Food and Torture

[YOSHIDA AKIHIKO]

Akihiko did believe that the card given by the businessman might be an essential resource if he really wanted to get closer to Souma. For now, he mostly interested him as it was rare to be with a person who didn’t mind your company and was not looking after the fame he got for being an idol. Being in Souma’s apartment also gave him a break in a way, he didn’t always have to be a people pleaser even if he wanted to please Souma; in a non-perverted way of course. He didn’t know why the guy often pushed him away while challenging him to spend time together. If he did not want to spend time with him, all he had to do is to tell him off, then again, he might insist considering if he was convinced or not.

Aki wasn’t that dumb and knew the basics of cooking even if he was far from a chief. He spent most of his time training to become an idol and had little time for standard life training. He did know how to cut vegetables without cutting his fingers if he did focus on it. He let Souma finish whatever was the business he had to do as he wasn’t new to business talk and glanced behind when Chiharu was leaving the place. “Goodbye, Chiharu-san.” He was a bit surprised by the way Chiharu called him but tried not to act on it.

When Souma came back to the kitchen, they started having a relatively normal conversation. “Of course, I learned the basics but not more than that.” He admitted to Souma. “Thanks, I guess.” He said sheepishly unused to receiving compliments from the other man. It gave him a strange feeling.

[MENG SOUMA]

Souma was baffled when he heard Aki call Chiharu by his given name. That the other man used it to talk to Akihiko, he was not surprised. It was just his way of annoying Souma, of mocking him for never being serious. Souma was used to this sort of attitude from Chiharu. He always felt like the other man saw him as nothing but a young boy. Aki calling him Chiharu however... Souma barely refrained himself from groaning, his state made worse by how amused Chiharu was of this. The older man waved at them both before being walked to the door by Souma.

Souma returned to the kitchen. He still didn't get Akihiko. He would have thought the man would keep asking him questions, or snoop around, or keep talking of himself. Didn't he say he liked the fact he didn't have to try and be someone else with Souma? But it wasn't like Souma knew who Aki was. It was the same thing the other way around. It made Souma still believe that Aki wanted something else, something he had yet figured out. And that was what bothered him. If he knew, he'd be able to deal with Aki. Souma thought he was relatively good at figuring out why people came to him. The fact he did not annoyed him. If only he talked, did something, anything!

He worked on the broth. He was not making it too spicy. He opted for something more creamy instead. He had no idea how much Aki could tolerate spices. He also needed to prepare the meat all while keeping an eye on Aki, just in case. He might have said he knew the basics but Souma didn't know how far those basics extended to. Cutting vegetables for a hotpot? Well, they'd be in big enough chunks, it shouldn't be too hard. Still, he had to keep an eye on him.

[YOSHIDA AKIHIKO]

Aki thought that Chiharu was a good option if he ever needed to know details of Souma. While he wanted to get to know the man for himself, there might still be time when he’d want to surprise him and he doubted that Souma would want to tell him of his likes. He was certain he’d know of his dislikes real fast but he could barely tell if Souma enjoyed the kind of music he was performing on stage or if he tended to be more traditional. In a way, he had a feeling he was traditional but who knew? He might rather go for rock music, it seemed very fitting to his personality.

Aki did not seek anything from Souma other than his company, and besides, the more time he spent with him the more times he wanted to be around him. It was odd since he knew of Souma’s cold nature and yet, there were times like these when he was invited to his apartment. He didn’t completely get what Souma was trying to do either and would rather ignore the fact that the guy might just not want his presence. If it was the case, wouldn’t he get kicked out of his place?

He noticed that Souma was keeping an eye on the way he was cutting the vegetables. “Are you really afraid I’ll ruin the meal or the way I’m cutting veggies?” he asked the man. “Don’t worry, about it, I know how it works.” He wasn’t an idiot either even if at times he seemed to be like one.

[MENG SOUMA]

Akihiko's tasks on helping with the meal wouldn't ruin it that much. Maybe some of the vegetables wouldn't be cut the way Souma normally did it, but unless the other boy never had hotpot before, which was surprising, he would know how the vegetables were usually cut. Now, the question was whether or not he knew how to do it right. But even if he cut himself and bled on the vegetables, Souma was confident he'd be able to salvage them.

