Work Text:
1. Come on A My House
Kazu, we’re going to your grandma’s house. We’ll be going home tomorrow. Don’t forget to heat the leftover dish in the pan, okay?
Mom
“How can I heat the leftover if I don’t bring my key?”
Nino went home from the baseball club practice when he read the message from his mom. He left his key in his room and he couldn’t enter his house.
“What should I do?” He walked back and forth in front of his house while thinking about where he could sleep tonight. The day was getting dark. He couldn’t ask for Aiba-chan, his house was too far, and he didn’t bring enough money for riding the train.
“Nino? What are you doing?” Sho passed by and asked. He just went home from his part-time job.
“Sho-kun!” Nino ran to Sho. “My mom, dad, and sister went to my grandma’s house. I left my key in my room so I got locked out of my house,” Nino scratched his nape.
Sho frowned, “Hmmm... I think you can sleep in my house. But I should ask Mom first.”
Nino beamed, “Really? Yes, please. Aaah, thank you, Sho-kun is my lifesaver. Should I talk to her myself?”
Sho chuckled, “Come on!”
They walked side by side to Sho’s house. Sho opened the door and they could hear Sho’s mom’s ‘Okaeri!’ from the TV room.
“Tadaima. Mom, Nino is here. Can he sleep here for a night?” Nino bowed to Sho’s mom.
“Eh? It’s been a while. Sure!” Sho’s mom smiled. “But tidy your room first, Nii-chan. Your room is messy!”
“Mom, stop!” Sho pouted.
2. Night Talk
Nino slept in Sho’s house for tonight. He already told his family about his unlucky incident and got a loud laughter from them. Sho let him took a bath and lent him his sweatpants and t-shirt. Too big, but still comfortable. After taking a bath, he walked to Sho’s room and found Sho reading a book on his bed.
Sho looked up to him and asked, “Are you okay with those clothes?”
Nino replied, “Yeah, it’s fine. Thank you, Sho-kun.” Sho already spread a futon for him. He then sat on it while drying his hair with a towel.
Sho put his book on his desk and sat back on his bed, “Why did you practice until night?”
“We need to prepare for Koshien. The qualification tournament is next month and we have little time.”
Sho nodded, “Ah, that’s why I see the baseball club almost every day on the field. What do you think about your skill now?”
“Hmmm, much better, I guess. A lot better than last year.”
“Otsukare...”
“Thank you!” Nino laid down on the futon and stretched his tired body, “Aaaah, having a hot bath after practice is the best!”
Sho laid down on his stomach, looking down at Nino, “Is it fun? Playing baseball?”
Nino turned to Sho, then gazed at the ceiling, “Of course! I wanna be a pro baseball player someday.”
Sho hummed, “I don’t understand baseball, but knowing your enthusiasm, it looks fun.”
“Yeah. I’m really excited about the qualification. This will be my last tournament before the graduation. We couldn’t pass the prefecture qualification last year and it vexed us. I hope we can win this time.”
“All the best for our school!”
“Yes!” Nino yawned, “So sleepy... Still have a morning practice tomorrow...”
Sho got up and closed the curtain, “Want me to set an alarm?” There wasn’t any answer from Nino. “Nino?” Sho checked on him, and Nino was already sleeping soundly. Sho only chuckled and turned off the light before sleeping on his bed.
3. Morinaga Cocoa Panda 3D Latte Art: Behind the Scene
Nino, can you go to my house on Sunday? I wanna show you something.
Sho
So here he is, standing in front of Sho’s house, waiting for him to open his door. He has nothing to do at home, so he just agrees to show up.
“Oh, you come. Come on in,” Sho opens the door and lets Nino in. Sho pushes Nino to his kitchen counter, “You should sit here and try my latte art.”
“Latte art?” Nino frowns.
Sho nods, “I got a new Morinaga CM filming next week and I should make a 3D latte art. Please give me any advice or comment.” He prepares all the ingredients and tools.
“You even have a milk frother!”
Sho laughs, “I borrow it from the staff. Can I start now?”
“Sure.”
