"This isn't just any arcade." I exclaim as we step through the towering entrance of the massive building, my eyes widening with awe at the vibrant spectacle before me. "This is truly a gaming addict's paradise!"
Inside, the atmosphere is electric, pulsating with life and energy. The entire space radiates with a kaleidoscope of colors, as swirling multicolored lights dance and flicker from the high ceilings, creating an ambiance that feels both exhilarating and a little overwhelming. The cacophony of sounds from dozens of machines blends into a symphony of beeps, boops, and upbeat music that assaults my ears, filling the air with a joyful, chaotic buzz.
Despite the excitement, I can't shake the slight claustrophobia from the bustling crowd pressing around us.
"Is it supposed to be this bright?" Kei asks, standing beside me with her hand shielding her forehead, her eyes struggling to adjust to the dazzling display of lights. I barely catch her words over the pounding music.
"That's the whole point of an arcade, duh! Loud and bright!" Airya chirps, her voice rising above the din as she springs forward, turning to face us with a radiant smile that seems to shine even brighter than the lights. Her enthusiasm is infectious.
"Let's go have fun!" She exclaims, pumping her fist into the air with unrestrained excitement.
Tatsu, catching her energy like a spark, joins in with equal enthusiasm, while Mai shyly raises her arm beside him. I can't help but join in, lifting my fist with a determined grin plastered across my face.
But when we turn to Kei, her expression is flat, completely unamused, as if she's watching a play unfold without any interest in the plot.
With a resigned sigh, she lifts her arm into the air, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Yay, let's go have fun." she remarks, her deadpan delivery eliciting a round of soft laughter from me.
Airya rolls her eyes at Kei's antics, spinning joyfully on her heels before striding deeper into the arcade, her skip drawing Tatsu and Mai into her whirlwind of laughter that echoes throughout the noisy environment.
Glancing at Kei, I can't help but smile mischievously, a light giggle escaping me at her deadpan reaction. "Guess even the actors can break character." I remark, observing how the corners of Kei's mouth twitch slightly upward as she covertly watches our friends' retreating figures.
"Time to see if I can make her crack." Kei muses, a playful smirk forming on her lips, sparking another laugh from me.
"I'd like to see that happen." I reply, exchanging a knowing look with her before we follow the others into the arcade.
As we weave through the crowd, my gaze is suddenly snagged by a machine I recognize from television—a wave of excitement courses through me. "Is that a Dance Dance Forever machine?!" I exclaim, rushing toward it like a moth drawn to a flame. It stands towering before me, more magnificent than I had ever imagined, igniting all my childhood dreams.
The setup resembles classic dancing games, featuring two sets of large directional arrows laid out on the arcade floor designed for a competitive two-player experience. However, this version is a fat step up—boasting a massive screen that showcases two vividly animated characters, a slick male dancer and a nimble female dancer, both bursting with energy.
Above their heads, a vibrant and colorful bar flickers to life, promising to reveal an intricate sequence of arrows and directions that players must follow at rapid intervals, turning the dance challenge into a complex and exhilarating experience, well beyond the simple Dance Dance Forever machines I grew up with.
My heart races in anticipation; I can hardly believe this dream opportunity is within my grasp.
"Want to give it a try?" Airya asks, her voice bursting with enthusiasm as she turns to face me, her eyes sparkling amid the chaos surrounding us. The lively atmosphere is a whirlwind of color and sound, and for a moment, I am tempted. Yet, a gnawing fear of embarrassing myself again in this crowded arcade holds me back. I glance around at the eager faces watching us, their anticipation a sharp reminder of my previous mishaps.
"Uh, how about someone else goes first?" I suggest tentatively, hoping that by witnessing a demonstration, I might build some confidence for my own turn.
Tatsu perks up at that, raising his hand with an assertive grin. "I'll do it! Though it's been a while since I played DDF." He declares, stepping confidently onto the left side of the machine, a playful glint in his eye. "I used to be pretty good at this." He adds, his gaze darting from Kei to me, the competitive spirit igniting within him. "Watch me closely, Asahi. I'll teach you how to play this game." He boasts.
