Prompted by Jutia-sanās keen interest in Nebulaās new tea leaves, I quickly took out the tea leaves dedicated to Royal Milk Tea and explained.
[I see, I seeā¦ā¦ Itās specially made for royal milk tea. Interesting, interesting. Iām interested to see how it tastes like. Can I try brewing it right away?]
[Ah, yes. Itās alrightā¦ā¦ Here though?]
I could sense that Jutia-san wanted to try the tea leaves right away, but even though we were in an open area, we were still in the middle of a forest. When I asked her that with such a thought in mind, Jutia-san grinned.
[That aināt it, that aināt it. I have all the tools and other stuff in hand, and Iām going to make it at my house. Also, also. Iād like to invite you, Kaito, but are you free?]
[Yes, I donāt have any urgent plans.]
[Itās decided then. Well then, well then, Iāll teleport us towards thereā¦ā¦ Iāll touch you a bit, okay?]
I was invited by Jutia-san to her home, and just like that, Jutia-san, looking quite excited, lightly put her hand on my shoulder. Thereupon, the scenery changed in an instant and I found myself in a wooden room.
In the atmospheric room with stylish walls, the walls were lined with a variety of pots and cans filled with tea leaves, creating a tea-loverās dream room. There were also numerous teapots and cups, adding to the overall tea-themed ambiance.
It was somewhat like a combination of a dining room and kitchenā¦ā¦ Looking around, I can see what seemed to be a forest outside the window, so I guess Iām in some forest somewhereā¦ā¦ most likely in the center of Great Forest in Yggfresis? Garden of Myriad Flowers, where Rosemary-san lives, is also in the center of the Great Forestā¦ā¦
[Itās amazing. Not just tea, you also had this many cupsā¦ā¦]
[Tea, you see, while what you put directly into your mouth such as the tea leaves, its taste depends on the tools such as cups and pots. Thatās why, thatās why, I also have a collection of cups and pots other than the ones shown here.]
[Heehhhā¦ā¦ I see, you sure are very particular about your tea leavesā¦ā¦ Ahh, thatās right.]
[Unnn?]
The fact that sheās fussy about not only the tea leaves but also the cups and pots gives me the impression that sheās a genuine tea lover. No, she actually seems to be interacting with Ein-san, so I guess her obsession with tea really is different.
At that moment, I suddenly remembered the pots and cups I once sold at Archlesia Empireās Founding Festival. Even after I sold my stuff over there, Nebula and Illness-san usually make ceramics, so I have more on hand than just the ones Amel-san and I sold.
Well, for some reason, they continued labeling them with my brand mark even after the Founding Festival had ended, so I suppose Nebula and Illness-sanās products would continue having that brand mark.
[These teacups and pots are also made by Nebula and Illness-sanā¦ā¦ so if Jutia-san wants, you can have these.]
[These areā¦ā¦ Is it alright? Is it alright? From what I see, these have a very good quality, you know? With the quality of these things, I will properly pay for them.]
[No, donāt worry about it. I have a good number of those, and I know that the tea-loving Jutia-san will take good care of them.]
[Thanks. Well then, well then, Iāll take you up for your word then. Unnn, unnn. It has good thickness, and since weāre at it, Iāll brew a pot of royal milk tea with it. Kaito, sit there and wait for me.]
[Ah, yes. Iām in your care.]
Jutia-san seemed to like the cups and pots I gave her, and after smiling happily, she asked me to sit down while she went into the kitchen area of the room.
And with very experienced movements, she started preparing to brew tea.
[Iāve got good tea leaves, so I think Iāll use good milk as well. I wonder if Kaito prefers it on the sweeter side or the lighter side?]
[Hmmm, sweet ones, I guess? I like sweet flavors quite a bitā¦ā¦]
[I see, I see, I like sweet flavors too. Having the same tastes as you makes me happy~~ It makes me happy~~]
With a cheerful and fun demeanor, the tea was skillfully prepared, and a little while later, a delicious-looking royal milk tea was placed in front of me.
[Thanks for waiting, thanks for waiting. Come on, here you go.]
[Thank youā¦ā¦ Unnn. It really is delicious.]
The royal milk tea, which was sweeter than the one I had at home, combined with the warm atmosphere of Jutia-sanās house, was truly heartwarming and delicious.
Sitting in the seat across from me, Jutia-san took a sip of royal milk tea and had a surprised expression on her face.
[ā¦ā¦Oh my, amazing, this is amazing! Unlike when made with regular tea leaves, its harmony with milk is on a completely different level! How nice, how nice, this is excellent. Thereās so much potential for further experimentation with this tooā¦ā¦ K- Kaitoā¦ā¦ If itās possible, ummmā¦ā¦]
[Ah, yes. I thought you might ask me something like that, so Iāve brought a can of these tea leaves, and according to Nebula, if you want, sheās willing to periodically provide it just like the tea leaves from before.]
[Thanks! Iām so happy, Iām so happy. Seriously, Iām glad that I met Kaitoā¦ā¦ Ahh, sorry, sorry. This could sound like Iām just being materialisticā¦ā¦ but, but, regardless of the tea leaves and all that, itās true that Iām happy to have met Kaito.]
[Ahaha, thank you. Hearing you say that makes me happy.]
Jutia-sanās bashful smile, combined with her petite physique, made her look cute, and how should I say thisā¦ā¦ Along with the taste of the royal milk tea, it makes me feel warm and cozy.