[ It's a food stand!!! And Taichi is kind of astonished that Hikaru appears unfamiliar. In the same way that someone Hikaru knows might stare at commoner staples with wonder, Taichi's bewilderment is focused on Hikaru. A real live rich person.. he's like an alien in his own way. ]
You're like a rare occurrence sometimes, Hikaru...
[ After another moment of staring in awe, Taichi grins though.]
Since you're a beginner, let's start you off easy. Do you like spicy or sour more?
[ Taichi already knows he wants something greasy, but he'll narrow down some options for Hikaru and then ask the guy to make it in sections so Hikaru can taste different styles. ]
You can take a bite of mine too, but you're probably not gonna be able to handle it. It's max level junk food!
[Hikaru stares back, completely perplexed because even if he knows that being as rich as he is is rare, he's not used to being the one to stand out like that. Is this how Haruhi feels, he wonders...
Besides is greasy junk food an experience he wants to be experienced in anyway? Not really but he also knows that Taichi enjoys this stuff so he's trying to share something his friend likes.]
Spicy. [Usually him and Kaoru just try to eat as spicy as possible just because but it is better than sour. Still, though, he wonders what Taichi's order will be like. Looking at the toppings list, it seems like it offers everything. Who knew fruit could go on something like this? ]
[ He turns to the person manning the cart and orders for both of them. ]
It's his first time, so let's do one dog that's half-plain with a side of ketchup and mustard, the other half chili and cheese. Then a second one that's the spicy jalapeno wiener with pico de gallo and guac, the other half should be fried bell peppers and pickled ghost peppers.
[ Now Hikaru can try those 4 kinds.. ] Then for mine, I want one spicy all-beef dog with jalapenos and cheese sauce on the cheddar crusted bun, and one okonomiyaki dog.
[ Which is a hot dog with cabbage and onion, okonomiyaki sauce, kewpie mayo, red pickled ginger, and nori strips. ] I like spicy too. You can taste mine too. There's all kinds of stuff you can do with hot dogs.
[That is a lot of food. Like Hikaru can eat a lot if he wants but that's also a lot of unhealthy food.
His poor stomach...
But he can't help but tease Taichi.]
Like swallow them. [He grins because he doesn't mean any harm.] But this is a lot of food. Still practicing for an eating contest? [It's so Hikaru can try different kinds and maybe he should have stopped him. Hikaru is still positive he won't like any of them.
Although the chili one has him curious. Only because he has never heard of such a thing before. That he wants to try.]
[ Taichi's stomach is a garbage and it is his birthday. There is no holding back. ]
Hehe.. like swallowing them. [ He sounds a little sheepish, remembering his faux-pas with that... then forgetting about it as he smells the hot dogs starting to get cooked. ]
Hmm, yours sound good though, maybe I'll swallow some of your wiener too.. [ His tummy makes a little grumbling sound in agreement... ]
[Hikaru blinks because did he just hear that? Did Taichi just hear that? Didn't they just talk about that? He laughs and shakes his head, dying as he leans on Taichi for support.]
I can't believe you! After you sounded so sheepish, you tell me you want to swallow my...[He cuts himself off and sighs like one does after you have a good laugh, still chuckling a little.] You're crazy. [But it isn't admonishing or anything. If anything, it sounds affectionate. Hikaru likes this side of Taichi. In a world where you really have to play a role, Hikaru isn't used to people like Taichi. Somebody that just wholly shows themselves like this. It's nice. It's refreshing.]
[He'd been laughing still at Taichi when he went up to go pay but the dating comment doesn't escape his notice as he freezes for a moment until the worker coughs, repeating the total. Hikaru nods, blushing a little and pays. They thought they were dating but they were guys and it isn't like Hikaru doesn't know men can date. Men do date. He just never had the idea for himself. Do him and Taichi look like that? They were just friends, right? It wasn't like they were acting romantic.
This place was just weird, he tells himself as decides to promptly forget about it. Ignore the rush of feeling he feels deep in his gut as he gets Taichi to help him carry the food.]
Geesh, this is a lot. [Hikaru laughs because he's just gonna act like he didn't hear that at all.]
[ Taichi looks a little embarrassed, but doesn't say anything. Hikaru already told him he's never even had a crush, so there's no way he'd be interested in Taichi. He doesn't even have to think about his own end of that possibility, since he dismisses himself as an option. ]
Don't worry, I'll eat anything you can't finish! My stomach is steel!
