Chapter 39 : Duel!

We are currently at the retro game arcade.

With my small and tiny height, I couldn’t ride the mini Viking, and other rides were also restricted by height, so I couldn’t go on them either.

The only rides I could take were the spinning teacups or the carousel.

The line for the spinning teacups was incredibly long, probably because some time had passed.

Eventually, while I was looking for a ride that I could go on while riding on the commander’s shoulder, I stumbled upon the retro game arcade, and here we are.

“Oh, the memories are coming back.”

“…Commander, you’re still in your twenties, right?”

There was a game where you throw a basketball to score points, a game where you jump and step on mushrooms, and a classic whack-a-mole game.

There were also a lot of old arcade machines like claw machines, candy dispensers, and fighting games that were once very popular.

As I was wondering which game to play, suddenly the commander suggested we try a fighting game.

So, we played a round together, but…

From the start of the game, he killed me instantly with an infinite combo and taunted me.

What a jerk.

Because of that, I got really mad and tried to complain about how he could do that…

“Maru! I’ll get my revenge!”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Don’t worry! I used to play games too. That old man’s no match for me!”

For some reason, Bada, who had been watching from the side, seemed motivated and challenged the commander to a fight.

“Ugh, hey!”

“Eeek, you’re too fast! Wait, wait a second!”

“I’ve played a lot back in the day, so I’m sorry! Take my infinite combo!”

“Waaaaa?!”

Bada and the commander were both intensely pressing the buttons, focused on the game.

Bada, despite bragging loudly, was struggling with sweat pouring down as she tried to resist the commander’s attacks.

Meanwhile, the commander…

“Chup! Chup, chup, chup! Chyo, chyo, chup!”

…was having a blast.

He was not only playing with Bada but also taunting her, using tea-bagging and infinite combos, making a mockery of her.

Because of that, Bada, who had to take all those combos, was on the verge of tears.

It was so frustrating to watch that even I felt like I was about to explode.

“Ugh, ughhh…”

“Oops! That was close. I almost got it! Oops! Oops! Oh!”

Every time Bada tried to attack with all her might, the commander mocked her, making self-made sound effects.

Ugh, I can’t watch this. Is he really an adult?

“Ah, no!!”

K-O! Game Over!

After being mocked for a long time, Bada’s character fell after a finger snap, and the K-O sign went off, signaling the end of the game.

“Maru, I… I’m sorry. I was going to get revenge…”

“It’s okay. It’s just a game anyway.”

Bada, looking furious from the humiliating defeat, was shaking with clenched fists.

“Phew, that was a good match.”

“…Is that so?”

Bada seemed to have sweated a lot, but the commander looked like he hadn’t even broken a sweat. He wiped his brow and offered a handshake.

Bada glared at him, puffed up her cheeks, and raised her fist as if she couldn’t hold in her anger anymore.

“That’s so unfair! How can you be so merciless as an adult?!”

“Hm, I don’t listen to the words of losers.”

“Ugh…! One more round! I can’t take it anymore!”

“Even if we play again, I think it’ll be the same… Well, okay. I’ll give you one more chance, just because I’m such a nice guy. Alright, Maru, I’ll be back after I get my revenge!”

It’s strange. I was the one who was upset about losing earlier, but somehow, it feels like I’m getting caught up in the commander’s rhythm…

…I’m sure it’ll be fine.

“Hehe, those two are probably going to keep at it for a while. Want to play together while we wait?”

“Sure!”

Since I didn’t want to just stand there waiting for them, I decided to play with Nunu.

They’ll figure things out when the game is over.

“Ah, Nunu, how about that one?”

“That one? Hmm… That seems fun. Want to try it together?”

“Yes!”

What I chose was a traditional rhythm game where you match the beat with your feet… but right next to it, there was a shooting game.

The rhythm game seemed fun too, but I remember that it’s exhausting, and I end up completely drained after just one round.

So… I’ll try that later. I probably won’t, though.

I’ve never seen something like this before… Do I just grab this and play?

“Yes!”

‘Hehe, Maru seems to know well. Teach your sister a little.’

“Of course!”

It’s a simple game where you hold the gun attached to the machine and shoot the monsters popping up on the screen.

