[ 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.]
[Hikaru opens his mouth but then promptly closes it.] Too easy. [You want him to be there for your first time, huh, Taichi?]
Anyway! It's called the Red Force and it's the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Europe! One of the fastest launches in the world, too. It goes up 112 meters and then you just go straight down.
Think you could handle it? [He starts repeatedly poking Taichi with his foot, prodding him and teasing him. As if he definitely couldn't take it.]
[Hikaru starts laughing, covering his mouth from being too loud but then moving it when he grabs the table and tries not to be too noisy.] That tickles and that's no fair!
[He manages to get one of his shoes off and means to go into the under knee but overshoots and manages just above his knee on his thigh. Oh well. That should still be ticklish.]
[ It does tickle, and Taichi squirms! But not entirely from tickle. He's suddenly very keenly aware of where Hikaru's foot is approaching, especially after that indirect kiss??? This has to be the most explicit date Taichi's ever been on and it isn't even a date because there's no way Hikaru's into him.
Not knowing quite what to do, spreading his legs to get away feels too embarrassing so he clamps them shut around Hikaru's foot and shouts: ]
Hey! That isn't fair either! [But he's laughing anyway and still not thinking much about the fact they're playing footsie in public or the fact his foot had been dangerously close to Taichi's crotch. Entirely by accident but still.
He scoots his chair back so he can take his free foot to try to go up Taichi's pant leg like Taichi did to him. He won't give up so easily.]
[ That really does tickle, and Taichi yelps and jolts his leg upward, slamming the bottom of the table hard enough to make some of the cola splash out of their drinks onto the table. ]
AHH! [ He's screaming and laughing at the same time and tries to get back at him by kicking his other shoe off and trying to stick both of his feet's toes up Hikaru's pants. ]
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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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[ He's trying to imagine what it might be like. He grins at the foot poking and tries to poke him back. ]
Hehehe, I want you to be there for my first time, Hikaru~
[ First.. Spanish roller coaster! ]
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Anyway! It's called the Red Force and it's the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Europe! One of the fastest launches in the world, too. It goes up 112 meters and then you just go straight down.
Think you could handle it? [He starts repeatedly poking Taichi with his foot, prodding him and teasing him. As if he definitely couldn't take it.]
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That sounds awesome! I wnat to go on it right now!
[ Taichi kicks one of his shoes off so he can stick his toe up Hikaru's pant leg to try to mess with him in this weird foot game. ]
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[He manages to get one of his shoes off and means to go into the under knee but overshoots and manages just above his knee on his thigh. Oh well. That should still be ticklish.]
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Not knowing quite what to do, spreading his legs to get away feels too embarrassing so he clamps them shut around Hikaru's foot and shouts: ]
Pincer maneuver!
[ Nailed it. ]
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He scoots his chair back so he can take his free foot to try to go up Taichi's pant leg like Taichi did to him. He won't give up so easily.]
But now I have the upper hand~
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AHH! [ He's screaming and laughing at the same time and tries to get back at him by kicking his other shoe off and trying to stick both of his feet's toes up Hikaru's pants. ]
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Laughing so hard there's tears in his eyes, he has his head down on the table until he looks up at Taichi.]
Okay, okay! I give! You win, birthday boy!
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Nanao Taichi wins!
[ He stops tickling at least at after declaring victory and making a V with his fingers. ]
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