“Okay. First, pour the Morinaga Cocoa in the cup and add 80 ml of boiling water. Then stir it. Make sure that there’s no lump of chocolate. Save some of it in another cup for later,” Sho stirs the mixture and Nino nods in approval. “Next, pour the hot milk in the measuring glass and froth it using a milk frother,” Sho switches on the milk frother and shocked at the sound.
“Oh! Interesting!” Nino bends forward to see how the frother works.
“I made a milk froth!” Sho said confidently. “Then put it into the cup to the brim.”
“The chocolate smells so good~” Nino sniffs the cup.
“Next is the last step. Don’t miss it, Nino.”
“Yup. I’m expecting it.”
“Great. The last one is making latte art. I make a panda, so I add the panda head... then the hands and ears- Ah!” The froth almost falls off the cup and Nino giggles. “All safe~ Hmm, I can see the panda silhouette.”
“Huh?”
“You should add the saved cocoa to color the hands... eyes... and ears...” Sho chuckles, “My hands are shaking.”
“Ganbare, Sho-chan!” Nino laughs.
“Then draw... the face...” Sho frowns in concentration. “And done!” They clap happily. “Look!” Sho puts the cup in front of Nino.
Nino examines the art, turns the cup around, frowning, “Is it... a panda?”
“Yes.”
“Which part?”
“Don’t you recognize it?”
“I only see a lump of white milk froth with chocolate stains,” Nino chuckles.
“Nino...! This is. A panda. Got it?”
Nino tilts his head, “But it’s not...”
“But this is a panda in my imagination,” Sho still defends his ‘panda’ latte art.
Nino laughs and sighs, “Okay, okay. This is your panda latte art. I get it. Congrats for visualizing your imagination of a panda in your head to the latte art format.”
Sho tilts his head, “Well, maybe the ears are weird...”
“All of it is weird, Sho-chan,” Sho sulks and Nino laughs.
“Enough with the panda. Now taste it.”
Nino drinks the latte, “It’s good. The combination of rich chocolate with frothy milk makes a nice combo. Sasuga Morinaga.”
“Oh! A good rhyme! Should I make for myself?”
“Yes, but without the panda,” Nino runs away to the living room.
“Nino!” Sho chases him with laughter.
4. Hollywood Star
The italic dialogs are spoken in English.
23:45
“I’M A HOLLYWOOD STAR! AHAHAHAHA~!”
“Nino, stop!”
-
14:00
Aiba suddenly peeked into Nino’s cubicle with a wide smiley face. “Let’s go for a drink!”
Nino jolted and paused what he was working on his computer, “Tonight?”
“Yes! My treat,” Aiba nodded convincingly.
“Something’s fishy...” Nino thought Aiba bribed him to do something hence the drinking night.
“Nooo, I just wanna treat my close friends! And it’s Friday!”
“Huh?” Nino frowned.
“There’ll be Sho-chan, Jun-kun, and Riida too. Five of us!”
“No, thanks,” Nino dead-panned.
“Ninooo, please!”
“I should finish my game,” Nino continued his work.
“Ninooo, come on! It’s been a while since we drink together.”
“What did I just hear? Drinking together?” Sho appeared and stopped by at Nino’s cubicle.
“What a coincidence! Sho-chan, do you wanna go drinking tonight? My treat.”
“Eh?” Sho frowned, “Is there something to celebrate?”
“See? Even the innocent Sho-chan questions your intention,” Nino said.
Aiba whined, “Nooo, I just wanna treat my close friends.”
“Hmm, I’m fine with it,” Sho answered.
“Yes! Now only Jun-kun and Riida to invite.”
“Oi! I haven’t answered yet!” Nino stood up and protested.
“I know it already. You won’t turn me down if there’s Sho-chan. See you tonight!” Aiba waved and went back to his department.
Sho waved back and smiled while Nino sighed, “That brat...”
-
20:00
“KANPAAAI!!!”
“THIS IS SO GOOOOOD!” Sho shouted.
“It’s been a while, right?” Ohno said.
“Yeah! Ah, I love it!!!” Jun answered.
“I can’t stop chugging this!” Nino exclaimed.
“I told you it’d be fun, right?” Aiba nudged Nino’s shoulder with his elbow.
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Nino rolled his eyes.
