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[ Ayaka could never demand anything of him, yet here he is, giving her a piece of him without even asking for anything in turn. He's just practically asking her to take more of him, and it sends Ayaka's heart soaring. ]

Thank you, too, Cloud. How long did it take you to prepare this? I already want to eat it!

[ So if you were still worried about the taste, Cloud? It's perfect in Ayaka's eyes already. No changes needed to be done to it. ]

Do we have rice already? I can make it if you like.

Edited 2023-04-14 23:41 (UTC)

S'already been a few hours. So it shouldn't be much longer. The lower and slower you cook it, the more tender the beef.

[ Though some would like a more solid bite! ...then again, he'd have to use a different cut of beef for that. ... Hey! He's learning already about the differences!! ]

Alright. It's good as is, then.

[ "Do we have rice already?" ]

! [ This is the part where he'd normally mutter a curse or something. But...Ayaka's done a good job in tempering him. ] Right. Knew I was forgetting something.

[ Well, since he wants her to be a part of this process, and he did most of the stew this time (the next they'll tackle together), ]

You don't mind?

I don't mind at all. Please leave it to me.

[ As if he even needed to ask that! ~~Cloud could ask her to get on her knees right now and suck him off and she wouldn't even complain even if she hasn't had breakfast yet.~~

After kissing her loving beau on the cheek, Ayaka turns to find whatever she needs to make rice. The mun has no idea how to make rice without a rice cooker. ]

[ ~~Don't think he hasn't thought about it. Valentine's Day, she was his "breakfast". So it was only a matter of time before she got her own meal on White Day.~~ ]

[ It's a more manual process, but as they regulate and watch the temperature of the cooking pot of rice, ensuring it doesn't burn or too much sticks to the bottom, they'll have their fresh white rice soon! Though Cloud now has an idea...and it'll only enrichen the rice further. A blend of worlds, for that matter. As he looks at the fresh rice that's finally cooked and fluffed up nicely with the lid off, he reduces the heat on the stew to a bare minimum- the lowest setting that it can go. ]

I'm gonna combine them.

[ Rather, in his bowl he'll do just that. Rice as the base, and a helping of thick, beefy goodness resting on top. ]

We can't replicate the bread and butter like this, can we?

[ How they ate the stew his mom made really was something else! A completely new experience. But she'll help him out with his vision, though, bringing out the utensils already so they can try it with the rice afterwards. ]

Now... this is stew just for Cloud and Ayaka.

[ So it is the most special kind! ]

[ Her question grants him pause, and he has to stop and think. ...for all of a few seconds before he realizes, ]

Stew and rice on bread?

[ It's extra carbs, but Cloud burns off a stupid amount as is. And his girlfriend was also quite fit, too! ...it's not like they were eating this comfort food all the time, after all. ]

It's the White Day Special.

[ ...speaking of "specials", with the rice and stew cooked and keeping warm, Cloud's waited long enough before treating her to something good again. So once Ayaka has the utensils out and set down, he slips his arms around her waist from behind, bowing his head as he revels in the extra euphoria this world gives when any form of contact is involved. He's not the tallest guy out there, but she still feels so petite and small in his hold, tipping his chin down until it's resting atop her head. ]

Hmm... Maybe not. That feels too much.

[ That's double the carbs, Cloud!! It'd be too heavy to have rice and bread together!

Though when he mentions the "White Day Special"? She can't help but laugh a little. It feels like something out of a restaurant's menu. If you told the waiter that you'll have the White Day Special, they would already know what to give you.

She leans on him when he slims his arms around her. They should get to eating, else the food will get cold! But Ayaka counts to three very softly, just a whisper, to give him time for this before calling his attention. ]

We shouldn't let the food get cold.

[ He hears it, too. A kiss to the top of her head, and he lets go to get their bowls ready and set up. ]

Gotcha.

