Finding Light, Chasing Shadows

by DumpTruckSugarMama

Summary:

Nanami and Gojo traveled to New Orleans to help warn off cursed spirits. After they found some free time, they went sightseeing and found a quaint cafe that smelled of sweets and butter. This instantly captured the attention of Nanami, who entered into the cafe so he could satisfy his cravings. Then he met a waitress, serving him a pastry he won't ever forget.

P.S. Chapter 1 could be treated as a one shot. Then the story continues on the next chapters

Notes:

LOUISIANA REP!!! AHHH!!!⚜️⚜️⚜️ i kinda rushed this story ngl. and Brah, im so late to the partay. but its ok b/c i am happy its nowdone!!@! teeheeteeheeteehee. Critiques are welcomed! I know my pacing needs alot of work😭 And characters might be a lil bit OOC

Chapter 1: The Woman Donned In Yellow

A sudden surge of cursed spirits had peaked in a peculiar American city called New Orleans. This occurrence was an extremely rare phenomenon, as Tengen’s barrier prevented cursed energy from spreading outside of Japan. To further investigate this case, a small U.S. agency joined forces with some of Tokyo’s most skilled sorcerers. By using their wide expertise on cursed spirits, they aimed to exorcise the unusual entities that threaten humanity’s safety.

***

After Nanami and Gojo fought off a Grade 2 cursed spirit that lived deep within the swamp, they took a long deserved break in their lodge before they explored the city of New Orleans. 

The two men headed toward Jackson Square, a popular spot that featured the famous equestrian statue and historical cathedral. 

While exploring the area, Gojo took out his compact camera and snapped several pictures of the equestrian statue standing before them. He then forced Nanami to be his cameraman, shooting pictures of Gojo sassily posing in front of the statue. After that was done, Gojo grabbed the camera out of Nanami's large hands and angled it for a group selfie. Nanami just frowned like a grumpy old man whereas Gojo beamed like a ray of sunshine.  

As they continued their sightseeing, Nanami's stomach began to growl. His next thought was to taste the delicious foods New Orleans had to offer. However, it would be quite a task, since a lot of the foods here were amazing in his opinion, which only made it harder for him to choose.

"What should we eat this time?" asked Nanami.

“Oh, we can eat Po’Boys again! Or maybe some more of that rice. The…um… Dumbo-lyla rice.”

“You mean Jambalaya?” he muttered.

Gojo shrugged his shoulders. "Eh. Close enough," he said and started chattering about his day.

As they strolled into a neighborhood called the French Quarter, Nanami continued to ponder about his lunch choices. Gumbo sounded good, but so did red beans and rice. Boiled crayfish might be better, but he didn’t feel like stripping the shells off just to get a tiny strip of meat. He scrolled through every option in his head, but none of them caught his attention quite yet. Then, a heavenly aroma whiffed to his nose. The sweet, buttery scent had quickly caught his attention, bringing him back to that little bakery in Tokyo. As he further investigate the source, he found a small cafe in a corner of a street.

Duke’s Cafe. 

He finally knew what he wanted: fresh-baked pastries. “Let's go over there,” he suggested.

Gojo stopped yammering and followed his eyes to the cafe before them. “Couldn’t help yourself, could ya?” He teased, knowing Nanami couldn’t resist the temptation of eating a delicious pastry.

As they rushed toward Duke’s Cafe, a trio of young ladies bashfully giggled once Gojo passed by. They playfully, yet shyly, peeked at him, causing him to stop in his tracks.

“Gojo,” Nanami warned in a harsh tone, as they had somewhere important to be.

But being the flirtatious man he was, he just couldn’t stop himself from showing off. He lowered his shades to reveal his beautiful, ocean eyes toward the young ladies.

They squealed in glee, and Gojo let out a cocky laugh. “Works every time,” he smugly said. “You know what, you can go ahead and eat without me. I think I have some business to take care of.” He smoothly made his way to the three women and immediately began flirting with them. And, of course, they began to do the same as well, easily being swooned by the handsome, white-haired man. 

Nanami tsked and rolled his eyes at the sight. He had somewhere to be. Without ever looking back, he walked his way to Duke’s Cafe to satisfy his unhealthy cravings for sugary pastries.

***

As he entered the cafe, the same sweet, buttery aroma wafted to his nose. With no host in sight, he settled at a vacant table, basking in the sunlight pouring from a ceiling window. As he waited for a server to come, he took the time to observe the interior of the cafe. It had a rustic, yet charming appeal to it, giving Nanami a deep sense of homeliness that he dearly loved. As he continued observing the cafe, a burst of laughter erupted in the center, where customers smacked on their eggs and other freshly-baked treats. Nanami’s empty stomach was starting to claw itself. Just looking at the baked treats on their plates made his mouth watered.

Reaching for the menu, that stood upright on the table, he looked through the list of foods that could possibly satisfy his tastebuds: Hotcakes, fried chicken & waffles, muffins, grits & eggs, and so many more. While everything seemed to be quite delicious, nothing had caught his attention. He flipped the menu to the back and scanned through it until his eyes landed at the very bottom of the page: Tiana’s Special Beignets.

What is that? He wondered silently.  And how do you even pronounce that word? Beige-nets? Bay-g-nets? He tried saying it to the best of his ability, but he knew it was far from correct. It was not an english word he was familiar with. Nevertheless, he was still willing to try the pastry for the very first time. He placed the menu flat beside him and patiently waited for someone to come take his order.

“Hey, you! Bring those hotcakes and muffins over at table number 2 and 7. Hurry up, slowpoke! You ain’t got all day!” A rough, masculine voice shouted from the kitchen, where bacon sizzled over the grill. Nanami pinned him to be the cook of the cafe.

“Just a second!” said another voice, which happened to sound very sweet and feminine. 

Then, a waitress, donning a yellow dress with an apron, emerged from the kitchen, balancing several plates on her forearms.

She gracefully walked her way to a table and gently set down the plate of food. The customers were ecstatic, rubbing their hands together so they could feast upon their meals. “Thank you!” they said in unison before digging in. She responded with a quaint smile before moving on to the next table.

Meanwhile, Nanami watched as she effortlessly carried all those heavy ceramic plates on her slender arms. Despite her small frame, she showed remarkable strength. He admired her from a distance, then realized that his prolonged gaze might be very inappropriate to some. It’s very rude to stare at people without their knowledge, so he averted his eyes away from the working woman, shifting his gaze toward the ceiling window.

While looking out at the blue sky, he wondered if any cursed spirits would interrupt his lunch for the time being. He groaned at the thought as anxiety settled in. A cursed spirit might be terrorizing a civilian somewhere, but he must remember that other sorcerers were here to protect this city as well. However, his thoughts about cursed spirits soon vanished when a sweet, smooth voice traveled to his ears. “I'm sorry for the wait, sir. I hope you're still packing an appetite,” the waitress said, who was now holding a pen and notepad.

Nanami’s face softened. Holy macaroni, she’s gorgeous, he thought, unable to tear his gaze away. But, he quickly realized that he was making himself look like an idiot when it was his turn to speak.

“Oh, can I have…" He picked up the menu and read the word to the best of his knowledge. "Tiana’s Special … bay-nets ?” He sheepishly said. Nanami felt self-conscious about his pronunciation, especially when he saw her suppressing a quiet laugh with her hand. It was apparent that he was not from around here.

But despite making a fool out of himself, the waitress didn’t think it was anything to be embarrassed about. “You mean beignets? ” she said, while chuckling under her breath.

Nanami stammered, “Oh. Uh… yes, beignets. I apologize for that,” hoping he didn't offend her in any way, but she was quick to assure him. 

“You're absolutely fine, sir. No need to worry about anything. The word originated in French, so it’s not something most tourists are familiar with,” she kindly added.

Her little fun fact piqued his interest, and he became more curious about the food. “What are they? I've never heard of them before," he admitted.

A spark of excitement lit up in her beautiful, brown eyes. "They are these deep fried pastry dusted with powdered sugar. It's one of our customers' favorites. I promise you'll like it. A lot ," she playfully suggested, twirling her pen.

Nanami was easily persuaded by this, as the description of the pastry sounded very appetizing. It triggered his sweet tooth more than ever. "I would like to have that as my main course," he said.

The waitress jotted down his order and curved her soft lips into a small smile. "You've made an excellent choice. I promise you, it’ll knock your socks right off.” As she beamed toward Nanami, his cheeks immediately heated up, which kind of freaked him out. Pull yourself together, Kento, he thought. She's just being friendly.

"Since it's your first time trying these, I'll make sure it comes out extra special," she said before walking back into the kitchen.

As he awaited his order, Nanami thought about their conversation. It was surprisingly pleasant, despite being so brief. For some reason, their interaction made him feel warm, and he couldn't put a finger on why. It was just a normal conversation about beignets, so it should be nothing special. But thinking about the woman was starting to make him feel hot and flushed, so he took off his tan blazer and hung it behind his chair. The sleeves were then rolled up to his elbows, revealing his muscular forearms. Hopefully, this slight change of attire could cool himself off.

Nanami then laid eyes on the gorgeous woman once more. As she came out from the kitchen, she carried a tray loaded with beignets and a coffee pot with a mug placed beside it. How was the cook able to make all of this at once? He must be a very efficient worker.

“Here are your beignets, sir,” she said, removing the plate from the tray and placing it in front of him. Nanami froze as the sweet scent of crispy dough entered into his nose. They reminded him of his white, fluffy pillows back at his lodge. The beignets were thick and soft, embellished with honey and a generous amount of white powdery sugar sprinkled on top of it. Nanami had no doubt that it was made in such fine quality. He stared at them like he had never seen pastries before. The waitress giggled at his expression. “Come on, try one."

As he picked up a beignet, he studied it like it was some exotic artifact. When he tilted it, some of the powdered sugar fell onto the plate. He was quite hesitant that he was going to make a mess, but Tiana kindly encouraged him to take a bite. As he bit into the beignet, fireworks went off in his mouth. He took one bite, and then another one, yet another one, until his mouth was fully stuffed. “Mmm,” he hummed. “This is… this is… amazing. This is better than I anticipated,” he said after he swallowed, almost in disbelief that something so simple could taste so delicious.

The waitress was elated to hear such praise. She offered him some napkins in case he needed to wipe his fingers clean. “I knew you’d like it," she said, grinning from ear to ear. Placing the mug by his broad hand, she poured him a free cup of coffee, one of the cafe’s many perks. Nanami raised the mug to his lips and sipped the black coffee. This had complimented the sugary beignet so well. He naturally dipped his treat into his coffee before taking a bite.

She smiled again, happy to see another satisfied customer. All was going well until a large sum of people busted through the door and sat themselves down at a large table fitting for eight. It was clear that she must check in with them. Wiping the powdered sugar off of his lips, Nanami decided to show his final gratitude before the waitress moved on to serve the next group of people. “Please, can you tell the cook that the beignets he created are phenomenal.” Nanami gave it a second thought. “Actually, I think I should tell him that myself,” he reconsidered. 

"Him?" she said, slowly tucking the tray under her arm and pulling out her pen and notepad. “You don't have to tell him that…” She gently smiled, looking more radiant than ever, “because the person you're looking for is standing right in front of you. I told you I'd make it extra special for you. Like I do with all my first timers." She twirled away and made her way to the new customers, greeting them with such politeness. It all suddenly clicked that the person who had made those beignets was her.

Nanami sat motionless, clutching a whole beignet in his hand. He was completely smitten by her, a feeling he rarely experienced with people. He barely knew her, but he was quite charmed by her character and overall amazing baking skills. This slightly disturbed him, as he couldn’t fathom the type of emotions he was experiencing. But, for now, he allowed himself to feel them. If she could bake a pastry this good, then what other foods could she make as well?

He started daydreaming, deeply thinking about her, until a beignet was snatched from his hand. Out of nowhere, Gojo sat across from him, and Nanami’s face contorted into an unamusing scowl. His headache soon returned, and he let out a heavy sigh for the one-hundredth time today.

“Mmm. Mmm. Mmm!” Gojo stuffed his face with the stolen pastry. “Oh god, these are unbelievably good! What are these?” he said with his mouth full, spilling powdered sugar all over the table.

“They’re called beignets,” he flatly said.

“Oh neat! God, these people know how to bake a mean pastry! We gotta come here next time.” 

Nanami reluctantly agreed with him. He was right, they should definitely come here again. Not only for the mouthwatering beignets, but to see the lovely waitress. However, a voice started nagging in his brain, telling him to not be intrusive while she’s working at her job. And he must not forget that he was only staying in New Orleans for a certain amount of time. It would be ill-advised to fall for someone during his small business trip. 

As Gojo grabbed another beignet and lazily leaned back against his chair, he gave Nanami a mischievous look. A look that he was all too familiar with. “Sooooo," he bit into his beignet. "Who's the lady in yellow? She's kinda cute,” Gojo smirked as his eyes followed the waitress.

Nanami shot him a deadly glare, as if Gojo was entering into dangerous territory. But, he quickly cooled down, reminding himself that he shouldn't let his jealousy get the best of him. 

"She's our server," Nanami said calmly.

“Wow, the ladies sure are beautiful in New Orleans. Am I right? Oh! That reminds me, after I finished talking to those three ladies, I saw a…”

Nanami slowly tuned out his voice until it faded into white noise. The topics he was discussing hardly piqued his interest unless they were something related to work or Itadori. Shifting his focus away from Gojo, his eyes zeroed in on the waitress. He found himself mesmerized by her natural beauty and the way she gracefully carried herself.  She seemed to be a woman of high standard with a gentle glow clinging to her. From afar, she possessed a steady demeanor that was quite rare to see, deepening the admiration he had already felt from before.

"Nanami? Are you even listening?" Gojo waved a hand in front of Nanami's face. He was pulled out of his daydream then turned his attention toward Gojo. “I’ve been talking for five minutes now! Did you even hear what I said?" 

Nanami took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "I'm sorry. I was thinking about work," he said, masking the truth, which was technically true if Gojo were to ask him this same question earlier.

Gojo's eyes narrowed on him, observing his suspicious behavior. Then, he noticed Nanami kept glancing at the waitress across the room. A bell went off inside of Gojo's head.

Oh …Ooooohhhh

Gojo leaned off against his chair then edged closer to Nanami with a shit-eating grin on his face. “You like her,” he purred.

Nanami snapped his neck toward Gojo. His cheeks turned red like he was caught doing something wrong. “And what made you think of that silly assumption?” Nanami tried to play it off.

“Oh, come on!” Gojo took another bite of his beignet, talking with his mouth full. “I saw the way you looked at her!”

“What look?!” Nanami blurted.

“That ‘Aww she’s so pretty,’ type of look!”

Nanami growled, “You’re mistaking it for, ‘I'm ready for my check,’ kind of look.” Nanami gritted his teeth together, wishing he could end this conversation immediately.

“Bullshit, I wasn’t born yesterday! I can tell when a man is in love.” He stretched out the word “love” in a goofy manner. He then lowered his shades, looking into Nanami’s eyes with such focus. “Besides…You don’t need Six Eyes to sense that. It’s so obvious that you like her.” Gojo snickered as he leveled the shades back to his eyes, while Nanami hunched over and pinched the bridge of his nose in deep frustration. Okay, maybe Nanami wasn’t so good at masking his crush toward her, but Gojo didn’t have to make it such a big deal. 

Then, in the corner of his eyes, he saw the waitress walking to them. He hurriedly straightened his posture before she arrived at the table. "I see you brought a new guest here,” she said, looking at the white-haired man.

“Wassup,” Gojo said while waving a pastry in his hand, spilling crumbs on the floor. “These beignets are incredible,” he said, taking another bite of it.

“I’m glad that you both like it. It’s nice having new people try out my food.”

“Oh, so you made this?” Gojo asked.

“I sure did. All the beignets are made 100% by me,” she proudly said.

“Mmm, such crafted hands you have. I wonder what else you could do with those talented hands of yours?” he lusciously said. 

A hard kick was delivered to his shin underneath the table. Gojo jolted in his seat and quickly repressed a painful cry so the waitress wouldn't notice. He almost cursed at him until he saw a dark scowl on Nanami’s face. A face that easily read, "Don't you dare say another word." Gojo zipped his mouth shut and rubbed the painful area of his shin. It surprised Nanami that Gojo’s Infinity was off. Maybe he forgot to turn it back on after he had entertained those three women back in that area. Still, he had no desire to know why, leaving his imagination to wander.

The waitress completely disregarded his comment and went back to her business. "Is there anything else you would like me to do before I go?" she kindly asked.

Nanami finished off the conversation for them. "We’re doing just fine, ma’am. We'll just sit here for the time being," he said with such politeness, hiding the anger in his voice.

"Just let me know if you two need me. And I’ll be sure to come back in a flash!" She gave them a friendly smile then walked her way to the other customers. 

Nanami took a sip of his coffee and saw Gojo pouting like an angry child. "What's with the face?" he nonchalantly asked, knowing exactly why Gojo was giving him that look.

"You kicked me!"

"Maybe if you stop acting like a man-whore, then I wouldn't have to do that," he countered. Gojo’s flirtatious personality sometimes annoyed the crap out of him. Even though Gojo knew that Nanami had developed a small crush on the waitress, he still shamelessly tried to flirt with her. This was one of the many reasons why Nanami had zero respect for Gojo.

Gojo frowned as he turned on his Infinity. He shouldn't have turned it off from the start.

As things mellowed down, Nanami picked up the last beignets after Gojo rudely ate off his plate without permission. He suddenly realized he had never learned her name. Before leaving the cafe, Nanami had one final task to complete for the day -- finding out her name.

When Gojo spotted the waitress approaching their table again, he subtly moved closer to Nanami and said, “If I were you, I wouldn't hesitate to introduce myself to her. We're only here for a short time, so why not make the best of it?” Nanami waited for him to say another distasteful comment about the woman, but surprisingly, Gojo was offering words of encouragement. He was right. What if he'd never see her again?

After the waitress arrived, Gojo got up from the table and thanked her for the food. She appreciated that he chose to eat at Duke's Cafe, and then he made his way toward the exit. With Gojo finally gone, Nanami mustered up the courage to formally introduce himself, until he caught a figure in the corner of his eyes. It was Gojo... who was spying through the window with his face pressed up against the glass. A grin was displayed on his face. Gojo would be lying if he wasn't curious how things would unfold, since Nanami rarely ever approached anyone in a romantical sense. 

Nanami sighed and silently prayed that the waitress didn’t see his co-worker standing there like a creep. As Nanami glanced up again, Gojo flashed him a big thumbs up. Nanami immediately pulled down the curtains, blocking him out of his view. 

“Here’s your check, sir. Thank you for eating at Duke's Cafe! I hope you have a wonderful day.” As soon as she handed him the bill, he quickly asked for her name. “I apologize if I'm being too forward, but could you tell me your name? I didn’t quite catch it.”

“Of course. My name is Tiana,” she softly said. She began to chuckle, leaving Nanami slightly confused. "You probably didn't notice, but my name was on the menu."

Nanami's face reddened again as he vividly remembered her name printed on the back of the menu: Tiana's Special Beignets.  

 “Oh, my apologies. I didn't realized that. How foolish of me," he stammered, feeling a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. He was already making a bad first impression of himself.

“Stop apologizing. I’m not gonna bite your head off for not guessing my name.” 

