thenearshore | -Overflow- for 015

I want to find something you like to eat with you! [ She reaches up and wraps her hand around his fingers, smiling up at him. ] I don't mind. What do you consider strong?

[...Okay, even Shun can't really keep arguing with her at this point. His fingers twitch a little at the contact, as is typical, but once that passes he curls them slightly to return the hold. He still doesn't really get why she's so invested in helping him, but he's probably not going to understand that on any front for a while, so prodding at it is a bit pointless.

It's a bit harder to explain the extent of his tastes now that "strong" has progressed slightly from not just being "anything with any kind of taste", so he takes a moment to decide how to word it.]

Most things, even if it's not as bad now. If it's the kind of taste that stays in your mouth or makes you react when you eat it, it's definitely too strong.

[ She squints up at him. ]

So you want something that doesn't have a taste? [ That did make this hard. Most festival food was meant to be savory, after all. ] Maybe one of the taiyaki flavors? we could get one with custard in it, or cheese? There was even one with just vanilla ice cream, if that's easier?

[...Yeah, he didn't think he'd explained that particularly well, but at least it guarantees he won't make her feel bad by trying something out of his comfort zone, so he nods slightly.]

Some things I can handle, but it's probably better not to risk it tonight. [He's at least making the attempt to enjoy this, and that wouldn't be helping. While he only vaguely remembers what taiyaki is, it seems like not a bad idea, so he goes along with it for the moment.] They're probably fine. If you have a preference about which one to get, then we can just do that.

Maybe we should start with ice cream, that might not be too strong? Unless it being cold is bad too?

[ She's not sure how this works, Shun. ]

Cold is fine. It's just the taste I have to worry about. [It's more his tastebuds not being used to this sort of thing after a good two years of bland rationed food than an actual sensitivity, so as far as he knows, the only issue with ice cream might be the sweetness. But he's at least been pushed a little further on this front recently, so he's more willing to give it a shot than he might have been once.]

Let's try it.

Okay!
[ She smiles brightly at that, tugging him by the hand as she leads him up the street towards where she remembered seeing the stand that sold what they want. ]

I think I saw them over... here? Oh! Yeah! There they are!

[Shun lets himself be pulled behind her without issue, simply following along. It's another one of those things that's somewhat familiar in a way he doesn't really want to think about too hard right now, when he's trying to be open to maybe enjoying himself.

Shun keeps an eye out himself, in case he recognises it before they get there...but he's still looking at entirely the wrong stand when Nanako turns his attention to the correct one with that remark.]

I think I missed that one earlier.

It's okay, we found it now. [ She smiles up at him as she points out to taiyaki shown on the side. ] Do you think the ice cream one will be okay or should we keep looking?

[When Shun's not used to missing details, it still seems like a big deal to him, but rather than focus on it, he turns his attention to what Nanako's pointing at. It's odd-looking, but seems inoffensive enough.] It's worth trying, at least.

Okay! Come on! Let's get one then!

[ And she'll lead him by the hand right up to the stall to order him a taiyaki with vanilla ice cream, bouncing from one foot to the other in anticipation and hoping he'd like it. ]

[While Shun doesn't really need leading at this point, he just lets her do it. It was her idea, after all, though he glances at her when she mentions getting just one.]

I thought you'd want one as well. [Especially if she presumably likes it enough to reccommend.]

I wanted to see if you would like it first, or if we should keep looking!

[ Besides, if he doesn't, then they'd suddenly have two taiyaki with more food experimenting to go. ]

[Probably a wise move, given how unpredictable this sort of thing can be even to Shun sometimes, so he gives a short nod of understanding.]

As long as it's okay with you. [That was Shun's main concern there, anyway.]

[ She beams up at him and nods before handing over the finished taiyaki with an eager expression. ]

I don't mind. Here! Maybe this will be okay!

[Shun takes it with a bit of a curious look - it's different to the other taiyaki he's seen tonight. After a moment of feeling around for a word to describe it, he supposes it might be that it's "cuter" than the other ones he's seen, but he's still not really so used to using that word again that he'd be sure of it being the one to describe it.

Since Nanako seems so enthusiastic, he doesn't waste time responding yet, merely taking a very cautious bite of the confection. Though he has to curl his lip a bit to make absolutely sure he doesn't have an openly averse reaction, he seems otherwise okay, and after a moment of letting the ice cream melt on his tongue, he nods slightly.]

I think it's fine. I'll need to get used to it a bit, but I can still eat it. [He still looks like he's figuring out how he feels about the taste, though.]

Yay! [ That's one step accomplished, at least. ] But do you like it?

[That question takes him a little more thought, and he takes another somewhat cautious bite to see if it helps. He knows he doesn't dislike it, but "like" is harder for him to define nowadays.

After a few long moments, he settles on his answer.] I think so.

[ She'll take it as a success. Nanako throws her hands in the air in excitement. ]

Yay! Okay, so vanilla ice cream and taiyaki are things you like, even together. That's a start!

I suppose. [Shun seems a little confused by how excited she is about it, but that's mostly just because he doesn't really see how trying to work around his restricted tastes could be exciting or fun for anybody involved.] I'd be surprised if anyone could outright hate anything with this little taste, anyway.

Mmm, some people think it's too plain, maybe. But I think it's still yummy anyway. Especially together.

[ She's taking it as a win, Shun. You can't stop her. ]

Besides, now it'll be easier to maybe find more things you like, too.

Sounds like the kind of thing people would make a ridiculous fuss over. [Shun doesn't really have a concept of "too plain" at this point, though he does have some awareness that not everyone's interested in that sort of thing, given he tends to avoid sharing his cooking unless he has to.

Her next remark gets a bit of an aside glance, and a fairly light warning that's mostly in consideration of not disappointing her later.] It's too soon to say that.

If we found one thing, we can find more. [ She's very determined about it, but she still smiles up at him brightly. ] If not here, maybe I can find something to make you next time.

I didn't know you liked cooking. [Or at least, he assumes she does if she's offering to make him something. At least this time, he manages to sit on the urge to point out she doesn't have to go out of her way.] I just don't think it's going to be that easy. It usually isn't.

Yeah! And baking. I'm still learning recipes, though. I'm really good at eggs, though! And cookies. And onigiri!

[ Mostly things that were simple, things she had perfected while making her own meals, or things she had learned from her big brother. ]

-Overflow- for 015 | Sky Full Of Stars

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