[ His living space has a dining room table, big enough for four people. This was hardly the appropriate dish to take over to the couch to dine and eat, as comfortable as that'd be. After serving equal portions of stew atop rice, he sets hers down for her on one end, while he places his right beside hers. She'll be getting that proverbial 'royal' treatment today, what with Cloud already on pulling the chair out for her so she didn't need do it herself.

This was really what the next stage of their life was about... A casual day. A normal life. She's granted him so much... So much so that he couldn't dare to take it for granted for one second. He smiles back at her from where he sits. And despite the fact they're eating in a more Westernized fashion?

Well. Some old habits die hard. Especially when he spent so much of his life on Nippon blending in.

Before he picks up his spoon, he claps his hands softly.

いただきます. ]

[ No chopsticks here, but it is a meal that should be just as enjoyable! After saying their graces, Ayaka looks her beau's way first, a pleasant little smile on her face as she thanks him for today without really saying anything beyond a look.

Today means more than she could ever express, and she's the better one at talking between the two of them!

Scooping rice and the stew in one bite, she holds it up and blows on it before partaking of it. She'd already liked it even when she just sampled it earlier! But with rice now? It really feels complete! The bread and butter would have been just as complete, too. But it is just as Cloud said— this is the White Day Special. ]

Was this difficult to make?

[ She wants to know what it was like making it!! ]

First couple of times, yeah...

[ Cloud doesn't take long to partake in it with her! The flavor balances out quite nicely, though if he had to be critical of himself...it may have required just a touch extra salt. Especially when it was combined with the rice. Of which he'd need to do some scrapping at the bottom of his pot to clean up. That rice cooker couldn't come any sooner. ]

First time I had too much soup. Second time I didn't have enough. Accidentally left it for too long and burnt a bunch to the bottom.

[ He doesn't actually sound too upset, but as he grabs another bite of this successful batch, he mutters loud enough for her to hear, ]

Cut a train in half but y'think I could scrape a pot? Nope.

[ Om. ]

You tried to make this three times?! [ Today???? Ayaka wouldn't normally be so shocked, but she feels absolutely like a regular person around Cloud. With others, she probably would try to hide her surprise. ] But you said this took so many hours already!

[ WHAT TIME DID HE WAKE UP... how many poor carrots did he throw away!!!

She does not want to eat another bite until he answers her question!! SHE IS INVESTED. And very concerned. ]

Mmm??

[ Swallow before you open your mouth, Cloud. Gulp. There you go. ]

No. This time I got it better. I meant...

[ Oh...this is a little embarrassing to admit. But it's not like this was a spontaneous idea. So, cheeks reddening a little, ]

I made a couple attempts...back in Kyoto.

[ Cloud really has been working hard! It is definitely worth commending, and knowing this now? His perseverance is worth admiring all the more. Whether he was trying it out for himself due to how this was his mom's recipe to begin with, or because he wanted to do this for her, she can't help but be proud of him. He was doing something he wanted. And sure, he failed his first few attempts, but it really was all part of the learning process.

If only she'd known sooner, though... she wishes she could have given him encouragement then. Even for something as simple as cooking. He wasn't fighting for their lives, or was at a crossroads, but it is as Ayaka had promised— she'll be there for him every day, every birthday. ]

Thank you very much for your hard work, Cloud.

[ No need for him to be embarrassed. Ayaka doesn't see the need for him to be! (If she were in his shoes though, she would be very apologetic about it...) ]

You did it. This is perfect.

[ And she's sure his mom would love it, too. ]

[ There is a lot of sentimental value to be held in making this stew. It's his link to home, but also as they sit here together, blending the rice with the stew...it's a bridge. A new one that ends the divide he never knew existed in his heart. The one that Ayaka's filled by being part of his life. ]

... Yeah. [ He's not one to get overly emotional, but he feels the need to blink, whether or not those lashes caught anything or not before he smiles. ] I'm glad.

[ Another spoonful of his stew, ]

Really glad.

