***NEARLY A WEEK LATER, AT THE TEA APPRECIATION CLUB***
"No, no! We should use something more vibrant! Not the old kimonos that we wore the last time to the last competition!" Tohru cried, as she looked through the collection of clothes the club had for the last few competitions. "Is this all we have?" she turned around and fixed her steely glare at her fellow team members.
Silence greeted her as her team members all looked elsewhere but her furious glare. Finally, the treasurer of the club finally spoke up "Gomen nasi, Tohru-chan, but this is what we had for the past few competitions! If you really want a different look, I am afraid; we have to order new ones, which we could not afford as the school will definitely not approve it!"
"And this is the reason why Seishun has never ever clinched the championship!" Tohru said angrily, as she sat down heavily on a cushion on the floor. "As the President this year, I want to see that championship trophy in our bag!"
"Calm down, Tohru-chan." Ling-chan spoke up, soothing her a little. "Have some tea. Cool your temper. I am sure we can think of something."
"How? How can you ask me to calm down, Ling-chan? Especially when the tea competition is coming up in less than a month?" Tohru asked. "Without something vibrant, we cannot carry our theme off! One of the judging criteria is based on our clothing."
"I know. Let me think for a while." Ling-chan replied, taking a sip of the tea that she prepared while she looked over the rim of the cup at their treasurer. "Yuki-chan, what are the things that the school will approve without a question for our club?"
"Ano….cloths of all kind. Tea sets etc. So long the item is not personalized to a single person and can be used for the whole club, the school will approve of it." Yuki replied hesitantly.
"Ah…..if that is the case, we got our answer, ladies." Ling-chan smiled at this.
"What? You got an idea to solve our problems, Ling-chan?" Tohru looked up at her hopefully.
Ling-chan stayed quiet for a while before she answered "Part of it anyway. Whether we succeed or not, it will depend on us. Or rather, our sewing skills…." Tohru interrupted "Just say it!" "We will purchase the cloth that can be made into kimonos. From there, we will have to apply our own skills instead of ordering custom made ones. If the school should look through the records, they will only see the purchase of cloth, nothing else. They cannot fault us for making it into kimonos. After the competition, we can easily turn them back into the bates of cloth that they are in the first place. However, I have no idea how to make one. Does anyone of you know?" She asked.
"Yes, I know how to make one." Yuki replied, as she thought over Ling-chan's words. "In fact, our mothers will know how to make one. But where can we buy the cloth that we need?"
"We have to scout for it. Look through different fabric shops etc. Until we can find a piece of cloth that can carry off the theme that we decided upon." Tohru decided.
***AT NIGHT, IN THE CONVERSATION ROOM***
Ling-chan had explained what had happened earlier during the day
Ling-chan says:
Hence, there is a need to find that piece of cloth that the club needs. And that is how I am going to spend this coming Saturday, Oshitari-kun. I think, I won't be able to go out with u after all. Gomen nasi.
Oshitari-sama says:
That is all you need? To shop for cloth? But are you going to take up the whole day?
Ling-chan says:
Most probably? I have no idea. We are meeting in the afternoon, at Tokyo Mall, 1pm.
Oshitari-sama says:
Meet me for breakfast there then. There is a place there where I think you might find your stuff. If it works out, then you can bring your friends over to the place that I suggest.
Ling-chan says:
Sounds good to me….but…..Oshitari-kun, are you really ok with this? After all, I was supposed to spend the day with you. But now you got to change your plans because of me.
Oshitari-sama says:
Daijoubu. Do not worry. You will be spending the day with me after all. I am sure you can find what you want at the place I am recommending to you. So I meet you at 8.30am, at the French deli in the mall?
Ling-chan says:
Hai. I will meet you there then. Arigato, Oshitari-kun. Sayonara.
The conversation ended at 1256h, conversation closed. Oshitari-sama appears offline.
Back at his computer, Oshitari pushed his specs higher up on his nose. He smiled to himself as he murmured "I am damn sure that you will find what you want, Ling-chan."
***SATURDAY, IN THE FRENCH DELI, TOYKO MALL***
"Good morning, Oshitari-kun!" Ling-chan greeted, bowing to him as she approached the table where Oshitari was seated already. "You are early."
"Of course. I must never keep a lady waiting, can I?" Oshitari replied, as he bowed back to her. "Sit down, shall we order?" He gestured to the waiting waitress, who came over immediately, with a menu in hand.
"Good morning, what can I get for you today?" The waitress asked, looking at Oshitari with hearts in her eyes. She ignored Ling-chan totally.