“You’re right," he said nervously. "I’m sorry about that. Oh wait-” 

Her infectious laughter put a grip on him. Who would have thought that such a serious-looking man would be such a dork? “Don’t worry! I think it's cute.”

Nanami's heart skipped a beat. Cute? Jesus, this is new, he thought.

He almost choked on his words, loosening his tie so he could breathe better. “Well, I haven’t been described that way before,” he said, clasping his hands then rubbing his thumb over his knuckles in an attempt to soothe his nerves.

She giggled, noticing how nervous he was and quickly changed the topic. "I meant to ask you this earlier, but where are you from?"

He cleared his throat. "I'm from Tokyo. I came here for a business trip." He hurried to think of a white lie in case she asked for his occupation, but instead, she was more excited to hear that he originated from Tokyo.

"Tokyo? I've always wanted to see the cherry blossoms in the spring!" she exclaimed. 

For the very first time today, he smiled, feeling more relaxed as their conversation continued. "It's one of the most beautiful sightings in the world. And it’s even more breathtaking in person. Cameras don't quite capture the true beauty of it." Then he slightly leaned closer to her, saying, “With your natural beauty, a visit to the cherry blossoms would be a perfect experience for someone as radiant as you." He paused, looking a little embarrassed. "Sorry, did that sound too cheesy to you?"

"What do you think?” she chuckled, placing a hand on her hips, prompting Nanami to subtly sneak a glimpse of her curves.

"Sorry, was it really that bad?" he said, slightly concerned that his compliment might have been a mistake.

"Just a little," she squeezed a small space between her forefinger and thumb. "But still one of the best I've heard so far. And definitely better than that friend of yours. Ugh, I was so done with him!" 

Nanami was relieved to hear that Tiana hadn’t fallen for Gojo’s pickup lines, and how she thought his own compliment wasn’t so terrible. But he decided to not reach for that level of cheesiness ever again. Maybe.

"As long as you think it’s good, then that’s all that matters. And I'd steer clear from him if I were you," he said with a soft chuckle.

"You don't have to tell me twice. Trust me, I already know," she said, before switching the topic back to traveling. "But Japan really is one of my top destinations I want to visit. Unfortunately, it will take a while before I can go there."

"How so?" he asked.

"I'm saving up money to build my own restaurant. It's something I dreamed of since I was a little girl. I love cooking and sharing my food with others, which is why I begged Buford to add my beignets to the menu..."  When Tiana started talking about her passion, Nanami noticed a huge change in her energy. Nanami couldn’t tear his eyes away from her, completely captivated as she passionately talked about her ideas and what she loved to do. Every word she uttered held his attention, and he couldn’t get enough of it.

"...And I'm almost there, just a few more steps until I can finally own my restaurant." Tiana was so engrossed in talking about her dreams, that she nearly forgot that Nanami was sitting there. She glanced down at him, interpreting his blank stare as disinterest.  Awkwardly, she laughed, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go off like that. I'm pretty sure you have somewhere to be. " She looked at his dirty plates and hurried to clean the table. "Here, let me get that for you. Sorry, I didn’t mean to bore you."

"Now look who's apologizing," Nanami playfully said with a small smirk on his face. "I think it's fabulous that you’re so passionate about something. You'd be surprised how rare that is nowadays. For someone that worked this hard to reach their goals, many people would have quit by now, but you kept on going. And that, I say, is very admirable."

As soon as he said that, Tiana gave him the brightest smile Nanami had ever seen.

"Why thank you. I've always thought it annoys people when I start talking about my restaurant." She tucked a curly strand behind her ear, then a thought popped in her head. "Oh, I just realized, I never asked for your name! How rude of me to forget." 

"No worries. My name is Nanami."

"Nanami," The words softly slipped from her lips. The way she said his name almost made him melt. He could listen to her melodious voice for days. "What a unique name, and a very nice one too."

"And Tiana sounds like a very beautiful name. Very fitting for a lovely lady like you." 

Tiana tried to repress a smile but failed to do so. The two continued to converse since work was slow. Nanami was getting less nervous, enjoying his time with this remarkable woman. But their conversation soon came to an end when a group of people entered the cafe and seated themselves at a nearby table.

“I apologize Mr. Nanami, but it looks like I have people I need to take care of.” 

Nanami felt a twinge of sadness when their conversation had to end, but he understood that she must get back to her duties. “Well, it was nice speaking to you. I hope your day ends on a good note.” He stood up from the table, realizing the height difference between them as he towered over Tiana. Checking the bill amount, he pulled out his wallet and handed her a wad of cash.

“I’ll be right back with your change, sir,” she said, but Nanami stopped her from doing so. He gently lifted up her hand, the one holding the money, and closed her fingers tight around it with his calloused hands.

“The rest is for you to keep.”

“Mr. Nanami… I…This is too generous for me to keep,” she blurted, but he quickly reassured her and let go of her soft hand. 

“I see a smart, young woman with a promising future ahead of her. Of course, this tip is all yours.”

Tiana was momentarily at a loss of words. “This is…” She paused. Her thoughts were running like crazy. “This is very considerate of you.”

Nanami tucked his chair underneath the table and carried his blazer on his forearm. He hoped that his tip could help fund for her dream restaurant. "I had such a pleasure speaking with you, Tiana," he said, preparing to leave the cafe.

“And it was a pleasure speaking with you too, Mr. Nanami." As she pocketed the money, she expressed her gratitude one last time. He then responded with a curt nod before departing through the exit.

Once he stepped out of the cafe, the heat instantly hit him like a typhoon. He was surely glad that he had removed his blazer, or he would have die from heatstroke. He wondered if the temperature had soared within the past few hours. As Nanami was about to cross the street, Gojo caught sight of him. “Buddy!” he exclaimed and clutched his hands to Nanami’s shoulders. “So, how did it go?”

Although it was none of Gojo’s business, he wanted to tell him that it was a fairly nice experience. 

“It was good,” he kept it vague. 

“Good, huh? So what did y’all talk about?! Did you get her number?” Gojo questioned.

Crap, Nanami managed to get her name but not her number. Asking for her contact number while she was busy serving and cooking would have been very disrespectful and tasteless. But in spite of that, he accepted that maybe it was for the best. Like he had mentioned before, getting involved with someone while he was on a dangerous business trip like this could be counterproductive. This realization brought him a moment of clarity.

“I don't find it necessary to keep in contact with her,” Nanami admitted. But he should have lied, because Gojo relentlessly started hounding him. 

“Are you serious? You literally just told me that you two had a good time! And now you’re telling me you don’t want to see her again!? Do you really wanna lose your chances with her?!” Gojo shook his head in great disappointment. “God, what am I going to do with you? Aren't you aware that you just let a pretty woman slip from your hands!”

Nanami grumbled under his breath, “We came here to exterminate cursed spirits, not to mess around with women,” he said. It hurt him that he had to let go of such an amazing woman, but he couldn't afford any trivial distractions. So he quickly bundled all of his feelings for her into a box and smashed it with a sledgehammer so he could focus on his mission.

Gojo didn’t have the energy to argue with him. It was Nanami’s loss, not his. “Well, did you at least give her a tip? It’s pretty common to tip servers here in America.”

“Yes, I have. About eight time’s the bill amount,” Nanami replied. Again, he couldn’t help but wonder why he didn’t keep his mouth shut. 

“What? Eight times the amount?! You know the tip is like 5 to 20% of the bill, right?” Gojo burst out laughing. “Are you trying to be her sugar daddy or something? Because it clearly sounds like you are. I mean, you definitely got the looks and the money. You could easily play that role! Come on, we're still by the cafe! We could quickly go back and arrange something for you two!”

“This conversation is over,” Nanami sternly said, walking away.

Gojo chased after him. “Nuh uh! There’s way more things to discuss! At least tell me what you two talked about? I want to know the details! Pleeassee?"

"No," Nanami uttered, causing Gojo to slump his shoulders.

“Fine,” he exasperatedly said. “You're no fun.” 

As Gojo tried to fill in the silence, he randomly started rambling about his day and risky adventures he had the other night. Nanami couldn’t help but recall his time with Tiana, replaying their conversation and laughter in his mind. It was painful because his heart still burned for her. But he knew he had to leave it all in the past, since saving the city from cursed spirits was his number one priority. 

As the sun slowly set, the two men headed back to their lodge, walking down the bustling streets of New Orleans. Today may have ended on a sad note for Nanami, but he would forever hold this day close to his heart, cherishing these memories till the end of times. 

 

Chapter 2: Little Miss Handsy

Notes:

I litterally was about to abandoned this fic (because of work and I dont like my writing) but my friend encouraged me to finish it. So imma be determined to write more till its done, I'm just a slow updater, so be pplease bear with me😭😭

As the sun set and the day turned into dusk, Tiana and Buford finally closed up the cafe, relieved that another challenging day had come to an end. After bidding farewell, Tiana put on her green coat and hat before making her way toward a streetcar. Once Tiana slid into an empty seat, the driver pressed their foot onto the accelerator, causing the tall buildings to seamlessly blur once as they gained enough speed.

This had been a very rough week for Tiana. Working double shifts for five straight days had definitely put a strain on her mind and body, but thankfully, she only had to work a single shift tomorrow. Another double shift would have pushed her to the brink of exhaustion—as if she wasn't already there.

When the streetcar came to a stop by her neighborhood, she got off and dragged herself past the rows of shotgun houses until she arrived at her own. Climbing up the porch steps, she reached into her pocket to retrieve her key, but her tired fingers fumbled to insert the key into the door.

Meanwhile, a soothing, warm bath awaited her. For the past couple of weeks, Tiana had been experiencing a nagging back pain that seemed to magically appear whenever she came home. Her mother had given her an oil treatment that promised to alleviate this aching sensation, but if it failed, a trip to the doctor's office must be scheduled soon—an event she dreaded.

Just as she thought her troubles had stopped piling up, a rumbling engine of a vintage Mercedes-Benz roared behind her, and a heavy groan escaped her lips.

"Hello, Tiana! Why, don't you look dashing today," echoed a distinctly rich accent.

Unfooled by his charm, Tiana planned to keep this conversation short. She rolled her eyes in silence, swinging around to speak to him with an unenthusiastic tone, "Naveen, what do you want? It's 8 o'clock." She said as if she had a curfew.

Stepping out of his car, he hopped his way up the porch and leaned casually against the balustrade. He stood there, looking at Tiana with those sultry eyes of his, as if he were about to allure her. The porch light above Tiana highlighted the dangerous smirk on his face.

"It's not too late to go out, you know,” he chuckled before crossing his toned arms, "I was thinking maybe you could join me for a drink on this beautiful Saturday night,” Naveen suggested, slowly creeping toward Tiana, then stopped once he spotted the stressed lines resting on her face. “But it looks like you haven’t slept in ages," he remarked, catching the dark circles under her eyes.

"Thanks for pointing that out," she replied through gritted teeth, now turning her attention toward the door. This janky lock would not budge open, and Tiana didn’t have the time nor energy to be his amusement—not today and not ever. 

Naveen took note of her unwelcoming behavior, but thought nothing more of it, as if he enjoyed pushing her buttons. "Aww, someone's feeling a little cranky today."

Rolling her eyes once more, she inhaled and breathed out a deep sigh, "Naveen, you know I’m not into partying so I’m gonna have to say no."

"My dear, it's not a party,” he corrected her, “It’s just two people coming together to have a drink. You know, like good times’ sake,” Naveen was now inches away from Tiana, cooing close behind her ears as his breath tickled against her skin. He continued with a low purr, "Why not enjoy yourself? Is it wrong to have a little bit of fun every now and then?" His voice vibrated to her ears, looking down at her with hunger in his eyes. As he traced a hand down her back, Tiana’s face contorted with disgust, and she flung around, angrily slapping his hand away.

"Don't mistake me as one of your mistresses," Tiana sternly reminded him.

Naveen, who was startled yet amused, gently massaged his stinging hand and yelled, "Faldi Faldonza! I was just trying to help you find a way to relax from work! It's been making you so angry, like a boiling teapot!” He spoke expressively, then swiftly regained his usual composure, flashing that charming smile that women go crazy about. “So, why don't you come over to my mansion and let me show you a good time, huh? I know you want to," he purred, "And I know you need it. Desperately.”

Tiana stood her ground, unmoved by his charm. The porch remained silent, except for the sounds of vehicles roaming near the streets. Despite Tiana’s firm rejection, Naveen continued his attempts to persuade her into spending the night with him.

"If I wanted to relax, then I’ll just stay home and get away from you," Tiana retorted. As she finally unlocked the door, she quickly made her way inside and turned to Naveen’s direction, "You'll have to find someone else to go drink with. Otherwise, I'm not interested."

Naveen frowned, but soon adopted a contemptuous expression. "Eh. It's worth the shot,” he said nonchalantly, seemingly unbothered by her declining his invitation. Strolling back to his car, he mumbled once Tiana was out of earshot, “A line of women waits for me anyways.” One cranky woman would not ruin his night of passion.

As he halted midway, he swung around to deliver one final comment to Tiana, “Before I let you go, make sure you tell your mother that I say hey!" Annoyed, she slammed the door shut before another word ever came out of his stupid mouth. She hoped that he’d take the hint that she had no interest in talking to him. 

Naveen had a knack of being persistent, even in the face of rejection. A few years ago, Tiana had had a crush on Naveen, but as she got to know him, she started to see his true colors. The foolish man was like a rock polished in gold paint—pretty on the outside but dull on the inside. He boasted about his self-made wealth when all of his money came from his rich parents back in Maldonia. At least Charlotte never had to lie about the origin of her wealth. 

And during a disastrous date at a jazz lounge, Naveen bragged about the many mistresses he made worldwide, insinuating Tiana that she could be part of the harem if she were “less uptight.” It was very easy to get over him because at that very moment, Tiana easily lost all of her feelings for him. Naveen’s arrogance had convinced him she would fall for him, just like any other women he had beguiled in the past. But her intuition warned her that it was a trap. The thought of ever liking him again sent chills down her spine. She vowed to never fall for a man remotely similar to him and, staying true to her promise, she stuck to it without a hitch.

Although Naveen was wildly attractive, she valued humility over beauty. But there was one man who was the perfect combination of both, and that was…

Nanami.

Oh, how much she longed to relive their first meeting. There was something magnetizing about Nanami that drew her in. Yes, his "cherry blossom” comment was a little cheesy, but it secretly had her over the moon. She repeated the line over and over in her head—along with other playful things he had said. For the first time in years, someone had ignited a gentle flame in her. Despite his intimidating demeanor, he was surprisingly generous, soft, and overall, dorky. 

When Nanami mispronounced the word “beignets,” she struggled to hold in a laughter, not out of mockery, but out of genuine amusement. She understood that English wasn’t his first language, so she had helped him enunciate it. Still, it was overly cute of him, and Tiana eagerly waited for his return, hoping for another chance to see him. But luck hadn't been on her side so far, which saddened her a bit.

Gently placing the coat and hat against the coat rack, she called out her mother, but no response came back. Tiana assumed that her mother was still at work, so she didn’t fret too much about it. As long as her mother arrived home safely, Tiana would remain worry-free. Still, a quick call home would be appreciated. In the time being, she would take care of herself.

In the bathroom, she knelt down in front of the tub and let the water run. As it warmed, she poured in the oil treatment, swirling it around with her hand. Looking forward to her relaxation, she happily hummed a tune until a knock was heard from the front door.

She stopped humming, then assumed it was just Naveen fighting for her attention. She went back to her bath until those soft knocks escalated into loud bangs. Instantly, she groaned and angrily stood up.

“Who does he think he is banging on my door like that!” Tiana said out loud, stomping her way to the door.

As Naveen continued banging his fist against the door, she swung it open, ready to unleash a barrage of insults. However, to her surprise, it wasn’t Naveen but her lifelong childhood best friend—Charlotte, who was donning a beautiful, flapper dress that matched the color of her rosy cheeks.

"Good afternoon, Tia!" Charlotte gleefully chirped in her deep southern belle accent. She squeezed her arms tight around Tiana, and the frustration melted away. Whenever Charlotte was around, joy coursed through Tiana’s veins. She wouldn’t mind delaying her bedtime routine just to chat with her best friend.

“Lord… I thought you were Naveen!” Tiana clutched her chest and let out a sigh of relief.

“It’s funny that you say that, because just after I saw him standing on your porch, I waved ‘hi’ to him, and he immediately hurried off to his car, driving off like some speed racer. I guess I scared the poor fella away!” joked Charlotte.

So he did come back after I shut the door. This man won’t ever give up.

“Thank you for scaring him off. That man is always bothering me!” Tiana then chuckled.

Charlotte modestly waved off her friend's gratitude, “Oh shucks, it’s nothing, really. Just give me a call if he ever harasses you again.”

As they exchanged a few words and giggles, Tiana suggested they should sit on the sofa to continue their conversation from there. Once they sat comfortably in the uniquely narrow living room, Charlotte started transitioning into another topic, recounting her disastrous date with an entrepreneur she had met at a business event. After just three dates, he dropped to one knee, with a gleaming ring in his hand, and asked her to be his forever.  Her eyes widened, and she stood frozen in astonishment. Nearby onlookers were cheering them on, adding more stress to the woman's situation, as it seemed too early to enter such a serious commitment. It didn’t take long for their relationship to end. Tears streamed down on his face as he begged her to reconsider, but later on, she found out that he was just using her. He only asked her hand for marriage just so he could stick his greedy long fingers onto her father’s assets.

“That’s wild,” Tiana remarked, while grabbing a pitcher from the kitchen. She poured two cups of lemonade and placed it onto colorful coasters.

“That’s why it's important to cut your losses early. He really thought I was as dumb as a rock. Ugh, men these days!” Charlotte complained. Then with enough anticipation, she decided to dig into a much juicier topic, “But speaking of men, aren't you seeing anyone as of lately?”

Tiana quirked a brow, “I’m pretty sure if I had someone, then I would have told you right away,” she said. 

However, Charlotte wasn't entirely convinced. “Are you sure?” she asked. 

“Yes, I’m sure,” Tiana confirmed, taking a sip of her drink.

An air of mischievousness surrounded Charlotte. Pulling out a folding fan that matched the color of her pink Chanel purse, she flicked it open and started waving it to her face. She playfully declared, “Well, I think you’re lying. Because I know you’re seeing some businessman who goes by the name Nanami!”

Tiana choked on her drink, while Charlotte chortled, unfazed by Tiana coughings.

“By the way, it was Buford who told me that,” Charlotte smugly added.

“Wait? Why would he tell you that??” Tiana croaked, coughing out the remaining liquids from her windpipe. 

What could Buford have possibly heard from the kitchen? He was busy sizzling bacon over the grill, shouting out demands and orders left and right to Tiana. There's no way he could have eavesdropped across the cafe unless Buford had keen hearing senses that Tiana wasn't fully aware of. Oh Lord, what if Buford overheard all the cheesy things they had said to each other! Moreover, what gave Buford the right to stick his nose into her business? Sure, it was a rare sight to see Tiana willingly talk to a man, but it still did not give him the right to start talking about her business to her best friend! Additionally, what other soul had he told?!

“How did you even know about his name? We weren’t even loud,” Tiana said, sternly crossing her arms.

“Well,” Charlotte drawled, cheekily closing her pink fan with a smug look on her face, “He didn’t, but that albino friend of his sure is a loudmouth. I know you’ve seen him.”

