[Log] Fuji & Jirou: Sweets for a Sweet
Characters: Fuji Syūsuke & Akutagawa Jirou
Location: Choses Délicieuses (on the ship)
Time: So very, very backdated to April 2, 2012
Rating: G
Summary: Following an invitation over Jirou's journal, Jirou and Fuji meet up for a late lunch and some dessert. And bond over sweets, among other things. <3
Fuji -- as usual -- arrived fifteen minutes before the promised time at Choses Délicieuses. The noticeably French colors in decor made him smile. There was even a Paris skyline at sunrise painted on the wall in soft pastels. And there was irresistible scent of freshly baked goods permeating through the place, making his mouth water. For the afternoon, Fuji decided to just relax and have fun. He was supposed to be on a vacation, yet lately he hadn't had much time for himself at all. Why not indulge a little?
Jirou, excited to be meeting up with Fuji to just hang out, was ahead of schedule. He tried to slow down a bit, but found himself running, ten minutes early, into the cafe...to find Fuji already there. “Sugoi!! Fuji, you’re already here! That is so cool!” He bounced in place, he was so thrilled that Fuji had actually shown up early, to meet him. “Isn’t this a great place? They have the best pastries and cakes, you know!” He wanted to shake Fuji’s hand or hug him or something, but couldn’t make up his mind. This was the first time he’d really gotten to hang out with him.
"Hello." Fuji returned the cheerful greeting with a smile. "And yes, everything smells delicious. Thanks for inviting me out." Akutagawa's effervescence reminded him of an excited puppy, bouncing from side to side, complete with a wagging tail. It was a cute image, if inappropriate, and with a short chuckle Fuji decided to keep the observation to himself. "You're early, Akutagawa. Shall we order something? I haven't had lunch yet, so I'm a little hungry."
“Sure! Do you want to eat food first or go straight for the sweets? I haven’t tried the food yet, that would okay.” Jirou sat down at their table and picked up a menu. “What are you going to have?” He knew that he was being a bit over the top, enthusiasm-wise, but...this was FUJI! It was like...the first time he’d gotten to hang out with Bun-chan, except he was older and more mature now and stuff. He nodded to himself. Yes, he would totally be all cool and not as fanboy as he had been in junior high. “Oh, look! It’s that wasabi cake I was telling you about!”
"I'll save that for dessert," Fuji replied and continued to scan the sandwich section on the menu. "I'll have toasted French ham and Gruyère on country bread. And the tomato soup. How about you?"
Akutagawa hadn't changed that much since junior high, Fuji decided. He was still cheerful, friendly, and quite enthusiastic once he got going. Fuji had been surprised to receive the invitation to play doubles with him. If anything, he would have expected a singles match; they'd met more than once during tournament seasons during high school and university, but hadn't played against each other since their first match back in junior high.
"I take it you still play tennis?" Non-professionally, of course, as Akutagawa had a full-time job. But given how much he'd loved tennis back in school, Akutagawa without tennis was difficult to imagine.
"That sounds good. I'll have that too," Jirou told the waiter who was hovering nearby pretending not to eavesdrop. He didn't blame the waiter for doing so, though. Kei-chan's little boat had all the trappings of a cruise ship, but was for the private use of his friends. Which meant the crew got bored if they didn't do stuff. Which was why he'd been wandering about trying to do stuff to keep them occupied. Like coming here and eating all the pastries. The chef had actually come out and visited with him yesterday, which was quite cool. But not as cool as spending time with Fuji.
Fuji was still incredibly awesome, that was for sure. Getting his degree and a job that he loved and everything. Jirou smiled brightly at him as he answered the question. "Yup! Well, when I can. The human resource department thought it strange that one of my criteria for an assistant be that he could play tennis, but I think it's good to get outside and breathe fresh air and not be cooped up inside...especially when you are working on stuff to improve the health! I hope your job will let you have time to play, as well! It would be a shame if your genius were lost to the tennis loving community."
He grinned at Fuji again. "I am so excited about playing doubles with you! Bun-chan was telling me that it is so much better than singles, especially for someone with my net game. I think we both know that my baseline skills are somewhat lacking," he said, referring to the time they played in junior high. "I've never actually done it before though. I guess it's hard to find a partner for someone as...differently motivated as I am." Jirou laughed at his description of himself.
"Thank you. But as far as tennis goes, I'm sure there are others being missed even more," he replied neutrally. And he really should make it clear he didn't plan to play doubles. The last time he'd played doubles was back in junior high, and it wasn't something he cared to pick up again. "I haven't played doubles at all since leaving junior high," he said with a polite smile. "It's not something I've missed, I'm afraid. It's true Marui is a born doubles player, but I've never been one myself."
"Oh," Jirou said. But, never one to be held down, he immediately perked back up. "How about a game of singles, then? I would love to play you again. That time in junior high was so awesome! I wish we had played in high school or at university, but we can play now, right?" He looked around the cafe and settled back into his seat with a slightly sheepish look. "Well, after lunch, perhaps." He laughed. "I thought about going pro myself, but as much as I enjoy playing, there are people who love the sport more and I have other loves that I can focus on, you know?" he asked, tilting his head to the side. His hands were holding onto the seat under his legs so he didn't get so excited that he gestured wildly and knocked something over. Again.
"After lunch," Fuji agreed easily. "Other loves, hmm?" Certainly, invention was a worthwhile -- not to mention a profitable -- one. "I guess I can understand that."
Tennis was...difficult to define in his life. Fuji knew his brother had been disappointed to learn he did not plan to join the professional circuit after graduation. It was a waste, he supposed, to put in so much effort for well over a decade, only to let it go. However, when he accepted the job offer, it hadn't occurred to him that he was, in essence, choosing it over tennis. Photography had always been one of his more serious hobbies, and he enjoyed his work. But did it actually matter to him more than tennis did?
"That year...it was a really special year, wasn't it?" He hadn't been entirely fair to Akutagawa when they'd played seven years ago. Back then, he'd played to prove a point, not only for Yuuta, but also for Taka-san. And Akutagawa's untainted delight and passion for tennis had startled him. Chastened him, even. Enough to pull out his prized Third Counter, which he hadn't even shown to Tezuka back then.
"It sure was! I'm glad that I got to play you," Jirou told him. Losing to someone was not something he did often, but each person, Kei-chan, Bun-chan, Syuu-chan, they were someone extraordinary, and he learned from each experience, so he could not regret it. "I learned sooo much! I'm really glad that Kei-chan said yes when we got invited to the Nationals, too, even though I didn't get to play against your team the second time."
He grinned. "Someone said once that a person's true strength is measured by the worth of their opponents. I'm glad that I got to play you. I'm even glad that I got to play your brother," Jirou said with a self-deprecating laugh. "I doubt I could beat him these days, though. Unless it was in an inventing contest!" He looked around for the waiter. He had dessert and a game to look forward to now. Today was such a great day, his smile almost hurt his face.
"I'm glad, too," Fuji admitted, feeling an answering smile tug at his mouth. "And same here -- Hyoutei-match was the one I was on the reserves for." If he had his pick, he would have chosen Akutagawa back then. Akutagawa had reminded him a jack-in-the-box, full of surprises, and he'd been looking forward to seeing him again in an official match.
"I bet Yuuta would love to play you. He remembers you." Fuji chuckled. "Nobody hits magic volleys quite like you do. You could ask him, if you'd like. He's probably a bit bored by now." He did occasionally run into some of their old rivals during his daily training sessions, including Yuuta, but there had been surprisingly few given the crowd.
"Really? You think he would? That would be so cool!" Jirou said. He held on tighter to the chair so he wouldn't bounce too much, a trick he'd learned in meetings. The napping didn't disturb his superiors, but the manic bouncing did, go figure. "But I want to play you first," he said, grinning. "I've been looking forward to it for...well, not ever, but still!"
Finally their food came and Jirou unpried his fingers from his seat. "This looks so tasty, thank you for ordering it," he said smiling at Fuji again. "Oh! Can I get a strawberry milkshake and some water?" he asked the waiter before the man vanished back into the woodwork once more. "Thank you!"
He'd be lying if he said the focused attention wasn't flattering. "I'm honored," Fuji murmured. "And not at all. I hope it will be to your taste."
The tomato soup had a little more salt than his mother's, but was very good. The sandwich, too -- it had been toasted to perfection, with melted Gruyère still delicately bubbling on top. "I have to admit, everything about this cruise is top-rate. Does Atobe keep this one solely for private use?"
Jirou nodded. The soup was creamy and warm and delicious and was really good when he dipped his sandwich into it. "Really good! And yes, this is his private yacht, I think. Although I think he might let the company use it for corporate retreats and employee benefits too, is the idea. I'm not sure, to be honest. I didn't ask." He looked around. "This restaurant reminds me of the little bistro we visited when we took that school trip to Paris. I bet a lot of the shops and entertainment are much the same. Even the casino, though technically we weren't supposed to be in there when we visited Vegas!"
"A yacht? I suppose Atobe would call it that." Fuji shook his head. Coming from someone who owned a stadium-sized blimp, perhaps it shouldn't be surprising. "Did it really stop you guys, at Vegas?" he asked, amused. It certainly hadn't stopped him and Yuuta when they were little, when they were traveling through...Cancun, he finally recalled. It was one of the rare times their father had time off, so the whole family had gone on a vacation together. Despite stern warnings to the contrary, he and Yuuta had snuck into the casino while their parents were off to a late-night show. Luckily for them, Yumiko had found them at the slot machines before their parents returned to catch them red-handed.
He'd been six years old, then.
"I'd always wanted to travel when I grew up," Fuji said, almost to himself.
"Nope! We went right in! Of course, I think I looked the youngest of the group, even though I'm the oldest. No one pegged us as junior high students and of course Kei-chan doesn't take no for an answer." He smiled at the thought of his friend. "People often give him a hard time for his attitude, but I admire him a great deal. He refuses to let other people set his limits. And he works so hard to stay ahead of the rest of us." Jirou looked down for a moment, then back up. "I'm not always sleeping, you know? I see."
"You like traveling too?" He easily slipped back into his excitement mode. "I'm going to go to England after the trip and visit with Kaba-chan. He runs an inn there, you know. You could totally come! You edit on the computer, don't you? You can do that while traveling?" he gave Fuji a hopeful look. It was much more fun to travel with a friend. "I'm going to stop in Copenhagen for legos!"
"You see the most important bits, then," Fuji said with a gentle smile. "Atobe's lucky to have you as a friend."
"My official title is an assistant editor," he explained. "But my job isn't so defined. I've been writing for them as well as taking photographs. And in between, I design magazine ads." His company was very large, and had over a dozen major magazines being published under their name. But so far, aside from his assignment in Kyoto, he hadn't had a chance to work with one that interested him. "I'm hoping I end up with one of the travel and leisure magazines. My company has three." Assignments for one of them would allow him to travel outside Tokyo, at least.
Those would be fun. And exciting. They just wouldn't be...thrilling.
"Akutagawa..." Fuji nibbled on his sandwich thoughtfully, and then continued. "Is there anything you would like to do more than your job? Would anything make you...happier?"
"I'm lucky to have him as a friend too," Jirou assured him.
"Three? Are any of them interesting? Like covering exotic and fun locations? You know, you could build up your reputation a bit with one of them and then go freelance. Then you could sell the stories you want to tell to all sorts of magazines! Not that designing ads isn't important," Jirou said. "How else do people know what cool stuff is out there? Like the stuff I make," he added with a grin. "But, but, you could totally come to Copenhagen with me and take pictures of the Legos and send them to your travel magazine. People eat that stuff up and you could totally get your foot in the door! Well," he added, "if you wanted to come along that is. Sorry, I get...a little enthusiastic sometimes, I know."
Jirou blinked at the question. "More? Happier?" He thought about it for a moment. "Aside from getting you to call me Jirou? Hm. Well. I would like to spend more time with my friends. And play tennis more often. And..." he got a slightly wistful look on his face, "I would like to find someone who...would give me a reason not to sleep in the lab anymore. Someone to go home to, to travel with, to play tennis with, to nap with...but other than that?" He thought harder. "I'd like to finish my degree. But I like inventing things to help people. Kei-chan's company is the perfect way to test and market my designs. A traveling lab would be nice, though. I don't have to be physically present at the lab while they're doing the testing, I just need to dream up the prototypes and make them workable." He shook his head. "Maybe I'm not understanding the question right, because those are all basically, 'more of what I used to have,' and, 'more of what I have now but in a different format.' Even the relationship...it's a different format." His laugh was slight. "What is your dream, Syuu-chan?" he asked.
"Easily done," Fuji said with a soft laugh. "If you'd let me know it bothered you, Jirou, I would have switched to your given name before. As for exciting...well, I did a series of feature articles on Kyoto the year before last." Fuji's lips quirked briefly at the memory of his third year in university, which was spent in Kyoto as part of an exchange program. Though, thinking back, he wondered why he hadn't tried for an overseas exchange program instead.
"Copenhagen, hmm? I would love to, if I have a chance." Akutagawa's enthusiasm had been the very thing he'd found interesting. Fuji chuckled. "And no, you didn't misunderstand. You sound mostly satisfied with your current life." If he was honest with himself, he was a bit envious. Akutagawa was happy with his life. Missing the past, wanting more in the present -- that was normal, wasn't it? But unlike Akutagawa, who stood firmly rooted in the present, he always felt as if his heart had never fully left the past.
"My dream..." Fuji mulled over a spoonful of his soup. "I haven't really thought about it. I've always wanted to find interesting things. Enjoy myself."
