Chapter Text
I
It was a pleasantly warm spring day, the time just entering mid-afternoon. The sun had begun its graceful descent, soon to give way to his distant lover on the other side. This story takes place in the meticulously well kept ES garden. Now that spring had broken through the unforgiving and relentess winter, the cycle of life had begun once more. Leaves were starting their cautious emergence into the welcome warm, filling out the bushes and trees satisfactorily. Even amongst the ground the buds were beginning to bloom, unfurling into an array of captivating colours. Though, of course, the garden was hardly ever barren even in the harsh winters that befell it.
Due to the necessity of keeping the garden a sancturary for maintaining wellbeing, seasonal flowers could always be found but nothing could beat the exapanse of green which breathed new life into those who gazed upon it. Indeed, the garden was often used by the idols themselves for leisure or practice for those who yearned for the scenic background. It also happened to be the common location in which the tea parties for the circle FLAVOUR were hosted. And today seemed to be no exception. Not all that long ago had four of the members gathered into the garden and started decorating the center table and setting around enough chairs. They had been summoned for an impromptu party by their committee president, Tenshouin Eichi, to try out a new blend he had apparently been working on. Though he was the one who had arranged this whole affair, the designated meeting time he'd chosen had come and gone and the other members had begun to get antsy waiting for him...
II
"He's taking a while isn't he?' A cerulean blue haired boy remarked with a thoughtful hum as he placed a delicate looking flask carefully down onto the table. It was embellished with carefully painted white flowers wrapping around the base matching the pattern on the glasses already set out beside it. Inside was a rich looking blend kept fresh by the cork securing the flask shut.
"It's Ecchan's party, I'm sure he'll show up.' With his head laid upon the table. This was Sakuma Ritsu. He had known their committee head since their days at Yumenosaki Academy where they also spent a fair amount of their days sharing stories over tea in a familiar yet distant garden.
A vibrant laugh sounded from a man with equally as vibrant hair. "Right, right! Unless he's finally dropped dead!" Tomoe Hiyori, a historic acquanitance of Tenshouin Eichi and one who appeared to have no qualms poking fun at the family heir. Perhaps a testament to their unspoken (and denied) closeness.
"Huh? " The blue haired boy had already appeared to have become faint. His voice shook as he spoke. "Oh dear, you don't actually think that's the case, do you? We should go look for him at once!"
A hopeless sigh could be heard from beside the vibrant hair. "Hiyori-san." Mint hair strictly admonished to which Hiyori grimaced awkwardly. "Sorry, Shino-kun." He says, reaching up to ruffle Hajime's neat hair. Hajime protests at the gesture. "I'm sure it's as Ritsu-kun says, Eichi-san will be here." He offers a reassuring smile.
"Hmm, speak of the devil~" Ritsu observation caused the others to turn their heads and take notice of the approaching figure. Blonde hair which seemed to shine brighter in the gentle rays of the sun gave him the appearence if a heavenly glow. Finally, it seemed he had arrived. The aforementioned head of the comittee and the host of today's party. His lateness didn't seem to be of concern to him for he maintained a leisurely pace as he neared the table. Giving a smile and a playful wave, he begun to greet the four.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
"Ah Eichi onii-chan! We had everything set up but uhm..." The boy trailed off, unable to criticise his precious senior. "Your tardiness has meant poor Hajime had to clear away all his hard work", aided Hiyori as Hajime shuffled his feet nervously. Eichi chuckled in response before turning to Hajime, a now pitiful glint in his eyes. "My apologies Hajime-kun. To make it up to you, shall I help you set up it all up again?" Hajime blinked in shock at his words. He waved his hands in protest "What? But it's your party! You shouldn't have to worry about helping out!"
"On the contrary, I should help out because it is my party.' Eichi turns his head to the side and gazes downwards with a sorrowful sigh. "I'm such an awful senior, aren't I, Hajime-kun? Leaving you to get everything ready on your own..."
Hajime felt his heart pang at Eichi's (unbeknownst to him) performance. "I don't mind Eichi onii-chan! I like helping out like this so please don't worry yourself over it..."
