Kagami Toshiki POV
Pressing the buttons aggressively, I desperately tried to parry the incoming hits.
Then I got caught in a trap, and my character is launched into the air.
"I'm screwed. I'm finished," I murmured to myself as I saw the combo I was about to eat.
My health bar melted away, getting halved into oblivion until it finally hit zero.
K.O.
Player 2 wins.
I sighed and leaned to the side, turning to look at the person I'd been playing against.
An annoyingly smug face was proudly flaunted in front of me.
"I'm expecting that soda, Kagami-kun~~" Kawashima-san said, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Fine," I groaned in defeat.
"Yeepee!" Kawashima-san cheered.
Harada-san, who was standing right behind me, placed a hand on my shoulder and nodded in pity.
"Too bad you dug your own grave challenging her in Fist of Fury," she said.
I looked back at her with an unimpressed stare, prompting her to stop herself from laughing.
I wasn't expecting that DDR isn't the only arcade game she was good at.
Not to be salty or anything, but I'm quite confident in my skills when it comes to fighting games.
Especially Fist of Fury.
So it was a real slap in the face when I barely managed to win a single round per set.
Now that I think about it… how did I even end up in this situation?
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"That's all for today. Class dismissed," Sensei said before leaving the classroom.
I stretched my body, finally relieved that class was over for the day.
"It's finally done," Keiji said as he stood up from his seat.
I looked at him and called out, "You heading out now?"
"Yeah. I'm stopping by a bookstore on the way home," he answered.
Taking care of the house and his brothers must be a real drag, but he just shrugged it off and said it was fine.
Apparently, his uncle and aunt's close friend from college had died from some kind of heart disease, so they are currently in Aomori.
To be fair, despite his age, Keiji was really dependable and he makes amazing food.
Seriously, the last time I studied at his place, I was completely taken aback by how good the hōtō he cooked for dinner was.
Man, if I were a girl, I swear my heart would've already been captured through his cooking.
Not that I'm gay, alright? Just saying.
Speaking of hōtō, I sometimes forget that our prefecture is the one that invented it.
"Take care on the way," I said with a grin, forming a fist.
"You too," he replied, grinning back as he did the same.
We bumped fists before he headed off.
I started walking as well, eventually reaching the school gate.
Now what should I do?
Write?
Grab something to eat?
After a long contemplation, I finally arrived at an answer.
Standing in front of me was a huge sign with the word Arcade plastered across it.
"I'll just hop in for a bit and then go home," I shrugged.
As the automatic doors opened, the inside buzzed with energy.
I saw a lot of people wearing the same uniform as me, along with some high school students.
There were also kids crowding around the crane machines.
Sorry my friends but those claws are a total scam.
"Still, this place is a huge comfort zone," I muttered, taking a deep breath in and out.
Despite how noisy it this place is right now, it basically turned into white noise for me.
While wandering around to find a machine to play, I noticed two familiar faces at the DDR.
"ORA! IS THAT ALL YOU'VE GOT?" a girl shouted as her feet went completely god mode.
"Don't shout, Chiyo," the other girl spectating from the side reprimanded her.
…Isn't that the Class Rep and Kawashima-san?
Harada-san noticed me approaching and gave a small salute.
"Quite a coincidence seeing both of you here," I said with a whistle.
"Well, I was basically dragged here by Chiyo the moment we walked through the front door," Harada-san said, pointing at Kawashima with an annoyed expression.
I glanced at Kawashima-san. She was hitting every beat with perfect timing.
Yeah… this girl is seriously a beast.
Harada-san and I just stood there for at least a minute before the song finally ended.
Perfect Full Combo.
"That's it?" she said, smirking.
She looked almost disappointed, as if the machine had failed to entertain her.
She only stopped when she finally noticed me.
"Oh—Kagami-kun. When did you get here?" she said as she hopped off the machine.
…I've been standing right here the whole time, you know.
I guess she was so focused on the screen that she didn't register anything else around her.
"Don't tell me you're stalking me?" she said, giving an obviously fake shiver. "I know I'm pretty, but you've gotta control yourself, my friend."
If I could punch a face right now, the girl in front of me would be the most satisfying punching bag imaginable.
Despite her annoying attitude, it was true that she is beautiful.
Even I could admit her physical features is impressive.
Still, I do not see her as anything other than a lunatic gamer and an academic disaster, even way back in our elementary school days.
"You just thought something rude about me, didn't you?" she said, giving me a nasty look.
"Oh? How did you know?" I smiled innocently.
"Your face is literally an open book, Kagami-kun," she replied.
Damn. Is my face really that easy to read? Even Aisa and Mom say the same thing.
Being honest has its perks and its downsides, I guess.
"Since I'm clearly hurt right now, you'd better accept my challenge!" She crossed her arms dramatically, like Simon from Gurren Lagann.
"Sorry, but I'm not in the mood," I said in a nonchalant tone, turning to walk away.
Then—
"I was going to challenge you to a game of Fist of Fury. I guess the great Kagami Toshiki is afraid of getting beaten by a girl like me. HOHOHOHO!"
She even did an ojou-sama laugh.
I stopped in my tracks.
Did she just challenge me in a fighting game?
Screw it.
I'll take the bait and make her regret it.
"Three sets," I said, turning back with a wild smile.
"Loser buys the winner a can of whatever drink they want," she added.
We locked hands and shook, though our grips said otherwise.
Get ready to get your butt kicked, I thought.
"Neh, Kagami-kun," Harada-san called out.
Curious, I looked at her.
"Just a warning. Chiyo is kind of a monster when it comes to fighting games," she said.
I knew Kawashima is good at video games, but there was no way I will back down now.
"I'll be fine," I smiled, completely oblivious to the beating I was about to receive.
Harada-san only gave me a look of pity as she watched us take our seats and slot in our coins.
Flashback End
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Yeah. I got absolutely bamboozled.
Note to self: never challenge Kawashima to any game without preparation.
"Soda! Soda! Soda! Soda!" Kawashima chanted while punching the air.
I get it already so stop doing that.
[I was about to say something after waking up, but you're with two girls, huh? I wasn't familiar with your game, kid.]
You're not contributing anything, old man.