-Edited as of 23/5/2013-
"Yo, Motonari!"
"You again?"
Motonari looked at Motochika with an slightly annoyed expression. The pirate has a habit to visit him at every morning that he deemed pleasant. No, Motonari did not dislike it, but he needed some private time for his sunbath every morning and if Motochika paid him a morning visit, he would have to be the polite host and tend to his needs, thus postponing or worse, cancelling his sunbathing time.
"Guess what? Today's a big day!" Motochika beamed while Motonari cringed his eyebrows in confusion, trying to figure out exactly what 'big day' Motochika is referring to.
"It's Valentines Day, Motonari!" Motochika had that stupid, wide smile on his face when he said this. Of course, how could Motonari forget this traditional lovers' day? His mind trailed to the numerous failed attempts to compose a love letter to the purple-clad pirate, and immediately swatted them away in embarrassment.
"So? What exactly are you planning?" Motonari asked, in an attempt to distract himself from staring at the man that reeks of sunshine and sea.
The cheery, positive attitude must be of the Chousokabe household, for the smile never cease from Motochika's face. "I'm inviting you to make chocolates with me, my friend! Some of my generals got hold of a cargo ship sailing to the west, and they had scourged out a recipe for this delicacy, so I thought, why not invite somebody to share the fun, you know?"
"Isn't it a woman's job to be in the kitchen, preparing food for the table?"
"What are you, living 100 years behind history? Men can make better dishes nowadays if they put their heart and passion into it! Come on, say yes!"
Motonari let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. You'll never let my region go if I don't agree anyway."
He really liked spending time with Motochika, but sometimes he hoped that it was not because they were attacking each other's lands or doing unromantic stuff. Watching Motochika turned around at his ship's direction, Motonari ran a hand through his slightly unkempt hair.
You really need to step up your game. He will be somebody's wife if you're not careful enough, Motonari.
After a few rounds of flour-throwing competition (which was started by, yes, you guessed it, Motochika) and some other random competitions with kitchen utensils and materials which only this pair of Seto Inland Sea rivals could make up, they finally managed to make a few chocolates.
"Here. Try it, Motonari," the vicious sea lord handed a teaspoon of the warm chocolate paste to his flour-stained partner-in-bake.
"Bless the deceased soul of those who were going to eat this," Motonari spat out those terribly caked paste, sticking out his tongue in disgust. "Remake it!"
Another half an hour passed by with Motochika's mechanic instinct kicking in, improving his chocolate by tinkering around with the ingredients he can lay his hands on.
"Too much sugar!"
"Hold on, Chousokabe. Add more flour, it'll be watery if you don't."
"Don't secretly gobble up some of the ingredients, Motochika. I can see you perfectly well from here."
"It's burnt! How much heat did you use to actually burn chocolate?!"
After going through a lot of Motonari's shouting and frustrated nagging, Motochika finally made the perfect chocolate paste, having a rich taste and texture and for once, doesn't look like a pile of faeces.
"Well, Chosokabe. Looks like you've achieved your goal," Motonari concluded, taking off his flour-infected apron. "And whoever who receives your chocolate today, she would be a lucky girl." A pang of jealousy and sadness gnawed at him, and it took all of Motonari to keep his cool.
It's not like he's going to like you anyway, Mouri. You're his rival. He can't possibly-
"What are you talking about?
Motonari halted his train of thoughts as he turned to look at Motochika.
"I'm making these for you!" The pirate held out the tray of unfrozen chocolate at Motonari's direction. He did not stutter nor blush as he blurted out his feelings. "I know you'll probably think I'm weird or socially unacceptable, which I guess you must've did so already, but I- I don't know how to put this into words. All I do best is swinging my anchor around and leading a troupe of loyal seamen to conquer the seas. I'm not good with feelings and-"
Being the smarter one of the two, Motonari blushed when he realized what Motochika was doing, but he did not interrupt him, not until Motochika ran out of words to say.
"I, uh- I just want to say I love you, Motonari. I don't want to ruin our friendship, but-"
"I love you too," were the words that Motochika had been wanting for a response. Motonari's face immediately turned a dark, heavy shade of red upon his own confession, feeling the embarrassment creep up onto him.
"It's so awkward trying to confess your love for somebody," Motonari grunted.
"I know, but the point is, we love each other, right?"
"Right."
~CHAPTER 1 END~
