Explaining what had happened to Elizabeth-sensei didn't take long. She was quick to understand the situation, her sharp mind piecing everything together almost instantly. After listening to both sides, she made her decision without hesitation—allowing Yuuji and me to go enjoy the rest of our day.
Oh, by the way… it's me, Aria.
I feel like I should introduce myself every time I write these things. Feels weird not to.
Anyway…
As we walked away from Elizabeth-sensei and Ariana, Yuuji suddenly tugged on my sleeve, his voice filled with excitement.
"Onee-chan, you were amazing!"
I glanced down at him, surprised by the admiration in his eyes. The way he looked at me, like I was some kind of hero, made my heart melt a little.
"You think so?" I asked, smiling.
He nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! You dodged her attacks like whoosh! And then you pinned her down! She didn't stand a chance!" He mimicked the movements with his tiny arms, his eyes shining with excitement.
I chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Well, what kind of game do you want to play at the arcade?"
Yuuji tilted his head, thinking for a moment before shrugging. "I don't know… As long as I get to play with Onee-chan, anything is fine."
Oh.
Oh no.
That was too cute. Way too cute.
Without even thinking, I scooped him up into my arms, hugged him tightly, and squeezed him like a plush toy.
"Onee-chan!" he squeaked in surprise, his little hands pressing against my shoulders as he squirmed.
But I wasn't letting go.
"This is your fault, Yuuji!" I declared dramatically, spinning around slightly as I held him. "Who told you to be such an adorable little brother?!"
He groaned. "I didn't do anything!"
I only hugged him tighter.
After a while, I finally set Yuuji down, though I ruffled his hair once more before letting him go. He pouted at me but didn't complain, and we continued on our way to the arcade.
Arcade, huh… It's been so long since I last stepped into one. Actually, now that I think about it, this might be the very first time in my life. But in my previous life, Arcades were like a second home to me.
I used to skip school just to hang out there with my friends. Well, calling them "friends" might be a bit of a stretch. More like… bad influences who made sure I spent more time gaming than studying. Not that I regret it. Some of my fondest memories were made in those noisy, dimly lit places filled with the glow of arcade cabinets and the clatter of buttons being mashed.
That being said, if it weren't for Yuuji asking me to come here today, I probably wouldn't have stepped foot inside an arcade at all.
…Well, maybe if Irana asked, I'd make an exception.
Speaking of Irana, I wonder what she's doing right now. Is she with Mom? If so, then she's probably being forced to become a Vtuber against her will.
The thought makes me chuckle to myself as we finally arrive.
The moment we step into the arcade, a wave of sound crashes over us. The chaotic blend of beeping machines, digital narrators announcing victories and defeats, and various game soundtracks playing all at once fills the air. Bright neon lights flash from different game cabinets, reflecting off the glossy floors. Groups of kids and teenagers crowd around different machines, some engaged in heated battles, others focused on setting high scores.
For most people, it might be overwhelming. But for me? It's… nostalgic.
A flood of memories washes over me. The excitement, the frustration of losing, the thrill of beating a tough opponent—all of it.
I glance down at Yuuji, who is looking around with wide, sparkly eyes, completely captivated by the atmosphere.
"Yuuji," I call out, snapping him out of his trance. "So? What do you want to play first?"
He looks up at me, grinning. "Everything!"
I laugh. "Alright, let's start with something fun then."
With that, we step further inside, ready to enjoy the day.
After a while, I finally set Yuuji down, though I ruffled his hair once more before letting him go. He pouted at me but didn't complain, and we continued on our way to the arcade.
Arcade, huh… It's been so long since I last stepped into one. Actually, now that I think about it, in this life, this might be the very first time. But in my previous life, Arcades were like a second home to me.
I used to skip school just to hang out there with my friends. Well, calling them "friends" might be a bit of a stretch. More like… bad influences who made sure I spent more time gaming than studying. Not that I regret it. Some of my fondest memories were made in those noisy, dimly lit places filled with the glow of arcade cabinets and the clatter of buttons being mashed.
That being said, if it weren't for Yuuji asking me to come here today, I probably wouldn't have stepped foot inside an arcade at all.
…Well, maybe if Irana asked, maybe I would do it too.
Speaking of Irana, I wonder what she's doing right now. Is she with Mom? If so, then she's probably being forced to become a Vcuber against her will.
The thought makes me chuckle to myself as we finally arrive.
The moment we step into the arcade, a wave of sound crashes over us. The chaotic blend of beeping machines, digital narrators announcing victories and defeats, and various game soundtracks playing all at once fills the air. Bright neon lights flash from different game cabinets, reflecting off the glossy floors. Groups of kids and teenagers crowd around different machines, some engaged in heated battles, others focused on setting high scores.
For most people, it might be overwhelming. But for me? It's… nostalgic.
A flood of memories washes over me. The excitement, the frustration of losing, the thrill of beating a tough opponent—all of it.
I glance down at Yuuji, who is looking around with wide, sparkly eyes, completely captivated by the atmosphere.
"Yuuji," I call out, snapping him out of his trance. "So? What do you want to play first?"
He looks up at me, grinning. "Everything!"
I laugh. "Alright, let's start with something fun then."
With that, we step further inside, ready to enjoy the day.
When thinking about fun arcade games, the first thing that always comes to mind is air hockey. It is fast, intense, and surprisingly physical for an arcade game.
As soon as Yuuji and I spot an open air hockey table, his eyes light up with excitement. Without hesitation, he rushes over and grabs one of the paddles, bouncing on his toes as he waits for me to take my position.
I smirk, stepping up to the opposite side of the table and grabbing my own paddle. "You sure you're ready for this, Yuuji? Air hockey isn't just about speed—it's about strategy, too."
Yuuji puffs out his chest, full of confidence. "I won't lose! I've played this before at a festival, and I was really good!"
"Oh? Then I won't hold back!" I declare, dropping a coin into the machine. The table lights up, and the familiar sound of the game activating fills the air. A moment later, the puck slides out from the slot, ready to be played.
I make the first move, tapping the puck lightly toward Yuuji, letting him get a feel for the game. He quickly smacks it back with more force than I expected, and I barely manage to block it in time.
"Whoa, not bad!" I grin, now getting into the game.
Yuuji grins back. "I told you, I'm good!"
The match quickly turns intense. The sound of the puck ricocheting off the walls of the table fills the air, blending with the arcade's chaotic background noise. Yuuji is surprisingly fast, his small hands moving quickly as he tries to predict where I'll hit the puck next.
I go easy on him at first, but after a few rounds, I realize I don't have to—he's actually holding his own pretty well! He scores his first point against me, and he throws his fists in the air, cheering.
"Yes! One point for me!"
I chuckle. "Alright, alright, I see how it is. Time to get serious!"
I grip my paddle tighter, and the game becomes even more heated. The puck moves faster and faster, bouncing unpredictably as we both try to outmanoeuvre each other. Yuuji lets out little gasps and determined grunts each time he deflects my shots. I can tell he's giving it his all.
After a few more rounds, the score is close, and both of us are completely absorbed in the match. My heart is racing a little—not because of the competition, but because I'm genuinely having fun.
At that moment, surrounded by flashing lights and the hum of arcade machines, with Yuuji grinning excitedly across from me, I realized just how much I had missed this kind of simple joy.