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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?

[ The second he hears the front door shut, he sets his hands on his hips and looses a sigh. A content one. Now he can focus on making sure that he's doing right by her. That includes his outfit. He still doesn't have the most expansive of wardrobes; hell, Cloud was used to practically living in his uniform, SOLDIER or not. It wasn't until his time in Nippon that he really came to appreciate different attires- especially ones of Nipponese/Inazuman influence. Hakama pants were comfy, okay?! ]

'Kay then.

[ Everything's all cleaned up, so he'll get to trading his old outfit out for something more...modern? Was that the right word? A lot of the designs here were similar to what he'd find back home. Besides his Nipponese outfit, Cloud really didn't branch out too far from what he was familiar with. He's quicker to change, though by the time Ayaka would find him? He's in his bedroom still, the door open yet she would find him playing with various spikes of blond hair, setting it all in place with the hopes that it would still come out looking decent. He seems to be fussing with one of the spikes that jut atop when her voice reaches him,

"My love," ]

!

[ He honestly looks fine. ...he thinks. Cloud's just fussing. And not realizing that he actually took longer than she did to get ready. Clearing his throat and pushing himself up from the mirror, ]

You look good in any.....

[ And sure enough, his voice trails away at the sight of her. It would be a reminiscent sight for both of them. The day they met for their first date on the bridge comes to mind. ]

...thing...

[ That sense of wonder on his face, the adoration in his mako-infused eyes. The turn of red in his cheeks as he stands before her, dressed for an afternoon out with the one person he couldn't imagine living without. He had his answer a long time ago...and it wasn't going to change. He knows where he wants to be at the end of his journey. And she's standing right in front of him. ]

Wow.

[ There's a fleck of breathlessness to the way he just said that. ]

[ It's nothing like that night they were in Nara and they went to see the falling stars. Ayaka is speechless upon seeing Cloud, looking so like him, yet so different at the same time. Being in a world that's closer to how Cloud's is, she imagines he's much more comfortable with the fashion here than she is. And putting on a dress she's never worn before gets her nervous, because she bought this thinking to wear it on a date with her beau.

Here she is. ]

It's new... [ While she doesn't shrink, she does look away, hiding herself behind the door to his room since she hasn't stepped in fully just yet. ] Um... I wanted to wear this on a date...

[ And eventually, her own brother is going to pick out a dress for her to wear, saying Cloud would like it. Yet one more thing to wear whenever they have a special day out. Right now, she's in something she chose, finding her heart racing at the sight of her beau.

... She hopes she will look good right next to him. ]

You look very nice.

Edited 2023-04-20 14:41 (UTC)

[ Cloud, meanwhile, doesn't hesitate. He calmly closes that space between them as Ayaka hides herself behind his door. His hand rests over the edge of it as he looks to her, the sense of wonder in his eyes having yet to wane. Her heart wasn't the only one racing in this moment. As he would call her soon enough...that was his "belle". And she's looking so brilliant and bright in his eyes right now. Slowly, he draws the door open, so that she wouldn't have to shyly hide anymore as he leans against the frame. ]

You look beautiful.

[ Wait, she said something to him first. He flusters, clearing his throat. ]

I mean, thanks for that too. Thought I'd pick out more clothes besides just what I fight in and...

[ Stopping himself, he closes his eyes with a little sigh through his nose. When he opens them again, he's smiling, more relaxed.

She already looks good next to him. This was just encouraging him to keep up appearances right back. ]

So.

All set?

[ She still can't believe it sometimes... The words that Cloud tells her. Not because she doesn't believe in herself, but just like how she is? Cloud is shy, too. He's admitted it to her before. And he doesn't have to compliment her appearance, or to tell her she's a 20/20 for her to know how he feels about her. But he goes out of his way and overcomes his shyness just for her in moments like these.

Moments like these... when he makes Ayaka's heart beat really fast.

He asks her if she's all set. Ayaka moves to take his hand without saying anything else, lacing their fingers together. ]

I'm ready. [ Slowly... slowly... there! A soft but shy smile. ] Our White Day date.

[ 'u' ]

[ "Our White Day date." ]

[ He's learned to adjust to the heightened sensations whenever he touched someone. With Ayaka, it felt different. Warmer in an affectionate way. It only encouraged him to overcome that shyness further as their fingers enlace. He has his phone and key on him, and for tonight, both the Buster Sword and Tsubaki are remaining home. He won't be arming himself on their day out in Nightwake City. Ayaka's the one who was still capable of summoning her sword if anything did happen, after all. Cloud, on the other hand...

Well. It didn't matter, did it? He needed to learn to trust that he could go out without the need to prepare for a fight. It wasn't like back home. Things were different. Very different. ]

Off we go!

[ There's a lift of excitement in his voice, but it's just a little burst for her. Just enough to get two of them mentally prepared for this. It's just an outing like any other. A special date for the two of them. A trip to the bookstore before they inevitably find a spot to dine. Whatever the day had in store for them, it may have been a day he dedicated to her, but she made it feel like it belonged to both of them.

That didn't mean Ayaka wasn't going to get the royal treatment that she deserved. He'll never stop trying for her. ]

[ Off they go, indeed!

While today may have started off with Ayaka front and centre, receiving presents and surprises, it doesn't mean that it's all about Ayaka today. There wouldn't be White Day if not for her relationship with Cloud, after all! There is nothing that Ayaka wouldn't share with Cloud, that even if she had the last piece of unagi nigiri in the world on her place, she would still offer it to him if he wanted it.

They get to the busier part of the city without any trouble, the teleporters being a big help to get around. Ayaka's still nervous using it even up to now, but with Cloud with her? It's no big deal! And on their way to one of the bookstores, she tells him about a little plan she has in mind. . . ]

It's Ayato's birthday soon, hehe. I thought to use one of my wishes to get him a present.

[ To be fair to Ayaka, the teleporters were foreign to him as well. Despite the technological advances Shinra made so rapidly, it almost still felt like teleporting was in the realm of science fiction despite what they were capable of pulling off. ...at least, not unless you were some ancient, mythical beast summoned by the knowledge of the Planet. The point was that humans were still not quite there yet. But here they were, safely being transported around the huge, bustling city of Nightwake with but a simple "blink and you'll miss it" moment.

Still hand in hand with her in public, it's become less something he actively thought about and more something that was just...happening. It felt natural. It wasn't like the two of them were getting extra affectionate or nuzzling one another in public. No. Cloud's keeping her feeling safe and sound. And holding her just felt right. ]

Oh yeah? What'd you have in mind?

Well. . . [ It's clear she's a little nervous with how her voice trails off, but she still wants to do this, anyway! She only hopes that Ayato will appreciate her gift for him. ] It is nothing extravagant, but I was hoping to put up a shrine for our parents once again.

If I could perhaps make a wish to get a portrait of theirs... I think he would like that very much.

[ And a custom pen, for an actual gift! ]

Do you think it's still inspired? Even though I had done something like this before?

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