Oh, the guy that tried to flirt with me in front of Nanami?! Of course…

Although Tiana didn’t catch his name, she remembered his voice standing out of the crowd. Still couldn't get over his lame “talented hands” pickup line he had used on her. Somehow, the white-haired man reminded her of Naveen—immature and boisterous.

Trying to manage herself, she asked Charlotte another question, “What else have you heard about him?” Tiana backtracked then asked something more important, “In fact, how did this whole conversation even start? What even led to this?” I need to know so I can stop talking to men at work!

Charlotte shoved her fan back into her purse before telling her story, “Okay, so one day, I went to the cafe to come find you, but you weren't there, so I thought you were at your other job. As I tried to leave, Buford caught me and pulled me to the side and started chatting about all the shady things he had heard around the block and—”

“Lottie, just get to the point,” Tiana interrupted, completely exasperated. 

“Okay, so, he asked me if you had a boyfriend, and I said, 'NO, my girl is as single as a Pringle.’ But when Buford saw you flirting with some other guy, he thought Nanami was your boyfriend and started gossiping about it with me.”

Tiana was absolutely floored. She hunched over, rubbing her forehead as she desperately needed a moment to process this absurdity. “Y’all have lost y’alls damn minds if you think I was flirting with some man I don’t know.” Okay, maybe she was flirting back a little, but that didn't give Buford an excuse to spy on her.

However, Charlotte’s bullshit radar was going off. “Stop lying your ass off! Buford happened to catch you two lovebirds having a jolly good time at the cafe. And once his friend had left, y’all started getting super handsy with each other.”

“Handsy?!” Tiana exclaimed, flabbergasted to hear all this buffoonery spewing out of Charlotte’s mouth.

“At first, I didn’t believe it. But you do some weird things when you’re in love,” Charlotte cackled.

Tiana shook her head to warn off the stupidity she just heard. “Now wait a minute,” she held up a finger, forcing out a pained laughter, “First of all, I was never handsy with anyone. And second of all, I am not in love.” Though, I think he’s a cutie patootie, she silently admitted.

Despite Tiana rebuking the silly rumors, Charlotte was not moved by it, “Oh please, with a guy as handsome as him, I highly doubt that none of y'all were doing nothing.”

“We did do nothing . I was at work just talking to someone,” Tiana refuted, then scoffed. “And how do you know if he’s handsome? You haven’t even seen him.” 

Charlotte was more than happy to run down the details that Buford had given her. As she stood on her feet, she raised one hand high up in the air to emphasize his height, then said, “He’s about this nay tall, has blond hair, wears these cool, funky glasses. Has on a cheetah-print tie, got a jawline you could cut a steak with. And!” She added with a husky drawl, “He had these juicy, muscular arms that could choke-hold someone to death.”

“You don’t know that!” Tiana retorted, though she couldn't help but be amused by it.

“I don't even need to see if he is attractive. Because just by the description alone, I already knew he’s an absolute dreamboat!”

For once, Charlotte was right. Just from Tiana’s recollection, he was undeniably handsome. And for a businessman, he was surprisingly fit, especially when she took a glimpse of his impressive forearms.

Suddenly, Tiana’s body grew hot like a furnace. Images of Nanami's strong hands holding her hands flooded her mind, causing her lips to form a cute, involuntary smile. Charlotte caught sight of the goofy grin and instantly put the two and two together.

“I knew you were lying!” Charlotte shouted so loudly it immediately snapped Tiana back into reality. Her face was mortified when she realized that she had been exposed.

“So you had a man this whole time and you've never told me about it? Tia! I thought besties tell each other everything?!” Charlotte scolded.

“We do! But the reason why I’ve never told you about him is because I don’t like him like that,” Tiana explained, biting the inside of her cheek. The woman wasn’t sure how she should feel about this, and it was truly maddening. 

Charlotte shot her a skeptical glance with narrowed eyes, and asked, “Okay, then why were you smiling just now?”

Crap.

Tiana quickly tried to come up with an excuse but failed miserably. “Maybe because it’s fun seeing you make a big deal outta this,” Tiana said, lying through her teeth once more, when it was painfully obvious that she had developed a small crush on him.

Unfortunately for Tiana, Charlotte wasn’t dumb enough to fall for that. “Enough with the baloney,” she said, “Admit it. He gives you the butterflies.” She leaned closer, inspecting to see any subtle changes on Tiana’s face, then cooed, “You like him, don't ya? Just say it already!” 

Reluctantly, Tiana couldn’t resist telling the truth, knowing Charlotte was smart enough to find out eventually. Tiana raised her hands in defeat, “All right, All right. Fine, I like him. But that doesn’t mean he’s my man,” she declared. It was undeniable that she liked Nanami, but her feelings felt complicated for some inexplicable reason. Maybe it was the fact that falling in love with someone was impossible due to her chaotic work schedule.

As their conversation heated up, Tiana’s mouth started to feel dry. She escaped to the kitchen, trading her lemonade for an icy glass of water. Charlotte, who still wanted to harass her for more details, closely followed her like an overly excited puppy.

“Oh my gosh! So, you do have a man!” Charlotte squealed, assaulting Tiana’s eardrums and filtering out the part where Tiana clarified that Nanami wasn’t her man.

“But I’m not gonna date him,” Tiana replied, finally cooling down from her icy, cold water.

“Are you kidding me?” Charlotte said in shock, “Why not? I promise, I won't tell your mom about your secret love affair~,” she bargained.

“Pfft, it’s not a secret, and my mama could care less who I date, as long it's not with Naveen.”

“Then WHY are you making it such a big deal?!” Charlotte’s voice rose louder than she intended. If there was one thing her friend was adamant about, it would be finding true love. She intensely believed that one should never wait to take the chance on such a beautiful phenomenon.

Charlotte’s piercing blue eyes locked into Tiana, impatiently waiting for a response. Tiana took a sip of her water before speaking. "I mean, I like him, but he's just a customer to me,” she stated, “And I'm not falling for someone whom I've only met once.” Tiana poured herself another glass of water then plopped back down on the living room sofa, with Charlotte following suit. She resumed, “And besides, I'm way too busy to go on a date. I barely have time for myself."

"You're only off once a week! Just set some time aside! Y'all coulda start something so beautiful!" Charlotte dreamily said. She was quite the hopeless romantic, way more than Tiana could ever be.

“Ugh, that’s what you think,” Tiana responded. For the first time in a while, she felt unsure what she truly wanted. This was a truly rare feeling she's experiencing, and she utterly despised it.

Charlotte was getting annoyed, "UGH?!” she angrily verberated from Tiana. “Of course that’s what I think! I have never seen you willingly talk to a man for that long unless it's Old Man Jinkins from the corner store!"

"Mr. Jinkins gives me free pecan candies, thank you very much," Tiana clarified, but Charlotte didn’t care about that.

"That's beside the point!" Charlotte said, growing frustrated with her friend, who seemed hesitant to open up. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose before looking up again. "You’re just gonna let that fine ass man slip from your fingers just like that?? If I were you, I’d snatch him up and stuff him right into my purse!"

Then, a twisted grin appeared on Charlotte’s face as she brought up another detail. "And don't think I forgot about you two being all over each other. Little Miss ‘Handsy’." 

Tiana realized she had dug herself into a deeper hole when she let Nanami hold her hands. The thought of how others might perceive her didn’t cross her mind, as she was completely absorbed in the moment. Although this conversation was giving her a headache, she oddly found it to be quite entertaining.

"Lottie, please,” Tiana blithely rolled her eyes while crossing her arms, “He was just giving me a tip," she said with a wry grin, attempting to downplay the situation.

"Uh, yeah, a tip of that dick," Charlotte croaked, couldn't stop herself from being childish. Tiana immediately burst into laughter.

"You are a mess!" she said, sending a hard smack aside of Charlotte's arm, which felt like nothing to her.

"Well, am I wrong?!"

Not entirely, Tiana thought, but she shook it off. "Like I said, we weren’t doing anything besides holding hands."

Charlotte raised another skeptical glance, shifting in her seat. "Oh! So it's totally normal to just hold hands with a customer you've just met.”

"You're missing the whole picture here."

“And what picture am I missing? That some guy is professing his undying love for you?”

Tiana couldn’t help but laugh at their banter, though a hint of nervousness lingered in her too, “Like I said, he was just giving me a tip. And nothing more happened after that.”

Charlotte raised a brow. She opened her mouth, then closed it back shut, as if she’s stopping herself from making another inappropriate comment. Then she decided to say something less crass, “I sure hope he gave you a good tip if you got him acting like that,” Charlotte announced.

And it sure was a hefty one too, Tiana thought. When Nanami had given her the large sum of money—which was eight times the bill amount—it had completely overwhelmed her. She was ready to give it back, but Nanami firmly assured her to keep it all for her sake. She still revisited that moment every day.

However, Charlotte still doubted Tiana’s relationship with Nanami. “Are you sure this man isn’t your secret lover? Because when has a man ever touched you without you bolting for the hills?”

For some mysterious reason, there was something that made Tiana lower her guard. Nanami was a Japanese businessman who expressed a deep fascination with trying New Orleans cuisine. His genuine interest was a refreshing experience, one that Tiana didn’t encounter that often with other men. Their conversation had flowed naturally, freeing herself from feeling forced to make small talk. She couldn't quite put a finger on it, but Nanami’s presence made her feel… comfortable.

Nanami was purely amazing, and from her assumption, Tiana sensed a bit of romanticism in him as well, which she wished she could explore more of. However, she wasn’t sure if their paths would align ever again. She’s just an American waitress struggling to achieve her dreams, while Nanami's just a wealthy foreigner temporarily residing in New Orleans for a business trip—two entirely different lives.

Tiana came back to her senses and said, “Well, he's one of the few who doesn't give me the creeps. It should be the standard, of course, but it's still refreshing to see someone so genuinely nice. However…” she trailed off. Charlotte was now on the edge of her seat, carefully listening while Tiana finished the last of her sentence, “It wouldn’t be wise to fall for a guy like that.”

Before Charlotte started to argue, she scrambled to find a logical reason. She blurted, “Wait, is he like Naveen?” Charlotte let out a gasp, unable to contain her shock. Before Tiana could say a word, Charlotte unintentionally spoke over her, “So he is like Naveen! That’s why you are so hesitant to date him!” 

Tiana quickly shook her head. “Oh, no, no, no, no, no! That's not the reason why,” she corrected her, which gave them a huge sense of relief that Nanami was nowhere like that man-child.

“Then…what’s stopping you from dating him?” Charlotte pressed.

Tiana took several moments to think before answering, “Like I mentioned before, I don’t have time to date anyone. Plus, I don’t even think we will ever see each other again because we don’t have each other’s numbers.”

Charlotte gasped more dramatically, as if Tiana had committed a felony.

Tiana felt the confusion emitting off of Charlotte. Despite hitting it off at the cafe, nothing else had progressed. Tiana ran through countless reasons why Nanami hadn’t asked for her number. She contemplated giving him her number too, but cold feet settled in, and customers began to rampage the cafe. Furthermore, Nanami was only in New Orleans for a business trip, and those trips typically lasted for a few days. It was highly likely that Nanami had already returned back to Japan. While it had been a pleasure meeting him, she must let go of those memories in order to emotionally detach from them. 

Besides, dating wasn't something she had in mind while she worked toward her goals. With so much on her plate, adding a partner to the mix left no room for them to enter.

“Look, I know this may sound crazy, but I’m glad we don’t have each other’s numbers. He’s just passing through town for a business trip. And I don’t want to get wrapped up into someone who’s going to leave in the next few days."

Curiosity struck through Charlotte, “I thought he lives here? Where is he originally from?”

Tiana let out a reluctant sigh before speaking, “He’s from... Japan,” she finally admitted. 

Charlotte protested, not seeing an issue, “What's wrong with that? You’ve dated Naveen knowing that he was a foreigner, yet you didn't have a problem with that.”

“That's because Naveen lives here. Nanami is only here for a short period of time. He's probably not here in Louisiana anymore,” pouted Tiana, who was getting more pessimistic upon the matter.

Charlotte could sense Tiana’s sadness radiating through her body and tried to sprinkle a glimmer of hope to her friend, “Hey, you’ll never know! Maybe he’s still here! Perhaps his job is letting him work here permanently!” 

Oh, bless Charlotte and her unwillingness to give up on love. While Tiana appreciated her friend's optimism, she didn’t find it to be realistic. Nevertheless, Charlotte’s positivity made Tiana happy to have a friend like her. She softly chuckled, “You’re not giving up on this, are you?” Tiana asked.

With such confidence, Charlotte said, “Of course not! I believe that once you meet the right person, they’ll come back to you.”

“And if they don’t?”

“And if they don’t, then you must learn to move on,” Charlotte sincerely said, “And it's up to you how long you want to wait. Your world shouldn’t stop spinning because of one guy.”

A hint of glimmer resurfaced in Tiana’s eyes. She seldomly kept advice from people other than her mother, but Charlotte’s words gave her a great sense of comfort. For once, Charlotte was being the big sister that Tiana longed for. 

“And, one last thing, if Nanami ever comes back and he asks you to go out on a date, just say yes.” Charlotte strongly suggested, pointing a finger at her, "I don’t wanna hear no ‘I got work’ or ‘He’s only here for a few days’ excuses. Embrace the present and grab that opportunity by the throat! Knowing you, I already know your stubborn ass would find a way out."

Tiana snorted like it was untrue, "I am not stubborn."

Charlotte chuckled, "Keep telling yourself that. Just wait ‘til you’re boohooing and crying because you regret losing your chance with a man like that!"

Tiana had to give her credit for knowing how she would react. Though she would regret it, Tiana was not the type to cry for missing out. 

"I will keep that in mind for now,” Tiana said before letting out a big yawn. Glancing at the clock above her head, she watched as the hands settled precisely at 9 P.M. She contemplated on starting her nightly hygiene routine, but her mother wasn’t home yet.

As paranoia gnawed at the edge of Tiana’s thoughts, she traveled to the telephone table and entered her mother’s number through the rotary dial.

Just as Tiana held the receiver to her ear, the doorknob twisted open and an old lady entered the house. Relief flooded over Tiana like a gentle wave when she saw the lady donning in a long, purple coat that she tailored herself.

"Mrs. Eudora!" Charlotte piped and ran into the elderly woman, hugging her tightly.

"Hey, sugah! How are you, dear?" Eudora tiredly greeted, barely suppressing a yawn. She had just finished a long day of sewing dresses.

Tiana was relieved to see her mother here safely, “Oh, thank goodness. I was getting worried about you! You’re too old to be walking alone in these streets,” she voiced her concerns, hugging her mother right after Charlotte.

Eudora laughed, undeterred, “Ha! Those people better think twice before messing with me! I’ll spray ‘em if I have to!”

Tiana shook her head, “Oh mama, I think you need more than a pepper spray to handle these crazy people.”

“You’re right, I need me a glock!” Eudora cackled. 

The room was filled with the sounds of their laughter, sweeping away any worries from earlier.

Tiana smiled, “Lord, please help her,” she humored, “At least give me a call if you’ll be home late! You got me worried sick!”

Eudora laughed, happy to hear her own daughter watching over her shoulders like a guardian angel. “Aww, you’re just as caring as ever. I’m sorry that I’ve got you all worried, babygirl. I should have called you, but I was so busy making these dresses for the upcoming dance recital. Today is the last day I’ll be working this late. But the one I should be more worried about is you. You’ve be working at that diner so late at night that I had to stay up to make sure you’d get home safe.” As Eudora adjusted comfortably on the sofa, she asked about her daughter’s back problems. “Has that oil worked for your back?”

“I don’t know yet. I was about to try it until Lottie interrupted my ‘me time’,” Tiana sassed, shooting a playful glance at Charlotte while placing her hands on her hips.

“Hey! You say it like you're not happy to see me!” Charlotte gaily complained. 

As the time ticked closer to bedtime, Tiana cut the interaction short so she could fix this aching sensation in her back. She hoped that this remedy would work for her this time. “All right, y’all. I’m about to go take a bath. I hope this does the trick, or I might just end up at the doctor’s office so they could take a look,” she pouted.

She traveled over to Charlotte and gave her one last hug, saying, "I'm so glad you decided to stop by tonight, even though you're always driving me up a wall!” 

“Please, I think you love it when I do,” Charlotte giggled.

Tiana then went over to the sofa, wrapped her slender arms around her mother’s slumped shoulders, and gave Eudora a big peck on the cheek, to which she hummed in glee.

After saying goodnight, she retreated to the bathroom, preparing to wind down for the night so she could feel refreshed and ready for the next workday. Buford would definitely be having a word from her.

As Tiana left their visions, Charlotte turned her direction to Eudora, who was sinking comfortably into the sofa.

Eudora joked with Charlotte, asking what kind of trouble she had caused Tiana this time.

With a smirk, Charlotte was ready to spill the tea to Mrs. Eudora.

“So guess who has a boyfriend.”

Notes:

BTW I deleted chapter 3 cuz my friends said it coulda been better 😵💫 BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD

Chapter 3: So Much for a Relaxing Day Off...

Summary:

Nanami thought cooking a hallmark Southern meal would fix the terrible day he's currently enduring, but little did he know it would do the opposite.

Notes:

lmao sowwy its been over a year. I was stuck on the story, then gave up to focus on drawing, then i came back because I was feeling nostalgic about it XD. I lowkey forgot what certains things had happened in chapter 1 and 2. And when I tried to go back and read it, I COULDN’T FINISH IT BECAUSE IT WAS LOWKEY CORNY AND CRINGEY AS FUCKKK 😭😭 Anyway the story is still cringey and corney. Annndddd I might rewrite a few things in chapter 1 and 2 when i get the chance, but we’ll see.

however I’ve decided to have the story happen BEFORE Nanami ever knows about Yuji. Anyway, I've uploaded two chapters to make up for my absence. And again, critques are still welcome!

Today was not a good day off for Nanami.

Last-minute reports. Surprise meetings. And incompetent colleagues all triggered the relentless headaches he’s been experiencing all month.

His latest reports could’ve been finished hours ago, but when two American sorcerers found themselves trapped by a herd of cursed spirits, he quickly had to save them before their school started drafting their eulogies. Although the curses themselves were easy to eradicate, the recent spike of cursed energy had made them increasingly aggressive, despite their low grades.

In hindsight, Nanami couldn’t entirely fault the young Americans for their shortcomings. However, if they wanted to be promoted, then they had to work harder than what they’re trained for.

Everyone, including Nanami, had to be on their A-game, since the standards of sorcery were rapidly changing. But progression was nearly impossible when the investigation was becoming a cold case.

Trudging across the floor, he tossed his jacket onto the sofa and headed to the bar. The wide, whiskey bottles were calling his name, and he was tempted to go take a sip but strongly resisted. Even though his annoyance was terribly intolerable, the timing wasn’t right on his end. It was literally noon, and he couldn’t take the risk to relax in case a situation were to arise.

So much for a relaxing day off…

As he stepped away from the bar, he searched for a better way to cope with his stress when a line of books caught his attention. 

They were tucked away on the kitchen counter, hidden where no one would think to find. They were mainly cookbooks, and Nanami had a feeling that preparing a good meal might be the cure to this awful day. He browsed through the titles until one of them caught his eyes.

Cooking from the Best of Both Worlds! was printed in big, bold letters, coupled with homestyle foods that were beautifully arranged on the cover.

