Ryo's eyes were fixed on the TV screen, fingers moving over the controller as though it was second nature. The game was a blur, his attention more on the hum of the kitchen behind him than the pixels on the screen. Kaito, as usual, was cooking—though "cooking" might be a stretch. More like "setting off a fire alarm" at this point.
"So, are you going to tell me why the kitchen smells like a funeral?" Ryo asked without looking up.
Kaito's voice called out from the kitchen, playful and dry. "You say that like I can't cook. Maybe it's just your sense of smell that's broken."
"Could be," Ryo shot back, still focused on the game. "But it'd be hard to miss the smell of burning garlic. You might want to stop pretending you're a chef."
"I'm not pretending. I am a chef," Kaito countered. "A very talented one."
Ryo gave him a sidelong glance, an eyebrow quirked. "Oh, I didn't realize we were eating at a five-star restaurant tonight."
"I've got five stars in my heart," Kaito said, overdramatically flipping something in the pan. "And that's what counts."
"Sure, if the stars are from a dying galaxy." Ryo smirked, eyes not leaving the game. "You're the guy who thinks burnt toast is a delicacy."
There was a pause as Kaito processed that, before he shot back with a grin. "Burnt toast? Please. At least I know how to make it crispy."
Ryo rolled his eyes. "Right. Crispy. You mean charred."
"Better charred than undercooked," Kaito said with mock seriousness. "That's your problem. You'd rather eat cardboard than risk anything with flavor."
Ryo clicked his tongue, still holding the controller. "Not everyone has the stomach for your... unique interpretation of food. You ever considered that maybe it's not the food that's the problem?"
Kaito raised an eyebrow from the kitchen. "Are you implying that I'm the one with the issue?"
Ryo paused the game, raising both eyebrows now. "Are you seriously suggesting you're the culinary genius here? The guy who once set off the smoke detector making instant noodles?"
Kaito laughed, leaning against the counter with a smug expression. "That was a one-time thing! It's not like it happens every time I cook."
"Right. It only happens, like, once a week," Ryo deadpanned, not missing a beat. "I've seriously considered hiring a fire extinguisher for you."
Kaito's grin widened as he grabbed a spatula and waved it like a sword. "I'm a man of many talents. You should be honored to eat my food."
"Mm-hmm." Ryo tilted his head back, clearly unconvinced. "And yet, here I am, still alive despite the near-death experience that is your cooking."
Kaito shrugged. "I'm like a fine wine. You just need to appreciate the subtle notes of danger."
Ryo scoffed, but a small smirk tugged at his lips. "I'm more of a 'safe, no-choking hazard' kind of guy. But whatever floats your boat."
Kaito chuckled to himself, then with a sly grin, added, "So, speaking of safe... how's your gaming going?"
Ryo didn't immediately respond, absorbed in the game. "What about it?"
"You know," Kaito said, raising his voice slightly, "I've been watching you. You play like you're trying to survive, not win. Are you sure you're really all that good?"
Ryo clicked his tongue, annoyed but not surprised by the jab. "Don't even dare critique my every move. Also it's hard to carry when your whole team plays like they got their monitors upside down."
Kaito's voice took on a teasing tone. "Oh, I'm not critiquing. I'm just saying—if that was your best, I'd be seriously worried. You're like the guy who thinks running into walls is a strategy."
Ryo shot him a sharp look but didn't bite. Instead, he smirked and flicked the controller in the air before resuming his game. "Just because I don't use cheap tricks doesn't mean I'm bad. I've got real skill."
"Real skill?" Kaito echoed, raising an eyebrow. "Ryo, my friend, I've seen you die in the most ridiculous ways. Like, I'm talking every way possible. You're the guy who somehow manages to fall off a cliff in a game that doesn't even have cliffs."
Ryo rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "Maybe I'm just trying to keep it interesting for you. A little unpredictability."
"Uh-huh. That's what they all say," Kaito teased. "The 'unpredictable' excuse. It's cute, though. But seriously, if you ever want to step up your game, just let me know. I'll teach you some real skills."
Ryo gave him a deadpan stare. "I'll pass. I like being the unpredictable genius."
"Unpredictable, alright. More like 'I don't know what I'm doing' genius," Kaito quipped, clearly enjoying Ryo's frustration.
Ryo let out an exaggerated sigh. "I see how it is. Just because you can cook, now you think you're good at everything."
"Clearly, I'm good at everything," Kaito said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "But hey, I'm not the one who's dying to catch up to me in gaming."
Ryo looked back at the screen, trying to ignore the lingering teasing. "Yeah, yeah. Keep dreaming."
Before Ryo could fire back, Kaito changed the topic, his tone dipping into something more casual. "Hey... you remember that girl?"
Ryo didn't even glance up, thumbs lazily tapping at the controller. "You'll have to narrow it down. You talk to like, half the city on a daily basis."
Kaito let out a short laugh. "Fair. But no—the one from the café."
That got a slight twitch of Ryo's eyebrow. "Oh. Right. The one who picked a fight with a chair."
Kaito grinned. "That's the one."
Ryo sighed dramatically, eyes still glued to the screen. "Yeah. What about her? She sue you for emotional damage or something?"
"I was thinking…" Kaito leaned against the counter. "I should introduce you guys."
Ryo blinked slowly, as if the mere suggestion drained what little energy he had left. "Yeah, no. I don't need that kind of chaos in my life. I already live with you."
"She's not that chaotic."
"She hissed at a piece of furniture, Kaito."
"Okay, but in her defense, the chair started it."
Ryo exhaled through his nose, deadpan. "Oh, sure. Maybe I'll introduce her to my bookshelf. Let them fight it out."
"You two might actually get along."
"Oh yeah. Nothing screams compatibility like me and a girl who threatens inanimate objects."
Kaito chuckled. "Come on, she's got... character."
"So does a broken vending machine. Doesn't mean I want to hang out with it."
"You'd like her," Kaito said, unfazed.
Ryo leaned back with a blank expression, letting the controller rest on his lap. "Kaito, I barely like people."
"She's different."
"That's what they said about the raccoon that broke into the bakery last week."
Kaito laughed. "Okay, but this one's cuter."
Ryo gave him a look. "So is the raccoon."
Kaito just grinned. "You'll see."
"I hope not."