Thanks for dropping in to read my story.

UPDATE 2017 – For the readers who read this story previously: I moved to Asia and visited Japan recently. It was amazing! My experience inspired me to make (even more) significant changes to my story. I also changed the currency to yen, made the school system accurate to the Japanese's system, and altered some of the characters' roles. Thanks so much for sticking with my story!

(An example of currency exchange: 1,000 yen (¥) = 10 dollars ($), ¥100 = $1)

Disclaimer: The author of this story does not own Rurouni Kenshin but the ideas of the story belong to her.

March 24

"On the count of three! One! Two! Three!"

Five men and women heaved and grunted as they lifted a piece of dry wall off of the ground then pushed it upright against the freshly built wooden frame. It was the last wall the volunteers had to put up to finish framing the orphanage's new sleeping quarters. A celebratory cry cheered from all around.

A man with a red baseball cap picked up a megaphone. "Thank you, everyone, for your hard work thus far. Please take a fifteen minute break and then we'll start building the roof."

Himura Kenshin wiped his brow with the back of his wrist. The spring air was cool but he had been working non-stop since lunch. Looking up towards the sun, he guessed it was around four o'clock. He noticed the cherry blossoms were peeking out of their buds. Kenshin found a spot on a nearby planter to sit and rest. He glanced around as though he were looking for someone in particular. Unfulfilled, he brought his head down to the side to massage his trapezius. Raising two his fingers to his neck, he felt his hard-beating pulse begin to slow down. Footsteps against gravel approached him. He glanced up. His pulse increased again.

"Hello! Would you like something to drink? I have water or iced barley tea." A young woman stood before him, blue eyes smiling, long black hair tied in a high pony tail.

It was her. Kenshin forgot how to speak. A pause, then, "Hah?"

"Ah," she tried again in slow English, "water," she raised the water bottle, "or tea?" she raised the tea bottle.

"Oro?" Violet eyes blinked twice. "Tea, please," he replied in Japanese.

A blush rose to her cheeks. "Oh, sorry! I thought you didn't speak Japanese for a moment."

"No, my apologies. I was day dreaming," he replied, rubbing the back of his head. Nice save, Himura.

She handed him a bottle of barley tea with her left hand. "Here you are!"

He glanced at her fourth finger. No ring. He grinned. "Thank you very much."

"Kaoru!" A child skipped over to her. "Can I have one?" She held out both hands with a cheeky smile.

"Sorry, Ayame. These are for the volunteers, but would you like to help me hand them out? I think everyone would like that."

"Sure!" the girl beamed, feeling special with the appointed task. She took the bucket from Kaoru, teetering slightly from the unexpected weight, and headed over to a group of men standing under a maple tree.

Kenshin watched the woman smile as she watched the girl walk away. "That was clever of you."

Her look was mischievous. "I like to start them young."

"How old is she?"

A laugh. "Six." Then she sat next to him. His heart beat quickened again. "So, are you here with Hands on Tokyo?" she asked.

"Yes. It's a great organization. I'm volunteering for the weekend. Are you a staff member here at the orphanage? I don't think I saw you during orientation this morning."

"Me? No, I'm just a regular volunteer. I come any weekend when I don't have to work."

"Ah. What do you do for work?"

"I'm a barista at a little coffee shop in Daikanyama."

Kenshin perked up. "Really? I live in Daikanyama."

"Oh! Then maybe you heard of it. Café Tae."

He shook his head. "Is it new?"

"I don't think so. I've been working there at least a year now. It's really small but popular. How long have you lived in Daikanyama?"

"About five years."

"And you never heard of Café Tae?"

"I don't go out much."

"I understand. I'm a bit of a homebody myself. But, you should come by and check it out sometime," she offered cheerily.

"I'd like that."

"I'm Kamiya Kaoru, by the way."

"Himura Kenshin."

"Pleasure to meet you!" Kaoru stuck out her hand.

Slightly surprised at the western form of greeting, Kenshin reached out to shake her hand. Her grip was firm. "The pleasure is mine," he replied. They were interrupted by a call to commence roof work.

She withdrew her hand and stood. "I better let you get back to work."

