(A dream. Or, perhaps, the harsh reality of Himemiya Tori)

Tori: (………….)

(I can't… breathe... )

(It hurts. It hurts so, so much.)

(I can't keep my eyes open… I can't see anything.)

(It's so dark and cold in here.)

(It's cold. So, so cold.)

(I'm about to freeze…. Why is it so cold?)

(Hey, is anyone there?)

(Yuzuru! Hibiki-senpai! Eichi-sama…!)

(Is anyone there? Anyone would be fine, please I…)

(It hurts. I can't see anything. And it's so, so, so cold.)

(Where even am I? Why am I in such a…?)

(Eichi-sama! Eichi-sama! Eichi-sama!)

(The place where you stand is so high, and it looks so cold…)

(I stretched my hand as far as I could and desperately tried to reach you.)

(But I'm not an angel, and I wasn't able to fly through the sky.)

(So I succumbed. My wings shattered and I crashed down.)

(Ah, is this the sea?)

(I must be at the very bottom of the deep, deep sea, where no light can reach.)

(Is that why it's so cold, so dark, and so hard to breathe?)

(Cough... cough... cough...)

Yuzuru: … Bocchama?

I-Is everything all right?

You collapsed during SS and you are still recovering, so you shouldn't overexert yourself—

Hh... hh... Ugh... gh...

Yuzuru: If you are unable to respond, then I will have no choice but to call an ambulance immediately...

Tori: Pant... Pant... Yu-Yuzuru?

Yuzuru: Yes. It is me, Yuzuru.

I am here by your side, as always.

Tori:… Yeah. Guess you are.

Hehe... Even though I came to live in the dorms, I ended up sharing a room with you, Yuzuru. So tiresome.

And here I thought I'd be able to do whatever I wanted without nosy people like you spying on me all the time.

Yuzuru: Jesting aren't we? Nevertheless, even if we were to be assigned different rooms, Bocchama, I would still choose to reside in your room.

So that I can be by your side and serve you. After all, taking care of you is my job, as well as my reason to live.

Tori: Uwaaah... Groooss... You're so annoying ♪

Yuzuru: Fufu. Your words and actions don't match at all.

Right now you're holding my hand so tightly—Bocchama, I'm always going to have my hands full looking after a spoiled child like you, aren't I?

Tori: I'm sorry. I just had a really scary dream.

I may have said some weird things in my sleep because of that. But I'm fine now—It's not like I have a cold or anything.

I'm sure that I'll be able to get back to working super hard by tomorrow.

Yuzuru: Hmm... Indeed, your temperature appears to be normal. It's occasionally hard to tell because your body temperature, like a child's, is naturally high.

Tori: When did you measure my temperature?

Yuzuru: With my talents, I have the power to change your clothing from head to toe without you noticing a thing, Bocchama.

Since I know where all your nerves and sensitive points are, I can check your body thoroughly without you feeling anything, much like an acupuncture session—

Tori: Wait, wait, that's so scary! I swear, sometimes your weird, mysterious skills are way too scary and gross!

Yuzuru: Oh, but I trained especially for you, Bocchama ♪

Tori: Yeah, and that's why you're so scary!

Yuzuru: There's no need for you to be scared, because I will always be on your side, Bocchama.

Tori: I know~ And I'm grateful but… Having someone way more talented than I am devote their entire life to me is a lot to deal with.

And I don't feel worthy enough of being treated like that.

Yuzuru: What are you saying? It seems as though the nightmare you just had has left you quite anxious.

But don't you worry. Bocchama is a good and virtuous person who is worthy of my service.

If you continue to doubt my words, I can sit at your bedside and repeat them a million times over into your ear.

Tori: I think I'll have another nightmare if you do, so please don't.

Yuzuru: I only wanted to whisper about... my love for you, Bocchama.

Tori: You're half asleep too, aren't you, Yuzuru?

Oh, no wonder—it's already 3 AM. And yet I woke you up while you were fast asleep. Sorry about that.

Yuzuru: Not at all. It would be troublesome if something were to happen to you, so please do not hesitate to rely on me if you are not feeling well.

There is no need to concern yourself with time or circumstances.

I have said so many times already, but once again: I am, now and forever, your most faithful ally and I will always put you first no matter what.

Please, don't ever forget that.

Tori: Hm…I get that too.

Yuzuru: Has your anxiety passed?

Tori: For now, yeah... Ah, now that I'm more relaxed, I'm starting to get sleepy.

Yuzuru: That's good to hear. Shall we hold hands like this until you fall asleep?

Tori: I'm not a baby. Yuzuru, you have work tomorrow as well, right? So you should hurry up and sleep too.

