Oh what paradise! Surely, this was better than any idol work in the world! At points Niki was not even sure why he had taken up the job to begin with. After all, he had way more fun with his side jobs, right in the kitchen. It was his territory, his field of expertise. A place where he can cook to his heart's content! Oh, cooking. Cooking, cooking, cooking. There was nothing better in the world!

Well, but some idiots failed to understand that and would look at home weirdly for this. Couldn't appreciate a tasty meal in front of them! But he had no longer bothered if he were completely honest, deciding to let them talk. It was as easy as that. Honestly, it is rare to find anyone appreciating great cooking these days. The time and effort put into preparing a healthy yet filling. Something which satisfies everyone! Cooking is not just about making food to consume it. It goes deeper than that at points! But Niki didn't exactly expect someone like Rinne for example to fully grasp that concept. Not in the—

Ah, there he goes again, going on his usual tangent shortly after having had yet another encounter with the one in question. Seriously, Rinne was talented to push someone else's buttons. And Niki was no exception. At the very least the redhead rushed off before he got any funny ideas again to drag the cook into. After all, pachinko was more important to him than anything else. May as well be a gambling addict. Wait a minute, isn't he already on top of being obnoxious as hell? Ah, whatever. No use to waste thought and energy on that guy to begin with…

Though it was not just that reason why Niki's mind drifted off easily. Today was a slow day at the cafeteria, barely anyone passing by. Others would be glad but honestly, he wasn't having it. No one here means no orders and that means no cooking. He wasn't being paid for just standing there and looking pretty, he was standing there to take orders and cook to the best of his abilities! What is everyone doing today, eating out!? Talk about an unlucky day.. Leaving early though? Not a chance! His hands had been itching for this time of the day so he was not going to back out now! If no one would be around to order something, he may as well make something for himself! Besides, he was getting hungry to begin with… Standing can drain your energy if you're not careful enough… By a lot… That and he was searching for an excuse to get out the kitchen utilizes and get to work!

But first he had to check the kitchen itself for ingredients… Oh who was he kidding? There is so much to his heart's content, he could do anything he wanted here! Maybe become experimental too! Perhaps he should do just that, experimenting around and see what he can prepare! Maybe something super tasty, something the world has not discovered yet!

What can he find though? Rice, of course. Lots of rice, as always. Which kitchen doesn't have rice?

Other than that… Butter, soy sauce, mayonnaise and… Huh, he did not expect this when looking closer. In one part of the kitchen Niki had found something he had not noticed before… Fish. Lots of fish when opening the fridge. Honestly, it was almost taking over the entire fridge itself. Nothing but fish in sight. Fish as far as the eye can see. And not just any fish… Tuna.

Wait, why would there be so much tuna lying around? That didn't add up. Unless it was an accident when they were being bought. Well, whatever the reason, they were there now and sitting there, uncooked. That won't do, not at all. Alright, since he had already found the other ingredients he may as well make some rice balls filled with grilled tuna while at it. There was plenty to use and it would just be a waste to let this rot away. And wasting food was something he loathed. How can people be so wasteful? He didn't understand… But he could help it at least. Maybe he could make some to take with him home. There should be plenty with that amount!

And thus the male had decided to get to work right away, not wanting to waste any more time. The next steps were simple and nothing special had occurred as he prepared the rice. He had been all by himself, washing and cooking it accordingly. Be careful or it might become too sticky, you never want that to happen! So he had to keep an eye out for that!

Things wouldn't make a different turn when he had started to use the stove to grill the prepared tuna. After having preheated the pan he intended to use accordingly, washed the fish and dried it carefully and seasoned it with the spices he could find he had gotten to work. Applying the right amount of oil right into the pan he started to grill it in peace. 2 to 3 minutes per side, nothing longer than that. So he had to pay attention to the time.

The smell would of course fill the kitchen, the grilled tuna going through his very own nose wherever he would turn. It already made the cook drool, he was looking forward to this! Yummy food, the reason he breathes and keeps up with whatever is thrown at him! If he could he would just eat the tuna as it is but that would not be a dish. Yummy, sure, but not what he wanted to make or had said he would make.

For a good while Niki simply minded his own business, whistling upon turning the tuna in the pan after two or three minutes had passed, not paying attention to his surroundings for some time. He had been very focused, this needing his full attention. So he tried his best to phase out any noise which was easier than thought. Maybe he has had practice… Either way, it was a piece of cake! Hold on, piece of cake… Hah, talk about being hungrier than before. Oh well, only means the rice balls will be tastier than they already would have been!

The grilling sounds would proceed for a moment longer, not many other noises… That was until it suddenly echoed in his ears, making Niki freeze in his current position, standing right in place. It wasn't long or too loud nor hard to guess… But not something he had expected to hear. 'Nye.'

Nothing more, nothing less. Just 'nye'. "Nye? Nye~" It kept repeating itself over and over in different variations. There was not really a pattern, just one word. It was like that voice wanted his attention in any shape or form, eager to get it. At first he tried not to react, but that was because of the fish which was lying in the pan and being grilled. However, once finishing it up he felt his pants being tugged over and over. It tried to be forceful but in the end was just gentle tugging. He could feel it at the very least which made him turn his head slightly after putting the food to safety (god forbid him wasting anything) and turned his gaze down. There he spotted a chibi-like creature with fluffy ears and a tail, as if a cat. Big, blue eyes looking up at him curiously yet also hungrily, begging yet also questioning. It would take no genius to put it all together and Niki himself would make sure to not mess this up! He wasn't Rinne after all! It was so easy! What do cats love? Fish, of course! So this little kitty had come here because he had smelled the fish which led him here! As from how far… Honestly, no idea. He couldn't say. It was a mystery which would stay unsolved but would not matter in the grand scheme of things. Fact was that the cat had smelled fish, came here and… Well, he better ask.