Aiba chuckled, “Come on, guys. Drink more!”
“YEEAAAHH!!!”
-
23:00
“Ninooo~ Wake up!” Sho shook Nino’s arm. Nino was sleeping on the izakaya counter. It was only them and 3 other customers.
“Hmmm?” Nino frowned and yawned widely.
“Let’s go home!”
“Ha?”
“Let’s. Go. Home!” Sho tried snatching Nino’s arm.
“Go home? Nooo, I still wanna drink~” Nino pulled back his hand and waved to the owner to order more drinks.
Sho pulled down Nino’s hand, “No, you’re drunk! Everyone is going home already. Come on! We’ll miss the last train!”
“We can ride taxiii~” Nino rested his chin above the counter and sulked.
“That’s expensive!”
“My treeeeaaaat~ So let’s drink again! Until morning! Woohoooo~”
“Nino, please go home.” Sho straightened Nino’s back forcefully by pulling his shoulders backward.
“No, no! let me go, Sho-chan!”
“I’m sorry for the commotion, Owner-san,” The owner only chuckled and waved it off. Sho put Nino’s arm on his shoulders and hauled him up, “Go home now, Nino!”
“Owner-saaaan~ Help meee~” Nino whined aloud.
“Good night!” The owner waved them goodbye.
Sho dragged Nino’s heavy body out of the izakaya and walked to the nearest train station. Nino whined, “Sho-chaaan! I can walk by myself~”
“No, you can’t. We barely walk properly actually.”
“That’s why we need a taxi. Taxiiiiii~ TAXIIIII~” Nino flailed his free hand to call a taxi and hit Sho’s face.
Sho rubbed his hurt face with his free hand, “Okay, okay! We’ll go home by taxi. But it’s on yours.”
“Don’t worry! Because I’m a Hollywood star hahahahaha~”
“Ha?”
“Didn’t you know that I’m a Hollywood star?” Nino struggled to let go himself from Sho and pointed at himself, “I’M A HOLLYWOOD STAR! AHAHAHAHA~”
“Nino, stop!” Sho desperately muffled Nino’s mouth with his hand.
“EVERYONE! I’M A HOLLYWOOD STAR! JQWEAPEOFXLIOCAVK-“
“Shut up! It’s midnight already!”
“Sho-chan is mean!” Nino hiccuped, “How could you do that to a Hollywood star?”
Sho shrieked, “Ninooo, stooop!”
5. Birthday Present
Otsukaresama AU
2016
Nino’s phone rang aloud. Nino frowned and checked the time. 7 in the morning. Nino checked the caller ID. Sho-chan. Nino smiled and picked the call.
“Happy Birthday, Kazu!” Sho greeted through the phone.
“Huh?”
“Today is your birthday!”
“Really?” Nino got up on his bed and checked his calendar on his bedside table. “Oh, yes. Thank you, Sho-chan.”
“What do you want for today?”
“You.”
“EH- But- I-” Sho stuttered.
Nino chuckled, “I know, I know. You’re busy for Rio, right? That’s why you call me this early.”
“I’m sorry...”
“Hey, it’s totally okay. I’m fine with this. Hearing your voice first in the morning is the best.”
“Me too.” Sho inhaled, “Wish you all the best for your health, career, and...” Sho trailed off.
“And?”
“... And us.”
Nino nodded, “Yes.”
“Are you free tonight?”
“Yeah.”
“I wanna take you out for a dinner tonight. How?”
“You shouldn’t force yourself to meet me.”
“I just wanna make my birthday boy’s wish come true.”
Nino chuckled, ”Should I wear my best suit?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. See you tonight. Now, go to work!” Nino scolded Sho but laughed afterwards.
“Okay, okay, I’ll pick you up at 8. Wear your best suit. Don’t forget to bring your umbrella. See you!”
-
Sho and Nino arrived at a famous Kaiseki restaurant in Tokyo in the rainy night. Nino wore his best suit and shoes. An opened umbrella on Sho’s hand kept them from the pouring rain.
Nino gulped hard, “Sho-chan, are you serious?”
Sho nodded and smiled, “Yes.”
“Am I ...” Nino checked his attire again, ”underdressed?”