"What will you like, my dear?" Oshitari asked Ling-chan, emphasizing on the word "dear" as he looked at her pointedly. Stifling her laughter, Ling-chan turned to the waitress and ordered "Two French breakfast sets, please. Espresso for my le amour over there and a cup of latte for me. Merci beau coup!" She smiled as the waitress nodded unhappily and marched away with the orders. Turning back to Oshitari, she teased loudly "Is that fine, my dearest?"
"Hai hai. Anything you desire, sweetheart." He answered as loudly back, while looking at the waitress, who wore an expression of dashed hopes. Lowering his voice, he said "Thank gods for you, Ling-chan, else I will never get those fan girls off my back." Smiling at him, Ling-chan replied cheekily "Well, you got those looks of yours to blame. Plus, if you didn't wear that Hyotei tennis shirt out today, you won't have the problem earlier."
"You are a girl and I don't get that problem with you."Oshitari retorted back, biting back a smile at her over the specs. "Well, I am different. I don't go for your wealth or your looks, Oshitari-kun. You know that I am not that easily impressed." Ling-chan shot back, as she leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs below the chair.
"Hai, you are certainly different. But I still got my family's wealth to thank for, else how will I get to know you, unless I travel to Singapore?" Oshitari leaned back as well, as he took a sip of the espresso that another waiter brought over. He was clad in comfortably, in a dried fit polo tee, with Hyotei's school sign and jeans, as well as leather shoes. Everything on him just screams about wealth. No surprise that the waitress would want to know him better!
"It has been years, is it not?" Ling-chan mused, as she took a sip of her latte. Dressed in a Chinese top, with plum blossoms on it, jeans and heels, she looks elegant and comfortable as she looked across over table at her pen-pal and friend.
Both Oshitari and Ling-chan knew each other some years back. As Hyotei was one of the richest schools around, they have ample chances to go on overseas exchange trips, so as to learn the culture of other countries. It happened that during Oshitari's first year, they had decided to go on to Singapore, where Ling-chan's school was chosen for the exchange. Because she is fluent in Japanese, Ling-chan was assigned to them, as a guide and to explain the differences between the two cultures. Even though they parted ways a week later, both of them managed to exchange e-mail addresses as they had hit off so well. Since then, they kept a steady flow of conversation between the two of them over the next two years. They agreed, if either one visit either Japan or Singapore, both of them will meet up and have a meal at least. However, due to their schooling, they did not have a chance. Until now.
"So, how did you like Japan and her schooling system?" Oshitari asked, changing the subject as each of them recalled the first time they met. "It's nice. I settled in quite nicely. Though I never expect myself to be jumping grades." Ling-chan replied as she took another sip of the latte.
"I was surprised when you told me that too. Still, I am not complaining. You certainly deserve to be in third year since you studied what we had covered already. Plus, as a third year, your time table should be more or less the same as mine. We can have more time to spend together." Oshitari smirked.
"I don't know about that though." Ling-chan shrugged. "Still, I got a question to ask, Oshitari-kun. How can you be so sure that I will find what I seek today?" She took a bite of the breakfast set that had appeared in front of them while they are talking.
"I am sure. Anyway, breakfast now, questions later." Oshitari replied, as he took a bite of his own breakfast as well. Knowing her impatient nature, Oshitari observed in amusement as Ling-chan glared at him.
All went well, as each of them finished their breakfast with conversation flowing smoothly between them. Finally, they finished their breakfast and Oshitari paid the bill, despite Ling-chan's protests. "Oshitari-kun! You agreed to split the bill!" She insisted while they walked side by side to the escalator that will bring them to the second level. "Did I?" Oshitari replied, as one of his eyebrow lifted in question. "You did!" Ling-chan said. "Are you going to renege on your word?" She accused.
Instead of answering her question, he smiled and kept quiet as he grabbed her hand and pulled her along to the place he wanted to go. Finally, he spoke again "Ah….here we are. Look, Ling-chan. This is a store where you will find you seek for." He indicated to the store. Ling-chan looked and gasped "A bridal store? Are you kidding me, Oshitari-kun? How in the world am I going to find the cloth for making a kimono here? The kimonos are all ready-made here!"
"Hai, you got that right, but before they are made, they are in bates of cloth. This store prides itself on the fact that the customer gets to wear custom made designs." Oshitari said, as he pushed one of the two glass doors open. A bell chimed as a lady walked out "Oh! Yuushi! You have arrived as you said! Is this the lovely lady you mentioned?"