------------

Tori: Hm? Sniff, sniff… Something smells really good.

Smells like flowers… and fruits? Or not? I wonder what that is. Looks like it's coming from the kitchen?

I'm really curious, so I guess I'll check it out ♪

[ Scene change: Dormitory Kitchen ]

Tsukasa: *inhales*... Marvelous! Ah, what a wonderful aroma this is! It is such an adequate accompaniment for this glorious afternoon reprieve ♪

Tori: Ugh… I just got lured by a pleasant scent and suddenly I see someone who's the exact opposite of pleasant.

Your idol aura was so nonexistent that for a sec I thought you were a commoner who slipped in the dorms. I was just about to make a call and report you~

Tsukasa: Oh, my? It seems like I can hear Tori-kun's horrid voice from somewhere, but I can't seem to see him.

Well, I suppose it's only natural I cannot see someone who is hardly taller than a single pea!

Tori: Mugyiiiiiiiii!

Tsukasa: Guaaaaaaah!

Tsukasa: —Hmph. In any case, could you not get in the way of my valuable tea time? I'm quite sure my precious tea would become unpalatable should you stay here.

Tori: Tea? Is that what smelled so good from earlier? It smelled like flowers and fruits. It's really fragrant.

Tsukasa: That's right. I got my hands on some rare cherry blossom-flavored tea, so I am having quite a good time with it.

Tori: Cherry blossom-flavored tea? Uh huh… Hmm…?

Tsukasa: …Oho? Oho, oho? Is that perhaps a pleading look on your face? Is your mind filled with the need to have a sip as well?

Tori: N-Not really! I was just thinking how it was kind of different, that's all!

Tsukasa: Is that so? Ah, ah~ How blessed am I to have a taste of this delicious tea! Ah, how delightful…♪Fufun~

Though if someone is willing to put their puny little head on the ground and beg, I guess I wouldn't mind sharing some of it.

Tori: Mugyiiiiiiiiii! As if anyone would willingly bow their head to you! In your dreams!

If anything, I pity that cherry blossom tea in your cup. I bet that all it wants is to be enjoyed by a real, fine noble but it just ended up within the hands of a fake one like you~

Tsukasa: Guaaaaaah!? You really do run your mouth so carelessly, don't you?! Suit yourself. You will not be getting a single drop from me!

Kohaku: Hey, sonny boy. I've been hearin' ya since earlier. Give it a break already. I didn't give ya those tea leaves for ya to be so mean.

Tsukasa: Oukawa! I-I wasn't really… Rather, it is Tori-kun's fault for provoking me!

Kohaku: I don't wanna hear your excuses. If ya can't sit down and just enjoy it with people around ya, I'm gonna take that tea right back.

Tsukasa: Uuuu…

T-Tori-kun! We get along just fine, don't we?! A-Aren't we about to have a nice cup of tea together?!

Tori: Haa?!

…I mean, yeah. It's just as you said, Tsukasa~ After all, we're good, good friends~ ♪

Tsukasa and Tori: Fufufufufufu… ♪

Kohaku: That's the spirit. Look at ya two go ♪

[ Scene change: Yumenosaki Garden ]

Tori: Ehehe~ Yesterday was just sooooo annoying, but because I was so mature and sat through it, I've gotten some of those special cherry blossom tea leaves~ ♪

(Since Eichi-sama and Ritsu-senpai have already graduated, Hajime is now all alone doing Tea Club activities. I'm gonna go deliver these leaves to him as a souvenir and check up on him~)

(Aren't I so nice thinking about my friend like this~?)

Hajime, off screen: —I've made this blend for today ♪

Tori: Hm…?

(It sounds like Hajime is talking to someone… That's weird. I thought he was the only one left in the Tea Club. I wonder if someone paid him a visit?)

(If that's so, then it's not good if I end up disturbing them. I'll just take a quick look. If he does have a guest, I'll just come back tomorrow.)

[ Scene change: Garden space ]

Hajime: Thank you for your patience, Eichi onii-chan and Ritsu onii-chan~ ♪

Tori: Uwawawawa!? Hajime, what on earth are you doing?

Hajime: Huh, Tori-kun?

Tori: What's up with those life-size standees of Eichi-sama and Ritsu-senpai!? You're really scaring me with how you're just cheerfully talking to them, you know?!

Hajime: Oh, these ones?

Well, I'm used to always having Eichi onii-chan and Ritsu onii-chan around, so whenever they're not here, I just can't seem to get in the mood at all…

So I had these made through a special order! Ehehe~ ♪

Tori: "Ehehe", you say…

Ah, but these look pretty well-made. How nice~ Maybe I should put one of Eichi-sama in the Student Council room too?

