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sailorstarr-chan4 · 2 years

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An Afternoon of Tea and Roses - a Snow White with the Red Hair fanfic

What's this??? StarlingChild writing fics for tiny-ass anime fandoms that no one gives a shit about???? More likely than you think lmao

Posted also: on ff.net and AO3 Words: 2,150 Rated: K Genre: FLUFF & Romance Setting: High School or Tea Shop AU. You pick.

~~~

Zen Wisteria, son of private Wisteria Academy’s Chairman, considered himself a rather “normal” kid, in spite of his family name.

Until today. His sixteenth birthday.

Once word got out (not from himself, his family, or his friends; such was the power of fangirl stalking), Zen’s unofficial legion of devoted fangirls was determined to give him their special gifts.

Zen tried to be gentle at first, telling the first unknown girl who dared to approach him that he did not willingly celebrate his birthday, and it would be wrong to accept any gift when he did not desire anything. The girl surprisingly took it in stride, but soon she was overtaken by several other eager girls, who seemed to interpret Zen’s rejection of the first girl’s gift as their chance.

Pressed from all sides, without Kiki or Mitsuhide nearby to help, Zen looked frantically around the hall, desperately seeking any assistance. Most of the boys looked disgusted or amused, and the few disinterested girls were rolling their eyes or walking past swiftly to their destinations.

Finally, Zen made eye contact with his best friend, Obi. He made a pleading tilt with his head, mouthing “help me!” as the girls swarmed him, all talking at once.

Obi grinned and saluted with two fingers. He reached in his pocket and threw something to the floor. Loud popping sounds and puffs of smoke did the trick; the girls shrieked and leaped back, with the couple closest to Zen clinging to his neck.

Freed from the majority of the mob, Zen easily untangled himself from his last assailants and bolted to the nearest window. A tree’s branch brushed against the sill outside. Perfect.

Ignoring the cries of “Zen! No!” Zen threw open the window and leaped to safety in the tree’s embrace.

He swung himself down safely to the ground (and hearing an eruption of squeals and shrieks up above that made him cringe: his escape only increased his Cool Points to those ladies), and bolted towards the greenhouses.

Thanks a million, Obi, he thought, keeping a mental note to find a way to pay him back one day.

He always felt safer among the flowers and plants. Perhaps it was because none of them had eyes that always seemed to stare at him, and they couldn’t talk back. Or maybe it was because the head of the gardens, Garack Gazelt, was not to be trifled with, and he knew that even the most determined fangirl could not get past her and her determination to ensure the safety of her precious plants.

“Good morning, Garack!” he called, as he ran further along past the rows and rows of plants.

“Good morning, Zen!” the gardener called. “Having trouble with the ladies again?”

“Ugh, you know it. And don’t worry, my classes are done for today.”

Garack laughed. “Rest assured, take as much time as you need. Just avoid my batch of strawberries; they’re in a very fragile state right now.”

Zen said he would and began to slow down at last. He rested his hand on a tree to catch his breath. Then, he looked up and started.

Just past the last garden rows stood a quaint little cottage. For a wild moment, Zen thought it was an actual home, but then he noticed the sign outside the door. Curious, he walked closer. It simply read “Tea & Herbs,” with what looked like an old signature beneath it but the paint had long ago smudged.

Practically brimming over with curiosity, Zen approached the front door and tentatively pushed it open. A small tingling sound of a bell announced his arrival.

“Back already, Garack?” a girl’s voice called out.

Zen opened his mouth to apologize and say he was not the head gardener, but his voice froze in his throat.

This tea shop was practically a mini greenhouse! Vines climbed the walls, potted plants sat on every empty table, herbs dangled from the ceiling. Zen felt like he just walked into a witch’s home. There stood another door towards the back, no doubt leading to a kitchen or storage area. Zen took a deep whiff and sighed happily; the place smelled heavenly. Despite the various kinds of foliage all together in the same place, they somehow complemented each other perfectly, giving out a tranquil and lovely aroma that seemed to clear his mind and soothe his body.

