Ramen tales
By: Hentai Y. Slave
Genre: PG-13, shonen-ai, fluff, humor, AU
Pairing: KanameXZero
Summary: A starting series of one-shots, drabbles etc revolving Kaname, Zero and ramen XD Each will be a different AU setting. No. 1: The Roommate.
A/N: Just in case there are people who go "hey why is it a new story? ", I remind again that these are ONE-SHOTS. Meaning there is no link between the chapters, unless I write a sequel to it. (But I do have a short draft for The Roommate. I'll see how it goes.) Hence this chapter is another AU setting with absolutely no link to the previous chapter.
In this one I think character wise they are more like their original selves. Meaning grouchy Zero and calm Kaname XD Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, but this fic is mine!
---
No. 2: The Ramen Vendor
Kuran Kaname, heir to the Kuran enterprise, found himself wandering down the streets lost in his own thoughts. Today's work was just a bit too exhausting for him, and going back to the mansion just meant more daunting paperwork to settle before the next day. Unconsciously, he had wandered to one of poorer districts, deserted and most importantly quiet, making the voices that rang in his head die down. He took a deep breath and exhaled, the tension in him slowly draining away. As he took another breath, his nose caught the scent of food. He looked around till he found the source; a single street vendor some meters away, with a little signboard that said 'Cross Ramen'.
His eyes widened. He rarely wandered to this part of the streets, and being born of a rich family, it meant that he had only read about street vendors from his books in school. Curiously, he approached the pushcart, his mannerism akin to someone taking a closer look at a museum artifact, which was precisely what it was to him. The whole structure of the cart was exactly like those drawn in his books. Slowly, he went closer and eventually sat down on the single bench that was perhaps only big enough for three people.
"Irrashaimasen." The vendor said immediately, but in a voice so soft, so unlike the boisterous voice he imagined that it made him look up. He blinked. To his surprise the vendor was not a middle-aged, balding and tanned man, but a young man much his age, with silver hair and fair skin. He had brown bandana tied across his forehead and a matching brown apron tied around his waist, covering the casual white T-shirt he wore. He looked on in wonder as long hands immediately started to prepared the ramen, expertly flicking the noodles with long chopsticks. As Kaname quietly watched him cook, he soon realized that the cart only sold one type of ramen, hence the reason why he did not need to choose an order. This was all good for him; he would not want to embarrass himself but making it too obvious that it was his first time, even if it was only in front of a stranger who had no idea who he was. Cautiously, he reached out for the pair of chopsticks laid in front of him, unknowingly examining it curiously.
"Break 'em you pay 'em."
Kaname blinked." W-What?"
Violet eyes looked at him suspiciously. He pointed to the chopsticks. " If you want to try anything, don't. The last kid who started throwing them for fun broke a lot of them. I wasn't too happy about that."
Kaname felt he should be offended to be suspected of property damage, and compared to a child on top of that. But he could not find it in him to be angry; no one he knew dared to speak to him in this manner, especially not when he was a paying customer. From the guy's perspective, he was just a normal person here to eat ramen, and that felt good.
The vendor blinked in surprise when his customer smiled at him politely.
"Ah, I do not have that intention in mind. My apologizes." Kaname said, obediently setting down his chopsticks. The vendor shrugged nonchalantly and continued cooking.
"So what brings you to this side of town?" The vendor asked. Judging from the kind of clothes this man wore, it was obvious he was from the upper districts.
"...I had a bad day." Kaname revealed reluctantly.
To his surprise the man snorted. "Half the people who come here say that."
"...and the other half?" Kaname asked, curious.
The vendor sat down the bowl of ramen in front of his only customer for the night. "Drunk." The man deadpanned, his expression showing very clearly how he felt about drunken men who barge into the cart.
Kaname chuckled. "Do you say that to everyone who tells you they had a bad day?"
"Only those who try to break my chopsticks."
This time, Kaname laughed merrily, something that surprised both man. For the vendor, it was a pleasant sound that made him break into a smile as well, and it made him feel warm inside for some reason. For Kaname, it was a sound that has not been heard since his more carefree childhood days. The man's witty and sarcastic comments were refreshing compared to the constant polite suggestions he listened to everyday at work.
They continued to converse leisurely as Kaname ate his ramen.
"This stall is called 'Cross Ramen'. So is your name Cross?"
"Good try. That's my boss's name."
"So what's your name?"
"Well, who wants to know?"
"Ah forgive my rudeness. I'm Kuran Kaname. It's fine if..."
"Zero."
"Eh?"
"My name is Zero. Kiryuu Zero."
"Well nice to meet you Zero. Will you still be here tomorrow?"
"..."
"I would like to come again."
"...I'm here everyday. Unless the takoyaki stall comes then I'll move further down."
"That is fine. Thank you for the meal. Good night Zero."
Kaname stood up and turned to leave. He broke into a wide smile when he overheard Zero mumbling under his breath, thinking it was not heard.
"...Good night...Kaname."
(owari)
A/N: Irrashaimasen means welcome. I hope I spelt correctly. Hmm what uniform shall I make Zero wear next XD. Please review!