"No, I must atone for my behavour." Eichi lent down towards the increasingly flustered face before him. "So please Hajime-chan, order me as you wish~"
"Uhm." Eichi quickly straightened his posture and whipped around to see Tatsumi (the aforementioned mint hair) offering an apologetic smile as he pulls a chair out. "Would you mind just sitting in this chair? We've planned everything already." Eichi fought hard not to gape at the sudden unexpected request. Well, perhaps not unexpected, Eichi would have surely taken a seat at some point this afternoon. What he wasn't expecting was to be all but commanded into one. In all honesty he was rather offended at such a brazen display of impatience, but of course he would not show it. It was partially his own doing anyway. Or perhaps Kazehaya's persistance was not directed personally at him and instead was trying to protect Hajime. But from what? Eichi? What, was he that scary?
Eichi remained inwardly shocked for a few seconds more before clearing his throat and plastering a pleasant smile across his face.
'Ah...Well alright.' He conceded. 'I don't like to have my plans disrupted, either."
"Hajime-san, Ritsu-san and I will bring the macarons and cups out, okay?"
"Are you sure you'll be okay carrying them back?" Hajime fussed to which Tatsumi nodded, smiling graciously. "Two people should be enough." He turned to address another sorry smile at Eichi before setting off after Ritsu who had already started the journey to escape Eichi's eccentrics.
"I see. I'll stay here and sit tight then." Eichi muttered as he placed himself into the seat Tatsumi had offered him. He lowered his cheek into his hand and set his eyes upon the back of the man who had just given him the equivalent of a public flogging. "Hmm, and I thought everything would already be set up for me." He idly remarked. A click of the tongue from Hiyori caused his eye to twitch. "Well, they were out but the sun wasn't helping and oh, all the disgusting flies kept trying to get at them - Eichi-san you realise they were made by the head chef of my family meaning the ingredients are finely selected and in short supply, I mean the audacity of you..."
The rest of Hiyori's squabbling fell mute on Eichi's ears. All seemed to fall away as he continued to gaze after the man who had now retreated into the building. The absence of the macarons was hardly an important issue to him when Kazehaya Tatsumi thought it fit to boss him about. He had given his darling junoir Hajime that luxury, not him. He couldn't stand he efficiency that Kazehaya spoke to him with, almost as if he wanted to finish talking to him as soon as he possibly could, and the complete obstruction of Eichi's (what he thought could be called endearing) meddling! It was all so irritating. But there was something else which was so annoying about it...
Kazehaya Tatsumi didn't seem interested in him. And that bothered him.
Eichi wasnt usually one to care if he was despised (oftentimes it was unavoidable, he understood that) but the cold indifference Kazehaya seems to hold for him was irksome. It did not matter to Eichi if Kazehaya liked him or not. However, it was perhaps something of a shame that he was still so wary of Eichi from their first encounter. What can such an angelic face be good for if one can not use it? But Eichi supposed it was his fault for wanting to scare the rookies upon their first meeting, though now that they were properly acquanited, couldnt he spare at least a little more interest?
Perhaps it wasn't irritating but rather...Eichi dismissed the thought.
Surely there was something he could do?
A meek voice pulled him from his thoughts. "I'm sorry to turn down your kindness, Eichi-onii-san." Hajime had appeared beside Eichi looking entirely dejected. His gaze landed anywhere but Eichi as he fidgeted with his hands. The display sent a wave of guilt through Eichi's chest But really, wasn't it that Kazehaya's fault for forcing Hajime to turn him down? Eichi sat up in his chair and managed the most radiant smile he could "Please don't make that face, Hajime-kun. Come on, smile at me. We're having a happy tea party today arent we?" Hajime immediately brightened at the request shouting a lively 'Okay!'
For a moment, Eichi forgot his source of torment.
III
"We're back." Ritsu called out following his words with a yawn. He placed the retrieved macarons down . Tatsumi followed suit having placed the box he was carrying on the ground, picking out the teacups and saucers placing them in front of each of the members. Eichi watched with interest, his attention caught once more.
"We're already behind schedule so I'll have to leave the box out here. I do apologise if they are a cause for eyesore."
"Tatsumi-san, no need to worry! We'll direct any complaints to our arrogant host after all~" Eichi gave a half-hearted chuckle. "Now, now Hiyori-kun. Let us leave the badmouthing behind for now." He turned his attention to the returnees. "Thank you." He made sure to hold eye contact with Tatsumi whilst saying this, meaning Ritsu's narrowed eyes escaped his line of sight. Tatsumi seemed unaffected by the intensity of Eichi's stare and offered an appreciative smile at his words. Eichi tore his eyes away.
"Mhm!" Hajime agreed breaking the tension. "Thank you Ritsu-senpai, Tatsumi-senpai!"