Sho patted his back reassuringly, “Not at all. You’re gorgeous. Come on in.”
They were greeted by an employee and were led to a Japanese-styled VIP room in the restaurant. Food came one by one and they ate silently while giving comments here and there. Nino ate calmly but he was deep in thought. He could see that Sho had something to say, too. After enjoying dessert, Nino encouraged himself to start the conversation.
Nino whispered, “Sho-chan.”
Sho wiped his mouth with his handkerchief, “Hm?”
Nino bent forward and asked, “Don’t you think this restaurant is too expensive?”
“It’s worth the reservation and price.”
Nino tried to reach Sho’s hand but Sho pulled his hand quickly. What a weird gesture, he thought. Nino scolded him instead, “But this is too expensive! Why do you keep spending money on me?”
Sho shrugged and tried to avoid Nino’s gaze, “Because I want to. You deserve it.”
“Okay, but you can spend your money on other, like...” Nino paused, “an investment or something? Not this kind of thing.”
“I’m investing for my relationship right now.” Sho muttered, “or the foods don’t taste good enough for you…”
“No, I like this, thank you very much,” Nino smiled, ”but don’t you overestimate me?”
Sho was taken aback for a second but got his composure back quickly, “Kazu, I think I underestimate you instead. You’ve done so much for us and I can only think of this to return your kindness. Never mind about the money I spend on you.”
“I never want you to pay me back...” Nino looked down on his hands and muttered, “Our relationship isn’t about money...”
“But your cooking at my birthday is always maximum umai I can’t find anything resemble that,” Nino snorted at the praise and Sho smiled back, “and I can’t cook back.”
“Sho...” Nino looked up and shook his head slowly, “no, don’t cook...”
Sho chuckled, “See? This is what I can do to repay your cooking. Or do you want other things?”
“No- I don’t mean that way-” Sho suddenly took out something from his suit pocket. A small velvet box. Don’t tell him...
“Open it.”
Nino opened the box and look at Sho astonishingly, “A key?”
Sho looked back at Nino, “Ninomiya Kazunari, will you live with me?”
“Sho,” Nino bulged his eyes, “are you serious? For real?”
“You said this morning that hearing my voice first in the morning is the best, right?” Nino nodded slowly, “I just make it easier. I can wake you up with my live newscaster voice every morning. And I can wake up to your instruction voice to your gamer squad. Isn’t that great?”
Nino nodded again and smiled, “Yes, that’s great, Sho-chan.”
“So...” Sho fidgeted, “Do you accept my offer? I know we agree to take this slow, but I think it’s the best time to move further. I’m eager to know you more, Kazu.”
“Yes...” Nino answered, “Yes, I do. I do!”
Sho suddenly crawled around the table and almost knocked down a sake bottle. Nino, thankfully, managed to catch it. “YES! Woohoo! Thank you, Kazu!” Sho came closer to Nino and hugged him tight.
Nino giggled, “Sho-chan, too tight!”
Sho loosened his hug and showed his palms to Nino, “Look! They’re sweating!”
“That’s why you didn’t hold my hand since we came here?” Nino chuckled and rubbed Sho’s back endearingly, “To hide your nervousness? And decide to drown yourself with gulps of sake?”
“Yeah...” Sho sighed in relief and put his forehead on Nino’s shoulder, “Oh my..., I’m tired. I wanna go home now...”
“Take me home, too?” Nino kissed Sho’s neck and smiled in the kiss.
Sho straightened his posture and pierced his gaze on Nino’s eyes, “Say no more.”
-
“Sho-chan...”
They leant on Sho’s headboard, enjoying a comfortable silence, with a thin blanket around their waist. A quiet rain as the background noise made them sleepy. Summer would come soon, the moving job would be tough under the scorching sun. The rainy season wouldn’t make it easier.
No answer from Sho.
“Sho-chan?” Nino lifted his head from Sho’s bare shoulder to meet Sho’s eyes.
“Hm?” Sho opened his sleepy eyes and met Nino’s gaze.
“Can I bring all of my game console here?”
“Sure. This place is big enough for us. You can even open a game arcade with your consoles here.”
A playful jab landed on Sho’s side.