Akamatsuverse Tea Time

[division-six]

Disclaimers: KA own love hina and *insert random legalese here*

Shinobu couldnÆt stop fidgeting nervously. No matter how many times she had stopped here, the Hinata tea house still gave her the creeps when it was empty. It was just soàdead, especially compared to the excitement of yesterday; when she had seen her third wedding since arriving at Hinata-sou.

The newlyweds were the current owner and manager of the tea house, Konno Mitsune, andàuhàwell, she wasnÆt terribly familiar with the groom, although Keitaro seemed to know who he was. Ah well, that didnÆt matter. What did matter was that they seemed happy together, at least two people were.

While the ceremony itself went smoothly, the reception was a different matter. Shinobu didnÆt know all the details, but there had a pretty fierce argument between Keitaro and Naru. Their quarrel ended along fairly predictable lines-namely KeitaroÆs violent expulsion from the room by way of NaruÆs fist. It wasnÆt unusual ûor entirely unexpected for that matter, but something about it had left a deathly chill over everyone present.

The only thing that was nearly as strange was the bride herself demanding that she to come to the teahouse the next afternoon. It was rare for her to flat-out demand something from anyone when more subtle means were available. Shinobu found the request too forceful to resist, and here she was; wasting her time in a place she couldnÆt stand for God-only-knew what.

ôI guess I shouldnÆt have sold her the bouquet huh?ö Ema mumbled, making her presence known.

ôEma? What are you doing here?ö Shinobu asked

ôI think IÆm lostàagain.ö The younger girl replied. Despite living here for two years, Ema still got lost on occasion. The girl seemed to have absolutely no sense of direction.

ôTake a seat, IÆll get you something to drink.ö Shinobu said, trying to ease her friendÆs embarrassment. ôWhat were you saying about the selling the bouquet? I thought Motoko and Kanako tore that thing to shreds fighting over it.ö

ôYeah, that was pretty scary.ö Ema chortled. ôThose two looked ready to kill for that thing. But I meant when I first got here during NaruÆs wedding. I probably should have held out for more than five hundred yen, huh?ö

ôIf I had-ö

ôShinobu! You made it!ö Kitsune blurted out as she stepped into the tea house. ôEma? What are you doing here?ö

ôIÆm sorry! IÆll leave! IÆll-ö Ema stuttered as she bolted towards the door.

ôItÆs okay kid! Stay! Stay!ö Kitsune said as she motioned for her to take a seat.
ôShinobu, how are things going at Todai? Have you picked your major yet?ö

Shinobu didnÆt have much of a response for that. It was plainly obvious to everyone that knew her that she had no clear goals about what to study at the university other than ôFollowing SempaiÆs Footsteps: 101.ö The past few years hadnÆt changed her ambitions much.ö

ôànot yetö Shinobu mumbled.

ôStill no direction in life, huh?ö Kitsune blurted out without thinking.

ôNo! No, Iàö the younger girlÆs voice trailed off as she realized that her friend was right.

ôK-Kitsune! I think that was a bit much.ö Ema stuttered as she came to ShinobuÆs defense.

ôAw, I didnÆt mean anything by it. I only know because IÆve been in your shoes before kiddo. Heck, thatÆs why I asked you to come here.ö

ôHuh?ö

ôHowÆd you like to run the tea house?ö

ôBu-But I donÆt know how to manage a-ö

ôNonsense! YouÆve done a beautiful job when IÆve asked you to cover for me in the past. YouÆll probably do a better job running this place than me. Besides, I guarantee youÆll get more than enough help.ö The fox explained as she grinned at Ema.

