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Rinne ruffled his hair thoughtfully, staring blankly at Hiyori as the noble’s eyes bore into his own expectantly. “You want me to help with a tea ceremony? You know that’s not the kinda thing we did in my village… I wasn’t raised with the same culture as you, y’know.” The redhead stated plainly, and Hiyori shook his head.
“No, no, I don’t want your help, where did you get that from? I’d like you to come along as a guest! Souma-kun and Kohaku-kun will be hosting it, and I’ll be providing the very high quality tea and desserts– Besides, it’s not traditional. I say tea ceremony, but it’s really just the way both of those two like to do things, you know? You know how they are, of course! Souma-kun has a very antiquated family, and Kohaku-kun… Something along those lines too, I think? I’m not sure, he hasn’t spoken much of them…” Hiyori rambled, tapping his chin as Rinne let out a sigh of relief.
“‘Kay, I can come as a guest, no issue! So you’re tryna tag along with Kohaku-chan’s love life now? Wasn’t it enough meddlin’ with some of the other guys around here?” The elder leaned back against the couch cushions, and Hiyori rolled his eyes, moving to lean against Rinne and toying with the fabric of his boyfriend’s shirt.
“No, no, it’s not just that. Souma-kun and I have become friendly as of late, partially at Kanata-kun’s suggestion! When the two of us met in the common room some months ago, I got a very interesting vibe from him… I’ve always been curious about the other two members of AKATSUKI. Keito-kun is someone I have a… History with, but I never became acquainted with Kuro-kun or Souma-kun…” Hiyori trailed off, pressing an idle kiss to Rinne’s slightly exposed neck as he nestled closer.
“At any rate, I’d like to support the two of them by showing them that there are more couples with similar features to theirs! While neither of them are Indigenous, it’s a nice sentiment to spend time with other mixed couples, especially with Arashi-chan and Adonis-kun being one of the only few I can think of… Ah, but there’s also Ibuki-kun and Hiiro-kun, isn’t there? Though, they aren’t a couple yet–”
“Yet? Hiyorin, you’ve gotta stop shippin’ people.” Rinne laughed, shaking his head and kissing his boyfriend’s hair. “I guess they’re cute, but I’ve gotta get to know Bukki better before I decide whether he’s good enough for my otouto-kun.” He hummed, threading his fingers through Hiyori’s hair. “Do I have to dress up for this tea party? Is it gonna be like that one you had with Kanacchi where ya both wore fancy dresses an’ all?”
“Mm… I’ll ask Kohaku-kun to be sure, but I believe a button-up shirt ought to be alright! Or, for you, perhaps even just a nice sweater would be a welcome change from the… Things you wear.”
“Oi, nothing’s wrong with what I wear!” Rinne exclaimed, to which Hiyori just huffed and rolled his eyes, too eager to keep having his hair played with to argue. “Alright, whatever you’d like to believe. It’s unique, you know? I don’t mean to belittle it!” He half-lied, and though it was obvious he didn’t entirely mean it, Rinne let it slide. They had vastly different fashion tastes, with Rinne preferring much more garish attire when he could find it. One of his recent favorite combinations of clothing was a honeycomb patterned button-up shirt which he wore open, paired with a shirt with two bees over the chest area that read, in English, “Nice boo-bees”.
“At any rate, perhaps you and I could go shopping for some new clothes… Not that I need any, but it would be nice for you to pick up some more formal attire!” Hiyori replied, waving dismissively and beginning what would no doubt be a long back-and-forth about their tastes in… Everything.
Meanwhile, Souma sat at the table in the Starmony common room, poring over a book he’d borrowed from Tatsumi on English tea parties. It was his understanding that traditional tea ceremonies were far more formal than the idea Hiyori had posited to himself and Kohaku, so he was doing his due diligence by reading into it. Though, the more he read, the more confused he felt. So there was no specific type of tea, no necessary snacks, just recommended ones… No strict attire, either… How would he know what was right?
“Ah, Souma-saaan~!” Madara greeted, strolling into the common room and beaming at the samurai, who instinctively rested a hand atop his sword’s hilt. “Mikejima-dono, please do not sneak up on me in that way. Had I not recognized your voice, I could have felt threatened.” The younger boy replied, earning a dismissive wave.
“What’cha studyiiin’~?” The brunette drawled, leaning over Souma’s shoulder and scanning the book, eyebrows popping up in surprise. “Huh, this isn’t the traditional kinda things you’re usually into at all! I’m impressed, what’s the occasion?”
“Tomoe-dono has requested that Oukawa-dono and myself host a tii paatii, though it is as you say… I am unfamiliar with the customs of any tea ceremony that isn’t traditional. I borrowed this book from Kazehaya-dono, but it has left me feeling more confused. I wish to show both Tomoe-dono and Oukawa-dono that I am flexible and willing to learn new things…” Souma trailed off, brows furrowing as Madara retreated, walking around the couch and sitting beside him.
