Chapter 56

With Rion's suggestion, the group decided to head to the arcade near the station.

Since Eri said something like, "Let's give Yuki-kun the right to follow behind," they walked side by side, with Yuki trailing behind them in a stalker-like manner.

The goal was for the two to have a good time together, so Yuki had no particular objections to this arrangement.

However, since the two of them were likely to attract attention, it was tricky to maintain the right distance; otherwise, they might actually look like stalkers. In fact, every man they passed seemed to be glancing at the two of them.

"But I'm surprised. I didn't expect you to suggest an arcade, Rion."

"R-really?"

"You don't seem like the type to go to arcades."

Yuki listened to their conversation, trying to understand why there was such a difference in their awareness and understanding of each other.

For a while, Eri asked questions like, "What did you have for breakfast?" and "Where did you buy that outfit?" and Rion answered them.

"..."

"..."

However, the conversation soon died down.

Yuki had thought that when two girls got together, they would chatter endlessly, but for some reason, both of them were quiet.

(Maybe I should give them a topic to talk about?)

At that moment, Yuki remembered the anime movie he watched with Mizu yesterday, when she said, "Yuki-kun, let's watch it together!"

"Which do you like better, Bals and the silent boy?"

Eri briefly glanced back at him but quickly turned forward again, as if to say, "What are you talking about all of a sudden? Just be quiet."

After that, their voices could be heard again, but it was mostly Eri leading the conversation, and Rion seemed to be holding back.

In this uncertain mood, they arrived at the street in front of the station. The number of people and shops increased.

On the way, a game demo was playing on a screen outside a shop. To provide another topic and encourage the two, Yuki pointed to the monitor.

"That's a game Eri is good at, right?"

The screen was showing the game that Eri had recently played with Mizu... and lost to. Eri shot Yuki a glare and then ignored him again.

"That's a game Eri likes, right?"

Yuki tried to rephrase it, but Eri glared even more fiercely and ignored him again. Despite saying she was serious, it seemed she didn't want to bring up that incident. She was probably still upset about losing to Mizu. Well, holding a grudge was a bit strange, but...

"Eri likes this game..."

Rion, who seemed to have taken an interest, suddenly stopped and stared at the game screen. Eri reluctantly stopped as well but tried to cover it up by saying,

"Rion doesn't seem like the type to play games, does she?"

"Well, I... I can play them, but... games are just a form of entertainment, right?"

"Wow, so cool~"

Why did she have to act so cool?

She should have said she wanted to play it too.

In the end, Eri urged, "Come on, let's go," and the topic was dropped. As they continued down the street, they approached a building with a bookstore. Eri suddenly remembered something and stopped.

"Can we stop by for a moment?"

"Sure, no problem."

Nodding, Rion followed Eri into the bookstore. They went straight to the elevator and up to the second floor, where the manga section was located.

Rion picked up a manga that was prominently displayed at the entrance. It was a popular shonen manga that had been adapted into an anime, which Yuki also knew.

"Oh, a new volume came out. Are you buying it?"

"Of course. I love the buzz cut."

"Such a cliché."

"Shut up. I thought someone was a cool character, but turned out to be a goul."

"What do you mean by 'goul'?"

Eri covered her mouth and laughed, then turned to Rion, who was still staring at the manga display.

"Rion doesn't seem like the type to read manga, does she? If you read anything, it would be novels, right?"

"Well, I guess... just a way to unwind..."

Why didn't she say she wanted to read it too?

Yuki couldn't stay silent anymore, so he whispered to Rion,

"Say you want to read it too."

"Eh? N-no, that's..."

She was still hesitant.

Before long, Eri noticed their hesitation and said,

"What are you two whispering about?"

"Well, I was just translating for Rion..."

"Hmm? Do you need a translator to understand Eri's language?"

Actually, Yuki was trying to translate Rion's words more straightforwardly. Eri's language was often difficult to understand, and if he could fully understand it, he wouldn't be having such a hard time.

"By the way, Yuki-kun, when did you start calling her Rion? You two are close, huh?"

Eri, displeased with the way Yuki addressed Rion, alternately narrowed her eyes at Yuki and Rion. Rion, looking uncomfortable, finally glared at Yuki. For some reason, he was being treated as the only culprit.

After Eri finished paying, they left the bookstore. Her mood seemed to have soured, and her words became fewer, leading to a natural end to the conversation.

They continued walking in an awkward silence until they finally reached their destination, the arcade.

It was a two-story building and one of the largest game centers in the area, including the nearby station. Yuki rarely went there alone, but it was a popular spot among students, often mentioned in conversations with Keitaro.

As soon as they entered, the low bass of the music, the sound effects of the games, and the clinking of coins came from all directions.

Rion, who had suggested the place, was looking around nervously, seemingly unfamiliar with the environment. However, she started walking ahead as if she was leading the way, and Yuki and Eri followed side by side.

"It's been a while since I've been to an arcade."

Eri's voice was lively as she looked around. She seemed to be in a better mood, and her steps were lighter.

"Ah..."

Rion, who had been walking ahead with a serious expression, suddenly stopped. In front of her were several photo booth machines, where people could take pictures.

This was a chance to take a photo with Eri and become closer. Given Eri's character, it would probably go something like, "Rion, let's take a photo together. Yuki-kun, do you want to join? Oh well, fine."

With this expectation, Yuki looked to Eri for a response.