Mistakes and Memories

"Ah, th-that's fine if they don't." She said in response to Iyuki's answer about the spicy things. She'd stuttered due to slight embarrassment but overall she didn't really mind. There was still food, food she'd never tried that she was getting the chance to now, and that's what mattered.

As Iyuki got the food, she took some of the things since he couldn't carry it all. It seemed like a lot, though she supposed between the two of them they could probably finish it. She wanted to curse herself for not being able to stomach too much at a time like some people could...but due to living the way she had for so long it was only natural if she consumed too much she'd get sick from it.

Sitting the things she'd carried on the table she looked down at the food. It smelled really good, that was her first thought. Though her immediate attention had unconsciously went towards the sweeter things Iyuki had gotten them, a certain sparkle in her eye she'd probably die from embarrassment of if she knew about it.

As they sat there, Iyuki speared a takoyaki with a toothpick and put the whole thing into his mouth. He was rather partial to them and grinned happily. Fried delicious goodness. However Muika hadn't even taken one bite yet. His smile turned to a frown as he looked at her eyes... They seemed to be on the sweets...

She did react weird whenever he brought home extra treats he had made. Or when he stress baked. It was like... she was fighting part of herself. Like she hated... Did she hate sweets?! She just ate his to make him feel better... He really was the worst butler! His head fell into his hands, and he lamented as he speared another takoyaki ball. "Oh I am so sorry Muika. I did not know you hated such things, I would have never bought so much... I truly thought you liked them. I thought I could make you happy. I have been mistaken all this time!"

"!!" She looked, a bit panicked from the sweets to Iyuki to back to the sweets and so on, an immediate response not coming to mind. He looked heartbroken at this assumption, even though his assumption was the exact opposite of what was really the case.

Her eyes shifted down to her hands, her fingers playing with the edge of her sleeves as her face reddened. She didn't want to admit it but...

"I..I...I don't hate..them...I...I actually really...like them..."

She certainly wasn't the type of girl that looked like she had a sweet tooth, or she thought so anyway, so she felt embarrassed admitting it since it probably didn't fit her so called 'image.'

As Muika thought over her feelings about sweets, Iyuki moped and speared a few more takoyaki. He chewed them sadly, moping a bit more and more. He was so focused on the food he did not notice the turmoil of Muika, as she confronted her actual like of sweets head on. In fact he just moped and ate his feelings, feeling sorry for himself for putting all his care into such delicacies for the person he had dedicated his butlerdom to.

Her words bright light back to the world once more. His mouth full of three takoyaki balls, the young man's eyes sparkled once more. The first words he spoke were garbled, before he chewed and swallowed. He took one of her hands in both of his and held it across the table as he leaned. "Oh truly? I shall make you the greatest sweets when we get back then! Sweets are my specialty, I had thought I was a lost soul...my master hating one of the things I find joy in doing."

"E...Eh...?" He'd certainly brightened up at her words, but while she was thankful for that his words, if anything, added to her embarrassment. "A-Ah, r-really you don't need t-to go out of your way or anything!"

Her words had come out in a bit higher pitch than her normal voice, her embarrassment showing not only in her reddened faced expression but her voice as well.

She didn't understand. It wasn't out of his way. He loved creating confections. The smell of the sweet sugars, the warmth of the oven. The melting taste in your mouth of a job well done.

Iyuki shook his head vigorously, her embarrassment was unwarrented. "It is not any hassle, I adore the art of crafting sweets. But without someone to help me eat such things, my efforts go to waste. To have such a kind person to taste the delicious creamy icings I make... Alone it isn't worth the effort, but when you see the smile on someone's face... The joy, as they lick the white frosting you made from their lips... It is the most joyous thing in the world!"

Muika tried to respond, she really did, but all that would come out where incomprehensible stutters or squeaks; her face likely resembling the bright red of a firetruck about now.

Did...Did he even hear the words coming out of his mouth!? She wasn't sure if her ridiculous state right now was due to admitting to having a sweet tooth or to Iyuki's words. Whichever it may be, it'd successfully gone far enough to prevent her from forming a sentence.

Iyuki did not hear the words coming out of his mouth, at first. A few seconds after his impromptu speech however... The utterly flustered Muika was joined quite quickly by an utterly mortified young man. He took some fries and stuffed them into his mouth, lowering his head to cover his face from how much he wished he could take his words from the air and ears and stuff them back into his mouth.

He started eating his embarrassment. If they stayed there too much longer and if he got too much more embarrassed he'd have to start baking his feelings.

Muika sat there for a moment, the heat in her face still burning hot as Iyuki recalled what he'd just said and became just as red as her due to it before he began eating as if it distract himself. She blinked once...twice...before looking down at the food between them on the table and taking one of the fries, albeit a bit timidly, before taking a bite.

"It's good." She said after swallowing the bite she'd taken, her expression showing what seemed to be surprise..as if she were surprised she'd enjoyed it.

Muika was eating too. That was good. He could sit here and die after his words if she was pleased with the food he had gotten and offered to her.

Iyuki nodded, but did not speak. His face was still as red as brick and he kept his gaze down. Such vulgar things left his lips. How could he fix this?

The air was a bit awkward now, but Muika kept trying things and giving her opinion on them to Iyuki; that opinion mostly consisting of short, two word phrases such as 'it's good.' much like she had with the fries.

She was enjoying it, but despite her still remaining embarrassment she did wish to somehow get the awkward atmosphere to leave...as they couldn't really enjoy anything or have fun if the atmosphere between them was like this.

"What...what kind of things do they have here...like games and stuff?" She asked, glancing over to him.

Muika was enjoying all the food he had gathered, allowing some of his gloom to lift. It was like a dark cloud over him still though, as he ate the last of the takoyaki. He had been sighing as he had gone over everything he'd said in his head, reliving the awful moments.

However after a few moments, Muika spoke up. Iyuki looked up started as he snapped the toothpick in half. She needed information... from him. He could do this! The gloomy air stuck around him, but he spoke calmly and not moodily or dramatically. "They have arcade areas where you can play more video game style games. But they also have more festival and carnival oriented games. Ones where you can win prizes such as stuffed animals or posters. On top of that there are many rides you can go on. Such as spinning rides, roller coasters, the ferris wheel... Some are more exciting than others, but some are fun in a soothing way."

Muika listened to the different types of things they'd come across here, giving a nod every now and then to let him know she was listening. She had seen people playing in arcades before, they always seemed to be having a lot of fun in them, but she hadn't seen that many carnival-oriented games. If she was good at them she could win prizes? She wasn't really sure if she would care much about the prizes but the idea of those games had her interest.

Then he began to explain the bigger, machine, rides that had seemed intimidating to her. So some of them were soothing fun? The one she'd seen, the one with all the people screaming was probably not to be put in that category...it seemed to be more for excitable fun than soothing. Spinning rides...she wondered how those would be. Wouldn't rides that involved mostly spinning make one sick?

Throughout Iyuki's explanation, it had sparked an idea within her though, but she didn't want Iyuki to know about it...so she kept it unspoken as she still needed to think more on it.

"Do...Do they have shooting games? I think I'd be good at those since...I have to have good aim to use my weapon." She wondered aloud.

"They do! You can use water guns, and I think they may have cork style games where if you shoot the object over you get it. Though those are normally at smaller festivals, not amusement parks. This one has a few in its themed area. If you have good aim, we should try them all and see if it carries over!" Iyuki grinned, he had never been good at those types of games. He was much better at guessing games or games where you didn't have to aim. Though he was rather good at ring toss games. He had won many large animals from those.

The young man was oblivious to any ideas Muika might have regarding anything else... "If you would like to try them, we can head to some games first. That way we can ease you into the rides, if they are what you wish to try too."

So they did have shooting games. That was good, that would at least be something she might be good at, which lightened her spirits some. He mentioned trying them first but, if they did manage to win anything wouldn't that be bothersome to take them on rides later?

"Ah, we can try rides before if you want...if we win anything wouldn't it be kind of a problem to carry things on rides...or leave them? If we left them they'd have a chance to get stolen."

"Oh. Yes that is a very valid point. I can't believe I didn't think of it." Iyuki looked a bit shamed at those words and he gathered up their garbage from the food as he tried to give himself time to think. What could they go on first then? What rides would she like?

There was bumper cars! It could be fun and easy. "Aha, if we go in this direction we could go to the smaller rides. Bumper cars are always fun and normally do not scare people. It could be a good place to start, along with the egg stirring ride. Hm. Scrambler I believe is the term. It does spin though, so that may make you queasy..."

He stood up and moved to garbage to toss the items away.

"Bumper cars?" She asked as Iyuki threw away the food. "Scrambler?"

She could assume what bumper cars was but the...egg stirring ride he referred to as Scrambler left her at a loss of assumption. He just said it involved spinning but she was having trouble picturing it.

"Ah ah ah. It is best to be seen and experienced. Any words I have will not describe it." Iyuki had to let a small smile slip out as he bowed slightly to Muika. "If you would follow me?"

Walking along, Iyuki pointed out interesting things. People walked past them or by them, but it was fairly uncrowded today. He pointed out games, other rides, snack stands... Vendors walked past them carrying small snacks and items, and pretty soon they arrive at the bumper car ride. People were laughing and smashing into each other, while Iyuki smiled and waved Muika ahead of him in the line. "See? You ride in the cars and try to hit others. Or you can just ride around the ring and enjoy that, while trying not to get hit."

She followed Iyuki, listening to him as he explained and pointed out things as they made there way towards the rides. She was glad it wasn't as crowed, it was a lot easier to walk around and it was easier on her mind as well.

