sunshrouded | x IC INBOX

[There are several small ones that he could swipe... Kaoru isn't even guarding them that fiercely BE FREE AND GRAZE, TENKA.]

Very sweet but without being overwhelming, correct? I must admit that it rose quickly among my favorites after I was able to properly try some.

[Which didn't really happen because a friend made something; it happened because Kaoru one day looked at it while shopping and went "what the actual flippityflap is this shit" and took it home... BUT HEY, CLOSE ENOUGH.]

But there are a number of good fruits here. Have you tried starfruit yet? When you cut it up, the pieces are shaped like this. [Tracing a star shape in the air with the hand that isn't holding the knife!]

[If that's the case then Tenka's definitely going to go ahead and swipe some of the smaller pieces, popping them into his mouth kinda like they're candy. And to him, they sort of are - he does like the occasional sweet thing and it reminds him a bit of home to have someone prepare sweets for him.]

I haven't had that one....! Is it sweet like this? Or is it too nicely shaped to bother eating? If it's the latter, that sounds like a shame.

[Except even that probably wouldn't stop Tenka....]

[Tenka don't just eat things that you don't even think are edible?! But the pineapple-stealing will be patiently tolerated, and Kaoru starts to dice the rest up so that it can be added to the teacake batter. There is some flawless multitasking going on here, that said.]

Perhaps some my find it so, but it would be a waste. You can't hold on to a piece of fruit forever no matter how nice it looks. [DON'T FRAME FOOD, JUST EAT IT.]

If you would like, I could bring some for you to try later? It isn't quite as sweet, but I would say the flavor is much more soothing even though it's subdued.

[Amazing multitasking. But regardless, Tenka's just going to keep popping slices of pineapple into his mouth, trusting Kaoru to keep being responsible with the knife. Haha, yeah.]

That'd be great! Ah jeeze, you really spoil me.... [Except that does manage to make Tenka think of something else, humming thoughtfully.]

Oh, but I guess I should mention that you really don't need to cook as often anymore. My little brother's around and he's back to making our regular meals.

[Kaoru is so good at both multitasking and finely dicing things with knives, oh boy...! MOVING ON TO MIXING THE BATTER. It's a simple cake, so not many ingredients are used, as promised.]

Oh! [LOSING THE COOKING CROWN ALREADY... But Kaoru forgot to mention earlier that said little brother's already been met, so:]

Soramaru-san, isn't it? I had the pleasure of meeting him earlier, back when that haunted house was happening. I wasn't aware that he cooked so often, though... Do you think that he would mind cooking together with me someday?

[ . . . . . oh no. Oh no.

Tenka's melting. He's surprised at the offer because he had thought that it would be easy for Kaoru to leave their family behind now but to think that there would be an offer to cook together with his little brother... Tenka just grins brightly at that and nods.]

I think he'd love that....! He always complains about how there's so much to do so any help would be great. He's been the one in charge of cooking since we were young but he's never gotten to cook alongside anyone else before.

[TENKA GET SOME HELP

But Kaoru's expression brightens right up as soon as Tenka says that.]

Then I'll have to ask him sometime. I've never been able to cook alongside anyone else either, but it sounds like it would be a fun experience.

[So fun... The things Kaoru does for the sake of reputation, good lord. Either way, into a small pan goes the batter, and Kaoru turns to the oven with all the finesse of someone who's been forced to learn how to operate futuristic machinery or starve. The pan is slid onto a top rack, and the timer is set.]

There! Since the liquid content is low, it only takes ten minutes to bake.

Definitely do. He's always complaining - I have a feeling that he'll take any help that he can get.

[But Tenka just observes everything in general before shaking his head in amazement.] You come from an even earlier time than I do, Kaoru-chan, but you know how everything works in the kitchen here already....

[It's pretty amazing. But then he's just gestures toward the living room.] How about you go and take a seat then while I make tea? You did all the hard work so far!

Cooking for multiple people must be hard work... I'll do my best to help him, then.

[Such a warm smile!! Kaoru's getting so good at these because of Tenka... Polite smiles and friendly smiles were mastered years ago but Tenka gets the extra mile because he is just that important (to Kaoru's overarching plan of being on good terms with like everyone).]

If I didn't learn how to use these things, I wouldn't be able to feed myself. [Said in a somewhat amused way... It's not very impressive!! It was a necessity!

As for the offer to make tea, Kaoru glances over one shoulder and then, after a second of deliberation, nods.]

If it wouldn't be too troublesome to Tenka-san, I would appreciate that. [AND OFF THIS NERD TRUNDLES to go take a seat.]

[Not very impressive?! Tenka just blinking now as he's moving to make tea - he's admittedly not as good as Shirasu, but he's not incompetent! So it'll probably be pretty decent tea, at least.]

So you really make all your meals and some of ours too, Kaoru-chan....? That's really generous of you!

[and he sounds properly awed at this. wow, what an angel!!]

How do you find time for it all....?

[At least he can accomplish that... GOOD WORK TENKA. Kaoru will be appreciative of the pretty decent tea.

But, continuing to watch Tenka as he goes about his kitchen adventure.]

Ah, you give me far too much credit. My own meals are very easy to prepare, since I prefer simple dishes. [ie Kaoru doesn't give a shit about what to eat and ends up living off of reheated rice and pickles for like weeks at a time WHAT A CHAMP.]

It leaves me plenty of spare time, and I like being able to use some of it to cook different things for you. It makes me happy knowing I can bring someone else something that they enjoy.

[Simple... dishes.... Kaoru cooks simple dishes for herself and then gives all the variety of things to Tenka and his family?! It's enough to get him to stall in his tea preparation as he's... kind of in disbelief. Yeah, it's normal for Tenka to give people the shirt literally off his own back but he's not used to such kind gestures in return.]