“Well, you’ve got a few friends who go ‘round the world often, don’tcha?”
Souma stared.
“… Like Mama here, for example! Guess there’s Rei-san too, if you’re lookin’ for something a li’l different…” Madara clarified, and Souma could only nod thoughtfully. “Do you have experience with attending or hosting a tii paatii, Mikejima-dono?”
“Yep! I’ve been to plenty before, an’ as a matter of fact, I’ve had a tea party with none other than Hiyori-san before! He’s real intent on makin’ a lotta people hold ‘em… I wonder if he’s rankin’ everyone’s tea party skills.” The older idol mused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. Souma seemed alarmed. He hadn’t thought of that possibility before, despite the fact that it seemed very in line with Hiyori’s personality. What if he was going to do poorly in front of Kohaku’s… Whatever Hiyori was to Kohaku?
“I should hope not.” He replied tightly, pursing his lips. Madara blinked, surprised by the samurai’s sudden intensity, not exactly sure what brought it on. “Soum–”
Cut off by Souma suddenly standing and bowing deeply, Madara could only stare as the younger idol addressed him earnestly. “Please! Would you be willing to assist me in hosting a proper tea party that Tomoe-dono will like, Mikejima-dono?”
A few weeks later, Souma found himself sitting at a cutely decorated wooden table, adorned with a pastel floral tablecloth and sporting some lovely-looking porcelain teaware. As he poured the hot water and leaves together, Hiyori waltzed in, Rinne in tow. Souma stared at him blankly, wondering if he’d somehow forgotten that Rinne was going to be coming. But, no, he couldn’t be a rude host and zone out now! Turning to Kohaku, he gestured to the teapot.
“Oukawa-dono, would you please watch the tea whilst I greet Amagi-dono and Tomoe-dono?” He asked, and when met with a nod, he strode to greet the two. Rinne cleaned up nicely, evidently, as he wore a casual white button-up shirt with short sleeves, adorned with a pink rose embroidery on the shirt pocket, and some black slacks. Hiyori, on the other hand, wore a cute white blouse with a little pink bow around his neck, and black jeans. Souma wondered if they were color coordinating their outfits on purpose. Hiyori did seem like the type for it…
“It’s a pleasure to have you here.” He greeted, bowing low and being mindful when straightening his back, not wanting to knock whatever Hiyori was holding out of his hands. “What have you brought, Tomoe-dono? It’s hardly necessary to bring anything, after all, you are not the host.” Souma pointed out, and Hiyori waved dismissively, precariously balancing the container in one hand while Rinne glanced over and held a hand out cautiously should it sway.
“Oh, yesyes, of course I know that! Silly Souma-kun. But it’s only polite, right? Besides, I’m well aware that I’m in a position that grants me… Access to different things than you or Kohaku-kun would have! So, naturally, I had a well-known Japanese chef custom-make these delightful treats for me– For us, this tea party! They’re a mix of lovely macarons, sugar cookies with and without icing, as well as cream puffs and scones! Naturally, there’s handmade jam to spread on the scones, should you feel so inclined.” Hiyori explained without letting Souma get a word in, as the three of them walked over to where Kohaku was tending the teapot.
“Hiyori-han!” He greeted, waving and smiling in a slightly forced manner. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Hiyori, he just struggled with that sort of expression sometimes. His smile dropped when he saw Rinne, though, and he rolled his eyes. “And Rinne-han. Guess I’m not surprised ya brought this guy.” He muttered the last part, waving dismissively at his unit leader. “Ack– Kohaku-chan! You wound me!” Rinne protested, but it fell on deaf ears as Kohaku took the sweets from Hiyori and delicately put them onto a tiered serving tray.
“This setup is just wonderful! I didn’t expect you two to deviate so much from the traditional theme, I must say. I appreciate that the tea has options of both matcha and black, very creative, you know? Who made the matcha by hand? I can tell it was done with love and through practiced means! It’s very nice!” Hiyori praised as he sat down, with Rinne sitting beside him. Souma seemed proud, staying standing as he hovered over the tea, ready to serve as Kohaku seated himself as well.
“That would be myself, Tomoe-dono. I’m truly pleased to hear that you can sense such practiced craftsmanship. It is an honor to receive such high praise from someone such as yourself.” The samurai nodded humbly, and Rinne tilted his head at Hiyori, but made no remark on how Hiyori wasn’t the most upstanding member of society to get praise from.
“Now, what sort of tea might I serve the three of you?”