"Hai, nee-san." Oshitari said, as he pulled Ling-chan to his side. "This is Hitchaiin Ling, my friend from Singapore. Ling-chan, my oneesan, Mayu Oshitari."
"Konichiwa!" Ling-chan greeted her, bowing low.
"Konichiwa! So you are Ling-chan, the girl that Yuushi mentioned often!" Mayu smiled at her happily. Looking at her younger brother, she beamed "You got good taste, Yuushi!"
"Nee-san!" Oshitari growled.
"Hohoho! I won't tease you anymore. Why don't you go and sit down over at the reception area over there, while I show Ling-chan around? There is tea over there." Mayu pointed to the direction as she took hold of Ling-chan around the shoulders "Now, Ling-chan, come over here, I heard from Yusshi that…."
While Oshitari was drinking tea, he heard voices from the back as Ling-chan and his sister discussed about cloths. Leaning back into the chair that he sat in, Oshitari allowed himself a smile as he pulled out a book to read from the table placed at the counter. After another hour or so, he looked at his watch and was not surprised to see that it is approaching 1pm soon. He stood up, walked to the back of the store, where the sewing room is located. He knocked once, but received no reply. Guessing that both females are too engrossed in their conversation, he turned the knob to enter the room.
A gasp escaped from his mouth before he could stifle it. All occupants, of the room spurn around to look at who came in and was surprised when they see Oshitari-kun, standing there, stunned. After all, to them, the stoic Oshitari-sama is not somebody easily impressed. Seeing this, Mayu smiled and asked her brother, "How do you like it, Yushi? Is Ling-chan beautiful to you?" as she gestured to Ling-chan, whom was clad in a kimono of midnight blue, with white plum blossoms and various butterflies printed on it. Due to the satin texture, Ling-chan glimmered faintly under the spotlights, where she was standing under. Throwing him an impish grin, Ling-chan turned slowly, as she waited for his comments on her new outfit. As he still couldn't find his voice, all Oshitari managed was to give a nod. Smiling at him, Ling-chan bowed gracefully and spoke to Mayu, who was next to her brother, grinning from ear to ear, "Arigato, Mayu-nee-chan! Thank you for teaching me how to sew a kimono!"
"You are welcome, my dear. Come to think about it, I got a suggestion for you. How about wearing that kimono you are wearing right now to the tea competition?" Mayu asked, as she looked at Ling-chan with a critical eye, searching for any flaws in the kimono. "It fits you well and it definitely will fit the theme that your school has decided upon."
"I couldn't afford it, Mayu-nee-chan. It's too expensive. Plus, as I told you earlier, the school will not approve of the purchase." Ling-chan protested, as she looked down at the beautiful kimono she is wearing.
"Who said that you are buying a ready-made kimono? I am selling it to you as a bate of cloth." Mayu laughed, as she saw the shocked expression that Ling-chan wore on her face. "Oh, don't worry, my dear! In case you are wondering, I can definitely afford selling it to you at that price! It's not easy to see someone who fits that kimono so well, you know. Plus, you are Yushi's friend." She concluded, as she touched her brother's arm, who was silent all the while, taking in Ling-chan's appearance. At her touch, Oshitari regained his wits with him.
"Indeed, Ling-chan. That kimono looks good on you. You should wear that to the competition. Don't worry about the cost. Nee-san can afford giving it away if she chooses. In the meanwhile, it is about 1pm. It's high time for you to meet your friends." He said, while Mayu nodded in acceptance of his words. However, she startled at the end of the statement.
"Oh? You are leaving soon, Ling-chan? What a pity! I was hoping for lunch and tea with you today!" Mayu said wishfully. At this, Ling-chan replied quickly "I was supposed to go shopping with my friends for bates of cloth today, Mayu-nee-chan. Ano… How about this, let me bring them back here first, to choose the fabrics they need and then we go for lunch together? I will like to treat both you and Oshitari-kun to lunch, to thank you for helping me today."
Since Mayu was in full approval of Ling-chan's suggestion, everything went smoothly afterwards. After changing out of the kimono, Ling-chan walked downstairs to pick up Tohru and the rest of her club mates. While Tohru picked out the bates of cloth that they wish to purchase with the assistance of her club mates and the dressmakers of the store, Ling-chan, Oshitari and Mayu went off for lunch together. Equipped with high quality of kimonos and their skills, Seishun's Tea Appreciation Club easily impressed the judges with their outfits and made their entrance into the finals of the competition.