Kaoru-chan... You really don't need to do that....

[It's too nice. It's really absurdly nice and it makes his heart hurt a little bit.]

[IF ONLY KAORU KNEW, it would be cause for vague satisfaction... Who knew that being kind could hurt people, too?? Wow, this is incredible.

But Kaoru just raises a hand in a placating sort of gesture, smile becoming a little more reserved.]

If it isn't troublesome for you, then I would like to continue. This is the most that I can do with the skills that I have...

It's not troublesome at all.

[And he says that honestly and fondly. Really, how could it ever be troublesome? He manages to get good company and good food out of it. It's pretty much as close to home as he can get right now.

So he just laughs faintly.]

I'm sure that you have more skills than this, though. You seem like the type to do anything you put your mind to!

[look at his dumb fond face. KAORU SURE IS, and that statement earns him a gentle, chiming laugh.]

It's a kind thing to say, though there are also those things that "putting one's mind to" alone can't accomplish. [HAHAHa...h a..... There's nothing to outwardly indicate that it's meant in a negative way, though. Both hands, previously resting in Kaoru's lap, rise to gently rest against the surface of the table.]

But I do like to try, regardless. I'm very grateful that my efforts in this case can be shared.

[Even if it's not meant in a negative way, Tenka blinks - even as the kettle goes off and now he's set to pouring the tea. Huh.]

Ahh, c'mon, Kaoru-chan!

You can accomplish anything - the second that you set limitations on yourself, don't you think that'll keep you from being able to do things you never even thought that you'd be capable of?

[There's something about that that gets under Kaoru's skin a little more than had been anticipated. It seems a terribly naive mindset, but one that's suited to Tenka, so it isn't like it's surprising...

But Tenka just gets a look of quiet curiosity. The smile fades a little and Kaoru's head inclines forward, somewhat subdued.]

Hm... Self-imposed limitations are indeed a hurdle for many, I would think - but you aren't wrong. To be honest, that sort of opinion is why I admire you... [And then, in a gently teasing tone:] Tenka-san is a person who could take a saying like "a fish can only live in its pond" and make it untrue.

[ . . . . ahah. Tenka just scratches the back of his neck at the mention of admiration before passing right over it. That's embarrassing.

But at least for the teasing.... he chuckles faintly even as he gets both of the teacups and brings them over to Kaoru in the living room. Then as he's happily offering the cup over--]

Well... you can take the fish out of the pond and put it in a glass or a bowl, can't you?

There's a big world outside the pond. [And he hums thoughtfully, surprisingly thoughtful for once.] I think it's important to look at it for all it is.

[It's a thoughtfulness that Kaoru doesn't miss, constantly watching and evaluating and observing. Well - if a person like Sousei is married to this guy, Kaoru already knows it's for a reason... Clearly he's not as much of an empty-headed pineapple as he sometimes seems.

The cup is taken when offered, and held close for warmth.]

See? That's exactly what I mean. Rather than seeing the limitation that the fish can't leave water, you say that there are ways to move that water and the fish with it. Yours is the mentality of a person who can truly do anything, I think.

[Tenka goes to take his seat then, even as he laughs faintly. Is that really a rare mentality? It's something that he'd been telling his little brothers for a long time - he'd told Chuutarou that the word 'can't' becomes a shackle as soon as it leaves his mouth.

And Tenka still thinks it's true.]

I think... anyone can truly do anything. It's just a matter of getting them to realize that's the case. Otherwise circumstances are hard or they're not surrounded by good people - but it's never too late to change.

[It sure is in Kaoru's world, at least...

WOW THOUGH this punk really is the embodiment of the sun, beaming all over the place like a moron. What he says is truly laughable, and it's mentally brushed off with little consideration at all, but still met with a brighter smile than the one that had been present before.]

Your little brothers must be growing up very well, having a mentor like you to guide them.

[Tenka laughs faintly at that, shaking his head at the mention of his brothers.]

They're great kids. I hope I'm doing a good job to guide them, but I doubt that it's all me. The villagers and having Shirasu around helped a lot.

[Is this his first mention of Shirasu to another person that isn't Sousei.

Yes, I think it is.]

[KAORU IS A TERRIBLE FIRST PERSON FOR THIS HONOR?! And also doesn't know Shirasu by any other name than Fuuma Kotarou so for now the connection sails by overhead completely.]

Naturally, having a support network is an important thing... I'm glad to hear that they've had so much additional help. The people that you're all surrounded by seem just as lovely as you are. [A smile! Kaoru finally takes a small sip of tea, having determined that it's cool enough.]

Even so, the support of a sibling is irreplaceable.

Ahh Kaoru-chan, if I could show you around Otsu, I would! Everyone there is really friendly and welcoming. They're all looking out for each other and for my brothers - I just want to do my best for them. They're all like family to me too.

[hence why Tenka has that habit of adopting everyone in sight.... but even then he just laughs faintly]

That's true enough, I guess. Nothing really beats having Soramaru or Chuutarou around, even though I guess Sousei's company isn't that bad.

I wouldn't mind seeing a place like that someday. It sounds very warm... It's a little rare lately, isn't it? Finding a village or a town that's so close-knit.

[A LITTLE RARE... JUST A LITTLE. Considering Kaoru can't remember his time in a village like that and said village was slaughtered anyway, there are definitely some mixed feelings about close communities.

As for that - even though Kaoru is internally frowning like a grump at the mention of Sousei's name, nothing is outwardly present but the same gentle smile.] Tenka-san's warmth is truly good at attracting kind people and keeping them close, isn't it? I'm glad that you have them, and that they have you.

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