He opened it to the first page and read the author’s intention to bring, “a Midwestern taste to a Southerner’s heart.” Yet, not deriving far from the original source.

Interested, he flipped through the pages when an image showcasing a dark, mahogany broth, shimmering with dots of oil, and plump grains of rice captured his attention. Chunks of tender chicken and sausages, vibrant green peas, carrots, and… corn? all intertwined in the mixture. It was different from the ones he had before, but the image made him so hungry, he didn’t bother to think.

So, without a moment of delay, he gathered all the ingredients listed from the recipe and laid them across the table.

BAYOU-STYLE GUMBO

FOR THE ROUX
1 cup of flour
1 stick of melted butter

FOR THE MIREPOIX
1 stalk of diced celery
1 large diced onion
2 whole diced carrots

FOR THE GUMBO
1 pound of chicken breast
1 link of smoked sausage
2 oz of corn
2 oz of green peas
1 pint of beef stock
10 cups of water
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of black pepper
1 tsp of onion powder
1 tsp of garlic powder
1 tbsp of BBQ sauce
2 tbsp of Old Bay Seasoning
1 tbsp of rosemary

He sliced the vegetables and meats, setting them aside before starting the roux. He combined the flour and melted butter, mixing it for a good while, till the roux reached the darkest color possible. He was a bit skeptical at first, reading how it should resemble the color of “black maple tree bark.” But he went on, convinced he was on the right track. Once the roux was finished, he added the mirepoix, vegetables, meats, seasonings, and BBQ sauce to the pot before simmering them for an hour. 

He was proud. More proud than he had ever felt before. He eagerly dipped the spoon into the broth and brought it to his lips. The moment it touched his tongue, his eyes widened in pure shock. This was by far…

The worst thing he had ever tasted in all 27 years of his life.

His face scrunched into a grimace as he spat out the nasty remnants from his mouth, tossing the spoon in the sink as it landed with a loud clatter. He coughed then peered down at the sea of wasted potential.

Where had he gone wrong? The cookbook clearly stated to make the roux as dark as possible, but Nanami couldn’t figure out where things had taken a turn for the worst. He had used the right temperature, the right ingredients, the right techniques, the right everything the recipe had called for. Yet he somehow created literal horseshit all in the middle of his kitchen.

Puzzled, he glanced at the picture-perfect dish, then to his own disastrous creation. It upsetted him more just looking at it, and attempting to cook had only made his bad day worse.

Closing his eyes, he tried to silence the chaos in his head, when a new irritant came crashing through the living room door, prompting Nanami to let out a groan.

“Hiya, Nanami! Guess what I saw today! While I was patrolling the levee, I saw these big, juicy pairs of— What’s that?” Gojo cut himself off mid-sentence, immediately making a beeline for the stove as he invaded his space. “Did you make this for me?

Nanami didn’t answer.

“Well, aren’t you the sweetest! I can’t believe you’ve cooked for me!”

Nanami kept his gaze sternly fixed on the pot, clearly not in the mood to converse.

But Gojo was.

In a quick motion, Gojo snatched off the lid and a puff of steam billowed from the pot. He smiled widely once he saw the contents below. “Oh! Is this stew? I love stew! You really are my favorite living person in the world!” 

Switching off his Infinity, he eagerly dipped his finger into the broth. And the very second he tasted it, he violently gagged, jerking back from the stove like he was caught on fire. “What the hell,” he coughed, “Are you trying to kill me!?” 

Angry, Nanami snatched a spoon from the sink and swung it toward Gojo’s knuckles, only for it to stop mere centimeters from his skin. 

“A-HA! Too slow!” he taunted, “Can’t take my eyes off of you after that stunt you’ve pulled.” Gojo still vividly remembered the pain when Nanami kicked him in the shin. Although he might’ve deserved it, Nanami didn’t have to go so hard when Gojo just wanted to mess with him for funsies. Despite experiencing phantom pain, his winning grin did not falter until he noticed the deep frown lines creasing on the middle of Nanami’s forehead. “Damn, Kento, did someone spill your morning coffee? You look like you’re about to kick a puppy.”

Nanami tsked at the sound of his given name. “You’re not allowed to call me that.”

“But we’re living together!”

“Only because we are on a business trip.”

“Not necessarily,” he said with a sly grin. “Just think of it as our little vacation. What’s more relaxing than spending a few weeks with me?” He blew a fake kiss toward Nanami’s direction, only for him to dodge and crush it in his fist.

“You need a psychological evaluation,” said Nanami.

“And you need one too if you think whatever this is qualifies as food.” Gojo gestured toward the pot. “Seriously, what the hell did you make?”

Nanami exhaled as he pinched the middle of his nose bridge. “It’s supposed to be… gumbo,” he hesitated.

“Gumbo?!” Gojo erupted into a fit of laughter, clutching his belly like it was about to fall. Once his laughter died down, he took a look at the recipe page then to the pot itself. The dark, glossy surface glistened just enough to distort his reflection, leaning in to take one final glance at the cookbook before he went onto a dramatic monologue about gumbo.

“You know, gumbo is one of those dishes where you have to follow every step to a T. You’re reliving people’s past lives all in the comfort of your own home. Its ingredients and techniques had been carried on for centuries, which holds a historical value that should be respected. It’s great in taste, yeah, but it’s all about honoring its struggles, its history, and the beautiful jumble of cultures that set foot upon this land. A dish that brings people together and… Wait. Is that… corn?” He dove closer to the pot in a puzzling expression. “Why does it have corn?”

Nanami instantly slammed the lid shut, cutting off the sight. His jaw tightened, seething over his own failures as Gojo attempted to cheer him up.

“Hey, don’t be sad! Cooking is like a form of sorcery. You’re gonna be shit at first, but as time goes on, you’ll eventually get a hang of it. But!” Gojo leaned in as Nanami sensed an incoming jab. “It takes a special kind of skill to make something this bad.” Gojo cackled once more, taking joy in ridiculing his colleague’s poor cooking.

“Thanks for the insight, asshole,” Nanami muttered, dryly. His shoulders sagged as he stared at the wasted ingredients through the see-through lid. The vision of a comforting meal now turned into an unreachable memory. 

Gojo quickly noticed Nanami’s dejection as he seemed to think of something. “Oo! I know what you could do!” he said with a snap of his fingers.

“And what wonderful idea do you have that doesn’t involve insulting my food?” Nanami asked, folding his arms while raising a skeptical brow. He decided to humor Gojo’s antics, though only out of curiosity. But if it turned out to be foolish, Gojo would be stuck handling Nanami’s extermination duties for the next three days.

“Instead of settling for this poor intimation of a refined dish, why don’t you eat at a place that is known for its amazing atmosphere, great breakfast menu, and has a pretty waitress who serves fat, fluffy, and  scrumptious beignets that everyone and their mothers love?”

“And that place is?” Nanami grumbled, already suspecting the answer.

“Duke’s Cafe! Duh!” Gojo excitedly exclaimed, tapping Nanami’s forehead like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

And just for that moment, Nanami felt foolish for expecting a sensible answer. “That’s it,” he said, completely fed up, “You’re doing all of my work for the next three days.”

Gojo’s jaws dropped in disbelief. “Wha–Why?!”

“Because I knew you’d say that,” he hoarsed.

Gojo scoffed. “If you knew, then that means you were thinking of her!”

“For the millionth time, I do not see her that way!” he spat. Then everything became worse when a wave of heat rose to his neck, staining his cheeks a delicate pink shade. All memories of the waitress—her smile, her laughter and easy-going energy—flooded his mind. Then, suddenly, his throat began to close in. He tugged at the knot of his tie, loosening it as if it were starting to choke him.

A knowing grin stretched across Gojo’s face as he got closer to study the blushing man’s reactions. “Oh yeah? Then why are you loosening your tie?”

“Because it’s too tight around my neck.” 

“Then why is your face red?”

“Because you’re pissing me off!” Nanami snapped, turning away.

Gojo shook his head with a theatrical sigh. “Nahhh…” he dragged out, “I think you still have a thing for her. I know your type. You like them dainty…”

Wrong.

“...hard-working...”

True.

“...and someone who can shine the sunniest rays on the gloomiest days. All with a big smile.” He pointed both fingers at his grin.

Also true. Can he stop talking already? 

Disliking the fact that Gojo was more than half correct, Nanami scrambled to refute the rest of his observation. “I am not gloomy,” he grumbled, “and I’m certainly not into dainty women.”

“Okay, fine, you’re not. But I didn’t say you were gloomy. I just said you need someone who can be there for you. Like someone who can handle your lowest days. We all have them.”

While Nanami appreciated the rare moment of sincerity, he was ready to move on.

Gojo, however, had more to say. “Now’s a good time to visit her. It’s your day off, right?”

“Barely.”

“Well, today’s the perfect day to go! You clearly need it.” Then his tone softened. “And try to talk to her. I know you want to.” He snickered. “I’ve seen the way you look at her.” 

Nanami tried to deflect. “Why were you even looking at me?” He narrowed his eyes. But Gojo’s unwavering gaze made it clear he had no intention of stopping.

“Because I know when a man has his heart set on someone.” He pinched a piece of Nanami’s cheek. Then his tone switched to an obnoxious, high-pitched voice that greatly grated on Nanami’s nerves. “And I just know that my widdle friend still has a crush on her. Just admit it!”

Nanami slapped his hand away, his patience finally gone. “I have enough of this.”

He stormed out the kitchen and reached for his jacket that was carelessly thrown over the sofa.

The departure somewhat surprised Gojo, causing him to revert back to his regular voice. “Where are you going?” 

“To the grocery store,” Nanami blurted, rolling down his sleeves. He slipped on his jacket and buttoned it up, as he deliberately avoided Gojo’s gaze. “I’m hungry, and I want to make gumbo. So I’m not giving up until I make it right.”

Gojo casually leaned against the counter, crossing his arms as a faint smile curled along his lips. “So, making gumbo is more important than seeing her, huh?”

“Yes,” he sharply spat, now eyeing Gojo, intensely. “Yes, it is. Because, like I’ve said before, I’m not here to get involved with women—or anyone else for that matter—while I am working as a sorcerer.” 

The room went quiet, all except for the house creaking from the wind. He looked at the time on his watch. It’s only a little over two, and Nanami had enough time to cook before he finished those reports by nightfall.

Without looking back, he casually gave a wave. “Anyway, catch you later. I’ll give you a call if I spot anything peculiar.”

Nanami reached for the doorknob, ready to leave, but just as he was about to turn it, Gojo shouted, “Wait!” 

Nanami paused, angling his head by a certain degree to glance back at him. Almost glaring.

“Before you go, can you buy me some snacks on the way back?”

“No.”

“Please?” Gojo pleaded.

“Why didn’t you get some when you were out?!”

“Because I forgot.” He shrugged. “And I gave you those candied grapes, remember? Come on, there’s gotta be an exchange for my excellent courtesy.”

Nanami was about to refuse, when he remembered the surprisingly delectable treat Gojo had bought him from the corner store. They were good. Too good. It satiated the sweet tooth Nanami had earlier, and he cursed himself for liking them so much. With a good change of heart, he decided to return the favor. “Fine,” he conceded, “What kind?”

“The Zapp’s Voodoo chips! Oh man, those are amazing!” He rubbed his belly in circles. “I could eat them all day!”

Nanami scoffed. “Those are disgusting.”

“Better than the sewage soup you made.” Gojo returned, flashing a crooked smile.

Nanami almost rescinded his offer until the lingering taste of burnt broth in his mouth reminded him why he shouldn’t.

“Alright. Whatever. I’ll see you later,” he muttered as he made his way out the door. 

But before he could completely close it, Gojo shouted, “Wait!!”

“For the love of god, what?!” He widened the door. The wind was blowing inside, and Nanami cracked it just enough to keep the papers from flying.

“Next time, wear an apron when you’re cooking. Don’t want to ruin your clothes.” Gojo advised with a cheeky grin. “Plus, you’d look good in it!”

Nanami glared at him unamusingly. “I think that’s an excuse to see me in it,” he pointed out.

The breeze was picking up, and he couldn’t waste anymore time chitchatting. Determined to recreate his dish on a level of perfection, Nanami gave Gojo a final, “Bye,” and shut the door, locking it behind. He didn’t dare to look back until he finished his grocery run for the day.

 

***

 

Nanami entered a busy neighborhood, watching the boxy T-models and Four-Nineties inched along the congested streets. Nothing seemed to be moving, and the sight made Nanami glad that he had chosen another route. If he’d were to call his chauffeur instead, then they, too, would have been stuck in the same predicament. Which he severely lacked the patience for right now.

Standing in a sea of passengers, Nanami gripped the handrail as the streetcar swayed. Men in dark suit jackets and women in vintage dresses all lively chattered and laughed as their voices filled the space. When a guy accidentally bumped into Nanami’s back, he quickly apologized and Nanami accepted it with a nod. He’d barely noticed it, since Tokyo’s subways had far worse crowds than this.

He silently stared at the window, watching a sequence of stores zip by as he pulled out a small notepad from his breast pocket. He flipped it open with a flick of his thumb, staring at the list of items he needed to buy, when faint giggling noises broke his concentration.

Across from him, two women in pastel cloche hats and matching outfits sent not-so-subtle looks in his direction. Their bright eyes lingered, as if they were studying him like a curiosity. They whispered into each other’s ears with cupped hands as they continued to leave little giggles behind.

Once Nanami finally gave them an apathetic glance, they instantly turned away, blushing as their giggles softened into murmurs, but their interest in him didn’t diminish.

Unamused, he returned his gaze back to the window.

While many would find the attention to be flattering, he found it to be wholly unremarkable. His commitment to his duties left no room for distractions in his life, since connections, friends, lovers, entanglements, and all other emotional luxuries didn’t belong in his world. 

Attachments had always been a dangerous gamble. He’d seen what happened when sorcerers allowed themselves to become distracted. How even the smallest lapse of judgment could lead to devastating consequences. 

He quietly exhaled once more, zoning out to the list that was still attached to his hand. He’d been there once. Stumbling through the aftermath of his own mistakes. But with careful precaution, he had no intentions to be on that path again.

Besides, he had far more pressing matters demanding his full attention. Like why the city’s cursed energy had been spiking to abnormal levels. Or, on a lighter note, wondered if the grocery store had any good deals today. Shopping would serve as a welcoming distraction for him, but he’d make sure to leave in a timely manner. In case another emergency call came from work again.

Just as he slid the notepad back into his pocket, the street he’d been waiting for came into view. He pulled the cord over his head to let the driver know that his departure was near, and the streetcar began to slow to a halt as the brakes rumbled beneath his feet.

“Excuse me,” he said as he maneuvered his way out of the crowd. The two women who had been gawking at him straightened in their seats, their purses now sitting prettily on their laps. They were waiting for him to notice, and when Nanami met their expectant with an impassive glance, their giggles heightened as they lay closer to each other.

In Nanami’s perspective, he found the whole thing to be odd, but even if he were affected by it, he knew it was nothing he needed. Not by a long shot. Emotional and physical bonds were the bane of his existence. 

Once he got to the exit, he thanked the driver before stepping off the streetcar, slipping seamlessly to the crowd. He spotted the grocery store up ahead on the street; A small building sandwiched between neighboring shops. Its large display windows boasted today’s sales in bold, hand-painted lettering, mentioning major deals on celery, bananas, and much, much more.

As Nanami half-way opened the door, a sharp gust of wind tore through the street, instantly closing it shut with a loud slam! The wind caught everyone off guard, forcing people to tug at their coats as they leaned forward to keep themselves from falling. Nanami braced himself, covering his face with one arm as he attempted to pull the handle. And after a tense moment, the door swung open, forcing him to stumble inside. The warm air now became cold as the door crashed behind him. Shoppers froze with their carts in hand, startled as a few gasps escaped their lips. He fixed his posture and when they noticed he was alright, they soon returned to their business.

A lanky worker standing next to the entrance offered free samples of cubed cheese from their station. “Quite a windy day, huh, pal?” the worker said, giving a cup of cheese to Nanami. 

He agreed then plucked it from his gloved hand, returning a polite, “Thank you,” before grabbing a handheld basket from a stack nearby. Squeaky cart wheels moved around the store, as shoppers placed items into their baskets. He went through his list, traveling through every aisle he needed to go through, reading his notepad as he mentally marked each item he had.

Sausage-check

Chicken-check

Beef broth- check

Onions- check

Garlic, corn, and carrots? Check, check, and check.

Gojo’s chips? They were sold out. Sucks to be him.

Each vegetable was bagged and placed into his basket. However, one item still remained in his list that he’d made sure to get.

Celery.

He walked down the produce section, scanning until his eyes laid on the very last celery stalk in the bin.

Just as he was about to grab it, a stranger’s hand appeared, brushing precariously close to his own. He instinctively pulled back as he turned to see the would-be thief.

The woman’s face was obscured by an olive-green cloche hat, its brim low enough to cast a shadow over her features. Unaware of him at first, she gently drew back and offered a small, apologetic smile to the man. “Oh, I’m sorry, sir. You can have it,” she softly said, her voice ringing a familiar tune to his ears.

Nanami paused.

Wait. Could that be…

Nanami’s thoughts completely cracked. The familiar sounds of her voice seemed to dim the store’s clamor, as if someone had turned a dial to zero. 

Then he saw it. A flash of yellow peeked from underneath her trench coat. A dress he had seen before.

When she looked up, her deep brown eyes instantly joined his, and a jolt of recognition hit him like a train. As soon as he saw the familiar glint in her eyes, he knew he had to hurry and speak before they went their separate ways.

“Tiana?” Nanami whispered.

Her eyes brightened as a gasp escaped her lips. “Nanami?”

She remembers my name.

Without a moment of hesitation, they moved closer, completely ignoring the last celery in the bin.

“Hey!” 

“I-”

“No, you go first-”

“Wait, sorry-”

She laughed, breaking the awkward loop. “Oh, it’s so good to see you!”

“It’s good to see you as well, Tiana.” For the very first time of the day, Nanami smiled. It was small, not as wide nor bright as hers, but it was still genuine nonetheless.

“S-so how are you?” she asked as she shifted the weight of her hand-held basket. “I’d thought you’d be back in Japan by now.”

“I thought so too. But things got a little… complicated at work. Just thinking about it gives me a headache.” He looked reluctant. He didn’t want to spark any curiosity about his job. But, fortunately, it didn’t rouse any questions from Tiana. Yet. 

“Oh, I hope they ain’t stressing you out too much,” she kindly worried, “Surely they’ll recognize all the hard work you’ve put in.”

It was a very considerable thought, but this was the Jujutsu world he was thinking about. Well-deserved recognition was almost a foreign concept to the higher-ups, so he wasn’t about to get all worked up over something he’d never get. But that didn’t lessen the vexed views he had for them.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure they will.” he said, trying to keep the conversation about his job light, “But all of this will likely be over soon.” Hopefully… He quickly changed the subject. “What about you? Anything special happened lately?”

“Nah, nothing spectacular has happened since we last met. But! We do have something exciting happening at the cafe right now. And I think you’d be pleased to hear it.”

Nanami inquisitively hummed. “I’m listening…” 

“We’re rolling out new flavors for the season. Like gingerbread flapjacks, blueberry-filled croissants, and praline flavored coffee. You’d be missing out if you don’t stop by.” She sang the last word a bit too sweet for him to ignore.

Nanami bit the inside of his cheek. 

Although her proposal sounded amazing, he knew it’d lead to a slippery slope. 

