Pairing: Satsuki Kitaoji/OC

Warning: Squeaky clean

On a street lined with fancy boutiques, there stood a quaint little place on the corner. During the day it remained closed, but come around 4 PM, the lights were on and the open sign sat in the window. Unassuming yet inviting, it attracted the people in need of something. A something that the busy world was unable to give. One evening on the way back from a busy night, a particular man stood at its threshold. Something beckoned him here.

Has this place always been here? He wondered as he pushed open the door, a little bell ringing above his head as he stepped inside. He was greeted with the sight of a simple yet cozy set up of a café and the aromatic scents of teas and snacks. In slight wide eyed wonder he looked around at his surroundings. How is this place open so late? There were no customers or employees in sight. He frowned to himself at the emptiness.

"Welcome to the Scarlette Carson, please take a seat and I will be with you shortly." A feminine voice called out from nowhere, snapping him out of his thoughts. With a wry smile, he gave in to the gentle command and headed to a table off to the corner where there is a bit more privacy. The elegant yet simple design of the chairs caught his eye as he got comfortable. The quality was definitely high end, though not the best. The cushioning was quite nice, a warm shade of caramel to contrast the dark frame.

Of course I would notice these simple things. He thought to himself as he noted the little details while he awaited the arrival of service. What a peculiar place...to make someone wait. He thought. The place is essentially an antique café, but did it cater to people well enough like this to keep running? He wondered before losing himself to the thoughts of earlier today that had been weighing on his mind. Even in this rare moment to relax he was busy with work in some way.

"Sorry to keep you waiting sir, my name is Seihara, I'll be serving you this evening." A young woman seemed to suddenly appear beside his table, a tray with an elegant and unique tea cup in hand with steam gently rising from it. "Here is your tea sir," she smiled as he simply stared at her in awe. He had yet to even look over the menu, and yet here she was with tea. With a deft hand she silently placed the china before him and he peered in to see a black tea. The scent of honey and lavender along with a hint of peppermint instantly had a soothing effect on him.

"Thank you, but I didn't order this tea however." He frowned at the woman dressed in a simple white button, a tablier, and slacks. Her dark brown hair was pulled back in to a simple and neat ponytail with not a bit of makeup on her face. An average woman through and through.

"Oh, I know, you just looked like you needed something to help you relax. I like to try and guess what tea the customers would like." She explained, a small giggle coming from the look of obvious shock on his face. "It's odd, I know. My grandfather loved making tea, he was really good at it and taught me how to do it as well. It's a simple passion of mine I suppose...and it helps keep him with me. It took time to perfect but, I'm still trying my best to keep learning. It's a lot of fun though and rewarding. Every time you hear the praise of it being delicious brings happiness to the maker just like my grandfather always said."

Making tea for someone else you say...I guess I do that as well without even trying. He thought to himself, breathing in the scent of the tea before sipping at the hot beverage. "Your grandfather is a very wise man and he taught you well. This is indeed delicious. I honestly didn't even realize this shop was here until tonight. It's quite empty isn't it?"

"Most customers come about that way," she smiled on. "It's a place just outside of the daily confusion of life, giving just what they need...whatever that may be." She answered a bit oddly and bowed to him.

What could she mean by that? A business can't run on something as simple as that can it? He frowned at the thought, but her next words distract him from asking more.

"I'll leave you to your tea, just call for me if you need anything." She bowed carefully to him and turned to leave.

"Ah, don't go just yet please." Before he knew it, he was calling out to her. "Won't you join me?"

"Oh, I don't see why not." She took the seat across from him and smiled still. A silence ensued as soon as she sat, but she seemed unfazed while inside he was a mess. Why had he called out to her like that? He had no idea who she was and she obviously only sat with him because of who he is. Who would ever decline the company of Satsuki Kitaoji after all?

"Why did you make this tea for me?" He asked, grasping for a topic to break the awkward silence.

"You looked to be troubled with something. Your smile didn't really reach your tired eyes. You hold yourself well, but you slumped your shoulders as soon as you sat even if for a moment. So, I decided to make a relaxing tea to help melt the stress away with chamomile and lavender flower, lemon balm leaf and passion flower. I added peppermint to stimulate the mind enough to not drift off and some honey to help make it easier to have in the evening. Something sweet to help make the night sweet." She smiled. "Any other kind of syrup would be too sweet. Cream would make it too heavy for the night, and well...you don't strike me as someone who drinks tea with cream or milk." She answered thoughtfully, the round tray resting on her lap under her hands.

Satsuki found himself amazed by her words, but could not help the small chuckle that came from him. She had been right about his stress, and he had no idea she had seen him at all. He did not often drink things with milk unless he wanted something sweeter and in place of a dessert. His usual drink was espresso when on the go and alcohol in the evening with his usual group of friends. With each sip of the tea, he started to note that the stress indeed melted away from his body and his mind was relaxed enough to take in the peaceful time which he mistook for awkward and tense.

"It is quite delicious and something that was very much needed, thank you." He smiled kindly at Seihara. The way her green eyes lit up at his words made his chest warm, the smile on her lips much wider and warmer. He never thought he would be so touched by being served. He had lived in the laps of luxury all his life, and was served or obtained whatever it was he wanted was far from uncommon. He also served all sorts of elite individuals in his facilities, and yet the joy she had from his praise just seemed to be all the more. I'm overthinking this, it's definitely the tea. "Do you make the tea yourself?"

"Yes, each combination is a little different for every person so we need enough of everything to create these one of a kind beverages." She answered calmly, unfazed by the questions and unfazed by his presence as well. It made him curious as to why. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"By all means, go ahead. I've asked so many already." He smiled, though a little bitter. This had to be the moment, it always was.

"What's your name?"

He blinked in response. He had to have heard wrong. How was it possible that someone did not know who he was on sight? No, that's quite conceited of me. I'm sure she is from a part that I probably have yet to do much business in. He thought, a small frown on his lips. "My name is Satsuki Kitaoji, it's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Seihara."

"Satsuki Kitaoji," the sound of his name coming from her lips had a strange effect over him but he was unable to name it. "That's a nice name Mr. Kitaoji, and the pleasure is all mine." He found himself startled once again by her lack of acknowledgement. It stung at his pride a little, but it was more of a refreshing surprise above all else. She took this as a cue to leave, slipping out of her seat.

"Allow me to make you another cup of tea, stay as long as you like Mr. Kitaoji." She bowed to him and stepped behind the bar before he could ask anymore of her. Who was this strange woman? She certainly lacked a Japanese name, and yet her Japanese was impeccable. A smile curled on his lips as he sipped his tea.

It seems I found something quite interesting indeed. Lost in the tea, he failed to notice when she had set down his second cup. Yet, there it was ready for him as he set down the empty one in hand. He had come in with a heavy weight, but as he left he found himself lighter and much more relaxed as she had said the tea would do for him as he walked out the door after paying the bill. That night was one of the most restful he had in quite a long time. He would have to thank her the next time he came.