“I’ll take it black, true black, no need for sugar or anythin’.” Rinne answered, and Hiyori scrunched his nose. “I don’t get how you take it like that, you know? I’d like a cup of your matcha, please, Souma-kun! Though, I’ll indulge in some black tea after this…” Kohaku let out a quiet snort, knowing already that Hiyori actually didn’t like the taste of matcha. Once, they’d gone to a cafe together, and he had spat out the sip of Kohaku’s iced matcha latte he insisted on taking. “Matcha’s good fer me, Souma-han.” The young bee said simply, though his boyfriend already knew this and simply needed the verbal confirmation.
As Souma served the tea, Hiyori launched into idle chatter about how lovely the setup was (again), and how he appreciated Souma and Kohaku hosting this tea party, and complimenting the matcha while tightly gripping Rinne’s hand under the table. Rinne shifted in his seat, pursing his lips slightly to avoid laughing as his boyfriend’s death grip grew tighter with each sip of the matcha, taking a sip of his own tea and grabbing a cream puff to go with it.
“Y’know, you coulda told them Niki made this stuff.” He piped up after a brief lull in the conversation, to which Kohaku snickered quietly and Souma raised an eyebrow. “Shiina-dono baked all of this for us? I was under the impression Tomoe-dono had enlisted a private chef of his estate’s, or something of a similar and excessively affluent nature.”
Hiyori flushed slightly, waving his free hand. “I only said he was a well-known Japanese chef, you know? I thought it would be kinder to Niki-kun’s reputation if I simply advertised him as such! He truly is renowned, right? Besides, it wasn’t untrue.” He dismissed it, and Kohaku only chuckled more, shaking his head. “Hiyori-han, yer real strange.” He commented simply, and Hiyori’s brows furrowed as he tried to discern whether that was a compliment when it came from the pink-haired boy.
“Amagi-dono, how has work been faring? I have heard that a collaboration between AKATSUKI and a CosPro unit was in the works, and wished to inquire if you’d know anything about such a thing, as a unit leader.”
“Ah, yeah, it’s with Eden actually.” Rinne nodded, and Hiyori nodded in agreement as well. “Yes, yes! Though I don’t lead Eden, I’m very aware of its goings-on, as its second-in-command. There has been talk between Nagisa-kun and Keito-kun about collaborating, lending Eden a very different visual and modernizing AKATSUKI in a unique fashion. Incorporating EDM could be a step towards a new fanbase for you all!” Hiyori clapped, and Souma hummed thoughtfully.
“The concept does intrigue me, I cannot lie. I shall speak with Hasumi-dono about it whence I see him next.” The samurai resolved, nodding to himself. Kohaku stood up and began to pour himself another cup of tea, offering the matcha to Hiyori, who shook his head a little too hard.
“Ah, no, no, I’m quite alright, Kohaku-kun! I’ll rinse my cup out and get some black tea, if that’s alright?” He suggested instead, standing and walking over to the sink before anyone could object. Rinne chuckled, leaning back in his seat and taking a sugar cookie, eating it with a delicacy that surprised Souma. He didn’t know the man very well, so his impressions were primarily from Rinne’s stage presence and Kohaku’s complaints…
“Say, Horsey-chan–”
“Don’t go givin’ Souma-han one of yer stupid nicknames!” Kohaku interrupted, met only with a shrug from Rinne. “As I was sayin’, Horsey-chan, tell me all about your plans for Kohaku-chan! You gonna propose? Too young for that, I guess, huh?” Rinne folded his hands as Hiyori returned, pouring himself some black tea and grabbing a macaron.
“What are you three talking about, hm?” Hiyori asked, and Rinne kept his eyes fixed on Souma while grinning, whilst the samurai stared back unblinkingly. “Just wanted to ask Horsey-chan if he had any plans for his relationship with Kohaku-chan!” “Oh, don’t go scaring him. They’re young, aren’t they?” Hiyori scolded lightly, swatting playfully. “Souma-kun, Kohaku-kun, don’t mind him. If you did have any plans together, though, I’d be more than happy to assist with them! I can set up catering, and locations, as well as fashion, you know? I’m very well-connected, so there’s really no need to worry about such things, you have me as a valuable asset–”
Hiyori launched into a ramble about all the possible pros to enlisting him for help with event planning, eventually stopping only when Kohaku’s eyes were boring a hole into his skull. Souma began to ask instead about Hiyori and Rinne’s personal habits, wishing to know them more, and ensuring he paid ‘enough’ attention to Hiyori. Madara had mentioned that Hiyori was a self-obsessed sort of person during their ‘training’, so he made a note of that to be a good host. He also knew Rinne was interested in betting and the thrill of winning, so Souma brought out a game of checkers and offered to gamble with the treats Hiyori had brought.
By the end of it, everyone seemed to have forgotten any brief moments of tension, playing gladly with one another and enjoying their treats and tea. Souma chalked this down as a successful endeavor in his mind, pleased to have such an outcome after the event had made him so nervous.