2026-04-09: A Taste of Domestic Life
- Log: 2026-04-09 A Taste of Domestic Life
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Makoto Niijima
- Where: Shinjuku, Tokyo
- OOC Date: April 9, 2026
- IC Date: Mon, October 22, 2012
- Summary: For their first date, Makoto invites Ren to her place and cooks them a homemade dinner. The two of them have a serious discussion about their relationship, and decide to keep moving forward.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren's got a lot on their mind right now. Setting aside their recent encounters with the Ryouharas and updated conversation with Alibaba, after their overnight weekend trip with Akechi, they've had a sudden... realization... that only has them more confused about their feelings than ever. When Makoto invited them to come by after school on Monday for their first date--a simple get-together of her making them dinner--they accepted with relief. This is going to provide clarity for them, they know it.
Something else that's provided clarity for them: practicing saxophone at a soundproof karaoke booth yesterday evening after they'd returned from their trip. They'd started because they wanted to impress Minako. Now that the two of them have broken up, Ren wasn't sure if they'd still want to play. But... actually, they enjoy playing the sax, whether it's for Minako or not.
(Of course, it could instead be for Akechi, who also loves music. But at least they know it wasn't just or Minako.)
(Of course it wasn't just for Minako; they'd had it proposed to them to learn an instrument, and they'd thought right away that Minako might like it, but it was only after they learned Akechi loves jazz that they decided to commit...)
It smells good in here right now. Ren sits at the dining table with eyes shut, fingers criss-crossed under their chin. Makoto insisted on cooking herself, so they insisted on washing dishes after. Whether she lets them do that or not, there's naught to do right now but relax before dinner...
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Makoto, admittedly, hadn't been intending the one to make the first date suggestion, it just sort of... happened. The idea of being out and about for her first ever date was... intimidating, to say one thing. Sure, if people *knew* she was inviting her new... what term is it? Boyfriend? Girlfriend? Partner? She should... probably ask Tsubasa what to use once they're both comfortable sharing. Anyway, whatever term it is, inviting Ren over for dinner would probably be consider a big move, but... well. Ren isn't making a big deal of it, and that's what matters.
When Ren arrived, Makoto was well in the depths of preparation, so she came to the door with her new Buchimaru-kun house slippers and, yes, an old but well kept Buchimaru themed apron as well. Of course she has one.
At least it's easy to work out what sort of gifts to get her should there be a need.
In the kitchen, Makoto approaches cooking with the same routine and order she does everything else, her recipes prepared and laid out. Still, she is a good host, while Ren relaxes, before getting back to work. It may not be particularly loud- Makoto is focused on cooking- but it is the sort of... companionable silence, for Makoto at least. That easy feeling of not being alone, with someone you can trust.
Still, it's not long before everything's ready, the smell of frying meat as she puts the last touches on the meal. "Ren, dinner's ready!" She calls- though not very loudly because for all it's a big apartment it's not requiring someone to yell. Makoto carries everything across in a tray, and sets it all out- and it's no slouch of a dinner. Miso Soup, Chicken and Vegetable Gyoza, a salad using fresh seasonal vegetables and Tonkatsu with Rice with katsu sauce and mayo. A very traditional, home cooked meal- but it's clear Makoto's put a bit more effort in, preparing it all tonight.
It's very... domestic, in a way. Still, Makoto looks proud of herself, and waits for Ren to start eating before she starts herself- eager to hear Ren's thoughts.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Seeing that apron and those slippers makes Ren smile the instant Makoto opens the door. "I like your accessories," they tell her, and it's a little bit of joke, but one rooted in sincerity.
Easy enough, except for the part that Buchimaru-kun goods were discontinued years ago... Maybe Ren can ask Akechi where he found that umbrella. ... ... .......then again, maybe not.
When Makoto calls that dinner's ready, Ren gets up from the table and moves to help her get dinner on the table. She's already got it all on a tray, so as she distributes the plates, they handle getting drinks, a pair of low sugar sodas; the table was already set earlier. Once they return, they put down the glasses and sit back down to dig in.
First of course is a taste of the miso soup; then a bite of salad; then half of one of the gyoza; then, finally, a chunk of rice and tonkatsu dipped in the sauce. As they chew, they savor the flavors one by one. It is very domestic, and technically speaking Ren eats home cooking all the time, but there's something about this that's... different. Special.
At the end of it, they smile at Makoto, the corners of their eyes crinkling. "It's all delicious," they state. "The tonkatsu's crisp and not too oily, and the salad in particular is nice and fresh. I usually have to force myself to eat vegetables, but this one's tasty."
Right; Morgana's commented before about Ren's poor eating habits... Though maybe not to Makoto directly.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Makoto smiles in return to Ren's joke- sure, sometimes this sort of thing goes over her head, but she manages to get this one. "Well, I figured I'd dress up a little." She can even joke back- it's a good sign of comfort.
Makoto's all ready to say Ren doesn't need to help- but they're already moving quickly and it's a little bit appreciated, even if it feels a touch awkward.
Still, once Ren's started started trying things, Makoto does watch them eat but, well... sometimes you can tell someone's enjoying it before they say anything, with the time Ren is taking to actually appreciate it. It's... nice to cook for someone who appreciates it for once, rather than expects it. It makes her own food taste better, and a smile creeps onto her face. Maybe... maybe this is the sort of thing other people were seeing?
"I'm glad you like it," Makoto responds, entirely honestly. She's set aside her apron, but she eats carefully, still in her uniform. Indeed, Ren might not realize how high a compliment she's paying Makoto, talking about vegetables. "That surprises me a little, it doesn't seem like the sort of thing that would give you any trouble." Still, it lets Makoto muse. "If it helps, stirfry is great for that. Everything absorbs a bit of flavour from everything else, but keeps it's own texture. It's an easy, healthy meal too."
Still, there's only so long the conversation can hide behind food, can it?
"There's some dessert too, when we're finished, I'm just keeping it chilled." It can hide a while, though.
There's a bit more of a pause after Makoto says that, as good as the feeling of eating with someone who wants to be there is. She's just... not exactly sure how to start.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It's nice that she can joke back, too. Makoto's usually so serious. As for drinks, Ren wants to help--that might contribute to that touch of awkwardness. But any romantic relationship has its bumps... right?
"Most vegetables taste kind of boring, especially compared to rice and meat," Ren admits. "I know it's not great for me. That's why I have to force myself." They forced themself to eat vegetables all the time when they were training at ice skating... Coach Himuro's orders. ...They manage to keep how that memory makes them feel off their face. It helps that Makoto has a good suggestion. "Stirfry, huh... Maybe I'll ask Hibari to teach me to make that sometime. Right now we're working on omelets."
Dessert too though, huh. "You really went all-out for tonight," they comment, smiling again. "I'm looking forward to trying it."
Hiding behind dinner will at least work for a while. They both need to actually eat the dinner, and there's plenty here. The miso soup is good too... They reflect on that after another sip. Akechi would never cook them something like this, but...
"...Hey, Makoto," they say, lowering their chopsticks. "There was something I wanted to ask, before we get too involved..." They meet her eyes, though there's a bit of hesitation in their own gaze. "...Are you okay with this? With me?"
They know that's a question that will bear explaining, but--they want to get it out there first. That's how they start the conversation.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
It's not even a bad thing to want to help- Makoto's just really, really not used to having it. Combined with the pressure to be a good host and not to make Ren do things. But again, bumps are part of a relationship, right?
"Sounds like maybe you got used to getting them overcooked," Makoto says, after a moment thoughts. "If you cook vegetables too long, especially boiling, they end up losing their flavour and texture." Makoto certainly has opinions on food, it seems. "You and Aoki-san are cooking together?" Makoto asks, more curious than anything. "I've got some recipes I could share, if you're interested." ...Hell, she has a carefully tabbed and researched cookbook of recipes.
"Well, I wanted to put the effort in, I suppose. I don't know what people normally do on dates, but I figured I should try and do things properly for our first date." ...Well, as properly as Makoto could understand it. "I hope it's not too much."
Still, Ren gets serious, and there's something a little worrying, especially with the question that comes up. "What do you mean? Why wouldn't I be okay with you? Is everything okay?"
Yeah. It's... definitely going to need explaining.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren considers this as they chew on a gyoza. They've had well-cooked vegetables before--they're right there in Leblanc's curry--but on their own... "Maybe," they concede. They're still early in their cooking journey. Speaking of which--
"Yeah, she's been teaching me how to cook. Sojiro-san's teaching me curry, but that's his only recipe. Hibari's the daughter of a former restaurant owner, so she's really good at diner-style cuisine."
In other words, something not too dissimilar from what Makoto just served. Ren hasn't gotten nearly far enough to do tonkatsu, though. Deep fryers can be dangerous! Also, Leblanc doesn't have one.
Their first date... Ren smiles at that too. It's endearing. The quiet home-iness of it all is nice and relaxing, especially right after midterms. No, they do like Makoto... They're sure of that. But part of why they broke up with Minako is because the two of them agreed to something and then never discussed it again. Ren owes it to both of them to question how they like Makoto more deeply. Maybe that'll help settle their own muddled feelings for Akechi.
"Part of it is how the rumors about us are going to get worse if we're openly dating. I'm sure you don't care about that, but I'm also sure it's going to get real annoying. With how strict I hear your sister is, I guess... I want to check on if you're prepared for that. You're the one whose reputation would take a hit, after all.
"Another part is that..." Ren's jaw clenches briefly. "...someone asked me if I wasn't on an emotional rebound, since... I broke up with Minako, and the next day, I asked you out after we had a vulnerable conversation. I care about you a lot, but I've been thinking about it since, and--she and I are still friends. The break-up was as clean as you can hope for. But I think I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been at least a little lonely and depressed afterwards." They look down at the home-cooked dinner Makoto prepared for them. "...I'm enjoying myself so far right now, but is it okay that I haven't fully figured that out yet?"
