A Liquid Inspiration
Summary: (A re-telling of Classroom of the Elite sparked by a certain conversation between Masterpiece and Professor.)
One day, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka receives a surprising invitation from his father, Ayanokouji Atsuomi, to join him for a drink. It was unusual for Kiyotaka, who normally wouldn't be summoned by his father without a hidden agenda.
That's why even the emotionless Kiyotaka was surprised when his father began to open up about his own experiences with love and relationships.
For the emotionally distant "masterpiece," this conversation is a rare moment of connection with his father, and it sparked a curiosity within him to explore the world of human relationships, to be more specific: romance and intimacy.
It was that spark that pushed Kiyotaka to demand something from his father:
"Father, teach me everything about human relationships."
This then begins a ripple that changes how Ayanokouji Kiyotaka would approach the world in the foreseeable future.
Do check out this fic on Wattpad. It has the same title and content, but we do have illustrations there to increase immersion for the fic. Thanks, and here's the chapter!
Vol 1. Chapter 19 - Food Exchange
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka
After the end-of-class bell, I immediately headed to Keyaki Mall, the sun casting a warm glow on the bustling walkways. I intended to buy ingredients for the onigiri that I'd be giving Horikita tomorrow.
Well, I also needed to stock up on meat, condiments, and other supplementary ingredients since Yuki and Chiaki have been coming over more frequently.
"The things I do to make people happy," I said to myself, a wry smile tugging at the corner of my lips. It was a joke that I personally found to be ironic.
There was no doubt that the Kiyotaka from two years ago would actually be caught off-guard if he found out that I could say such words.
"To make people happy? Interesting words, Ayanokōji," A familiar voice spoke behind me, speaking in a tone of amusement.
"Horikita-senpai," I acknowledged without turning my back. "Didn't you say that eavesdropping isn't an admirable quality?"
Horikita-senpai chuckled, his glasses catching the sunlight as he stepped closer. "Using my own words against me, huh? You always give interesting replies."
"You know me, senpai," I replied, finally facing the bespectacled figure of Horikita Manabu. "What are you doing in Keyaki Mall, senpai? Stocking up on ingredients... or perhaps, buying Tachibana-senpai an apology gift?"
"Apology gift?" Horikita-senpai arched an eyebrow in confusion. "Why would I need to apologize to Tachibana?"
Horikita-senpai, you rejected her offer to have dinner with her because you wanted to study for the entire night.
The least you could do for the lone girl who could stand by your side is humor her from time to time, you know? Learn from me, senpai.
I shook my head in amusement. "Because you keep overworking her. She messaged me at 4 in the morning, you know? She said you gave her some deliverables at 3:30 AM."
"Oh... I suppose you had a point. But I saw she was online, so it would be more efficient for me to send her a message at the time," he justified. "That said, you're right. I'm here to stock up on ingredients. How about you?"
"Pretty much the same thing as you, senpai," I replied, shrugging. "Some ingredients, as well as some stuff for onigiri."
"Onigiri, you say?" Horikita-senpai inquired, a hint of nostalgia flickering in his eyes as he glanced at a nearby food stall. "That's actually Suzune's favorite food."
Which she only really liked because it gave her memories of you, senpai.
Honestly, senpai... you really got away with traumatizing a little girl by inadvertently making her put you on a pedestal.
I wish I could do that, too... should I try it on Kushida?
Iie... Iie, those are dark thoughts, Kiyotaka.
"That's what she told me," I replied, nodding my head. "I'm actually making onigiri to trade for her bento."
"Exchanging food with Suzune?" Horikita-senpai's eyes lingered on me for a moment before he nodded approvingly, a faint smile gracing his lips. "So you're attempting to win her heart through your culinary skills? Brilliant strategy."
"You're as delusional as your sister sometimes, senpai," I retorted, shaking my head. "I simply did it on a whim because... I felt like it."
"I'm surprised Suzune even accepted," Horikita-senpai replied, amused at what he had just heard. "She must have begun considering you as a friend."
My eyes lingered on Horikita-senpai for a few seconds before I finally replied. "Wouldn't be a bad thing, I guess. Your sister... does carry a certain potential to her. I think it'd be a waste if she continuously limited herself by being averse to friendships."
