1 through 11 for Hirato (because I'm greedy)
Bergamot. Hirato’s cologne is bespoke, personally commissioned by him from Guerlain, so it’s not like his distinctive scent is just floating around everywhere. That said, bergamot can be found in a number of things like Earl Grey tea (which Akari drinks in the mornings) and Turkish delight. Bergamot is unusual in that it is both a spicy and sweet smell, and so certain adjacent scents also remind the doctor of Hirato – amber, for example, and certain chypre colognes. Despite all the places one can find bergamot, though, Akari thinks it smells best when he happens upon it clinging to Hirato’s skin.
Akari doesn’t know much about music, but classical music can remind him of Hirato from time to time. Compositions heavily featuring a piano in particular can turn his mind to thoughts of the captain. Think something like Stephan Moccio’s ‘Exposure.’ And of course, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki’s ‘Symphony No. 3′ is forever associated with Hirato after Akari commissioned the Vantnam Symphony Orchestra to play it for his birthday.
As an aside, the doctor sometimes buys tickets to symphonies and plays and even art gallery openings. He knows very little about these things and enjoys learning from Hirato since he’s insatiably curious about almost everything. Mun is convinced Akari has probably purchased tickets for events that may not have held much interest for Hirato since, again, the doctor doesn’t know much about the fine arts, only that his date loves such pursuits. Still, Hirato is a very gracious companion and so my guess is that Akari is never the wiser when this happens.
Both Akari and Hirato have exquisite taste in clothes. They are fastidious about appearance and tend to favor immaculate tailoring in very fine fabrics. Hirato looks gorgeous in dark colors and jewel tones, but Akari would love to see him in lighter colors – like a heather grey suit or a powder blue dress shirt. He thinks the captain would look amazing in something so uncharacteristically neutral.
Still, the strongest association is between the captain and a hand tailored woolen suit in pitch black.
Night. Akari associates Hirato with the nighttime sky, in fact. This is because Hirato adores stargazing, yes, but also because they’ve made a number of unforgettable memories under starry skies.
Fall. Akari imagines the wind ruffling through the captain’s hair, rich woolen suits and long overcoats that fit his frame perfectly, Hirato’s striking looks against a backdrop of red and gold foliage. He thinks his lover is well-suited to fall’s bold, seductive allure.
I think Akari associates flowers in general with Hirato. Throughout their relationship, the captain has gifted him with various flora having diverse meanings: white roses signifying a pure and longstanding love; purple hyacinths to apologize; red chrysanthemums to demonstrate passion. Since the man so often uses the language of flowers, Akari tends to think of him when he sees flowers. In fact, even the orchids that the doctor keeps as weird little pets are now associated with Hirato because he’s absolutely convinced that they are more verdant when the captain is around.
That said, white roses are the flowers he most clearly associates with his lover. This is because Hirato gifted him a white rose in full bloom at a critical turning point in his life and the gift of that single flower meant more than he’s ever been able to articulate.
There isn’t a particular food Akari associates with the captain, but anytime there’s fine French cuisine to be had, he thinks of Hirato. Gigot d'agneau a la pleureur, for example. Or clafoutis. Red wine, too, is forever associated with his lover.
There are so very many. But two in particular never fail to make him smile. They shared a night of stargazing long ago. It was cold on Research Tower’s rooftop, so they’d huddled together among a mountain of blankets. Hirato’s wish upon that comet was for the two of them to have a future. Akari never forgets that wish, or that night, to be honest. The other memory is the night of their engagement. It was another evening under the stars, one that involved both heartache and joy, and for Akari, it represented the culmination of years of feelings building between them. Also, sweet, romantic lovemaking under a vast starry sky. Hirato looks best by starlight if you ask Akari.
Hirato elicits all emotions from Akari except one – fear. Akari feels safest at his side, no matter where they are. And so, even though the doctor associates a host of feelings with him, perhaps the most salient is that of belonging and safety.
Odi et amo. Quare id faciam fortasse requiris. Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior
