(A/N: I'll use Japanese honorifics like -san, -kun, -sama for this since it is probably the most familiar for most of you)
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By the day of the tea party, Zephyr has already prepared all things needed. He also sent various invitations to some friends.
Zephyr marveled at his work for the past few days. The room he got was a cozy sizable room with a large window to let natural light in.
He opted for a simple but elegant style for his tea party. He didn't bother going for the luxurious and extravagant decor since he didn't invite those snotty and arrogant nobles.
And his first visitor was a dandy gentleman.
"Please have a seat, sir." Zephyr offered respectfully. The gentleman he invited was his teacher in tea preparation.
"Hmm, simple yet elegant, a good choice. Tea parties need not be luxurious as it is supposed to be a relaxing event." The gentleman nodded as he took his seat.
Zephyr followed quickly and prepared the tea. He filled two cups and served one for his teacher along with some treats. After which, he sat opposite of his visitor with his own tea.
"Thank you for accomodating me despite being busy," Zephyr started.
"It is my pleasure attending," The gentleman simply said as he took a sip of his tea. He savored the aftertaste before commenting, "To think you would serve Darjeel Tea, I'm honored."
Zephyr simply smiled as he took a sip. Darjeel Tea was a precious tea that is extremely rare, it is only served at royal banquets. However, he got his hands on some by "borrowing" them from his older brother's stash since the guy loves his tea.
Zephyr didn't talked with his teacher for long as the latter can't stay for long since he has his tasks too. After his teacher left, Zephyr was the only one left in the room.
Some time after his teacher left, he heard commotion outside so after he set aside the tea set, he went out to see what was the ruckus.
"You were invited to lord Brad's tea party? You must be lying!"
"But I got the invitation..."
"Hmph, know your damn place!"
He saw a group of students walk away, he remembered each one. He then saw the girl on the floor with tears threatening to burst.
'Hm? Isn't that the same girl I bumped into a few days back?' Zephyr recalled that random encounter. The girl did left some impression on him due to her unique aura. 'Luckily I brought extra treats, enough for some more visitor.'
Zephyr walked over and saw the ripped paper around the girl.
"Here," He offered his hand. "What a coincidence, we meet again."
"Huh?" The girl gazed up after hearing a familiar voice. She saw it was the same boy he met a few days back. She was also ont he floor back then with the same hand being offered.
She grabbed his hand and stood up before bowing in gratitude.
"Thank you"
"No worries," Zephyr shrugged. He then glanced at the ripped papers and said, "Do you want to go to my tea party?"
"Is it okay?" She asked, her eyes looked lonely.
"Of course," He grinned. "Come, follow me."
"Okay" The girl nodded as she followed him. Thinking back on her time in the academy, he was the only one that treated her this kindly among those that she met. Others treated her with contempt while some treated her as if she wasn't there.
'Maybe I can finally have my first friend?' Her lingering thoughts was only known to her that time.
.....
"It seems this is the first time we've talked this long, right?"
"Ah, yes. We are from different classes after all. And it seems our electoral classes also doesn't intersect."
"Too bad," Zephyr sighed. "Please help yourself, Olivia. No need for reservations, just treat me as a friend. I don't really like formalities that much."
"Thank you," Olivia smiled brightly as she picked one of the cookies in her plate and taking a bite. "Woah! This is the first time alive eaten such delicious sweets! Also this tea is expensive right? Can I really drink it?"
"Glad you like the sweets. Also, please help yourself to the tea. It isn't some expensive ones," Zephyr knew that if he said it was a precious tea, she probably wouldn't drink it so to ease her mind, he lied.
Olivia not noticing Zephyr's lie about he tea took it as the truth and she heaved a sigh of relief. She finally took a sip of the tea.
"Delicious!" She exclaimed but that was it. She wasn't familiar with teas or etiquette being of common birth so she didn't give what a typical noble would reply that being some long winded flattery or comment.
"This may come off as rude but how is your experience in the academy?" Zephyr asked carefully after seeing how she was being bullied. It was the first time he saw it happen. He know those of noble birth are naturally arrogant to commoners but he didn't think they'd go as far as physically bully her.
"...Um, no matter what I do, every body says I'm not worthy of this place," Olivia started " I want to study more about magic but I'm unfamiliar with many things like etiquette so my classmates often criticize me."
Zephyr listened and saw how her eyes once again bubbled up with tears.
"Please don't cry," He handed a handkerchief to her. "If you want, I can teach you about etiquette and other things."
"Really?" Olivia looked at him with hopeful eyes.
'She's too nice and...naive,' Zephyr sighed internally. If he were someone with dark intentions, Olivia would have been in danger. She is a beautiful girl after all and he knew of several noble scions that would readily get their hands dirty to lay a hand on her. The past him would have been one of them.
"No worries, we can meet during our breaks."
"Ah but wouldn't that trouble you, Zephyr-san?"
"No problem for me, I get to accompany a beautiful girl, isn't that a treat already?" He said jokingly. "If you still feel burdened then how about cooking for me as payment." He added.
Olivia's face was flushed after hearing him but still replied. "W-would that really be enough?"
"Yeah" He nodded. He didn't particularly have any reason on trying to help Olivia, it was more of a whim on his part. But he did feel kinda bad if he doesn't help someone he could right in front of him. It was a simple thing for him to do as well.
*Tok* *Tok*
Zephyr turned towards the opened door where he heard the knock. There, he saw another beautiful girl with long, majestic orange-blonde hair reaching her shoulder. Her figure is slender and well-proportioned, with a model-like height.
She casually and loosely wore her uniform, giving a view of a large portion of her cleavage from an opened section of her shirt. She also has a simple black choker and a rosary around her neck. And her hair tied into a side ponytail and rested on the left shoulder.
"Did I perhaps interrupt?" Clarice glanced at the blushing girl and the smiling boy. She was one of the few Zephyr invited. After that night they spent, the two became friends, normal friends and not friends with benefits.
"Clarice-senpai, please come in." Zephyr stood up and pulled a seat for Clarice. He also prepared a tea and another set of sweets.
"Thank you," Clarice said to Zephyr. "I overheard some of your conversation, I can also help." She continued.
"Oh? That's great." Zephyr nodded. "Is that okay with you, Olivia?"
"Y-yes!" Olivia nervously glanced at Clarice. She felt comfortable with Zephyr for some reason but with Clarice, she felt nervous.
The tea party continued with mainly Clarice talking with Zephyr but the latter tried his best to include Olivia so she doesn't feel left out. By the end, Olivia became more comfortable with Clarice.
Olivia was the first to leave the party saying she needs to some things.
Clarice left with Zephyr asked curiously, "Do you like her? Or is she your next target?"
"Olivia? Of course not. I've decided to refrain from my past way of life." Zephyr shook his head. His life as a debauched young master is done. He didn't want to fall into it again.
"Oh? And here I though we could go for another tryst," Clarice said jokingly. Of course she wasn't serious. Although she acts as a delinquent now as oppose to her former honor student self, that was only outwardly.
"Please don't tempt me," Zephyr glanced at Clarice's figure and grinned wolfishly, " Otherwise, I might just take it seriously and ravish you."
Clarice's face instantly flushed crimson. She involuntarily remembered that night they spent where he did thoroughly ravish her.
Seeing her face flush crimson, Zephyr dropped the act and laughed out loud.
"Hahaha, look at your face, senpai. Were you expecting it?" He teased.
"Hmph..." Clarice pouted. For some reason, she felt comfortable with this junior of hers. Even with her former fiancee, she didn't feel this way. Speakibg of that jerk, she felt irritation.
"Okay, I'll stop. Don't pout now, you're not a kid."
The two had a pleasant tea party for the rest of the day.