EtsuNe [Etsuya Eizan x Nene Kinokuni] - Nene comes home late. (Family-Fluff because I was in the mood and well I tried)
"And that one...", Etsuya's pointer finger hovered over one of the many chemical formulas listed in Shigeo's book, "...that one reduces-" "Perceived sweetness, yes I know." His son interrupted him confidently. "I read about Ziziphin the other day already."
"You did?" Etsuya raised an eyebrow. Shigeo immediately caught on to the silently spoken challenge and gave a nod as reply. "Yes, the compound is found in the leaves of the jujube and suppresses a tongue's ability to perceive sweetness, while having no effect on the other taste-receptors."
"Heh.." Etsuya could not help but to smirk a little. "Correct."
He then wanted to move his finger to another formula to elaborate on but just then both father and son heard a key opening the door of the apartment.
Nene took a slow step in. Her skin was a little paler than usual, slight shadows had formed underneath her eyes and said eyes seemed to be in danger of falling close any second. Simply put, Nene looked utterly exhausted. And it was even more evident when she opened her mouth and spoke in a weary, soft voice. "Hello..."
"Hi, Mom." Shigeo greeted her back. Etsuya rather eyed his wife from head to toe before saying. "Good evening, Nene."
Nene let her hazy gaze sweep across the apartment's first floor and asked. "Masashi and Kei are upstairs?"
"Yeah." Etsuya confirmed it. "Masashi is practicing calligraphy and Kei is watching a movie."
Nene gave a little, understanding nod before looking at her middle son. "And you?"
"Dad's been teaching me about taste-modifiers." Shigeo answered. "I see..." Nene murmured, not having enough energy for much else.
She held her head then and began to walk into the direction of the stairs. "I'll make dinner soon, I just...I think I will just lay down for about 30 minutes, is that okay?"
She did not receive any answer but it didn't seem like it bothered her.
Once she was on the second floor, Etsuya stood up from the couch, startling Shigeo a little in the process.
"You may know a lot about taste-modifiers in theory but I think you need to gain more understanding on how to put them to use in praxis, Shigeo." Etsuya said firmly while meeting his confused son's eyes. "You'll help me in the kitchen. It'll help you to get an idea how valuable it is to know the chemical components of the ingredients you're working with."
He had already turned around on his way to the kitchen counter when Shigeo exclaimed. "Wait...You're gonna cook today?! You didn't say so!"
Shigeo jumped up from the couch as well now and began to follow his father.
But the gears in his little brain were turning regardless over his father's sudden decision to do the cooking today. Finally, he asked. "Is it because of how tired-"
"Well, we can't let her cook like that, can we?" Etsuya didn't let him finish his sentence. A few red tints appeared on his cheeks but he was quick to turn his head away. "Now let's get going.." He grumbled while beginning to take out the ingredients.
