One person gets the other one sick for either Tsubahonk or Nozoeli
“I have no one to blame but myself,” Tsubasa says, spitting bile into the toilet.
Honoka’s voice crackles through the phone, caught between laughter and pity. “Definitely. Even I wouldn’t eat a two-week old pastry, you know? No matter how good it is.” “What can I say? I was hungry.” Tsubasa’s stomach lets out a rumbling groan, and she grips the toilet bowl, willing her stomach to settle. She swears that if she vomits again, nothing’ll come out but essential organs. She says as much when she can speak again.
“Ew, gross.” Tsubasa can practically see Honoka’s nose scrunching, can imagine how the map of freckles dotting her face move with her smile. “Hey, you gonna be able to sing tomorrow?”
“Probably. The concert’s at night, and it’s not a very long one either.” Tsubasa flushes and rinses out her mouth. “Why do you ask?” “Beeeecaaaause my lil’ sis is gonna be there with her cute kind-of-not-yet-girlfriend, and it’d be so sad if they had to cancel.” “What, and not a thought for your good friend Kira Tsubasa? I’m wounded.”
“Oh, you’ll be fine. I used to eat bad food all the time--I’d be sick for a day and Umi would be so mad, but I was always okay by the next day.” Tsubasa rolls her eyes, even though Honoka can’t see. But bless her soul--the woman always seems to know just when to give a little push. “If you go to bed early tonight and rest up, I’ll give you something good the next time you drop by.”
“You drive a hard bargain. What kind of ‘something’ are we talking about here?” Tsubasa can practically feel Honoka’s smile through the phone and from across the country.
“A box of fruit tarts--I know how much you love ‘em--and a couple of new pies I’ve been experimenting with. Free of charge--as long as you give a good show tomorrow, tiger.”
“Tiger? That’s a new one. So’s the bribery, actually.” Tsubasa teases, sticking a toothbrush in her mouth.
“Hey, if I don’t bribe you, you wouldn’t go to bed until you can barely keep your eyes open! Why are so many of my friends like this, geez...”
“You’re surrounded by workaholics, Kousaka. Fact.”
“I can’t hear you--are you brushing your teeth? Are you about to go to bed? Oh man, it actually worked! I should bribe you more often.”
“For free Homura pastries, I’d do anything.” Tsubasa pockets her phone. “Well, I’m heading to bed, just like you wanted.”
“Feel better, Tsubasa! See what going to bed at a normal time gets you? A box of free pastries and two pies! Give me a heads up the next time you visit the city so I make ‘em fresh for you, though.”
“Oh, I’ll definitely be stopping by soon. Not just for the free pastries though--there’s this cute baker I want to see, I don’t know if you’ve heard of her?” Honoka laughs, and Tsubasa grins, nearly bouncing off the over-stuffed hotel bed when she jumps onto it. “I need to tell her she has nice buns.”
“Cute baker, huh? Sounds familiar. I think she’d love to hear that.” Something crinkles on the other end, and Tsubasa imagines Honoka twirling a lock of her hair around her finger, imagines her in front of her fridge, idly daydreaming about what she’ll have for breakfast tomorrow. “Anyways--night, Tsubasa. Feel better!”
“Night Kousaka--see you soon.”
