Work Text:
Here, our short story begins with six young boys sitting at a moderately rectangular dining room table within a balcony: two blonds, one redhead, one blunet, and two brunets drinking tea and genuinely enjoying the time they’re currently spending together. From a narrative point of view/ viewer’s perspective, these boys’ hairstyles, eye shape, body frame, and the rest would make them look like they came from different universes/manga; not that it would be inaccurate to think that. As for how they got here, well, that’s a story for another time. But for now, onto the introductions:
The blond boy at the far end of the table is Raito. Unlike the other boys with human appearances, his small, black horns that protrude from his messy, short hair make him stand out along with black marks on his cheeks and teeth that resemble fangs make him stand out just a little more. There’s also his attire which consists of an open kimono shirt that bares his sculpted pecs and abs that has a yellow and black braided hagoromo wrapped around his shoulders.
Seated to Raito’s left is the blue-haired boy with the cowlick atop named Sullivan Suzuki Iruma. He’s wearing what looks like a traditional high school boy’s uniform that consists of an olympic-blue jacket with white stripes that line the edges and pockets, and two stripes lining the cuffs and ankles complete with a red bow that has a decoration of a demonic-looking eye while also wearing golden ring on his right middle finger and a feather earring.
Ayase Yuu is the red-haired boy on Raito’s right who’s also seated across from Iruma. What draws attention are his striking red hair and eyes that help complement his notably handsome and beautiful face. His current attire is also similar to a high school uniform like Iruma; except it’s bright red with a black necktie, yellow lining on the shirt collar, with a golden shirt pin that’s shaped like a shield and beige khakis.
The next blond boy sitting to the left of Iruma is Shibuki Yuuki. Unlike Raito’s naturally short blond hair, Shibuki’s hair used to be neck-length, but was cut to where it only reaches his nape. Like Iruma, he also possesses blue eyes. But unlike Iruma’s Egyptian-blue irises, Shibuki’s is more of a bright sky-blue that gives a positive, childish look in his eyes as he’s enjoying the taste of the tea he sipped from his cup. Atop his white polo shirt is a sunny yellow vest while wearing dark blue jeans.
Unlike Shibuki’s positive and upbeat attitude, Ichikawa Kyotaro, the boy seated at the opposite end of the table across from Raito, has more of a brooding, but chill and empathetic type of personality. He has choco-brown bangs from his short hair that seems to always cover his right eye, and said irises are also blue, but have a certain circular/spiral design on them. As a goth, he’s currently wearing a casual black buttoned shirt that’s open; thus exposing the t-shirt that has a black skull and a pair of crossed bones as the design, along with gray shorts and shoes.
And last, but not least of the feminine (to a varying degree) sextet, and sitting on Ichikawa’s left while across from Shibuki is Yeonwoo, who at first glance actually looks like a girl. Sandy brown hair, golden eyes, and a seemingly delicate facial structure are what make his appearance effeminate. His choice of attire consists of a wooly sweater, dark jeans and a golden, spiraling ring on his left ring finger that is adorned with small jewels.
Remember all that, now.
“So which one of y’all was gonna tell me that tea tastes different if you put it in hot water?” asked Raito in his Kansei accent as he set his teacup down.
PBBBBBBHHHTT!!
What followed after Shibuki’s dramatic spit take (which unfortunately landed on Yeonwoo’s face) was a beat of silence as he and the other four boys were processing what they just heard. They then slowly turned their heads toward Raito, as if he was the one that grew another head.
“Y-you were putting it in cold water ?” Shibuki asked, shocked to his core.
“Raito. Answer the question, Raito.” Iruma added demanded with gritted teeth as he clasped his hands together.
“Yeah? For the past, like, 5 years Ah thought that hot water was just used ta help speed up the ‘tea-ification process’.” the Nin’you responded. “Didn’t realize there was an actual reason.” he shrugged.
“You’re saying you don’t have the patience to even microwave water for 3 minutes??”
“Why are you…” Ayase cut in, now flabbergasted, if not offended , at what the blunet just spewed out his mouth. “Putting it in the microwave. To boil it??”
“You think I have the patience to boil water on the stove when I’m busy getting ready for demon school??”
“It 👏takes👏less than a 👏MINUTE.”
“Homie, is your stovetop powered by a fire-breathing snake??”
“How long does it take you to boil some water on the stove?!”
“L-like seven-eight minutes…?”
The red-eyed redhead then instructed Iruma on how to boil water on a stovetop: stick the mug on top of the stove on medium heat, it then boils for around two minutes. Less than that if a saucepan is used.
“You’re putting a whole mug on the stove? On medium heat??” the adopted grandson asked in hysterics, clutching his head with his fingers as streams of comical tears rolled down his face. “Is your stove magic-powered?”
“You guys are all fucking lunatics…” Ichikawa groaned, resting his exasperated face on his hand.
“Do none of you own a fucking kettle?!” Yeonwoo yelled in a different, but similar exasperated tone as he slammed his hand on the table.