Hello all! I just decided that this site needs more Shinku x Jun. There's not enough of this couple around the place - and they're supposed to the be the canon pairing of the entire series. =.='

By the way, this is all based mostly on the anime rather than the manga, and I wanted it to be a collection of stories centred around Shinku and Jun. Whether I actually get around to updating depends upon reviews. So give me feedback, people, if you want more. XD

Disclaimer: I do not own Rozen Maiden nor any of its characters. Peach-Pit does.

So without any further ado, let us continue...

Tea

Jun makes terrible tea.

Shinku, being a seasoned connoisseur of the beverage, knows this perfectly well as she sips her cup quietly on his bed; the temperature is all wrong and the taste is awfully bland. And yet, regardless of Jun's atrocious skills, regardless of the fact that she herself could make tea of unsurpassed taste and perfection, she would not rather drink tea brewed by anyone else.

The fact that, despite his grumblings and complaints when she asked, he stood up, walked down to the kitchen and brewed tea just for her is enough to touch Shinku's heart, though she hides it well.

The fact that he did it for her…

Perhaps, it is because Shinku believes that the tea Jun makes has very sweet flavour, one that can't be tasted by the tongue, but rather, by the heart.

It is a sweetness that is gentle, kind and compassionate, that strikes a chord inside her. She can taste the effort he put into making this tea for her.

And there is something more – a deeper undertone, barely perceptible underneath everything else, but definitely there. It is a strange but exceedingly pleasant flavour; warm, fragrant and mellow, a very tender, very soft sensation that Shinku feels. She does not even understand it herself, and so can only say that it makes her feel lighter and happier than she has ever felt before in her life. Shinku's incredibly sensitive sense of taste, stemming from the tenderness with which she drinks and appreciates tea with her heart, is able to detect every essence, every emotion and every feeling that has been poured into its contents. It could be said that she can taste the heart of the tea itself. But even she has never experienced anything like the subtle, delicate tones of Jun's tea.

It is indescribable in words to Shinku, at least. But if another were to take a sip of that tea and be made aware of the marvellous sensations hidden behind its bland taste, then perhaps it might be said that the tea had a very loving flavour.

Of course, that is something Shinku would never admit openly, even if she did realise it for herself one day.

"Jun. This tea is terrible. Make me another cup."

"Make it yourse – ow!"

Jun earns a terrific slap from Shinku's curls and shoots her an irritated glare, one hand pressed against his sore and reddened cheek. Grumbling, he trudges grudgingly down to the kitchen.

He doesn't even realise that in spite of her admonitions about his dreadful tea, Shinku has drained the entire cup empty, not even a single drop left.

So constructive criticism is appreciated. Flames are not. If you want this continued, then please review. Thank you for reading! :D