When they finally got the bumper cars area she saw as people laughed and smashed into each other. People didn't get hurt doing that? She supposed it was safe but she hadn't imagined it to be like this exactly. She supposed the cars were easy to maneuver, or she hoped so at least...she didn't know how to drive exactly.

"Does it...matter if I don't know how to drive?" She asked, a bit uncertainty in her voice as she wondered if that would take away from anything.

"It doesn't." Iyuki patted Muika's head gently, smiling down at her. Of all the things to worry about... "It has a paddle on the floor you step on to go, the more you press down the faster you go. The wheel controls where it turns and moves. It isn't complicated at all."

The ride ground to a halt, people getting out as the workers running the ride went through and helped anyone who couldn't get out. Then they started letting people in, though Iyuki and Muika weren't able to get on in this ride. He was pleased at this, it would give Muika a chance to see how they got in and out and strapped themselves in without feeling bad. She would not like it if he helped her, he was beginning to realize. "See? You can see how they strap themselves in. It keeps you from flying forward and hurting themselves."

"Ah...That's good." Muika said, glancing back at the ride as the next group of people got strapped in, being sure to watch carefully so she wouldn't mess up when it came to be there turn, she'd hate to embarrass herself by not being able to do something as simple as strap herself in properly.

She wasn't sure if she'd be hitting anyone in the ride though, as she felt it strange to do so to people she didn't know...and she didn't really care for the idea of hitting Iyuki either, it seemed kinda mean...and while she wasn't the nicest person or at least acted like it, she didn't want to accidentally hurt anyone so she'd likely stick to the second thing Iyuki had mentioned people doing and try to avoid being hit and ride around.

Muika was taking this so seriously, she hadn't even minded being touched on the head. Iyuki caught himself looking at her as she watched the bumper cars so intently, a small smile on his face before he turned and coughed slightly.

After a bit the people exited the ride and it was Iyuki and Muika's turn. He grinned as he stepped out onto the area, waving her away. "Pick a color you want to ride in. I like this purple one."

He was rather excited, and moved to his car before realizing Muika might need help. He stood there a bit torn, looking at her for guidance. Would she need his help? She had been studying it intently...

When it was their turn Muika followed Iyuki into the area, looking at the different colored cars as Iyuki picked out the purple one. Her eyes ended up falling on the dark red one, much like the color of the gemstone chained around her wrist.

She sat down in it, a bit timidly as she was unsure of the thing as Iyuki watched and made sure she didn't need his help or anything. Just like she'd seen the people do earlier, she strapped herself in; breathing a sigh of relief when she managed to do it right.

"G..Got it."

Phew. She was fine. And his chosen car was still open! Taking the purple car, Iyuki slid into the seat and pulled the strap over his neck. He looked over at Muika and gave her a thumbs up just as he felt a shift in his car, after a small shadow appeared in his vision.

"Is this seat taken?" A young woman was sitting in the car with him, a low cut tight shirt showing off... rather generous amounts of chest. She was smiling brightly and was rather pretty. She was already pulling the strap over her head as she spoke, while Iyuki stuttered. "N-N-N..."

Before he could do anything other than turn bright red, while her hand landed on his thigh, the ride started up. He couldn't get out now! He was trapped! Muiiika. His eyes were like deer eyes as he looked for his master. He didn't know what she could do but he really didn't like the way the young woman looked at him.

As Muika mustered up the courage to put her hands on the wheel, she'd almost not noticed Iyuki's dilemma. Looking over she noticed some woman had managed to seat herself with him, while he looked visibly panicked.

She wanted to help but...but how could she? She could tell he was uncomfortable, not wanting the attention the woman was giving him in the least and for some reason the woman ticked her off as well. Perhaps it was because she was bothering a friend? That had to be it, right?

The ride started, meaning there was no means of actual escape for Iyuki but still...

She'd seen...or well read snippets of situations like these in books or shows while working in book stores, so she had an idea of what she could do to help...but...

She maneuvered the car to drive a bit behind them, mentally apologizing to Iyuki for not signalling she'd try to help. She mentally cursed herself, hating that she was having trouble to muster to confidence to properly help him. If only she wasn't...well...her. If she were someone different, someone more confident...

While she was mentally panicking, she hadn't even notice the faint glow of the gem as she approached Iyuki's car. To one that didn't know her, the timid, panicking girl appeared like a highly confident woman with an air of confidence -- though to Iyuki, who probably by now could read her rather well, she appeared as she really was...that being a stuttering, shy, mess as she tried to help him.

"Excuse me, miss - but it seems the man you're with seems...rather uncomfortable, he came on this ride to have fun...not to mention he's here with another."

To the woman, the words were spoken with what appeared to be unbreakable confidence, an intimidating air hanging around the 'confident' image before her. The real image though, the words had come out quite stuttered and embarrassed as a red faced Muika tried to convey a toned down version of the reactions she'd seen in this kind of situation before not realizing something quite odd was happening.