One day, Ren visited the Imperial Capital.
His gaze was drawn to the stalls surrounding a plaza with a grand fountain. Just as he was about to head toward a shop serving warm drinks, he noticed Fiona and Edgar nearby.
The two had just emerged from a large building near the fountain.
"Ren-kun!?"
Fiona's glossy black hair stood out brilliantly against her white coat. Startled, her tilted beret and the necklace at her throat swayed slightly. She hurried toward him at a light jog.
"I’m sorry. I wasn't expecting to see you here, so it gave me a bit of a shock."
"The feeling is mutual," Ren replied.
"Fufu... Honestly? You look perfectly composed, Ren-kun."
"That’s just because I’m trying my best to hide it."
Fiona giggled at his deadpan expression, unsure if he was joking.
"What brings you here, Lady Fiona? It looked like you and Mr. Edgar were coming out of that building."
"I had some business for the Ignat Family today. That building belongs to an organization related to my father's work, so I went there on his behalf."
Edgar, standing at her side, gave a quiet bow and exchanged greetings with Ren.
"Are you out shopping, Master Ren?"
"Yes. I came to pick up some Reference Books for the entrance exams. I was actually just about to head home, but—"
Meeting here felt like fate. If Fiona was headed back to her dormitory, he thought he would walk her part of the way.
"If you aren't returning by carriage, would you like me to walk you back to your dormitory?"
"I would love that, but I actually still have some work left..."
It seemed she had only stepped outside for a breath of fresh air during a break. However, Edgar interjected.
"Lady Fiona, all your necessary duties have been concluded. There is no reason you cannot return to the dormitory immediately."
"B-But..."
"The rest are mere trifles, limited to the instructions I received from the Master. You also have the exams that will mark the end of your First-year, Lady Fiona. Please, prioritize your studies."
(Right, it’s about that time.)
Fiona, who would soon be moving up a grade, had her final exams. If her work was done, it made sense for her to return to the dormitory and focus on her books. Anyone would agree.
"With Master Ren by your side, there won't be any security concerns, either."
"I understand," Ren said. "In that case, I'll see her back to the dormitory."
Fiona didn't offer any unnecessary resistance; she simply looked delighted.
Edgar briskly returned to the building, leaving Ren and Fiona alone. The two turned toward the path to the dormitory, but then Fiona paused.
"..."
Her eyes were fixed on the drink stall Ren had been looking at earlier. Perhaps the aroma of tea drifting through the air had enticed her.
"You look tired. Shall we have a quick drink before we head off?" Ren suggested.
Fiona looked at him with eyes full of anticipation. "Is that really okay?"
"There’s no harm in enjoying a cup of tea after a long day's work. By the way, how long have you been at it today?"
"I woke up before sunrise, and after about two hours of preparation—"
"Let's definitely have some tea before we go back."
Ren was impressed that she had been working since such an early hour.
"There's a park just a little further ahead. Let's get our drinks and head there."
"Ahaha... You really do know your way around the Imperial Capital, Ren-kun."
They approached the stall, where the owner greeted them with a friendly "Hello." They scanned the menu on the simple counter together.
(I'll go with this one.)
The tea leaves and their origins were listed in detail. Ren chose without hesitation. It was a tea that had been available even back in the era of the Seven Heroes, known for its slight Health Recovery effect.
"Which one are you getting, Ren-kun?"
"I think I'll have this one."
"Then I'll have the same thing!"
She could have taken her time to choose, but Ren didn't say it aloud. He simply ordered two portions of his selection.
Before long, the drinks were handed over.
"Thanks for waiting. It's hot, so be careful."
"Thank you. I'll leave the payment here."
"Sure thing. Come again."
Ren paid for the tea. Since he moved naturally to pay before Fiona could, she grew flustered.
"O-Oh! You're already looking after me, so I should have been the one to pay!"
"I wanted to, so please don't worry about it," he said with his usual calm smile. She couldn't press the issue further without being rude.
Fiona looked apologetic but accepted the cup with both hands.
"...Thank you."
She looked up at him with a bashful, lovely smile.
The containers they held were neither ceramic, nor wood, nor paper. They were simple Nut Shell Cups—the shell of a nut split in half. A General variety of tree used for construction in Leomel produced these nuts, and the shells were frequently used as disposable containers at market stalls. When the nuts dried, the insides became hollow, making them easy to process. They were cheap and naturally water-repellent, though their rounded bottoms meant they couldn't be set down on a table unless the base was shaved flat.
Recalling this bit of trivia, Ren led Fiona away.
In less than ten minutes, they reached a small park tucked into a back alley. It featured a roofed Terrace where one could sit even in winter without being buried in snow. At the moment, only a few small children were playing nearby.
"Ah... this tea is delicious."
Fiona blew softly on the liquid to cool it. Steam mingled with the winter air every time she brought the cup to her lips. Ren, sitting across from her, followed suit.
(Oh...)
He had wondered if he’d actually feel the Health Recovery effect, and to his surprise, he did. He had been visiting the Lion Sanctum whenever he had a spare moment since the start of the year, so he was constantly dealing with muscle aches. Now, he felt that soreness soften just a little.
"You really didn't have to pick the same tea as me," Ren murmured with a wry smile.
"No," Fiona replied cheerfully. "I just wanted to try whatever you were having."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, it is."
She seemed genuinely satisfied with the flavor, so Ren let the matter drop.
After a short silence, Fiona seemed to remember something. She looked up at him with an expectant, slightly hesitant gaze.
"...Um."
"Yes? What is it?"
"Do you... still remember what happened in the Baldur Mountains?"
"I even remember the hike before I met you, Lady Fiona. Why?"
Fiona cleared her throat. "...Do you remember the tea I brewed?"
Ren recalled the time after the Suspension Bridge had collapsed, while they were searching for a way down the mountain. Fiona had brewed tea during one of their camps. He also remembered that it had been incredibly bitter.
"It had a wonderful aroma. I remember it well."
"Then, the taste was..."
"It was delicious. Truly."
"...Are you sure? It wasn't... difficult to drink?"
"No, not at all."
It was a blunt, immediate response—the kind that made it obvious Ren was just being considerate. But Ren wasn't exactly lying. He had found it delicious at the time, even if the bitterness was overpowering.
"I've practiced so many times since then," Fiona admitted. "So that one day, I can brew truly delicious tea for you."
Naturally, her efforts were for his sake.
"I've been studying so it won't be as bitter as it was back then."
"It certainly had a kick to it, but it wasn't bad or—ah."
"S-So it was bitter! I knew it! I knew it was like that!"
"No, I mean, it really was good!"
"But it was bitter, right!?"
"...It was a flavor I liked."
Ren had clearly put his foot in it, and Fiona was quick to notice his clumsy attempt at recovery. Still, his kind words warmed her heart. Seeing him sheepishly avert his eyes was quite endearing, and a soft smile played across her lips.
"Honestly... you're too kind, Ren-kun."
Fiona's cheeks were tinged with a faint, rosy hue.