Linky's Fics

Omurice and Love

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Whenever Nishiwaki entered Saki’s restaurant, she always promised him a complementary meal. He’d always offered to pay, but she insisted that he’d eat for free.

It was a cute little place. He remembered when it first opened, having made sure to be there on its first day of business. The omurice set Saki made him that day was delicious. Ever since then, it was what he always got for himself. All of the menu had to taste good, but the strong positive memories associated with that particular dish made it comforting to return to.

Her son came humming in through the door. He always had a pep in his step and would end up creating… interesting looking food, to say the least. Saki always made sure she was the one who’d end up making a meal for Nishiwaki. As much as she supported his culinary endeavors, she wanted to be the one to cook for him. Especially after all they had been through together.

The boy was a sweet one. Named Hotaro, he was a bit dense. Though his heart was pure without a shadow of a doubt. Despite everything he sounded to have gone through, according to Saki. That was what made his kindness and ability to love to remain even more impressive to Nishiwaki.

And then there were definitely things both him and Saki were not privy to.

Nishiwaki remembered all those years ago. What Saki had to endure herself, all on her own. Who could even begin to guess what this boy carried on his back. Was he too able to have at least somewhat of a normal life now? Nishiwaki hoped so, for Saki’s sake too.

He still had half a mind to break out his old techniques on Saki’s husband. If he ever showed his face again to begin with. While his body was also old by now, he still had it in him. Seeing Hotaro’s bright eyes, the splitting image of her mother—whose own eyes were the splitting image of Shichiro… He wouldn’t forgive that man for leaving them both.

A completely different man sat on the other edge of the room. He was a scruffy fellow, reminiscent of his teacher disguise.

“Minato” was his name, overhearing Hotaro chat with him. About school, their time together, and other subjects outside of Nishiwaki’s wheelhouse. Overhearing talks about alchemy as well. He wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with the topic. Some of the old texts Shichiro and Michiko had gone into it.

How these two talked about alchemy though… There was a very different quality that was present in their conversation.

Whenever he saw Hotaro talk to Minato, and catch a glance of that look in his eyes—it reminded Nishiwaki of him and Saki decades ago. Memories would rush back to their time back then. So many years of history, filling his heart with countless emotions.

There was an indescribable feeling deep inside Nishiwaki that he and Minato were kindred spirits of sorts… As silly as that sounded.

Perhaps he was overthinking it. He likely was.

Today Saki was out getting groceries. So it was just Hotaro attending to the shop, with three little creatures loyally following him around. A grasshopper, tiny train, and some kind of dragon. Nishiwaki didn’t quite get what their deal was, apparently they were called “Chemies.” He didn’t question it. In his time he had seen many things.

Hotaro then sat next to him. Glancing over with the biggest smile, and those eyes…

“Nishiwaki-san!” He began. “Good morning! I see you still haven’t gotten any food yet.”

“Ah, it's alright. I’m waiting for your mother to get back.” Taking a sip of his coffee, “There’s something I wanted to talk to her about.”

“But you shouldn’t be left hungry!” His eyes stirred, and Nishiwaki saw the splitting image of both Saki and Shichiro inside of them yet again. “Let me make you my own Gotcha Omurice!”

He’d always go on about this “Gotcha” thing. Including when he was a very small boy too. Nishiwaki still wondered where exactly he even picked the word up, it was endearing to him nonetheless. Overall he had such a soft spot for Hotaro. Knowing he’d put his life on the line for the boy without hesitation, just like he would for Saki.

Even if Hotaro was more than capable of fending for himself… Same as his mother.

He truly was like Saki. And every time he visited Kitchen Ichinose, Nishiwaki kept learning new ways how the two overlapped.

Hotaro sang to himself whilst cooking, the aroma of various ingredients wafting throughout the room. Adding to the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant. With a smell so good, perhaps his meals have improved since he last visited?

Wait—what was he doing to those eggs? Was he making them blue? Must be a trend with children and young people these days.

Once he was done, Hotaro presented the omurice to him with beaming pride. A smile that was brighter than the sun itself. Reminiscent of Michiko. The eggs were indeed blue now, and various vegetables were cut into shapes to form some sort of mask. Nishiwaki wasn’t familiar with it but the shape was rather cute.

“Thank you for the meal.” He looked forward to seeing the fruit of Hotaro’s efforts.

Taking a bite…

Oh.

“Nishiwaki-san?” Hotaro quietly asked. “Are you ok?” It had looked like he had gone through this multiple times before, given his expression. Sad, yet not surprised at the outcome.

“It’s just, interestingly seasoned.” Nishiwaki said carefully. The last thing he wanted to do was upset him. “I appreciate you going out of your way to make me this.” Sincerely smiling, he did truly feel this way. And Hotaro slowly started to have a small one of his own.

Slowly he ate every last grain of the omurice. This experience did give him an idea of what cookbook he’d give to him for this coming Christmas. The boy just needed to learn flavor profiling.

The sound of footsteps could be heard at the front door. “Hotaro I’m home!” A moment of pause. “Nishiwaki?”

Hotaro turned around. “He wanted to talk with you mom. I couldn’t let him sit there and be hungry though!”

Saki carried her groceries as she walked to Nishiwaki’s side. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner.”

Nishiwaki patted her shoulder. “It’s fine.”

Hotaro called out, “See you later Nishiwaki-san! Hopper1! Steamliner! Nijigon! Follow me!” Those three creatures were right behind him as he walked up to his room. Saki then went to the fridge and began to put the vegetables into it.

“…He’s just like you.” Nishiwaki spoke, his voice gentle and eyes full of tenderness. “Full of that sense of love. You’ve raised him well.”

She looked back over to him with the biggest smile, the very beginning of tears forming at her eyes. “Thank you. I’ve done my best.”

“That is evident.”

Saki walked over to his chair, hugging him from behind. He gently rested his hand on hers. Grateful for the life she was now able to live, despite everything she was forced to endure. That he himself had to make her endure.

All these decades later, he still carried this guilt. That would never be able to truly go away despite everything he’d do to make up for it. Nishiwaki had accepted this long ago.

And he was just as grateful that Saki was able to continue to spread that sense of love she’d always carried deep in her heart. The love that kept her pushing forwards, inspiring him, and everyone else that was lucky enough to be around her.

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