"That sounds like a great dream," Jirou said. "What interests you? What do you enjoy? I didn't just wake up one day and decide I wanted to be an inventor, you know." He paused, making a confused yet thoughtful face. "Well...actually maybe I sort of did. I was sitting in one of my tech classes, bored and trying not to sleep, because a couple of the other students would use me as target practice when I did, so I was doodling this idea I had when I had been sleeping in my physio class...the teacher came up and asked me what was so interesting, because teachers like to do that," he rolled his eyes. "So, I showed him. A couple months later and I'm in one of the labs at Kei-chan's company fine tuning the prototype for testing. But...it wasn't until I came up with my second idea that I really considered myself an inventor. It kind of snuck up on me." He stirred his own soup, which was getting cool enough to eat. "So, what do you like doing?"
What did he enjoy? Tennis. Traveling. Photography. (And it should be noted so many of his pictures came from the first two.) Architecture. Interior design. Several other sports, including skating, skiing, and billiards. He certainly didn't suffer from a lack of interests.
"I suppose...tennis and photography are the two I enjoy the most," he concluded. "And traveling." His current job, in other words, should have been ideal, combining two of his biggest interests. So why did it feel like it was still missing something? "You love what you do, Jirou. That's the most important thing of all."
"Wow, that's wonderful, then! You can travel and take pictures!" Jirou slurped down some of his soup. Tangy and perfect. "Mm, good soup! I bet it will be easier once you get to pick your assignments. When you can show people how you see the world. Which is different from other people...you're a genius, after all!" he said with a grin. "Did you know that Piyo...Hiyoshi-chan is a ghost hunter? He writes articles about finding them...not that you have to do that...but I know you can find your own spin to put on the things people might take for granted...like tennis! Are any of your pictures online? I would love to see some."
"I think my articles on Kyoto are in the online archives," Fuji offered. "I'll send you the links later, if you'd like. There were six total. Both the pictures and the articles are mine. Although, ghost hunting sounds even more fun."
He took a few more bites of the sandwich before laying it down. "During school and after, you haven't met anyone, Jirou? I'm sure you must be popular." Akutagawa was just the kind of personality that would provoke a girl's maternal instincts while making her laugh. Fuji was surprised he hadn't found someone already. Or...perhaps Akutagawa's preferences didn't lie in that direction? Though even then, Akutagawa was the type who could get along with anyone.
"I can't wait to read them!" Jirou said. He put his empty bowl on his plate and started in on his milkshake. "I'm not sure if Piyo-chan would like a ghost hunting partner, though. He's always been a bit...standoffish. We could usually get him to participate because of his mantra, and I think I even saw him smile once, but he still denies it."
He smiled happily at Syuu-chan's questions. "I've met quite a few people and made lots of friends, but my romantic interests have been far and few between. I...want someone who will keep me awake, but won't mind when I sleep. Usually if I find one...they aren't the other. Or I know that I am not the right person for them, in a couple of cases," Jirou said. "But I like having friends, so that's okay...for now. Eventually, I'd like to find someone, but," he shrugged. "How about you? I bet you have someone special! Are they as cool as you?" His face was eager, the shadows in his eyes mostly a figment of the light.
"I see." The categories Akutagawa suggested were certainly interesting, if a bit broad. "I'm not seeing anyone right now, actually. The last relationship I had was a year ago. But you don't have any other requirements? Any types, perhaps?"
"Uhm," Jirou slurped up the last of his milkshake. "Well...I'd really like them to play tennis, of course. And have a nice smile. But if you mean something like, "Tall, dark and handsome," then...no, or I'd date Kaba-chan!" he said with a laugh. "I'm not really into the stoic or data-centric or the larger than life types, though I know some are. I do think someone with a sense of adventure would be nice. I like to see things and do stuff and would want my partner to come with me." He eyed the dessert menu as he continued. "I don't need someone who likes all the same things I do, but having similar tastes is not a bad thing. What about you? Do you have a type?"
"Someone with beautiful hands, maybe," Fuji said enigmatically. It was the standard answer he gave whenever asked, though he never elaborated what he meant by that. "Your type sounds very open. But not the larger than life types -- would that eliminate Atobe, then?" He wasn't thinking about actual candidates, but it was intriguing Akutagawa should exclude those specific types.
The menu offered a dessert sampler, with three small cake slices of choice. After a moment of consideration, Fuji chose the wasabi cake, gateau chocolat, and raspberry mousse. "What are you having for dessert? I think I'll go with the sampler."
"Like...a hand model?" Jirou asked. He fought the sudden urge to hide his, especially the left that had the fading burn mark from when he had been soldering his latest prototype prior to leaving for the cruise. "I am pretty open." He smiled at the mention of Kei-chan. "He lives and works in pretty rarefied circles. I may be tougher than I look, but they'd eat me like I was an appetizer. Besides, his type is the stoic! How could I possibly compare to someone like Tezuka? Nope, I want to be loved for being me!" he said with a grin.
"I'm having the Bavarian Creme Éclair," Jirou said, pronouncing the words with both care and love. "Those things alone are good reason to visit Paris, you know. I've tried most of the other sweets here," he assured Syuu-chan, "but that one is my favorite. I'll let you try a bite, if you like!"
"Not...quite," Fuji managed. His brain was still effectively off-line while he was trying to process what he just heard. Atobe was gunning for Tezuka? He supposed it was obvious, if one chose to look for signs. But Tezuka had been gone since junior high. Did Tezuka even know?
He wasn't quite sure how he felt. On one hand, Atobe had invested a lot more in pursuing Tezuka than anyone else had. On the other hand... No, the whole debacle on his part was over and done with seven years ago. Fuji was good at many things, but pining wasn't one of them.
But seriously -- for seven years? It was almost cute.
"I guess I didn't realize how much of a romantic Atobe is," he remarked neutrally. "Seven years is a long time. And thank you. You're welcome to try my sampler, of course."
Jirou giggled a bit. "I'd say less romantic and more stubborn. Who knows if Tezuka-san is even interested, ne?" He thought a moment. "And I could be wrong about which stoic tennis powerhouse he's after...but I really don't think Yukimura-chan would like it very much if Kei-chan was still after Sanada-chan!" He shook his head. "It's so hard to tell with some people what is an obsession and what is a crush. Kei-chan himself would probably say something like, 'ore-sama simply wished to defeat them,' or somesuch!" he said with a laugh.
"Mm, thank you! I've tried them all before, though, so I don't want to deprive you of enjoying them!" But Jirou still looked tempted. "Maybe if you cannot finish them all, I'll help," he said with another happy smile. Then his eyes grew wide and he looked a little surprised. "Oh! I'm sorry, Syuu-chan! I'm sure that Kei-chan has not settled his heart on anyone in particular, I was just amusing myself with idle supposition. He does have very beautiful hands, doesn't he?" Jirou hoped that Syuu-chan was not pining for Kei-chan...but if he was, Jirou would do what he could to support his idol's suit. "Sorry if I said something stupid..." He rubbed the back of his head, looking quite apologetic.
"I think it's admirable, in its own way." Fuji was quite amused by the thought of Sanada trying to deal with Atobe's "crush." That might be even more interesting to see than Atobe pursuing Tezuka, actually. "To be into someone for that long...it takes a lot of dedication." It wasn't something he understood personally, but he could appreciate it in principle. The rest of Akutagawa's comment, however, startled a peal of laughter out of him, soft but genuine. "Don't worry, Jirou. Atobe would make a beautiful subject for a photograph, but my interest ends there," he said reassuringly, traces of laughter lingering in his voice.
"And I will definitely need your help finishing dessert." Akutagawa already looked tempted, and Fuji wasn't above tempting him even further. It was just like back in the old days, tempting Yuuta with sweets.
Syuu-chan's laughter was as cool as he was and Jirou laughed too, delighted he had amused the other. "Kei-chan is nothing if not dedicated," he agreed. "And I think he would be coolly disdainful if you asked to photograph him...which is Kei-chan-speak for, 'why certainly, be sure to get my right side,'" he said with another laugh. "Oo, don't tell him I said that, though!"
The waiter set their desserts down in front of them, with a couple of small plates for sharing and extra forks, "just in case." Jirou's éclair was as long as the plate and the chocolate dripped down the sides. His eyes were riveted...until the waiter put the sampler plate in front of Syuu-chan, at which point he became conflicted. "Oh, that looks so nice too. I hadn't seen yours displayed like that before...it's like a little work of art, isn't it?"
"I won't," Fuji promised. "And yes, these are beautiful. Almost a shame to eat them, really." His expression was warm, almost as much as it would be had he been out with Yuuta instead. "Pick whichever one you want," he invited, undercurrent of laughter clear in his voice. "We can start from there."
"Mm..." Jirou looked quite conflicted now. "Art is made to be appreciated, though," he assured Syuu-chan. "Not to eat them would be to deny them full appreciation and that would be a crime. How about...that one!" he said, pointing at the gateau chocolat. He would wait and save his éclair for when Syuu-chan ate the wasabi cake. That was Syuu-chan's special treat and he did not want to deprive him of any. He smiled again at the other man, happy that Syuu-chan seemed to be enjoying his company.
"Is that right? Well, then, we must appreciate them at once." Fuji turned the plate until the gateau chocolat was facing Akutagawa. The slice was covered with a thin layer of chocolate shell that gleamed under the light, with powdery sugar dusting the edges. Daintily molded piece of chocolate spelled "A" with curling loops, resting on a dollop of chocolate cream. The crowning glory was fine, glittering pieces of gold sprinkled over the letter. The overall effect was elaborate, extravagant, and just a little bit silly. "Go ahead," he encouraged, laughter barely hidden behind his hand.
Biting his lip in excited anticipation, Jirou slowly moved his fork over and gently pressed down until the thin chocolate shell cracked and his fork moved smoothly into the slice. "Oo. I love it when they do that," he said, looking up at Syuu-chan with a grin. He lifted the bite to his mouth, closing his lips on the fork and pulling it free. That allowed him to savor the taste as it practically melted in his mouth. "Mm..."
This gateau chocolat was one of the champagne infused ones, Jirou noted. Which was good, he felt that the rose water ones were a little heavy on the flavor and therefore lost their subtlety. "It's really good," he told Syuu-chan. "Want a bite?" He used his fork to cut off another and held it up.
The way Akutagawa's eyes glazed over with pleasure was so cute. Yuuta loved sweets, too, but it seemed Akutagawa's sweet tooth was far worse. "Help yourself. If you'd like, we can order a second plate." He cut a small cube from the cake for himself as he spoke. Mm, champagne and dark chocolate. Perfect. He turned his attention to the raspberry mousse next, scooping a bite from one corner, which held a burst of tartness and sweetness in impeccable balance. He really had to admit it: Atobe's ship really served the best desserts. "Can I take you up on the offer? Your éclair looks delicious."
"Sure!" Jirou picked it up and held it so that Syuu-chan could take a bite. "It's fresh Bavarian Creme. This stuff gives your mouth org...it makes your mouth really happy," he said, blushing.
Fuji chuckled, guessing which word Akutagawa had just censored out of his sentence. "That good, hmm?" Instead of just grabbing for the pastry, he reached with his napkin to break off a small piece at one end; while Akutagawa had a very open disposition and clearly didn't stand on ceremonies, politeness had been drilled into Fuji since his earliest days. The bite was sweet to his tongue, and creamy in his mouth. "Mm, it's heavenly," he agreed. "I should definitely order this one next time I come."
"Isn't it just?" Jirou asked. He turned it around and bit into it from the now open end. "Mmmmm," he moaned as he savored the bite. "If you want company, next time too, just let me know, okay?" he offered after he recovered. "If there is anything better than wonderful desserts, it is wonderful desserts with a good friend!" he said with a cheerful smile.
"I would like that," Fuji replied, and meant it. "Where do you want to visit after we're done here?"
Jirou hummed a little as he thought. "Ooo, we could go to the petting zoo! Or the arcade!" He bounced in his seat, a smear of chocolate appearing at some point on his cheek. "Unless you want to play tennis? That would be awesome too!"
"I haven't been to the petting zoo yet." The idea piqued Fuji's curiosity. After all, he hadn't been to a zoo since he was in grade school. And, since Akutagawa mentioned it before the other two places, the petting zoo seemed to be the first choice from his end as well. "Do you want to go there first? We can visit other places later."
"Yes! That sounds great!" Jirou said. He was torn between eating quickly to get to the petting zoo and eating slowly to savor his treat, for a moment. Then he took an audible and obvious deep breath and smiled at Syuu-chan. "But let's enjoy our dessert first," he said. He was spending the day with one of his favorite people, it was all good. It wasn't like they were on a time limit or something. He took another bite of his éclair, enjoying the rich flavor.
The wasabi cake was next. Under the delicate piping of green icing and a dusting of powdered green tea was wasabi and ginger ganache (extra dark, just the way he liked it), with fluffy green tea-flavored cake underneath. An odd combination, perhaps, but the tart tang and sharp spice followed by bittersweet chocolate were amazingly effective. "Mmm, the best yet," Fuji sighed, pleased. His sister's freshly baked raspberry pie would always be his favorite, of course, but the desserts here were sumptuous.
"Yay!" Jirou said, bouncing in his seat again. "I was hoping you would like it!" He slowly finished off his éclair. "Which animals are you looking forward to seeing in the petting zoo, Syuu-chan?"
"I've never visited there before, so I don't know yet." And there went the last of the wasabi cake. Putting down the fork, Fuji smiled at Akutagawa warmly. "Shall we go find out?"
"Mm, hm!" Finishing off the last bite of his delicious éclair, Jirou stood up. "Lets! There are so many soft and furry and fuzzy animals to pet, you'll have so much fun!" He made a half-hearted swipe at his face with the napkin, then threw it and a tip onto the table. Just because they didn't have to pay for their meals, didn't mean the waiter didn't deserve a thank you. Although he felt weird about doing it in the sushi restaurant, in the Western themed cafes it was second nature to him. "Ready when you are!"
As he rose, Fuji left his tip tucked halfway under his folded napkin, as he usually did. (It came from being raised by parents who traveled overseas quite often.) Then, with a final, polite nod to their waiter, Fuji turned to follow Akutagawa at a more sedate pace.
Location: Choses Délicieuses (on the ship)
Time: So very, very backdated to April 2, 2012
Rating: G
Summary: Following an invitation over Jirou's journal, Jirou and Fuji meet up for a late lunch and some dessert. And bond over sweets, among other things. <3
Fuji -- as usual -- arrived fifteen minutes before the promised time at Choses Délicieuses. The noticeably French colors in decor made him smile. There was even a Paris skyline at sunrise painted on the wall in soft pastels. And there was irresistible scent of freshly baked goods permeating through the place, making his mouth water. For the afternoon, Fuji decided to just relax and have fun. He was supposed to be on a vacation, yet lately he hadn't had much time for himself at all. Why not indulge a little?
Jirou, excited to be meeting up with Fuji to just hang out, was ahead of schedule. He tried to slow down a bit, but found himself running, ten minutes early, into the cafe...to find Fuji already there. “Sugoi!! Fuji, you’re already here! That is so cool!” He bounced in place, he was so thrilled that Fuji had actually shown up early, to meet him. “Isn’t this a great place? They have the best pastries and cakes, you know!” He wanted to shake Fuji’s hand or hug him or something, but couldn’t make up his mind. This was the first time he’d really gotten to hang out with him.
"Hello." Fuji returned the cheerful greeting with a smile. "And yes, everything smells delicious. Thanks for inviting me out." Akutagawa's effervescence reminded him of an excited puppy, bouncing from side to side, complete with a wagging tail. It was a cute image, if inappropriate, and with a short chuckle Fuji decided to keep the observation to himself. "You're early, Akutagawa. Shall we order something? I haven't had lunch yet, so I'm a little hungry."
“Sure! Do you want to eat food first or go straight for the sweets? I haven’t tried the food yet, that would okay.” Jirou sat down at their table and picked up a menu. “What are you going to have?” He knew that he was being a bit over the top, enthusiasm-wise, but...this was FUJI! It was like...the first time he’d gotten to hang out with Bun-chan, except he was older and more mature now and stuff. He nodded to himself. Yes, he would totally be all cool and not as fanboy as he had been in junior high. “Oh, look! It’s that wasabi cake I was telling you about!”
"I'll save that for dessert," Fuji replied and continued to scan the sandwich section on the menu. "I'll have toasted French ham and Gruyère on country bread. And the tomato soup. How about you?"
Akutagawa hadn't changed that much since junior high, Fuji decided. He was still cheerful, friendly, and quite enthusiastic once he got going. Fuji had been surprised to receive the invitation to play doubles with him. If anything, he would have expected a singles match; they'd met more than once during tournament seasons during high school and university, but hadn't played against each other since their first match back in junior high.
"I take it you still play tennis?" Non-professionally, of course, as Akutagawa had a full-time job. But given how much he'd loved tennis back in school, Akutagawa without tennis was difficult to imagine.
"That sounds good. I'll have that too," Jirou told the waiter who was hovering nearby pretending not to eavesdrop. He didn't blame the waiter for doing so, though. Kei-chan's little boat had all the trappings of a cruise ship, but was for the private use of his friends. Which meant the crew got bored if they didn't do stuff. Which was why he'd been wandering about trying to do stuff to keep them occupied. Like coming here and eating all the pastries. The chef had actually come out and visited with him yesterday, which was quite cool. But not as cool as spending time with Fuji.
Fuji was still incredibly awesome, that was for sure. Getting his degree and a job that he loved and everything. Jirou smiled brightly at him as he answered the question. "Yup! Well, when I can. The human resource department thought it strange that one of my criteria for an assistant be that he could play tennis, but I think it's good to get outside and breathe fresh air and not be cooped up inside...especially when you are working on stuff to improve the health! I hope your job will let you have time to play, as well! It would be a shame if your genius were lost to the tennis loving community."
He grinned at Fuji again. "I am so excited about playing doubles with you! Bun-chan was telling me that it is so much better than singles, especially for someone with my net game. I think we both know that my baseline skills are somewhat lacking," he said, referring to the time they played in junior high. "I've never actually done it before though. I guess it's hard to find a partner for someone as...differently motivated as I am." Jirou laughed at his description of himself.
"Thank you. But as far as tennis goes, I'm sure there are others being missed even more," he replied neutrally. And he really should make it clear he didn't plan to play doubles. The last time he'd played doubles was back in junior high, and it wasn't something he cared to pick up again. "I haven't played doubles at all since leaving junior high," he said with a polite smile. "It's not something I've missed, I'm afraid. It's true Marui is a born doubles player, but I've never been one myself."
"Oh," Jirou said. But, never one to be held down, he immediately perked back up. "How about a game of singles, then? I would love to play you again. That time in junior high was so awesome! I wish we had played in high school or at university, but we can play now, right?" He looked around the cafe and settled back into his seat with a slightly sheepish look. "Well, after lunch, perhaps." He laughed. "I thought about going pro myself, but as much as I enjoy playing, there are people who love the sport more and I have other loves that I can focus on, you know?" he asked, tilting his head to the side. His hands were holding onto the seat under his legs so he didn't get so excited that he gestured wildly and knocked something over. Again.
"After lunch," Fuji agreed easily. "Other loves, hmm?" Certainly, invention was a worthwhile -- not to mention a profitable -- one. "I guess I can understand that."
Tennis was...difficult to define in his life. Fuji knew his brother had been disappointed to learn he did not plan to join the professional circuit after graduation. It was a waste, he supposed, to put in so much effort for well over a decade, only to let it go. However, when he accepted the job offer, it hadn't occurred to him that he was, in essence, choosing it over tennis. Photography had always been one of his more serious hobbies, and he enjoyed his work. But did it actually matter to him more than tennis did?
"That year...it was a really special year, wasn't it?" He hadn't been entirely fair to Akutagawa when they'd played seven years ago. Back then, he'd played to prove a point, not only for Yuuta, but also for Taka-san. And Akutagawa's untainted delight and passion for tennis had startled him. Chastened him, even. Enough to pull out his prized Third Counter, which he hadn't even shown to Tezuka back then.
"It sure was! I'm glad that I got to play you," Jirou told him. Losing to someone was not something he did often, but each person, Kei-chan, Bun-chan, Syuu-chan, they were someone extraordinary, and he learned from each experience, so he could not regret it. "I learned sooo much! I'm really glad that Kei-chan said yes when we got invited to the Nationals, too, even though I didn't get to play against your team the second time."
He grinned. "Someone said once that a person's true strength is measured by the worth of their opponents. I'm glad that I got to play you. I'm even glad that I got to play your brother," Jirou said with a self-deprecating laugh. "I doubt I could beat him these days, though. Unless it was in an inventing contest!" He looked around for the waiter. He had dessert and a game to look forward to now. Today was such a great day, his smile almost hurt his face.
"I'm glad, too," Fuji admitted, feeling an answering smile tug at his mouth. "And same here -- Hyoutei-match was the one I was on the reserves for." If he had his pick, he would have chosen Akutagawa back then. Akutagawa had reminded him a jack-in-the-box, full of surprises, and he'd been looking forward to seeing him again in an official match.