[ ..Though they should find somewhere to sit, since it is a lot to carry even if Taichi can eat too much easily. ]
[He's still feeling a bit flustered as he guides Taichi to some tables just a little bit away and once they sit down, he tries to think about anything else other than the fact somebody thought they looked like some couple.
And really, when he looks at the array of hot dogs in front of him, he's unable to look at anything else because seriously this is a lot of food and none of it looks appetizing to Hikaru.]
[ Taichi looks like he's trying not to drool. It smells so good, he's so ready to eat... in fact as soon as he sits down, he picks up one of his and takes a bit bite of it, looking positively ecstatic. ]
Try the one with the red and yellow first.
[ He doesn't know if rich people know what ketchup and mustard are, so he will indicate by colors. ]
[Taichi loves it but that's unsurprising. At least he does, though, this was for him.
Hikaru picks up the ketchup and mustard one, staring at it. ] Why is the mustard so bright...? [He's used to his fancier ones and he studies it for a moment before taking a cautious bite as he slowly chews. It's not disgusting but it's not good according to Hikaru's standards. He doesn't even bother to hide this either.
When he's done with one bite, he places it back down.] It wasn't the worst? The bagel bites were way worse.
It's yellow mustard. It costs ¥60 a bottle back home, so it's the most common. You're probably used to the gourmet mustard that's like ¥500 a bottle, right?
[ Just because it says gourmet, he thinks it's gourmet. :')
Well, everyone has stuff they don't like though. Taichi will balk at Chinese chives, for example. ]
Hm.. .try the chili or one of the spicy ones? The pico is fresh and fried veggies are awesome.
Wait...that's it? [Hikaru doesn't even buy groceries at home. Nor do his parents.] I mean, I don't really know what things cost. House staff does that but...seriously that's all you pay? [He takes another bite, frowns, and says:] Yeah, tastes about that much. [He's a rich snob. But he does take the other end to try the chili one. This time he mostly looks confused as he chews.]
What kind of cheese is this? It tastes...[Not like cheese?]
Well, I don't anymore. It's all in the budget Sakyo-nii gives to Director-sensei and Omi-kun at Mankai, and Omi-kun cooks in bulk batches for everyone so we get bulk-buy deals a lot and I don't know how much that comes out to. I usually just help carry the groceries home. Oh, but here I just order food and ask for extra packets. I have a whole drawer of sauce packets at home.
[ He grins proudly. ] Cheese sauce! It's like a liquid form of cheese, it goes really good on nachos too.
[Hikaru does understand budgets although he doesn't understand a personal budget. A grocery budget? What even is that? This is a world he knows nothing of. Bulk-buying is only something he's ever heard stories about. But maybe Taichi needs condiments as gifts? If he's taking sauce packets home...
Why is he proud of liquid cheese???] It doesn't taste anything like cheese! [He takes another bite.] I don't even know what I am tasting...[But he isn't offended just really, really confused.]
[ Hikaru should probably worry about what he's eating all the time that he's got an entire drawer of sauce packets, honestly. He makes a huge mess whenever he cooks, so if he can't stick it in the microwave he's mostly just eating out so he doesn't have to clean up after himself. It's entirely possible that without Omi and Sakyo (or like, his real mom and dad instead of the people he calls mom and dad) that he's lost about 10 years off his lifespan just from awful eating habits. ]
It's made from hm... [ Taichi has to slow down here for a second. Sorry, he's really awful with non-Japanese words. ] Veru.. Veruvetto..ta.. Veruveruveruto.. Veruv..iitaa? [ That one sounds right, even if Taichi still looks confused at what he's saying. ]
[Hikaru needs to get this boy on a better diet. Or at least refine his palate just a little. For his own sake.
Also so Hikaru isn't stuck eating trash the whole time but also for Taichi's health.]
Yeah, I have no idea what you're talking about. [Hikaru sucks at foreign language and he isn't going to know what some fake cheese is. He places the chili hot dog down because nope, didn't like it. So it's onto the green pepper and pickled ghost pepper. He takes a bite and actually this one isn't too bad. It's better than the other ones. The look on his face is surprised.] This isn't horrible. [It's not good but he can at least eat this one as he grabs a bottle of water he bought and the water he sticks his tongue out at.] That water is, though. [It's not his fancy filtered water :(]
[ In both of their defense, Velveeta is a silly word that no one should have to learn or consume.
Taichi wonders if Hikaru would like the director's curry. It is really good the first 50 times you eat it before begging for other varieties of food. If not that, surely Omi's cooking... Oh well.
[Hikaru's favorite food is Italian and so he's a great fan of cheese. It can be essential. However if it's anything like this liquid cheese then it's a travesty.
Just like this water. He grabs Taichi's as soon as it's offered and takes a drink but it's the same.] It tastes like mine. It's almost like...filtered pool water? Not as bad as the stuff that comes out of my sink but ugh. This is worse than the hot dogs.
[He takes a bite out of the one he likes just to wash out the taste in his mouth.]
[ Ah, so you like pasta. Clearly, Taichi needs to make creamy velveeta mac n cheese someday.
Taichi tilts his head in confusion. ]
It just tastes like water.
[ Taichi takes his rejected water back and stares at it for a moment, then takes a drink, hesitating for a brief moment as a flash-thought passes through his head: Indirect kiss! He stiffens for a moment, then convinces himself no, no, it doesn't count.
And then in a fit of embarrassment, downs the entire rest of the water as if to prove to himself that it is still just water. ]
[Hikaru would hate it and have to bite his tongue so hard because wow Taichi made him something and it's this fake cheese crap. The struggle.
What kind of water do commoners drink??? It's concerning! But what's even more concerning is how Taichi just downs the rest of that bottle and when he finishes the water, Hikaru laughs.] Thirsty? Well, I'll get you something else since I need something to drink. Be right back! [He runs off and comes back with two cans of cola. He doesn't like this either but he knew to expect this disappointment and Taichi really liked it so he could suck this up.
When he hands the can over to Taichi he goes back to eating the hot dog he likes until he gets to the part that's spicy jalapeño with the pico de gallo and guacamole. It's very clearly not fresh ingredients and still not the quality he prefers but at this point nothing is.] Not the worst. [This entire time Hikaru has been complaining about his food and hasn't asked Taichi about his at all. Kaoru's voice is chastising him in his head that he's supposed to be a proper host for Taichi. He did invite him out and so, trying not to be too sheepish, he asks:] So um, how's yours?
[ He's pretty sure that's rhetorical because it's totally normal water, he has no means to answer that and he's dying because he just drank so much water anyway. He has to pee, but Hikaru is already run off to get Cola. Which is admittedly a better drink, and made better by the fact that Hikaru remembered Taichi liked it. That alone makes him doubly excited when his orange-haired friend comes back.
When he's finally asked how his is, he's caught staring at Hikaru excitedly like a puppy wagging his tail, obviously happy about something but who knows what. ]
Hm? Oh, it's good. They're not the best I've ever had, but they're definitely yummy! [ He grins. ] Though that's just because nothing beats homemade food from someone you care about!
[Taichi is very easy to make happy and Hikaru doesn't always understand the reason. He assumes, this time, it's because he got Taichi a cola. Seems like the most obvious reason. It's fine because he's cute when he looks at Hikaru like that. Which is odd to think but Taichi's called him cute so maybe it's more normal than Hikaru knows.
He considers that and he has had food made by Haruhi. It wasn't the same kind of quality but Taichi was right.]
Food does taste kind of better when somebody makes it for you and they care about you, huh? [He's had food made for him because it was people's job for his entire life. Homemade food simply because they wanted to do something nice was different.] That Omi-kun guy, though, right? He made you food.
[ Taichi is simple, in the words of his troupe's leader. It's not a bad thing. It just is how he is on the surface level. ]
Yeah, but not just him. Director-sensei's curry, or making onigiri with Misumi-san, or mom and dad cooking for us... I learned to make fried rice for Mi-chan and Ma-kun and they were super happy, too.
[ He sips the cola thoughtfully, despite that he has to pee now. He can't let on that he got weird about the water smooch. That's weird, right?! Now he decides he has to finish the cola and his meal before he can go to the bathroom. He doesn't want to seem uncool to Hikaru right now... ]
Can you write down the name of the one you said was your favorite for me? [ He will learn it. But he can't spell it or correctly pronounce it so he can't look up recipes for it. ] The salty boy a la roman. [ This does not come up with recipes, but he remembers that Hikaru said he'd die for one. ]
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You're like a rare occurrence sometimes, Hikaru...
[ After another moment of staring in awe, Taichi grins though.]
