High 5 - Hop, Step Ch.3

[nazunyan427]

 

Chapter Three

Hop, Step

Location: Cafe Cinnamon

-10 mins later at Cafe Cinnamon-

Tomoya:

Glug, glug...

Ahh... Nothing like the ‘Shinonon Blend’ from Cinnamon’s new menu to calm my heart right down.

Mitsuru:

I can’t calm down at all ‘cause I keep wonderin’ why that tea’s even got a name like that in the first place!?

Hajime:

Heheh. You know how a lot of circles are coming together within the dorms recently?

I’m a member of one called ‘Flavor’— it’s kinda like the Tea Club back at Yumenosaki.

Our most recent club activities involved brewing a bunch of original tea blends.

Although I’m not sure ‘blend’ is the best way to put it… In any case, Eichi Onii-chan thought it would be amusing to add it to Cinnamon's official menu.

It seems like Eichi Onii-chan isn’t against abusing his own power for my sake, and I’m mildly concerned about that...

I’m not used to things like this happening because of me, so I’m a little anxious.

Still, I don’t think there was any ill-intent behind Eichi Onii-chan’s actions, and the staff at Cinnamon seemed delighted. So perhaps there’s no need for me to worry so much.

But I do wish they’d at least change the name— after all, Akehoshi-senpai is the only person allowed to call me ‘Shinonon’.

Mitsuru:

No fair! Why do only you get a drink named after you!?

I wanna make a drink called the ‘Superstar: Tenma Mitsuru Blend’ packed with protein and taurine and a bunch of other supplements!

Hajime:

T-that does sound very Mitsuru-esque, but I’m not sure I could manage more than a mouthful...

Tomoya:

Ahaha. At least you’d be fighting fit after a cup, whether you like it or not.

Anyways. I’m really sorry about worrying you guys.

I feel like I’ve calmed down a lot, phew. In fact, I’m kind of wondering why I made such a racket at the agency in the first place—that was so embarrassing.

Looking back, I made such a fool of myself. ES isn’t a school—it’s serious business.

Hajime

Heheh. Don’t be so harsh on yourself.

Although, it probably wasn’t the best way to handle the situation. Our company, Rhythm Link, has been around a while, so there’s a lot of rather old-fashioned higher-ups.

Mitsuru:

Ya think? When I watch old dramas I feel like older people get especially worked up and yell a whole bunch.

Hajime:

Heheh. Mitsuru-kun, you watch dramas? I would’ve thought you had no interest in shows with those kinds of overly-dramatic plots.

Mitsuru:

It’s not that I’ve no interest; it’s just that I don’t understand a lot of what goes on. Can’t find it interesting if I don’t have a clue what’s happening!

But Anzu Nee-chan said it might be a good reference to help me get into character, and lent me a bunch of drama DVDs!

I’ve gotta understand what a ‘drama’ is from my very core—otherwise I won’t be able to do my job right!

So I’m watching all these shows and thinkin’ about them and practicin’ by myself. There’s nothing more important than honest work!

Heheh. Luckily I landed an awesome role, so I’ll be appearing a lot.

Dramas are becoming part of my blood! I can feel it in my bones—there’s no way all my hard work’ll ever let me down!

Hajime:

Mitsuru-kun, you’re surprisingly serious about this.

Mitsuru:

Ehehe, it brings out the athlete in me!

Tomoya: 

Wow. You really are amazing, Mitsuru. Especially compared to me who’s just a complete mess! Waaaah—

Mitsuru:

Whoa! Tomo-chan, don’t get all gloomy again!

Hajime:

Drink up your Shinonon Blend, Tomoya-kun! Come on, let the delicious taste of Shinonon soothe your soul!

Tomoya:

Mmph!? Don’t force-feed it to me; I’ll chok—cough, splutter!

Mitsuru:

Ahaha. For some reason, Hajime-chan gets real hands on when it comes to Tomo-chan alone. You’re not afraid to be kinda rough with him!

Hajime:

Heheh, I guess it’s because we go way back.

Tomoya: 

Yeah. To be honest, it’d be more worrying if he felt the need to to hold back around me. I definitely prefer him acting this way to the alternative. Thanks, Hajime; you really did make me feel better.

I'm starting to realize that keeping everything to myself isn't gonna do me any good.

Hajime:

I’m glad you are! It’s really bitten you on the butt in the past. The last time you were this flustered about something you ended up pushing yourself to your limit and passing out, remember?

I was so worried that I was on the brink of collapsing myself.

Mitsuru:

Oh, you mean during Mystery Stage?

Yeah, you were acting real strange back then, Hajime-chan! ‘Member when I tried to touch Tomo-chan after he’d passed out and you literally howled at me—like a wolf!

Hajime:

D-did I? I don’t really remember that… Or rather, I’ve blocked out a lot of things that happened back then...

Mitsuru:

Yeah, you did! That’s why we’ve all gotta stick together, so stuff like that won’t happen again!

That way, when there’s somethin’ one of us doesn’t understand, the rest of us can help point them in the right direction. Solvin’ things as a group makes way more sense to me!