Next Date With Kaori

Well, I've decided that Kaori might not be a good relationship prospect in the medium-term future. And it is through no fault of hers or mine that I reach this conclusion... it's purely circumstances. Remember I said that her dream is to go to Australia one day? Well... at the time when she said that, I didn't know that 'one day' meant 'August'. Yes, she's planning to live in Australia starting in August. Her plans for doing this aren't well-developed, but she's very serious about doing this and she doesn't intend to be in Australia for a period of less than nine months. So... it's probably unwise to try to pursue a relationship with her.

Third Date:

I was once again meeting her in Michinoshi train station. I was coming-back from work at a client site, and I was pretty tired. It was early evening, and the rush-hour crowds had begun to pass their peak.

She showed-up right on time, and we went to a nearby Indian restaurant (Indian, but staffed by Sri Lankans, it seems.) We had a delicious vegetable curry which we dipped-into with a huge, spongy garlic nan. I was very tempted to get a samosa, but... well, I'd eaten a big lunch that day and wouldn't have had room for it..

We sat, eating, drinking beer and talking. We mainly spoke in English. I had a hectic day at work, and I probably seemed a bit stressed... But the topic matter was on our respective travel plans in the near future.

I told her I was thinking of planning a trip for this summer. I'd like to take a trip to a south Pacific destination... I've never been there, and I think I'm due for a relaxing trip for once in my life. Most of the trips I've taken in the past have specifically been to non-relaxation sort of destinations. (For instance, backpacking through part of the Himalayas back in 1998. Yikes, that was really roughing it now that I look back... had to bathe in a glacier-fed stream at one point.) But now, I've been looking at various package deals for a holiday, and I think New Caledonia or Guam might be fun places to visit. I want to go scuba-diving over a coral reef. The last time I went scuba-diving was in 1995, to see a shipwreck off the cost of Aruba (it was only 40 feet underwater). But I enjoyed it so very much that I want to do it again. Naturally, I'll keep you updated when I decide where I'll go.

It was at this point that Kaori told me she was planning to go to Australia soon. (And yes, I am assuming that she's telling the truth when she says this to me.) Up until now, she'd been looking around for jobs down there, but as of last week she actually has secured a job and she wants to go for it. She is planning to stay there for quite some time... perhaps a year or more. I was quite disappointed when she told me this. I think maybe my disappointment showed.

Oh... but I did manage to convince her to demonstrate her racetrack announcer voice for me.

"I make mistake at racetrack on Sunday." She covered her face with her hands. "So terrible!"

"What mistake?" I asked.

"I say wrong thing. Embarrassing very much."

"Oh, I'm sure people didn't really mind. That sort of thing happens. Um... hey, I was wondering... would you demonstrate your announcer voice?"

She smiled demurely and looked around. There was no one else in our corner of the restaurant but us.

"Okay..." She took a deep breath... and began to laugh and shake her head. "No, I can't."

"No, it's just me! I'd love to hear it. Please?"

"Okay..." She took a deep breath, and began to speak in a voice that was smooth as pudding. Not one hint of wavering tone. I tried to imagine it over a loudspeaker. Well, it certainly sounded like a female voice you might hear on a commercial. It was warm and supple.

"Wow. I don't know what you said but it sure was nice." I smiled. Hell, if I had a racetrack, I'd definitely hire her to be an announcer.

And so...

Since she's leaving the country, it'll be most prudent if she's 'just-friends'... my decision. Consequently, she did not reject me by saying I'm 'nice'.

Once again, she offered to split the bill for dinner... afterwards, we went-out for coffee- to a Starbucks. (Yes, Michinoshi has a Starbucks... Why are you not surprised?) It was the best coffee I'd had in a while. Drinking coffee with a delightful woman was truly a rare pleasure back in the States.

On the way home to my apartment, I typed-out a brief text message to her on my cell phone. I said: "Great 2 see you again! I was having a bad day until I saw you. -- NG"

A few hours later, my cell phone beeped with her reply: "I enjoyed your company, too. Thank you for your mail. -K"

Yes, she's a very charming woman and I'm always happy to see her. And maybe she even has a female friend who might be interested in me? Er... but you know what? I always think that a 'just-friends' woman has a female friend who might be interested in me... and she never does. I don't think there has ever been an instance where a 'just-friends' woman has been able to set me up on a date with anyone. Er, with the exception of Jianglin's friend in Taiwan. Chances are, Kaori will have no female friends who would be interested in me; so my expectations are quite low.

But naturally, I'm still planning to cook for her in the near future... and she has also offered to cook for me as well. In fact, she also told me that she wants to help make sure that I have plenty of enjoyable experiences while I'm in Michinoshi. She informed me that a troupe of Chinese acrobats is visiting town, and she says that she's gotten tickets. Would I like to accompany her? Of course! It's always a treat to see performances of that type... So, I'll probably be seeing plenty of Kaori in the near future, regardless of whether or not she's leaving town in a few months...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday, but never remembers her age." -- Robert Frost.

Back to Home