"You noticed as well, huh?" Horikita-senpai mused, his gaze shifting to the bustling shoppers around us. "But she really wasn't like that when we were little. Things... simply happened."
"But that's a story for another time. How is Suzune doing in your class?" He asked.
"She's doing relatively well compared to your last encounter," I replied. "I assigned her to tutor some students for the midterms, and all her students did well."
"Is that so? Were they good students?"
"Only Nishimura was someone I'd consider a good student. Makida and Sonoda were average students, and Okitani failed the mock test. In the midterms, all of them averaged over 80. Nishimura even got 100s."
"How was that even possible?"
I simply smiled at Horikita-senpai. "How do you think?"
"You also used that trick, huh?" Horikita-senpai nodded in approval. "But that alone does not explain how a group of students who used to be Class D were able to improve that much."
"I'll leave that up to your imagination, senpai," I replied coyly. "But it's not like I did all the work. If Horikita and the other tutors didn't do their jobs properly, my entire strategy would crumble."
"Horikita... based on what Okitani and Nishimura told me, did improve regarding how she treated them. She became more patient with them as the study group went on. Quite surprising, isn't it?"
"A welcome surprise, if there was one," Horikita-senpai replied, smiling. "Thank you, Ayanokōji."
I nodded my head at the older teen. "That said, senpai, you're also going to the groceries, right?"
"I am. Do you want me to accompany you? I do happen to know Suzune's favorite onigiri variant, after all."
"Since you're offering, it'd be rude to say no, senpai," I agreed, gesturing for him to lead the way.
With that, Horikita Manabu and I headed down to the Supermarket area of the Keyaki Mall, the sounds of laughter and lively chatter surrounding us as we made our way through the bustling crowd.
19.1
As we entered the supermarket, the aroma of fresh produce and the chatter of shoppers filled the air. Horikita-senpai led the way, confidently navigating through the aisles.
"So, Ayanokōji, have you ever made onigiri before?" he asked, casually glancing at me as we walked past the vegetable section.
"I have, but it's been a while since I last made them," I admitted, picking up a ripe tomato to examine it. "I could use a refresher."
I'm pretty much confident in my abilities to make something as simple as onigiri, no matter the variant. That being said, it wouldn't hurt to try and see what advice Horikita Manabu would provide.
Given that his little sister was a good cook, I'd assume that with how much she looked up to him to the point of emulating his talents, Horikita-senpai was an accomplished cook in his own right.
Aside from that, Horikita-senpai's kitchen in his dorm room indicated that he knew his way around the kitchen, with how organized his pantry was, alongside how his chopping board looked.
It looked like it went through plenty of battles, now that I remembered it— an indicator of just how much the elder Horikita cooked.
That made me think, though...
Why did he invite Horikita just to make her cook? Were Horikita Manabu's principles stuck in the 19th century, when women didn't have any roles aside from house chores and breeding?
Wait... those are weird thoughts, Kiyotaka.
I hope Horikita-senpai wasn't an esper, or else he'd hate me.
Horikita-senpai chuckled, "Don't worry. I'll guide you through it. Suzune's favorite onigiri has a tuna and mayo filling. So, let's start by getting the ingredients we need."
We continued walking, eventually reaching the canned goods aisle. Horikita-senpai reached for a can of high-quality tuna and handed it to me.
"Make sure you get good quality tuna. It makes a difference," he advised, a knowing smile on his face.
We proceeded to gather the remaining ingredients, including sushi rice, nori, mayonnaise, and seasonings. As we shopped, Horikita-senpai shared tips and insights on preparing the perfect onigiri.
"You'll want to make sure you rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking it. And when you're shaping the onigiri, keep your hands damp, so the rice doesn't stick to them," he explained, his hands moving animatedly to emphasize his points.
"Thanks for the tips, senpai," I said, nodding appreciatively. "I'll definitely keep them in mind."
As we made our way through the supermarket, Horikita-senpai also pointed out other useful ingredients and tools that could come in handy when making onigiri, such as a rice paddle and a small bowl of water for wetting our hands.
"Sometimes, Suzune likes to add furikake or pickled plum to her onigiri as well," he mentioned, picking up a small jar of umeboshi from the shelf. "Feel free to experiment with different fillings and flavors."
"For someone who had been incredibly nonchalant about his little sister throughout childhood, you sure do know a lot of things about her, senpai," I mused, taking the small jar of umeboshi from his hands. "Why couldn't you just be honest and tell her that you actually cared for her?"
Horikita-senpai hesitated for a moment, seemingly caught off-guard by my question. His eyes momentarily lost their usual sharpness, revealing a hint of vulnerability. "It's... complicated," he finally admitted, adjusting his glasses. "I wanted her to be strong, to stand on her own. I thought that by pushing her away, she'd be a better person and detach herself from me."
"But in the end," I countered, "she continued idolizing you, trying to emulate everything you did, and striving for your approval."
He sighed, a tinge of regret in his voice. "Yes, I realized that now. But back then, I couldn't see the damage I was causing. I didn't understand how much my actions affected her."
We continued walking in silence for a moment, the weight of Horikita-senpai's confession hanging in the air. Then, he looked at me with a determined expression.
"That's why I'm grateful for your presence in her life, Ayanokōji," he said sincerely. "You're helping her find her own path, without relying solely on me or anyone else. You're teaching her the importance of connections and friendships – something I couldn't do for her."
"I see," I replied, nodding my head as I took in everything that Horikita Manabu had just shared. "But why are you sharing this with me? A boy who had only known your sister for two months and someone who you didn't even know until 38 days ago?"
Horikita-senpai paused, seemingly gathering his thoughts before responding. "I've seen the changes in Suzune since you've become a part of her life. I may not know you as well as I'd like, but I can recognize the positive impact you've had on her. And for that, I trust you."
"Besides," he continued, a small smile gracing his lips, "sometimes it's easier to open up to someone who isn't too close. It's less... complicated that way."
"I understand. You two really are alike that it's starting to get weird, senpai."
Horikita-senpai chuckled. "We're siblings. What do you expect?"
"I suppose you've got a point there. That said, senpai, while I appreciate that you've trusted me enough to share this much," I paused, locking eyes with the bespectacled boy. "I wouldn't want to overstep my boundaries."
"While it is possible that I can push your little sister to be a better version of herself. Ultimately, you also need to do your part in mending your relationship as siblings. That's not something that I could do, Horikita-senpai," I continued, meeting the older boy's gaze.
"It'll be hard. I've hurt her enough already."
"But it's not impossible," I countered. "Take your time, senpai. I'm not asking you to fix your relationship with your little sister right away, but I'm asking you to simply consider doing so."
We continued our shopping in companionable silence; both lost in our own thoughts. This continued as we made our way to the checkout counter.
There wasn't any negative energy emanating from either myself or Horikita-senpai, but rather, both of us simply understood that he still needed to take in the conversation that we just had.
After all, it wasn't every day that Horikita Manabu got called out in his own misgivings.
As we exited the supermarket, bags of groceries in hand, Horikita-senpai turned to me with a sincere smile. "Thank you, Ayanokōji. Our conversation... had been truly insightful."
"To me as well," I replied, nodding my head. "Thank you for helping me pick out ingredients, senpai."
Horikita-senpai nodded before finally waving me goodbye.
With that, we parted ways, each heading back to our respective dorm rooms.
As I walked away, I couldn't help but think about the entire ordeal I had just been a part of.
I didn't understand what compelled me to even confront Horikita-senpai over his relationship with his little sister, but at the moment, I felt like it was the right thing to do.
The bad relationship between the Horikita siblings wasn't any of my business. I could live without helping them mend their relationship, to be honest.
Whether or not Horikita Suzune developed a good relationship with her brother and lived up to her immense potential wasn't important and consequential to me.
But...
Just like with Yuki a year ago, I decided to go with what my instincts were telling me to do...
Because this is what Ayanokōji Kiyotaka had wanted to happen.
19.2
The next day, classes went by without much fanfare, and before I knew it, the bell rang, signaling the start of our lunch break, one that I would be sharing with Horikita.
Oddly enough, I noticed Horikita stealing glances at me throughout the class. While she had done so on multiple occasions, there was something weird this time around.
Was she perhaps worried about how I'd perceive her bento?
No, that wasn't it.
Horikita Suzune was a girl who proudly declared that she was a great cook.
And just then, a lightbulb lit up in my head— it was because of the fact that this was her first time making bento for a boy.
Granted, it was due to a whimsical agreement, but for someone like her, she would be thinking something along the lines of "I'm doing something so out of character," or something like that.
"Don't worry, Horikita," I said, catching her attention. "I'll like the bento you made. It came from the heart, right?"
"What makes you think your validation matters to me, Ayanokōji-kun?" She replied, glaring at me.
I smirked, recognizing that her defensive attitude was just a front. "Of course, I don't expect it to matter. I just thought I'd reassure you in case you had any doubts."
Horikita's face reddened, and she quickly turned away to hide her embarrassment. "I don't have any doubts, and I certainly don't need your reassurance."
"Now that I know you're just putting on a front, you're so much cuter now, Horikita," I teased the girl, who glared harder at me.
"A front? How presumptuous."
"Whatever. Let me talk to Yuki and Chiaki for a while, and then we'll go. Is that fine with you?" I asked her, to which she nodded mutedly.
Last night, I told Chiaki and Yuki that I wouldn't be going with them to lunch today, as I had a prior arrangement, which I later revealed to be a food exchange with Horikita.
For obvious reasons, they were jealous after knowing that I was going to spend lunch with Horikita. Thankfully, it seemed like the heavens were truly favoring me, as I easily placated their jealousy by offering to cook them both homemade bento for tomorrow.
However, Yuki did have a condition.
Of course, I didn't have to fulfill it, but there was no reason for me to say no to her request: for both of them to also get their share of onigiri.
The two girls immediately noticed me as I was walking in their direction.
"Kiyotaka!" Yuki called out, waving me over. Chiaki smiled and greeted me as well. "Where's our onigiri?"
"You're so demanding, Yuki-chan," Chiaki teased, giggling. "I'm sure our onigiri is in that plastic bag that Kiyotaka-kun is carrying."
I nodded my head in confirmation. "Yup. But since I ran out of ingredients for Tuna Mayo onigiri, I decided to go for umeboshi and salmon for the onigiri that I'm giving you."
"So Horikita-san got all the tuna mayo type, huh?" Yuki pouted. "I wanted to try those. Can you add it to my bento for tomorrow, Kiyotaka?"
"Sure thing, Yuki," I replied, patting her on the head. "How about you, Chiaki? Any special orders?"
"Are you sure?" Chiaki asked, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I want you to feed me tomorrow lips to lips."
Yuki pinched Chiaki's cheeks, pouting. "Hey, that's not allowed, Chiaki-chan!"
"Ouch! I was just joking, Yuki-chan!" Chiaki exclaimed, rubbing her cheeks after Yuki released her grip. "But, Kiyotaka-kun, if you could make some chicken karaage for me tomorrow, I'd be really happy!"
"Alright, chicken karaage for Chiaki and tuna mayo onigiri for Yuki. I'll make sure to add them for tomorrow's bento."
"Thank you, Kiyotaka!" Yuki beamed, satisfied with my response. Chiaki nodded in agreement, her earlier mischief replaced by a genuine smile.
As I handed the girls their respective onigiri, I glanced over at Horikita, who was waiting patiently for me. "Well, I'll be going now. Enjoy your onigiri, you two."
"Thanks, Kiyotaka-kun!" Yuki said, already taking a bite out of her umeboshi onigiri. "Mmm, it's delicious!"
Chiaki also took a bite, her eyes lighting up in delight. "You're right! It's really good!"
With the girls happily munching on their onigiri, I returned to Horikita. "Let's find a spot to eat, shall we?"
Without waiting for her response, I led the way to a quiet spot on the school grounds. The cool breeze made the leaves rustle softly as we made our way to one of the unoccupied tables that were built under a tree.
Horikita followed, still silent, but I could sense her anticipation.
As we sat down, she finally opened her bento, revealing an array of beautifully prepared dishes. The vibrant colors and the mouth-watering aroma only confirmed what I already knew - Horikita was an excellent cook.
Not wanting to be outdone, I took out a box from my bag, revealing a bento of my own.
Horikita arched an eyebrow upon noticing what I had just brought out. "I thought you were just making me onigiri?"
