Bellflower Blossoms

Warnings: Food, emetophobia, descriptions of lung/stomach pains etc whatever else comes with hanahaki, also I let Beat say Fuck and there's makeouts.

Author's Notes:

This is 2 years after the events of NTWEWY, no one is in a relationship yet and all of them have been working on re-adjusting to daily life, therapy, healing and other things - letting go of their time in the UG in a healthy way

Not very good at writing Beat's dialogue oops if he sounds OOC that's probably why also i'm bilingual which means i don't have a grasp on any language, ever

Not an expert on Hanahaki either www i am literally just making things up based on me having asthma attacks

Bellflowers represent gratitude, constancy, support, and romance

She/they rhyme

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DAY 1 - Friday Afternoon - Dogenzaka: First Occurance

Beat, running to the rhythm of the Hip-Hop music playing from his headphones, waved his hand up high as he greeted his two closest friends, taking his headphones off. "Phones! Shiki! Sorry I kept ya' waitin' - had some errands to run." A flimsy excuse, as he's unwilling to admit that he's been feeling inexplicably ill for the past few days or so. (It'll blow over.) He thinks.

"It's okay!" Shiki replied cheerfully. "We're glad you've made it." Neku adds with a warm tone. Beat's eyes grow a little bit wider upon hearing Neku's response. He's glad his mask is covering his cheeks that he knows are flushed red just about any time he's around his best friend these days.

"Y-yea...thanks, guys."

The trio walk into Spicy Curry Don, where Ken Doi greets his favorite regulars heartily. "Irasshai! You're just in time to try out this new recipe I've been working on! The other folks love it so far!" Ken beams. "Ah, sweet, gramps! What've you got for us?" Beat asks in hopes that a fresh meal will help him feel better. "It smells unique." Neku comments.

"That's because it is." Ken responds, as he pulls out three plates with a new kind of curry the trio had never seen before. "Shutki Shira, they call it in the south. It's a type of dried & fermented fish from Bangladesh and India! A staple countryside cuisine." The plates consist of 1/3rd of the curry accompanied with potatoes and 2/3rd basmati rice, sprinkled with coriander leaves for flavoring. "That looks great, Mr. Ken. I can't wait to try it. It smells a little bit like cheese, right guys?" Shiki asks her companions. "Mhm. I suppose that's the flavor of the fermentation." Neku adds.

Beat is good with food. He's learned to try new foods and appreciate unusual flavors, especially after he began to love Shoyu Ramen during the 3 years he spent looking for Neku around Shibuya. He knows he should be excited today, but...he's not. The pungent and sharp cheese-like smell which would normally pique his curiosity seemed quite unappetizing at the moment and the unfamiliarity of the dish did not help, either.

"...Beat? Are you taking a seat?" Neku asks, already seated beside Shiki on the counter-top-table. "Uh! Yeah yeah, Phones. I'm here." Beat responds in an odd manner, to which both Neku and Shiki raise their eyebrows at. As Beat sits down, they brush it off and he takes off his mask and starts to dig into the foriegn dish, one bite at a time, eating much slower than he usually does. He knows he should be enjoying this, but each time he swallows, he feels his digestive system pushing back as a tight sensation overtakes his chest. He can't even focus on the taste, which he knows is supposed to be rich, interesting and enjoyable.

Ignoring the sensations, Beat finishes his meal, without asking for seconds and clearing his plate at the same time as the others. His companions notice this peculiarity as well. Meanwhile, Ken Doi awaits the response of his esteemed customers. "Well, what did you think? Is the buzz worth it?"