Matsuri Hino © Vampire Knight
Pairing: Kaname/Zero
[ Alternate Universe ]
A Sweet Taste of Love
[ Chapter 2: Reminiscence ]
Ahh...
But it wasn't anything two-sided like that and all. Not at all.
It was just a mere short-lived one-sided love. That's all.
It was a custom in the confectionery school Kaname was in for the seniors to take in at least an exchange student each and guide them throughout their two months stay in France. Ahh, but no, it wasn't just a custom actually, rather, it was part of their training as well– and only by finishing this part with flying colors will they be granted with their certification of graduation.
At that time, as Kaname could still remember, it was somewhere around mid-December when the exchange students came. And naturally, as a senior, he was obliged to take in at least one if he wanted to make his dreams come true.
Zero Kiryuu
That was his name, the student he was assigned to handle. And that's the story of how they met.
To handle didn't mean to take in–like live in one room or anything like that. It was actually a lot simpler than that. He just had to deal with him in the kitchen, that's all. Unless either of them actually want to, they need not hang out and get to know outside the kitchen (but most students prefer taking this route however).
And knowing Kaname (and Zero), they agreed to take the route not most would take and that's the route 'keep things professional'. They didn't really like each other much anyway.
Well... at first.
One event changed it all, for Kaname, at least.
Waking up as early as always, Kaname– as usual –immediately headed to the kitchen laboratory, hoping he could polish his skills even more. Much to his shock, arriving at his destination, he came to an unusual phenomena.
The doors were unlocked.
The lights were open.
The scent of chocolate was reeking from the inside.
There was someone making chocolates inside– someone who got up earlier than four in the bloody morning.
And yes, this wasn't normal.
'It must be one of the exchange students...' he thought.
Opening the door, his mind did not betray him. It was indeed an exchange student– but one he never expected to be this dedicated; his very own student.
Not wanting to interrupt but, at the same time, wanting to work himself without appearing disrespectful, he knocked anyway. Greeting the lilac eyed chocolatier in the making, "Good morning, Kiryuu-kun." he entered the kitchen, put on an apron and some other necessary gears and prepared his own work space.
"Morning." as expected, Zero flatly replied without even bothering to turn and see who it was. He already knew, what's the point of still turning, right? Unless you're one of those fan girls or extremely polite people– which he is both most certainly not, he couldn't see the point of turning.
Putting that aside, after the short greeting, the two proceeded with the work not talking to each other until...
"Ah shit!" the silver head randomly blurted, seemingly troubled.
Hearing this, though was not particularly harboring any feeling of concern for the other, for professionalism's sake, the senior chocolatier in the making put his own work aside and decided to aid his junior. Walking to Zero's side of the kitchen, Kaname asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Zero threw him a short glance, "Ahh- well, not really- I just... well... argh, fuck, can you hand me over the first aid kit or something? I sort of cut myself." finally, he asked.
Kaname blinked. Shrugging, he walked to the first aid cabinet, got the kit and walked over to where Zero was. Opening the kit and assembling it, he requested, "Please show me where you have been cut."
"No, it's okay, I can–"
"I have prepared the cleaner already." he insisted.
The silverette could only sigh and show his wound to the brunette– which the brunette warmly treated.
And from that incident, one thing led to another– and no, they didn't make out and make love.
Time flew like an arrow– fast and precise. And just like that, before anyone could do anything about it, two months had passed and it was time for Zero to go back to Japan and for Kaname to graduate.
During the last day, all seniors have gathered in the train station to bid their juniors farewell.
"Uhh... hey." Zero started.
Kaname turned his gaze to him, "Yes?"
"I never really got the chance to thank you for... treating my hand at that time so... here. A farewell-thank-you-and-congratulations-in-graduating gift." saying so, Zero pulled out a box from his bag. It had some height and quite wide.
"I'm probably not as good as you yet, but... yeah. Thanks. And uhh... bye."
Kaname took the box with care.
"You're welcome and thank you. Until next time, Kiryuu-kun."
He thought things would end there but the feelings of respect and admiration that he had developed for Zero grew into something deeper– something more intense –upon tasting his chocolates.
Not too sweet, not too bitter, temperate in taste and melts in the mouth gracefully
He could have sworn he tasted home. And from there, he knew he had fallen in love.
"Big brother, big brother... HELLO. EARTH TO BIG BROTHER!"
Snapped back to the present by Yuuki's yell, Kaname returned to his awareness with complete memory of the silverette that stood before him, "Zero... Zero Kiryuu." he managed to blurt out.
Zero blinked in confusion at first, "Huh? Do I know yo– K-Kuran Kaname from France? What are you doing h– Big bro– Kuran. Of course! KURAN. How could I have not fucking noticed this before!? Anyway, yoh, nice seeing you again, Kuran." in the end, he remembered him as well anyway.
Now, Yuuki was confused.
"Ehh? You know big brother?" she asked.
Zero snorted, "He was my caretaker when I was in France for the student exchange program when I was still taking the confectionery course."
Was?
"You quit?" the male brunette asked, disbelief evident in his calm voice.
"Yes. He's in Fine Art now. It's actually such a waste because Zero makes such good chocolates!" Yuuki butted in and whined.
"But you still do make chocolates, righ–" Kaname pushed through only to be cut off.
"I hate chocolates."
Eh?
Eh?
Ehh!?
Wait a minute...
Is he missing anything here!?
[ End of Chapter 2 ]
Author's Note: Have'ta say, I don't think this is ever going to be my favorite chapter in this story. (LOL) Looking forward in writing the next chapter anyway.
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