The sun continued to climb along with the temperature. The minimal cloud cover and scarce breeze made it even hotter. With heat beating down from above and up from the concrete below, we stood in line for the Funnel Drop sweating beads.

  The ride was a long and winding covered slide that dumped into a large funnel-like area before dropping the rider into a pool of water at the end. It was one of the four major rides at the park. The kaleidoscope of colors for the four massive rides made it easy to see from anywhere in the park.

  The lines for each ride were as long as one would expect given the circumstances — a hot summer day, a handful of schools in the surrounding area, and the low entry costs. The park did very well for itself given its schedule predominantly relying on the summer time.

  "Kazu, I'm melting," whined Chika. "Did you pack enough sunscreen? I don't want to burn."

  "Yeah, I have enough, you big baby."

  I answered without any thought of who I was speaking to, and I knew immediately my mistake when she turned and gave me her devious look.

  "I'll need you to apply it all over me after this. Think you can handle touching a beauty like me? I would hate to make you have to suppress your urges even more than you already do."

  I'll learn one of these days not to walk into her traps. How is she so bold anyway?

  "The heat's clearly getting to your head already," I said as I turned away.

  "Ahahaha! Kazu, I live for your reactions to my jokes." She smacked my back over and over.

  Ahead of us, Denki was obviously getting anxious in anticipation. He tapped his food with his arms crossed every time we moved a little bit. Rito seemed preoccupied with his situation while Hiro tried to distract him by talking about the seasonal anime they watched. Ino and Hojo would make comments to each other about certain swimsuits and observed couples’ actions while Yamada still seemed in awe of the park as a whole.

  We finally got to our turn on the ride after waiting for about half an hour. The ride stood tall above the park; only The Plunge looked down on it. We could see the entire park from where we stood on the platform. First up was Denki who was so excited that he nearly went as soon as the person before him did. The worker stopped him, of course, but it only added to his excitement. He was given the signal, and he threw himself into the tube shouting with glee the whole way.

  The worker looked over the ledge to see when he hit the funnel before sending Hiro on his way. After him went Yamada, Rito, Ino, Hojo, and Chika. When I got to the slide, I peered over the ledge to see what the worker saw. Out of the slide came Chika, her face filled with childlike glee. Down below, I saw three girls beating on one guy and instantly knew what had happened.

  Poor Rito.

  The worker gave me the signal, and I went feet first into the dark flowing river. Every turn seemed to hit just soft enough to not be painful but hard enough to add to the excitement of the ride. The slide had what seemed like steep inclines and drops before throwing me into the funnel. The glint of light became a blinding flash when I entered. I went around and around the funnel like going into a whirlpool. Finally, I hit the bottom and dropped into the pool.

  The water was pleasantly cold. A stark contrast to the blazing heat above. I had only a few seconds of full submersion before resurfacing and swimming to the exit before another person would come crashing down. The worker helped me up the stairs and out of the water. When I rejoined the group, I took one last look at the slide before we were supposed to move on to the next ride. Then, a thought crossed my mind.

  I want to do it again. Could I? Should I? It's only been a minute or so. I probably could rewind, but should I? What's the harm in it? No one else would notice. Just once won't hurt. Right? Breathe. In. Out.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  I opened my eyes to find myself back on top of the platform. Chika got the signal and took off, and I stepped up for my turn.

  It's a good experiment, anyway. Yeah. Sure, it's a fun ride, but this will help later on for sure.

  I looked over to see everything play out as it had before. This time, however, I saw a little closer when the three girls ganged up on Rito. Only Ino and Hojo were actively engaged. The worker gave me the signal, and I entered the tunnel again. The winding river felt even better with the knowledge of what was on the way. Unlike the previous time, I went almost straight to the bottom of the funnel when I entered it.

  Well that won't do at all. Besides, I'm curious as to what happened to Yamada. Breathe. In. Out.

  The third time atop the platform, I quickly looked over to see what had transpired. Yamada’s swimsuit had almost been taken down from the top and was holding onto her chest, a feat not even Rito is capable of. His ability would have either thrown him into her chest or rear, maybe pulled a bit from the back or top. This was intentional, and Rito isn't actually a pervert. Before the worker gave me the signal, his voice went silent, and his hand slowed to a stop as time stood still around us.

  I looked closer at the group, but couldn't see anymore than what I had already seen. I ran down to the pool where the slide emptied into. Yamada was understandably upset but looked like she was trying to explain something. I looked around to see Ino and Hojo still fully clothed. Rito was taking a beating as usual, but his face seemed more distraught than usual.

  He didn't do it, like I thought. He regrets when his powers activate, but he at least knows. This is completely different.

  Denki stood atop the stair looking on. He would likely know better what happened, but I've never unfrozen a single person. Things like locks, and field test kits were simple because I focused on their components. The watch was difficult because of the complexity of it and taking it as a part of me. I had no idea how hard it would be to take a person with me.

  I remembered the speedster that morning. If she was here, the spatial manipulator could be here too. First theft, now perversion. True delinquents. I had no way of knowing that they were still at the park, of course, without walking the entirety of the park. I decided to ask Denki when I got back to the bottom. I climbed the platform again and got ready to take my final trip on the ride.

  Just before I let go, I saw her across the way in line for The Plunge. The speedster with a boy maybe around my age. Or at least someone that looked just like her. I couldn't rule out the possibility, not with my friends here. I let go, the worker gave me the signal, and I entered the tunnel one last time. When I got to the bottom, everyone was waiting on me as before.

  "Hey guys," I started. "It's pretty hot out, we should get some more sunscreen on the way to the next ride."

  Within a moment, Chika took off towards the locker room thinking she would trap me again. The other girls agreed and left after giving Rito one more glare. He seemed defeated, but before any of the guys could walk off, I stopped them.

  "Rito, I know you didn't do that."

  "They don't seem to think so..."

  "You're not a pervert, buddy. You weren't even close to her when it happened," Denki joined.

  So, I was right about one thing, at least.

  "What happened, Denki?" I asked.

  "When she came out of the pool, her shoulder strap was already off, and she was confused and scared. Something that tight doesn't just come undone like that."

  "Exactly, besides, Rito hadn't even come off of the ride when she climbed out," Hiro added.

  "When I got out of the water and tried to help her, my "ability" — my curse — landed me in her chest, and that's when Ino saw and attacked me. All Hojo needed was that sight, and she joined in. Yamada tried to explain, but they weren't listening."

  I nodded in agreement and understanding.

  Now, I know that it was likely those two delinquents. Probably not the speedster since no one mentioned a gust. The other one, however, could easily slip in and do something like this. He probably tried to take it all the way off but missed.

  Why, though? Couldn't he just take it all the way off? He can send any part of his body up to the whole thing through a portal. Why not just peek his head into the locker room? Unless...

  "Kazuma, you're lost in thought again... and you're 'staring' at the worker," Denki pulled me as he walked towards the locker room. Hiro and Rito bowed in apology for my "staring."

  On the way to the locker room, I kept a sharp eye out for the two of them and any other sort of trouble they were causing. Crowds passed, getting in line for the rides, going to the Lazy River and the Wave Pool, waiting for food at the stands. Children running to the Splash Park; adults taking turns in the Hideaway Lagoon. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary anymore. No gusts, no screams upon exposure.

  "Guys," I began when we got our things. "The delinquents I talked about are still here. I think they're the ones responsible for what happened to Yamada."