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Even with all of the progress Mafuyu had made since high school, she could sometimes forget that she was still learning new things about herself. Just last month, she learned that her spice tolerance, to quote Mizuki, was “godlike.”
She was currently learning that while rollercoasters posed no issue, drop rides did.
“Let’s go sit,” Kanade said, guiding her from the ride over to a park bench, conveniently near one of Phoenix Wonderland’s bathrooms. Her one arm was held captive by Kanade, her other wrapped around her stomach, pressing slightly to try to ease the cramping. Logically, she knew it would do nothing. At the same time, her head swam, impairing what she knew from her studies. “Do you think you’ll be alright? Or…”
Mafuyu shrugged. Even sitting, her legs felt weak, though she couldn’t be sure if that was due to the mechanics of the ride or the nausea. She didn’t want to leave yet, if only because they were on an anniversary date—the anniversary of Mafuyu moving in with Kanade, that was. It was nice to have something to look forward to on that date. Emu had texted Mafuyu a week ago, suggesting they go to Phoenix Wonderland to see it afresh, now that she was working on the business side of operations. The park still carried a certain nostalgia of all the times she’d been there with Kanade, Mizuki, and Ena.
Her stomach churned dangerously. Without a word, Kanade brought her to the bathroom.
Kanade was quick to close the stall door behind them, rubbing Mafuyu’s back as she emptied her stomach. Kanade’s touch was always so different from anyone else’s, hesitant in a way that was almost considerate. Mafuyu did her best to focus on that touch, and not the other, decidedly worse sensations echoing through her body.
“Sorry,” Mafuyu managed to say between labored breaths, doing her best to not alert anyone else in the bathroom to her situation.
“For what? You didn’t mean to get sick. You can’t control that. Though, I thought I was the only one of us who got motion sick.” At Mafuyu’s questioning glance, she clarified, “Cars. And the bus, if the route winds a lot.”
That was why Mafuyu hadn’t noticed before. It seemed like something she would’ve. She sat back on her heels, concentrating on breathing in through her nose. “I didn’t think I was.” She swallowed, wincing at the rawness of her throat. It had been a long time since she’d last been sick like that. She hadn’t missed it. “I’m okay now, I think.”
Kanade searched her face, looking for something Mafuyu couldn’t see, then nodded. “Let’s take a break from the rides and get some water.”
“Crepes, too.” It would be best if she could replenish her hydration and sugars, as much as her stomach still cramped. Cramps, though, were preferable to nausea. Crepes weren’t very greasy or heavy. She would be fine.
She cleaned herself up as quickly as she could, following Kanade back out to the park. Parts of her felt closer to baseline already. There was no reason to leave yet … though Kanade had a point about breaking from the rides. Mafuyu would do whatever Kanade wanted to, anyway. Kanade had more clearly defined interests, so it was easier.
Her head was still a bit off until they sat down again, choosing a shady enough spot so Mafuyu wouldn’t overheat and Kanade wouldn’t burn. Mafuyu sat and watched as Kanade ordered their food at the nearby stand, assessing herself. The cramps were lessening little by little. Her throat, head, and legs would improve once she had something to drink. All that was left was what she tentatively identified as embarrassment. Kanade had seen her sick before, but not like that.
“Here, Mafuyu.” Kanade returned, handing her a water and a crepe with bananas. “I think you said before that bananas help with nausea, right?”
“That’s right.” She studied the cream-filled dessert for a moment before turning her attention first to the water. She sipped it slowly. “Kanade. Don’t you care that I ruined our date?”
Kanade’s brow furrowed. Confusion or concern, she couldn’t tell. She put a hand on Mafuyu’s. “It’s not ruined, Mafuyu. It wouldn’t be even if we went home now. I’d still be with you either way. That’s all I could ask for.”
Mafuyu considered that. Kanade had said similar things in the past. There was no reason not to believe her when she’d proven her words again and again. And if Mafuyu were in Kanade’s place, if the situation were reversed…
She would do the same.