A/N: I shit you not, I added an extra 600 words to this in revamping this lol. I genuinely miss writing for Toriko. I might do it more once I revamp the last of my old ones. Cause hoo.. ahaha they needed some work. Idk what the hell was going though my head when I wrote some of these but the transitioning was so bad, and it was probably thanks to my toxic relationship at the time LOOOL. I have clearly given up on making character dividers too. I’m on my tablet too much to properly keep up the theme. Imma slap a gif in these bitches.
Description: After a long anticipated reunion, you find yourself in Hex Food World for the first time. You were super excited, because you had someone you were supposed to meet there. Someone you promised to try their food, and maybe a little more.
Word Count: 1730
Being friends with someone like Toriko meant that a lot of odd things occurred on the regular, and you often met a great deal of interesting people too when said odd things were happening. Recently, you had met someone who you would deem your favourite unique person of all: a Tengu named Brunch. Your first encounter was at the Cooking Festival, and throughout the chaos that ensued at the event you found yourself rather enjoying his company and interactions. You had briefly parted after becoming good friends, but that disappointment of being away was slowly being erased as you now set foot in the Gourmet World with Toriko and Co. You couldn’t help but bubble up with excitement because your first stop in this dangerous environment was going to be Hex Food World: Brunch’s home. You vividly remembered the wink he gave you when he told you that you’d meet again sometime soon, and that thought was your main motivational factor for travelling so far, hoping to see him again.
Being in Hex Food World was a rare and exciting experience. The residents were incredibly kind, the food being equally as delicious wherever you went. In the short time you were there already, Toriko and the others had managed to get themselves drunk already, making themselves at home without a hitch. It was quite comical to see how intensely intoxicated they had gotten in a few simple minutes, but you had to separate yourself from the drinking party and sneak away. The lot of them had seemed to have forgotten something important about being here, but you hadn’t. Thankfully it was easy to slip away, what with them being far too drunk to notice you sneaking off and all. Once you were out of sight, you wandered off in search of Brunch’s restaurant since you were the only one to remember that he owned a high quality restaurant and wanted you all to dine there when you visited. It was a simple thing he asked of you all, but everyone was partying it up a little too hard to remember. Except you, of course.
It wasn’t too hard to locate his establishment thanks to signage and a few friendly people who were handy with directions. Once you were there you casually walked on inside in hopes of finding Brunch. He was indeed there standing front and center of his establishment, but the catch was that he looked a little pissed off. He stood up front with crossed arms as he tapped his foot with a furrowed brow, wearing a look of definitive irritation. As soon as you walked into his line of sight though, that rage seemed to melt off of his expression as it was replaced with a mix of relief and shock.
“Yo, Brunch.” You greeted as you waved at him. “It’s good to see you again! Sorry about the rest of the crew though. They seem to have forgotten that you live here, and have made themselves acquainted with one too many bottles of alcohol.” You then chuckled sheepishly, feeling a bit of second hand guilt.
“Tch, typical. It’s nice to see you again too then _______.” He replied with a huff, approaching you. “I’m glad at least someone remembered I’m here.”
“Well I mean, it’s pretty hard to forget someone like you.” You grinned. “I’ve been pretty excited to come here just to meet you again, you know~”
“Hah! What an honour!” He laughed. “I must admit I was anxiously awaiting your arrival. Though I meant to cook for everyone at once and share the wonders of my restaurant, it’s fine if it’s just you. I’d much rather prefer a table of one over a table of twats.” He followed up, his cheeks involuntarily radiating heat as he spoke with you.
“I wouldn’t mind that at all.” You smiled.
“How does a glass of wine and one of my specials sound then? I know you like surprises~” He offered, guiding you into his establishment where he pulled out a chair for you to sit in.
You nodded in agreement as you took the offered seat, Brunch then promptly zipping away to his kitchen to prepare you one of his specials. Once he got the flames rolling, he took a moment to rush out a bottle of rare wine that he owned, returning to the kitchen once he knew you were satisfied with the flavour of it. You drank it slowly, finding yourself overcome with its incredibly smooth yet fruitful taste, all sorts of lovely flavour notes coming forth with every sip. Getting lost in the flavour, the remaining minutes it took to prepare your food went by in a flash, and you were surprised when it came out of the kitchen and was placed before you. It looked unfamiliar compared to all the human world food you were used to, but you tasted it regardless as you were taught to never knock something before you’ve tried it at least once. Whatever it was, it was incredible, and you were silenced by its equally as beautiful flavor that paired extremely well with the wine you were given.
“So, how is it?” Brunch asked, quite eager to know your opinion on his cooking.
“It’s wonderful. I can’t remember the last time I was served something that complimented wine so well outside of Komatsu’s cooking!” You remarked, cleaning your plate without hesitation.
He sighed with relief. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I thought nothing would compare to your picky palate.”
“Oh come on now, I’m not that picky!” You laughed as you finished off the last of your wine. “On a serious note though, I’m really glad I got the chance to see you again. Would you mind maybe… tagging along with us for a while since we’re exploring this area? We could use someone who’s familiar with the terrain.” You then asked innocently, a hint of a pink tint dusting over your cheeks.
This request delighted him, and he nodded enthusiastically. “I’d love to! That is, if Toriko would remember I’m here and take me along.” He joked, taking a seat next to you at the table.
“Well, at least I remembered. I don’t have a pea brain.” You chuckled, a hint of a stammer in your voice. “I mean, I really couldn’t forget you. Not after that festival and all.”
“I could say the same.” He huffed.
You and Brunch looked at each other on and off with little glances, your eyes darting back and forth from the wall to each other’s faces. As you sat in the slowly growing awkward silence, you began to lean a little closer to him until your shoulders just barely touched. He jumped a little, turning to look at you with a rather intense hold of eye contact. You smiled slightly, and your entire soul and being screamed on an astral plane the words ‘do it’ until your brain rattled. And so, you did.
Leaning yourself over a tiny bit more you quickly pressed your lips up against his, surprising him enough to cause him to send a gentle surge of electricity through you by accident. It made you giggle as it wasn’t painful, and you felt his cheeks heat up intensely. There was no extreme visual for his blush, but his cheeks did darken a little and the rising temperature of his skin made it obvious. The kiss gave you goosebumps and made it worth all the incredibly awful flirting you had done, the gentle pressure of him kissing back being felt through your closed eyes. You just had to see him though, so you soon parted from the gentle lip lock to gaze over at him, grinning stupidly as you fell in love with the tiny little smile of relief he wore.
“I’m so glad we finally got to meet again.” You said, breaking the silence. “I’ve been waiting to do that. Is now a good time to tell you that I fell for you back at the festival, or no? Because I did, and I would dare to say I may be in love.” You added on with a smirk.
Brunch as completely starstruck, at a total loss for words in the moment. His eyes said all he needed to though, that shimmer telling you that he too was deeply interested in you. Before the poor man could open his mouth to say he reciprocated your feelings though, a collection of drunken hooting and hollering could be heard at the entrance of his establishment, coming from the mouths of Toriko and his friends about how you had caught Tengu cooties now. This of course was followed up with drunken cackling, a couple of the grown men falling over from laughing so hard. Now of all times, Toriko remembered Brunch’s existence, and his expression had hardened once more as he glared at the lot of them. You couldn’t stop yourself from snorting at the scene, bubbling with giggles as you made a poor attempt to respectfully hold back your laughter.
“Of course it’s now they remember my existence.” Brunch growled as he glared at the group.
“Impeccable timing, eh?” You chuckled.
“Tch, you know, I was going to find the sweetest and most romantic way to tell you that I love you as well, _______. But, I am filled with a seething rage, so I’ll get back to being sweet with you once I pound their heads in.” He said to you with a deep hum.
His eyes were soft while they lingered on you, but when he stood and faced the group, he was hardened once more as he stomped up to the hooligans with clenched fists. Brunch then went on to scream off the heads of Toriko and the others for forgetting and getting drunk, telling them to eat his ‘goddamn food’ with his booming voice. The whole scene had you in stitches, holding your sides as you laughed at his scolding all while a bright pink blush took over your cheeks. Hearing the words ‘I love you’ come from him in any form had you smiling uncontrollably, and you were filled with the purest of joy. This would be the start of a wonderful partnership between you. Now all you had to do was wait for one more chance to be alone together without drunken pestering.