Akihiko must have noticed that he was watching over his work because he brought it up. He didn't seem too worked up by it, he only reassured him that he knew what he was doing. Or he was a better actor than Souma was willing to give him credits for and didn't want to sound too upset by it.

"I'll handle the rest," he still told Akihiko once the vegetables were prepared. The broth was boiling softly and he'd soon add some of the ingredients that required more time to cook thoroughly. He would also take care of the meat. Akihiko was free to wander around if he wanted. He sit down and talk. Souma wasn't sure yet which one the boy was more likely to do. Come to think of it, he'd probably stick by his side to look at him preparing the meal. Souma hoped not. That would be the worst!

[YOSHIDA AKIHIKO]

Aki focused on the task which wasn’t a hard one, obviously, since he tended to do that most of the time in his childhood, it brought him memories of being a normal person. The only thing he could say that played against him being an idol was that he couldn’t have that simple lifestyle. Don’t get him wrong, he didn’t regret his choice but sometimes, he wanted to have a normal lifestyle and it seemed like no matter how odd it could be, Souma could give him that, despite being from a rich family too.

He knew that Souma was watching over him though as he cut the vegetables and didn’t care much, he was used to being around perfectionist people, being one himself in his line of work and he doubted that he had much of a chance of doing so anyways.

“As you wish.” He said to Souma when he claimed he’d do the rest by himself. He honestly didn’t sound like the kind of person who would rely on others but it did give him the impression he didn’t have the occasion much. His sister, he recalled her, didn’t seem too different from him either. He didn’t feel like wandering around yet even if he was curious about Souma’s lifestyle. He didn’t want to invade his privacy especially since he felt like he was doing that right now so he sat down at the table and watched Souma. “You have people come to your place aside from your sister and Chiharu -san?” he asked curiously. Probably not, but he still wanted to know.

[MENG SOUMA]

Souma wasn't used to cooking with others. For others, sometimes, when Aya chose to come around, announced or not, but he never requested her help in the kitchen. He didn't cook with his parents either. He was not even sure they knew how to, to be honest. Probably they did, in the past, as they worked to amass their fortune, but Souma doubted they'd be able to do so much as boiling water anymore.

Aki knew some basics. He must have been one of those who cooked occasionally with his parents. Or was now living alone and had to prepare his meals. That is, if he was still not living with his parents. He was young enough for that, and Souma could easily picture Akihiko as the type to be a mama's boy or something like that, staying around for a relatively long time.

He was making sure the broth was boiling properly and dropped the chicken meatballs he prepared in them, then the fish cakes and the vegetables, one by one. He would bring the pot to the table once everything would be cooked so they could eat and add more stuff should they want more. He had bowls for them, along with some rice. As he prepared it, he realised it was a meal that was appropriate on a social setting as their would be interactions. Not something he normally went for, but it was perfect to dump in a bunch of vegetables he likely would have to throw away otherwise.

As he prepared the rest of the meal, Aki started to talk to him. "I don't really see the point in inviting people over," he answered. Aki's presence sort of coutnered his argument though. "Unless it would be even more of a pain to meet elsewhere," he specified. It was not like Souma enjoyed inviting people over or go out with anyone. "And it's not like I'm inviting Chiharu over," he pointed out. The man was working for his father and he had little choice in letting him in. Him or whoever his father would send. He supposed it was best that it was the same person every time. Except when Chiharu had fun at his expense.

Souma placed a tabletop stove to put the pot on in the middle of the table, then brought the plates with the other ingredients that could be added later. He didn't have a very big pot since he was usually cooking for himself alone, they were bound to add things as they ate. At least there was already some broth in their bowls, alonf with an additional bowl with rice. He didn't bother asking Aki for help as he set the table, he just placed in as much silence as the other boy would allow him to before bringing in the clay pot to simmer between them.

[YOSHIDA AKIHIKO]

Souma was right with one thing; Akihiko enjoyed spending time with his family and would often seek their company but he wasn’t living with them anymore. It was why he forced himself to learn to cook some more because he didn’t want to spend his entire money on food. He was cautious about it and tended to send some to his family too, they were the ones who supported him in his dreams and he felt like he owed them in some way. They never asked for anything, it was only his way of giving them back what they had for him. He was aware that they were literally opposite, him and Souma, and it was partly why he was attracted, that and the cold shoulder he always seemed to give.

Watching Souma cook kind of reminded him of when he was with his parents in the kitchen, it gave him some sense of nostalgia but he didn’t say it to the other man. Besides, he bet that he was pushing boundaries with him by showing up at his place. He was the one who suggested it though, he shouldn’t feel bad for coming over, right?

As he guessed, Souma preferred to live the lonely life, didn’t it get boring though? He’d surely die of loneliness if that was the case. “Speaking of which, who is he to you?” he asked curiously. Souma never talked of his family and he bet that he found out that he had a sister only because she was there with him at the ball.

[MENG SOUMA]

Souma wouldn't expect that this meal gave Akihiko a homely feeling. It wasn't something he was used to after all. Same for his sister, the ony other person he might be cooking for from time to time. He knew she was not coming here to have a taste of nostalgia, quite literally, since it wasn't something they had. He could order from the nearest restaurant or feed her nothing, it wasn't why she came. But Souma was far more likely to write characters similar to Akihiko, so if told, he could understand the sentiment despite finding it stupid.

He paused all movement at Akihiko's question. It was warranted. In fact, Souma expect him to ask even sooner, the moment he saw the guy here. "No one," he first answered, abruptly, before going back to the broth and making sure things were cooking properly. He needed to pour some of it in their bowls first before placing the hotpot on the small tabletop stove and let them fill it again with whatever ingredients on the table they would want to eat.

He knew it was not a satisfactory answer, especially with the reaction he had towards Chiharu the whole time the guy was here. Not to add that he kept referring to him by his given name and not his family one. Souma just needed some time to find out exactly how much he was willing to say. "He works for my father. The old man seems to think that because he's the closest in age with me that we would bond. Or at least that he could better deal with me whenever he needs to send someone." He didn't know if that would be enough for Akihiko. Chiharu was very familiar with Souma in his way of talking to him, but he also came here for business. And the card he gave Akihiko would point out where he worked. Souma would rather he did not dig any further though. "Just eat your food." He was not really more sociable at home than he had been at the restaurant. Souma never promised to be.

[YOSHIDA AKIHIKO]

Akihiko couldn’t help but arch an eyebrow when Souma first said that he was no one to him. After all, no one wouldn’t hold a conversation that much with him or even mock him. He thought that he was some sort of relative or at least someone that was like family to him. He had never seen him speak as much to anyone else before (not that he could say he had seen Souma being sociable with a lot of people in general). He hadn’t spent enough time with him yet but he had a good idea of Souma’s personality. He wondered why he turned out to be so distant from others when he could write cute novels. It was really hard to pull the writer away from the novels he wrote.

Luckily, Souma added more information before he could even open his mouth. He watched Souma as he focused on the cooking. “I’ll accept that for now but you two seemed closer than that.” He said in regard to his answer. What else could he say? There was a limit to the amount of information he could get out of Souma in one evening that is unless he’d decided to kick him out for peeking too much into his private life. He could be unpredictable.

“How did you learn cooking?” He decided to ask instead. After all, he was from a rich family and while he seemed to know the basics it smelled decent and not everyone had a knack for cooking either. He got curious. It was a safe bet to think it was a better subject of conversation than talking of this Chiharu.

[MENG SOUMA]

Souma didn't think he acted in any way around Chiharu that could suggest there was more to their relationship than that. He doubted Chiharu would talk too much about it, should Akihiko question the man, but that little troublesome guy might just jump to conclusion because of that. He was already saying it was an acceptable answer, only for now. "I don't know what you are expecting. It's just that he had been working for my father for the past seven or so years." He was not going to say the man tutored him, he that he was tasked to prepare him to take an active part within his father's company someday. And anything else Akihiko might read into, he was definitely not talking about! He thought about who else may talk to him. Aya, maybe, but what could she say, other than Chiharu hda been in charge of training Souma. Maybe that they seemed to ahve had a falling out at some point, but he was not sure Aya picked up on that. It was hard to tell what she was able to understand from other people's situations. Either way, Souma was fine dealing with Chiharu. It was better to deal with the devil one knows than the one one doesn't know about.

Souma never thought about being a good cook. It might have been the case. He had the patience to work carefully. He was not the type to change recipes to his fancy or whatever he had in the fridge instead, but he could cook. And, in the end, he was more inclined to talk of that than Chiharu. Or some other topic he could see Akihiko asking about. At this point, he sort of expected anything from him. "I've been living alone for years, I don't know how I would have fed myself if I didn't know how to cook." he pointed out. He also didn't think a nabe was all that complicated to make. Long, which may be why it sounded intimidating to some, but that was mostly just a matter or making a broth and tossing all of the ingredients in it. There were far more complicated meals in his mind.

He looked at Akihiko as he placed the table for them to eat. "Are you saying you can't cook for yourself and feed only on cup noodles and orders?" He did remember Akihiko talking a little about his personal situation the last time they met. He was not going to admit having listened to him, but if he could nag him over a detail, he was fine using whatever he remembered of their previous conversations.

[YOSHIDA AKIHIKO]

Aki was aware that he knew nothing of Souma’s life. He was a hard one to grasp for sure but he was good for a challenge, besides, it made life more fun. He had to understand how someone like him could write such beautiful stories, especially when they inspired him so much even for some roles that he had gotten in tv shows! “You said it, I know nothing of you I want to make sure what are your connections with that man.” He said. He didn’t intend to sound cocky or like he thought that Souma was his. He wasn’t possessive of a person, well, maybe a little, otherwise he wouldn’t keep running after Souma as he did, but he doubted that he was that kind of bad possessive, right? He shoved the thoughts aside when he focused on helping Souma as much as he could with the cooking.

He nodded, it made sense, though he had money, he could hire a cook if he liked. “You never thought of hiring someone who would cook for you?” he asked curiously. He didn’t know how much money he was allowed to have, especially if he had to sign some papers. It’s not like it was easy to dig into someone’s life. Unlike his, he had to give out details of his tastes in interviews since he was a public figure.

He laughed as he suggested that he would only eat cup noodles. “I have money, I don’t go for cup noodles, but I like going to restaurants or sometimes call a traitor who can make me food for a whole week.” He said. It had its pros being busy. “Though, I don’t have as much time for cooking.” He did force his time to have free time for Souma though, and always would!

[MENG SOUMA]

There was something that could almost be considered amusing to someone other than Souma about Akihiko questioning his 'connections' to another man, especially when Akihiko claimed he never really meant for them to date as a couple. Souma could argue that he was growing quite possessive over a relationship that seemingly did not exist and for which the boy had yet given him anything worth his time. One thing for sure, he didn't want to elaborate on his relationship with Chiharu. Had he been more like Akihiko, he might have seen Chiharu simply as a friend and a mentor and forgive the betrayal he felt when he was reminded how the man worked for his father before being anything to him. At least it was how the teenager Souma felt like when he realised that. "He became my father's assistant through tutoring me, that's why he's sent whenever someone has to talk to me regarding our family business. And that he thinks he can talk to me that way." Maybe it painted the guy in a more cruel light than in reality. He got his job in his father's company while at university, it wasn't like he used tutoring Souma to weasel his way into the company. And he worked hard and well to get where he was. In a way, Souma could see him succeeding his father. And he wouldn't mind if all he had were shares and a place at the board. He was studying business only as an obligation to his parents anyway.

"So that my parents could use that to further control me?" he retorted at the question. His family had money. He had some, thanks to his books that sold well, but he only started as a writer, he would need more to really make a living out of it. Especially while maintaining his status. It might reveal his parents paid for the apartment, unless Akihiko didn't pick on that. Still, the least he owed to his parents the better.

Souma actually didn't like going to restaurants as much. Perhaps it was his antisocial nature. He preferred staying home. It required he learned a few skills though. "I would have thought a big idol like yourself would be more afraid of the papparazzi catching you out there." There was sarcasm in the way he called Akihiko an idol. He didn't looked down on them like some did in comparison to other artists. He just looked down on Akihiko.

Some of the ingredients still needed to simmer, but he could place the pot in the middle of the table, along with their bowls and everything else that would be added at the last minute. "Tea or water?" he asked. He'd rather have a beer, but he was aware the guy wasn't of age. He didn't mind when Aya was there, but the situation was different. It might be best if he kept all of his wits to deal with him.