"I bet Yuuta would love to play you. He remembers you." Fuji chuckled. "Nobody hits magic volleys quite like you do. You could ask him, if you'd like. He's probably a bit bored by now." He did occasionally run into some of their old rivals during his daily training sessions, including Yuuta, but there had been surprisingly few given the crowd.
"Really? You think he would? That would be so cool!" Jirou said. He held on tighter to the chair so he wouldn't bounce too much, a trick he'd learned in meetings. The napping didn't disturb his superiors, but the manic bouncing did, go figure. "But I want to play you first," he said, grinning. "I've been looking forward to it for...well, not ever, but still!"
Finally their food came and Jirou unpried his fingers from his seat. "This looks so tasty, thank you for ordering it," he said smiling at Fuji again. "Oh! Can I get a strawberry milkshake and some water?" he asked the waiter before the man vanished back into the woodwork once more. "Thank you!"
He'd be lying if he said the focused attention wasn't flattering. "I'm honored," Fuji murmured. "And not at all. I hope it will be to your taste."
The tomato soup had a little more salt than his mother's, but was very good. The sandwich, too -- it had been toasted to perfection, with melted Gruyère still delicately bubbling on top. "I have to admit, everything about this cruise is top-rate. Does Atobe keep this one solely for private use?"
Jirou nodded. The soup was creamy and warm and delicious and was really good when he dipped his sandwich into it. "Really good! And yes, this is his private yacht, I think. Although I think he might let the company use it for corporate retreats and employee benefits too, is the idea. I'm not sure, to be honest. I didn't ask." He looked around. "This restaurant reminds me of the little bistro we visited when we took that school trip to Paris. I bet a lot of the shops and entertainment are much the same. Even the casino, though technically we weren't supposed to be in there when we visited Vegas!"
"A yacht? I suppose Atobe would call it that." Fuji shook his head. Coming from someone who owned a stadium-sized blimp, perhaps it shouldn't be surprising. "Did it really stop you guys, at Vegas?" he asked, amused. It certainly hadn't stopped him and Yuuta when they were little, when they were traveling through...Cancun, he finally recalled. It was one of the rare times their father had time off, so the whole family had gone on a vacation together. Despite stern warnings to the contrary, he and Yuuta had snuck into the casino while their parents were off to a late-night show. Luckily for them, Yumiko had found them at the slot machines before their parents returned to catch them red-handed.
He'd been six years old, then.
"I'd always wanted to travel when I grew up," Fuji said, almost to himself.
"Nope! We went right in! Of course, I think I looked the youngest of the group, even though I'm the oldest. No one pegged us as junior high students and of course Kei-chan doesn't take no for an answer." He smiled at the thought of his friend. "People often give him a hard time for his attitude, but I admire him a great deal. He refuses to let other people set his limits. And he works so hard to stay ahead of the rest of us." Jirou looked down for a moment, then back up. "I'm not always sleeping, you know? I see."
"You like traveling too?" He easily slipped back into his excitement mode. "I'm going to go to England after the trip and visit with Kaba-chan. He runs an inn there, you know. You could totally come! You edit on the computer, don't you? You can do that while traveling?" he gave Fuji a hopeful look. It was much more fun to travel with a friend. "I'm going to stop in Copenhagen for legos!"
"You see the most important bits, then," Fuji said with a gentle smile. "Atobe's lucky to have you as a friend."
"My official title is an assistant editor," he explained. "But my job isn't so defined. I've been writing for them as well as taking photographs. And in between, I design magazine ads." His company was very large, and had over a dozen major magazines being published under their name. But so far, aside from his assignment in Kyoto, he hadn't had a chance to work with one that interested him. "I'm hoping I end up with one of the travel and leisure magazines. My company has three." Assignments for one of them would allow him to travel outside Tokyo, at least.
Those would be fun. And exciting. They just wouldn't be...thrilling.
"Akutagawa..." Fuji nibbled on his sandwich thoughtfully, and then continued. "Is there anything you would like to do more than your job? Would anything make you...happier?"
"I'm lucky to have him as a friend too," Jirou assured him.
"Three? Are any of them interesting? Like covering exotic and fun locations? You know, you could build up your reputation a bit with one of them and then go freelance. Then you could sell the stories you want to tell to all sorts of magazines! Not that designing ads isn't important," Jirou said. "How else do people know what cool stuff is out there? Like the stuff I make," he added with a grin. "But, but, you could totally come to Copenhagen with me and take pictures of the Legos and send them to your travel magazine. People eat that stuff up and you could totally get your foot in the door! Well," he added, "if you wanted to come along that is. Sorry, I get...a little enthusiastic sometimes, I know."
Jirou blinked at the question. "More? Happier?" He thought about it for a moment. "Aside from getting you to call me Jirou? Hm. Well. I would like to spend more time with my friends. And play tennis more often. And..." he got a slightly wistful look on his face, "I would like to find someone who...would give me a reason not to sleep in the lab anymore. Someone to go home to, to travel with, to play tennis with, to nap with...but other than that?" He thought harder. "I'd like to finish my degree. But I like inventing things to help people. Kei-chan's company is the perfect way to test and market my designs. A traveling lab would be nice, though. I don't have to be physically present at the lab while they're doing the testing, I just need to dream up the prototypes and make them workable." He shook his head. "Maybe I'm not understanding the question right, because those are all basically, 'more of what I used to have,' and, 'more of what I have now but in a different format.' Even the relationship...it's a different format." His laugh was slight. "What is your dream, Syuu-chan?" he asked.
"Easily done," Fuji said with a soft laugh. "If you'd let me know it bothered you, Jirou, I would have switched to your given name before. As for exciting...well, I did a series of feature articles on Kyoto the year before last." Fuji's lips quirked briefly at the memory of his third year in university, which was spent in Kyoto as part of an exchange program. Though, thinking back, he wondered why he hadn't tried for an overseas exchange program instead.
"Copenhagen, hmm? I would love to, if I have a chance." Akutagawa's enthusiasm had been the very thing he'd found interesting. Fuji chuckled. "And no, you didn't misunderstand. You sound mostly satisfied with your current life." If he was honest with himself, he was a bit envious. Akutagawa was happy with his life. Missing the past, wanting more in the present -- that was normal, wasn't it? But unlike Akutagawa, who stood firmly rooted in the present, he always felt as if his heart had never fully left the past.
"My dream..." Fuji mulled over a spoonful of his soup. "I haven't really thought about it. I've always wanted to find interesting things. Enjoy myself."