Despite his stoic and detached appearance, Nanami had grown a simple liking for Tiana. He hadn’t seen her in over a month, yet he still thought about her from time to time. He felt pathetic for being this infatuated just after one encounter. But, he missed feeling this way for someone; it made him feel so alive.

Which was why he needed to squander it. Now.

Politely, Nanami said, “I appreciate the offer. But–”

“We’ll have sweet potato beignets as well.”

“Sold,” he said in a heart beat, earning a hearty laugh from Tiana as he inwardly cringed at his own eagerness. So much for controlling his temptations!

“I’ll make sure to have a batch ready for you. If you’re still in New Orleans, that is. You’re overdue for a visit. And also, you look like you need a great place to unwind from your job,” Tiana said.

Nanami was reluctant about coming over, however, it wouldn’t hurt to pay for a little visit. Just for the food, he thought, as if he had to remind his future self that. “I’ll keep that in mind, but don’t be too upset if I fail to make it.”

“Because work’s been keeping you busier than a moth in a mitten?” Tiana assumed.

“Quite, frankly, yes,” Nanami chuckled, not fully understanding the phrase until he applied context clues. American southerners certainly had a knack of saying things more creatively in any scenario they’re given. “I’ve got a lot of things tied to my hands, so whenever I’m done, I just go straight home and relax.”

Then Tiana asked a question that Nanami should have known would bite him in the ass. “I didn’t get to ask before, but what do you do for a living?”

Shit… he thought. Nanami should have come up with a cover-up job earlier. He could use the stockbroker title that he went by in Japan, but that line of work usually didn’t travel overseas. With a quick change of decision, he managed to reach a solid conclusion that felt the most convincing. “I’m a financial analyst,” he said, “A businessman, really.”

“Oo, I knew it!” she excitedly said with a snap of her fingers. “I bet you have your own office room and everything! With the best view of the city, I’m sure you can see everything happening in front of ya.”

A small smile appeared on Nanami’s face, yet a twinge of guilt buried him once he lied to her so easily. “Well, I wouldn’t say I have my own office, but it’s close to having one.” Since it was a shared resource among the sorcerers.

Nanami then looked at his watch. They had been chatting for a while, and a wave of disappointment flickered in his eyes when he saw how fast time flew by. Although he wanted to continue talking, he didn’t want to hold Tiana from any of her grocery shopping.

Glancing down at the lone celery stalk, Nanami wrung a flimsy plastic bag out of the roller then stuffed the vegetable in. “Here.” He tightened and handed the bag to Tiana. “You were about to grab it, so I figured you’ll need it.”

Tiana’s eyes drew to the celery in his grip. “Oh, you shouldn’t have. You saw it first.” 

“But you need it more than me,” he returned. She was right, but he was willing to give it away. “Besides, I have a feeling you’d do more justice than I would.” His poor gumbo making skills shouldn’t be wasted on him.

Tiana let out a satisfied hum by his confession. “Glad to know you have so much faith in me,” she smiled. After reconsidering it, Tiana finally accepted his generous offer. “Thank you,” she said as she retrieved the bag from his hand. “But I could’ve got ’em myself.”

“I know.” He rubbed the back of his neck, flustered from his actions. “But it doesn’t hurt to do a small service.”

Pleased, another one of her smiles bloomed like the first rays of the morning light. “Mmm, okay,” she hummed, “You are a good man, Nanami. You really are.” She slid the bagged celery into her basket that was brimming with fresh produce and fragrant herbs—which strangely looked similar to his basket once he had a closer look. “Without this, I probably would’ve settled for something else.”

“And what’s on the menu tonight?” he asked. Jambalaya? Étouffée? Dirty Rice? Nanami silently guessed.

“I’m making gumbo.”

The answer hit him like a jolt. “Gumbo?”

“Yeah.” She raised a brow, slightly popping her hip to the side. “What? Never heard of it before?”

“No, no. I have. It’s just…” he paused, “that’s exactly what I’m making too.” 

A slow smirk curved at the corner of her lips as she teasingly tilted her head. “Are you copying me, Mr. Nanami?” she teased as Nanami tried his absolute best to not get affected by the way she mentioned his name. It was unknown if she were doing this on purpose or not.

Burning under his collar, he confidently muttered, “Perhaps,” before he cringed at himself once again. “But I doubt mine will ever come out as good as yours.”

Tiana now furrowed her brows. “You don’t think highly of your cooking?”

“I mean, I do. Usually, ” he quickly added, “but let’s just say… I’m still fighting to figure this one out.”

Tiana inquisitively hummed. “Mmm. What happened?” She folded her arms with the basket hanging on her forearm. “Maybe I can help pinpoint the problem,” she kindly offered.

Nanami paused before he answered the question. “I think I burnt the roux. I followed everything the instructions told me to do. But it hasn’t turned out the way I wanted.”

Tiana became curious. “There might be somethin’ wrong with the roux,” she said, “What’s the very first step you did?”

“I heated the pot in low-medium heat, then added equal parts of fats and flour.” He said, knowing how important the ratio was.

“Okay, okay. You’re doing good so far.”

Nanami was relieved to hear that. He continued, “Next, I stirred until it became dark. However, I think I might’ve cooked for too long…” 

Tiana inquisitively hummed. “Did you keep stirring as it cooked from the beginning?”

“Yes.”

“For how long?”

“For approximately… I say… a little over an hour.”

“That’s a bit long, but it should still come out good.” Tiana then hummed again, thinking. “What color was it at the end? Like, was it deep chocolate brown? Or… almost black?”

“Deep chocolate brown, but…” Tiana turned more attentive once Nanami said the word 'but.' “It was a tad darker than pictured.”

Then she went to her final question. “Did you use butter as your fat? For the roux?”

Shit… he did. In one meek expression, he said. “Yeah…”

“See? That’s where ya messed up! Butter doesn’t have a high smoking point like oils and lards do, so they’re going to burn faster than the rest.”

Damn that cookbook! It didn’t know what it was saying! Though Nanami felt partially responsible for not doing any research beforehand. “Was there any way to salvage it?” he asked.

“Yes! If your roux is burnt all you have to do is add brown sugar and honey to neutralize the flavor. But honestly, it’s just better to start from scratch again.”

Now that the issue had been identified, Nanami was relieved. He could just hug her for pinpointing the problem, but he still wondered what else he had done wrong.

“Duly noted.” he nodded, appreciating her culinary wisdom. “But I have another question.” Tiana paused to listen. “When I add the corn, do I sauté it with the onions, celery, and carrots? Or do I add it later before simmering?”

“Wait. wait. Back up a sec.” She pulled a finger up as she briefly shut her eyes. “You added corn to your gumbo?” she blinked.

“...Yes?”

“And carrots?”

“Also yes.”

A light wave of chagrin washed over Nanami as he acknowledged the gravity of his cooking sins.

Tiana stared at him with a pained smile. “Nanami…” she patiently said as she carefully treaded through her words. “Are you sure you’re not making stew?”

“You’re not the first to say that.”

Tiana appeared to laugh because she briefly bowed her head down before glancing up with a kind smile. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am,” he said, almost laughing with her, but squashed it. “But, I noticed it was… different from the ones I’m used to seeing.”

“Because it is!” she said, passionately. “Corn and carrots don’t belong in gumbo!”

Nanami furrowed his brows. “They don’t?”

“Not even a little. Carrots might be part of the classic mirepoix, but down here, we swap ’em out for green bell peppers. Which is what we call the Holy Trinity.”

Nanami appeared more confused than ever. “The holy what?”

Tiana lightly chuckled at his confusion. “Oh, sweetie,” she passively said, “You have a lot to learn.” And right he did. He felt so dumb, but he still appreciated the help, even though he felt terrible for his ignorance.

“Did you at least added bell peppers?” she resumed.

“Ehh… No.”

“What about chicken broth?”

“Used beef instead.”

“Added filé seasoning?”

“Never heard of it.”

“Parsley?”

“Rosemary.”

Now Tiana was starting to question his methods. “Nanami,” she said slowly with a wry smile.

“...Yes?” he said, calmly, but partially afraid what sort of insults she would throw at him.

“Are you messing with me?” She tried to sound polite even though there was an obvious strain in her voice.

Nanami genuinely laughed at Tiana’s careful attempts to not outrighteously insult him. If the roles were reversed, he would have had a few words that wouldn’t sound too pleasant. But he would never say those words to someone he thought so kindly of. Biting one side of his cheeks, he said, “I’m not.” Though he secretly enjoyed it. “I’m just following what the cookbook said.”

“And what cookbook is that?” she asked, skeptical, but a hint of playfulness carried in her tone.

“One that had no right to exist, apparently,” he joked.

“I’ll say!” She almost raised her voice. “If you wanna cook real gumbo, I advise you to put those corn and carrots back where they belong.”

He looked down at his basket. There was a lot he didn’t need anymore, and her advice had helped him a ton but he still needed more assistance. Putting his self-consciousness aside, Nanami asked, “Is it possible you could tell me what ingredients I should get?”

A spark of joy flickered across Tiana’s face. “Sure! But I think it’s better if I just show you. Because this…” She swirled her forefinger at his basket. “This is unacceptable,” she pointed, mainly noting the corn, carrots, and other incorrect ingredients in his list.

Nanami nobbed. “And I concur with that.” He slightly smiled.

Together, they maneuvered through the busy market. They looked for ingredients while they put back the ones he didn’t need. Over time his basket slowly started to look like hers, and he was becoming more confident that his dinner for tonight might replicate the vision he had earlier. 

She showed him the ingredients he was missing, like the bell peppers, okra, and many other seasonings that he hadn’t thought to get. As they skim through the isles and pick through the bins, she taught him about the history of gumbo. Some would either have creole or cajun formulas; A topic that was more intricate than he presumed. New Orleans cuisine was still new to Nanami, but as he learned that the dish was a blend of many cultures, he quickly understood just how seriously these people took their cooking. If Nanami had told Tiana that the cookbook came from a Midwesterner who tried to put their twist and sell it as authentic gumbo, then she would have a heart attack by the very second.

After they finished their little history lesson, they stopped to look at their baskets.

“Do you have any more shopping to do?” Nanami asked.

“Nope, I got everything I need, thanks to you.” She waved the bag of celery at him. It was unfortunate that he needed to go to another grocery store, but he didn’t mind. “What about you?” she continued. “Got everything off of your list?”

“Yes, I do,” he said, but it wasn’t long before he noticed the heavy basket weighing down on her forearm. Although she was a champ carrying all those heavy ceramic plates back at the cafe, he figured that she had already put enough strain on her body. “Do you want me to carry those for you?” he asked. 

Tiana was wondering what he meant by that until her eyes traveled down to the basket. She looked pleased before she brought it up to him. “With those muscles of yours, they probably weigh like feathers to you.”

Nanami could almost grin at her observation, but kept it neutral. Ever since he got back to being a sorcerer, his body went through changes that he hadn’t seen since he left Jujutsu Society. Guessed doing a gargantuan amount of cardio and weightlifting really paid off in the long run.

He happily grabbed it, holding his and her basket. Together, they walked to the check-out section, ringing up Tiana’s items first as the cashier organized them into two separate brown paper bags.

As soon as the cashier told her the total, Tiana pulled out her wallet before Nanami stepped in. He handed the money to the cashier while Tiana stood in astonishment. 

“Nanami,” she whispered so no one else could hear her, “You don’t have to do that. You already did enough.” 

Nanami recognized the concern in her voice, but quickly let her know he would handle the payment. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. Besides,” he muttered in a low tone, “I want you to save your money for your future restaurant. The littlest amount could go a long way.”

Tiana was confused until flattery got to her. The smile that vanished now reappeared on her face, vividly pleased by the act. “I’ll make sure you get the first seat in the house. Right after my mama and bestie.”

The cashier rang up Nanami’s groceries as well so they could put the total amount together.

Once the cashier accepted the payment and gave his change back, Nanami carried his bags, with Tiana mirroring along.

They strode out of the building together, when a violent gust of wind hit them.

“Strong wind, huh?” Nanami kept the mood light, even though he was starting to feel cautious. 

“A little too strong!” she complained, “Almost knocked the bags outta my hands!”

“You’re telling me,” he said.

They made it to the sheltered streetcar station and sat on the teak bench. The afternoon was strangely quiet despite the large crowd, with only the breeze whistling through the beams. It went from light to gale, causing Tiana to hold down her hat.

Nanami was annoyed, not to Tiana, but to the mysterious force that was disturbing his afternoon. And now he was becoming suspicious.

Darting his eyes left to right, up and down, he scanned through the purple sea of cursed energy when nothing stood out to him. Nanami should have felt its distinctive energy by now, but New Orleans’s cursed energy was so dense, it was hard to identify the curse’s whereabouts. Once he’s able to track it down, he’d vanquish it before it caused any more trouble.

Leaning back against the bench, he continued to survey the area, but grew surprised when cursed spirits, or at least those fly-heads, weren’t littering the streets. The energy would fluctuate from time to time, giving him the suspicion if someone was controlling it. But that would take a very powerful individual to harbor those skills. It was a thought that frequently crossed Nanami’s mind, which was why he had to stay vigilant at all times.

Anxiety now crawled over him, its weight growing with every second. As a dull throb hammered in his temples, he slumped forward and pinched the bridge of his nose. He took a deep breath, struggling to focus when a gentle voice pulled him back to reality.

“Are you okay, Mr. Nanami?” Tiana asked, her voice laced with concern. Nanami stopped what he was doing before turning to face her. A worried expression etched on her face, prompting Nanami to quickly reassure her.

“Yes, I am,” he responded, then added more honesty to the matter. “I’m just having a headache, right now. But it’s nothing serious.” He straightened his posture. 

Nanami expected them to move along, when Tiana sat her groceries bags aside and pulled out a small box of medicine and a steel bottle from her purse. “I have aspirin and water if you need some.”

Although Nanami could’ve used the relief, he quickly declined, unwilling to take something from her. “It’s fine. I’ll bear through it.”

Tiana raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by his statement. “Are you sure? ’Cause it looks like you’re fighting a mighty battle in that brain of yours.”

“It’s carking, but I won’t let it win,” he light-heartedly said, despite doubting his statement.

“Okay,” She smiled slightly. “But, if you ever change your mind. Don’t be afraid to ask.” She shook the medicine box before putting it back into her purse.

Nanami nodded his head as they waited for the next ride. They waited in silence, watching civilians slowly cram the station. He really wanted to keep talking, but had no clue what to talk about. As he thought of an idea, he quickly spoke before they parted ways.

“Uh,” he nervously began before he mellowed, “thanks for helping me find the right ingredients. I’m very certain I would have made a complete mess without you.” He pursed his lips as a good feeling buzzed around his chest. Suddenly, his headache subdued in seconds, replaced with a sense of instant relief. It seemed like speaking to her had melted away any bad energy he was feeling.

Tiana wanted to take the compliment but waved a modest hand instead. “Aww, it’s nothing. I just wanted to help out. And remember,” she paused, “this is your first time making it. So don’t stress about not turning it into a 4-star meal on the first try.”

Hearing her comment soothed his insecurities, causing him to soften. “You’re right. But I don’t want you to think I don’t know how to cook,” he sheepishly admitted.

Tiana smacked her lips. “Oh, sweetie, I’ve heard worse. That’s what I like the most about becoming a chef. I get to teach people new things and help build up confidence in their skill.” Then, she began to twiddle her thumb as if something she was about to say next would embarrass her.

“Maybe, if you don’t have anything else to do… I can show you how to make it?” she offered.

A mix of interest and disbelief lit up his face. “Show me?” he repeated, as if he had trouble understanding the context. This was their second time seeing each other—quite uncommon for him to be this comfortable with someone whom he just met—but he grew extremely fond of her over the past hour. Although a part of him just wanted to continue this spontaneous outing, the other part said to end it immediately. But he quickly realized that he could never deny a valuable teaching moment from an amicable woman like her.

“Yeah! I can teach you how to make it. If you’re not in a rush.” She smiled in a nervous way.

Nanami’s chest warmed from the invite until a thought popped in his head. “But don’t you have to get home soon?”

“If the sun ain’t down, then I’ve got plenty of time,” she said. He glanced at his watch. Four hours till sundown. That was enough time to stick around.

He then pondered. “You really do that for me?”

“Yeah. I mean it’s only fair.” She shyly glanced away before looking back at him. “You did pay for my groceries. So in return, I’ll show you how to make gumbo. The right way. So what do you think?” She moved her body more toward his direction.

At the end of the track, a streetcar slowly approached the station as people gathered near the edge. 

He was playing a dangerous game. 

Nanami was tempted to get in that vehicle and leave her in the dust. But he would never do that to someone who’d been so helpful and nice to him. Never in a million years would he reject an offer like that, so in a surprising change of decisions, he said, “I think it’s a wonderful idea.” He smiled until the expression dropped. “But where are we going to cook?” 

It was too soon to go to her place, and his lodging was already out of the question because of Gojo. It’d be awkward hosting it there because Gojo would be somewhere in the corner listening and seeing every move they make, making the situation rather creepy than romantic. Not that anything romantic will be happening, he reminded himself, despite the insistent push of his feelings.

But his thoughts got interrupted when Tiana’s excited squeal reeled him back to reality. “I have just the place! There’s a community kitchen down the block.”

“A community kitchen?” he raised an intrigued brow.

“Yes! The name says it all. There’s one just a few blocks away from here, and it’s open for anyone to use. Right now, they should have some spots left, so it’s the perfect time to go before rush hour begins.” She paused. “Are you ready to go now?”

“Yes, I am,” he said, quite intrigued by the idea. He leaned forward to her, but stopped himself from getting closer. He had to control himself, and not make a single move that could jeopardize their bond. He had to keep it nice, formal, and platonic. Even though she made his heart leap in excitement. Nanami was typically good at challenges, but he was forced to admit that for the first time in a while, he wasn’t sure if he could win.

The streetcar arrived, its brakes hissing to a stop as Nanami and Tiana walked down from the station’s platform. They traveled afoot to their next destination as Nanami started to second-guess his choice, yet he had a feeling he would regret it more if he didn’t spend his time with an admirable woman like her. And learned how to make gumbo. The right way.

Notes:

sorry if the intro between Nanami and gojo was long. I love these two knuckleheads so much I had to expand it. SINCE THE MANGA OR SHOW DOESN’T GIVE THEM THAT HAVE MUCH SCREEN TIME TOGETHER GRR GRR GRRR!!

And to be real with y'all, I don’t usually read slowburn fanfics so i just base it off the things i read in the novels, including my own ideas. So if it ain't by definition, a "slowburn" then I'm sorry. Teehehehe. And if i got the whole cursed spirit/energy thing wrong, then sorry, I tried. teehee

ALSO I want to point out that the public transportations in New Orleans are incredibly TRASHHHH. And the streetcars don’t help unless you live within the neighborhood. But we gonna pretend that they do in this story cuz its fanfic. Anyways, enjoy the next chapter cuz it's literally them just making gumbo.

Chapter 4: Let the Good Times Roux!

Summary:

The two unlikely—or very likely—pair ventured into a community kitchen to cook some mouth-watering gumbo.

Notes:

Imma be real. Dis whole chpater is just a yap fest. So sorry if this is too long of a read! Orgininally it was supposed to be under 5k, but cooking is literally one of Tiana’s love languages, so I extended this scene by alot. Not sure if i would make any cooking scenes this long again, but if it becomes important to the story (or to their chemistry), thannnnn maybe i would.

