Another Sae centred one
When Sae heard an echoing crash followed by an unmanly yelp from her immaculate kitchen, her first instinct was to close her eyes, return to her paperwork and pretend she was just imagining things.
But after a second somewhat yelp, Sae came to the conclusion that she didn't have an imagination, and it was best to see to whatever destruction was currently befalling her household.
Her silent and graceful feet swept her briskly the house until she appeared in front of the kitchen, catching none other than her sister and that boy of hers covered in white powder and brown batter.
It took decades of Niijima discipline not to slap a hand to his face.
"What…" Sae started slowly, still fighting the twitching in her left hand, "Are you doing?"
"Sis!" Makoto straightened up respectfully with a wooden spoon erect in her hand. "I'm sorry about the mess Sis! I promise we'll clean it up after we've finished."
Ren stood next to her with his arms crossed, a glare on his face, and a bowl on his head. "She started it." He muttered scathingly as whatever concoction they were making slid across the crease of his scowl and down his nose.
Again Sae fought her impulses and instead blinked. "Those statements do not answer my question."
"Ah," Makoto turned toward the counter and picked up a plate with small brown mounds. "We're making chocolate Sis. For Valentine's Day."
She stood still as Makoto excitedly approached her and offered the plate. "It's really good. Have one!"
Sae hesitated, wondering if chocolate was the cause of her kitchen being in turmoil, and the ridiculous state of the two in front of him, but her sister's unwavering smile won him over and Sae took up a piece of chocolate and placed it in her mouth.
It took decades of Niijima discipline not to smile down at her.
"Hm," was her only reply.
Makoto smiled again, acknowledging her grunt was that of acceptance.
Ren shrugged and took the bowl off his head before running a finger inside to lick the edges, licking his fingers. Makoto glared at him reproachfully and snatched the bowl away.
"Excuse me." Sae spoke in such a tone her appearance was anything but translucent. She decided to intrude before her sister littered the kitchen with chocolate and blood spatter. Which one stained worse, he did not know for sure. "Who are you even making chocolate for anyway?"
"Oh...ummm..." Makoto gulped, turning red in the process "It's...for..."
"Me" Ren suddenly cut in
"You..." Sae glared "You...? Why you?"
"So I can pay her back on White Day" Ren laughed, much to Sae's confusion
"White Day?"
Makoto's anger vanished immediately as she explained with gusto. "Oh well on White day, an exact month from now, the favor's returned and girls receive chocolates and gifts. Ren's already promised he'd take me out to dinner while we're here."
Sae did not miss the rosy color that spread beyond the chocolate stains on the boy's face. He did not appreciate what the blush indicated either. "Dinner?" she asked icily.
"What's wrong?" Makoto asked, observantly noticing her extreme distaste.
She glanced at the boy still looking awkward at was only apparent between the two of them. Sae turned with a flip of her hair, hiding her face completely. "Nothing. Enjoy yourselves." He said flatly.
"Oh Sis, would you rather we ate here?"
Her foot paused mid-step.
"Wait a minute." Ren scrambled. "Makoto—"
"I know a really good dish that Ren taught me." She said ignoring Ren's objections. "We can make it for you as thanks for using the kitchen and we could all spend Valentines together."
Slowly Sae turned. And slowly a smile crept onto her face. "That's a wonderful idea Makoto."
Ren was not a fan of Valentine's day. He'd spent many years abhorring his father for dressing up as cupid and aiming to hit him with real arrows, and he'd spent many hours in school abhorring those shrieky things he called classmates. He'd blame the girls, but Ryuji did a fair share of shrieking himself.
But compared to spending a dinner next to an annoyingly oblivious Makoto and across from the death rays sent by an annoyingly perceptive Sae, Ren was just about ready to swallow his pride
"Pass that red sauce please." Makoto asked suddenly. That fact that of all things, Makoto had wanted to make quesadillas for her Sister the lawyer, on Valentine's no less, only made the evening that much more significant and horrifying.
Ren held it out, but pulled back before she could grasp it. "Just make sure not to dump it on my head this time." He teased in an attempt to lighten the mood at the table.
