LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 260.1
Chapter 260.1. Positions
In the inner district of Hakata City, there’s a building constructed as a guesthouse. It’s an estate with weathered pillars, a deep-colored brick structure. Though aged and charming, one might say it’s a bit worn-out.
In one room of that estate, the parlor, there was an antique table surrounded by sofas where a few girls sat.
Among them, a petite girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, Konoha-sama Taira, sipped her tea leisurely and elegantly. She didn’t like the bitterness, but she didn’t show it on her face. As the second daughter of the Three Houses, she elegantly enjoyed green tea.
Since it was very bitter, she stuck out her tongue slightly to hint, “It’s bitter,” letting the maid notice.
A lady never says “this tea is bitter” out loud. She wondered if the maid might catch on and swap the tea soon.
“This is too strong. You put in too many tea leaves. Even a child could make tastier tea.”
The girl with the mask, unfamiliar with the word “lady,” bluntly returned the tea to the maid. And this maid ignored Konoha-sama’s subtle hint about the bitterness.
“My apologies, Rei-sama-sama. I thought adding lots of tea leaves would make it taste better, as Konoha-sama-sama suggested. I’ll brew it again.”
And she shamelessly framed her employer while keeping a straight face. Was this girl truly a maid?
“A firm matcha latte, with extra whipped cream and a generous chocolate sauce topping, please.”
“Oh, Rei-sama-dono, you may be able to make the perfect tea after all! You’re a tea genius, too!”
Rei-sama reclined deeply on the sofa, holding a teacup, and honestly stated, “This is bitter.” Upon hearing the request, the maid acted overly surprised, then began making a matcha latte with a heap of whipped cream and a rich drizzling of chocolate sauce.
She was fully prepared with commercial whipped cream, all set for action. It was as if these two were perfectly in sync, like they’d planned this skit in advance.
In a peaceful world, these two would surely have become comedians. Watching them with a deadpan look, Konoha-sama sipped the overly bitter tea once more, sticking out her tongue to signal, “It’s bitter.” Could she get a taste of that tea too, perhaps?
“Do you think matcha lattes will be adopted in tea ceremonies, Konoha-sama-sama? I’d prefer cocoa instead of matcha.”
“Cocoa in a tea ceremony is quite the stretch, Fuuka-dono.”
Seated on the sofa was another figure: Minamoto Fuuka-sama, an elf with long, bamboo-like ears and an artful, beautiful face. Despite being from one of the Three Houses, she seemed unconcerned with appearances. When Konoha-sama commented if cocoa was really suitable, Fuuka-sama raised an eyebrow and smirked faintly. Elves, just by being, were beautiful, which sparked a slight pang of jealousy in her.
“I can’t drink tea unless it’s brewed carefully. Your maid, from the looks of it, doesn’t seem to have the talent for tea. Cocoa, at least, should be delicious no matter who prepares it.”
With a casual shrug, Fuuka-sama spoke politely yet with a hint of sarcasm, bluntly remarking that Konoha-sama’s maid lacked skill in making tea. Given her careless brewing style, there was no way to refute it. Grr.
“No, cocoa has its own way of being prepared. Personally, I think it’s best when mixed with hot milk warmed to about 60 degrees.”
The unyielding maid defended herself, quickly preparing cocoa with a mountain of whipped cream and handing it to Fuuka-sama. Though she’d thrown in tea leaves carelessly earlier, now she was being meticulous. A heap of whipped cream was essential here, too.
“It’s worth considering. It’s quite delicious.”
“All I can taste from that cup is whipped cream!”
The cocoa was buried under whipped cream, and Fuuka-sama licked it off as she gave her feedback, prompting Konoha-sama to chime in.
It was exceptionally rare for Minamoto Fuuka-sama to be present. Even at evening gatherings, they’d exchange polite greetings as fellow members of the Three Houses, but they’d never had such an amiable conversation before.
“So, why have you come to visit my room? Aren’t you aiming to marry Elder Brother Kiyoshi?”
“Oh, you thought so because we both became civil officers. Kiyoshi-sama might indeed be a desirable prospect. He has a clean record, he’s competent, and I think his narrow eyes might hint at a cunning nature.”
“That last part sounded a bit odd, didn’t it?”
“Just your imagination, perhaps? While Kiyoshi-sama is indeed a quality catch, it’s not something I’m considering at the moment. Instead, I came to get to know you, Konoha-sama-sama, and Rei-sama-dono better.”
Fuuka-sama’s straightforward words left Konoha-sama feeling a bit flustered. Only Rei-sama had spoken to her with such directness before.
“This person is a friend of Sakimori-san. Even if I were to connect with her, the balance wouldn’t shift much. The scale is heavily tipped in favor of Sakimori-san’s side.”
Rei-sama, bluntly, brought Konoha-sama’s hopeful thoughts back to reality. Yes, she’d thought so too. But, still, she’d have liked to hold on to a sliver of hope.
“There will surely be a time when our paths won’t clash. When that happens, I’d like to lend my support.”
“It sounds nice, but basically you’re saying that when there’s a deal that doesn’t conflict with President Sakimori Amano, you’d like a piece of it, right? Is there no one around me who’s sincere?”
Drooping her shoulders in disappointment, she sighed. Well, she had expected as much.
“I was a bit more polite when speaking with Teru-sama, so consider that a sign of goodwill.”
Seeing Fuuka-sama chuckle mischievously, Konoha-sama sighed in weariness.
“Oh, such interactions are so exhausting. I just want friends who speak plainly, without all the indirectness.”
Leaning back on the sofa, Konoha-sama handed the teacup to the maid, snorting in disinterest.
“It’s those exact people you should be wary of, I would say. Hahaha.”
“Better than dealing with someone acting, wouldn’t you say? Bleh.”