It's not entirely honest, they know. If they were being fully honest, they'd bring up Akechi. But how do you tell someone 'I know I just asked you out but I've immediately fallen for someone else'? Especially when they're not sure if they have fallen for him, and weren't just equally affected by an emotional rebound when he said something really sweet to them? No, better to take this one step at a time.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Makoto nods, as Ren describes their cooking experience. "Really? She sounds like a good guide to have. She'll definitely know what she's talking about." Ren's in good hands, then. Even if Ren needs to learn about shallow frying...
When Ren starts raising their concerns, Makoto doesn't speak over them. She listens to all of it, before she responds. Indeed, there is one very good point there, isn't there? "...There's only so much we can do about the rumours that will happen as long as we're hanging out at all," Makoto's voice is calm, and level. Treating it as much a tactical conversation as a romantic one. "I don't care about my reputation so much, either, but you're right that it will draw a lot of attention. So... maybe we should keep it on the downlow a little? We should tell our friends, sure, but we don't need to broadcast it."
She pauses for a few moments. "...You're right about Sis, though. She... probably wouldn't be too keen on me 'wasting time' by dating." Hm. That's odd. That seems to be lighting a fire in Makoto's eyes. "...That kind of makes it a little more exciting, is that weird? Besides, I don't need to tell her anything while we're working things out. We can cross that bridge when we're ready or if she notices." ...You know, that's an interesting if to have about a Prosecutor, isn't it?
On the matter of the rebound, though, that's a more serious topic. "I think, though, you might be right about the rebound thing..." A worrying start. "I don't really know much about that sort of thing, but... we're aware of it now, right? That's already way ahead of most people who are dating, right?" That logic makes sense for her. "And... I'm having fun too. So maybe we just need to... I don't know, set some ground rules? Check in with each other? That's the sort of thing people do, right? Same way we work as a team?"
Yeah. That's the right approach. Be as adult about as they can, and be thoughtful about their relationship. That's got to be a good sign.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Shallow frying is definitely going to be one of the more advanced lessons. Fried food is too delicious not to learn how to make sooner or later.
Makoto listens, and she gives a measured, thoughtful response. Ren nods at her counter-point; she's definitely right there. When she suggests that they keep it quiet outside of their friend circle, they smile in relief. "Agreed," they reply. "We don't need to hide it, but both of us are the discreet type anyway. I think that'd be more comfortable for both of us."
When Kasumi suggested that she shouldn't have to ask to find out that Ren's dating someone, that made them very uncomfortable, after all... She knows anyway thanks to the timing of her asking, so it's not an issue for now, but it stresses Ren out way less knowing that Makoto doesn't expect them to broadcast their relationship outside of their immediate friend group.
They observe the fire kindling in Makoto's eyes. They grin a sharp, wicked sort of grin. "Not at all. It's a thrill to do something your family wouldn't approve of." Another point in their favor as a couple, surely. ...Though that 'if she notices' does stand out to them. That's a little sad.
They sober either way when they move on to the rebound. Once again, Makoto takes it with cool, calm aplomb. "I think so," they reply. They've kissed a lot more than they've dated, though they're not going to mention that part. "But yeah. Communication's key. Minako and I... we didn't communicate enough."
They look away as they rub the back of their neck. "When she asked me out, she said that we should just have fun and enjoy dating without worrying about other things. I took that at face value and did exactly that. Looking back, I understand why she said so, but... we both have too much we need to hide. I'm okay with that, but... she wasn't."
They look up to meet Makoto's eyes again. "...But that won't be a problem with us. And you're right; we already work together well as a team. This is just the next step beyond that."
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Consider the future power you could hold, Ren. LeBlanc Curry Katsu.
Makoto nods in agreement. "Right. We're dating for us, not for anyone else. So we can just... approach it the way that's best for us. It's not a secret, just... not something we're broadcasting and we're both on the same page about it." That was part of the problem with Ren and Minako, right? Not that Ren didn't tell everyone, but instead that Ren and Minako had an expectation mismatch.
"Yeah. I never thought I'd be the sort of person finding that thrill though." She doesn't catch what Ren does, though. Makoto's just.... grumbling a little quietly under her breath.
Makoto gives Ren a sympathetic look when he talks about the problems with Minako. "...Yeah." She says, after a few moments. "I know I'm not the best at... saying everything I should say. I guess this is a good reason to work on that, right? I'll never improve if I don't try to, and... I trust you. If we can talk tactics with a few gestures, we can definitely communicate about this." Concern raised, considered, and addressed. Easy! This isn't so hard! "So, yeah, we can do this."
Indeed, when Makoto meets Ren's eyes again, she's looking confident and ready. "Yeah. Exactly. It's just taking things another step forward." Makoto smiles again. "I'm looking forward to it."
After all, it's just what everyone else does, right? It should be just like any other relationship. "...So, are you ready for dessert? It's a little simple, but I thought I'd go with a classic..."
Homemade Purin is a great note to celebrate a new relationship on. Sweet, delicious, and only crumbly if you make it wrong- and Makoto's sure she got the recipe right tonight.