Makoto smirked back at him and responded the way he had hoped. "That was entirely your fault. You wouldn't keep your nose out of the bowl. I merely helped you achieve your goals."
Ren snorted. "Yeah, that wasn't a bit overboard or anything." He glanced over at Sae poking her food. "Are lawyers supposed to play with their meals?" he joked. Makoto's elbow discreetly hit his ribs, but it was worth throwing a shot at Sae.
The lawyer ignored his chide and continued to poke. "I'm not aware of this cuisine, and I'm not accustomed to consume food to which I have no knowledge of."
"It's called a quesadilla Sis." Makoto supplied. "Ren taught me how to make it." She continued when Sae was brave enough to lift a bite to her mouth.
"It's Mexican food." Ren added. "Sojiro taught me and it's really easy, so I showed Makoto."
Sae finally took a bite and considered. "Messy…but the flavor's aren't detestable." She said finally.
Ren let out a snort even while Makoto seemed to be pleased. "She really knows how to complement the chef." He muttered.
Makoto pulled his sleeve and leaned towards his ear. "That means she really likes it." She whispered. "You should learn to read her face by now."
"Hm." Ren grunted as if he had heard a thing she said. But the way her shoulder grazed his, and the remaining smell of chocolate in her hair only reminded Ren of how much he wanted to pretend her sister wasn't there.
His eyes darted towards Sae, who actually did seem very attentive to his food, and then went back to Makoto.
"Hey how about we get some dessert after dinner's over?" he asked innocently.
Makoto lifted one shoulder and gave a small shake of her head. "That's alright, I'm actually tired of sweets today. All of that chocolate tasting can't be good for me."
Not the least bet crestfallen, Ren snorted for the second time during dinner. "You wouldn't be fat even if you ate all the chocolate we made."
A flattered and way too sparkly smile crossed Makoto's features. "Ah, so you're saying my figure is perfect?" she twittered.
"I dunno, guess I'll have to see what's underneath all those clothes later" Ren smiled, leaning into her ear
But that was when Ren remembered that Sae Niijima was still sitting across from them.
Actually not anymore, she was right beside him, ready to slit his throat with a spoon
How she thought she could slit his throat with a spoon, Ren didn't know, but goddamn did she try
Makoto smiled and continued to slowly trudge their way through Shibuya. It was late now, and most of the city folk that were usually milling about during the day had gone home or gone to the bars. So inside the central street, only crickets and Ren's shuffling feet could be heard. He let out a pained wheeze and unconsciously nuzzled further into her support. Makoto could still smell the chocolate in his hair, and her smile only widened.
"It wasn't that bad right?" she asked quietly, not quite sure if Ren was still conscious and up for banter. "I really think you're growing on Sis."
"Yeah right. This time next year I'll be calling her Sis too." Ren groaned
Makoto paused for a beat and then picked up the pace. "Are you positive about the clinic?" She asked again. "I'm sure Takemi-san wouldn't say anything."
Ren groaned and leaned up slightly to look her in the eyes. "Nah. I'll admit I kind of deserved it." He kept staring at her and Makoto frowned before he looked away nervously. "Uh…sorry if I…about your…"
"Don't mention it." Makoto said firmly, turning away to hide her own red cheeks. "And I mean it. If you mention what you said about my…you'll much more to worry about."
"Ah." Ren agreed. "I'll make it up to you on White day. But dammit, don't invite your sister when I'm trying to ask you out okay?"
Makoto blinked. "Is that what you were trying to do?"
"Aw, shut up." Ren griped
Makoto turned her head away and bit her lip bashfully before squeezing his hand back. Their walk continued silently and though Ren began being less of a burden, his steps stronger as her healing completed, they didn't change positions or move away.
"In hindsight," Makoto said slowly. "That wasn't quite the way you're supposed spend Valentine's day is it?"
Ren moaned bitterly. "Not your best idea."
"Coming from you, that's difficult to hear." she laughed, letting their foreheads rest together. "Happy Valentine's Day Ren."
"Yeah yeah…you too Makoto."