Another Saturday morning, another chance for the island’s inhabitants to relax. In spite of that, though…

“…alright, calm down. I can’t help it if don’t have cool clothes…”

Sigulf is watching himself in front of the mirror, being kind of restless. Having won the inter-school match and enjoying the short after party, he is going to have a date with Celina today as promised.

‘…well, she probably doesn’t think much of this, so I shouldn’t be overly conscious either. A deal is a deal, after all…’

Sighing, he took one last look at the mirror before heading out.

———

However, Sigulf didn’t notice Chelsea who was waiting for him discreetly.

“…there he is.”

She immediately tailed him as soon as he stepped outside the dorm.

———

Meeting in the park was something Sigulf and Celina agreed with, as they were hoping not to draw unnecessary attention. And luckily for him, there were not much people around at this time.

‘Well, everyone’s too busy thinking for their own day off, anyway…’

Still, seeing a glimpse of her from afar made him nervous.

‘…Fenrir damn it, enough and let’s just do this already!’

Gathering his courage, Sigulf approached her and greeted, “Yo.”

“Oh, hey there!”

“I hope I didn’t make you wait?”

“Not at all, don’t worry.”

Sigulf checked his clock, and indeed, it’s still few minutes to their meet-up time.

‘But knowing her, there’s also the chance that she arrived even earlier…’

Sigulf returned his attention and admired her looks for a moment.

‘Ah, the noble girl in her casual clothes… How refreshing…!’

“Sigulf?”

“Ah, sorry. Shall we go already?”

“Sure. I’m looking forward to your guidance.” Celina giggled.

The two departed for their destination, still not aware with Chelsea following them.

“…what’s with him, being so happy like that?”

“…what are you doing?”

“Eep…!”

“Waaah!?”

Chelsea’s surprise ended up surprising the other party as well, who initially was curious on what she is doing.

“…oh, so it was you, Alba.” Chelsea sighed. “Please don’t surprise me like that.”

“Wha— It was your reaction that’s overblown!” Alba quickly snapped back. “…again, what are you doing here anyway?”

“Ehh… Well, about that…”

———

At that time, the game center hasn’t been crowded yet, so Sigulf and Celina entered without hesitation.

“Hee, I see they got lots of interesting stuffs… Photo booths and…” Celina commented. “Oh, UFO catcher? Those plush sure are cute…”

‘Well, you’re cute too when you admire them like that…’ Sigulf thought, getting a bit red.

“You want to try them?”

“Hmm… Let’s save it for later. First, let’s try what would you play here.”

“We’re going with that?” he chuckled. “Well okay, then.”

Heading a bit deeper, they still don’t realize Chelsea, and now with Alba, spying on them.

“…what, so they are on a date.” Alba sighed.

“Aren’t you worried?”

“Why should I? She’s probably doing it as some kind of reward.”

“Well…”

‘She’s not wrong…’

“…so, can I go home now?”

“If you really want to… But don’t you find it strange that she even agreed in the first place? Did he use some kind of magic?”

“M, magic?”

“You know, like… Ancient Nordic charm magic? …hm?” Chelsea suddenly stopped to think. “Magical, charming pretty boy from the North… Oh my, he certainly is…!”

“Isn’t it just you!?”

“Shh! Not so loud! Besides, you know you do think he’s quite the looker.”

“Eeh!? W, well…” Alba stammered out of embarrassment. “I can’t deny that…”

“I know, right? So, you’re coming with me!”

“…wait, that doesn’t make sense at all.”

———

Sigulf and Celina arrived at their destination not long after; the fighting game area.

“I see these are the kind you would play.” She looked with a bit of wonder in her eyes. “Which one is your favorite?”

“Umm, this one.”

Sigulf pointed to a cabinet of a certain Japanese-made game.

‘Well, I’m not well versed on Japanese pop-culture, but…’

“I like the art style.” Celina commented.

‘Yup, same here.’

“OK, so how do you play this?”

“Well, first, you either need a dedicated arcade card, or exchange your money for some coins…”

“Mm-hm.”

“And… The lever’s here for movement… These buttons are for attacking…”

“Weak, medium, strong… Okay.”

“And then, uh… I guess it’s easier to actually try it.”

“I guess so.” she chuckled. “Would you please give me some demonstration?”

“Eh? You don’t want to try?”

“I’ll observe first.” she answered while taking out her wallet. “So—“

“A, ah, it’s alright. I can manage.” Sigulf hurriedly responded.

“Oh, if you say so…”

Sigulf quickly returned with few coins and began playing.

