1157/Lunch with Coco

Lunch with Coco
Date of Scene:	21 February 2024
Location:	Dorms #2
Synopsis:	Coco invites Yuuto to share a mermaid's meal with her boyfriend along with conversation on the upcoming track season.
Cast of Characters:	Yuuto Shiraishi, Coco Kiumi

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Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
There are times where Yuuto just has to wonder if Coco has a sixth sense or something about him. The teen student had been hard at work with track practice, getting in some major exercise with his core muscles. He had to keep up his strength for the endurance of the long runs that he goes on for the school team, which means that as he works longer...

...the rumble of his stomach alerts him that it's time to eat.

Which is why as he hears his phone chime as he's between showering and changing from his workout clothes to his school uniform, he gets a message from Coco, inviting him to lunch.

With a warm smile and excitement for spending time with his girlfriend, he quickly texted back.

<Phone> Text to Coco Kimi: Sure, where to? *hamburger emoji*

The invitation to her room was accepted, and it is there that we find Yuuto, tapping on the door as he arrives as promptly as he can.

Coco Kiumi has posed:
While Yuuto is waiting outside the door, the first thing he may smell is fish accompanied by a carrot stew. Even if that's merely the first one of the things Coco has prepared. Why he smells that one then? Because it's the one Coco has already set out on the table, taking in account the time he would need to arrive there.

And it doesn't take long for Coco to answer the door when she hears the knocking, opening the door with a smile to greet her future Prince Consort. "Hello, Yuuto!", the mermaid exclaims, giving him a peck on the lips, inviting him in and leading him to the table at the center of the communal zone.

"It's just the right temperature. Please, dig in." What awaits Yuuto is one of the specialties if the South Pacific Ocean, swordfish with carrot cream stew and a side of cucumber.

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
When the door is opened, Yuuto takes in how his mermaid Princess is dressed, even though she had started her assault today with a sensory overload of delicious smells that practically set his mouth to water. How is one supposed to survive such a thing that tickles the olofactory and just makes his stomach growl further.

And then there's her. It really doesn't matter how the blonde dresses, she's always beautiful, and today is no exception. And finally - there is the assault to touch. A kiss, soft, light, quick. Just like that, Coco has defeated Yuuto for the day, and she didn't even need to try hard.

Because in this case, the way to his heart is through his stomach. Making his way, within, he sighs. "It smells divine, Coco. And you look amazing, as always." The kiss was return, ending much too quickly in his opinion.

But lunch awaits. Gotong to take a seat, he settles in, and then waits for her to join him before he claps his hands together once and a bow of his head. "Itadakimasu!" he offers cheerfully, before taking the first bite of the carrot stew. His eyes close as he realizes that he may have a chance to have meals like this for the rest of his life and he sighs dreamingly. "Oh gosh, Coco..." Another bite. And another. He doesn't need to say the words, she can see the response in the way he goes after the meal.

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Coco smiles satisfied when Yuuto expresses appreciation for the dish. Starting with a great first step is already a awesome, she just needs to continue striking while the iron is hot. Though in the meanwhile, there really is no hurry, as Yuuto is going through the first dish. Besides remaining near the food to keep the cooking under control, she spends her time replying to him, though not really starting a conversation of her own since that would defeat the purpose of making him something to eat.

"I am glad you like it so much, Yuuto", she happily grins at him, looking at the gusto he is eating the dish with. And when he is done, she presents him with the second plate, baked citrus fish in coconut cream, accompanied by orange and lemon slices, salt and pepper. Yuuto will notice the fish is especially tender, and Coco is quick to explain him how. "I achieved the tenderness by wrapping the fish in banana leaves and baking it on low-medium heat."

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
Just as Yuuto had finished the first meal, he had assumed that was enough. Really, it was more than enough. The mermaid had spoiled him, he's forever going to be comparing her meals to everyone elses, and hers are always going to win, hands down.

