Title: A Shadow Steak Ramen of Love ♥
Chapter: 1/1 (oneshot)
Fandom: The World Ends With You
Character/Pairing: Miki Makoto (of Shadow Ramen fame), Masuoka Hisataka (or HT for short), and Sakuraba Neku (who doesn't need an introduction)
Rating: PG
Summary: Miki Makoto is accosted by HT who seems to think that Makoto's stolen all of Neku's affections. Makoto is distraught because he thinks so too.
Notes: Um, there is gay. Or well, some unrequited gay and some misunderstood gay but all in all a lot of gay. XD

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Miki Makoto is a very nice young man. A little too impressionable, maybe (as proven by his short-lived but rather illustrious Mick epoch), but he always tries his best in whatever he does, be it advertising a product or manning a ramen shop.

That's actually what's gotten him into this mess, and he's regretting this trying his best business. Whoever said that everything's okay 'as long as you tried your best' is an absolute idiot.

He rather misses his Mick persona right about now. At least Mick would know what to say right now to this guy who seems to think Makoto's at fault for stealing some other guy's affections.

The sad thing is Makoto can't actually deny it because he thinks it's actually true. That's the worst part.

'Now, Mikkun,' the guy continues - his name is Masuoka, or so he's been told, 'all you have to do is back off a bit.' He's tugging on his top - Jupiter of the Monkey, Makoto thinks - and looks very composed, not at all like how Makoto is feeling.

'I'm not - like, I don't like him!' Makoto knows he's flailing, but he can't stop himself. His arms move on their own when he's frantic, and he's rather frantic now. 'He just keeps coming back but I can't actually tell him to get out since he's a customer and - '

He stops, the rest of his words stuck somewhere in his throat, because he sees him, stepping into Shadow Ramen for what has to be at least the fifth time today.

Headphone Guy, along with his skater friend.

'W-w-welcome to the Shadows! You sure look n-nice today... again.' He puts on a rather violently bright smile, which slips off his face once he sees Masuoka's murderous expression.

Headphone Guy just nods absentmindedly in acknowledgement of the comment, smiling back at Makoto (and he's always smiling, isn't he? Makoto's on to him). 'Anything new on the menu?' he asks, his voice all low and -

'So this is where you've been, hon!' Masuoka's amazingly chipper voice breaks through the quiet of the ramen shop. 'Over at Shadow Ramen? I haven't seen you in my shop lately, but I guess you've been busy...' His voice trails off, and he sends another glare Makoto's way.

Headphone Guy looks suddenly like a fish out of water. A fish that has been fished out of water into the hands of a very fishy fisherman. 'Ah. Oh. I didn't see you there.' Next to him, Skater Friend doesn't even try to hide his guffaws. 'I'll just have a Shadow Steak Ramen then.'

Skater Friend frowns. 'Dontchu mean two Shadow Steak Ramen, Phones?'

'One please,' Headphone Guy repeats, crossing his arms over his own Jupiter of the Monkey threads, though his look substantially nicer than Masuoka's.

Makoto's glad for the excuse to leave though, so he heads back into the kitchen, all the while trying his best not to listen to the conversation happening outside.

'I really haven't seen you in a while. How long has it been?

'We've got some new things in, you know. Pretty gorgeous. Can't imagine how they'd look on you.

'Don't suppose you're up for some soccer today? We're just having practice so more people would be welcome - your friend here could come too.'

And Makoto rushes back out of the kitchen with a bowl of ramen that almost spills over in his hurry - he's not sure what the rush is, but he knows he has to rush. 'Th-thank you,' he mumbles, placing it on the counter. His eyes are looking at his feet.

Masuoka is still talking though. 'You'd probably play soccer well. Got the muscles for it - very nice muscles.' Headphone Guy looks vaguely disturbed. Skater Friend is beside himself with laughter, but Masuoka pays no attention, his eyes on Headphone Guy and his -

'Masuoka-san,' Makoto interrupts in a very respectful tone, 'I'm afraid that you'll - you'll have to leave if you aren't b-buying anything.' Masuoka looks at him with something so very close to fury it's startling, but Makoto holds his ground, albeit while stuttering. Masuoka does leave the premise though, but not without not-very-surreptitiously blowing Headphone Guy a kiss. Skater Friend guffaws more.

Headphone Guy sends a very grateful glance his way and places five thousand yen on the counter - Makoto still doesn't know how he pays for the ramen since he buys it so often. 'Thanks,' says Headphone guy simply. 'Really.'

The ramen is already finished - Makoto spots a rather satisfied grin on Skater Friend's face. 'I always aim to p-p-please, sir,' Makoto replies. He notices that his hands may or may not be shaking. Maybe it's just an earthquake or something.

No, it's definitely his hands. And the rest of him too.

Headphone Guy either doesn't notice or pretends not to, only raising a hand in a wave as he steps out, Skater Friend already long gone.

'Neku.'

'Pardon, sir?' Makoto's too stunned to even stutter.

'You can just call me Neku.' And Headphone Guy - no, Neku turns around and smiles at Makoto and perhaps it's the end of the world as this is most definitely confirmation of the Headphone-Guy-is-into-Makoto theory because guys don't just go about smiling at other guys for no reason.

If it is, though, it's a rather pleasant Armageddon, and Makoto finds himself smiling back before he hears the funny whistling sound from the kitchen that means he's forgotten to turn off the stove.

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Couple of the shopkeeper lines are ripped right from the game, in particular 'I aim to p-p-please, sir.' I love Makoto. He's so sad. ♥