Really… it’s been such a long time since I received a message from Sho-chan, and I felt a jolt.

The simple invitation that finally arrived, with my messages having been continuously ignored, stirred up various emotions within me.

But at the same time, I realize that my heart is no longer as troubled as it used to be.

The promise we made by chance when we met at that time, right before we parted ways.

Sho-chan remembered.

“Okay. When is good?”

I try to send messages while being careful not to write in a detached manner as much as possible.

It’s like conveying my feelings to someone important, and tapping ‘send’ makes my heart race.

“Then, on this day—”

A quick response that came immediately.

I felt a sense of relief for some reason.

☕

“Thank you for coming, Soy.”

A café in the shopping street.

My friend Sho-chan and I had come together to the place where Classic was formed.

It’s a very nice café where I can relax, but for some reason, I feel tense when I’m with Sho-chan.

For some reason, I actually know the answer, but…

“…What happened all of a sudden?”

“Don’t be so stiff… I shouldn’t say that, should I?”

“That’s not true.”

Still, I couldn’t put it into words any further.

I felt that CRYCHIC became a memory for us, and it seems like the lingering feelings with Shou-chan have been resolved.

That is not a mistake, and that is why we can meet here alone together now.

Syo-chan, sitting across from me, is looking at me straight without averting her gaze.

The gaze that conveyed that strong will was somewhat different from the one overflowing with kindness at that time, and I realized that she had changed as well.

Surely it’s not just CRYCHIC, by Ave Mujica.

When I was unsure of how to start the conversation, Sho-chan simply smiled.

The smile looked a little lonely, but maybe that’s just my imagination.

“Let’s first order some drinks.”

When Yoshi-chan said that and looked around, a staff member quickly approached with a notepad in hand.

I’m a bit surprised by their sharp eyes that don’t miss anything, even though there are a decent number of customers in the store.

“Is this an order?”

“Yes. I will have the Timbra milk tea.”

So, what will you drink?

Prompted by such a gaze, I instinctively brought the tea I always drink to my lips.

“…I’ll have Earl Grey hot, please.”

“Understood. One hot milk tea from Timura and one Earl Grey.”

With a cheerful smile that seemed to convey reassurance, the staff member returned to the counter.

When I returned my gaze to Shou-chan, she had a slightly surprised expression on her face.

“What happened?”

“Soyo drinks tea, doesn’t she?”

A surprised and happy face. I’m confused because I don’t remember doing anything to elicit that expression.

“Excuse me. Soyu hasn’t had tea before.”

Perhaps reading my expression, Sho-chan returned a smile like the one earlier.

“That’s right.”

I remember ordering a café mocha back then.

Before CRYCHIC ceased, I wasn’t drinking tea.

I started drinking black tea because…

“These days… I drink a lot.”

“I see… So who do you like, Soy?”

“Is it Earl Grey?”

I love the refreshing scent of citrus that gently wafts through the air, so I drink it often.

Drinking with Aine-chan brings up various thoughts carried by the fragrance.

“I’m brewing it at home too.”

“Well. Soyu is drinking that much.”

Shou-chan leans forward a little to listen.

Rather than it being unusual, I hesitate a little at the sight of Sho-chan, whom I’m seeing for the first time.

“Where are the tea leaves bought?”

“Um…”

It’s not that I searched diligently to get here; it’s a brand I always buy.

When I mentioned that name, Sho-chan nodded in understanding.

“It’s a solid choice. I drink it occasionally too.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s a reliable quality backed by the brand’s history. It’s also nice that you can easily buy it at department stores and station buildings.”

I can no longer say that I bought it just because the can was cute.

You can almost hear the sound of her breathing as Shou-chan talks enthusiastically for a change.

Somehow, I feel a sudden lightness in my shoulders.

“What does Sho-chan like?”

“That’s right… I used to drink a really wide variety of them.”

“How about before?”

“Yes. Of course, the blends that Soy drinks, at one time directly from the farm.”

It was several times richer than I had thought…

I didn’t know you enjoyed tea that much. I just thought you drank it all the time.

“…but now, I no longer obsess over it that much.”

Why is that?

Just as I was wondering whether to ask about the ambiguous remark, the ordered tea was served.

A pleasant fragrance rises gently.

“Please take your time.”

The clerk lightly lowered their head in a bow and returned to the counter.

“Let’s eat.”

