The weekend.
Aside from a few scattered figures and school staff.
There weren't many people at school.
At this time.
The Special Annex.
The two arrived in front of a classroom. Hikigaya looked up at the doorplate.
Tea Ceremony Club.
"Um."
"I'm sorry."
"I'll have to ask Hikki to wait outside for a moment."
Shiina Hiyori opened the classroom door.
As if suddenly remembering something, she turned back with an apologetic look.
"Oh, no problem."
Hikigaya nodded nonchalantly, watching Shiina Hiyori enter the room and close the door.
Come to think of it.
To have the key to the Tea Ceremony Club, Shiina Hiyori must be a member of the club. It really suited her.
After waiting for a long time.
Shiina Hiyori's voice finally came from inside the room.
"Alright, Hikki, you can come in."
"Excuse me."
Hikigaya said as he waited a moment before opening the door.
Unlike ordinary classrooms.
The classroom used by the Tea Ceremony Club was covered in tatami mats. Several flower arrangements were placed by the window, and a screen stood in the middle.
Shiina Hiyori, dressed in a kimono, sat kneeling on the floor with a tea set placed before her.
"This is..."
"Alright, Hikki, come and sit."
Sitting in front of Shiina Hiyori, Hikigaya felt a bit uneasy. Would it be more appropriate to sit in the formal seiza style?
Seemingly seeing his confusion, a smile couldn't help but appear on Shiina Hiyori's lips.
"I'm used to it because I'm a member of the club. Hikki, just be casual. I'll brew the tea for you."
"Oh."
Hikigaya breathed a sigh of relief and then sat cross-legged in front of her.
"Tea ceremony... I don't know much about it. Is there anything I need to be careful of?"
"It's fine."
Shiina Hiyori lit the incense and shook her head dismissively:
"Although tea ceremony etiquette is tedious, I believe the most important thing is to make people relax. So, Hikki, just be as casual as you like."
"Oh."
Hikigaya nodded.
Smelling the refreshing fragrance in the air that cleared the mind, he asked curiously:
"What is this scent..."
"Lavender. It helps calm the mind."
"It's quite nice..."
Hikigaya nodded, secretly taking a few deep breaths, feeling his mood relax significantly.
Although Shiina Hiyori said not to worry, her movements were not sloppy at all. She brewed a cup of tea with fluid grace and pushed it toward him.
Hikigaya didn't understand much.
He only felt that Shiina Hiyori's movements held a unique sense of beauty.
It gave off a completely different impression.
Usually, her lazy atmosphere made it seem like she was never fully awake, but now she seemed like an elegant noble young lady of the islands.
Even though Hikigaya didn't understand, he could tell Shiina Hiyori's level in tea ceremony was very high.
As expected.
In this school, as long as one participated in club activities seriously, their skill level was probably high across the board.
"Please."
After a series of tedious procedures.
Shiina Hiyori pressed one hand against her thigh and used the other to push the tasting cup in front of Hikigaya.
"That... is there really no procedure?"
Hikigaya felt a bit guilty.
She had been brewing for so long; would it really be okay to just gulp it down?
"It's fine."
"I'll just brew another after you drink it."
Shiina Hiyori smiled and clapped her small hands to tell him not to be restrained. Only then did she watch Hikigaya pick up the cup and drink it in one go.
"How is it?"
"Mhm... well... it tastes pretty good."
Hikigaya pursed his lips.
While it couldn't compare to MAX Coffee, the initial bitterness followed by a sweet aftertaste made it quite good.
"Then, another cup."
"Oh, okay."
Hikigaya could only nod.
He truly didn't understand what was so interesting about the tea ceremony.
Really.
Such a small amount isn't enough for anyone. Take another cup, one cup for each person!
Hikigaya drank several more cups.
"How is it..."
"I feel... peaceful..."
Hikigaya looked at the tea in his cup. His shoulders involuntarily relaxed, and a smile appeared on his lips.
No worries.
No purpose.
Just relaxing and drinking tea to pass the time seemed quite nice.
As he drank.
Without realizing it.
Hikigaya fell asleep.
After an unknown amount of time.
Hikigaya opened his hazy eyes and looked at the blanket covering him. He quickly regained his senses and stood up to look around.
He saw.
Shiina Hiyori had changed into casual clothes at some point and was sitting at the table flipping through a book.
"Whew..."
Yes.
Hikigaya couldn't help but sigh in relief.
Damn, he felt like he was developing a phobia of women. He almost thought Shiina Hiyori was setting a trap for him, but that was clearly impossible.
"Ah, Hikki, you're awake."
At this moment, hearing the sound, Shiina Hiyori spoke with a smile.
"Oh, sorry."
Hikigaya scratched the back of his head sheepishly: "I'm sorry for causing you trouble. How long did I sleep?"
"It doesn't matter."
Shiina Hiyori shook her head nonchalantly and pointed to the bread on the table:
"About five hours. You haven't had lunch yet. I bought some bread for you. Have some to tide you over."
"Ah, oh, thanks..."
Hikigaya nodded and sat across from Shiina Hiyori. He did feel hungry. He'd transfer the money for the meal to her later.
"No rush."
Shiina Hiyori held her book and smiled lazily: "When you're tired, you can come here to rest."
"That..."
Hikigaya's expression looked troubled and slightly guilty: "There isn't any other meaning to this, right?"
He seriously suspected.
Could this be some kind of hint?
He would rather be hated than endure any more romantic feelings.
Once bitten, twice shy. If that was the case, he could only say sorry to Shiina Hiyori.
"Eh? No."
Shiina Hiyori tilted her small head and said in a lazy tone:
"It's just that if Hikki isn't happy, I'll have a headache too. If I lose my only book buddy, I would be very troubled."
"I see. Sorry for causing you trouble."
Hikigaya nodded with a sigh of relief.
Just reading.
It really was a relaxing thing.
After finishing this late lunch, Hikigaya transferred the meal money to Shiina Hiyori, and she didn't refuse.
The two left the school and returned to the dormitory building before parting ways.
Leaving the elevator.
Hikigaya couldn't help but sigh in relief.
It really was incredible.
Even though nothing had changed.
He couldn't help but feel that his heart was much lighter.
As expected of Shiina Hiyori.
She really was amazing.
However, strictly speaking.
The fact that the tedious tea ceremony had lasted so long meant it truly had a reason for existing.
Or rather.
Shiina Hiyori's tea ceremony was truly impressive.
"Whew."
Hikigaya took a deep breath.
It was exactly as she said.
Since things had come to this, running away was useless.
He could only do his best to face it.
Always making Himeno Yuki and Ichinose worry.
What kind of man would that make him?
Back in the room.
"Why are you back so late!"
Hearing the door open, Himeno Yuki immediately threw down her handheld console and ran over to Hikigaya to ask.
"I accidentally overslept."
Looking at Himeno's body beneath the thin gauze clothing, the corners of Hikigaya's mouth involuntarily curled up.
"You're laughing... mmpf."
Before Himeno could finish, her mouth was blocked by Hikigaya's, and she felt a pair of large hands wandering over her body.
Himeno's eyes widened, and her heart pounded.
Immediately.
Himeno gave a light hop.
Her legs wrapped around Hikigaya's waist.
Although she didn't know what happened, it was definitely a good thing!