-8:12PM SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016-
Miyazaki stood in front of the red fox claw machine. She inserted another coin with more force than necessary. The claw swung back and forth again, slightly crooked, too far left. It dropped and scraped the fox's ear. Unfortunately, she failed.
"Tsk." she said.
Her pride hurt more than the wasted yen.
Jousuke gently chuckled beside her "Maybe it's rigged."
Miyazaki crossed her arms and angrily asked "You think I can't do it, huh?"
"No, that's not what I meant!" he said. He continued "What I'm saying is that maybe the machine just can't handle your competitive spirit."
She rolled her eyes as she blushed, not sure if he was teasing her or complimenting her.
"Idiot!" she murmured.
Behind them, Leah stood quietly with the penguin plush pressed to her chest as she observed them.
The distance between them, though physical, felt emotional too. She hated herself for feeling it—jealousy and insecurity. But even more, she hated the way Miyazaki could stand so close to Jousuke without trembling, without looking like she might burst into tears.
"She's always been bold, and I've always been... me." Leah thought to herself.
"Boutsuki-san!" Basaki called from one row of machines. "There's a claw game with donuts in it! Real ones!"
"Oh, okay!" Leah responded with a soft smile and then she walked away.
Miyazaki turned to see her go, then looked at Jousuke, who was still focused on the machine.
"So? You gonna help me or just stand there?" Miyazaki asked.
Jousuke raised a brow and said "I thought you said no."
"I changed my mind!" she muttered. She continued as she avoided the eye contact "But just this once. If you lose, you owe me takoyaki. If you win, you still owe me takoyaki"
He smiled and said "D-deal."
They both crouched in front of the machine, shoulder to shoulder. Jousuke inserted a coin and took the controls. Miyazaki leaned in close, maybe closer than necessary and said, "Aim for the one at the back. That one's less buried."
Jousuke's focus didn't waver, though her closeness made his heart thump a bit louder than usual.
The claw descended. It caught the edge of the red fox.
"Come on..." Miyazaki whispered.
It held and lifted. Then, it dropped right into the chute.
"Yes!" Miyazaki expressed, practically jumping.
She grabbed the plush and hugged it to her chest. "I knew it! Take that, stupid machine!"
Poku, who had been watching from a short distance, smiled and said "You look way too proud of a children's game."
Miyazaki turned, still hugging the plush. "This fox and I went through war together, thank you very much." said Miyazaki with a soft and calm smile.
Jousuke looked at Miyazaki, noticing that Miyazaki changed her mood.
He replied "You're welcome." with a warm smile.
Their moment lasted for too long. As Leah watched them from a nearby vending machine, she quietly walked away toward the corner of the arcade. The penguin plush dangled slightly from her hand.
-8:26PM SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016-
"Where's Boutsuki-san?" Jousuke asked as he looked around the game zone.
Miyazaki thought to herself "That girl again..." and replied "She probably wandered off."
Jousuke glanced around again, then said "I'll go look."
He left before Miyazaki could respond.
Leah was sitting alone on one of the metal benches near a capsule toy corner. A quiet spot, dimmer than the rest of the arcade area. The soft hum of machines and the laughter from afar barely reached this side.
She stared at the penguin plush in her lap, pressing its round belly as if waiting for it to talk.
"Why do I always fade into the background...?" she whispered to herself.
She didn't even hear the footsteps until—
"Hey, Boutsuki-san." Jousuke said softly.
Leah startled, hugging the plush tighter, and said "D-Daikuhara-san... I-I'm sorry. I just needed a moment."
He walked over and sat beside her, not too close, and asked "You okay?"
She nodded slowly while avoiding eye contact and said "Yes.. Just... a little overwhelmed, I guess."
Jousuke leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees.
He replied "You've been quiet since earlier. And now you're over here alone. Something's bothering you."
Leah opened her mouth, closed it, then whispered "It's not your fault."
He waited patiently.
She continued "I just... I guess I sometimes wish I could be more like Miyazaki-san." she admitted quietly. She continued with a smile "She says what she wants. She's not scared. She doesn't hold back."
Jousuke blinked, surprised, and said "Boutsuki-san... but you're... you're you. And that's not a bad thing."
She looked at him now with her eyes glassy.
She replied "But being me means... standing behind. Watching someone else be brave. Someone else say what I can't."
Then, a moment of silence occurred. The air between them felt charged with unsaid things.
Then Jousuke gently said "You don't have to change. Not for anyone. And you're not behind. I've always noticed you."
Leah's breath caught and blushed.
She asked "Y-you... do?"
He smiled, softer this time. "I remember the first time we bumped into each other then Daimon Sensei approached us. You were too shy to even look up and reach my hand... but you felt sorry that time. I know it. Because I know that you care."
Leah looked down and blushed even more.
"And I noticed how happy you looked when you saw the penguin plush earlier. I like that about you. You find joy in small things." he added.
"I-I didn't know you noticed that much..." she said.
"I do. Maybe I'm just as quiet about it as you are." he replied.
She laughed a tiny with a shy tone. "That's... sweet."
At that moment, a voice called out from the other side.
"Daikuhara-san! We're taking a group photo!" Basaki yelled from across the arcade.
"I guess we're being summoned." Jousuke said.
Leah stood up slowly and said "Let's go."
-PHOTO AREA-
-8:39PM SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016-
The group was huddled in front of a big neon sign that read Lucky Mall Memories. A photo booth backdrop stood ready with sparkly lights and mall-themed props.
"Alright! Everyone squeeze in!" Poku ordered like a general.
Basaki took the selfie-stick.
Jousuke stood at the back, arms folded, while Leah stood on one side, slightly clinging to her plush. Miyazaki arrived just in time and immediately slid into the other side next to Jousuke.
"You almost missed it." Jousuke said.
"I don't miss things, I make an entrance." Miyazaki replied.
The group laughed.
"Alright! Say mochi!" Basaki shouted.
Then, she clicked the camera.
As the flash went off, Leah looked at Jousuke, who looked straight at the camera.
Despite Miyazaki's bad attitude as she entered, she had the sweetest smile in the photo.
-MALL'S ESCALATOR-
-8:53PM SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016-
The group was slowly trickling out of the arcade and toward the escalators. The night air outside the glass entrance glowed gently from nearby lanterns and signs.
Miyazaki walked beside Jousuke, with her arms behind her back.
She said "You didn't tell me you were a pro at claw machines."
Jousuke laughed and replied "I'm not. I just get lucky sometimes."
She pouted and said "Hmph. You're lucky I pushed it for you."
From behind them, Leah listened in silence.
Then, Jousuke turned and looked at Leah.
"You still holding onto that penguin?" he asked.
Leah smiled and nodded "Y-yes."
"I'm glad it's yours now, it suits you." said Jousuke.
That made Leah blush again.
Miyazaki rolled her eyes dramatically and said "Ugh, enough flirting. It's cold and I'm hungry."
"I thought I owed you takoyaki?" Jousuke asked.
Miyazaki blinked, then smirked and asked "You remembered that?"
He replied "It's a deal for a reason..."
"Then we're not done tonight, let's go, Daikuhara-kun." she said.
As she walked ahead, tugging Jousuke lightly by the sleeve, Leah stayed still.
Jousuke glanced back. He asked "You coming?"
Leah nodded with a smile.
Quietly, she followed. Just a few steps behind.