“I’ll have some too,” I murmured quietly before taking a sip of tea.

It’s still hot, just a little bit.

When I bring it close to my mouth, the light fragrance of my favorite bergamot wafts in, making me feel very calm.

With that, I put down the teacup and turn back to Shou-chan.

“What is Sho-chan drinking now?”

“I’m currently enjoying an assortment of tea bags that I can buy at the supermarket.”

I have bought it too.

This is a collection of five representative blends from that brand, packaged in a small box.

It seems like this is something very ordinary that Shou-chan, who used to buy directly from the farm, wouldn’t drink at all.

“You’re probably wondering why. It may be a bit flavorless, but I think that’s just fine now.”

I am being drawn in by the pretentious way of speaking.

“Besides, you can buy that anywhere. The fact that it is always available is what makes it the most precious.”

I immediately erased the image of Sho-chan, holding a basket in one hand and picking up a package in the tea section of the supermarket.

Noticing my indescribable reaction, Sho-chan cast her eyes down with an apologetic expression.

“…I’m sorry. There isn’t anyone I can talk to about this kind of thing.”

The lively demeanor from earlier vanished, and a smile appeared as if nothing had happened.

A gentle smile that tries to conceal everything.

It was an expression I often wore myself, so I understood it right away.

“Hey, Sho-chan. After we leave here, shall we go look at some tea?”

“Eh…?”

The smile I tried to hide vanished, and I returned a smile that I wasn’t making to Sho-chan, who was staring at me with a puzzled expression.

Here is the best version of myself that I can show you now.

“Or should we order some cake too? How about trying a different tea?”

It’s not a past I can reminisce about; it’s still a wound that hurts.

However, I don’t want to have a relationship that only carries that past.

I don’t want my relationship with Shou-chan to be bound by something like CRYCHIC.

There’s no need to cling desperately anymore; we can understand that by looking at each other.

As a memory for us, it is enough to just keep it in our hearts.

Because we both already understand that it was an important time for us.

“What does Sho-chan want to do?”

So, I want to face the current Sho-chan.

Since the Shou-chan who felt unreachable and distant was never there from the beginning.

“Softly…”

“What?”

“…No, that’s right. Let’s do both.”

Shou-chan laughed as if all her strength had left her.

A smile to show to a friend.

It seemed that way to me.

I was deeply moved to tears.

The breezy beginnings that are currently being reignited in the streets.

I hope the continuation of the Bang Dream! Girls Band Party card episode is like this…

In reality, I guess it won’t actually turn into tea.

Isn’t it too harsh!?

Twining is nice, isn’t it…?

I like Lady Grey.

Since Soryin is already wrapping things up in a way that suggests we can meet anytime… I think we will continue to meet and go out normally in the future.

A respectful relationship is wonderful, isn’t it?

Knowing each other’s flaws, reconciling, and being able to have a relaxed relationship where we can sometimes have tea together, Shoko gets sent to Terra…

It’s fine just like that…

From now on, we can do anything over and over again… because we are friends…

Soyorin is always so moist.

Personally, I think the best episode added this time is Soyosaki.

The humidity is incredible…

That girl is quite something too.

Only Shou-chan could transform into a dangerous figure that barges into school and knocks people down…

If it weren’t for a series of troubles, we could have become good friends with matching hobbies…

I was seriously moved to tears.

Mana-chan also seems like she would drink fruit tea.

Good… really good…

Aine is a bit unsure about drinking anything other than Earl Grey that she had with Soyorin.

The black tea that Shoko often orders at the shop is Earl Grey, right?

Soyo has hot Earl Grey.

The only thing known is that Shoko ordered a milk tea from Timura; it is unclear what other tea she is drinking.

Every day at Hatsune’s place, I drink coffee with Hatsune and once a month, I drink tea with Soyorin.

Alright, it’s balanced.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I love the current atmosphere and temperature of Soyosaki.

It was really great…

I don’t have the vocabulary to express it differently, but it was good…

What happens when Den gets involved and the emperor starts to feel moist?

Because Soyorin is a woman of emotion imbued with humidity.

Soyo tends to take on too much, so she often ends up over-humidifying.

I feel like it’s a rare case for a child who was blindly devoted to their idol to be strongly pushed away and still manage to return to a good relationship somehow.

See you later.

I hope that once Musica is implemented, events like this will come to Garupa.