The bell rang, signaling the end of another day at Hanamura High. Students flooded the hallways, eager to escape the classroom. Miku slung her bag over her shoulder, sighing softly as she adjusted the strap.
"Arcade today anybody?" Nakamura's voice reached her before she could slip out the door. He was already pulling Taiki by the arm, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.
"Why not? I'm in," Rio added, flashing Miku a quick smile.
Alya, who had been standing by the door chatting with a few classmates, raised an eyebrow. "I'll go, but only if someone buys me a crepe."
Miku laughed, the invitation tugging at her heart. She wasn't much of an arcade person, but with the group, it felt like a good chance to escape the heaviness of her thoughts.
"Okay" Miku said. "Count me in."
The arcade was buzzing with neon lights, blaring music, and the clink of coins being fed into machines. The group spread out, each of them drawn to their favorite game. Rio, naturally, gravitated toward the rhythm game machine. Miku, after a hesitant glance, followed.
"Ready to lose?" Rio teased, stepping up to the machine. His hands were already in position, waiting for the game to start.
Miku hesitated but then placed her hands on the buttons. "We'll see about that."
The music started, fast-paced and upbeat. Miku's fingers moved in time with the beat, her concentration fierce. Rio kept up, a cocky grin on his face, but soon his expression faltered. Miku was good—better than he expected.
When the game ended, the screen flashed "Perfect" in bold letters, with Miku's score much higher than his.
Rio chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, I guess I've been outdone."
Miku laughed, her cheeks a little pink. "I told you."
As they moved to the next game, Taiki lingered near the claw machines, his hands shoved in his pockets. He stared off into space, zoning out, seemingly lost in his own world. His eyes were unfocused, his mind somewhere far beyond the flashing arcade lights. Miku noticed him but didn't say anything, sensing that maybe he just needed a moment of peace.
"Hey, Taiki," Alya's voice cut through his daze, and Taiki blinked, returning to reality.
Alya, with her striking blonde hair and yellow eyes, stood confidently with her hands on her hips, her gyaru style catching the attention of everyone nearby. Her outfit, casual but bold, and her upbeat energy had a way of lighting up the room. She looked at Taiki with a small smile. "You good?"
"Yeah, just... thinking," Taiki muttered, his voice soft, almost lost in the noisy arcade.
Alya chuckled, her tone playful. "Thinking? I didn't know you could do that in here."
Taiki managed a smile. "I guess I'm not the best at multitasking."
Miku watched them for a moment, standing off to the side. She felt a slight tug in her chest, something between curiosity and warmth. Alya and Taiki seemed so... natural together. Maybe it was just the way they joked around, the ease in their voices, or how Alya seemed to always know exactly how to snap Taiki back to reality.
It was then that Rio, who had been watching the group, leaned over to Miku with a raised brow. He glanced at Taiki and Alya, then back at Miku.
"Huh. They look good together," Rio commented, his tone thoughtful. "Guess they make a good pair, don't you think?"
Miku blinked, surprised by Rio's observation. She didn't respond right away, not knowing what to say. Instead, she just watched as Alya laughed at something Taiki said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Yeah," Miku finally replied, a small smile tugging at her lips. "They do."
Rio gave her a sideways glance but didn't press the matter further. He turned his attention back to the arcade games, a sly grin creeping up on his face. "Well, guess I'll have to up my game if I'm going to impress you more than Taiki."
Miku couldn't help but laugh, the tension in her chest slowly fading as the noise of the arcade surrounded her once more.
After the arcade, the group ventured through the bustling streets of Tokyo, the cool evening air refreshing after the bright, noisy environment of the arcade. They stopped at a nearby stall to grab crepes, filling the quiet with casual chatter.
Alya and Taiki walked a little ahead of Miku and Rio, their conversation light and full of laughter. Miku found herself trailing behind them, her thoughts wandering.
For a moment, she just let herself enjoy the atmosphere—the warm lights of the city, the gentle hum of people walking by, and the soft chatter between her friends. She felt... content, in a way that was rare for her.
The group continued their walk, passing through the lively streets of Tokyo, where the lights shone bright, and the night felt alive with possibilities.
---
As they walked, Taiki and Alya fell into their usual back-and-forth banter, completely at ease. Miku smiled to herself, glad to see everyone enjoying the moment. She was quiet, but her heart was light, knowing that no matter what happened, these moments—these small, simple moments—were enough for her.
Eventually, as they reached a quieter part of the city, Taiki glanced over his shoulder to make sure Miku was still with them. When their eyes met, he offered her a soft smile. Miku's heart skipped a beat, and for a brief moment, it felt like time slowed down.
She smiled back, her chest fluttering.
It wasn't anything big, just a simple smile.