"Should I say… as expected of Kazama-san?"
Amanori Reinako let out an awkward chuckle, scratching her cheek. "I tried talking to Takamatsu-san too, hoping we could become friends. But our wavelengths just didn't match."
That's a good thing, Kazama Haruka thought.
Given Rinako's succubus-like charm toward women and her fickle personality, if she actually got close to Takamatsu Tomori…
With Tomori's intense and overwhelming approach to emotions, it could very well lead to a tragic, hatchet-swinging scenario.
"Amanori-san, are you also interested in bands? We haven't finalized all our members yet. If you joined, you might even become good friends with Takamatsu-san."
"Ah, about instruments and stuff—I have absolutely zero knowledge."
As Haruka expected, the moment Amanori Reinako heard the word band, she reacted like a frightened kitten, frantically waving her hands.
The trauma from earlier at the KTV had crushed any interest she might've had in music for the foreseeable future.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have brought that up."
Seeing the gloom clouding Rinako's expression, Haruka realized his blunder.
To make up for it—and help her switch moods—he pointed toward the arcade ahead.
"I was planning to check out the arcade next. Amanori-san, would you like to come?"
"Game…"
Rinako stiffened for a second, but the gloom instantly evaporated from her face.
Gaming was her one true hobby. Influenced by her father, most of her pocket money since childhood had gone into buying game discs. And now she was being invited by Kazama Haruka—a handsome boy who was patient, gentle, and incredibly easy to be around.
"Yes, yes! So Kazama-san, you like games too? I thought someone like you would look down on virtual stuff!"
Talking about her specialty instantly perked her up. Her voice gained energy, and all her previous worries vanished.
"How could that be?" Haruka laughed. "Men are boys until they die. If a man isn't interested in games, his brain must've been slammed in a door."
"Mhm! Exactly! Games really are the best!" Rinako agreed with absolute conviction.
They pushed open the door of the arcade. Inside were several neatly arranged sections.
Unlike a store specializing in one company's products, this was a comprehensive game store.
Nintendo's red cartridges, Sony's blue-and-white discs, Sega cartridges from a bygone era, and even various age-rated galgames—all displayed together.
There was also a merchandise corner, plus shelves of light novels and manga.
The sight made both of them sparkle like children.
Even for Amanori Reinako—a collector who had spent at least 500,000 yen on games since childhood—the variety here was overwhelming.
Haruka was just as excited. In his previous life, he grew up in a keyboard-and-mouse environment and had barely touched consoles. In this life, aside from some kids' console games when his parents were still alive, he hadn't had much time or money for gaming.
Looking at the vibrant rows of cartridges now, he instantly understood Takamatsu Tomori's obsessive collecting habit.
If he could afford it, he too would want an entire wall of games.
Following behind Rinako, Haruka reached the FPS section.
Destroyer Warriors, Zombie Crisis, Battlefield—all sorts of familiar series filled the shelves.
Rinako froze, overwhelmed by choices. She had only brought 10,000 yen today, planning to buy the newest Call of Duty entry. But now that she was standing in front of a wall of blockbuster titles, she found herself completely undecided.
"Kazama-san… can you help me choose?"
Her cheeks flushed as she clenched her fists and turned to him.
"Well then… let me ask you this: what kind of FPS games do you usually like?"
He already knew the answer, but to avoid being suspiciously knowledgeable, he played along.
"That… it's a little embarrassing. It's the kind of genre with zero feminine charm."
Feminine charm?
Did this girl—who marched to the FPS shelf by instinct—still worry about such things?
Oblivious to Haruka's internal commentary, Rinako continued:
"Story-driven games where you chase zombies and blow their heads apart, and online battle royale games. You know, the popular ones like APEX or PUBG. Those are my favorites."
"Haha, good taste."
Haruka praised her preferences even though he was shocked internally.
"How about picking a game we can play cooperatively? Something for two players."
Rinako blinked. "Kazama-san's suggestion sounds tempting, but besides my sister, I doubt I'd find anyone to play online with."
Am I not a human being?!
Haruka roared internally, but outwardly kept calm.
"That… actually… I do know a bit about FPS games."
He spoke carefully, almost testing the waters.
"If you don't mind… maybe… I could play with you?"
"Boom—!"
A volcano erupted inside Amanori Reinako. Lava emotion burst all the way up to her ears.
What is happening right now?!
A boy suddenly expressing a desire to play with her—so sincerely and pitifully?
Isn't that cheating?!
Isn't that illegal?!
Seeing her freeze in place, Haruka assumed he had offended her with the sudden invitation.
"A-ah… no? Sorry, Amanori-san. I was too forward. Please forget about it."
In Rinako's eyes, the male succubus in front of her was bowing his head sadly, and the usual distance in his expression softened into faint melancholy—all because of her.
I surrender! I completely surrender!
She frantically waved her hands.
"N-no, Kazama-san, you misunderstood! I absolutely didn't mean that!"
"Having you willing to play with me is… truly an honor for this humble girl. There's no reason to refuse. Actually… it's like a happy dream!"
Her nervousness caused her to speak in bizarre, old-fashioned phrasing, but she pressed on.
To prove she meant it, she grabbed a copy of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2—one that supported two-player split-screen—and dashed to the cashier.
Haruka blinked.
What just happened?
Why did this trashy pink-haired girl suddenly flip from frozen to decisive?
After they left the store, Rinako looked at the still-bright sky, then sneaked a glance at Haruka. Her heart thumped in her chest.
Thinking about how kind and gentle he'd been today made her courage rise—just a little.
She took a deep breath, her voice trembling.
"Um… Kazama-san, it's still early, so… how about…"
She squeezed her hands tightly.
"We go to my place and play a round today… what do you think?"