***THE DAY OF THE COMPETITON***
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Annual Tea Arena Grand Final Competition! We are gathered here today to see, which school has the best tea making skills! For this, I am proud to announce, we have both Seishun Academy Middle School and Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku competiting for the title today!" The host announced, as she gestured to both schools, who was seated at the ends of the room, facing each other.
As the announcer continued on, outlining the expectations, time duration etc, Ling-chan observed the representatives of Rikkai. Out of all their representatives, Ling-chan noticed a tall teenager, seated in the middle, who carried himself like a King. Noticing her glance, the person looked up and looked at Ling-chan straight in the eye. Instead of cowing under his intense glaze, Ling-chan lifted her chin in challenge and looked as keenly back at him. A small smile flirted past his lips as the guy turned away this time. Grumbling slightly under breath, Ling-chan turned to Tohru, who was seated next to her and asked, "Tohru-chan, who is that guy in the middle?"
"The emperor of Rikkai-Genichirou Sanada. Their best tea maker. He is also the Vice Captain of the tennis team. I wonder who will be the unfortunate soul facing him this year? I heard he is merciless." Tohru murmured, as she took in the person that Ling-chan was asking on.
"Is it so? Well, we will see in a while." Ling-chan replied, as she continued to observe Sanada, who is now listening intently to the host as he announced the lineup for the schools involved today.
"Ladies and gentlemen, as you all know, our competition will always involve 4 segments. For this year, this will be our lineup - Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese and the Undetermined style. For each segment, the names of the representing student would be indicated on the board over there." The host waved a hand in the direction of the board. "Without further ado, let us begin! First up, our Japanese tea ceremony! From Rikkai, we have their Vice President – Tadashi Yamamoto and from Seishun, their President - Kinominto Tohru!"
As time passes, each school did their best. Results were shown at the end of each segment and by the time the Taiwanese style tea ceremony ended, Rikkai won the Taiwanese style and tied with Seishun for the Chinese style. This would also mean that Seishun won the Japanese style. Everything now depends on the final round – the Undetermined style!
Looking around the hall, the host smiled and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have now come to the last segment in this competition! So far, both schools are now at a tie and this final round will then determine the winner of this year Annual Tea Arena Grand Final Competition! For years, critics have agreed that this is the most difficult segment as there is no telling what would be the tea ceremony determined. For this segment, a certain type of food would be given to the contestant. Then, based on their own judgment and interpretation of the dish, they have to come up with the tea accordingly. From Rikkai, we have Genichirou Sanada as their representative and from Seishun, we have Hitachiin Ling! Now that we have our contestants, we will now proceed onto our dish of the year! And it is none other than…...western cakes!"
At the mention of the dish, both participants looked up at each other, across the table, as their eyes met. After a minute or so, both Sanada and Ling smiled at each other. Then, bowing to each other respectfully, each went to work. As they worked, Tohru remarked to her members "I hope Ling-chan is able to withstand the pressure of working opposite Genuchirou Sanada. According to my sources, they mentioned that it is nerve wrecking, to work close to him. Somehow, there is an aura that surrounds him."
"Let's just hope Ling-chan will not lose her cool." One of the members, Yuki, murmured softly. "Though I really wonder, what kind of tea will Ling-chan prepare? Western cakes…" Looking over at Sanada, she gasped softly as she clenched to Tohru, jostling her a little. "Look at Genichirou-san! He is preparing Japanese tea! The judges would definitely be blown away by him. He is the best Japanese tea maker in all of Japan! Not fair!" Yuki hissed.
"Hush, what is Ling-chan doing? She is doing something that I never seen before!" Tohru said, as she peered intently at Ling-chan, who is busy preparing boiling water and a transparent glass teapot. "Flowers? What is she thinking of? Shouldn't she be using Western teas or something?"
Indeed, Ling-chan was busy boiling water, preparing the clear and transparent teapot and teacups. However, suddenly, as if sensing Tohru's anxiety, she looked up, straight at her and smiled confidently. The clamp around Tohru's heart then eased a little as she breathed out slowly. Whispering to Yuki who caught the exchange too "She knows what she is doing. Let's have some faith in her. We cannot fear the unknown after all. Here goes all or nothing."
"Contestants, the time is up! Please arrange the tea sets that you had prepared and bring them to the center stage so that the judges are able to view them and judge your pouring skills!" The MC announced. Both Sanada and Ling-chan complied, each stepping forward confidently and elegantly. "Alright, first up, let's have Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku's representative, Sanada Genichirou! Please explain your choice!"