Anyways, I tryna imagine how the two would interact since they’re beginning to know each other. So somewhere in the middle they’ll be making gumbo teehee.

And Im taking a shot at introducing OCs here. They're just side and minor characters, but I can tell that I would be adding them alot in the future.

Writing is kinda sloppy since I'm not use to doing long winded scenes, so please forgive me if you see any mistakes or clunkiness!

They arrived at Sundae’s Heavenly Kitchens, a brisk ten-minute walk from their original location. It was an old and clammy place, which looked to be nothing interesting at first, but promised a different kind of experience inside.

When they entered through the lobby, the strong scent of cinnamon and green apple passed through their noses as their eyes traveled to a reed diffuser perched on the receptionist’s desk. Behind it sat a middle-aged woman, lazily flipping through a popular fashion magazine as her cat-eye glasses precariously clung to the edge of her nose. When she glanced up, she smiled at Tiana until her gaze automatically drew to the tall blond man standing behind her

Her brows nearly vanished into her bangs, and a mischievous glint lit in her eyes. Work had been dreadfully boring, so she figured she could find fun through Tiana, while having the opportunity to speak with the mega-hunk himself. 

“Well, well, well,” Mrs. Higgins purred, closing the magazine as she turned to Tiana. “If it isn’t my favorite princess in the world, finally gracing us with her presence. And—who’s this?” Her eyes moved to the tall man, pretending to just notice him.

“This is Nanami. My friend from—” 

“Oh, Mr. Nanami! What a pleasure to meet you!” Mrs. Higgins exclaimed as she excitedly greeted him. “Now how on Earth did you manage to find such a man like this?!” She gestured grandly. “For a second, I thought someone came straight outta my magazine!”

Tiana laughed under her breath, brushing a stray curl behind her ear. She slowly turned around and mouthed sorry to Nanami. In return, he gave her a small reassuring smile, even though he wasn’t used to this kind of reaction.

While Mrs. Higgins continued to hoot, Tiana politely interrupted her. “I’d like a room for three hours, please.”

The woman shot Tiana a look then picked up a clipboard. As she adjusted her glasses, she skimmed through the list until she found one. “You’re in luck.” She glanced up, tapping a pen against the paper. “The last one available is la Salle des Fleur. A very charming and romantic room that’s popular with couples.” 

“Oh, we’re not a–”

“It’s perfect for cooking… or whatever else you two might get into. It has plenty of counter space too. A sturdy spot if you ask me. Nothing will break. Nothing will tear. Just be sure to clean up after y’allselves. It’s been known to get a little messy, if you know what I mean.” She burst out into a witching chortle.

Tiana’s eyes widened in mortification, while Nanami simply blinked. “Mrs. Higgins!” Tiana quietly, yet sharply hissed through clenched teeth. She was so embarrassed, she could almost jump over and duct taped her mouth shut! 

“Oh, sweetie, you know I meant no harm!” She waggled a finger at her, though Tiana knew Mrs. Higgins was fully aware that certain folks might see the venue for their… private moments.

Tiana wished to not think about it. “When’s the next kitchen available?” she asked, hoping for one that was less on the romantic side.

“In two hours.”

Tiana silently groaned. That’s way too long of a wait. So she turned to Nanami to see what he thought. “Are you fine with this one?”

He curtly nodded in approval.

Mrs. Higgins turned to Nanami with bright eyes. “Whatever she’s making, I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

“And I don’t think I ever will.” He finally spoke, which somewhat stunned the receptionist that he wasn’t mute.

“Oh look, he speaks.” She grinned crookedly. “I always knew the quiet ones were more of your type. That last loudmouth of yours sure was a trip.”

Tiana stiffened. Did she really have to deal with this now?! Of course she did, because this was Mrs. Higgins, after all. The biggest instigator in the whole goddamn neighborhood! 

Rushing through the motions, Tiana pulled out her wallet. “How much is it?”

“$9”

Before Tiana could pull out the money, Nanami had already placed the cash in his hand. “Here.”

Tiana glanced at him, once again surprised by his generosity, but a twinge of guilt began to gnaw at her head. “Nanami,” she whispered, not wanting him to pay for everything. “I’ve got it.”

“No, it’s alright. I can cover it for you.”

“But you’ve already paid for my groceries.” As soon as the words came out of her mouth, Tiana squeezed her eyes shut and a silent groan resonated deep within her when she realized who she’d just said that in front of.

Mrs. Higgins’s body perked up with practically twitching ears. Her eyes locked onto Tiana like she’d just uncovered the town’s best-kept secret, gleaming with the thrill of gossip. 

“What a gentleman,” she wickedly smiled as she clasped her hands together, her nails matching the red rockabilly updo she was sporting. “He’s quite a sweetheart for a friend, isn’t he, Tia?”

“Tia.” Ugh! Only Charlotte could call her that! But she decided to not make a fuss over it, even though it mildly annoyed her.

Tiana turned toward Nanami, pleading to him, but not enough to make it look like she was begging. “Can I do this for once?” She meekly held the wallet close to her chest with both hands. “ Pleaseee.” 

Nanami evidently bit the inside of his cheek as he meditated on the matter. He considered for a moment before he lightly smiled at Tiana. 

“Alright,” he said, “I won’t stop you.”

“Thank you!” she happily drawled as she unfolded her wallet. “Here ya go, Mrs. Higgins. One room for three hours.” Tiana stretched her arm to the receptionist, waiting for her to take the cash. With a satisfying chime, the register opened and Mrs. Higgins tossed the bill into the drawer before handing them the key to the last available room.

“Enjoy your service.” A pleasant yet tight smile spread across Mrs. Higgins’s face as the duo began to leave. Nanami walked onward but just as Tiana tried to take a step, Mrs. Higgins tapped her on the shoulder, leaning half of her body over the desk as she began to speak in a rather low voice. “Your mama raised you well ’cause if God gave me a man like that, I’d be crawling on my knees for him every day of the week!”  

Well, to each their own, but Tiana would never be this down bad for man—even if they were destined to be soulmates. 

Beneath her forced smile, Tiana wanted to scoff at Mrs. Higgins, but patience was stronger on her side. “Why, he’s just a friend of mine,” she said, though the words felt awkward on her tongue. “And friends always pay for each other’s stuff. It’s not much of a big deal,” she added.

However, Mrs. Higgins could see the underlying lies. “HA! That’s what they all say. I can see exactly what you two are. Clear as glass. You don’t have to be shy to tell me the truth. I promise you on the cross of my heart, I won’t tell anyone.”

Yeah, right! Tiana sarcastically thought. These grown folks loved broadcasting everyone’s business, like some soap opera. It’s how they entertain themselves from their otherwise boring lives.

Itching for a way out, Tiana rolled her eyes and left before Mrs. Higgins could pry any further. “I wish I could chat more, but we’re in a bit of a hurry, so talk to you later!” Tiana blurted, waving a hand at her. Her shoes pitter-pattered across the beige tile floor as she hurried back to Nanami, who’d stopped to look at a framed newspaper clipping of two men firmly shaking hands. They were smiling at the grand opening of Sundae’s Heavenly Kitchen, a day where Tiana remembered standing alongside with the other supporters, cheering and clapping as Mr. and Mr. Sundae cut the ribbon.

While Nanami totally engrossed himself reading the article, Tiana softly nudged him in the stomach. “Ready to go make some supper?”

“Of course.” His face softened once he pulled himself out from reading.

With a light lift of their feet, they began to disappear into a corner as Mrs. Higgins watched them go. “Where can I find a guy like that?” she sighed. She leaned against the register, daydreaming about finding love—only to accidentally bump the drawer open with a sharp chime. “Ow!” she yelped as it smacked her wide hip. “You— impudent thing!” she scolded before slamming it back shut with a broken ting!

 

 

Tiana was pleasantly surprised that Nanami had agreed to join her for the day, considering how last-minute the idea was. Normally, she wasn’t the type to suggest something so spontaneous, but something about their meetup made her want to extend their day just a little bit longer. And, to much of her delight, Nanami felt the same way too. Thank goodness!

She grinned from ear-to-ear, hardly containing her excitement at their reunion. She could already hear Charlotte’s animated voice echoing in her head, saying how she “knew he’d show up again,” and how “luck” was on her side. However, as good as it seemed, Tiana knew better than to let herself get swept up by him.

Nanami was delightful to talk to, for sure. Far more delightful than the men she had tangled with in the past. But despite his stoic appeal, she had already placed him squarely in the “friend” category.

Relationships were a distraction for Tiana. With her jobs pulling her in every direction, she barely had the energy to take care of herself, let alone commit to someone else. She already knew how things would end, and her cynical views of dating had caused the two friends to butt heads on more than one occasion.

“Friends? Girl, if you don’t get the hell outta my face.”

“Oh stop being dramatic. I think labeling us as friends is very realistic.”

“Yeah, to you! Lord, please put some sense into her before I do!”

“He must have. ’Cause I’ve got enough for the both of us.” 

“I- You know what, don’t start bawling ya eyes out if you ever get your prediction wrong. You crybaby!”

“Huh?! You’re a bigger crybaby than me!”

Tiana had thrown a couch pillow at Charlotte’s face as they’d gone into a fit of laughter. Perhaps Charlotte didn’t know what she was talking about, but the fact that Nanami wanted to spend more time with her made Tiana wonder if Charlotte had a point.

But despite all the laughter, the banters, and those subtle moments of flirting from the cafe—which she hated for starting—Tiana simply (or stubbornly) saw him as a friend whom she had the chance to run into. No matter how sweet and swoon-worthy he might be, Tiana had promised to not get caught up by him.

But now that they were here, maybe she could use this moment to get to know him. After all, they’d made it this far. Though, Tiana doubted it would lead to anything special. At least… in her perspective. 

As they approached their designated kitchen, a surge of anticipation boiled in her when she inserted the key into the lock. After she pushed the door open, warm sunlight instantly welcomed them from the window. Her face lit up in awe as the bright light revealed the room before them, making her excitement feel almost palpable.

The kitchen was gorgeous! Its layout exuded a fancy feel that she’d only seen in home-based cooking shows, with wooden cabinets reaching from floor to ceiling, framing a fridge and a long counter in the midst of its length. Nestled above it was a spice rack displaying rows of colorful arranged jars and shakers on its shelves. And at the heart of it all stood a broad kitchen island, crowned with a built-in stove with an overhead vent. It was a setup that was completely different from home, yet found it entirely inviting and workable to be in.

And, lastly, the designs!

Collages of pink, white, and periwinkle roses adorned against the wooden walls, their vines curling downwards against the brown panels. Pretty hydrangeas spilled from their vases, softening the corners in a wash of vibrancy. The scene reminded her of the Tinker Bell books she used to read, and she immediately became whelmed with nostalgia. Now, she immediately envisioned its influence. Perhaps, the Sundaes could be in charge of the interior design for her future restaurant, but would wait until she finally obtained it as her own.

After storing that thought aside, Tiana shook off her coat, hat, and purse before hanging them on a wall hook. While she fluffed out of her dress, Nanami approached her, holding something that made her want to giggle.

“Are those—”

“Aprons?” He held one in each hand before lowering them to his stomach. “I just thought they would fit the occasion,” he stammered, seemingly shy about it. “What, is it too much?”

She genuinely chuckled. “No, not at all. I think it’s cute! We’ll be matching like the hosts from those cooking shows.” 

Nanami’s ears noticeably went pink when she approved of his plan. “I’m happy you like it,” he said before he set the aprons on top of the kitchen island.

It’s funny. Tiana hadn’t pegged him as the type to care about her opinions, but seeing him get self-conscious made every little thing about him much more endearing. However, Tiana aimed to make him feel comfortable, since no friend of hers should feel like they had an egg on their face.

After the pink shading of his ears went away, Nanami slipped out of his jacket then hung it next to hers, with his back facing toward her. Nothing’s out of the ordinary until his dress shirt hugged a little too well around his frame, held tight by his tawny suspender.

A rush of butterflies flew in her stomach, causing her to quickly avert her eyes to an uninteresting picture on the wall. What’s wrong with her? She had met plenty of handsome men in her life! (Well, not really). So why was she acting like this was her first? He may be extremely handsome, but that didn’t give Tiana the permissible excuse to act like a dumb Dora.

As she continued to stare at the picture frame, she closed her eyes then opened them before Nanami could see her. “So…” Tiana began, forcing a casual tone as Nanami drew his attention to her. “You must be that eager to cook, huh?” 

Well, duh, he wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t , she silently retorted to herself. 

“Folks don’t usually throw on an apron unless they really gettin’ down to business,” she said with a tight smile. 

Is that the best I can come up with?! she fumed inwardly. 

However, Nanami didn’t seem too put off by her.

“Perhaps, that’s the intention of it,” he said, “It’s the only thing I’ve been looking forward to today since a chance like this doesn’t come around that often.”

A genuine smile curved along her lips as his words enlightened her. She tried to stop smiling but her own giddiness made it hard to do so.

Before Tiana could do anything, Nanami stepped forward and extended the smaller apron toward her. “Here,” he said, unable to hold eye contact, as if he were still too shy to bring up such a silly idea.

Tiana took it out of his hand, holding it up to examine the frilly edges on its shoulders. He pulled the larger, more simplistic apron over his head as he tied the strings into a quick and secure knot. 

Now, it was Tiana’s turn. She slipped on the apron and let it fall over her body. When she grabbed the strings on either side, she quickly noticed how wide they were, not suitable to call them “strings”, but thick bands that were as wide as her palm. Their size made it perfect for decorative bows, but Tiana didn’t have the skills to make it pretty, but she was determined to give it a try.

She twisted the ties behind her back, and after she was done, she looked over her shoulder and blew an annoyed sigh from her lungs. It was crooked. Lopsided. Like a child had tied it for her. She untwined the loops and tried again, but the outcome was still the same. She began retying it for the third time when a perceptible weight dropped on her like a bag of flours, prompting her to freeze mid-motion. Curious, she glanced upwards and met a pair of calculating eyes that left a shiver down her spine.

“Do you need any help with that?” he asked, sweetly and politely. A subtle smile played on his lips as Tiana’s poise began to crumble like brittle bay leaves on a hot day.

“Nah, I got it,” she replied, attempting to steady herself despite the clear frustration in her voice. She tied the knot once again, and a proud smile played on her lips, until she realized that one of the large loops was terribly misshaped. Frustrated, she released a puff of air from her lungs.

Nanami softly chuckled. “I think it’s best if I do it.”

Her face flushed in a second. “No, I can handle it,” she stubbornly said.

Though, Nanami doubted it. “Are you sure?” he questioned, folding his arms. “I know how to tie it. I do it everyday.”

“A bow?”

“No, this.” He pointed at his cheetah-print neck tie.

“That doesn’t count!”

“But the same technique still applies,” he argued. Nanami cast her a playful yet resigned glance while he waited for her to ask for help.

Tiana knew how to tie a bow. Of course she could! It wasn’t much harder than tying a shoelace. But the thought of Nanami stepping in was appealing. Yet, another part of her insisted that she should manage to do this on her own. Tiana didn’t know why she was making this difficult, but she refused to let the temptation take hold on her as she inwardly commanded to reject the offer. 

Please say no. Please say no. Please say no. Please say no.

Tiana stared at the wall of flowers as Nanami tightened the thick waist ties behind her back.

“Is that too tight for you?” He asked softly, making sure he didn’t cut off her airway. But their closeness alone made it hard for her to breathe.

“Not at all,” Tiana managed to croaked out as she attempted to hide the wavering in her voice. “You don’t see me gaspin’ for air,” she added, though their close proximity put her in a dozy. But Nanami didn’t need to know about that—unless he sensed it.

Tiana’s lower back lightly jerked with each tug and shift of his hands, wondering what he was doing back there. It certainly didn’t take this long to tie a knot, but he made sure to take his time with it. As curiosity bested her, Tiana tried to sneak a peek, only for Nanami to block her view by standing closer. This simple act sent her heart racing. 

“Don’t look. It’s not done,” Nanami said.

“And what exactly am I waiting on?” She tried to stay chill, but was excited to see the result.

“It’s a surprise.”

“A surprise, you say?” Her brows subtly raised.

With the finishing touches completed, he finally pulled away for her to see. 

“What do you think?”

When Tiana turned her head around, she couldn’t believe what she saw. A large four-looped bow was neatly tied and wrapped, just like the elaborate bows her mom used to make on those fancy dresses. It was so well done that Tiana didn’t know how to react. “Awwww,” she warmly said, “You didn’t have to go through all that trouble for me.” 

“Why not? It fits perfectly on you. Unless you want me to re-tie it.” Nanami reached his hand toward the elaborate bow until Tiana twirled around.

“No! No. I’ll keep it,” Tiana said, quickly recanting her previous statement. “It’s wonderful, really. I’m just not used to having pretty things sticking on me, that’s all.” Then Tiana breath jagged when she saw the enticing look on Nanami’s face.

He stepped closer, preserving a safe distance that was harmless, but the way he laced his words made her feel like they were only mere inches apart.

“It’s not my place to say… but pretty things were meant for pretty women like you.” Tiana’s cheeks immediately flushed hot like a heating element on a stove. The compliment hung in the air, sweet and unexpected, leaving her momentarily stunned. No, it couldn’t be. Maybe he was just being nice. But whatever his intentions may be, she couldn’t afford to fall for it.  

Masking her flattery, Tiana rolled her eyes as she strained out a chuckle. “Oh, here you go,” she playfully said, shakenly, before she cooled down. “Don’t go thinkin’ you can overplay your hands now, mistah.”

Nanami stood still, that same subtle closed smile imprinted on him. “My apologies, miss. I didn’t mean to cause any harm. I was only being honest.” He said, though the quirk of his eyebrow told another story. “I’ll be sure to word my statements carefully. Even though I don’t like hiding the truth.”

Tiana could be squealing. An honest man, even when he didn’t want to be. Perfect. Or, at least, close to what she’d likely find. He hadn’t raised any concerns so far.

Tiana now grinned in satisfaction, how their “friendly” barrier between them settled into stone. Although Tiana was both pleased and undeniably drawn by him, she had to make sure neither one of them stepped over the line. “Thank you for understanding,” she said, a weight now lifting from her shoulders. No matter how charmed she was, she had to keep her head in the game, which might be a challenge if she’s not careful. 

With a loud clasped of her hands, her voice cut through the air once her head cleared from the haze. “Now c’mon, let’s get going before the meat spoils itself.”

“After you,” he warmly said, rolling up his sleeves. “I wouldn’t want to miss a single step.”

Tiana laid out the vegetables on the kitchen island, all freshly washed and cleaned.

She reached for a bell pepper then cut it in half, placing one onto Nanami’s cutting board. After she handed him his knife, they began their cooking lesson. “First thing you wanna do is dice up the Holy Trinity,” she announced, “And you wanna make sure everything is in a one-to-one-to-one ratio.” She glanced at him with a question forming in her eyes. “And what does the trinity consist of?” She quizzed, checking to see if he’d get it right this time.

“Bell peppers, onions, and celery. No carrots.”

“See! You’re getting the hang of it.”

Nanami muffled a low laugh. “Can’t get it wrong if the answer is right in front of me.”

“Oh, you’d be surprised how often folks miss the mark. Even when it’s right under their noses.” She gestured toward the vegetables spread across the surface.