ôWhy me? Why not Motoko or Mutsumi; why do you even need to leave? I thought you were still going to live near here!ö

ôWell, the truth is that itÆs done all it can for me. Right now you need it more than anyone else here.ö

ôI-I donÆt understand.ö

ôIÆm not supposed to tell you this,ö Kitsune sighed. ôbut itÆs something I would have liked to know before I got saddled with this place.ö

The older woman lightly rapped her knuckles against the wall. ôThe æmysterious annexÆ wasnÆt the only magic building around here. After I took charge here Haruka told me that this place can help give you motivation for new things; help you get married- if you want to, that is; and generally set your life in order.ö

ôCan it really do all that?Æ Shinobu was curious, if she was telling the truthà

ôHeck, it worked for Haruka and me, didnÆt it? ItÆll work for you if you want it.ö

ôIÆmànot sure if I want to take over.ö

ôGotcha. I was kinda hoping that you would make a decision right away, but if you need time, I can wait for your answer.ö KitsuneÆs disappointment was clear as she walked towards the exit. ôThanks for hearing me out, please thing about it, though.ö

ôI will, andàthanks. It means a lot to me.ö

ôJust remember that this isnÆt a one-time deal. ItÆs open whenever you want it.ö


***
Bleh, this story idea's been burning a hole in my head ever since I thought of it.

Sorry if it's not all that good, I haven't had much opportunity to write in a while so I'm pretty rusty.

 

[Wonderbee31]

This looks like it'll be a fun read, and will be wondering what'll happen next, as it seems Shinobu is still pining for Keitaro, adn that he and Naru seem to have not adjusted to life with each other well at all. Will Shinobu end up with her dream man at last?

 

[ThreadWeaver]

It does seem to be a good start. It certainly sets it up as if the bell is tolling on Keitaro's marriage, and her getting a magical teahouse that makes lives better.

Maybe she can get Keitaro to make some of the Urashima sweets when he's around. Nothing like chocolate dipped strawberries to lighten a mood... ahem. That is, when he's not running all over the world trying to avoid his 'wife'. heh.

 

[Terdwilicker]

Shinobu getting Keitaro is the obvious direction. However, there's a more interesting story that can be told. It helps you get your life in order and figure out what you want. Shinobu could use something like that to understand herself, and to see other people try and compose themselves from stress as she serves them tea. She can learn from the observation, and consider herself in that context.

 

[division-six]

EmaÆs vision blurred as Shinobu scrawled down arcane mathematical equations at lightning speed. The younger girl had often sought out the todai studentÆs help with her homework. Something seemed different this time. The older girlÆs serene and slow explanations and calm demeanor was replaced with a frantic babbling and pent-up frustration.

ôSo we take the CoSine andàö Shinobu half-mumbled her words as she continued scribbling on the paper.

ôUm, Shinobu-sempai?ö Ema squeaked.

ôàmultiply that by piàö

ôShinobu-sempai?ö Ema lightly tapped the older girlÆs shoulder. The woman sped up her pace, becoming more nonsensical with each passing moment.

ôNow if itÆs compound interest, then we need toàö Her part-time tutor was getting out of hand. Ema had to do something.

ôS-Sempai!ö the young girl stuttered aloud.

ShinobuÆs fingers tightened around the pencil, forcing it to crack under the strain.

ôYes?ö hissed the todai student.

ôWeÆre supposed to be working on my English.ö She held up her English workbook as if to shield herself from her sempaiÆs wrath.

ShinobuÆs anger melted as she saw her friend tremble. Did she look like her at that age?

ôIÆm sorry, just please donÆt call me that.ö

ôI think you should take KitsuneÆs offer.ö Ema offered. ShinobuÆs eyes snapped open.

ôWhat does that have to do with anything?ö

ôWell, youÆve been acting really strange lately. That tea house is supposed to help right?ö

Shinobu sighed as she stretched her limbs, trying to get blood flowing as she considered the younger girlÆs words. The offer intrigued her to be sure, but with a new semester at Todai starting she would have her hands full with classes.

Then again, among all the residents she was the only person remotely qualified to take up the job. After all, she already spent most of her time helping out in the tea house to make extra spending money. The tea house was right next door so moving would be fairly easy and she wouldnÆt have to say goodbye to everyone.

ôEma, I just may do just that.ö Shinobu remarked with a smile that had been absent for several weeks.

 

[Prince Charon]

Nice snippet. :yay: