As usual, tea was uneventful. Himeno wasn't a tea person, and wasn't really sure why her family insisted on inviting her to anything other than a regular meal. She always felt like such a bull in a china shop as she handled a tiny porcelain cup and gulped down the tiny serving of tea. It wasn't filling, and it wasn't meant to be. It was yet another upperclass social situation that left Himeno feeling awkward and out of place, even if it was just a moment to bond with the family.

Himeno couldn't help but notice that Mawata was again absent at this particular tea gathering... that was to be expected. She'd been seeing Kei. Not many people knew that, but Himeno had spotted Mawata leaving Kei's workplace several times recently, and she'd even seen them strolling along the pier together, standing a little too close just for friendship. Himeno was sure her family didn't know- Mawata was young, and her parents would probably pitch a fit, her father in particular, who took on an exaggerated fatherly role. And Mayune? She would have made plenty of gossip and uproar about it herself. No, Mayune didn't know- she was too preoccupied with her own one-sided obsession with Goh.

Himeno went through the motions of tea and retreated to her room, where Tyipi excitedly greeted her.

"Tyipi! Tyipiiiii!" The creature flailed around until Himeno closed the bedroom door behind her and picked him up.

"Oh, Tyipi..." Himeno sighed, moving over to her bed. She deposited the bird-like creature on her night stand, next to a bird-feed bowl. Himeno flopped onto her bed unceremoniously with an ooomph! The bird seemed to calm in response to Himeno's meloncholy mood. Still, he fluttered over to her shoulder and nuzzled his beak into her hair, and she couldn't help but giggle.

She rolled away from the bird, who ended up dancing an cheerful jig on her chest before sitting right in the crevice of her cleavage. Himeno smiled softly at the bird, and settled back with her arms behind her head.

"You know, Tyipi... I've been so lonely and confused lately." She paused, "I just want what my heart wants, but he's so evasive. I'm not sure if he wants me or not, and it's getting hard waiting for him to let me know." She sighed, "He's so distant and aloof. It's like he's never here. But then every once in awhile, he looks strait at me. He looks at me. And sometimes he touches me, or kisses me, and I can't help but wish it was like this all the time..." Himeno frowned a little.

"Tyipi..." The creature seemed at a loss.

"Heh. You're right... I'm talking to Tyipi about this and I really need to talk to someone who can give me some solid advice..." Himeno tilted her head to the side to peer out the balcony doors, where she could see the gently swaying foliage. She could see her mother's flower there.

She made her way to the balcony, and slid through the doors. On her knees before the blossoming pink flowers, she reached for the watering jug, and began her routine of tending to the flowers.

"Mom..." She trailed off, silent for a moment.

"I'm so... confused." She nodded. She knew her mother wouldn't answer her, but it made her feel better to talk things out. "I need to go talk to someone who can give me some sound advice, and I think Sasame would be the best help in this situation..." Himeno lowered her head.

Sasame was always busy, too. Ever since Himeno had saved Takako and revived Sasame, they'd been joined at the hip. There was even talk of marriage. In her current state, it was hard for Himeno to watch such a happy couple, blissfully in love, when her own affairs were in such a strange state.

Himeno could feel the breeze through her hair. She'd let it grow out some, and the wind always felt so good blowing through it, against her skin. She closed her eye for a moment, imagining Hayate's hands in her hair. She could almost feel his hands on her arms, his arms encircling her body, drawing her in.

"Are you here?" She asked, softly. Sometimes she could actually feel his presence, but now she couldn't tell. There was a distance between them that couldn't be quantified, and it made it difficult for her to function even as the Pretear.

There was silence, and Himeno finally rose to her feet to reenter her bedroom. She closed the balcony doors, and as an afterthought, drew the sheer curtains. It was still a question whether someone had been outside on her balcony and seen her previously. She knew the only person who would hang out on her balcony unannounced was Hayate. Hajime and Shin had both witnessed her in her bra and panties a few months earlier. Hajime was just old enough to be thoroughly embarrassed at the situation, and swore never to return to her balcony unnannounced. Shin followed suit, honing in on Hajime's feelings- he really looked up to the boy. And Hayate? He was known to visit Himeno's balcony. Previously, he'd checked in on her whenever there was a potential disturbance. She'd even caught him sleeping there one morning after the estate had a late-night intruder. He chalked it up to being the duty of a knight looking out for the Pretear, but his face had been several shades too red for that to be the entire explanation.

He'd kissed her a few times. Once after she defeated the Princess of Disaster and restored Takako. She wasn't conscious at the time, but awoke with him very near to her, tearful, and her lips tingled from the contact that was surely no less than magical.

He'd kissed her again once after a winter festival, when they'd been separated from the rest of the group. Himeno was wearing her winter kimono. Hayate was walking her home, and they were talking about wishes at the fountain, trying to guess at what everyone had wished for. Jokingly, she said that she'd wished for a kiss from him. She asked him what he wished for, and he didn't answer. She pouted and batted at him, he laughed, and several minutes later, he stopped suddenly beneath a arch of a festival gate. She turned to ask him what was wrong, and found herself pulled against him, as he kissed her intently. It was at that time that she returned the kiss, which prompted him to kiss her with more fervor, his hands at the small of her back. Too quickly, it was over, and he smiled at her, "Wishes granted." They continued to walk home in relative silence, arm in arm.

And then there was the kiss on the bridge, so swift.

At the phone, she dialed the number she had memorized, and waited for a familiar voice. When he answered, she felt herself choke before she'd gotten a word out. Several tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Hello? Himeno, is that you?" Sasame could tell. He was more sensitive to others than anyone in the group, even Himeno herself.

"Yes... yes, it's me." She managed.

"What's wrong?" He was concerned, genuinely.

"I.. I just need someone to talk to. I have too much on my mind..."

"You need advice? If you're free tonight after my show, I can meet you."

"In the Blue Garden." She said, simply. The property had a variety of gardens. The Blue Garden was named so not only because of the small blue pond at the center, but when the flowers blossomed there, they were all blue, by design. It was particularly private due to the stone wall around it. It was at the edge of the property, and nobody ever went there at night.

"I will come there directly after the show." Sasame agreed.

As she hung up the phone, she observed Tyipi filling his belly with seeds, and practically swimming through the food bowl. She smiled softly at the creature's antics. It was a lucky thing he was around, otherwise she'd have no happy distraction.