After the fierce showdown between Tatsu and Kei concluded, Airya and I made the spontaneous decision to plunge into the exhilarating world of Dance Dance Revolution, or DDR as the arcade regulars affectionately refer to it. Little did we realize that our enthusiasm would soon spiral into a hilariously awkward ordeal.
As soon as the upbeat music blared through the arcade, it became strikingly apparent that Airya and I lacked even the most basic sense of rhythm. Our feet stumbled clumsily on the colorful arrows, and with each misstep, a ripple of laughter erupted from the onlookers, their cheerful giggles bouncing off the neon-lit walls of the arcade.
Overwhelmed by embarrassment and desperate to escape the spotlight of our own making, Airya impulsively darted towards a cluster of other gaming machines, eager to divert our attention.
With the competitive spirit still buzzing in the air, I muddled through an assortment of games, taking turns at Virtual Racing and HoloPuck. Despite my best efforts, each challenge served as a painful reminder that gaming was clearly not my forte. To put it bluntly, I was laughably incompetent at every game I tried my hand at.
"Don't be too hard on yourself; it was just your first try." Airya said, her comforting tone wrapping around me like a familiar embrace. "I think you did great!" Her kind words illuminated the dim corners of my embarrassment, offering a sliver of solace.
Just then, a light-hearted shoulder nudge drew my attention, and I turned to see Kei standing next to me, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "She's spot on. Unlike Airya, this was your first time." she teased with that same monotonous tone that made it hard to keep a straight face. I couldn't suppress a laugh, covering my mouth as I caught sight of Airya's mock pout, her dramatic expression prompting more giggles from our growing audience.
"I'm just not cut out for gaming, alright?!" Airya exclaimed, her faux indignation only amplifying the hilarity around us. While everyone else roared with laughter, Kei maintained a surprisingly neutral expression, as if she were both amused and unfazed by Airya's theatrics. "I think I've had enough of this arcade for one day!" Airya declared, her tone dripping with playful exasperation.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, but arcading doesn't mean what you think it does." Kei quipped, continuing her witty remarks for Airya, which sent another wave of laughter rolling through the group. I found myself chuckling along, particularly struck by the way Kei's gaze softened as it landed on me, infusing the vibrant atmosphere with an unexpected warmth.
"Well, excuuuuuse me for not being the sole child of two genius parents!" Airya shot back, her tone was joking, but that didn't change the aura that surrounded Kei, sharpening suddenly and slicing through the laughter like a knife. The air shifted dramatically, and the jovial mood that had enveloped us quickly faded. I sensed the tension in her posture as her expression turned inscrutable, her eyes narrowing with an intensity that took everyone by surprise.
Airya sensing the change, turned her gaze away, seeking to escape the scrutiny of our group. A dense silence settled around us, stretching uncomfortably until Tatsu cleared his throat, breaking the stillness with a simple suggestion. "How about we head home? I'm all danced out for the day." he proposed, and we all nodded in unison, making our way toward the exit of the arcade, with Kei stepping ahead.
As I walked behind her, I couldn't shake the nagging curiosity that bubbled within me; whatexactly had just transpired in that fleeting moment?
***
When Kei and I finally stepped through the front door of her house, her father's warm voice drifted in from the kitchen, cutting through the early evening quiet. "Hey you two, you're back late today!" His tone was light, yet it held a hint of curiosity about our delay.
Kei, with an effortless motion, tossed her bag onto the plush couch, the fabric softening the impact. Her fluid movements were almost graceful as she headed into the kitchen. I followed closely behind, the weight of my bag still hanging over my shoulder like a reminder of the day's activities.
With swift, practiced hands, Kei gathered her long, silky hair, twisting it into a loose ponytail that danced slightly as she moved. She opened the fridge with determination, her brow furrowed in concentration as she rummaged for ingredients.
"Yeah, we were at the arcade for our club." I replied, setting my bag down with a soft thud beside the sturdy wooden kitchen table, its surface slightly scratched from years of family meals.
In the Hinahata household, Kei had taken on the role of the designated cook, a responsibility that had emerged from her parents' erratic work patterns. I still recalled the time I had offered to lend a hand, only to be met with her playful insistence that my presence would only "get in the way."
Mr. Hinahata was seated at the table, a steaming mug of coffee cradled in his hands, the rich, dark liquid swirling gently with the soft steam rising from it. Surprise flickered across his face, and he lowered the mug with a clink against the ceramic table. "Club? Both of you?" His gaze, filled with curiosity, lingered on Kei, who was now focused on selecting the freshest vegetables from the fridge.
She caught his eye for a brief moment, her expression a mix of determination and indifference as she placed the vegetables on the cutting board with a soft thud. With deft and precise movements, she reached for a sharp knife, deftly slicing through the produce with practiced ease.
"Yeah, we're part of the 'Making Friends' club." I chimed in, sinking into a chair beside her father. A grin spread across my face as I glanced at Mr. Hinahata, who looked increasingly bewildered while eyeing his daughter, engrossed in her culinary task.
"They needed a fifth person." She added, her focus unwavering as she diced the ingredients with a rhythm that seemed almost choreographed. Mr. Hinahata nodded slowly, his expression subtly shifting as he turned his attention back to me, a grateful smile combining relief and pride.
"I guess that means you'll both be coming home later from now on. I'll be sure to tell my wife." He said, rising from his seat. As he ambled toward the living room, he cast me a meaningful glance, a silent message passing between us.
"Do you still need help with that homework, Asahi?" he inquired with a cheeky wink, his playful demeanor instantly lifting the mood in the room.
I decided to play along with the lighthearted banter. "Oh yeah, I could use your help on that 'homework' we had." I replied, returning his wink, it was awkward and filled with confusion.
Kei, however, remained blissfully unaware of our exchange. "It's the first week of the new year; there is no homework." She stated matter-of-factly, her tone absolute as she continued her food preparations. Both her father and I exchanged guilty glances, caught in our little deception.
"Whatever you're up to, just go. You're both distracting me." She insisted, her voice firm as she waved us out of the kitchen with a hand that seemed to shoo away our teasing.
In the living room, Mr. Hinahata settled onto the invitingly plush couch. He patted the seat beside him invitingly, and I took my place next to him, my curiosity piqued. His demeanor shifted then; his expression turned earnest, a shadow of seriousness crossing his features. He gazed at his own reflection in the darkened screen of the television, as if searching for the right words.
"Our family isn't as put together as it seems." He began, his voice low and measured, each word carefully chosen. "There are things Kei finds difficult to talk about, and all her mother and I can do is watch over her with worry."
I felt the weight of his concern fill the space between us, the atmosphere thick with unspoken truths. Though I was merely a guest in their home, I understood the gravity of his words and the subtle implications behind them.
"Please take care of Kei at school for us." He added, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a ripple of resolve through me.
All I could manage was a firm nod, determination settling within me like a promise made. I feared that any question or comment could fracture this fragile moment, so I simply nodded, my blue eyes gleaming with a silent vow to uphold this commitment for their sake and for Kei's wellbeing.