He cleared his throat and almost called out, but the female voice cut him off.

“Garack? Or is it Ryuu? Who’s out there?”

“Uh -- hello?”

Some stumbling noises and the back door opened, someone stepping into the main room.

Zen’s voice once again was lost.

She was a beautiful girl, about his age, with the reddest hair he had ever seen, cropped close in a boyish cut around her ears. Her large, expressive eyes were greener than an April morning after a week of showers. She wore a white dress with blue trimmings, her feet covered in simple and practical boots. She looked clean and presentable, but her hands showed signs of wear and tear, with several bandages about her fingers.

Her mouth opened in an “O” of surprise at seeing her unexpected guest.

“Oh! Umm, my goodness, I didn’t expect – I never really get customers, except the greenhouse folks... that is, uhh--” The girl paused abruptly in her stuttering, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened her beautiful eyes again, now adopting a pleasant smile.

“Please, make yourself at home. I’ll fetch you some scones to enjoy while you browse our selection of teas,” she handed him a menu, “and please, feel free to trim off any flower or plant you like.”

She disappeared once more, leaving Zen stunned and more than a little pleased with himself for finding out about this place.

True to her word, she brought out a plate of delicious, warm scones and took his order of tea. Rather nervous, Zen pointed at the first one to catch his eye (an apple flavored white tea, with an infusion of herbs), later marveling at the fitting choice. The girl’s hair did rather remind him of an apple’s hue...

When his cup of tea arrived, the girl stood nervously close by. She seemed torn on whether to leave him be or keep him company. Zen immediately took action.

“Have a seat, please. You look like you could use the company.”

The girl’s face flushed almost as red as her hair.

“Um, if you don’t mind...”

“Of course not.” Zen smiled at her, hoping she wouldn’t feel shy.

She quickly made herself a cup of tea (rooibos with vanilla, she said), and sat down across from Zen at the one occupied table.

This table had an arrangement of roses sitting in a teapot at the center. Zen once again compared its vibrant color to the unique hair of his companion.

Suddenly remembering his manners, he cleared his throat. “Let’s start from the beginning: my name is Zen.”

“I’m Shirayuki.” She blushed again. “So, what brings you out here? Most students are unfamiliar with this place.”

“It was kinda an accident, I’ll admit...” Zen trailed off, unwilling to explain to this pretty girl that he was fleeing the ardor of the female population at the school, let alone to reveal his true identity.

Shirayuki offered a sympathetic smile, sipping her tea. She set the cup down, circling the rim with her finger. “Flowers are excellent companions.”

Zen blinked.

“I know it sounds mad, but hear me out: they do not judge you; they do not make any noise or messes, they don’t even require affectionate attention. They only need a little sunlight and water, and tending to them is rather therapeutic.”

She smiled again, this time a little sadly and touched one of the roses. Again, Zen was struck by the similarity of their beautiful shared color.

“You are a student at Wisteria, right?” he blurted out. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before...”

Shirayuki laughed nervously. “Yeah, well, I kinda stand out without my consent, so.... I mostly keep back here.” She tugged at her hair meaningfully.

Zen instantly sympathized. Red hair was rare in the country, and Wisteria Academy did not exactly have the most diverse student body. She would stand out like a sore thumb... not unlike himself.

“I think I understand,” he said sincerely, not daring to presume.

Shirayuki’s grin relieved him. “I imagine you would.... Zen Wisteria.”

“You knew who I was?”

“As far as I know, there is not a single student at Wisteria Academy named ‘Zen.’”

Heat flooded his face. “R-right...”

“But I like your name!” Shirayuki said hurriedly. “And-and not just because of your ... surname. I think ‘Zen’ suits you.”

For a moment, they stared at each other, then together looked away, blushing furiously.

