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

Chapter 8: Miracle Tea

A few days after Gabi's little experiment, the shop opened to an unusually large crowd. Levi noticed it immediately as the bell above the door jingled again and again, letting in a steady stream of customers. He stood behind the counter, his sharp eyes scanning the room, suspicious of the sudden influx.

"Weird," Levi muttered as he served a tray of tea. "We don't usually get this busy."

Onyankopon, balancing a stack of clean teacups, chuckled. "Maybe your charm is finally working."

"Doubt it," Levi said, setting a pot of tea on a table with his usual brusque efficiency. "What's going on?"

"Word's spreading," Onyankopon replied. "People are talking about the tea. They're saying it's...special."

Levi frowned. "Special how?"

"Miraculous, apparently," Onyankopon said, smirking. "A few customers yesterday said it made them feel energized, healthier even. Now everyone wants a taste."

By mid-morning, the tea shop buzzed with excited chatter. Customers gushed about how the tea had "cured" everything from headaches to back pain. A farmer in the corner claimed it had helped his crops grow faster, while a young woman at the counter insisted it had improved her memory.

Levi listened to the increasingly absurd claims, his patience wearing thin. "Tch. It's tea," he said flatly. "Not medicine."

"You're too modest," said Marta, the elderly woman from before. "There's something magical about it, I swear."

Levi pinched the bridge of his nose. "There's nothing magical about tea leaves and hot water."

But the customers weren't listening. They sipped their tea with reverence, chatting excitedly about their newfound "miracles."

In the kitchen, Gabi peeked out through the doorway, her grin widening as she watched the growing crowd. "I told you it would work!" she whispered to Falco, who was nervously stacking clean plates.

"This is getting out of hand," Falco muttered. "What if someone gets sick? Or worse-what if Levi finds out?"

"He won't," Gabi said, waving a hand dismissively. "And no one's getting sick. It's just tea."

"But Armin said some herbs can-"

"Relax!" Gabi interrupted. "This is good for the shop. Look at all the customers! Levi should be thanking me."

Falco sighed, clearly unconvinced, but kept his mouth shut as a fresh wave of orders came in.

By early afternoon, the shop was packed. Levi moved from table to table, refilling teapots and answering questions with his usual curt efficiency. But beneath his calm exterior, his mind raced.

The tea was different-he couldn't deny that. But why? He hadn't changed anything, and Onyankopon certainly hadn't tampered with the blends.

That left one possibility.

Levi's gaze flicked to the kitchen, where Gabi and Falco were rushing to keep up with orders. Gabi caught his eye and froze for a split second before quickly turning back to her work. Levi narrowed his eyes. Something was definitely off.

Later that afternoon, as the rush began to die down, the bell jingled and Armin walked in. Levi gave him a nod of acknowledgment as he poured himself a cup of tea.

"Busy day?" Armin asked, glancing around at the half-empty shop.

"Too busy," Levi muttered. "People think the tea's curing their stupidity."

Armin chuckled, but his expression turned thoughtful as he sipped his tea. "This does taste different," he said after a moment. "What did you change?"

"Nothing," Levi said, setting down his cup. "It's the same blend I've always used."

"Are you sure?" Armin asked, his brow furrowing. "This flavor... It reminds me of a plant I read about. A rare herb with mild medicinal properties. Nothing miraculous, but enough to make people notice."

Levi's eyes narrowed. "Medicinal properties?"

Armin nodded. "If it's what I think it is, it's harmless in small doses, but overuse could cause...issues."

Levi didn't respond, but his mind was already racing. Medicinal herb? Rare plant? He didn't need to think hard to guess who might've been meddling.

In the kitchen, Gabi and Falco were cleaning up when Levi appeared in the doorway. "You two. Out here. Now."

Falco froze, a stack of plates in his hands. Gabi tried to act casual, drying her hands on a towel. "What's up, Levi?"

Levi crossed his arms, his piercing gaze locking onto Gabi. "What did you do?"

"Do?" Gabi repeated, feigning innocence. "I didn't do anything."

"Don't lie to me," Levi said, his tone sharp. "There's something in the tea. What is it?"

Gabi opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Falco blurted out, "It was her idea!"

"Falco! You traitor!" Gabi hissed, glaring at him.

Levi's eyes narrowed. "Start talking."

Gabi sighed, finally dropping the act. "Fine. I added a little something to the tea. Just to make it better! And it worked, didn't it?"

"What did you add?" Levi asked, his voice dangerously calm.

"Some leaves I found outside town," Gabi said, avoiding his gaze. "They smelled nice, so I thought..."

Levi pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something under his breath. "Do you have any idea how reckless that was?"

"But it's harmless!" Gabi protested. "Armin said-"

"Armin also said it could cause problems," Levi interrupted. "And now half the town thinks I'm brewing magic potions."

Falco fidgeted nervously. "We just wanted to help..."

Levi sighed, his irritation simmering just beneath the surface. "Stay out of the tea blends. Both of you."

That evening, after the shop had finally quieted down, Levi sat at the counter, a steaming cup of the infamous "miracle tea" in front of him. The day's chaos replayed in his mind-ridiculous customer claims, Gabi's reckless experiment, and his own simmering frustration.

He took a sip and frowned. He hated to admit it, but the tea did taste good.

"This shop's going to kill me," he muttered to himself, setting the cup down.