But then, she's presenting a second, different plate! His eyes go wide as his fiancee goes further to spoil him, and he looks up at her. Realizing perhaps, that she has not joined him yet. She might be preparing him for something. He's not sure. But he is not one to turn down the chance to be spoiled. "You're gonna make me routund." he teases her softly. "Going to have to roll me out of the door." He's already imagining how much he will need to work off the rich meal. Worth it. Totally. He digs into the second meal, and again, that delighted look comes across his features.

"I was thinking..." he murmurs, thoughtfully. "If we decide to announce... you know." a little blush. Then he pauses. "Nevermind. I wish there was a way we could introduce your world to others without giving away what you are. Too bad we can't present it like a play. Like a fairy tale or something. Because that's how I feel..."

"What I'm trying to say, Coco..." Another bite as he is digging into this dish well. "Is that I'm happy with you and it takes everything I have not to tell anyone I know that I'm in love with you."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
If he is amazed at the the two plates, then he just has to wait until the third (and final) dish, because no meal with at least a crumb of self-respect is complete without a proper dessert. And so when Coco see that he is done with it, she brings him the last plate, a seashell of cookie paste, holding within itself a huge creamy pearl, glistening to the light of the lamp thanks to the addition of a thin layer of lucent starch. It's really not subtle that she is metaphorically offering him the innermost part of herself.

"Are you forgetting how much we are going to swim together, Yuuto?", Coco smiles, coming closer to rub her nose against his. "Putting on weight should be the least of your worries, rather you should be afraid you are eating enough. Why do you think we merfolk are all so thin?" And as if to demonstrate she shows herself off, widening her arms and letting him see her very fit figure.

When he talks about introducing her world to others, Coco squeezes her hand. "But that's something I am open to, Yuuto. If you want everyone to know that about us, you can do it. I would never do so, since there is a very severe punishment if I try, but with you at my side, there is really nothing stopping us. You just have to be the one to mention it first and I can lead with the rest."

"You absolutely can announce it to everyone. And honestly, I feel the same. I am just so proud of being next to you, of having had the luck of being near someone so amazing, that I want everyone to know it", she confesses, reaching in for a kiss on his lips and this time not stopping.

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
Wait. Dessert? Spoiled. So utterly spoiled. As Coco brings out the fantastical last dish, he just takes it in. "I have to eat this?" He asks, unsure. It's like setting a painting or fire. Or smashing one of his statues with a hammer.

He takes out his phone and takes a picture of it to post on social media - because everyone (all six of his followers) should see how amazing this dish look!

She rubs his nose against hers, and he uses the moment to steal another little kiss from her, up until she reminds him of her swimming and their swimming and how... fit she is. She really is. And she's seen how he is trim in many the same way with his runner's physique.

"Track season is starting soon. Will you be out there to cheer me on?" he asks. "I probably participate in the most boring event, so I'd understand if you can't make it."

Then they talk about their introduction to the world. And he nods his head. "We'll figure it out. I mean, in a couple of years, we're going to be talking about a wedding, maybe? But... yes. When we're ready and feel comfortable with the person. I'm happy to introduce my girlfriend. I will be careful to introduce my girlfriend, the mermaid Princess." he points out.

Then she's telling him sweet words that just make his heart race and when she kisses him, he returns it eagerly, lovingly, adoring attention her before he breaks away with a soft laugh to catch his breath. "...want to share this with me?" he asks, gesturing to the dessert.

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Of course Coco would be out to cheer him on. They would have to fill her with homework way over her head to have a remote chance of stopping her from attending. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Yuuto", Coco confirms with 100% confidence. "I want to be there and witness everything you shine in, because that's by itself is something amazing, and that just hasn't been wrong when it comes to you. Never."

And Yuuto being fully on board with her gets him a hug, a deeply felt, that she keeps hold onto for a while, cuddling against him to enjoy the warmth of his presence. "I think there will be nothing more amazing that that, Yuuto", Coco whispers while she listens to that racing heartbeat, the sound that to her is the equal to the seven seas' songs.

She nods when Yuuto offers to share the dessert with her. "Of course", she smiles, taking a spoon and making the first move, feeding it to the splending love in front of her.