Saki jumped first, eyes lighting up. "You'll teach us anything!?"
"Not everything—just what I can," I said, keeping it cool.
"Do you have a girlfriend!?"
Cute question. Time for some grown-up poise.
"Nope, sadly. Still looking for the right one."
"Then date me!" Saki blurted, no hesitation.
Bravery, youth, or this world's gender-ratio boldness? Maybe all three.
"Saki-chan, that's too far!" Maki gasped.
"Wow, Saki, you're way too forward," Yuki drawled.
Ignoring their panic, I smiled. "Flattered, but sorry. You're, what, middle school? Bit young for me."
"I'm a third-year! Next year, I'm a high-schooler!" Saki countered.
Huh. Third-year, huh? Still doesn't change my rule—middle school's off-limits. Friends? Sure. Anything physical? Gotta keep that distance.
"How about this: next year, if we meet again, we'll talk it over then," I offered.
"Ugh, that's just a maybe!" she groaned.
"If it happens, it's fate, right?"
"Boo, that's a fancy brush-off!"
Adult deflection—sorry, kid.
"Then hang out with us after this!" she pivoted.
Hmm. I hadn't hit the fighting games yet, but after their panty show, a little fun's fair.
"Cool, but I can't play that game," I nodded at the rhythm setup.
"Not that—over there!" Saki grabbed my hand, tugging me along.
"Saki-chan, no touching! That's harassment!" Maki barked.
Yuki slid to my other side. "Can I… hold your hand too?"
Hand-holding's fine—innocent enough.
"Sure, go for it," I said.
"Yay!" Yuki's slow voice perked up as she took my hand, beaming.
"…Oh," Maki muttered, suddenly left out.
After all her harassment policing, she'd boxed herself into an awkward spot. If she could just roll with it, she'd join in—but her prim nature froze her, head dipping.
I'm not just a pretty face—I aim for inner hotness too.
"Maki-chan, come on, let's go," I called, nudging her along before she could overthink.
Smooth stud move.
"Uh—yes!" She snapped up, scurrying to my side.
"What, Maki's coming too?" Saki teased.
"Hands are first-come, first-serve, though—mister's only got two," Yuki giggled.
They laughed, ribbing Maki as she blushed. "I-I'm not…" she stammered. Adorable.
We shuffled off like a clumpy chain, Saki leading me to the photo booth corner—a buzzing hive of machines.
"Let's take pics!" Saki chirped.
"Totally!" Yuki echoed.
"Me too!" Maki chimed.
They pulled me toward a booth, but I paused.
"What's up?" Saki asked.
"Mister?" Yuki tilted her head.
"Isn't it… harassment to snap pics with me?" Maki mumbled.
I scanned for signs. Some places ban guys from these setups—worth checking. Nothing on the pop-ups or boards mentioned it, though.
"Hey, is it cool for a guy to go in the photo booth?" I asked them.
"Uh, yeah, why not?" Saki shrugged.
"It's every girl's dream to snap pics with a guy," Yuki sighed.
"That's gender bias—no way," Maki huffed.
Three flavors of yes—good enough. I stepped forward, their eager eyes sparkling brighter.
"I've never done this before. What's the deal?" I admitted.
Never had, past life included. Hit the arcade tons with my buddy Yamada, but two dudes in a photo booth? Insane. No girlfriend to drag me in either. Back then, I saw these as girl-and-hot-guy turf. Now, I'm the hot guy, strutting in with three cute girls.
"Seriously? People haven't taken these?" Saki gaped.
"Well, if a guy doesn't have a girlfriend, maybe not," Yuki mused.
"Sorry for pushing—and Yuki-chan, that's harassment!" Maki scolded.
Their clashing vibes somehow mesh perfectly.
"So, what do I do? Just hop in with you all behind the curtain?" I asked.
The "curtain" was barely that—some booths were more like closets or tents. Their pick had a flimsy screen, tight for four.
"Uh, um…" Saki faltered, her usual spunk tripping.
Yuki picked up the slack. "If it's okay with you… one at a time?"
Oh? Two-shots, huh? I'm game.
Maki, the harassment cop, though—would she balk? I considered inviting her myself to dodge any vibe-kill, but—
"Two people in a tiny space… might not count as harassment, so, um, me too…" Maki mumbled.
Cop's on board. We're clear.
"Works for me. Let's do it one by one," I said with a grin.