I open my mouth to interject, a reminder of my hesitation at the tip of my tongue, but before I can speak, Kei steps forward.
"I guess I'll be the other player then." She announces with an air of casual confidence, moving to stand on the right side of the machine.
The rest of us exchange surprised glances, our expressions a blend of admiration and astonishment as we watch Kei with her poised stance ready to take on the game.
"Never took you for a DDF girl, Kei." I remark curiously, genuinely intrigued.
With a slight tilt of her head, she glances back at Airya over her shoulder, that usual stoic expression remaining fixed on her face. "Of course you don't. It's not like we know anything about each other to begin with." She replies, her voice steady and cool. With that, she turns her full attention to the game, a determined glint in her eyes. "Let's begin," she states, her tone cutting through any lingering awkwardness with an air of confidence.
As they deftly placed their hands on the compact, rectangular device resting on the polished table before them, the HoloRing emitted an unmistakable confirming beep, heightening the electric anticipation that buzzed around us like static in the air. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the scene unfolding, captivated by the holographic figures of Tatsu and Kei as they sprang to life, seamlessly mirroring every movement, each gesture executed with mesmerizing precision.
The curious spark in my eyes must have been evident, catching Mai's attention as she stood at my side, a hint of eagerness in her expression. "The HoloRing is vital for connecting your body to a virtual avatar." She explained, her voice clear and steady, breaking down the intricate technology for my muddled understanding. "The gear I was using only projected a basic avatar, nothing like this."
With a playful glint in his eyes, Tatsu asked, "Mind if I choose the song?" His fingers danced over the holographic menu with a practiced finesse that suggested he had done this countless times before, and Kei nodded in agreement.
As the pulsating beat of a funky dance track began to fill the spacious room, a wave of exhilaration washed over me, signaling the commencement of their DDF match. My eyes widened in disbelief as I absorbed the transformation of DDF into a vibrant spectacle. It was no longer merely a game of stepping on arrows; it had evolved into a full-body choreographic experience that demanded every limb to move in rhythm with the infectious music that enveloped us.
"Tatsu and Kei are absolutely killing it!" Airya shouted, her voice slicing through my awe, and delivering me back to the reality of their impressive performance. It became clear to me then that they were not merely participants; they operated with the confident ease of seasoned professionals.
My attention was irresistibly drawn towards Kei, whose movements flowed with a fluid elegance that made each step a striking expression of the beat resonating in the air. Her form was powerful yet graceful, and it left me both enchanted and slightly breathless. Tatsu was equally impressive, exuding energy and charisma, but it was Kei's mesmerizing performance that anchored my gaze.
As the energetic track came to an exhilarating close, both competitors were slightly out of breath, an adrenaline-fueled thrill painted across their flushed faces. Tatsu, sporting a cocky grin, had barely clinched victory by a narrow margin of 130 to 128.
Kei turned to him, her eyes fierce as determination radiated from her. "Again." She stated flatly, the challenge unmistakable in her tone.
With a smirk that held a hint of triumph, Tatsu nodded, clearly enjoying the thrill of victory. "Your choice of song this time then." He replied, his playful confidence palpable.
Airya, Mai, and I stood silently, our amazement evident as we watched the duo prepare to dive into yet another intense round. It was a relentless clash—Tatsu's competitive spirit shone brightly as he encouraged Kei to challenge him with song after song, each loss instantly igniting a fire in her to demand a rematch.
"Tatsu being a sore loser is no surprise since he's such a sporty guy, but I never expected Kei to be this intense about winning." Airya observed, her eyes wide with astonishment.
I couldn't help but nod in agreement. The intensity of Kei's focus was unexpected, revealing a side of her I hadn't anticipated. As I continued to observe, a frown creased my forehead, particularly at how she interacted with Tatsu; while he showered her with beaming smiles and teasing remarks, she remained resolute, though I noticed a faint hint of a smile lingering at the corners of her lips.
Why did this dynamic bother me? A strange tension coiled within my stomach as my thoughts raced, contemplating the nuanced interactions between Kei and Tatsu.