“I’ll let you know that I’m not too good at this.”

“Hmm? Why not?”

“I’m more used to the console’s pads.”

“Aah, I see. The one for home use. Now that you mentioned it, it would feel different…” Celina realized. “So you have one of them back home?”

“Umm, actually no. I only tried it few times at someone’s house.”

“Hmm…”

Celina wondered why he didn’t use the word ‘friend’, but for now, she chose to watch Sigulf’s game.

“A woman? Your pick is quite surprising.”

“…I like her design.”

“Ufufu, I see. She’s attractive indeed.”

Sigulf somehow felt embarrassed on her pointing the fact out. Doubly so when he realized his character resembled Celina.

‘Flowing blonde hair, blue eyes… Oh Gerdr, I do have a type…’

Even so, Sigulf pressed on and won the match.

“Hmm, the opponent felt a bit weak… Is it because it’s still the early stage?”

“That, and I’m sure the staff deliberately set it to easy. The main draw is player versus player, after all.”

“Hmm… Alright, it’s decided! Wait here.”

“Eh?”

Celina left for a short while and got herself a small amount of coins as well.

“Player versus player, right?” she smiled. “So, do I sit over there?”

“Ah, right. Same cabinet, the seat across.”

“Got it!”

Celina sat down, and few seconds later, the “Here comes a new challenger!” announcement could be heard.

“Hmm, let’s see… I think I’ll go with her.”

“Eh, a mirror match?”

“Ufufu, I only studied the way you play after all.”

“Well, okay. But I won’t hold anything back!”

“Ooh, very nice! Bring it on, then!”

‘It’s not like I’m a master on this, but still…’ Sigulf thought.

And predictably, he easily won the first round.

‘Alright, let’s keep this up.’

“Hmm, so that’s how you play. I understand now.” Celina muttered.

‘Eh?’

However, as soon as the second round started…

‘Wait, are you kidding me?’

She scored an upset win. And by the final round, Celina won cleanly.

“Alright! Victory is mine!”

‘Scary! Did she just learned all that in a short time!?’

“…ah! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to—“

“Eh, no, it’s alright. I was actually really impressed…”

‘As expected from a genius…’

“But that means you can’t fight again unless you insert another coin, right?”

“Well, yeah. But you still have the whole arcade mode.”

“…isn’t it a bit boring? I’d rather have another match with you.”

“You won it, you bought it.” Sigulf joked.

“Oh, don’t be so miserly!”

Despite all that, though, Celina end up laughing heartily. At that very moment, Sigulf was deeply captivated by her voice.

‘Ah, it can’t be helped if I wanted this as a real date…’

“…well, it can’t be helped. Just one match, okay? And then clear the arcade mode.”

“Understood!” she giggled.

Meanwhile, on another game’s separate area…

“They… Sure are having fun…” Alba pointed out.

“I never saw her like that before… Or him.” Chelsea grumbled.

———

A single match and a whole arcade mode later, both of them decided to move on to another game.

“That was fun.” Celina said. “Maybe I should buy one later.”

“You are not talking about the cabinet, are you?”

“Ufufu, of course not. Alright, what should we try next?”

“Well, people usually play racing games or shooter…”

“Then let’s try the first one. Car racing to be exact.”

“Oh? Okay, let’s go with that.”

They took a slow walk through, observing which one to play judging from their demonstration screen, before finally making up their choice.

“Let’s play this one. Street racing seems fun, and they claimed to have lots of selection.”

“Sure! Okay, let’s see…” She muttered, mulling about which car to drive. “Ah, they have this one! It’s the same model as ours.”

“Whoa, really? A muscle… Sedan? Kind of unexpected.”

“Hahaha… Well, my mother actually wanted either an Aston or Lotus, but… Well, their better looking models aren’t reserved for saloons. And supercars aren’t really built for more than 2 passengers.”

Sigulf paused to comprehend her statement.

“…wait, your mother? I thought—“

“Oh my, did I say too much?” Celina laughed. “But yes, even I was surprised too. I guess my father’s interests rubbed to her.”

“Ah, I see…”

‘Kind of makes sense. And sort of cool.’

———

This time, due to randomly selected ever-changing track, Celina cannot keep up, ending in a 2-1 victory for Sigulf.

“Aww, just when I thought I could take over…”

“Haha, better luck next time.”

‘For real, though, it was rather close, actually…’

“Oh, quite the nerve to anger the Student Council President.” She suddenly said.

“Umm, what?”