"Uh, Kamiya-san," Kenshin stood up and instinctively dusted the seat of his pants.

"Yes?"

"I heard some volunteers from Hands on Tokyo will be going out for drinks after we end today. Are you also going?"

"That sounds fun! But I actually have to go in half an hour."

"Aha." Come on. Try again. "Will you be here tomorrow as well?"

"Unfortunately, no. I have to work tomorrow from open to close."

"Is that so?" His smile turned artificial. "Well, thank you for the drink."

"Of course!" Kaoru began to return to the main building but then turned and called out, "Don't forget to drop by the café!" She waved her hands goodbye.

Kenshin watched her walk away. God, was she pretty. And kind. How was he going to see her again? A hammer struck down on a nail, waking him out of his daze and reminding him of his original purpose here.

March 25

"Okay, Kaoru, I finished cleaning the back room and sink area so you only have to worry about the espresso machine."

"Thank you, Tae!" Kamiya Kaoru glowed at her employer. "I'll close everything up so please enjoy your evening."

"Thank you for your hard work today, sweetie. I'll see you later!"

"Bye!" Kaoru waved as the owner pushed open the wooden door and waved back. The light chime of a bell rang as the door swung to close. The raven-haired girl let out a happy sigh. Today had been a typical busy day at the café. Mostly regulars came, all friendly and warm people who knew Kaoru by name and vice versa. Yet now, the café was empty. This time of her shift was a guilty pleasure. It was forty-five minutes before closing, which meant an expectancy of a maximum of two customers. However, Kaoru did not expect this next customer walking through the door. The bell chimed, she looked up, saw long red hair in a low pony tail, and then her face lit with delight. "You came!"

Kenshin could not help but smile back. "I did. I was on my way home from the orphanage and decided to stop by."

"That's so lovely." Kaoru then noticed the dirt smears on his navy shirt and jeans. "You must be tired, but you came at a good time!" she gracefully waved her arm, emphasizing that no one else was here. "What can I get for you?"

He scanned the menu. "What do you recommend?"

"Our earl grey latte is popular."

"I'll try that."

"Of course." She punched a few buttons on the register. "That will be four hundred yen, please." Kenshin gave her his credit card. The weight and material of the card was different. A swipe, and then she passed it back to him along with a receipt. "Thank you! Please have a seat wherever you like and I'll bring your drink over."

Kenshin sat at a two-person table by the window as Kaoru picked a pyramid-shaped tea bag out of a tin. Grabbing whole milk out of the fridge, she poured the creamy liquid into a tall steel cup and placed it under a steam nozzle. The espresso machine whizzed and puffed as Kaoru stretched, swirled and heated the milk. She gauged the temperature. Perfect. She used a spatula to hold the foam back as she poured the now hot milk into a cup. Next came the foam. Lastly, the art.

The café itself was small with wooden walls and flooring. Patterned cushions adorned the painted wooden chairs. Matching colors of bunting were strung up along the windows. The feel was quaint, rustic, and the soft crooning of Ella Fitzgerald added a touch of comfort. Kaoru brought over a wooden tray and gently placed it in front of Kenshin. There was a teal mug sitting on a matching saucer accompanied by a miniature vase of dried lavender. She heard him thank her and saw that he was staring at the surface of his drink. I hope he knows what it is.

His amethyst eyes met hers. "Sakura?"

"Yes!" her hands clapped. "I thought it was appropriate for this season."

"You are very skilled."

"I really need to practice more."

"I think it's beautiful, so much that it seems like a waste to drink it."

"That's kind of you to say, but please do drink it. It didn't take long at all."

"Alright then." A cautious sip was taken. "It's delicious."

She was again delighted. "You're lucky you're tasting my drink and not my cooking. The business would fail if that was allowed."

Kenshin laughed. "Surely not."

"Surely yes." Kaoru wanted to quickly change the subject lest they duel about her cooking skills or lack of. Her perpetual modesty annoyed her. "May I join you – it was Himura-san, right?"

Kenshin straightened his posture. "Yes, and of course, if it is okay while you're working."

"It's fine until another customer comes." Kaoru pulled out the chair across from him. "Please tell me about today! How was the construction? Were you all able to finish the building?"

