Actions

Work Header

Interrogation In-Progress

Chapter 5: Himeko

Summary:

idk if himekos coffee is actually that bad. Maybe everyone on tje astral express just hates bitter stuff. Or maybe coffee to Himeko refers to sometnin else. Like expired milk

Chapter Text

Lounging on the couch, she hands him a small steaming cup of coffee.

 

“Well, how about a little taste test?” Himeko asks, “I’ve been trying a couple new recipes lately, and I think I’ve finally got it.”

 

Behind her, Stelle and March rapidly shake their heads no. Even Dan Heng has a slight grimace on his normally-blank face.

 

You’re gonna die, is what Stelle is (most likely) mouthing.

 

Super painfully, March adds on. Also, mouthing.

 

No comment, is what Dan Heng’s face says.

 

However, it feels like a betrayal of trust to refuse Himeko right now. She seems…earnest, at least. 

 

So, despite everyone telling him otherwise, Sunday takes a tentative sip of the drink.

 

‘Mm, bitter? Not so bad—‘

 

”Ugh.” 

At first, it just tastes like extra bitter coffee. Then, it tastes like it marinated in a moldy energy drink for five years, got dunked into radioactive fumes, and then infused with soap.

 

It takes him all the years he’s spent perfecting a poker face to only just slightly frown.

 

Himeko must truly be a… special individual — managing to somehow make coffee that mixes the worst flavors in the most disgusting ways. And still present it as coffee.

 

“How did you… make this?” He coughs out, placing the cup gently back onto the table.

 

“Ah, well that’s a secret! But by your reaction, it looks like it still needs a bit tweaking…” Himeko looks deep in thought. Probably brainstorming an even worse version.

 

Stelle crosses her arms and shakes her head at him. March tut tuts.  

Sunday clears his throat. And really, really tries to forget what he’s just consumed.

 

“It was an interesting flavor, and while I admit, it wasn’t pleasant, it was…”

 

Fun? Exciting? Another thing he wants to suppress?

 

“—It was a… new experience.”

 

March elbows Dan Heng.

 

“Hey, did you hear that? New experience. It was a new experience for us too, right?”

 

Dan Heng rubs his temple, “Please shut up March.”

 

“New experience,” Stelle echoes.

 

Ignoring the three idiots, he smiles at Himeko — despite the nausea-inducing drink.

 

“Still, thank you for letting me test the coffee. It has been… quite a long while since anyone has made food for me like this.”

 

And it’s true. While he did receive gifts as the head of the Oak family, more often than not they were because of his title — rather than his person. Not that he has ever resented it, just perhaps forgotten.

 

—It takes him back to a memory from a long, long time ago. A light afternoon spent messing around in a kitchen with his sister. Although he can’t remember what they made, the brief echoes of laughter and joy fill his mind.

 

He stares down at the coffee, still slightly warm.

 

Then, he looks back up at Himeko and nods, “If you’re alright with it, it would be a pleasure to test your drinks again.”

 

He (almost) regrets it.

 

(“What did he say?????” March gasps. Stelle takes a shocked step back.)

 

Himeko chuckles, “Of course! It’s great that I finally have a willing tester now.”

 

“But…” she starts, “That doesn’t mean that all the people behind me get to get off scott-free.”

 

March squeaks, “Eek! Let’s get out of here guys!” Stelle takes another step back and runs — though, not before pushing Dan Heng forward.

 

“He’s yours now!” Stelle yells as she sprints out of the train car. The door is slides shut behind them.

 

Himeko smiles — menacingly — and lifts another cup.

 

“Please don’t,” Dan Heng says.

 

And of course, that’s when the door slides open again. 

 

“Oh, what’s going on?” Welt asks.

 

Himeko gestures to the coffee.

 

“You’re just in time! Here, take a seat.”

 

It only takes half a second for Welt to turn around — impressively, not even looking like he’s fleeing from a crime scene — and say,

 

“…I think I forgot something in my room.”

Notes:

blahbla charmony dove somethin somethin.

 

thanks for reading!!!! Like my stellaron hunter fic, I’ll add chapters for each member in the coming days (or months). Make sure to like, subscribe, and eat some fried chicken—u deserve it bud

Series this work belongs to: