The "Phantom Item Rankings" was something I happened to see in a magazine, but I ended up enjoying the article quite a bit, and it got me thinking about something. I figured it might be a good time for a break and a cup of tea, and the timing felt just right.

As I thought that, I stood in front of the gate-shaped magic tool, something you could already call a divine artifact, in my room and lightly touched the gate. The destinations I had registered appeared in the air, so I selected the Sanctuary and stepped through the opened gate to move there.

[Fumu, and what connection do I have to this ranking?]

[Ah, no, that's not it. I came to see you because Shiro-san thought I’d finally try the black tea I got at the birthday party…… You know, since we promised to drink it together.]

[I see.]

Shiro-san-san tilted her head in curiosity when she greeted me, but she seemed to understand quickly and conjured up a table and chairs. I took the black tea plant I’d received for my birthday out from my magic box.

It was a mysterious kind of tea that, when harvested, would automatically dry and become tea leaves……

[By the way, is there anything I should be careful about when brewing this? I’m not exactly confident in my tea-making skills……]

[Then I’ll brew it. It was a gift, after all. I’d like you to enjoy it in its best form.]

[Thank you, that really helps.]

Access to the Sanctuary is tightly restricted, or rather, even if Shiro-san herself doesn’t mind that much, the Gods around her are extremely particular about it, so asking someone like Illness-san to come make the tea wouldn’t really be an option…… Although someone like Canalis-san, who’s roughly on equal footing with Shiro-san, might be able to come, but since Shiro-san is willing to brew the tea herself, there's absolutely no issue.

I could’ve also stored the brewed tea in a pot and kept it in my magic box, but I’d come to the Sanctuary on a whim without any preparations, so Shiro-san’s offer was a real lifesaver.

With a light wave of her finger, the tea leaves floated from my hand, and various tea-making tools appeared. In the blink of an eye, everything was ready.

[Now then, here you go.]

[Thank you very much.]

At a glance, the color looked no different from ordinary black tea. The aroma…… had a slightly refreshing quality? Not quite like herbal tea, but there was a certain cool, clean scent to it.

Thinking that, I took a sip right away……

[O- Ohh…… wow, this is amazing. It’s incredibly refreshing. Even though it’s a hot tea, it leaves an aftertaste like iced tea…… I think I really like this kind of flavor.]

How should I put it? It had an incredibly refreshing mouthfeel. It wasn’t like menthol or mint with that sharp coolness, but rather it was light on the palate and very pleasant.

The flavor was also excellent, and personally, I really liked it. It felt like the kind of tea I could drink endlessly, perfect for that first cup in the morning, or after a heavy-tasting meal. It would be absolutely ideal in either case.

[I’m glad you like it, Kaito-san. I created it with the idea of making something unlike any other tea. I also received various pieces of advice from Nebula, so it’s not purely my own work but……]

[But knowing Nebula’s personality, she probably didn’t give you all the answers, just some advice and guidance, right? Which means the one who thought through everything and actually created this is you, Shiro-san. That honestly makes me really happy.]

[Fufu, just hearing you say that makes it all worthwhile.]

Sure, Nebula's advice must’ve played a part, but more than anything, Shiro-san put a lot of thought into my tastes and preferences when she made this…… According to what I heard from Kuro, she had been testing and refining different versions of it for quite some time, so knowing she went to all that effort just for me made it all the more meaningful.

When I expressed those feelings honestly, Shiro-san smiled softly, and a gentle breeze brushed against my cheek, accompanied by a faint "Doyaa~~" echoing in my ears…… I see. So instead of using 3D text this time, she conveyed her smugness with sound. A new type of doya pattern, I'm impressed.

Well, if anything, that’s very much like Shiro-san…… Thinking that, I smiled and continued enjoying a pleasant teatime with Shiro-san.

[……Ahh, right. My main reason for coming was to have tea with Shiro-san, but while I’m here, though I'm iffy to call it an extra, I actually have a favor to ask, Shiro-san…… The truth is……]

[……I don’t mind. All of it?]

[Ah, no, just this section is fine for now. It’s pretty expansive enough after all.]

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Afterword

Serious-senpai : [Doya Wind…… Well, putting that aside, he's asking Shiro for a favor?]