Hajime: If you like, Tori-kun, the Tea Club can always lend him to you.

By the way, what made you come here, Tori-kun?

Tori: Ah, that's right! I was so in shock that I forgot!

I got some rare tea leaves from Tsukasa yesterday~ Wanna have some tea together?

Hajime: Oh, is that so? I'll be happy to have tea with you~ ♪ I'll have it ready in a jiffy, so please give me a moment~

[ A few moments after ]

Tori and Hajime: *sighs happily* …….♪

Hajime: This is really fragrant~ There are a lot of other cherry blossomed-flavored teas out there, but this is surely the best one I've had to date.

Tori: I'm sooooo happy you like it, Hajime!

Mitsuru: Sniff, sniff… Hiiro-chan, it looks like the scent came from here— Huh, Hajime-chan and Hime-chan?

Hajime: Mitsuru-kun and Hiiro-kun? It seems that there are so many visitors today. Is there anything I can do for you?

Hiiro: Umu! Mitsuru-kun and I were wondering why there's a nectar-like scent wafting round and about, so we looked around together to find out!

Hajime: Nectar… Oh, maybe it's this cherry blossom tea that Tori-kun brought?

Mitsuru: Sniff, sniff… Yup, this is it! Smells soooo good!

Tori: If you guys are curious, why not come here and try it?

Mitsuru: Eh, is it really okay?! I reaaaally wanna try it now~!

Hiiro: If you two don't mind, then I'd like to try it too.

Hajime: Of course, we don't mind at all. I'll go pour you your own cups~

Fufu. If it's this lively in here, then Tea Club activities wouldn't be so lonely anymore~ ♪

Tori: If you're lonely, you know that you can always call for me, right? I'll bring you tea like this again~ And I'm sure other guys who are also free around then won't mind joining us.

Cherry blossoms may symbolize parting ways, but they can also mean new encounters!

-------------

Translation: Sophie

Proofreading: Quin

TL notes:

You might be wondering why Tori has mentioned about Ritsu graduating despite them still wearing their blue neckties (2nd year). There is no confirmation if the same applies to Yumenosaki, but graduations in Japan usually happens in March while the next school year starts in April. This story most likely happened between these two periods! (Thank you Quin for pointing this out!)

------------

Tori: Hm? Sniff, sniff… Something smells really good.

Smells like flowers… and fruits? Or not? I wonder what that is. Looks like it's coming from the kitchen?

I'm really curious, so I guess I'll check it out ♪

[ Scene change: Dormitory Kitchen ]

Tsukasa: *inhales*... Marvelous! Ah, what a wonderful aroma this is! It is such an adequate accompaniment for this glorious afternoon reprieve ♪

Tori: Ugh… I just got lured by a pleasant scent and suddenly I see someone who's the exact opposite of pleasant.

Your idol aura was so nonexistent that for a sec I thought you were a commoner who slipped in the dorms. I was just about to make a call and report you~

Tsukasa: Oh, my? It seems like I can hear Tori-kun's horrid voice from somewhere, but I can't seem to see him.

Well, I suppose it's only natural I cannot see someone who is hardly taller than a single pea!

Tori: Mugyiiiiiiiii!

Tsukasa: Guaaaaaaah!

Tsukasa: —Hmph. In any case, could you not get in the way of my valuable tea time? I'm quite sure my precious tea would become unpalatable should you stay here.

Tori: Tea? Is that what smelled so good from earlier? It smelled like flowers and fruits. It's really fragrant.

Tsukasa: That's right. I got my hands on some rare cherry blossom-flavored tea, so I am having quite a good time with it.

Tori: Cherry blossom-flavored tea? Uh huh… Hmm…?

Tsukasa: …Oho? Oho, oho? Is that perhaps a pleading look on your face? Is your mind filled with the need to have a sip as well?

Tori: N-Not really! I was just thinking how it was kind of different, that's all!

Tsukasa: Is that so? Ah, ah~ How blessed am I to have a taste of this delicious tea! Ah, how delightful…♪Fufun~

Though if someone is willing to put their puny little head on the ground and beg, I guess I wouldn't mind sharing some of it.

Tori: Mugyiiiiiiiiii! As if anyone would willingly bow their head to you! In your dreams!

If anything, I pity that cherry blossom tea in your cup. I bet that all it wants is to be enjoyed by a real, fine noble but it just ended up within the hands of a fake one like you~

Tsukasa: Guaaaaaah!? You really do run your mouth so carelessly, don't you?! Suit yourself. You will not be getting a single drop from me!