"Arigato. I have prepared the traditional Japanese green tea, the pride of Japan, to go along with the cakes. Western cakes are not a novelty to us as Japan did experience the influences of the West in the past. Being very heavy and rich, it needs something to be light and digestive. Therefore, green tea is most suitable as it will leave a lingering aroma and fragrance, while aiding those who ate the cakes any form of indigestion. In addition, as tea ceremonies are about the traditions and customs of tea, I find it benefitting to honor Japan, the place of my birth and the place where we are standing now. I shall now pour the tea." So saying, he lifted his hands and poured out several cups, before passing them to the attendants next to him, so as to bring it to the sitting judges to sample. Once the attendants are on their way, he spoke again. "I have used the best tea leaves found in the Yamagata mountain region, where they are exposed to the dew of spring and used clear spring water. Under such conditions, the flavor of tea would definitely be brought out to the maximum. With this, I take my leave." Sanada then bowed and walked back to his seat, by passing Ling-chan on the way. Looking at her out of the eye, he nodded.
"Arigato, Genichirou-san! Now, let's have Seishun Academy Middle School's representative, Hitachiin Ling! Please explain your choice!"
"Arigato, MC" Bowing to the MC, Ling-chan turned around to face the audience. Bowing again, she spoke in a clear manner, nothing in her actions that showed her inexperience "Konichiwa, honorable judges, ladies and gentlemen. I have prepared a pot of flower tea and I shall prepare it now as it cannot be soaked for too long. Timing is essential and please observe the effects." So saying, she lifted the clear kettle and poured a stream of hot water into the teapot, eliciting gasps from the audience as she did so. "Oh my goodness! Did you see that? A flower bloomed!" "So pretty!" "What tea is that?" "It's a purple shade! Lovely!" "Oh, look look! Other than the main bloom, there are little flowers next to it too!"
Smiling at her excited audience, Ling-chan then poured out the tea into western tea cups and placed an orchid next to the teaspoon. She then said "but that is not all! Please watch what I am doing next!" She then picked up a prepared lime and squeezed a drop into each cup. Once the drop came into contact with the tea, the colour changed to a vivd and lovely shade of pink. Exclamations flew up again. "Oh my god! It's magic!" "kawaii!" "Ohhhhhh!" Gesturing to her attendants, the cups were borne away to the judges, some who were looking eager and expectant.
"As mentioned earlier, Western cakes can be very rich and heavy. Therefore, it needs something to be soothing to accompany it, so as to bring out the flavors of the cakes. However, the tea must not be so overpowering that it blots out the tastes of the cakes. This will make the eating of the cakes unfruitful. Therefore, the tea must be light yet benefitual as well. The tea that I had prepared is sweet pea flower tea. As you have seen, it's initial colour was a pale purple shade. After adding something acidic, it turned to pink. Hopefully, after drinking the tea, all of you will be in the pink of health." Ling-chan dimpled. "However, other than the colour issue, it is to help in digesting the cakes so that it will not cause bloatedness. Flowers have nutritious values as well and will help in detox and beautification of the skin. This is a suitable tea for all ages as children will love the change of colour while adults will benefit from it directly. With that, thank you for your attention." She bowed for a final time to thunderous applause before taking her own seat.
Once seated, she looked across the grand stage to Sanada and nodded back. Both of them smiled at the same time and then looked towards the judges who were discussing the results feverishly. Next to her, Tohru whispered gleefully "Well done, Ling-chan! You certainly set Genichirou-san in his place! He has never faced such pressure before! Even if we don't get the trophy, you had made my day already!" "I am aiming for the trophy though. We do stand a good chance after all, Tohru-chan." Ling-chan replied softly, still looking at the judges. Finally, the long waited results came out.
The MC walked to the center of the stage, beaming as he announced "Thank you for waiting, ladies and gentlemen! The results have finally arrived after an intense discussion by the judges! By means of intense, I really do mean it! Before I release the results, I will like to ask that everyone gave a hearty round of applause to these 2 schools and their students! They did a marvelous job!" Once done, he then breathed in and said slowly. "The winner for the Annual Tea Arena Grand Final Competition 2009 is…. Both Seishun and Rikkai!"
Screams and yells exploded in the competition hall as students of both schools lost their composure and hugged their peers tightly. However, in the midst of it all, Ling-chan and Sanada sat through it, while looking at each other. Finally, at the tugging of Tohru-chan who was weeping with joy, Ling-chan turned away.
AUTHOR'S NOTES
How do you like it, readers? Personally, I enjoyed writing the scene between Oshitari and Ling-chan in the deli the most! Poor waitress! LOL. Coming up, 2 other people are going to make their entrance. Can you guess who is it? Please review!