“Well, good for me. I’m not sure if I can face another scolding like the one you gave at the market.”

Tiana lightly snorted. “I wasn’t scolding you.” Well, technically, she was. “But I am aiming it more toward the cookbook.”

“Uh-huh,” he sarcastically said, returning a deadpan, yet amused tone and look to her. “Seems like you’re still mad at me, so I can’t afford to make another mistake.” 

“Oh, suga, you’ve tripped and fell. And you can still pick up your foot after that. But don’t be surprised if you see me laughin’.” She giggled but bit it back when she realized her comment was mean. But that didn’t stop a smile from forming.

Nanami bowed his head to feign a look of shame. “Damn… I hope you don’t tell anyone about this.”

“Oh, I won’t. Maybe.” She teased. “But if I do, I won’t mention that it was you.” 

“I suppose that makes it better.” They both shared a small laugh as they instinctively huddled closer, with personal space still intact.

As things grew quiet, they readily angled their knives and began chopping the bell peppers into tiny pieces. Tiana’s confident and swift movements reflected years of experience, while Nanami’s were slow and meticulous. 

The earthly aroma released into the air with the smells of flowers wafting between them. The moment was sweet and tender, and Tiana hoped to experience it again soon—if such a thing were even possible. She had a promising feeling they would get along famously. But only as friends! Something she tried to drill into her own head since the very start. However, Tiana sure was going to miss seeing him once they separated. 

Which is why you need to get his number! Charlotte’s voice chirped in her head, overly annoying Tiana.

Hell naw! Tiana innerly said to Charlotte. 

Why not?!

’Cause I say so. Now leave me alone so I can get back to my business. Tiana was second guessing about giving her number to him. Just thinking about the interaction gave her the jitters, but Tiana had to calm down before she accidentally cut a finger with her knife. Blood could not be the secret ingredient in this cuisine. 

As Tiana tuned out Charlotte’s complaints, Nanami filled the room with his baritone voice. “I didn’t know you were one of the group leaders here.”

Tiana whipped her head to him, never mentioning that piece of information. “And where did you learn that from?”

“From the newspaper down the hall.” He nodded his head toward its direction.

“Oh.” She darted her gaze between the cutting board and Nanami, shrinking from the shyness she’s currently experiencing. “I didn’t know you’d read that deep into it.” She diced the last piece of her bell pepper before scraping them into a bowl, then sliced a celery stalk into two neat sections. 

Nanami shrugged. “I like to read wherever I go,” he said, pouring his chopped bell peppers into the shared bowl. “You never know what might end up being important, like seeing you in it.”

Tiana lowered her head a little, trying to bite back another wide grin that threatened to spread across her face. He was a charmer, alright. More on the subtle side, if she conceded. She thought it would be easy but every time they spoke, seeing him as just a friend was becoming more of a genuine challenge. After she stifled a giggle, Nanami casually continued on as if nothing had ever happened. 

“How long have you been doing it for?”

“About four years.”

Nanami hummed. “It’s nice that you have a passion for helping others. Truly inspirational if you ask me.”

“Oh, it’s nothing, really.” She waved off as an attempt to appear indifferent, but was secretly elated by the compliment. “I think having a kitchen for people to use would be good for the community, and for the soul too. You’d never know who’d need it when things get rough.”

“Tell me about it,” Nanami said as he grabbed the other half of the long celery stalk

“So…” Tiana began, wondering if he did anything besides working. “Do you do any community work?” 

“Uh, no. I don’t, sadly. But there’s this group I want to join. But, I’ve been having my doubts lately.”

Tiana could feel the uncertainty emitting off of him. “How so?”

“I just don’t think I have the time for it, or much to offer. I feel like I’m getting a bit rusty, so I’m not sure if I’m made for it like I’m used to.”

“Oh don’t say that!” Tiana interjected. “I know your hands are full but I know you’ll bounce back eventually. It just takes time.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard before, but I am trying to break out of that mentality and give myself a new… perspective of things.” He carefully stated his words.

She unconsciously slowed her pace, interested to hear what he had to say next. When he didn’t speak, Tiana stopped to focus on him. “What? That’s all you’re gonna say?” She then playfully nudged him in the stomach. “C’mon, don’t keep me waiting. I know you wanna share some more.”

“No, I don’t,” he retorted back with a grin. “I have nothing to share.”

“But it was getting interesting.”

“Nahhh,” he attempted to seem nonchalant, but failed.

“Please?”

Nanami appeared to be reluctant to tell her more. But he finally gave in. “Fine, I’ll tell you, since you’re so interested in hearing it.” He slowed down cutting the celery so he could focus more on speaking. “Back when I was younger, I was someone who mostly stayed on the sideline, not really putting in the work since I’m always at the safe zone. Then one day, I decided to stop being lazy, and started applying myself to the field. Things were going good, until I went through some troubling times, which caused me to go back to doing nothing. I wouldn’t say I went back to being lazy, I still did things that needed to get done. I just lost… all motivation to do so.”

Tiana attentively listened as Nanami went on.

“It was nice at first. But as time goes on, all those years of doing nothing made me feel like I am wasting myself. And now, I’ve been thinking about what kind of person I want to be. What I want to leave behind. And what I want to give back that actually feels like me.” He then looked up at the window, peeping through the glass like he had seen something, then looked back down to his cutting board. “But I’m still figuring it out. I had this revelation not too long ago. Though I find myself questioning if I’m truly capable half of the time.” 

Tiana paused, surprised by his thoughtful response. For someone who appeared to be a man of few words, he could be articulate when the moment called for it. She slowly nodded as his words sank it. “Hmm, and you say you have nothing to share,” she said with a hint of playful irony.

“I know, I know, but you’re just so easy to open up to.”

“It’s a talent of mine.” She smirked with a cutesy shrug of her shoulders. She was obviously bathing in his assessment of her, and Nanami couldn’t help but point it out.

“Oh, boy,” he breathed. “You’re walking on air, huh? I feel like you were planning for me to open up.” 

“You just make it easy for me to do so,” she joked, then softened her voice once she began to share her thoughts. “You know, when I started doing community work, I didn’t know what I was doing half of the time too. I was confused, and I couldn’t make heads or tails of it. I was truly scared I was going to mess up and make a fool outta myself. But you’re going to mess up and make mistakes. That’s how you get better. Like this gumbo we’re making.” She gestured to the chopped vegetables with her knife. “You might be reluctant to make mistakes, but how else are you going to bounce back? Yeah, you or other folks might get impatient or annoyed, but it’s normal to be bad at first. So, please don’t doubt your abilities. You’re a smart fella, and I know you’ll do great in the group you’re trying to join in.”

Nanami fixated his gaze on her. What she just said was cliché, but sometimes the most cliché advice was simply the best ones. She could almost cringe for giving such a generic answer, but it needed to be said, so Nanami could at least feel okay with himself.

“I suppose you’re right,” he said, “I’ll try to make sure my nerves don’t get in the way.”

“That’s the spirit!” she cheered, “Just be confident, or at least pretend to be, and everything will be fine.” 

“I’ll keep that in mind for sure. Everything is a work in progress.” Nanami faintly smiled from the encouragement as Tiana returned to her regular pace, dicing the last bit of celery before dumping it in the bowl with bell peppers in it—with him following suit. Together, they moved on to the last part of the Holy Trinity; the onion.

Tiana peeled off the papery layers and sliced it in half, giving a section to Nanami. They chopped it in swift and smooth motions when her eyes began to sting. She squinted, wiping away any tears with the back of her hand as the pungent gas blurred her vision. When it became too much, she diced it in a flash, and seeing this caused Nanami to stop what he was doing.

“How can you possibly be that fast?” Nanami said, a note of surprise ringing in his voice.

“You get quick with it once you done it a million times.” She flicked a stray onion peel into the trash can. “It takes practice.”

Nanami still seemed surprised by her inhuman speed. “I’ll need more practice to get to your level.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll teach you a few of my tricks and I’ll get you up to par in no time.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he respectfully said. Such a nice man to be with. The kind of man Tiana could share many of her days. She found herself smiling at the thought of them crossing paths again. However, she learned that luck may not always be on her side, despite Charlotte’s assumption.

After they finished dicing the Holy Trinity, they minced a few cloves of garlic and chopped the okra before storing them for later for the final steps of the process. 

They managed to knock one thing out, but they still have many more to go. And this next step required patience. Lots of them.

“Now that we are done with that, we can now…” She bent down and hefted a deep cast iron pot and dropped it onto the stove with a clank! “…make the roux! And you’re gonna need a bucket load of patience for this one. Because if your roux ain’t brown like my skin, then you ain’t made it with love. So let’s hurry up and hop to it!” She clasped her hands together, ready to go on the next step.

Nanami searched for a bottle of cooking oil while Tiana searched for flour. Once she had found them in a tightly sealed jar, Nanami cranked up the stove then poured about a cup of oil into the pot. The oil warmed, and Tiana dug a cup into the jar of flour then slowly sprinkled it to the pot below. 

“I like to add teensy-tiny amounts as I stir. Don’t want to dump it all at once or else it’ll clump up like cold butter on a biscuit.” 

Nanami attentively listened as he watched her add it, slowly mixing it with a wooden spoon. A few minutes had gone by and the consistency was gradually turning thicker by every minute. She stirred and sprinkled, stirred and sprinkled, until ¼ of the cup was poured into the pot.

“Now it’s your turn.” She nudged the cup of flour toward him.

Nanami took it and sprinkled it in careful amounts, mimicking the precise movements Tiana had shown him.

He mixed the pot with her spoon, watching the roux slowly shift from a beige to a golden caramel color. While Nanami concentrated on the roux, Tiana retrieved a pound of raw chicken, andouille sausages, and chicken gizzards from the fridge and carried them to the sink, rinsing them under cold water. After they were cleaned, she placed the chicken on a fresh cutting board and began slicing them into thick chunky cubes. The sound of her knife thudded against the wood while Nanami’s spoon grazed against the metal bottom of the pot.

Normally, she would let Nanami help cut the meats, but since the roux was his weakest, she wanted him to take control of it. 

Curiously, she glanced over at Nanami, who was still concentrating on the roux, almost like he was defusing a bomb.

The sight nearly pulled a laugh from her, and soon, a soft chuckle escaped, dissolving the silence between them.

Nanami’s eyes shifted to hers, their gazes catching and holding for just a moment before the corner of his mouth lifted into a quaint smile. They returned to their task as the roux’s aroma combined with the smell of roses filled the room with an interesting fragrance. Tiana moved on to the sausages, slicing them into thick, even rounds before coating them with dry seasonings. She worked the spices in with her hands until each piece was coated. She did this for all meats, before washing her hand and returning to Nanami’s side.

A good thirty minutes had passed and the roux changed from a caramel to a rich brown color. 

“Lookin’ good so far.” She praised as she leaned forward.

“Really?” 

“Yeah. No black flakes are forming around the edges and the texture looks incredibly smooth. Good job, I knew you could do it.” She proudly patted his back as if he were her star pupil.

A shy smile began to tug at his lips. “Well, I can’t afford to burn it again. Knowing how long it takes to make it,” he said, “Otherwise, I would have ordered take-out for us.”

Tiana put a hand on her hip. “You’re buying us stuff again?”

“Only as a way to apologize. We both know we don’t have enough time to start from scratch, since you have to be home.”

“Well, I’m happy to hear that you worry about me. But, I wouldn’t mind sticking around just a lil’ longer. But now, if you manage to mess this up, then I’ll definitely have a problem.” She was joking, but was a little serious, in hindsight.

Nanami smirked in a way that made Tiana go a little woozy. “You’ll be able to forgive me, right?”

“Only because you’re putting in the effort.” But truth be told, Tiana knew that Nanami would be just fine. He was attentive and practical enough to be careful, so she had nothing to worry about. Tiana went back to the meat, dunking more garlic, onion, and other spicy powdered seasonings as Nanami continued to focus on the roux.

After nearly ten minutes had passed, Nanami set the spoon aside and awaited her verdict.

She leaned over, peering into the pot to deliver her verdict. It was near perfect. Just like her father had shown her when she was little. She turned to Nanami and read the nervousness etched on his face. He feared he had messed up, but when Tiana’s eyes glimmered with approval, he let out a sigh of relief.

“You did well!” She excitedly beamed. “Just need a lil’ more time on the stove, and we’ll be all set. Looks like you don’t have to order us takeout anymore.”

Nanami released another sigh of relief. “And am I glad.”

“As you should,” she said, instinctively rubbing her hand against his arm as a way of endearment. Her mind, however, immediately registered the hard feeling of his bicep. 

Nanami then glanced down at his arm. Though the physical contact meant nothing for Tiana, Nanami evidently felt surprised by it, but the feeling faded once he looked into her eyes. It was a sight he had grown fond of and wished to seek more of it. The sunlight hit her skin like polished bronze, he found himself unable to pull away as her grin seized him.

Her eyes crinkled, and just as she was about to speak, something soon caught her attention at the window. 

And Nanami did the same.

Hats and newspaper stands tumbled across the dusty pavement, stirring chaos among the pedestrians outside. People yelped and hacked out curse words, trying to hold down their coats and dresses as the wind howled through the street like a pack of wolves. Tiana tried to focus on their moment, but the commotion was so loud and disruptive, it caused her to break away from Nanami. 

“What in the world is goin’ on out there?” She rushed toward the window above the sink. The sky was a clear sheet of blue, but the wind whipped as if a storm had blown in without warning.

Nanami followed behind her, and his face tightened with quiet tension, his eyes turning piercing behind those shades.

Tiana turned to gaze at him, now worried, because a super stern expression was now etched across his face, prompting her to call out his name. “Mr. Nanami?”

He shook his head, snapping out of whatever thoughts he’s having. “Yes, dear?” he casually said, eyes still glued to the window.

“Dear?” Tiana repeated while crossing her arms, amused by his name of endearment, even in the midst of chaos. 

“I’m so sorry.” He said, closing his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose. His glasses were lifted to his forehead before it came back down once he recomposed himself. “Sorry, I’m just… a little bit distracted by all the chaos that’s happening right now.” He fixed his eyes to the pedestrians once more, his frown more pronounced. 

In front of them, a father was shielding his son from sharp debris when the bookstore sign from across tore loose, tumbling down the sidewalk like it was a runaway ball of dry weeds. In a flash, the father threw himself forward, snatching his son out of harm’s way. The boy cried in fear as his father clutched him close, sprinting away just before more objects went flying.

Tiana gasped seeing the whole thing unfold, but Nanami remained stone-faced, as if it were just a regular Wednesday for him. Does this sort of thing happen daily in his life?!

Without fretting, Nanami removed his apron and placed it on the small, circular dining table beside the island. “I’m terribly sorry but I remembered I have to address this issue for work. I need to step out for a bit. It will only take a moment,” he cooly said, though a firm edge entered his voice.

“What, now?!” She pitched, looking at the dangerous weather conditions.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be right outside the door.” He pulled out his phone, searching through the contacts as he texted someone in Japanese, presumably his boss or co-worker. Not to be nosy…

He strode to the door while Tiana quietly sighed.

“Okay…” she faintly said, still uncertain if he should be out. Although he’d promised to be by the door, she still felt like they should stay put in the kitchen, for no explicit reason. Maybe she was scared and just wanted company. But Nanami was a salaryman, and breaks were an uncommon necessity in his field. Receiving and making calls everyday was all part of the job. So she felt like it wasn’t her place to question the timing of his work. Yet, she asked herself, what kind of task needed to be done now? Particularly at this moment!  

With a spoon in her hand, she stole his spot. “I’ll be sure to keep an eye on things while you’re gone,” she assured. Their gumbo could wait, but Tiana stiffened when a chilling scowl darkened Nanami’s features. His thumbs moved faster against the screen as he prepared to leave, but paused when he caught the unmistakable nervousness in Tiana’s voice. 

“Is everything going to be okay?”

Nanami stopped in his tracks, but didn’t attempt to look at her. “Yeah,” he said in a cold and tired voice. “Work just loves to pull my strings.” He sighed, then gave her an assuring smile that instantly soothed her worries. He then moved his apron off the table then hung it on a wall hook. “I’ll be back, shortly. And if you see any black flakes, just know they’re not from me.” He joked with an air of levity. His words prompted a playful scoff from Tiana.

“Oh, please! I am a master at-” The door slammed loudly across the kitchen, cutting off her sentence as air hissed through the gaps of the window. Her eyes widened, startled.

Poor Nanami. His job must be killing him if it warranted such a reaction! But she wished he didn’t cut her off so soon. It stung a little that he shut her out like that. She’d definitely tell him to go gentler once he came back. 

While Nanami handled business matters, Tiana kept an eye on the roux, making sure it maintained its consistency. One hand rested on her hip as she worked, while she listened to the muffling sound of Nanami speaking Japanese behind the door. His tone shifted from calm then stern before he shuffled away from the door, his voice fading into the distance.

Maybe he needed to go somewhere more private, but the thought vanished once the pedestrians’ voices pierced through the window. The brute force of the wind sent terror coursing through her veins, as she watched people tousling around like salad in a bowl! They fought to stay upright, her heart racing as she imagined someone getting seriously hurt. Despite her earlier resolve to stay put in the room, she needed to try to help them before someone got hurt. 

Dropping her spoon down on the counter, she rushed back at the window and threw it open. She leaned haphazardly over the sink, shouting those to seek shelter in the lobby or the bookstore across the street. 

She urgently pointed to the way as people scurried to safety. And from the corner of her eyes, she spotted Mrs. Higgins at the edge of the building, directing everyone near to take cover toward the lobby. The stout bookstore owner soon did the same, waving people inside until the street finally lay emptied. 

People pressed against the storefront glass, witnessing the trees and hanging flower pots violently lurch in the fierce wind. Any stronger and it could steal the breath from anyone brave enough who dared to step back outside.

Did hurricane season come in early? According to Tiana, she certainly thought so. She’d never seen anything quite like this and its ferocious display warned her to check the weather forecast more carefully next time. Once everyone was safe, she hurried back to the roux, as the invisible storm raged just beyond the protective window.

Tiana whisked in silence, the ticking of a wall clock mingling with the breeze whistled through the air. The sounds were distracting, really, but everything faded once Nanami burst through the door.

“Goodness,” he muttered, rubbing the nape of his neck as he leaned against the door. His other hand gripped around the knob before he let go. “Did you burn the roux?” he quipped, walking up to Tiana with fresh stress lines creasing his forehead. 

Seemed like Tiana wasn’t the only one running all over hell’s half acre.

“I was about to if you didn’t come in sooner. And also don’t slam the door too hard or else we might have to pay for it!”

“I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful next time.” He wryly smiled.

Tiana then noticed a hole in his sleeve. “Oh, no! Your shirt!”

Twisting his head, he spotted it and frowned. “Darn, and this was my favorite one too,” he muttered, “But it’s fine, I’ll just fix it somehow.”

Tiana hummed. Maybe she could try to patch it up. But she wasn’t good at sewing like her mother. Perhaps, her mother could teach her, but she might get suspicious since Tiana cared enough to fix a man’s shirt. She was clearly overthinking it. But despite Nanami’s visual disapproval of the tear, he didn’t seem too bothered by it. 

“So…” she began, “Were you able to fix the problem with your job?” she asked. 

