

Drea has got her eyes on her phone and a hand with Jared just so she won't lose him. 

"Are musical theaters your kind of thing?" She asked, 

"No, boring."

"What about museums?" 

His expression soured as he shook his head.

"Okay, how about we go to the palace?" 

"What palace?"

"Osaka-jo. Its Instagram worthy, you have a cam with you?" 

"Yeah."

"Good. You have to take pictures so you can change your ancient FB display," she snorted at that, causing Jared's face to crumple.

"You know my Facebook account?" 

"Damn right I do. You need to accept my friend request."

That's when they headed to the place she said they'll go. A very old palace, designed intricately and with a great view of the nature surrounding it. 

Drea led the way, as usual. They weren't the only tourists there but it was as if they owned the place. Everywhere Miss Mikami steps into, all the people go away as if she's some sort of princess with a hugh power. But the term princess doesn't suit a woman like her, who's funny and charming. A little cheeky, even. 

And while Jared is bothered by the way she holds his hand, he likes it.

"Smile!" She yells to him as she clicked the shutter, laughing right after. "Jared, why are you smiling like a horse? Give me the good thing, come on!"

He rolled his eyes and strikes another smile for her while posing his best next to a rock wall. 

"My goodness, you look like a 1520's castle guard. Take it easy now, you're not Detective Vasquez today."

And so he obeyed, relaxed his posture a little bit and then made wacky faces and peace sign poses. They spent the day like that, knowing more about Japan's emperors, their culture, clothing, and most importantly he learnt how to be photogenic with his photographer for the day.

Of course Drea won't want to miss out. Using his camera, she also made him take photographs of her but to her disappointment, he's not an expert in using that thing. If her shots aren't against the light or blurred, they're candid in an ugly way. But that's okay, she can visit this place some other time and bring a professional photographer with her. However, the chance of having a good friend with her right here and now is something she doesn't want to miss. She pulls Jared beside her and raises the camera in front of them.

"One, two, three, smile!" She clicked capture. Repeated it a number of times with different poses and finally checked out their pictures.

"See? That's how you take pictures, baby." 

Jared just casually nodded at her brag. He's starting to get comfortable and that's not okay. He's got to get his guards up.

"Okay, now I'm hungry. Where'd you want to eat?"

Guards up, he said. But when Drea grabbed his hand once again to take them two to lunch, he forgot that.