Chapter Text
“Welcome. This is Rei’s Play, and it’s time to slay.”
Rei held his urge to roll back his eyes hard enough to get stuck in his skull when the blond made two thumbs up with that stupid smile of his behind the camera before walking away. Rei only wished to play his beloved video games and finish off the stream, but nope! Kazuki wants him to be a ‘professional’ streamer with catchy slogans and shit.
(“Can’t I just…play??”
“Look, there are many gaming streamers out there, many good ones as well, but do you know why only a few of them are really famous? Because they don’t just play, they entertain. You need to stand out, Rei! Only then people decide to spend time watching your streams out of everyone else’s!”
“...”
“..and I’ll kiss you for every ten stream viewers.”
“I’m in.”)
A few clicks later he was soon at the main page of Silent Hill 2. The psychological thriller was one of Rei’s favourites, but least of Kazuki’s. The older one first refused to buy something that expensive and horrifying, especially with an eight year old at home, but Rei knew the ‘eight year old’ in reference included his own boyfriend too.
But nothing stopped him. A couple of puppy-eyed stares and a pouty face that he learnt from Miri was all he needed to get hold of his now most prized possession, after his boyfriend and daughter.
He checked the stream count, and a smirk appeared on his face.
Eleven streams. One kiss acquired.
Rei scrolled through the chapters and halted at his current one, Nightmare Hospital. His foot bounced in excitement to play the new chapter, as everybody on the internet talked about how amazing it was, but couldn’t with all the overtime at the restaurant and helping Miri with her miniature house project.
“Rei, I’ll be heading to the grocery shop. Take care of the house.” Kazuki approached him, swinging his tote bag on his shoulder.
“And her too.” He whispered to the other, leaning closer as he held onto Rei’s shoulder, making him almost drop his gaming console.
It was a house rule that both agreed upon, that neither must not mention their daughter’s existence on camera, for safety purposes.
“So, what’s today’s game?” Kazuki leaned away with a smile to face the other.
“See for yourself.” The other gestured nonchalantly towards the screen.
Excited, he moved his head towards the screen at once, not knowing what was to come. Rei pressed his lips tight to stop himself from laughing when he saw the color leave Kazuki’s face.
Kazuki tilted his head back in disappointment, his smile wiped off his face. “Really? This? Out of any other games??” He deadpaned.
“What can I do? Everybody loves this game.” Rei shrugged as he looked up to the blond. A small chuckle left his mouth, plastering a little smirk on his face.
Kazuki cleared his throat as he stood up, trying to waver the flush off his face. “Anyway, I’m leaving. Good luck with tonight’s stream.”
“Wave to the screen, my viewers are asking for it.” Rei weakly pointed his index to the screen.
“Yeah right!” Kazuki leaned in front of the camera, his face full of life again. “I never really introduced myself, have I?? Myself Kazuki Kurusu, the Great owner of Diner’s Nest!” He stretched his arm like a theater’s kid. “It’s the place where the breezy blue sea of Okinawa meets your beloved dine! Come on Sunset Sundays and Tropical Tuesdays for FORTY PERCENT DISCOUNT-”
“Go away, stream viewers don’t like promotion.” Rei pushed Kazuki off with his arm. “Plus, you are running late for shopping.” He continued, ignoring the sulking blond.
“Oh yes I am!” Kazuki checked his watch before doing a little salute with his two fingers. “Gotta go!” He said, rushing towards the door.
“Bye Bye.” Rei gave a small wave as the other hurriedly locked the door behind him.
He looked back to see the chats flooding with questions. After a few seconds of blankly staring at the screen, he processed what was going on. He sighed.
“No guys, he is not my boyfriend. Just a roommate. Plus he ain’t that good looking either.” Rei felt a little too confident knowing Kazuki wasn’t there.
The chat flooded again. Rei squinted his eyes to read the little letters.
“Oh eM Gee they were roommates. Huh? I don’t get it. We are still roommates though??”
Rei rested his back on the chair to start the game, but the chat continued to flood, giving him no choice but to reply to them.
“Is your restaurnt the one in Ishigaki?? Yes it is.”
“OH EM GEEE ive been there with my friends 2 years ago!! The French Toast was ammmazing.” Rei dragged the ‘g’ ‘m’ straight-faced, dimming the excitement of the commenter. “Oh, Thanks. Means a lot.” Rei returned a bit of enthusiasm with an awkward little smile.
“Do both work togethr? Said with an ‘eyes emoji’, yeah we do. We are business partners.”
“OH EM GEE they were business partners. Yeah, exactly like I said.”
“I’ll vsit you guys nxt summer when I’ll come to meet my grandparents. Thanks. The store is always welcome.” Maybe Kazuki’s promotion idea wasn’t bad after all.
“Is your roomate single- no.” He replied in a low, assertive voice, shifting his body to sit comfortably. “Enough questions, it’s time already.”
He checked the viewers count once again, clutching his game controller to prepare for the game. His eyes widened in surprise.
Forty seven viewers, and he didn’t even begin the game. Damn, he thought. Kazuki was indeed too charming for his own good, and Rei couldn’t help but smile at himself.
“Sorry for the delay. Let the game start now.”