Lunchtime — Library
"Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Hikigaya-kun. It seems the book I lent you left quite an impression."
Shiina Hiyori spoke softly, her tone gentle but precise, as if weighing every word.
"Yeah. It's a masterpiece — exactly what you'd expect from someone who won the Maltese Falcon Award," Hikigaya said, sounding genuinely impressed.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it… though, I'm curious — how did you like the ending?" Shiina asked, tilting her head slightly.
Hikigaya froze.
Wait—how does she know I finished it already?
Don't tell me she's got surveillance cameras in the classroom?!
Almost as if reading his mind, Shiina smiled faintly. "No hidden cameras, I promise. The school rules forbid that sort of thing."
So the only reason she hasn't done it is because it's against the rules?
And what's with that disappointed look?
"Otherwise," she continued serenely, "I could've observed how Hikigaya-kun maneuvers between the princess and the queen. It'd be like watching a mystery novel unfold."
"That's not happening!" Hikigaya snapped, slamming his can of Max Coffee on the table. "Who's the idiot spreading that rumor!?"
He cursed silently. Do these Class D gossip chains have international broadcast rights or something?
"Hehe~ don't be so tense, Hikigaya-kun. I was just joking," Shiina said with a soft laugh, clearly amused.
This girl… she's got a mischievous streak.
Hikigaya opened his Max Coffee and was about to take a sip — until he noticed Shiina watching him curiously.
"…Would you like to try some, Hiyori-san?" he asked, lowering the can. "I haven't drunk from it yet."
"Is that really okay?" Her smile deepened ever so slightly.
"Sure. Sharing something you love is its own kind of joy," Hikigaya replied.
"In that case, just pour a little into this." Shiina unscrewed the lid of her thermos and held it out to him.
What is this, a tea ceremony now?
"That won't do," Hikigaya said seriously. "You need at least three sips of Max Coffee to truly appreciate its unique depth."
"…Three sips?" she repeated, amused. "Then, I'll humbly obey."
Shiina took the thermos, raised it to her lips, and drank.
"Mmm~ it's so sweet!"
"It's not just sweet," Hikigaya said, slipping into preacher mode. "There's a sophisticated bitterness underneath it all."
"Really?" Shiina tilted her head, her eyes sparkling in mock innocence.
"Of course!"
Otherwise, I'll have nightmares again tonight!
She obediently took two more sips, closing her eyes as she savored the flavor. Her slender throat moved slightly as she swallowed.
"Wow… the astringent aftertaste is just like you said, Hikigaya-kun. It's wonderful."
Shiina gave him a thumbs-up, looking delighted.
"And the final sip," Hikigaya declared solemnly, "is for contemplating the afterglow of happiness."
"Hikigaya-kun is so knowledgeable~" Shiina beamed. Then, as if remembering something, she added, "Ah, that's right — since you let me try your coffee, you should try my tea too."
"Sure," Hikigaya agreed absentmindedly. Then he realized — he didn't have a cup.
"Using mine doesn't seem right," Shiina murmured, glancing at the teacup. "It already has the taste of coffee… that'd ruin the flavor."
"Then Hikigaya-kun can just drink straight from this." She lifted her thermos and offered it to him.
"Huh?" Hikigaya froze.
Wait… isn't this… an indirect kiss?!
"Come on, don't be shy." She nudged the thermos closer.
No. Bad idea. My heart rate's spiking.
Is this… a flag event?
He looked at her suspiciously.
"Hm?" Shiina blinked, puzzled. "What's wrong? I already drank from your can."
Right. That's true.
"Tch…"
Unable to withstand her pure, unguarded gaze, Hikigaya took the thermos and braced himself.
He brought it to his lips and took a sip.
The faint warmth of the rim brushed against his mouth — an illusion, surely. Just a false chemical signal from his brain.
"The initial taste is mellow and slightly sweet…" he analyzed.
"With a lingering, clean fragrance?" Shiina chimed in.
"Yeah… but it's familiar," Hikigaya said, blinking.
He wasn't lying.
He had tasted this before.
Back in his second year of middle school, his old man — a man with bizarre hobbies — had mailed him a set of rare teas from around the world. After Hikigaya topped his class in Japanese, he'd been hoping for a cash reward. Instead, the old cheapskate sent him a pouch of "seven-year-aged Pu'erh," claiming it would "broaden his horizons."
He remembered drinking it that night and lying awake until dawn, mumbling "smooth… smooth…" like a madman.
According to his father, Pu'erh tea required delicate storage and long aging to become drinkable. Meaning, of course — the one he drank was probably expired.
Damn it, that old man scammed me!
"Wow~" Shiina's voice pulled him back. "Hikigaya-kun loves reading and knows so much about tea."
She clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling.
"You're practically… my soulmate!"
"Soulmate, huh?" Hikigaya muttered.
"Could be worse."
For a brief moment, he remembered the strange dream from before. Then he shook his head.
A dream's a dream. Reality's still reality.
"Actually…" Shiina murmured softly, her voice almost drowned out by the bell. "Maybe we could be even better…"
Ding-ding-ding—
The bell for the end of lunch break rang.
"Time flies when you're having fun," Hikigaya said, handing the thermos back to her. "Sorry I couldn't finish your tea. It was… a bit too hot to chug."
"It's fine. I'll drink the rest," Shiina replied with a faint smile.
Hikigaya studied her face for a moment.
Was she truly that airheaded?
Or was she just pretending to be pure?
He honestly couldn't tell.