“I did. Management was happy and everything went back to normal.” He said, going over to the sink to wash his hands then flicked the excess water away. “That is, if nothing bad will ever happen again, which is very unlikely,” he groaned at the last part of the sentence, yet remained sanguine. “But it’s over now. I took care of business and now…” He drew closer to her as he dried his hands with a rag. “I won’t let anything disturb our time together.” 

A look of delight danced on her face as she reminded herself to breathe. He was so effortlessly fine, but the thought completely dissipated when she glanced outside.

“Hey, look!” She exclaimed, her eyes widening with pure disbelief as she strode toward the window. The wind completely died out. 

Some people warily walked outside as others remained indoors, not taking the risk of getting blown away again. The bookstore owner went out, looking up at the missing sign as he scratched his head with a tired huff. He went inside, flipping the “Open” sign to “Closed,” as he called off the remainder of the day.

It was a miracle that no one was hurt in this area.

“Hmm, Louisiana weather sure is strange,” said Nanami as he watched some of them staying put in the store.

“At least you get to see it first hand,” she said, “Let’s just hope there ain’t any more weird surprises along the way. I’ve experienced enough of it already. I’m starting to think this place is haunted.”

“Uh, yeah. Me too.” He said, a bit too quickly.

Once everyone settled down, she took a peek at the pot to examine the roux below. “Well, if it makes ya feel better, the roux is pretty much done.”

Instead of instant joy, he groaned, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to handle my task.”

“It’s okay! You had business to do. Plus, you literally did majority of the work, so it’s fine.”

Nanami nodded, though something seemed to bug him. “I appreciate your understanding. They just love to call when they know I’m relaxing.”

“Hopefully, you’re being paid handsomely for your work,” she beamed.

With the most challenging part completed, they moved on to the next stage that demanded a significant amount of heat.

“After this turns brown like the richest Mayan chocolate, you wanna sautée the trinity for 15 minutes,” Tiana instructed. 

Nanami looked at the pot in question. “With the roux?”

“Yes, with the roux.” She nodded curtly.

Nanami poured the trinity into the pot, stirring it as the vegetables softened from the dark mixture.

Tiana set a skillet on the stove, drizzling it with cooking oil before tossing the cubed chicken pieces onto the scorching pan.

The sounds of sizzling filled the kitchen. With the combination of sautéed veggies and seasoned meats wafting in the air, it felt like she was at home, cooking with her mama and daddy when she was just a toddler. A memory she dearly missed.  

Nanami switched on the vent to relieve some heat while Tiana continued to stir the chicken, removing them from the skillet then sliding in the sausages. 

At her cue, he added the garlic to sautée it for five minutes, before pouring a pint of chicken broth into the mixture.

Tiana watched as Nanami worked the pot, pleased to see how well the roux and wet ingredients were fusing. 

As he whisked, Tiana seared the okra on a clean skillet so the gumbo wouldn’t get slimy—a tip she had picked up from her grandmother, but on some days, she rather stuck with a thicker, slimier broth, just like her father preferred.

Soon, he added another pint of chicken broth and water, filling the pot nearly to the brim.

Oh, she was so eager to try, but there was one more step before the gumbo reached its completion; the seasonings. 

“Now you wanna throw in some salt, black pepper, onion and garlic powder, thyme, cayenne, and four bay leaves. And make sure you don’t go too lightly on it.”

“Got it.” He efficiently collected them from the spice rack, then shook them to the pot, carefully eyeballing the amount Tiana had specified. He watched the powder and bay leaves sit on top of the rich brown broth as white smoke rose from the liquid. Once stirred, the spices seamlessly blended, forming a delicious mix.

Pleased, Tiana taste tested the gumbo.

The liquid touched her tongue, and an explosion of flavors hit her, making her almost dizzy with delight. “Mmmm.” She hummed. “This is ready to eat!” she said through hardly contained excitement. Yet, as she took another taste, she slightly furrowed her brows as she registered a missing piece in the dish. Smacking her lips, she said, “Almost.” 

It lacked a certain oomph! But, luckily, Tiana knew exactly what it needed. A specific seasoning she’d told Nanami about at the grocery store. Now, it was time to see if his palate was as sharp as his mind.

She backed away from the stove then leaned beneath the spice rack. “Try it,” she said, quizzing him.

He went and dipped a spoon into the broth, tasting it with a thoughtful pause. Once something clicked, he moved beside Tiana and began searching through the shelves as each bottle clinked one another.

She watched as his brows drew in together, leaning forward to get a better view of the labels. She watched him rummage through the spices until her eyes drifted down to the line of his jaw. Mrs. Higgins was right, he did look like someone straight off from a magazine. And it made her wonder why a man like him would bother spending his afternoon with her.

Maybe it was her insecurity talking, but she learned to not dwell on it, and just enjoy the moment while it lasted. She continued to gaze at him, openly admiring his determination to search for that specific spice. He reached in further, bracing himself with one hand against the counter until she heard him hummed in satisfaction.

With a faint smile, Nanami finally pulled out the ingredient then glanced down at Tiana, locking her into place. “Is this the missing piece?” he asked, holding it up to her. He gave it a small shake before Tiana took it.

It was Tony’s Chachere, a classic Creole seasoning, something every Louisiana person had at home. Contented, she patted his head as if he were an excelling student. “Yes! That’s the one,” she beamed, “See? I knew you could do it.”

He blushed as he bashfully scratched the back of his neck. “It was the only thing I couldn’t taste.”

“I’m happy you trusted your guts.” She gave the seasoning back to him. “Now go ahead and add two tablespoons of it.”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Nanami as he walked to the stove and shook the spice into the pot. He eyeballed the amount, and the brick-colored spice floated atop of the elixir before he stirred then tasted it.

He closed his eyes, savoring the combinations of delicious flavors, while Tiana studied his blissful reaction.

“Do you taste the difference?” asked Tiana.

“Absolutely,” he observed, “Nowhere in the recipe said to add Tony’s.”

“And what did it say?” 

“I suspect you wouldn’t like it.”

Tiana crossed a hand over her heart to solemnly swear she wouldn’t criticize the cookbook’s recipe. “I promise you, I won’t judge.”

“They used Old Bay.”

“Old Bay! Goodness gracious!” The back of her hand flew to her forehead, pretending to swoon.

Nanami chuckled at her reaction. “Is it really that bad?” he curiously asked.

“To be honest, no. But it just doesn’t taste that great compared to Tony’s.” She reached over and turned the stove from high to medium heat. “Besides, it’s about keeping the tradition alive.”

“Fair enough.” Nanami adjusted his shaded glasses before crossing his arms. “So, what’s the next step?”

Tiana held out the bowl of chicken to him. “Now, we add the proteins.” 

She reached for the bowl of sausages and gizzards, and together they poured them into the pot, covering it with a heavy iron lid once done.

“But what about the okra?” questioned Nanami.

“We’ll add that at the end so it doesn’t get overcooked. In the meantime, we’ll let it simmer for an hour. And do whatever we want,” she said as she set the stove’s timer to 60 minutes.

The two of them gathered at the small dining table as time slipped by. The weather was perfect, and the soft sunlight filtered through the room felt somewhat renewed. 

They were completely caught up in their conversation, jumping from one topic to another. From hobbies to cultural shocks to famous restaurants he and his friend should go visit.

After a good 30 minutes had passed, Nanami got up to start cooking some rice, but that didn’t stop their conversation from flowing. He talked from the sink as he washed the rice in a pot, still glancing at the window here and there. After he was done, he let it cook on the stove before he set back down to tell a funny story about some of the reckless things he had done as a teenager. They both laughed at his bloopers, with Tiana being the most animated of the two.

After their laughter abated, their eyes happened to link at the right moment. The hydrangea flower vases and rosy background perfectly framed around Tiana like a beautiful painting, prompting Nanami to take a mental snapshot so he could store the gorgeous image into his brain. 

Both were completely unaware of what the other person was thinking, but that didn’t stop them from enjoying the comforting silence they were having. They sank into each other’s presence when the soft chimes of the timer cut through the air. 

“Oh! It’s done!” Tiana hopped out of her seat then opened the lid. A plump of steam swirled upward as the heat warmed her face. Tiana couldn’t wait to dig in! But they had a few items left before they could feast.

Being told to do so, Nanami tossed in the seared okra while Tiana added a teaspoon of gumbo filé powder. After stirring it for the last time, Tiana brought the spoon to her lips and tasted the rich and highly multifaceted flavors.

“Mmm! This is so good.” She smacked her lips with a pop as she turned to Nanami. “Come on, try some.”

She pulled another clean spoon from the drawer then scooped some rice from the small pot. She let it sink into the gumbo, catching a piece of sausage and chicken in it. Next, she held it toward him as she used her other hand to catch any drips, since Nanami didn’t have his apron on.

Tiana held the spoon to him, waiting for him to open his mouth. He tentatively looked at the spoon, unsure if he should welcome this kind of offer. Nanami had no trouble feeding on his own, but once he saw her glimmering eyes, and her equally big and beautiful smile, he leaned forward and allowed her to guide the spoonful of gumbo into his mouth. He blissfully closed his eyes and lowly hummed once the flavor reached his senses.

“Wow…” he simply said, chewing and covering his mouth with his hand. “This is… incredible.”

Tiana grinned as she stepped back. “It was worth the time, huh?”

“Absolutely.” He reveled. Once he swallowed, he cleaned his lips with a napkin then crumbled it in his fist. He turned toward her and said, “Thank you, for taking the time out of your day to show me how to make gumbo. I know I’ve said this plenty of times before, but I can’t express how grateful I am that you’re here with me.”

His kind words fluttered millions of butterflies in her stomach again. She was glowing in happiness, and she wished that one day—in her hopeful view of the future—they could do this again. 

After she gave a kind squeeze on his shoulder, she went to serve two bowls for them.

She looked forward to extending their outing. However, it was getting late, and she had to pack up so her mother didn’t get worried about her. Eudora expected her to come cook at their home, all along, so Tiana made sure they’d leave in a timely manner. Besides, their three hours were just about up, so it was the perfect time to make their exit.

Squeezing his shoulder, she gave him a small smile. She picked up a sprig of parsley and garnished the gumbo for the finishing touches. It was a work of art that looked exactly as they had envisioned it, and they simply stood there, admiring its beauty. Once they were done, they served themselves a bowl then gathered at the small, circular dining table, silently enjoying their meal. As they ate, they watched more people gather in the street. And soon, they grabbed seconds and went on to enjoy the beautiful day before them.

 

 

It was near sundown, and they were thoroughly stuffed. With dinner concluded, all that was left to do was clean up before they checked out. Nanami did the dishes and sanitized the counters while Tiana packed the gumbo in four large, separate containers, tying two of them into their own bags. She made sure to add extra sausages in his container, since he seemed to like them the most.

Once they finished their tasks, Nanami untied Tiana’s apron and tossed his and hers into the dirty basket. He helped Tiana slip into her coat, holding it still as she slid her arms through the sleeves. While she fastened the buttons, he placed her hat snugly on her head before gathering their belongings. Together, they made their way to the exit.

Tiana’s instincts were right. They made an incredible cooking team because the moment they stepped into the lobby, Mrs. Higgins and a few others stopped chattering once they smelled the delicious scent of rich gumbo wafting through the air.

“Ooo, wee! That smells good!” An older gentleman who appeared to be in his 50’s perked up when he saw the pack of gumbo in their hands. “I hoped ya’ll saved some for me,” he said, as a man and woman his age joined him.

“Aye, man, stop being greedy.” The other man lightly patted his arm. “You just ate!”

“And? I always got enough room to fit a lil’ more in me.” He smacked his stomach.

Everyone chuckled, finding the comment far funnier than it probably was. Tiana remembered those same three people earlier, bracing themselves through the violent breeze, fighting to save their lives as they stumbled on the ground. That happened barely an hour ago, but here they were now, laughing and talking with Mrs. Higgins herself. The sight surprised Tiana, even though it shouldn’t. With her exuberant personality, it was no surprise that they had decided to stay inside with her.

“I can make some if ya’ll really wanna try,” Tiana said.

“Think you can get it done by next week?” The older woman eagerly said.

“Probably next year if work don’t let up. Which is probably never.” She snickered. 

“AWWW!” All three of them roared in sync. “Now why you gotta do that to us.” They laugh at each other’s timed reactions.

As they moved past them, Tiana spoke with Mrs. Higgins. “Thanks for letting us use the kitchen. I hope the weather doesn’t go crazy no more.”

“We’ll see,” Mrs. Higgins said with a coy shrug of her shoulders. “I’m starting to think this place really is cursed. Don’t be surprised if you see me burning sage around here. We probably have some evil spirits comin’ to get us.”

Tiana seriously doubted it, though she was beginning to wonder if there was any truth to the sentence. After the notion lingered for a moment, she and Nanami politely said goodbye to everyone before they strode out of the place.

 

***

 

The blue sky now turned into a deep purple and orange gradient as the sun slowly descended behind the giant oak trees. They were ten minutes away from the station, and she knew this was her moment to ask for his number. Yet, hesitation made an iron grip around her heart.

What if he wants to leave all of this behind? The thought struck her like a lightning bolt, since Nanami's stay here in New Orleans was short-lived. They mend so well together, and it dreaded her that it could only be a one-time thing. Eventually, extreme doubt crept in, casting a long shadow of worry across her thoughts until Nanami’s voice cut through the darkness, pulling her back to reality. 

“So how’s the restaurant going?”

She blinked at him before registering the question. “It’s going good, so far. I just have to go to the real estate to see how things are going.”

“Ah, I see. When do you think you’ll get it?”

“Probably in the next year or so. It’s a long time to wait, but luckily I’m the only patron who seemed interested in the property.”

Nanami quirked his brows. “Excited?”

“Moreso, nervous,” Tiana admitted. “I can only pray and work harder to get it.” 

“I believe in you.” He said, “You’re a star, after all.”

“Oh, there’s nothing starry about me.” She scoffed.

“You may not think you’re a star, but your keen wit and winsome smile could outshine the evening sky itself. Such a presence is simply a fact.”

A deep rosy tint embarrassedly spread across her face. She rolled her eyes at the silly statement, but a soft smile pulled at the corners of her lips. “Oh, here you go again,” she chuckled, unable to hide how flattered she felt.

“What? It’s true. I just saw how good of a chef and teacher you are.”

Tiana then intently looked up as Nanami explained it more. “You’ve shown me how to pick the right ingredients, talked about the history of gumbo, and were willing to show me how to make it, step-by-step. I’ve never seen anyone help so selflessly. Truly made this experience… what it’s called… lay-zah lay bonton roo-lah?” 

Nanami butchered the phrase so badly, it made Tiana bellied out a cackle.

“The laughter told me everything I needed to know,” he said dryly, though a closed smile curved along his lips.

“No, it’s fine, really!” she snorted while wiping away a tear. “It’s just the way you say it is too damn funny. But the correct way to say it is ‘laissez les bons temps rouler.’ ”

“So I was terribly off. Again.” He sighed, remembering the time where he mispronounced the word ’beignets’ at the cafe. Maybe Louisiana French wasn’t his strong suit.

“You are. But you were this close to getting it right.” She held her thumb and forefinger barely apart. “I’ll give you points for effort.”

“Sure,” he sarcastically said, “Did I at least use it in the right context?”

She thought about it for a moment. “We mostly toss it round during Mardi Gras season for celebration,” she said with a gentle smile as her eyes softened. “But really, it means to enjoy the moment. Cherish it now before it leaves. So even if your celebrations are small or messy, you just let the good times roll. So the phrase here…” she pointed her finger between her and Nanami, “... fits in perfectly in a sense, just less party-ish in a way.”

Nanami hummed, then thanked her, intrigued by her explanation. “Hmm, thank you for explaining that to me. It’s still terrible that I’ve got it wrong.”

“It’s not like I’ll quiz you or anything, but don’t be shocked if the locals here give you the side eye if you say it wrong,” she paused, “Sometimes, they can go up all arms if you use it improperly.”

“Why is that?”

“Some people just take their language culture seriously. But don’t be scared, ’cause most of them are willing to help. If they don’t have a stick in the butt.”

“I’ll be sure to remember that.” Nanami returned a subtle smile, appreciating the sentiment that she had given, until the phone in his pocket began to ring. Tiana looked as he dug it out before he answered into someone shouting through the other line in English.

Oh, goodness, what sort of trouble was he into now?

Studying his expression, he went from still, to annoyance to tiring then to acceptance. After a few “Yes” and other verbal confirmations, Nanami hung up the phone, closed his eyes, then heavily signed to the air.

Tiana knew they had to part ways. 

Once he pocketed the phone, he turned towards Tiana to deliver the news. “I’m sorry, but I have to go back to work,” he sternly said, knitting his brows.

Saddened, Tiana understood that he had business to do. “Right now?”

“Yes, right now,” he repeated. The words were uttered through gritted teeth, visibly peeved that their time had to cut shorter than intended. “I need to take you home soon.”

“I can just take the streetcar.”

“Not at this hour.” Looking left and right, he flagged down a T-Model that had a “TAXI” sign bolted on top of it. 

The taxi vehicle halted beside them, unlocking its doors. Nanami gently ushered Tiana inside the vehicle, making sure her legs are tucked in behind the seats. After he closed the door, Tiana rolled down the window, giving him the saddest eyes he had ever seen all day. Guilt riddled within him, but he urgently had to go back to his job.

“Here,” Two twenty dollar bills were pulled from his wallet. Since it was rush hour, he knew the fare would have charged extra. “This should cover the trip for your way back home.”

Tiana grabbed the money and held on along with the containers of gumbo perched on her lap. She glanced up at Nanami through the rolled-down window and the cool breeze grazed against her face. She expressed a sorrowful gaze before she voiced her concern. “Is everything alright?” The sadness in her tone was triggering something in him that he did not wish to feel.

“Yes…” He shook his head. “Everything’s alright. I’m just in a bit of an emergency. But nothing too detrimental for me to fix.” He sure hoped so!

Tiana’s expression then softened, relieved that it was something that could easily be fixed. “Okay…” she paused. “It was nice meeting you again. You’re always a pleasure to be with.”

Bending down, he leveled his eyes to get a closer look of hers. His gaze softened once he was able to witness the gorgeous smile one last time. “And it was a pleasure meeting again, Tiana.”

After they bid their farewells, Nanami tapped on the metal roof, signaling the driver that they were done talking. He watched the car slowly accelerate away from him, zooming down the unusually vacant street before disappearing around a corner. 

With her out of sight, Nanami’s face contorted into a scowl before he let out a tiring sigh that indicated that he had to work overtime on his day-off, or that he was growing an intense liking toward Tiana. Or perhaps, both. Either way, he knew he had sunk himself into a hole. 

“Fuck.”

Notes:

Okay I hope you’ve enjoyed it so far. As previously said, sorry if some of the scenes dragged, sometimes I overdetail and repeat things without even knowing it. Also, their were ALOT of things i had to change in this chapter, which is why i need to learn how to outline into of being a pantser XD. But, anyways, Tiana and Nanami were originally doing freaky ass shit in the kitchen, but I had to cut it out because I remembered its suppose to be a SLOWBURN, and its rated T unless i change it to an M, so theres that😭😭 but maybe I can find a way to put in the future if im dedicated enough.

ANYWHO, I made pdf of a scene had happened off scene. Yes, its between Nanami and Gojo but it still involves Tiana in a way. --->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eyrHmupBDDjT1j466MYO5V6Kr2jtJNNY/view?usp=sharing