"There is onigiri there: tuna mayo and umeboshi," I confirmed. "But with Chiaki and Yuki wanting onigiri of their own, I thought it'd be best if I added something else to what I was going to give to you."
Not wanting to hold the suspense any longer, I opened my bento box that had not only both the tuna mayo and umeboshi onigiri variants but also tamagoyaki, chicken karaage, and tsukemono.
Of course, I did my due diligence in arranging them in a way that made them even more aesthetically pleasing.
Horikita's eyes widened, like those of a curious cat, as she examined the contents of my bento. "You didn't have to go to such lengths, Ayanokōji-kun. But... thank you."
"Let's exchange our food now, shall we?" I asked, sending the dark-haired girl a smile.
We traded our bento boxes, careful not to disturb the carefully arranged food within. As I opened Horikita's bento, I couldn't help but marvel at the skill and care that went into preparing each dish.
"Taste it already, Ayanokōji-kun," Horikita urged, her cheeks tinged pink. "You don't need to stare at it for so long."
...
The food, right?
Iie Iie, stop thinking like Eiichiro, Kiyotaka.
"Alright, alright," I replied in amusement before taking a bite of the teriyaki chicken from her bento.
The flavors exploded in my mouth – it was absolutely delicious.
"This was even better compared to what you made for Horikita-senpai and me," I praised. "You outdid yourself, Horikita. It's really good."
Her eyes widened at my praise, but she quickly composed herself. "Thank you, Ayanokōji-kun. Teriyaki is one of my favorite things to cook. I thought it'd be a good pick."
"Now, it's your turn," I said, pointing my chopsticks at the bento before her. "Tell me what you think about my tuna mayo onigiri."
Horikita hesitated for a moment before picking up the tuna mayo onigiri with her chopsticks. She took a small bite, chewing thoughtfully as she tasted the flavors. Slowly, her eyes widened in surprise and delight.
"This is really good, Ayanokōji-kun," she admitted, a small smile forming on her lips. "The balance of flavors is perfect, and the rice is cooked just right."
Horikita then picked up another piece of the tuna mayo onigiri, but before she ate it, the dark-haired girl fixed her gaze on me. "This is probably just a weird coincidence, but tuna mayo is actually my favorite onigiri variant."
"Coincidence? No, not really. Your brother told me yesterday when we ran into each other in Keyaki Mall, so I heeded his advice," I said, eagerly waiting for Horikita's reaction to my revelation.
"Ni... nii-san told you?" She asked mutedly. "How did that conversation even come up?"
"I told him I was shopping for onigiri ingredients, then the guy suddenly said onigiri was actually your favorite food and then told me which variant you liked best," I replied, taking a bite out of the salad Horikita made— another delicious treat, by the day.
"He even offered to help me out with the groceries," I continued, enjoying the look of shock on Horikita Suzune's usually impassive face. "Quite the helpful older brother, that guy is. But he's too shy to admit that he cares about you."
"Horikita-senpai's a weird guy, isn't he?" I mused, taking a bite out of the bento before returning my gaze to Horikita.
Horikita's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, clearly embarrassed by my words. "You... think so? But... nii-san always..." Horikita trailed off.
My eyes narrowed as I examined the shift in Horikita's facial expressions. Although there were only minimal changes to it, I could easily tell that something was going on in her mind.
The dark-haired girl's mind probably drifted to their childhood, thinking of a mixture of the good memories she had had with her older brother, as well as her older brother's eventual cold and detached treatment of her.
Since letting her drown in her thoughts would just be counterproductive for this entire set-up, I decided to lighten up the mood...
"I think he's simply bad at showing how he actually feels, Suzune."
Since mentioning her older brother brought back certain memories in her mind, I thought of a way to bring her back to the world... because she seemed a little out of it when I mentioned that I thought of making tuna mayo onigiri only because of her brother's suggestion.
And calling her by her first name would no doubt catch her off-guard, probably even leading her to have an indignant reaction to having been called using her first name.
After all, Horikita Suzune was a girl who, for most of her life, had decided to live in cruel solitude where she had cocooned herself in her own bubble.
But I wonder... if there was a possibility that she wouldn't be mad at what I just did.
Unlikely.
As expected, Horikita's eyes snapped to mine, the surprise evident in her gaze. "Ayanokōji-kun, don't just casually call me by my first name like that!"
