By the time the second segment rolled around, the hashtags were trending nationwide.
#Astrian
#CookingWithChemistry
#TheyAintEvenTryingToHide
#WhyAmIWatchingForRomanceInsteadOfFood
The production team, both thrilled and terrified of the traction, decided to double down.
"Final Challenge," the host announced with flair, "is our iconic Couple Dish Relay."
Aster twitched.
"Couple?" he echoed under his breath.
"We're not a couple," he added quickly when Adrian looked at him with a raised brow.
Adrian just grinned. "We're 'teammates'."
Teammates who apparently had to act like newlyweds in the kitchen. The rules of the final round involved alternating tasks, feeding each other ingredients, and—God help him—coordinated plating while standing side by side in a comically tight apron built for two.
Aster cursed the producers under his breath. Adrian looked like he was ready to enjoy the chaos.
Round Start:
The ingredient this time?
Beef, tofu, kimchi, strawberries, nori, and soba noodles.
Also... chocolate sauce.
(Why? Because this show thrived on culinary suffering.)
"Okay," Aster muttered as Adrian stepped beside him and slid one arm into the shared apron. "We don't know each other. You're a fan. We met today."
Adrian leaned in casually, fastening the tie behind Aster's back like it was second nature. "Of course. Total strangers."
"Stop smiling like that."
"I can't help it," Adrian murmured, so close to his ear that Aster felt the heat tickle down his neck. "You're adorable when flustered."
Aster grit his teeth, biting back a flustered sound. "We are in front of cameras."
"Smile for the fans."
—
The task began: Adrian would prep the soba and pan-sear the beef. Aster handled the sauce and the kimchi-tofu stir fry.
They moved fast—almost too naturally. Adrian fed Aster a taste of the soy-mirin sauce and wiped the corner of his mouth. Aster smacked his hand away and mumbled, "Don't treat me like a toddler."
"But you're cuter than one," Adrian said without missing a beat.
The host, in the background, gagged playfully. "Get a room!"
The audience screamed in the comments.
Online Highlights:
netizen001: Why are THEY more romantic than the actual couple guests??
netizen77: How are they cooking like they're in a drama scene??
netizen_dishydish: STRANGERS MY ASS 😭😭😭
netizen_hamsterfan: I bet they sleep in the same bed and spoon at night.
But what really stole the segment?
The moment during plating where Adrian absentmindedly adjusted Aster's bangs with his clean fingers and said, "You're perfect."
Caught. On. Camera.
Aster, stunned for half a second, turned to the camera and deadpanned, "Is there a rule against emotional sabotage on this show?"
The host wheezed. "We have a new category: Best Cooking Couple Without Confessing."
They were voted Fan Favorite Team before the broadcast even ended.
After the segment ended, Aster unzipped the apron and slipped free. He turned, chest rising and falling with the leftover adrenaline.
"Admit it," Adrian murmured beside him, towel slung around his neck. "You had fun."
"I'm tired," Aster said, though a smile tugged at his lips. "And sore. My legs hurt. My pride hurts."
"But your heart's warm."
Aster rolled his eyes. "My stomach is warm. From the beef."
Adrian laughed, dark eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction.
Then a staff member approached with a wink. "You two... might want to stay offline for a while."
"Oh?" Aster blinked.
She showed him a tablet screen.
The clip of Adrian calling Aster "perfect" had already been clipped, looped, subtitled, and transformed into a 15-second viral reel. Over 1.3 million views in under an hour.
"Your fandom has a name now," the assistant said, smirking.
Aster stared. "Please don't tell me—"
"Astrian."
Adrian peeked over Aster's shoulder. "Has a nice ring to it."
"Don't encourage them," Aster mumbled.
Too late.