The tea ceremony is set up on the tatami floor of the teahouse's main room. Soft sunlight filters through the paper doors, casting a gentle glow on the polished wooden floor. Grandma has set everything up meticulously: the low table, the delicate tea utensils, and the small, embroidered napkins placed just so.
I've spent the morning preparing, watching Grandma's every move, trying to memorize each step. The tea ceremony is something I've always admired, but I've never actually done it myself. There's so much precision involved, and I know that one misstep can throw everything off.
I glance at the clock. Soon, the guests will be arriving, and I can't afford to mess this up.
Kaito, who had wandered in earlier with his usual relaxed grin, is now lounging at one of the low tables, clearly enjoying the peace.
"You okay there, Ayu-chan?" he calls over.
I glance at him, the nerves rising in my chest. "I don't know... I think I'm going to mess this up."
"You won't," he says, not looking up from his phone. "You're a Mizuno, right? You've got this."
I nod, even though the doubt still lingers.
Grandma, noticing my anxiety, gives me a soft smile. "You're doing wonderfully, Ayu-chan. Don't rush. The guests will appreciate the effort, no matter what."
I try to calm myself, breathing deeply.
As the first guest enters, I bow low, feeling the rush of adrenaline spike. I move through the motions, pouring the warm tea into the delicate cups, trying to follow each step exactly. But as I lift one of the cups, I accidentally tilt it too far—tea spills slightly over the edge. My heart skips a beat.
"Shoot," I mutter, my cheeks flushing red with embarrassment.
I freeze, not knowing what to do.
Just as panic begins to rise, Kaito's voice breaks through the tension.
"Whoops. Looks like Ayu-chan's just making sure everyone gets a bit extra," he says with an exaggerated grin, standing up and walking toward me casually.
He reaches over, effortlessly wiping away the spill with the napkin before anyone can notice. "No big deal. Happens to the best of us. Just a little more flavor for the guests, right?"
The guest laughs lightly, and I can't help but let out a relieved breath.
Grandma chuckles softly, watching the exchange with a twinkle in her eye. "That's right. A little extra warmth from Ayu-chan's tea," she adds, her voice light.
I look at Kaito, my heart still fluttering. He's smooth, as always, making the whole situation seem effortless.
"You're lucky I didn't drop the whole pot," I mutter, embarrassed but thankful.
Kaito flashes a playful grin. "Lucky for me, too. I don't think I'm ready for a 'spilled tea' scandal yet."
I laugh despite myself, the tension easing. The ceremony continues, and though my nerves don't disappear entirely, Kaito's presence helps ground me. He sits back down, making quiet jokes with the guests, adding his usual playful energy without disrupting the flow.
By the time the last of the tea is served, I feel a small sense of pride. I didn't ruin it. I didn't make a huge mistake. And, somehow, Kaito's effortless charm turned a potentially awkward moment into something lighthearted.
The ceremony wraps up, and the guests leave with smiles, the air still warm from the tea and the laughter that filled the room.
I sit back, exhausted but content.
"See? You did great," Kaito says, dropping into the seat next to me. "Nothing to worry about."
I glance at him, grateful. "Thanks for... you know, saving me."
He shrugs with a wink. "All in a day's work for the unofficial 'best guest' of the inn."
I can't help but smile at that. Despite the small misstep, today feels like a small victory. And Kaito's here, making it all seem a little easier.
Grandma's voice calls from the doorway. "You both did wonderfully. Come, have some tea and snacks."
We get up together, heading into the kitchen. The weight of the ceremony lingers softly in the air, but now it feels peaceful.
And for the first time in a long while, I feel like I might actually belong here.