For the time being, with Asahiko in the lead, we decided to walk around the game center.
To Asahiko, it seemed like a mountain of treasure; his eyes were sparkling no matter where he looked.
“You really love games, don’t you?”
“Yes! I’ve cleared almost every game that was ported from an arcade version!”
Just how many ported home console games does he think exist? As expected of the young master of Jotera. He's way too rich.
The store layout featured crane games in the front. As you moved further back, the right side was the music game corner, and the left was the arcade game corner.
If you took the escalator up, there were more crane games. If you passed the reception and took the elevator, the third floor was for karaoke and bowling, the fourth floor for darts and billiards, and the fifth floor was a batting center.
It was probably the largest game center inside the station area.
“Ah, Akito. It’s amazing, simply amazing! It’s so big...! It’s so big it’s making my heart throb...!”
Because of its sheer size, not just Asahiko but Riran was also a bit excited. I knew she didn't mean anything else by it, but I’ll keep it a secret that her phrasing made my own heart throb a little.
“A-Asahiko. Which one do you want to start with?”
“…………”
“...Asahiko?”
“...I have come to heaven, haven't I?”
“You’re not dead. And don’t go killing off the rest of us who are accompanying you.”
I’d hate it if heaven was just a game center.
“So, what do you want to do? You can decide, Asahiko.”
“Y-You’re right... In that case, I want to try the crane games first! I’ve only ever done them online!”
“O-Oh.”
These days, you can play crane games online... but hearing him say that so confidently makes me feel a bit sad for him.
Hiyori led Asahiko toward the crane game corner. Then, Riran pulled on my sleeve.
“Hey, Akito. What is a ‘crane game’?”
“Um... simply put, it’s a game where you move an arm to grab prizes like dolls, bags, or figures.”
“????”
Riran was cute as she tilted her head to the side.
“It’ll be faster if I just show you... Alright, let’s go.”
“Y-Yes.”
Holding hands with Riran, I followed after Hiyori and Asahiko. The two were already challenging a three-pronged crane game for a giant cat plushie.
“Mmmmmmph!”
“Good luck, good luck, Asa-tan!”
The arm successfully grabbed the gap between the cat's head. However, the grip was weak, and it slipped right off.
“That was close.”
“Well, that’s just how probability machines are.”
“Probability machines?”
“The strength of the arm’s grip changes based on probability. That’s why you try to put the arm in gaps like that, using different tricks to try and get it even a little bit.”
“Doesn’t that mean if you're bad at it, you’ll never get it...?”
“You catch on quick. If you’re lucky, you can get it for a few hundred yen, but if you’re bad, you won’t even get it after spending ten thousand yen.”
I’ve probably had about a hundred thousand yen sucked away in total... No, I shouldn’t think about it.
“How strange. Why would you spend ten thousand yen? I looked it up, and you can buy this doll for three thousand yen.”
“Guh!?”
“Rira-tan, you’re the worst!”
“Riran, stop that. That reality hurts far too many people.”
“I-I’m sorry...?”
Honestly. This is why youngsters who don't know the joy of game centers are a problem. Well, I’m a youngster too, though.
“It’s true that you can get it easily if you pay money. But do you think the glory obtained with money is something to be proud of?”
“Eh, what? Why did this suddenly turn into such a grand topic?”
“Glory is only something to be proud of when you overcome a difficult path. That’s why you shouldn’t thrust the reality of being able to buy it for three thousand yen upon us. Do you understand?”
“I don’t understand.”
She cut me down instantly.
At that, Hiyori shook her head with a “good grief” expression.
“Rira-tan, you really don't get it.”
“What is it, Hiyori?”
“Look at Asa-tan.”
Following Hiyori's words, we looked at Asahiko. The side profile of Asahiko staring at the cat plushie and the arm was dead serious.
“Asa-tan is trying his hardest to get it because Hiyori said she wanted it. In other words, he’s working hard for Hiyori’s sake.”
“C-Could it be...?”
“That’s right. ...Don’t you want to see Sana-tan working hard for Rira-tan’s sake?”
“I want to see it!”
As expected of Hiyori. She knows exactly how to handle Riran.
“Akito, Akito! I want a dog plushie!”
“Yes, yes. As my princess commands.”
I stood at the machine next to Asahiko and inserted a hundred yen. Seeing this, Asahiko flashed a wry smile.
“Hehe. Shall we both do our best for our princesses?”
“Yeah.”
Knowing Riran, she’ll probably start pestering me for all sorts of things, not just this.
But even that feels precious to me. She really is a cute one.