Since you're a beginner, let's start you off easy. Do you like spicy or sour more?
[ Taichi already knows he wants something greasy, but he'll narrow down some options for Hikaru and then ask the guy to make it in sections so Hikaru can taste different styles. ]
You can take a bite of mine too, but you're probably not gonna be able to handle it. It's max level junk food!
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Besides is greasy junk food an experience he wants to be experienced in anyway? Not really but he also knows that Taichi enjoys this stuff so he's trying to share something his friend likes.]
Spicy. [Usually him and Kaoru just try to eat as spicy as possible just because but it is better than sour. Still, though, he wonders what Taichi's order will be like. Looking at the toppings list, it seems like it offers everything. Who knew fruit could go on something like this? ]
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[ He turns to the person manning the cart and orders for both of them. ]
It's his first time, so let's do one dog that's half-plain with a side of ketchup and mustard, the other half chili and cheese. Then a second one that's the spicy jalapeno wiener with pico de gallo and guac, the other half should be fried bell peppers and pickled ghost peppers.
[ Now Hikaru can try those 4 kinds.. ] Then for mine, I want one spicy all-beef dog with jalapenos and cheese sauce on the cheddar crusted bun, and one okonomiyaki dog.
[ Which is a hot dog with cabbage and onion, okonomiyaki sauce, kewpie mayo, red pickled ginger, and nori strips. ] I like spicy too. You can taste mine too. There's all kinds of stuff you can do with hot dogs.
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His poor stomach...
But he can't help but tease Taichi.]
Like swallow them. [He grins because he doesn't mean any harm.] But this is a lot of food. Still practicing for an eating contest? [It's so Hikaru can try different kinds and maybe he should have stopped him. Hikaru is still positive he won't like any of them.
Although the chili one has him curious. Only because he has never heard of such a thing before. That he wants to try.]
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Hehe.. like swallowing them. [ He sounds a little sheepish, remembering his faux-pas with that... then forgetting about it as he smells the hot dogs starting to get cooked. ]
Hmm, yours sound good though, maybe I'll swallow some of your wiener too.. [ His tummy makes a little grumbling sound in agreement... ]
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I can't believe you! After you sounded so sheepish, you tell me you want to swallow my...[He cuts himself off and sighs like one does after you have a good laugh, still chuckling a little.] You're crazy. [But it isn't admonishing or anything. If anything, it sounds affectionate. Hikaru likes this side of Taichi. In a world where you really have to play a role, Hikaru isn't used to people like Taichi. Somebody that just wholly shows themselves like this. It's nice. It's refreshing.]
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I didn't mean--! Hikaruuuu!
[ The shopkeep comes back with their hot dogs in little paper trays and a stack of napkins, chuckling at the two of them.
"What a cute couple," they comment as they give Hikaru the total and ask if they want anything to drink. ]
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This place was just weird, he tells himself as decides to promptly forget about it. Ignore the rush of feeling he feels deep in his gut as he gets Taichi to help him carry the food.]
Geesh, this is a lot. [Hikaru laughs because he's just gonna act like he didn't hear that at all.]
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Don't worry, I'll eat anything you can't finish! My stomach is steel!
[ ..Though they should find somewhere to sit, since it is a lot to carry even if Taichi can eat too much easily. ]
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And really, when he looks at the array of hot dogs in front of him, he's unable to look at anything else because seriously this is a lot of food and none of it looks appetizing to Hikaru.]
Where do I even start...
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[ Taichi looks like he's trying not to drool. It smells so good, he's so ready to eat... in fact as soon as he sits down, he picks up one of his and takes a bit bite of it, looking positively ecstatic. ]
Try the one with the red and yellow first.
[ He doesn't know if rich people know what ketchup and mustard are, so he will indicate by colors. ]
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Hikaru picks up the ketchup and mustard one, staring at it.
] Why is the mustard so bright...? [He's used to his fancier ones and he studies it for a moment before taking a cautious bite as he slowly chews. It's not disgusting but it's not good according to Hikaru's standards. He doesn't even bother to hide this either.
When he's done with one bite, he places it back down.] It wasn't the worst? The bagel bites were way worse.
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[ Just because it says gourmet, he thinks it's gourmet. :')
Well, everyone has stuff they don't like though. Taichi will balk at Chinese chives, for example. ]
Hm.. .try the chili or one of the spicy ones? The pico is fresh and fried veggies are awesome.
