Chapter 41: I Really Almost Went to That School
The Maid Cafe experience was quite good. After leaving the shop, Eriri gave it a score of 9.
"I originally wanted to give it an 8, but seeing as I got a group photo, I'll give it a 9~"
Eriri had a smile on her face as she looked at Kaede: "Where should we go next?"
"Anywhere is fine. Do you have anywhere you want to go?"
"Hmm... how about an arcade? They have lots of machines where you can win figures!"
Oh, those... Kaede nodded: "No problem, but you've probably been there before. They're not easy to win, even harder than regular claw machines."
"It's fine, it's fine. It's about the experience. What if I win one?"
I don't really trust those machines that are clearly rigged.
However, Kaede didn't stop Eriri. He figured he could just stop her before she got too carried away. A few tries wouldn't cost much, and having fun was what mattered.
After arriving at the arcade, just as Kaede expected, Eriri spent about 3000 yen and didn't win a single figure. Only at the very end, with the remaining coins and Kaede's help, did she manage to win a small doll, which was better than nothing.
Stuffing the doll into her bag, Eriri followed Kaede out of the arcade, grumbling, "I was just a tiny bit away just now, but when it dropped, it got even more crooked, making it impossible to win."
"That's just how claw machines are. You get used to it."
Kaede said calmly: "Ever since I failed ten times in a row at another arcade, I've never dared to get too invested in these things again."
"Was it also for figures?"
"Yes, a limited edition Luffy figure. Several people tried, but no one won. It was clearly a rigged machine, impossible to win. It was just a gimmick."
"Alright, I completely understand now."
Sighing, Eriri patted her cheeks and said: "I'm not thinking about that anymore. It was only 3000 yen anyway, just consider it money spent on a lesson. Asakura, there's a game store over here, shall we go take a look?"
"Okay, let's go."
The two quickly arrived at a game store in Akihabara. Similar to other stores in Akihabara, the storefront looked small, but the interior was quite deep. Upon entering, they saw many game enthusiasts browsing for games.
At the same time, Kaede also saw several promotional signs for pre-order games inside the store.
"Days Gone, Eriri, did you pre-order this game?"
Eriri also saw the promotional sign and nodded: "I pre-ordered it, but not at this store. I pre-ordered it at the store we visited before, this one is a bit further away. Hehe, in a couple of days I'll have a new game to play again. I wonder if this zombie game will be fun!"
"I only pre-ordered the digital version. Lately, I've been leaning more towards digital versions when buying games. As for this game, I don't think it'll be too bad. It's an exclusive, after all, so it can't be too bad."
Recalling, it seemed that the media reviews for this game were mediocre, but according to Kaede's distant memories, the player feedback was quite good.
"Media scores are becoming less and less trustworthy, especially pre-release media reviews. Unless you watch streamers' live broadcasts and then decide. Otherwise, it's like us, directly trying it out ourselves."
"Calling it 'trying poison' is a bit too much, isn't it?" Eriri gave Kaede a helpless look, picked up Sekiro from the shelf in front, looked at it, and then put it back.
"Hmm, after I finished that game, I didn't want to touch it again. My mind immediately recalled the 'clang, clang, clang' of swords clashing."
In the end, Eriri didn't buy any games. Kaede, however, bought a copy of NS Yoshi's Crafted World that was on sale. He hadn't bought it when it was first released, but now that he saw it discounted, he bought it to pass the time.
The two walked together to the checkout, and Kaede was somewhat surprised to see a boy in front of him, one space away.
"That uniform, Shuchiin? It's rare to see a Shuchiin student out buying games like this."
Eriri also saw the boy turn and leave after checking out, and she whispered: "But his hair is a bit too long, it's covering one eye."
As for boys' hairstyles, Eriri wasn't too fond of hair that was excessively long.
Kaede didn't respond, instead raising an eyebrow.
Shuchiin, hair covering one eye, a boy with a somewhat indifferent, even melancholic expression—isn't this the real man, Ishigami? A boy who left a deep impression on Kaede, even more so than President Shirogane.
Thinking back carefully, he remembered seeing news last year that the Shinomiya Family's young lady had been promoted to Shuchiin High School. So, the real man must be in his first year of high school now, the same grade as him?
"Asakura, don't just stand there, it's your turn to pay."
"Ah, right."
Snapping out of it, Kaede quickly placed the game on the counter and paid.
After checking out and leaving the game store, Kaede could still see the real man's back in the distance. Under Eriri's puzzled expression, he explained: "Actually, if I had listened to my parents' advice before, I might already be attending Shuchiin now."
"Eh? You were originally going to Shuchiin?"
"It's not that I 'was going' to, it was just my parents' suggestion last year. After considering it myself, I still chose Toyosaki." Shrugging, Kaede said, "Although Shuchiin covers the children of most wealthy families and officials in this country, the atmosphere there makes it very difficult for ordinary people to integrate. And as for the pressure of further education, I don't think my grades would prevent me from getting into my ideal university at other schools."
Eriri nodded in agreement: "Indeed, and I heard my father say that Shuchiin's reputation has declined in recent years. It's said that the students there are a bit too arrogant and look down on others. The school administration is reportedly quite troubled by this, which is why my parents didn't send me to Shuchiin. However, according to my father, the Shinomiya Family's young lady has joined the Shuchiin Student Council, so I wonder if Shuchiin will change this year."
"It would be best if it changes, after all, it's a prestigious school with a long history. But for me, life at Toyosaki is already very enjoyable, and I won't have any intersection with Shuchiin in the future."
"Not necessarily, what if you meet a Shuchiin graduate in your future work?"
"I don't plan on being a corporate slave. Isn't being a light novel author more appealing?"
"...Hehehe, you're right! I don't plan to either; being a doujin artist is pretty good too."
Looking at the smiling Eriri, Kaede said with some emotion: "Eriri, can't you have some ambition?"
"Eh?"
Then she heard Kaede say: "You can't possibly be a doujin artist your whole life, can you? At least try to work towards being a manga artist."
Eriri was somewhat stunned, and Kaede's words quietly took root in her heart.