Her cheeks were still flushed, but the disoriented expression from earlier was gone, replaced by her usual sharpness.
I let out a small chuckle, amused by her reaction. "Sorry, I just wanted to bring you back from wherever you were lost in thought. It worked, didn't it?"
Horikita frowned but didn't argue, realizing that my tactic had been effective. Instead, she took another bite of the tuna mayo onigiri, seeming to savor the flavor. "It did, but don't make a habit of it."
"I won't be able to promise that," I replied, taking another bite out of the teriyaki. "After all, you have a beautiful name."
Horikita's cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red at my compliment. "Y-you're just saying that to tease me again, aren't you?" she stammered, trying to regain her composure.
She... actually stammered?
Was the combination of good food, mentioning her older brother helped me out, and my admittance that I liked her name... that powerful?
As always, it was fun teasing Horikita Suzune.
I shook my head, smiling at her. "No, I mean it. Your name is beautiful, and it suits you well."
She looked down, unable to meet my gaze, her face still flushed. "T-thank you, Ayanokōji-kun."
"Why don't you call me Kiyotaka as well?" I asked in a teasing tone. "It'll only make things fair, right?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Horikita replied, glaring at me. "While I do respect you... I won't be that informal with you, Ayanokōji-kun. I'm still uncomfortable about that."
"Alright, alright, it was just a suggestion, Suzune."
Horikita's eyes narrowed as I used her first name again, but she let it slide this time, clearly recognizing that I was just teasing her.
"Please don't get used to it."
"As I said, I can't promise you that."
With that, our conversation reached its natural end. With nothing more to say, we continued to eat our lunch, occasionally exchanging comments and praise for each other's cooking.
Soon enough, the lunch bell rang, signaling the end of our break.
"Time sure flies when you're enjoying yourself," I remarked, packing up the empty bento boxes.
"I admit... this was relaxing, despite your usual attempts of being a despicable menace."
I shook my head in amusement. "Couldn't you be bothered to actually be honest when it matters?" I teased Horikita, who glared at me. "Your honesty only seems to really flare up when pissing off people, like that one time with Ken."
"Shut up."
"But, thank you, Horikita. The bento was amazing," I replied, handing her back her bento box.
Horikita's gaze softened as she took the bento box from me. "Thank you, Ayanokōji-kun. Your bento was delicious as well. I..."
As Horikita trailed off her words and sighed, I shook my head in amusement.
Why was she so conflicted over saying something as simple as "I enjoyed spending lunch with you"?
I do understand it's because of her disposition, but really, her denial of her own desires... would just be detrimental to her.
But I suppose I should cut the awkwardness myself.
"Let's do this again sometime, then," I suggested, a small smile on my face. "Just let me know when you want another food exchange."
I did like her food, after all.
And I do have to admit, teasing Horikita and seeing all sorts of emotions that I could bring out of her... was fun.
Horikita hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I'll... consider it."
I looked at Horikita in amusement as I could see the conflicting emotions in her eyes. For one, Horikita Suzune was contemplating if it was actually alright to finally begin stepping out of her comfort zone.
While she had already begun stepping outside it, every step was a big deal for the dark-haired, socially isolated girl that had initially rejected the notion of mingling with people and making friends.
What she had just agreed to... was a subtle message, if you may.
One that said: I may not be ready just yet, but I will try.
And for now, that was more than enough for me.
My mind wandered back to my thoughts when I initially confronted Horikita about Kushida, what she knew about her, and the challenge that I had laid out for her.
And with how things were going, I've arrived at a certain answer...
Horikita Suzune was worth my time.
End of Chapter
A/N: We've finally reached the formal end of Volume 1!
Food trap demon isn't food trapping anyone when she's constantly being rizzed.
There's still the epilogue (Student Council Celebration), but right now, I'm contemplating whether I'll keep it as the epilogue or make it the first chapter of Volume 2. Lend me your thoughts about this.
Well, we wouldn't be diving into Vol 2 right away, as there are still two SS to be published, that of Nagumo and Suzune.
But by next week, we'll be tackling Vol 2, that's for sure. And considering the personalities of the key characters had been explored sufficiently enough (I hope), I can now make the volumes more fast-paced.