A Fitting End- Last Class

The morning had dawned clear and bright with white fluffy clouds floating across the blue sky. It was finally the day Hina had been waiting for. She padded softly down the hallways, well aware that lady Emi was already waiting for her in the study room. She had been informed about the lady's arrival but she took her sweet time getting to class. Hina had always been the one waiting, so she felt it was only right for the lady to kick her heels too. A childishly petty decision she had come up with last minute. Then again, being petty felt so good.

"You are late, lady Hina"

Emi started as soon as the door had clicked shut behind Hina.

"You ought to have been here before your tutor. It is only basic etiquette, don't you agree?" Emi inquired with a closed-lip smile.

"You're right, tutor Emi. I will make sure you never have to witness such behaviour again" Hina replied flatly, setting herself daintily on the couch before Emi.

"I hope so" Emi said in a stern voice, adjusting her sitting position as she was getting uncomfortable in the chair.

She was awfully irritated by the fact that the young lady had kept her waiting.

_____

A maid had entered with a tray of teacups and a teapot, silently placing them down on the table before departing. The class soon began with a lecture on tea etiquette.

"A tea party is a tasteful affair as it is very popular among nobilities. During a tea party, there are some key etiquette rules to look out for such as; avoid placing too much food on your plate, avoid picking up your saucer unless if you are standing. In that case, you will pick up both your saucer and  teacup together, holding your cup in one hand and the saucer in the other..." Emi explained dryly in a nonchalant manner.

"Have you ever attended a tea party, lady Hina?" She asked in an indifferent tone.

"No, I haven't" Hina told her.

"I see. Then, it must be very hard to understand all these things I'm talking about" Emi said in a mocking tone, honeyed voice as she spoke ever softly.

"Thanks for your concern, tutor Emi but I'd like us to continue with the lesson"

"Sure, of course, lady Hina"

Emi went on with a few explanations, eventually concluding on the theories before it all came down to the practicals- serving tea.

"It is customary for the person hosting the gathering to pour the tea out, so learning how to serve tea is a basic essential for any noble lady. These days, even those in the middle-class are well versed in tea etiquette, so I am quite worried that you lack in this area, lady Hina"

Emi said, her tone gently chiding.

"Hmm, I see."

"Lastly, before we end today's lesson, you'll be serving my tea"

"What?" Hina eyed the woman from her stance.

"I would like to see how good you are at serving the tea, lady Hina. Please do it properly without spilling or overfilling the cup" Emi told her tautly, a grin forming on her lips. This was the part of the class she had been yearning for. Those little moments she was in control and her words determined everything the young girl did. Somewhere in a distant part of her mind, she realised that she truly wholeheartedly enjoyed mistreating the young lady Hina.

[She's having a field day, isn't she?]

"Okay," Hina responded. She was putting up with all of her shenanigans on purpose as it was all going to end today. With a concentrated effort, she tampered her negative feelings back down.

Hina picked up the porcelain teapot with ease, holding the lid with one arm as she poured the tea. She handed the teacup to Emi who shook her head in disapproval.

"You need to hold the teapot a bit more softly. Do it again"

Hina served the tea again.

And again.

But Emi seemed to keep finding small details to constantly complain about.

Hina's patience was wearing out but she bore with it. It was not yet time to react. She needed to keep her cool and seem like an idiot just until the end of this class. It was the perfect way to get the reaction she aimed at after this.

"How can you be so terrible at carrying out such a simple task?" Emi complained, aggressively dragging the teacup from Hina's hands, causing the tea to spill on her hand.

"Lady Hina, are you okay?" Emi asked.

Hina didn't answer. She just examined her arm, inwardly thankful that the tea was already cold. Still, the idea of how the scenario would have played out if it had still been hot angered her. Now that she thought about it, this was the second time this sort of situation was occurring and both times, Emi was present. How could she not have noticed before?

[It was you from the start..]

"That must have scared you. If you had served the tea properly, such an accident wouldn't have occurred" Emi stated, a small lopsided grin on her face. After the previous class, she seemed to have gotten bolder, talking down to her as she pleased.

"Indeed. It's my fault..." Hina mumbled to herself.

"It seems we've run out of time for today's class. We will pick up from where we stop today next time, lady Hina"

"If you don't mind, may I invite you to have brunch with me, lady Emi?" Hina asked, cleaning her hand with a paper towel.

"Really?" She asked, appropriately stunned.

"Yes. Please accept my offer, as I'd like to use the opportunity to apologise for my tardiness today" she replied, a smile on her perfectly proportioned face.

Emi hesitated before responding "Sure, it'll be my pleasure"

That was the answer she wanted. Hina led her out of the study as they made their way for the drawing-room. She had already informed Suki beforehand to have her brunch prepared in the drawing-room.

Suki pushed open the door for them as they walked in. She served their tea and exited the room. Hina sipped on her tea, enjoying the creamy aftertaste that lingered.

"Please have some, lady Emi" Hina said, breaking the awkward silence.

"Sure" she smiled, sipping from her tea as she lifted the cup gently.

"Does it suit your tastes?"

"It's drinkable," she said, clearing her throat.

"So what reason did you call me here for?" Emi asked, her expression could not hide the blatant distaste she had for the girl.

"I already told you, lady Emi. To apologise for my rude timing during our lesson. I hope you're not too offended" she said,

"Ah! I've heard of your growing popularity amongst the nobles. I must say that you are very impressive" she added, changing the topic.

"Hmm..thank you, lady Hina"

"Seeing as you are quite popular and also very beautiful, I assume you must have several eligible bachelors chasing after you"

"Yes. However, I already have someone in mind that I plan to marry" Emi said with certainty, her smile grew, spreading across her face. There was sudden confidence in her tone as she spoke.

Hina glanced up at Emi, unable to further repress her laughter. She almost choked on her tea as she let out a gleeful little giggle.

"What is the meaning of this? What's so funny?" Emi's rigid voice asked through gritted teeth. A shocked expression splashed across her face as she stared at the girl in utter disbelief.

Although her expression was full of sheer displeasure, Hina didn't care.

"Don't you think it's funny?" Hina asked with a devious grin on her face, cleaning the side of her eyes that seemed to water from her hearty laugh.

"I've been trying to hold it in all through, but I couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous you sound" Hina asserted, stifling a grin at Emi's quaking shoulders. She enjoyed the sight of the woman's jaw muscle quivering as she clenched her fists beside her. Now that was a reaction worth seeing.