Thus he put a smile on his face to not scare the cat, then asked rather cheerfully: "Hey buddy! What're you doing here?"

The small cat-like creature had not been answering, at least not directly. Though he eyed the boy curiously for a second before hopping up and down, as if trying to point at something. He waved his nubs up and down, quickly and eagerly, while saying 'Nye' all over. It would confuse anyone maybe though Niki was more busy observing the tiny thing, just hopping around. It was adorable, he couldn't help it. So cute, so adorable, so sweet! An energetic fella, surely. Who couldn't help themselves?

Though the admiration had to come to a halt before knowing it once hearing the word "Tyuna!" escaping the tiny one's mouth. Two more times after. "Tyuna tyuna!"

"Hm? Ah, you can tell. Haha, of course you can!" He responded before going down to pat the tiny kitty on his head, making his ears wag for a moment yet pouting all the same. "Tyuna!" He repeated while having his pouty expression. His priorities were as clear as day, unable to be denied. He really wanted that fish, didn't he? Must be a hungry one…

And someone who desires yummy food shall not be turned down! If that was what the kitty wants, the cook would be more than happy to help fill the belly.

The tiny cat creature kept hopping despite Niki's hand still being on the top of his hand, having his nubs with a pout. "Tyuna! Tyuuuna!"

He slowly let go, unable to hold back his laugh. Yeah, this fella would know how to convince people. "Got it, got it." He responded before picking the cat up. This one was hopeful but had been placed on one of the kitchen counters, a bit away from the tuna. He would puff his cheeks even more from this but would be reassured soon enough. "Gimme a moment, gotta finish preparing the dish. But I promise that it'll be worth the wait!"

As if having convinced the cat from one moment to the next his ears went up, then wagging in the same rhythm as his own tail, eagerly, staring. Yeah, he was all excited now. And quick to calm down too. No more time to waste. Niki nodded as a response and turned away to finish it.

Who was this cat? Whose was it? Well, not exactly a cat but a cat-like creature but details. He didn't know nor had he bothered asking. In fact he had assumed that he was a stray at the time. After all, Niki had never seen this one before. Ever. So maybe the fella just got lost and followed the scent of food. And must have been super hungry on top of that. How long has it been since he had eaten?

Given that minutes later he had finished the rice balls filled with the grilled tuna and the cat was literally eating his portion away in a matter of seconds very hungry. He nibbled non stop, the rice balls only being barely smaller than him on top of that which had made this a little more impressive. Big hunger, big appetite. Eating away, as much as the cat could in one gulp, nibbling around the rice before reaching the tuna and savoring it last.

The kitty had no complaints, enjoying the meal yet was especially in a moment of bliss when getting to devour the tuna pieces. It was heaven for the cat and he didn't even hide it.

As for Niki himself, he got a decent amount of bites down but seeing the small creature enjoy himself put a bigger smile on his face. Someone genuinely enjoying the food he made, there was nothing better. And right now they were enjoying yummy food together, the two of them, at their own pace. The entire batch of rice balls may as well disappear before they know it. None to take home but that was alright. They got to taste yummy food, there is nothing better than that on earth!

It had been silent for some time before the kitty had decided to take a small break from nibbling. Rice was all on his mouth, the crumbs sticking on his cheeks even. He eyed the cook who was just swallowing the last piece of his current riceball. He had noticed of course, looking back with some confusion at first. There it was again, the curious face. The kitty was curious about something else.

They both stared at another for some time, not saying a thing or moving. That was until the tiny one decided to lift up one of his nubs, pointing at Niki himself and letting out a few more "Nyes". It was hard to understand, did he want something? If so, what? Niki had to take a guess. he turned his head around, wondering if it was something he wanted behind him yet the moment he turned away the nyes became quicker and poutier, making him turn back to the kitty. "What?" He asked, all confused. Had he done something wrong?

Though the kitty did not rest, he kept on pointing and pointing, nyeing… Wait… Oh! "My name?" The cook then suggested, the cat nodding stubbornly. "Haha, sorry sorry. I'm Shiina Niki. Ya can call me Niki though!"

Well, as if a cat could say names. Then again, he said 'Tyuna' so maybe…

And thus the cat stared a few more times, blinking, as if processing the response just now before then speaking up: "Nyiki.. Nyiki! Nyiki Nyiki!"

Huh, he could say it after all. "Yeah! Like that!"

"Nyiki! Friend! Friend Nyiki!" The cat repeated over and over, suddenly sounding happy. He repeated this for some time before then realizing something. A big revelation in his eyes, though he panicked for a moment it seemed. "Nye… nye… Nyeli!" It then shot out of his mouth, a little embarrassed. Though Niki didn't mind, not at all.

"Nyeli huh? Alright, I'll keep it in mind! 'specially after today!"

"Nye?" Nyeli tilted his head, curiously.

"Hehe, it's been a while to enjoy yummy food with someone y'know! So, thanks!"

"Nye?" His ears wagged a moment.

There had to be no big exchange nor big words. The ending to this all too clear perhaps. "If ya like, you can come over for more food! I'd be happy to have you around!"

"Nye? Nye nye nye!?" He had said something but nothing Niki could understand outside of nye. However, a moment later he spotted Nyeli hop up and down happily, very in fact.

"Sure sure! Then we can eat lots of yummy food together! How 'bout it?"

"Nye nye! Friend Nyiki!"

Needless to say, tuna can start bringing people together. The power of and love for food is a strong one.