[YOSHIDA AKIHIKO]

Akihiko thought that Souma seemed to have a rather complex story with his family. It was clear to him that they didn’t seem close, unless it was about his sister. He didn’t believe Souma though, when he said cruel things to Chiharu. He was certain that he was fonder of the man than he would be willing to admit. He didn’t seem to want to jump at the man’s throat which was a big plus. He understood that Souma wasn’t one who would express his feelings. Perhaps he would have to ask him to write a novel about this Chiharu and perhaps he might get the real emotions there.

“You dislike them that much?” he asked, a bit curious but thinking it might not be a good idea to go down that road. Besides, he didn’t think Souma would clearly say what happened with them. Even his sister didn’t seem as happy as he was, and they clearly didn’t have the similar childhood that he had which he thought was a bit sad for them but tried not to show it as Souma would probably hit him if he pitied the guy.

He shrugged when he mentioned the paparazzi. “I have nothing against me that would justify being in papers for wrong reasons, and whenever someone does, it’s wrong.” He spoke. He had a pretty good image and was generally friendly with people. He never turned them down. “Tea, please.” Even if Souma looked down on him, he still reminded polite, it made him wonder if he truly disliked his company! “If you don’t like me as you seem to do, why are you having me home for diner?” He finally asked.

[MENG SOUMA]

Of course, most people had a good relationship with their parents. Most. It was sadly not how it went within the Meng household. "I'm fine with them, as long as I don't have to spend more than an hour or two with them," he pointed out. Aya believed their mother was the only villain in the family, mainly because she was the one she had to deal with the most. But Souma didn't have that great of a relationship with his father either. He believed the man did not consider anything he did seriously, last but not least with his career as an author. To the man, Souma was just a rebellous child who would do everything he wanted him to eventually. Considering Souma was studying business and learning about his family business, he supposed the manw as not wrong. Which annoyed him. At least with their mother, the confrontation was direct, and unlike Aya, Souma was willing to talk back at her.

So Aki claimed to be a good boy? Well, Souma could see that. He could probably gain from being more cunning though. "You don't get punished only for doing things wrong," Souma pointed out. Maybe Aki needed to have his private life printed for all to see and judge to get it. Souma was a private person however, he had no intention of ruining the guy's career if the price to do so was expose himself at the same time.

With Aki choosing tea, Souma picked a jug in the fridge with some and poured both of them a glass. Again, he thought of the cans of beer next to it. It wasn't like he couldn't drink. And since they were at his home and not out in public, who would know if even Aki chose to have one? Souma sometimes had one even with his sister around. But he felt like he shouldn't numb his brain cells too early with this one.

And he was right about it, because now Aki was questioning why he was having him here in his home when he claimed not to like him. "Because people like you don't seem to get the message until you've experienced it. I don't enjoy going out much, but hate receiving a ton of messages even more," he said as he placed the meat in the hotpot to cook before pouring bowls for the two of them. He hoped Aki got the message not to send too many texts. Anyway, Souma would most likely leave them on read. His sister understood not to take it personally. He wondered though, would Aki get it and leave sooner or later than that stupid model who thought dating her boss' son could be a good idea? Well, whatever happens, Souma was not going to live with Aki in Paris for weeks.

[YOSHIDA AKIHIKO]

Aki didn't get why Souma was so cautious but he did feel like there was something underneath his cold attitude. After all, he agred to have him over and someone who would consider you annoying wouldn't do that. He had to give him right though, you could be punished despite doing good actions. If people disliked you they would find anything that would pull you down. He had to say, despite being famous, he had been lucky enough not to encounter a fan who wanted to do him wrong. People sometimes could also have unhealthy obesssion on idols too. It wasn't always easy to do his job but he never complained. He loved the job he had.

"You're right, but I have been lucky enough not to get backlashes from people." He wa aware of that. He might look like an idiot but he wasn't one. He smiled when he got the tea out for him though, was almost surprised that he didn't get a different drink. He figured that he was more of a beer or wine type of guy instead of tea. He almost wondered why he didn't pick that for himself.

"I could just send you even more messages then." he said, teasing back to him. He was getting to experience him to no get disappointed? "I don't think you're a bad experience so far." he added, with an amused smile. He seemed to have a low opinion of himself. He didn't hate spending time with Souma.