Kohaku: Hey, sonny boy. I've been hearin' ya since earlier. Give it a break already. I didn't give ya those tea leaves for ya to be so mean.

Tsukasa: Oukawa! I-I wasn't really… Rather, it is Tori-kun's fault for provoking me!

Kohaku: I don't wanna hear your excuses. If ya can't sit down and just enjoy it with people around ya, I'm gonna take that tea right back.

Tsukasa: Uuuu…

T-Tori-kun! We get along just fine, don't we?! A-Aren't we about to have a nice cup of tea together?!

Tori: Haa?!

…I mean, yeah. It's just as you said, Tsukasa~ After all, we're good, good friends~ ♪

Tsukasa and Tori: Fufufufufufu… ♪

Kohaku: That's the spirit. Look at ya two go ♪

[ Scene change: Yumenosaki Garden ]

Tori: Ehehe~ Yesterday was just sooooo annoying, but because I was so mature and sat through it, I've gotten some of those special cherry blossom tea leaves~ ♪

(Since Eichi-sama and Ritsu-senpai have already graduated, Hajime is now all alone doing Tea Club activities. I'm gonna go deliver these leaves to him as a souvenir and check up on him~)

(Aren't I so nice thinking about my friend like this~?)

Hajime, off screen: —I've made this blend for today ♪

Tori: Hm…?

(It sounds like Hajime is talking to someone… That's weird. I thought he was the only one left in the Tea Club. I wonder if someone paid him a visit?)

(If that's so, then it's not good if I end up disturbing them. I'll just take a quick look. If he does have a guest, I'll just come back tomorrow.)

[ Scene change: Garden space ]

Hajime: Thank you for your patience, Eichi onii-chan and Ritsu onii-chan~ ♪

Tori: Uwawawawa!? Hajime, what on earth are you doing?

Hajime: Huh, Tori-kun?

Tori: What's up with those life-size standees of Eichi-sama and Ritsu-senpai!? You're really scaring me with how you're just cheerfully talking to them, you know?!

Hajime: Oh, these ones?

Well, I'm used to always having Eichi onii-chan and Ritsu onii-chan around, so whenever they're not here, I just can't seem to get in the mood at all…

So I had these made through a special order! Ehehe~ ♪

Tori: "Ehehe", you say…

Ah, but these look pretty well-made. How nice~ Maybe I should put one of Eichi-sama in the Student Council room too?

Hajime: If you like, Tori-kun, the Tea Club can always lend him to you.

By the way, what made you come here, Tori-kun?

Tori: Ah, that's right! I was so in shock that I forgot!

I got some rare tea leaves from Tsukasa yesterday~ Wanna have some tea together?

Hajime: Oh, is that so? I'll be happy to have tea with you~ ♪ I'll have it ready in a jiffy, so please give me a moment~

[ A few moments after ]

Tori and Hajime: *sighs happily* …….♪

Hajime: This is really fragrant~ There are a lot of other cherry blossomed-flavored teas out there, but this is surely the best one I've had to date.

Tori: I'm sooooo happy you like it, Hajime!

Mitsuru: Sniff, sniff… Hiiro-chan, it looks like the scent came from here— Huh, Hajime-chan and Hime-chan?

Hajime: Mitsuru-kun and Hiiro-kun? It seems that there are so many visitors today. Is there anything I can do for you?

Hiiro: Umu! Mitsuru-kun and I were wondering why there's a nectar-like scent wafting round and about, so we looked around together to find out!

Hajime: Nectar… Oh, maybe it's this cherry blossom tea that Tori-kun brought?

Mitsuru: Sniff, sniff… Yup, this is it! Smells soooo good!

Tori: If you guys are curious, why not come here and try it?

Mitsuru: Eh, is it really okay?! I reaaaally wanna try it now~!

Hiiro: If you two don't mind, then I'd like to try it too.

Hajime: Of course, we don't mind at all. I'll go pour you your own cups~

Fufu. If it's this lively in here, then Tea Club activities wouldn't be so lonely anymore~ ♪

Tori: If you're lonely, you know that you can always call for me, right? I'll bring you tea like this again~ And I'm sure other guys who are also free around then won't mind joining us.

Cherry blossoms may symbolize parting ways, but they can also mean new encounters!

-------------

Translation: Sophie

Proofreading: Quin

TL notes:

You might be wondering why Tori has mentioned about Ritsu graduating despite them still wearing their blue neckties (2nd year). There is no confirmation if the same applies to Yumenosaki, but graduations in Japan usually happens in March while the next school year starts in April. This story most likely happened between these two periods! (Thank you Quin for pointing this out!)