"You're welcome, Haakun." Ritsu chuckled before seating himself. His attention was drawn to the reason why they were having this party in the first place. "What's in this anyway, Ecchan?" With his head now resting on his arms, he gazed up at the flask of tea in question. Eichi "My special blend - Potion of the Emperor."
"Hmm, sounds presumptuous. Is Ecchan tyring for immortality like the emperors of yore?"
"It sounds awfully sketchy too - especially coming from Eichi-san." Hiyori said, grimacing. "In times like these, I wish someone would check it for poison..." Eichi rolled his eyes but conceded deciding to play into Hiyori's concerns. A chance to illicit a reaction from a certain someone would be ill of him to miss.
"Then, how about Kazehaya-kun?" Eichi directed his politest smile at the aforementioned. Tatsumi, who had just finished placing down the last teacup, looked up in suprise but adhered to the request nonetheless.
"Alright then, please allow me to be the first to try it." True to his word, Tatsumi raised the glass to his lips and tentatively took a sip. Eichi leaned forward, his hands wrapping under his chin as he watched the other in rapt attention. His smile extended as he watched the liquid travel down the others throat. Of course there was no way he would have poisoned the tea. For one, it was his own special blend -to tamper with it would be sacrilidge- but secondly he would never put innocent Hajime at risk. Regardless, the impossibility of such a notion did not prevent it from being an entertaining one. Imagining the devotion or trust Kazehaya would have to possess in Eichi to willingly risk his life like this - Eichi momentarily reveled in that possibility. His eyes followed the motion of Tatsumi's hand placing the cup upon its saucer and then rose expectingly back up to his face for the verdict.
"Um. It has a refreshing flavour and a gentle aftertaste. I think, most people would like it."
Eichi's eyebrow twitches at the underwhelming reaction. Sure, the blend was nothing extraordinary but that did not mean it was justified such a lukewarm response. , he brushed off his scorn and responded jovially. "Right. Unlike the niche H blend, this can appeal to a larger number of people. Here," Eichi begins pouring the rest of the blend into the other teacups, "now Kazehaya-kun has proven to remain in good health, let us all try it. Is that okay with you, Hiyori-san?"
"Fine... even if it gets us later at least we can all enjoy the macarons now. There's five different flavours so please help yourselves!". The atmosphere became enlivened yet leisurely. There was excited chatter in the air and the occasional squeal of delight from Hajime as he was ushered another delicacy. Despite the joy in the air, Eichi felt unsatisfied. He idly spun the macaron he had picked around on his plate before he was struck with a realisation. It seemed that Tatsumi, ever the saint, had yet to pick one of the sweet treats laid out before him likely waiting for whatever was left. That meant the possibility he'd be left with something and as the host, it was his duty to make sure no one left disappointed.
Leaning over the table, Eichi hovered his macaron in the air. "Here, Kazehaya-kun. Say 'Ahh'."
"A-Ah?" Taking advantage of his surprise, Eichi pushed the macaron into Tatsumi's mouth and waited to see what his reaction would be. Not long after he'd started chewing was his confusion replaced by his eyes lighting up.
"Mm! Hiyori-san, these are delicious!" Eichi's patient smile faltered at his response. "Why of course they are, you mean you hadn't even had one yet? Here, Tatsumi-kun, have another!" And so resumed the never-ending enthusiasm over Hiyori's finely crafted macarons.
Eichi spectated the three's liveliness with no amount of dismay hidden on his face. His mood only served to sour when he felt (what must have been Ritsu's) hand settle on his shoulder, patting it a few times in mock sympathy.
IV
The afternoon came to an end as the sun began it's early descent casting a hazy blue across the ES garden. Thus signified the end of FLAVOURs festivities as well. With everything packed and tidied away, the five exchanged their farewells and set off to their respective plans for the evening. Well, except for two. Eichi and Ritsu remained seated as they waved their circle members off. Once the others had turned their back on them, Ritsu set his gaze onto Eichi.
"You were acting strange today."
"Was I?"
"Yeah, and you know it." At the accusation, Eichi chuckled to which Ritsu rolled his eyes. "Leave him alone, Ecchan. You're gonna scare him off. It'd be a shame because I actually kinda like Tacchan.
"He won't leave. He's shockingly strong-willed."
"If you say so. It will be you grovelling at his feet to come back just so you know." With that, Ritsu began for the garden exit. Eichi stood up to leave not long after. On his way out he considered the day's events. Whilst today could be concluded as failure in matters concering Tatsumi, he couldn't help but feel excited for their next meeting.