“I am mad at your words. And I won’t talk unless you made up for it.”

“…n, no, you’re not.” Sigulf retorted, stifling his laughter.

‘Why is she faking being upset? It looks kind of cute, though…’

Celina glanced at him and finally gave up.

“Well, you’re right. How can I when I’m having fun?”

“Well, glad that you are…”

“But I still need some kind of compensation.”

Sigulf blinked, and tilted his head a bit.

“Is there something you wanted?”

Now’s her turn to went temporarily silent.

“…promise not to laugh.”

“Let me guess. Is it the UFO catcher?”

Celina vigorously nodded.

‘C, cute…’

“You should’ve said that earlier… Well, come on, let’s go.”

“…alright. And thanks for not laughing.”

“You’re welcome. But I might laugh if you keep being tense like that.”

“Oh, you!”

The two laughed it off while heading to their next destination, still oblivious with Chelsea and Alba’s presence.

“They don’t even notice?” Alba asked.

“That’s why it’s strange!” Chelsa responded. “Is it because the pink, nice atmosphere surrounding them?”

“Pink what?”

———

Sigulf and Celina approached the machine and studied how it works from the instructions.

“So, 1 coin per play, but if you entered 5, you got 1 bonus chance.” Sigulf noted.

“We will still have enough for the photo booth, then.”

“Oh, right. We shouldn’t forget that.”

A small notice sticker on the mirror caught Sigulf’s attention.

‘Not rigged’ was all it says.

‘…so these machines are usually rigged? …never mind that, the notice only made it suspicious!’

He dismissed it either way and inserted 5 coins.

“Wanna give a try?”

“Oh, may I? Sure.”

Sigulf stepped away and gave Celina the controls.

“Waa, that hedgehog plush looks adorable! Alright, let’s get that one!”

‘By Gerdr, so are you, getting heated up on an UFO catcher. …but well, hedgehogs are cute.’

Unfortunately, the claw missed its mark and returned empty-handed.

“Oh, seriously?” she laughed wryly.

“Can I try? It’s that one, right?”

“Yeah. Do your best…!”

“Alright, let’s see…”

Sigulf tried to concentrate… And spontaneously, he tapped into his instincts.

“…!”

Like a hunting wolf, he moved the claw with precision, and snatched the hedgehog plush.

“Wow! How did you do that?” Celina said in amazement while receiving her plush. “Thank you!”

“Oh, um, no problem.”

‘…did I just— It wasn’t even a duel…’

“I feel healed~ Why are hedgehogs so cute~?”

‘…well, she’s happy, so it’s fine.’

Sigulf can’t help but to crack a smile at the sight. And upon finally realizing it, Celina haphazardly tried to regain her cool.

“…I suppose there wasn’t any problem with me admiring Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle?”

“No, not at all…”

‘She gave it a name already…’

She cleared her throat before talking again, “So, we still can play 4 more times. Anything you want?”

“Eh? Me?” he slightly widened his eyes. “A plush… I don’t know about that…”

“Why not? Don’t you have one when you were younger?”

“Ugh… Well, yeah, I did… But that was years ago! Don’t you think I’m too old for this?”

“Isn’t it fine?” Celina laughed. “No need to be shy! So, which one is it? I’ll get it for you.”

‘…by Loki, she’s persistent when it comes to this.’

“Uuugh… …well, if you insist, then could you please get the blue whale one?”

“Oh, that round one, right? Leave it to me. Ah, here, please hold her for a moment.” She said handing her hedgehog plush.

This time, Celina moved the claw much better.

“Ufufu… A young Sigulf carrying a whale plush around… Must be really adorable!”

‘Gah, this is both nice and embarrassing…!’

She finally managed to grab the plush before giving it to Sigulf.

“Here you are!”

“Umm, thank you…”

“My pleasure!”

Sigulf stared at his plush’s beady small eyes.

‘…there’s no way I can throw this away.’

“Should we grab anything else?”

“Eh? You still want to go?”

“Hmm… I wanted to give Chelsea and Alba a present too.”

“Aah, I see…”

‘Well, as expected…’

“What do you think we should give them?”

“Hmm, unicorn for Alba; that’s easy enough. As for Chelsea… A fox? Maybe?”

“Is that how you see her?” Celina giggled.

“Eh, well…”

Not far from them, hiding behind the other machine…

“Oh, quite the cheeky one, that Sigulf.” Chelsea smiled albeit not out of happiness.

“Well, when you spy on them like this…” Alba pointed out.

“Shush, you’re an accomplice too.”