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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.

That's what I've heard! But to be honest... aside from visiting the capitol for whatever weird function they're dragging me to, I rarely leave Shiga.

[A slight shrug. Obviously it's something that he wants to change in the future, but Tenka will never admit that the reason why Otsu is such a close community probably has a lot to do with their resident sun bringing them all close together.

But he's just humming thoughtfully at that before shrugging.]

Ah, it's not really anything I've done, I think. I was just lucky enough to have them all come into my life.

Traveling isn't a bad thing, but it certainly does make it apparent that most places don't possess a true sense of community...

[Tenka is the kind of person who could rally people up anywhere he goes, though. There's something sour about that that sets Kaoru on edge; spite, maybe? Some bizarre form of jealousy? It's not lingered on for long.]

You should give yourself a little more credit.

[But the timer goes off after that, and with a little "ah", Kaoru sets the teacup down and rises from the table.]

One moment— [TO THE KITCHEN. It sure smells good, at least...]

[More credit? There are probably few moments where Tenka looks more confused than right now. There's nothing that he does that's particularly interesting to the community, he thinks.

But then again, he's kinda shit at self-evaluation.

Either way, he watches as Kaoru goes to the kitchen and then inhales deeply for the smell--]

Whaaaaa, Kaoru-chan! I'm gonna drool it smells so good!

[at least he's comfortable enough to be his gross self.... smh]

[What is up with sunny people and their inability to see how magnetic their personalities are... A Mystery™, and one that will probably remain unsolved between the two of them because Tenka is a moron and Kaoru is emotionally inept. FANTASTIC.

Anyway there's some clanging around happening in the kitchen as Kaoru overturns the little tray onto a plate (heedless of the hot metal because who has fingers of steel KAORU HAS FINGERS OF STEEL and also sleeves to pad them a little). Picking up the bigass pineapple knife from earlier, the small teacake is cut into several slices, which will be carried back out and placed on Tenka's side of the table.]

Please don't drool until you have a napkin to wipe it up with, Tenka-san. [At least Kaoru can take teasing in stride... DON'T BE GROSS, GROSSIE.]

Will you let me know if it suits your tastes?

[TEACAKE. TEACAKE AND PINEAPPLE and he might've been drooling a bit and now he's just going to inconspicuously wipe at the corner of his mouth with his sleeve because he's gross and it's fine, alright. Someone else will do laundry.

But for now he's grinning and nodding eagerly, reaching out to the teacake and then

pausing]

Ah. Wait. Should I get a fork? It's a Western dish?

[surprising interest in culture for the loser who was just talking about drooling... how gross....]

[THE POOR PERSON WHO HAS TO DO TENKA'S LAUNDRY...

But Kaoru actually has no idea if a fork is necessary here, and looks at the cake in a mildly scrutinizing way for a few seconds.]

Mm... It should be dry enough that a fork isn't necessary. I could get you one if you'd like, though?

[ALREADY STANDING. If Tenka wants to be a fancypants with a little fork, Kaoru will deliver that to him.]

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