[ He should be glad! And he should be proud of himself. You needn't be in the military or achieve heroic feats to be able to have some pride in what you do. Even something like this—connecting two worlds, two parts of your life together, and making them one? The feeling of fulfillment that comes out of it is something worth being proud about.

And because he's glad? Ayaka is, too. She places a hand over his when he's set his utensils down. A gentle squeeze serving as a reminder that she's here for him. ]

I wonder if we can mix the chocolate in the stew?

[ Ayaka you just ruined this emotional moment ]

[ He's well aware of the hot pot game. So it's not as big a surprise as it would have been otherwise. But still, as his hand shifts to better take hold of hers, content to let his bowl rest for a little to talk, he can't help the partially baffled look on his face.

Chocolate and stew. ]

You don't think it'd make it...weirdly sweet?

[ Though thanks to that question, Cloud is actually going to look into this now. His search history is going to actually have "chocolate in stew" before he asks someone on the network. LKJHDSFA He's just a rookie little cook help. ]

Stew can be sweet.

[ ... Maybe?? look, if it's not going to work out, then they don't have to do it! The stew he's made is perfect as it is! ]

Maybe we can experiment some time. Just like how we can have sweet tacos!

[ uh oh ]

... Sweet tacos?

[ He's still not saying "No". In fact, he actually sounds curious. DFKJADSA ]

Yes!

[ Sadly, she has no idea how to describe them just yet. ]

Ren said he will make some for me! Oh, I must ask him when I should visit, then...

So like...using sweetened ingredients? Or like a sweet sauce?

[ He's already envisioning it. ... weird. But not the worst thing? ]

You're gonna have me looking up "chocolate in stew" on this place's network.

[ He says that with a little smile at least, before taking another big scoop of his stew. ]

Let us try making it another time.

[ Because right now? The best stew ever is in front of them! ]

And when Ren makes the sweet tacos? I shall try and save you a piece.

[ What is hers is his, after all! :D Of course she will share with him. Now, she continues to eat, enjoying every bite and making the most out of it. She does not, however, ask for seconds. She is a tiny girl for a reason. ]

Works for me.

[ Once they've settled and finished their little lunch together, Cloud makes sure that he's the one taking care of most of the cleanup.

"It's your special day," he coolly remarked as he takes to rinsing their bowls in the sink. Having a dishwasher was actually super convenient! And he learned that rinsing dishes before putting them in reduced the likelihood of anything sticking.

But if Ayaka wanted to help him scoop up and store what was left of the stew and rice to be put in the fridge, he wasn't going to stop her! ]

Book store in a bit?

[ Ayaka will at least offer to be the one to clean the pot and the teacups they used. But if Cloud wishes to take the lead? Then he's free to do so! Ayaka will just be there for him and watch him, chatting him up so he doesn't get lonely and feel like he is working while cleaning up. ]

Yes! May I be excused? I'll dress up and get ready.

[ She'll put a dress on and show Cloud if he likes it, anyway! ]

Mm? [ Oh, right. This wasn't just "White Day", it was another reason to have a date night, too. At least, it's Cloud's conclusion. So on that note? ] Sure. I'll get changed, too.

[ Because if she was going to put something on, he's got at least enough common to not just go out in his SOLIDER sweater and pants, even if he got rid of the rest of the uniform. FDSLKAJ ]

I'll be back in a moment, then.

[ And she brings her teapot and cups with her back to her shared apartment with Ayato.

Ayaka does not just take "a moment". She's gone for about ten minutes, figuring out what dress to wear first, how to wear her hair... all that stuff! She would like to look her best for her beau, because he has always given her his best. And if his eyes are on her this whole time? Then she has nothing to fear.

She knocks on his front door before coming in, ready to continue their very special White Day. It is as she said, though. She would like for Cloud to pick what dress she'll wear. So she looks for him in his apartment, quietly moving about until she finds him. Hopefully not in the bathroom! ]

My love, do you like this dress?

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