"That sounds like a great dream," Jirou said. "What interests you? What do you enjoy? I didn't just wake up one day and decide I wanted to be an inventor, you know." He paused, making a confused yet thoughtful face. "Well...actually maybe I sort of did. I was sitting in one of my tech classes, bored and trying not to sleep, because a couple of the other students would use me as target practice when I did, so I was doodling this idea I had when I had been sleeping in my physio class...the teacher came up and asked me what was so interesting, because teachers like to do that," he rolled his eyes. "So, I showed him. A couple months later and I'm in one of the labs at Kei-chan's company fine tuning the prototype for testing. But...it wasn't until I came up with my second idea that I really considered myself an inventor. It kind of snuck up on me." He stirred his own soup, which was getting cool enough to eat. "So, what do you like doing?"
What did he enjoy? Tennis. Traveling. Photography. (And it should be noted so many of his pictures came from the first two.) Architecture. Interior design. Several other sports, including skating, skiing, and billiards. He certainly didn't suffer from a lack of interests.
"I suppose...tennis and photography are the two I enjoy the most," he concluded. "And traveling." His current job, in other words, should have been ideal, combining two of his biggest interests. So why did it feel like it was still missing something? "You love what you do, Jirou. That's the most important thing of all."
"Wow, that's wonderful, then! You can travel and take pictures!" Jirou slurped down some of his soup. Tangy and perfect. "Mm, good soup! I bet it will be easier once you get to pick your assignments. When you can show people how you see the world. Which is different from other people...you're a genius, after all!" he said with a grin. "Did you know that Piyo...Hiyoshi-chan is a ghost hunter? He writes articles about finding them...not that you have to do that...but I know you can find your own spin to put on the things people might take for granted...like tennis! Are any of your pictures online? I would love to see some."
"I think my articles on Kyoto are in the online archives," Fuji offered. "I'll send you the links later, if you'd like. There were six total. Both the pictures and the articles are mine. Although, ghost hunting sounds even more fun."
He took a few more bites of the sandwich before laying it down. "During school and after, you haven't met anyone, Jirou? I'm sure you must be popular." Akutagawa was just the kind of personality that would provoke a girl's maternal instincts while making her laugh. Fuji was surprised he hadn't found someone already. Or...perhaps Akutagawa's preferences didn't lie in that direction? Though even then, Akutagawa was the type who could get along with anyone.
"I can't wait to read them!" Jirou said. He put his empty bowl on his plate and started in on his milkshake. "I'm not sure if Piyo-chan would like a ghost hunting partner, though. He's always been a bit...standoffish. We could usually get him to participate because of his mantra, and I think I even saw him smile once, but he still denies it."
He smiled happily at Syuu-chan's questions. "I've met quite a few people and made lots of friends, but my romantic interests have been far and few between. I...want someone who will keep me awake, but won't mind when I sleep. Usually if I find one...they aren't the other. Or I know that I am not the right person for them, in a couple of cases," Jirou said. "But I like having friends, so that's okay...for now. Eventually, I'd like to find someone, but," he shrugged. "How about you? I bet you have someone special! Are they as cool as you?" His face was eager, the shadows in his eyes mostly a figment of the light.
"I see." The categories Akutagawa suggested were certainly interesting, if a bit broad. "I'm not seeing anyone right now, actually. The last relationship I had was a year ago. But you don't have any other requirements? Any types, perhaps?"
"Uhm," Jirou slurped up the last of his milkshake. "Well...I'd really like them to play tennis, of course. And have a nice smile. But if you mean something like, "Tall, dark and handsome," then...no, or I'd date Kaba-chan!" he said with a laugh. "I'm not really into the stoic or data-centric or the larger than life types, though I know some are. I do think someone with a sense of adventure would be nice. I like to see things and do stuff and would want my partner to come with me." He eyed the dessert menu as he continued. "I don't need someone who likes all the same things I do, but having similar tastes is not a bad thing. What about you? Do you have a type?"
"Someone with beautiful hands, maybe," Fuji said enigmatically. It was the standard answer he gave whenever asked, though he never elaborated what he meant by that. "Your type sounds very open. But not the larger than life types -- would that eliminate Atobe, then?" He wasn't thinking about actual candidates, but it was intriguing Akutagawa should exclude those specific types.
The menu offered a dessert sampler, with three small cake slices of choice. After a moment of consideration, Fuji chose the wasabi cake, gateau chocolat, and raspberry mousse. "What are you having for dessert? I think I'll go with the sampler."
"Like...a hand model?" Jirou asked. He fought the sudden urge to hide his, especially the left that had the fading burn mark from when he had been soldering his latest prototype prior to leaving for the cruise. "I am pretty open." He smiled at the mention of Kei-chan. "He lives and works in pretty rarefied circles. I may be tougher than I look, but they'd eat me like I was an appetizer. Besides, his type is the stoic! How could I possibly compare to someone like Tezuka? Nope, I want to be loved for being me!" he said with a grin.
"I'm having the Bavarian Creme Éclair," Jirou said, pronouncing the words with both care and love. "Those things alone are good reason to visit Paris, you know. I've tried most of the other sweets here," he assured Syuu-chan, "but that one is my favorite. I'll let you try a bite, if you like!"
"Not...quite," Fuji managed. His brain was still effectively off-line while he was trying to process what he just heard. Atobe was gunning for Tezuka? He supposed it was obvious, if one chose to look for signs. But Tezuka had been gone since junior high. Did Tezuka even know?
He wasn't quite sure how he felt. On one hand, Atobe had invested a lot more in pursuing Tezuka than anyone else had. On the other hand... No, the whole debacle on his part was over and done with seven years ago. Fuji was good at many things, but pining wasn't one of them.
But seriously -- for seven years? It was almost cute.
"I guess I didn't realize how much of a romantic Atobe is," he remarked neutrally. "Seven years is a long time. And thank you. You're welcome to try my sampler, of course."
Jirou giggled a bit. "I'd say less romantic and more stubborn. Who knows if Tezuka-san is even interested, ne?" He thought a moment. "And I could be wrong about which stoic tennis powerhouse he's after...but I really don't think Yukimura-chan would like it very much if Kei-chan was still after Sanada-chan!" He shook his head. "It's so hard to tell with some people what is an obsession and what is a crush. Kei-chan himself would probably say something like, 'ore-sama simply wished to defeat them,' or somesuch!" he said with a laugh.
"Mm, thank you! I've tried them all before, though, so I don't want to deprive you of enjoying them!" But Jirou still looked tempted. "Maybe if you cannot finish them all, I'll help," he said with another happy smile. Then his eyes grew wide and he looked a little surprised. "Oh! I'm sorry, Syuu-chan! I'm sure that Kei-chan has not settled his heart on anyone in particular, I was just amusing myself with idle supposition. He does have very beautiful hands, doesn't he?" Jirou hoped that Syuu-chan was not pining for Kei-chan...but if he was, Jirou would do what he could to support his idol's suit. "Sorry if I said something stupid..." He rubbed the back of his head, looking quite apologetic.
"I think it's admirable, in its own way." Fuji was quite amused by the thought of Sanada trying to deal with Atobe's "crush." That might be even more interesting to see than Atobe pursuing Tezuka, actually. "To be into someone for that long...it takes a lot of dedication." It wasn't something he understood personally, but he could appreciate it in principle. The rest of Akutagawa's comment, however, startled a peal of laughter out of him, soft but genuine. "Don't worry, Jirou. Atobe would make a beautiful subject for a photograph, but my interest ends there," he said reassuringly, traces of laughter lingering in his voice.
