"I...I..." I was unable to speak due to the shame I felt and the bitter cold that surrounded me. "Perhaps if I took you out of the cold, you could tell me?" she assured. From this, a small spark of hope was set within me. "would you be so kind as to accompany me to the nearest cafe', sir?" she continued. It had been a while since I had eaten a meal made specifically for me. I gave her a nod, though, I started to wonder about her motive for helping me.
I followed her to a cafe' of her choosing. Once we were settled inside, she felt it appropriate to question me again, and I was more than willing to comply. "What is your name?" she asked me. I cleared my throat. "My... name is Shawn. Ecker." I gave her a slight nod of assurance. "May I ask you of your name, ma'am?" From the looks of her, I assumed she was involved in the more elegant side of life, so I thought it would be best to keep more of a formal tone to my speech. "My name is Tokisaki Kurumi. You may refer to me as Kurumi." she smiled. Even her name was exquisite. The name seemed native to Japan, though, (and I mean no disrespect), she didn't exactly look Japanese. I had observed her beautiful eye, and I could not see any resemblance to Japan or any Asian heritage.
"Please excuse my asking Ms. Kurumi, but how did you get your name? If I'm not mistaken, it seems Japanese, but we're in America. Plus, you don't exactly appear Japanese..." A waitress returned with a plate of fine Italian pasta with a side of bread and a cup of water for me and a cup of tea for her. I didn't care much for tea. She simply sipped her tea, almost as though I never asked her the question. "Please, forgive me." I felt apologizing would be best, even if I hadn't done anything wrong. I definitely wouldn't want to offend the woman who had just given me my first decent meal in a while. "Why are you apologizing?" she began. "You were simply making observations and showing interest." she smiled warmly at me. "My name simply has, always been."