“Well...” Zen ran his hand through his hair. “Thank you. For the compliment and for not jumping me.”

Shirayuki blinked. “Beg pardon?”

Zen sighed and explained the events that led him to the tea shop. Shirayuki looked horrified, a reaction Zen had not expected.

“No offense to those girls, I’m sure they mean well, but honestly, that’s ridiculous! Ogling at you like you’re an exhibit in a museum! Chasing you like wolves on the hunt! Touching and demanding and just being overall just – UGH!”

Shirayuki let out an indignant shriek, standing up and slamming her hands flat on the table. Zen clutched at his tea cup to prevent it from falling to the floor and smashing.

Shirayuki went on, livid, to Zen’s utter bemusement: “Honestly, didn’t their mothers teach them manners?! You don’t treat people like ... like things just because you find them interesting or something! And for such a shallow reason, too! I don’t know how you can stand it, Zen!”

Quite suddenly, she seemed to remember herself. Remembered that he was her customer, remembered that they had only just met, remembered it was not her issue to start with. Zen could see the inner workings of her realization as her eyes grew wide in horror. But he found himself grinning.

She’s adorable!

“I’m sorry! I get ahead of myself! I just can’t stand injustices, however small...” she trailed off embarrassedly.

“Don’t worry about it. Believe me, it’s greatly appreciated. I can’t stand being the center of attention, and I’m so glad that there’s at least one other person at this school besides my three closest friends who sees me as… well, a person.”

They grinned sheepishly at each other. Shirayuki, seeming too embarrassed to speak again, hurriedly sat back down and took a shaky sip from her tea, which had mercifully only spilt a little from her earlier rage.

“So,” Zen said in an effort to regain conversation, “tell me more about this place. Are you the only one who runs it? Who owns it?”

“Technically, the Academy ‘owns’ it, and it’s through Garack – er, Professor Gazelt – running the Botany classes and Gardening Club that keeps this place from being shut down…”

Shirayuki trailed off, a distinct melancholy tone to her voice.

Zen, catching on, said sympathetically: “I’m guessing you don’t get much business here?”

“Well, ‘business’ is too cold a word. This place is more like … the unofficial hideaway for the Gardening Club members, with our club’s funding keeping the Academy’s Board of Directors at bay. The only reason why it hasn’t fallen to complete disarray is because Ryuu and I love tending the plants here, and because I consider myself a connoisseur of ‘Tea & Herbs.’” Shirayuki grinned sheepishly. “You might have noticed that there are no prices on the menu. It’s based on club funding, and occasional charitable donations from loyal customers. Without them, I can get by all right – everything is grown and produced in the greenhouses, after all – but I cannot deny that the extra cash is useful for buying rarer spices, tea blends, and so on and so forth…”

“I see,” Zen said, downing the last of his tea, smiling serenely at Shirayuki’s gushing.

(He was already making mental reminders to frequently and anonymously “donate” considerable sums to Teas & Herbs.)

They continued chatting for the next few hours, barely noticing time slipping away until the sunshine pouring in from the windows had all but completely vanished.

“I shouldn’t keep you longer than necessary,” Shirayuki said, standing up, her cheeks pretty pink.

“No, no, I’m the one in your way!” Zen said hurriedly, mirroring her stance, feeling warmth in his own cheeks.

“Will – umm, will you stop by again, soon?” Shirayuki said shyly.

Zen smiled, a broad, genuine smile, his chest swelling like a balloon. “You can count on me.”

And as he left Tea & Herbs, the sun’s last rays dying the world in soft rues of orange and pink, a smell of roses lingered on Zen’s skin, just as his memory lingered on images of apple-red hair and bright green eyes over a steaming cup of tea.

#Starling writings #AU #coffee shop AU #tea shop AU #high school AU #fanfic #Snow White with the Red Hair #Akagami no Shirayukihime #Zen and Shirayuki #Zen x Shirayuki #OTP #StarlingChild4

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