Would you like a cup of tea? || Shigeo Kageyama

Chamomile Tea

Mob sighed for the millionth time as he sipped his chamomile tea. Following right after his sigh, Hotaru let out a deep sigh, breaking the silence. He looked up at her questioningly. "Is something wrong, Taru?"

"...Yes, there is something wrong." Her face scrunched up as if she was not sure how to explain herself.

"What happened?" He had been sulking and feeling a bit down ever since he dissolved the LOL organization. It did not help that Reigen talked about how he was destructively dense as well, but that was not the point right now.

"Well..." Hotaru let out another deep sigh. "It's just that people can be so selfish and I realized, again, how destructive that selfishness can be towards others...sometimes...in a very negative manner. And... I just feel guilty for running from that kind of selfishness since it just shows that I'm selfish too." She then sat down next to him, holding the cup in her own hands. As she looked at the cup in a contemplating manner, he also stared at his own cup.

"That's hard to think about." Mob began. "But...if that selfishness is hurting you or the people around them a lot, then I don't think you should feel guilty for running from that kind of person." It was at this moment that he felt more connected to her, reminding him of how he felt guilty about dissolving the LOL organization, even though that organization did more harm than good.

"...I always thought that you were out of it, Hope, but I guess I underestimated you again." Hotaru smiled at him. "Maybe it's high time that I think of you as some amazing person, after all! It wouldn't do if I underestimated you again!" She threw her fist into the air to show her enthusiasm.

Mob sipped his tea. "I'm not that...amazing." He touched the rim of his cup. "You're more amazing, Taru...for being able to brew this."

"..." Hotaru blinked, observing him thoughtfully. "Hope, don't bring yourself down. You really are an amazing person. Aren't you doing your best to change and improve yourself? From what I've been hearing from you about your school life, it sounds fulfilling and fun."

He let out a small sigh. "But-"

"Hope, you really are doing a lot more than others out there. While it does take hard work and diligence to change, you are taking the right steps towards it, starting with that Body Improvement Club." She gave him a thumbs up. "That quality of yours is admirable."

His eyes widened and he smiled a little at her words. "Thank you, Taru."

"Now then..." Hotaru's aunt came out from the back of the cafe. "Here are the new cookies I baked! Try them, you two!" She placed the plate of cookies in between the two.

"Thank you, auntie." Mob lowered his head briefly to show his respect to her.

She grinned and ruffled his hair. "It's nice to hear that, Hope. Enjoy them!"

"Thanks, auntie. You're the best!" Hotaru gave her a thumbs up and then grabbed a cookie from the plate.

Her aunt let out a hearty laugh before heading back to the kitchen. "I'll be back here, so holler if you need me!"

"Okay!" The two piped up as they dug into the plate of cookies.