What makes history (Hijikata x OC)

Sanan-san, the return

I was the one who brought tea for Sanan-san this very evening, hoping he wasn't too engrossed in research to spare a little time for me. Fukuchō wanted me to ask for help, and so I would.

I carried a tray with a cast iron teapot; I'd brewed this tea myself, and hoped it would be good enough. Calling out to Sanan from the engawa, I heard his muffled "hairi kudasai" and wondered if I should put the tray on the ground and get in on my knees, or just walk in. Mmm. What was the proper etiquette again?

Picturing Chizuru in my mind, I slid the shōji open, then pushed the tray in. Damn. There was no space left for me to swivel in with the tea tray in the way. I probably messed up the order of things. A soft chuckle greeted my disgruntled face; Sanan was hiding his amusement behind his hand, but mirth danced merrily in his eyes.

"You should have opened the shōji wider, Kitsu-kun," he provided.

I lifted my hands in defeat. "Blast. And I thought I mastered it."

Sanan cocked his head aside.

"How would things go in France?"

I snorted, closing the sliding door behind me as I pulled the tea tray with me. "First, I don't serve tea. And secondly, we walk in, so it's not so much of a hassle. But I bet the British must have a ceremony for it."

"You do not serve tea at all?"

Of all the differences, he had to fixate on that one. Serving tea, for ladies, was such a great part of his culture that he couldn't fathom that I had never done so for anyone.

"My parents are both coffee drinkers. I guess I'm the only one in this family that doesn't enjoy it... And you know, in modern times, serving men has fallen out of fashion."

We didn't have all night, else I would have told him more of my childhood. Instead of learning how to cook, I'd built fires and roamed the countryside, chopping dead wood and moulded clay dinosaurs for my little brother. Nothing too traditional ... sewing was the only remotely girl thing I enjoyed.

"Then I feel honoured by your gesture," he added.

I didn't even think, grabbing the cup and pouring for him. As I handed the recipient over and filled mine – which was a mistake, given his reaction – I shrugged.

"Well. I do enjoy tea, especially your blends."

Sanan took a sip of warm liquid, eyeing me curiously.

"Not so much on black tea? Darjeeling can be pretty enjoyable."

I'd only ever drunk Twinings packets, overinfused in boiling water; the worst kind.

"Naaa. All that colonisation stuff anyway ... well. It's just too harsh. At this rate, coffee does the trick. But I hate it with so much passion..."

Sanan's eyes cringed at the corner over his cup, and I smiled back.

"Anyway. Chizuru tried to teach me how she makes Hijikata-san's tea, and even though it's not as good, I'm glad this one is drinkable."

"Hijikata-kun doesn't realise how blessed he is to have two ladies taking care of him."

There was an underlying message here, one I was too afraid to understand. So, instead of responding, I just hummed in my cup and inhaled the sweet fragrance of the sencha Chizuru had procured. It brought me peace, and I blanked out for a moment. Then, realising that Sanan's eyes were still fixed upon me, I cleared my throat.

"I'm sorry for barging in on you. Is it a bad time?"

"Not at all. I'm surprised you didn't come earlier, actually."