"Yes, we finished all the plumbing, electricity, insulation, interior walls, and painting. All that's left is filling up the rooms with furniture and kids."

"That sounds like so much work. I'm sure the orphanage appreciates you so much. It's great that people like yourself make the time to help others. I really admire that."

"I don't often have time to give back to the community, so it's the least I can do, really. I'm just glad there will be more room for the kids."

Kaoru sighed, "It's sad too." She rested her chin in her hand, elbow propped up on the table. Her mind flipped through the faces of kids she worked with like a stack of photos. "They need more room because there are more children without a home."

"That's true, but much better than having nowhere to go. And, it's a safe place for them to stay, and they are lucky to have you there as a regular volunteer."

"You're right about the first part, not quite right on the second."

"You don't give yourself enough credit. I think you're great."

"I know," her hand flew to her chest, her head theatrically cocked to the side, "I'm amazing."

"I mean it. I was watching you yesterday. You're fantastic with the kids. I can tell they enjoy spending time with you."

"Oh?" Kaoru playfully raised a dark brow. "And why were you watching me?" She saw him look down bashfully. Then she gasped and covered her mouth. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't be joking like that with you; I just met you, you're my customer and it's not appropriate." She uncovered her mouth. "Let's just forget I said that."

"It's okay. I don't mind."

"I do. My mom always said that a true woman speaks with grace and dignity, but I'm always yelling and saying the wrong things."

"You still seem like a true woman to me."

"Himura-san, I should warn you that I'm immune to charm." Her arms crossed as added protection. "You'll have to do a lot more than that to get a free drink around here."

"What if," Kenshin leaned forward, "it's not a drink I'm wanting?"

"Cake?"

"Not food."

"A job?"

"Not exactly."

"A date with me!" Kaoru guffawed in a way her mother would frown upon. Her customer's face turned pink but his eyes never left hers. Mortified, her hands clasped over her mouth again. "Oh god, I really don't know when to stop. I'm sorry; I don't know what's with me today. Maybe it's you. I mean! Not in a bad way! In a good way. I feel very comfortable talking to you. I can't help feeling like we've known each other for a while, like we've met before but we just forgot about it. Have we met before? No, I don't think so. But maybe we did! Probably not. I would remember meeting you. I don't mean in a romantic way! Not that you're not attractive. I think you are. I mean-" JUST STOP IT! STOP TALKING! She placed both hands on the table and stood up. "I should go."

Kenshin grabbed her arm. "Please stay." They both looked down at his hand. Kenshin quickly let go as though she suddenly were made of lava. "Sorry, I, um…" It was his turn to smile awkwardly. "I like talking with you too. I also feel comfortable." He picked a lavender stem out of the vase. Put it back in the vase. His hands returned to his lap.

Kaoru sat down and tried to control the butterflies in her stomach.

He continued, "You were right about what I wanted."

"What do you mean?"

Kenshin swallowed audibly. His hands balled into fists atop his knees. "Would you honor me by going on a date with me next weekend?"

Kaoru's eyes widened like plates. "What?" The young handsome man the female volunteers were giggling about yesterday was asking her out. She pointed a finger at herself. "Me?" Of course you, you idiot. Say something smarter. "I, uh, uh, uh, I-"

"I understand if you're unavail-"

"What day?" she asked too loudly. "I don't work this Friday."

Kenshin's expression was mixed with relief and joy. "Friday then. How about five? At Yoyogi park entrance?"

"That sounds perfect." Kaoru glanced at her watch. "Oh! I need to start preparing to close. I'm so sorry." She stood and so did Kenshin.

"Don't be sorry. Thank you for sitting with me. I enjoyed the tea." He pushed in his chair as she picked up the tray. "And thank you for saying yes."

Be smooth. "Um, uh, uh, you're problem." She died inside.

The corner of his mouth tilted up. "See you Friday at five."

"Five," she repeated. When he left, Kaoru threw her head back and groaned as she walked to the back room. "Oh my god. Are you kidding me? You're welcome. No problem. KAORU, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?" Dishes went in the sink. She caught her reflection in a mirror. Unimpressed with herself, she grumbled, "This is why you're single."