I picked up two guns attached to the machine, handed one to my sister, and grabbed the other.

Standing here like this reminds me of when we used to play war games with BB guns as kids.

We used to call the jungle gym a natural fortress or something.

Bzzzz…

Whoa.

Anyway, after holding the gun and waiting for a while, the platform in front of the machine started moving and perfectly adjusted to match Nunu’s and my height.

What is this? Did they make it so that even short people can play comfortably? What a considerate developer.

I was already having trouble because the screen was too high, so this is a relief.

Game ready! Please check if each gun is properly set up!

If you’re ready, press the button on the gun!

Following the machine’s voice, we pressed the button, and various types of monsters started appearing on the screen.

The camera zoomed in on us gripping our guns in a determined stance, and with the description – “The world’s crisis. And the warriors who stand against it.” – the game began.

Bang!

Despite the grand description, the game was easy.

Well, it was a simple game where you just shoot the monsters appearing on the screen, so it couldn’t be helped.

But even considering that, isn’t this too easy? The monsters move too slowly, and they all go down in one hit… It gets boring quickly.

Perfect! Amazing! Accuracy 100% achieved!

“This is too easy…”

“Oh my, this was harder than I thought, and I struggled. Was it easy for you, Maru?”

“But you also cleared it perfectly, didn’t you?”

Ah, Nunu patted my head.

“Hehe.”

I can’t lose either. I immediately spread my arms and hugged her waist.

If you receive something nice, you should know how to return the favor.

Too bad! Try a little harder! Accuracy 24% achieved!

“Seriously, was this game really made for humans? How can something appear and disappear in just one second?!”

Huh?

While Nunu and I were praising each other and doing a little victory dance, I heard some heavy cursing from the same type of shooting game machine next to us.

Looking over, I saw a bespectacled man furiously shoving coins into the machine.

He’s bald.

He looks really angry.

He’s bald.

It’s important, so I said it twice.

A totally bald uncle.

Missed!

Too bad!

“Ugh, seriously!”

…Huh? I don’t remember this game being that hard.

That’s strange.

Even from here, I can clearly see where all the monsters appear on the screen.

Too bad! Accuracy 22% achieved!

“Ugh… It dropped even more.”

Before I knew it, he wasted another chance and was putting more money into the machine, gripping the gun again.

It looks like he won’t stop until he beats it.

Wasn’t there a saying, “If you start, you have to finish”?

I guess he’s trying to do that.

So close!

If he had waited just a little longer before shooting, he would have hit it. What a shame.

Missed!

See? I told you to wait a little longer before shooting.

Too bad!

Ah, that’s not how you do it…

Sigh.

I mean, the monsters move so slowly, and you still can’t hit them?

The game is practically spoon-feeding you the shots!

Frustrated, I hugged Nunu tightly one more time, then wriggled out of her arms and slowly walked toward the other games.

Now that I think about it, where are Bada and the Commander?

“Hah, my turn. I activate Proliferation G!”

“Oh, come on! Why do you always use those dirty tactics?!”

“Hmph, nonsense. There’s no such thing as dirty tactics in a duel!”

“Ahhhhhh!!!”

…Looks like they’re having a great time.

Huh?

As I was looking around for something interesting, my eyes landed on a machine.

A claw machine!

Inside, there were soft and fluffy-looking rabbit plushies, banana plushies, pea pod plushies, and many other stuffed toys.

But the one that caught my eye was…

A pure white fox plushie!

A fluffy, chubby fox plushie.

I can’t resist that.

It looks exactly like the fox in my drawing, so I already feel attached to it.

“Sis! Put in some money! I’ll get it in one try!”

“Okay…”

These things are best when you get them in one go.

I licked my lips with my tiny tongue and skillfully maneuvered the claw machine’s controls.

Then, at the perfect moment, I pressed the button…!

Failed!

No way!

Ah, it was just a little off to the side.

That was so close.

Darn it, if I had moved just a bit more to the right, I might have grabbed it!

“Sis! Just one more time!”

Failed!

“Just one more!”

Failed!

“…One more time.”

Now it’s a battle of life and death.

Get ready.

I will rescue that fox no matter what!