"Thank you very much for attending the tea party I have hosted today."
The moment I stepped inside, Lieutenant Sasakibe bowed with elegant grace. It suited him so well that I found myself captivated.
Some time has passed since I dealt with the Head-Captain and the Lieutenant in the First Division.
During that time, we discussed the growth of tea plants with experts. We also held repeated discussions with Lieutenant Sasakibe regarding the sweets for the tea party, making prototypes and saying, "Not this, not that"...
And today, since it has taken a shape we can be somewhat satisfied with, we decided to hold a trial tea party.
In other words, it's like a rehearsal before the real thing.
However, a debut is a debut.
Lieutenant Sasakibe, the organizer, looks a little nervous. But he attended to us with a calm demeanor.
Surely, his current appearance is that of the English gentleman he idealizes.
As for the interior, we borrowed a room in the First Division for this day and set up several sets of chairs and tables. They have been decorated in a thoroughly Western style.
The tabletops are already fully prepared, and the tea is ready.
"Thank you for inviting me today."
"Ah, Captain Yukawa, welcome."
When I returned his greeting with the invitation in hand, he gave a polite bow.
We put a little effort into these details.
It might be a bit different from a genuine Tea Time, but it feels authentic, doesn't it?
This invitation was also written with flowing brushstrokes using a fountain pen, making it look very authentic.
"Th-thank you for the invitation today!"
"Lieutenant Kotetsu, welcome to you as well."
Following behind me, Isane entered as if mimicking me.
The Lieutenant responded in the same manner to her, who was somewhat nervous.
Since it's a pre-opening of sorts, I thought it would be better to have more people.
So I called out to a few acquaintances.
So, following Isane, the girls connected to the Women's Soul Reaper Association entered, such as Kiyone-san, Ise-san, Soifon, and Momo.
I tried to choose girls who were as calm as possible.
Lieutenant Sasakibe also seemed relaxed as he attended to each person one by one...
"Hellooo!!"
...Ehh!?
W-Why is Third Seat Kusajishi here!?
I don't recall inviting her...
"Oh, excuse me, but do you have an invitation?"
Since I informed him of the members coming today in advance, Lieutenant Sasakibe knows she isn't supposed to be here, but...
As expected. Even while bewildered, he is handling it calmly.
"Invitation...? Don't have one!"
"In that case, today is..."
"Eeehh! Come on, come on!! It smells super yummy!! I wanna eat!!"
Ah... she's throwing a tantrum.
"Mmm... it cannot be helped. Just this once, as a special exception."
"Yaay!!"
One cannot win against a crying child and the lord of the manor, is it...
Anyway, in this way, the tea party solemnly—
"Woaah!! Did Airin make this one!?"
—There's no way it would start solemnly. Not with her here.
She is full of curiosity about the sweets and light meals lined up on the table.
"No, I made these myself after being taught the methods by Captain Yukawa."
"Eeehh!! Is that so!! Can I eat!? Can I eat it!?"
"It cannot be helped... but please, calm down..."
"Yaay!!"
Ah... as expected, she started eating before he could finish saying everything.
By the way, what's lined up are apple pies, tarts, and things like that.
"...Haa. Well, fine. Everyone, please go ahead and try them. I will prepare the black tea now."
Although growing tea leaves doesn't go well for him, Lieutenant Sasakibe has been researching how to brew black tea for many years, and his movements are practiced.
So much so that you find yourself watching entranced.
"This is Orange Pekoe—..."
Even while brewing, his tongue doesn't stop.
He is happily explaining the blended tea leaves and how to brew them.
He must be incredibly happy to have a large group of people listen to him.
"Now, please enjoy."
So, urged on, I picked up the cup...
What a nice aroma.
Yes, the taste—should I say the tea leaves have opened up? I've tasted it a few times, but today's flavor is exceptionally good.
"Hee... so this is black tea..."
"It's my first time drinking it, but the taste is different from green tea..."
"It has a calm taste, it might be nice..."
It seems to be well-received by the guests as well...
"Mmm!! Yummy!!"
...Well, one person is stuffing her cheeks with sweets more enthusiastically than the tea.
---
"Hoho, if the tea is that delicious, might I have a cup as well?"
"...Eh?"
Hearing the voice from the entrance, I almost dropped my cup.
This voice is...
"...Lord Genryusai."
Before we knew it, the Head-Captain had appeared on the scene.
Not only Lieutenant Sasakibe, but everyone here—excluding a certain someone—instinctively stopped their hands and turned their gaze to the Head-Captain.
Although the person himself didn't care about the gazes.
"What is it? Or will you not brew tea for me?"
"No... here you are."
Faced with the unexpected visitor, he handed over the black tea he had brewed for himself.
"And, if you would like, please have this as well..."
"Mm! This is...!!"
Furthermore, he offers a special item to the Head-Captain.
Its true identity is—
"What, a dorayaki!?"
"Yes, if you would like, please."
"...Hmm..."
After comparing the black tea and dorayaki in his hands with suspicious eyes a few times, he eventually took a sip of the tea. Then, he ate the dorayaki, drank the tea again, and after contemplating for a good ten seconds, he opened his mouth.
"...Delicious."
Just a single word.
But the moment he heard that word come from the Head-Captain's mouth, a single tear spilled from Lieutenant Sasakibe's eye.
"I do not care for Western things. However, this tea and the bean paste match strangely well."
Black tea and bean paste are actually quite compatible.
So, we were supposed to serve Western sweets first. This was meant to be brought out as a secret weapon afterward.
But it seems Lieutenant Sasakibe brought it out first thinking of the Head-Captain.
And apparently, it suited the Head-Captain's palate.
"If you can brew tea of this caliber... Chojiro. Would you like to try holding a tea party in my stead, albeit occasionally?"
"...I am humbled."
Oh my.
Tears overflowed from both of the Lieutenant's eyes.
"Congratulations. Lieutenant Sasakibe."
Seeing that, I instinctively applauded.
Because this means he has been acknowledged by the Head-Captain.
Following my applause, the sound of applause rang out from the participants as well.
"Everyone... thank you..."
Thus, the tea party ended in a way that no one expected...
But it was a heartwarming ending.
---
A later date.
Lieutenant Sasakibe's black tea was featured in the Seireitei Communication.
Articles such as the basics of how to brew black tea, introductions to sweets, and a notice about holding a small tea party using black tea were published.
How should I put it? They are dedicating more space to the tea than the Lieutenant himself...
Anyway, triggered by this article and the tea party, Lieutenant Sasakibe's popularity among young female Soul Reapers seems to have risen.
He used to be plain, but it seems he is being re-evaluated as a cool and wonderful older gentleman.
---
"Captain Yukawa, do you have a moment?"
"Captain Unohana...? Um, is something wrong...?"
"Regarding Lieutenant Sasakibe's tea party, why was I not invited?"
"Eh... no, um. That is..."
"I certainly hope not, but. Did you perhaps think I would rampage at the venue?"
"No, no!! Never such a thing!!"
"Yes, of course. I believe you too. Since I believe you, let's have a little chat, shall we..."
"W-W-Wait!! Please wait!! Captain Unohana!! It's a misunderstanding!! You're reading too much into it!!!"
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]