"And I will definitely need your help finishing dessert." Akutagawa already looked tempted, and Fuji wasn't above tempting him even further. It was just like back in the old days, tempting Yuuta with sweets.
Syuu-chan's laughter was as cool as he was and Jirou laughed too, delighted he had amused the other. "Kei-chan is nothing if not dedicated," he agreed. "And I think he would be coolly disdainful if you asked to photograph him...which is Kei-chan-speak for, 'why certainly, be sure to get my right side,'" he said with another laugh. "Oo, don't tell him I said that, though!"
The waiter set their desserts down in front of them, with a couple of small plates for sharing and extra forks, "just in case." Jirou's éclair was as long as the plate and the chocolate dripped down the sides. His eyes were riveted...until the waiter put the sampler plate in front of Syuu-chan, at which point he became conflicted. "Oh, that looks so nice too. I hadn't seen yours displayed like that before...it's like a little work of art, isn't it?"
"I won't," Fuji promised. "And yes, these are beautiful. Almost a shame to eat them, really." His expression was warm, almost as much as it would be had he been out with Yuuta instead. "Pick whichever one you want," he invited, undercurrent of laughter clear in his voice. "We can start from there."
"Mm..." Jirou looked quite conflicted now. "Art is made to be appreciated, though," he assured Syuu-chan. "Not to eat them would be to deny them full appreciation and that would be a crime. How about...that one!" he said, pointing at the gateau chocolat. He would wait and save his éclair for when Syuu-chan ate the wasabi cake. That was Syuu-chan's special treat and he did not want to deprive him of any. He smiled again at the other man, happy that Syuu-chan seemed to be enjoying his company.
"Is that right? Well, then, we must appreciate them at once." Fuji turned the plate until the gateau chocolat was facing Akutagawa. The slice was covered with a thin layer of chocolate shell that gleamed under the light, with powdery sugar dusting the edges. Daintily molded piece of chocolate spelled "A" with curling loops, resting on a dollop of chocolate cream. The crowning glory was fine, glittering pieces of gold sprinkled over the letter. The overall effect was elaborate, extravagant, and just a little bit silly. "Go ahead," he encouraged, laughter barely hidden behind his hand.
Biting his lip in excited anticipation, Jirou slowly moved his fork over and gently pressed down until the thin chocolate shell cracked and his fork moved smoothly into the slice. "Oo. I love it when they do that," he said, looking up at Syuu-chan with a grin. He lifted the bite to his mouth, closing his lips on the fork and pulling it free. That allowed him to savor the taste as it practically melted in his mouth. "Mm..."
This gateau chocolat was one of the champagne infused ones, Jirou noted. Which was good, he felt that the rose water ones were a little heavy on the flavor and therefore lost their subtlety. "It's really good," he told Syuu-chan. "Want a bite?" He used his fork to cut off another and held it up.
The way Akutagawa's eyes glazed over with pleasure was so cute. Yuuta loved sweets, too, but it seemed Akutagawa's sweet tooth was far worse. "Help yourself. If you'd like, we can order a second plate." He cut a small cube from the cake for himself as he spoke. Mm, champagne and dark chocolate. Perfect. He turned his attention to the raspberry mousse next, scooping a bite from one corner, which held a burst of tartness and sweetness in impeccable balance. He really had to admit it: Atobe's ship really served the best desserts. "Can I take you up on the offer? Your éclair looks delicious."
"Sure!" Jirou picked it up and held it so that Syuu-chan could take a bite. "It's fresh Bavarian Creme. This stuff gives your mouth org...it makes your mouth really happy," he said, blushing.
Fuji chuckled, guessing which word Akutagawa had just censored out of his sentence. "That good, hmm?" Instead of just grabbing for the pastry, he reached with his napkin to break off a small piece at one end; while Akutagawa had a very open disposition and clearly didn't stand on ceremonies, politeness had been drilled into Fuji since his earliest days. The bite was sweet to his tongue, and creamy in his mouth. "Mm, it's heavenly," he agreed. "I should definitely order this one next time I come."
"Isn't it just?" Jirou asked. He turned it around and bit into it from the now open end. "Mmmmm," he moaned as he savored the bite. "If you want company, next time too, just let me know, okay?" he offered after he recovered. "If there is anything better than wonderful desserts, it is wonderful desserts with a good friend!" he said with a cheerful smile.
"I would like that," Fuji replied, and meant it. "Where do you want to visit after we're done here?"
Jirou hummed a little as he thought. "Ooo, we could go to the petting zoo! Or the arcade!" He bounced in his seat, a smear of chocolate appearing at some point on his cheek. "Unless you want to play tennis? That would be awesome too!"
"I haven't been to the petting zoo yet." The idea piqued Fuji's curiosity. After all, he hadn't been to a zoo since he was in grade school. And, since Akutagawa mentioned it before the other two places, the petting zoo seemed to be the first choice from his end as well. "Do you want to go there first? We can visit other places later."
"Yes! That sounds great!" Jirou said. He was torn between eating quickly to get to the petting zoo and eating slowly to savor his treat, for a moment. Then he took an audible and obvious deep breath and smiled at Syuu-chan. "But let's enjoy our dessert first," he said. He was spending the day with one of his favorite people, it was all good. It wasn't like they were on a time limit or something. He took another bite of his éclair, enjoying the rich flavor.
The wasabi cake was next. Under the delicate piping of green icing and a dusting of powdered green tea was wasabi and ginger ganache (extra dark, just the way he liked it), with fluffy green tea-flavored cake underneath. An odd combination, perhaps, but the tart tang and sharp spice followed by bittersweet chocolate were amazingly effective. "Mmm, the best yet," Fuji sighed, pleased. His sister's freshly baked raspberry pie would always be his favorite, of course, but the desserts here were sumptuous.
"Yay!" Jirou said, bouncing in his seat again. "I was hoping you would like it!" He slowly finished off his éclair. "Which animals are you looking forward to seeing in the petting zoo, Syuu-chan?"
"I've never visited there before, so I don't know yet." And there went the last of the wasabi cake. Putting down the fork, Fuji smiled at Akutagawa warmly. "Shall we go find out?"
"Mm, hm!" Finishing off the last bite of his delicious éclair, Jirou stood up. "Lets! There are so many soft and furry and fuzzy animals to pet, you'll have so much fun!" He made a half-hearted swipe at his face with the napkin, then threw it and a tip onto the table. Just because they didn't have to pay for their meals, didn't mean the waiter didn't deserve a thank you. Although he felt weird about doing it in the sushi restaurant, in the Western themed cafes it was second nature to him. "Ready when you are!"
As he rose, Fuji left his tip tucked halfway under his folded napkin, as he usually did. (It came from being raised by parents who traveled overseas quite often.) Then, with a final, polite nod to their waiter, Fuji turned to follow Akutagawa at a more sedate pace.