Leaving behind the lively atmosphere of the First Gymnasium, Kaoru Hanayama wandered into the quieter section occupied by the cultural clubs.
Unlike the athletic clubs, whose members enthusiastically called out to passing students, this corner of the gymnasium was calm and dignified.
One booth, decorated with a paper umbrella and a red-and-white felt cloth, immediately caught his attention.
Tea Ceremony Club.
Hanayama approached.
“Excuse me.”
His deep voice was polite as he quietly took a seat at the tea table.
“Eek…!”
The female upperclassman preparing the tea visibly flinched.
It was hardly surprising.
A towering young man with a face crossed by a massive scar and an overwhelming presence had suddenly seated himself before her.
For a brief moment, she froze.
The hand holding her bamboo whisk trembled ever so slightly.
Hanayama noticed.
“Please don’t mind me.”
“I’d simply like a cup of tea.”
His voice remained calm and courteous.
There wasn’t the slightest hint of intimidation.
The senior gradually relaxed.
“…O-Of course.”
Trying to steady herself, she prepared a bowl of matcha and respectfully placed it before him.
“I-I hope it’s to your liking…”
Hanayama reached out with his enormous hand.
Despite its size…
His movements were astonishingly delicate.
He lifted the tea bowl carefully.
Rested it upon his left palm.
Then, with his right hand, he gently rotated the bowl twice clockwise before drinking.
Every motion flowed naturally.
Without hesitation.
Without unnecessary force.
The senior blinked in surprise.
His etiquette was flawless.
Within the yakuza…
Formal tea ceremonies were never merely social gatherings.
Negotiations.
Ceremonial meetings.
Reconciliations.
Power struggles.
Countless important discussions had taken place over tea.
Proper etiquette had long since become second nature to Hanayama.
He quietly drank the tea in several measured sips.
Afterward, he discreetly wiped the rim of the bowl with his fingers before cleaning them with a tissue.
Only then did he gently return the bowl to the mat.
“Excellent.”
“The temperature was perfect.”
He bowed respectfully.
The senior stared at him in astonishment.
The fear she’d felt only moments earlier had completely vanished.
“W-Wow…” Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
“Your manners are beautiful.”
“Where did you learn tea ceremony?”
Hanayama answered simply.
“I’ve had a little experience.”
Seeing that her nervousness had disappeared, he casually continued the conversation.
“This is a very peaceful club.”
“But maintaining all of this equipment can’t be cheap.”
“Does the school provide funding?”
The question sounded innocent.
Almost conversational.
In reality…
It was the sort of subtle information gathering Hanayama had perfected over years of negotiating within the underworld.
Never interrogate directly.
Simply encourage the other person to speak.
The senior smiled.
“Of course.”
“Tea leaves, sweets, and equipment all cost money.”
“The school evaluates our club activities and gives us funding.”
“I see.”
Looking around to make sure no faculty members were nearby, she lowered her voice.
“After expenses are covered, the club president distributes the remaining budget.”
“It’s usually around 15,000 points per member each month.”
“If we perform well during the cultural festival or tea ceremony competitions…”
“We receive even more.”
(Fifteen thousand…)
(Just as I thought.)
(Club activities can generate additional points.)
As Hanayama quietly organized the information in his mind, the senior smiled warmly.
“Someone with manners like yours would fit perfectly in our club.”
“You must be from Class A, right?”
“No.”
Hanayama answered honestly.
“I’m a first-year student…”
“…in Class D.”
“…Huh?”
The senior’s smile froze.
Not out of disgust.
Nor contempt.
But genuine surprise.
“…Class D…”
“I see…”
After a brief silence, she spoke more softly.
“In that case…”
“Please be careful with your monthly points.”
“Don’t waste them.”
There was unmistakable sympathy in her eyes.
(Interesting.) This chapter is updated first at novelping.com.
(The class rankings carry far more meaning than simple labels.)
(To earn this kind of reaction…)
(The hierarchy between Classes A through D must be far more significant than it appears.)
Hanayama simply nodded.
“I appreciate the advice.”
“And thank you for the tea.”
“It was excellent.”
He stood.
Bowed once more.
Then quietly left the Tea Ceremony Club’s booth.
Not far away…
A small group of girls had witnessed the entire exchange.
Kei Karuizawa.
Kikyō Kushida.
Chiaki Matsushita.
Along with several other girls from Class D.
They had wandered into the cultural club area to escape the noisy athletic clubs.
By chance…
They had seen Hanayama sitting at the tea table.
“W-Wait…”
“That was Hanayama from our class…”
“…Right?”
Kei stared in disbelief.
The terrifying giant who radiated enough pressure to silence an entire classroom…
Had just displayed refined tea ceremony etiquette worthy of an aristocrat.
Her brain struggled to reconcile the two images.
Matsushita watched thoughtfully.
“…He has remarkably elegant manners.”
“I’ve been thinking…”
“He certainly looks frightening.”
“But whenever I’ve actually watched him…”
“He’s always calm.”
“…Strangely enough…”
“I almost feel safer with someone like him around.”
Her sharp powers of observation allowed her to notice what many others overlooked.
Hanayama wasn’t simply intimidating.
He was disciplined.
Kushida smiled her usual flawless smile.
“Maybe he’s actually from some wealthy, distinguished family.”
“Isn’t that kind of gap really charming?”
She giggled.
“Maybe someone should try talking to him in class next time.”
Kei immediately shook her head.
“E-Easier said than done…”
“I still don’t think I have that much courage.”
Even so…
The fear she’d felt on the first day was already beginning to fade.
Little by little…
The frightening aura surrounding Kaoru Hanayama was becoming just another part of everyday life at Advanced Nurturing High School.