[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. ]
[Hikaru sips his own cola as he thinks about all the people that Taichi talks about. It seems like he has a lot of people in his life and Hikaru knows he has important people himself. People that aren't here and they can both understand that. But they can be here and happy together.
Though it's hard to stay very reflective when Taichi butchers his attempt at the Italian dish. He laughs into the can and sets it down, wiping at his mouth with a napkin.] You mean saltimbocca alla romana? Here, let me text it to you. I don't know why--[He's texting the name to Taichi when it hits him that he's obviously trying to figure out a recipe so he can make it for Hikaru. It's enough to make Hikaru's heart do some kind of flip and he smiles.] We can go out for Italian next time. I mean, I'd be happy with cacio e pepe...oh, it's this pasta dish with butter, grana pandano, and black pepper. It's pretty simple but um...thanks? [He quickly sends the text and then turns his gaze away, drinking at his soda. If he looks at Taichi then he's going to feel weird again.]
[ Maybe he'll make one with a side of the other! It'll be a feast. ]
You really like Italian food. Did you travel a lot when you were little?
[ Taichi doesn't have a lot of travel experience but he'd like to. He checks his phone to make sure he saves the name of the salty boy in his notes so he doesn't lose it. ]
Yeah, we've gone all over the world. [He says as he sends Taichi the other food.] Since Mom's big in the fashion world, we've been to the big four, of course. Milan, Paris, London, and New York. Milan is absolutely gorgeous. The architecture is as beautiful as the fashion they have going on. It has nothing on Spain, though. [He sighs dreamily.] La Sagrada Familia...I can never forget you...[Yeah he's also got a thing for stunning architecture. He loves art, all kinds. His talents lay in fashion but he can enjoy an architectural masterpiece.]
It's so massive. It was started in 1886 and it's still not even finished but once it will be it'll be the largest church building in the world! Modernisme arctiecture is amazing! Antoni Gaudi was a genius! Nobody can beat his eye, his flair, his sui generics...! Now I really want to go back to Spain...I wonder if I'll ever go back before it's finished...
[ Nevermind the logistics of different worlds, different timelines, the language barrier, or that Taichi doesn't have the money. Just put him in a carrier like a dog, it's fine. Take him to Spaiiiin! ]
[It's just easy to forget about things like that when he's with Taichi. Even though Hikaru's definitely thought that they seem to be from different Japans and apparently alternate universes exist and Hikaru's kind of had a meltdown about that before.
It's better to just think about Spain.]
I can take you on my favorite roller coaster and then I'll be there for your first time. [He pokes Taichi's foot with his own with a grin.]
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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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Though it's hard to stay very reflective when Taichi butchers his attempt at the Italian dish. He laughs into the can and sets it down, wiping at his mouth with a napkin.] You mean saltimbocca alla romana? Here, let me text it to you. I don't know why--[He's texting the name to Taichi when it hits him that he's obviously trying to figure out a recipe so he can make it for Hikaru. It's enough to make Hikaru's heart do some kind of flip and he smiles.] We can go out for Italian next time. I mean, I'd be happy with cacio e pepe...oh, it's this pasta dish with butter, grana pandano, and black pepper. It's pretty simple but um...thanks? [He quickly sends the text and then turns his gaze away, drinking at his soda. If he looks at Taichi then he's going to feel weird again.]
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[ Maybe he'll make one with a side of the other! It'll be a feast. ]
You really like Italian food. Did you travel a lot when you were little?
[ Taichi doesn't have a lot of travel experience but he'd like to. He checks his phone to make sure he saves the name of the salty boy in his notes so he doesn't lose it. ]
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It's so massive. It was started in 1886 and it's still not even finished but once it will be it'll be the largest church building in the world! Modernisme arctiecture is amazing! Antoni Gaudi was a genius! Nobody can beat his eye, his flair, his sui generics...! Now I really want to go back to Spain...I wonder if I'll ever go back before it's finished...
[Sorry, Taichi. He's having a Moment.]
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Do you have any pictures? I want to see now, that sounds awesome! I've never been traveling like that, but now I want to see it..!
[ Hikaru's excited vibes alone make him want to go right now. ]
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Oh, you should come along next time we go! [Yeah, just casually invite somebody along with you to another country. Normal.]
Spain is beautiful. I love Spain so much. The art, the culture, the cuisine...! It's a mediterranean paradise!
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[ Nevermind the logistics of different worlds, different timelines, the language barrier, or that Taichi doesn't have the money. Just put him in a carrier like a dog, it's fine. Take him to Spaiiiin! ]
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It's better to just think about Spain.]
I can take you on my favorite roller coaster and then I'll be there for your first time. [He pokes Taichi's foot with his own with a grin.]
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