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What kind of cheese is this? It tastes...[Not like cheese?]
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[ He grins proudly. ] Cheese sauce! It's like a liquid form of cheese, it goes really good on nachos too.
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Why is he proud of liquid cheese???] It doesn't taste anything like cheese! [He takes another bite.] I don't even know what I am tasting...[But he isn't offended just really, really confused.]
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It's made from hm... [ Taichi has to slow down here for a second. Sorry, he's really awful with non-Japanese words. ] Veru.. Veruvetto..ta.. Veruveruveruto.. Veruv..iitaa? [ That one sounds right, even if Taichi still looks confused at what he's saying. ]
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Also so Hikaru isn't stuck eating trash the whole time but also for Taichi's health.]
Yeah, I have no idea what you're talking about. [Hikaru sucks at foreign language and he isn't going to know what some fake cheese is. He places the chili hot dog down because nope, didn't like it. So it's onto the green pepper and pickled ghost pepper. He takes a bite and actually this one isn't too bad. It's better than the other ones. The look on his face is surprised.] This isn't horrible. [It's not good but he can at least eat this one as he grabs a bottle of water he bought and the water he sticks his tongue out at.] That water is, though. [It's not his fancy filtered water :(]
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Taichi wonders if Hikaru would like the director's curry. It is really good the first 50 times you eat it before begging for other varieties of food. If not that, surely Omi's cooking... Oh well.
Wait what? ]
What's wrong with the water? Do you want mine?
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Just like this water. He grabs Taichi's as soon as it's offered and takes a drink but it's the same.] It tastes like mine. It's almost like...filtered pool water? Not as bad as the stuff that comes out of my sink but ugh. This is worse than the hot dogs.
[He takes a bite out of the one he likes just to wash out the taste in his mouth.]
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Taichi tilts his head in confusion. ]
It just tastes like water.
[ Taichi takes his rejected water back and stares at it for a moment, then takes a drink, hesitating for a brief moment as a flash-thought passes through his head: Indirect kiss! He stiffens for a moment, then convinces himself no, no, it doesn't count.
And then in a fit of embarrassment, downs the entire rest of the water as if to prove to himself that it is still just water. ]
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What kind of water do commoners drink??? It's concerning! But what's even more concerning is how Taichi just downs the rest of that bottle and when he finishes the water, Hikaru laughs.] Thirsty? Well, I'll get you something else since I need something to drink. Be right back! [He runs off and comes back with two cans of cola. He doesn't like this either but he knew to expect this disappointment and Taichi really liked it so he could suck this up.
When he hands the can over to Taichi he goes back to eating the hot dog he likes until he gets to the part that's spicy jalapeño with the pico de gallo and guacamole. It's very clearly not fresh ingredients and still not the quality he prefers but at this point nothing is.] Not the worst. [This entire time Hikaru has been complaining about his food and hasn't asked Taichi about his at all. Kaoru's voice is chastising him in his head that he's supposed to be a proper host for Taichi. He did invite him out and so, trying not to be too sheepish, he asks:] So um, how's yours?
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When he's finally asked how his is, he's caught staring at Hikaru excitedly like a puppy wagging his tail, obviously happy about something but who knows what. ]
Hm? Oh, it's good. They're not the best I've ever had, but they're definitely yummy! [ He grins. ] Though that's just because nothing beats homemade food from someone you care about!
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He considers that and he has had food made by Haruhi. It wasn't the same kind of quality but Taichi was right.]
Food does taste kind of better when somebody makes it for you and they care about you, huh? [He's had food made for him because it was people's job for his entire life. Homemade food simply because they wanted to do something nice was different.] That Omi-kun guy, though, right? He made you food.
[He remembers!]
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Yeah, but not just him. Director-sensei's curry, or making onigiri with Misumi-san, or mom and dad cooking for us... I learned to make fried rice for Mi-chan and Ma-kun and they were super happy, too.
[ He sips the cola thoughtfully, despite that he has to pee now. He can't let on that he got weird about the water smooch. That's weird, right?! Now he decides he has to finish the cola and his meal before he can go to the bathroom. He doesn't want to seem uncool to Hikaru right now... ]
Can you write down the name of the one you said was your favorite for me? [ He will learn it. But he can't spell it or correctly pronounce it so he can't look up recipes for it. ] The salty boy a la roman. [ This does not come up with recipes, but he remembers that Hikaru said he'd die for one. ]
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