Brewed to Perfection: Quiet Tea | LeviHan | Levi Ackerman x Hange Zoe | FalBi

Chapter 4: The Tea-off Challenge

The tea shop buzzed with a strange mix of tension and excitement. Word had spread quickly about Oliver, the smug owner of the Golden Brew Café, visiting Levi's shop. Gabi, Jean, and Connie had wasted no time spinning the story into a narrative of epic rivalry, which had reached the ears of the townsfolk. By the end of the week, whispers of a "tea-off" were circulating, much to Levi's dismay.

The final blow came when Gabi burst into the shop, waving a flyer she had apparently crafted herself. "Levi! It's happening!"

Levi, in the middle of brewing a pot of oolong, didn't even look up. "What's happening?"

"The tea-off!" she announced, slapping the flyer onto the counter. It read: Tea Titans: Quiet Tea vs. Golden Brew! in bold, dramatic letters. Beneath it, an illustration of steaming cups faced off like duelists in a showdown.

Levi stared at the flyer, his expression unreadable. "Who the hell approved this?"

"We did!" Connie said, walking in with Jean behind him. "It's genius, right? The whole town's talking about it."

"I didn't approve it," Levi said flatly, his grip tightening on the teapot. "This isn't happening."

"Oh, it's happening," Jean said, smirking. "Oliver already agreed. He thinks he can crush you."

"Good," Levi muttered. "Let him think that."

"No way!" Gabi said, practically bouncing with excitement. "This is our chance to prove you're the best."

Levi sighed, rubbing his temples. "This isn't a war. It's tea."

Jean shrugged. "Maybe not to you. But to the rest of us? It's personal."

Despite Levi's protests, the tea-off became official. It was scheduled for Saturday afternoon, with the entire town invited to watch. The event would pit Levi's Quiet Tea against Oliver's Golden Brew Café in three rounds: a signature tea blend, a food pairing, and a customer-voted freestyle creation.

"You'll crush him," Gabi said confidently as they prepared the shop for the big day. "Your tea's way better."

"Not if you keep breaking things," Levi replied, snatching a teacup out of her hand before it could slip to the floor.

Falco, cautiously optimistic, said, "We should practice. Maybe come up with something new for the freestyle round?"

Levi frowned. "Why? I already know what works."

"Because they're expecting you to stick to the basics," Jean chimed in. "You need to surprise them."

Connie nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Like...tea with bacon!"

Everyone turned to stare at him.

"What?" Connie said, throwing up his hands. "It's creative."

"No," Levi replied, already regretting letting these people into his life.

On the day of the tea-off, the town square was transformed into an outdoor arena. Two booths stood on opposite sides: one for Quiet Tea, with its modest setup and calming aesthetic, and one for Golden Brew Café, which looked more like a carnival attraction, complete with gold-painted decorations and free samples.

Oliver, dressed in a pristine white apron, greeted Levi with his signature smirk. "Ah, Captain Ackerman. Ready to lose?"

Levi's expression didn't change. "You talk too much."

"Confidence is key," Oliver replied. "But I suppose we'll let the tea speak for itself."

Levi turned back to his booth, where Gabi, Falco, Jean, and Connie were waiting. "Focus," he said. "Don't let this turn into a circus."

Connie grinned. "Too late."

Round One: Signature Blend

The first round required each shop to present their signature tea blend. Levi brewed his classic green tea with a delicate touch of marlok leaf, a subtle flavor that spoke of simplicity and craftsmanship.

Oliver, meanwhile, unveiled a bold spiced chai with frothy milk and cinnamon swirls on top. The crowd was clearly impressed by the visual flair, but the judges' scores showed they valued Levi's refinement just as much.

"Tied," Onyankopon announced, acting as one of the judges. "Not bad, Captain."

Round Two: Food Pairing

For the second round, each team had to present a tea and food pairing. Levi, begrudgingly taking Jean's advice, served a light jasmine tea alongside honey-drizzled flatbread-a last-minute creation that surprisingly won over the judges.

Oliver countered with an elaborate tray of pastries and a dark, robust tea. The presentation was flawless, but one of the judges commented that the flavors clashed.

When the scores were announced, Quiet Tea took the lead. Gabi punched the air. "Yes!"

"Don't get cocky," Levi muttered, though the corner of his mouth twitched in what might have been a smile.

Round Three: Freestyle Creation

The final round was the wildcard-each shop had to create something completely original on the spot. Oliver went all out, crafting a sparkling tea mocktail infused with edible flowers. The crowd oohed and aahed as he presented it.

Levi, however, stayed true to his roots. With Gabi and Falco helping, he brewed a rich, smoky black tea infused with a hint of caramelized marlok. The aroma alone drew murmurs of appreciation from the audience.

When it came time for the crowd to vote, the tension was palpable. Hands shot up for both sides, but in the end, Quiet Tea narrowly edged out the competition.

A Humble Victory

As the crowd dispersed, Gabi and Connie celebrated loudly, reenacting Oliver's pouty exit. Jean packed up the booth while Falco quietly tidied the display.

"You win this one," Oliver said, passing Levi with a stiff smile. "But don't get used to it."

Levi smirked faintly. "Keep telling yourself that."

Once Oliver was out of earshot, Gabi declared, "What a sore loser."

Levi shrugged. "Let him sulk. His tea's still garbage."

Onyankopon clapped Levi on the back. "You did good, Captain."

Levi sighed, staring at the now-empty cups. "It's just tea."

"Maybe," Onyankopon said. "But it brought the town together. That's worth something."

Levi didn't reply immediately. As the others laughed and packed up, he allowed himself a rare moment of reflection. Tea wasn't just leaves and water-it was patience, balance, and connection. Hange's words from a letter echoed in his mind: Tea is patience.

He let out a quiet sigh and, for a fleeting moment, smiled. "Maybe."