Arcade Games

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Stomach comfortably full and his heart warmed by the time spent with Alice, Orion's eyes scanned the crowd for Vivi's distinctive turquoise hair. She had chosen Arcade Games for their date, an activity he eagerly looked forward to, knowing her competitive streak would make it all the more entertaining.

Spotting her near a Dance Dance Revolution machine, he approached with a grin. "Ready to be utterly defeated on the dance floor, Vivi?"

She shot him a smirk, flicking her hair with mock arrogance. "I was born ready. But the question is, are you prepared to keep up?"

Challenging each other at the DDR machine, they went head to head. The catchy tunes blared and the lights flashed, demanding them to match their footwork. Vivi's laughter echoed above the music each time Orion pretended to stumble, only to recover with a dramatic spin.

"You're such a show-off," she teased, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Orion shot her a wink as he continued dancing. "All part of the plan to keep your attention."

Once the song ended, they moved onto a claw machine, a mountain of plushies tempting players to try their luck. Vivi pointed at a cute chibi figure of a cat. "Bet you can't snag that one for me."

Challenged accepted, Orion thought. He positioned the claw, aiming perfectly. "Watch and learn," he murmured.

As the claw descended, Vivi leaned close, her breath tickling his ear. "I'm watching," she whispered.

The claw gripped the plushie. Orion held his breath as it began its journey back. And then, just inches away, it dropped.

Vivi's face retained its cheerful façade, but Orion could sense the faint disappointment hiding beneath those azure eyes. The plushie had been so close, and yet…

Before he could utter a word, Vivi wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a soft embrace. Her lips found his, the gentle pressure conveying her gratitude. "That was so close. Thank you for trying so hard," she murmured against his lips.

Orion slid his hands around her waist, pulling her closer. "Anything for my girlfriend," he whispered back, his voice tinged with regret.

Suddenly, a series of clinks and clatters interrupted their intimate moment. Startled, they pulled apart to witness an unexpected spectacle. The plushie Orion had attempted to snag had toppled a mountain of others, causing a veritable avalanche inside the claw machine. As they watched, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, the plushie cat Vivi had initially pointed at, now free from its entrapment, fell into the prize slot.

Grinning, Orion retrieved the cascade of plushies, including the coveted cat. "But like I said," he teased, handing the plush treasures to Vivi, "watch and learn."

Vivi's eyes shimmered with joy and disbelief. "How did you—?"

Orion just shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Call it a touch of luck, I guess."

Vivi shook her head, smiling. "Always full of surprises." She clutched the plushies to her chest, her fingers brushing the cat's soft fur. "Thank you, Orion. Not just for these," she gestured to the plushies, "but for always being there, for trying, for… everything."

He winked, "You make it easy."

Feeling the rush of victory, they ventured deeper into the arcade. Orion challenged Vivi to a shooting game, where rubber ducks floated on a conveyor belt. Taking aim, Vivi hit three ducks consecutively, turning to Orion with a triumphant smile. "Beat that."

Orion, determined to match Vivi's earlier prowess, took careful aim, his eyes narrowing on a yellow duck that bobbed merrily along the waterway. As he pulled the trigger, the gun's aim jolted slightly, causing him to miss. A gentle chuckle from Vivi urged him to try again.

Second shot. The duck seemed within his grasp. However, just as he fired, a flash from a nearby machine momentarily blinded him. Another miss.

By the third and final attempt, the playful tension was palpable. Orion's competitive streak refused to let him give up. But as he took aim, a sudden loud "BANG!" from another game caused his hand to twitch, sending the shot astray once again.

Vivi's triumphant laugh filled the air as she jumped into his embrace, peppering his face with kisses. "I won!" she declared gleefully.

Orion chuckled, wrapping his arms around her waist. "It seems the universe has other plans for me today."

She grinned cheekily, her nose nudging his. "I guess you ran out of luck."

She stuck out her tongue in mock victory. But Orion simply smiled, his gaze soft and full of warmth. "Luck isn't about winning the game," he murmured, pointing at the two of them.

Vivi's cheeks turned a delightful shade of pink as realization dawned. She leaned in, pressing another kiss onto his lips. The world around them seemed to blur, the arcade noises fading into the background. It was just the two of them, savoring the moment.

Pulling away, Vivi whispered, her voice husky with emotion, "You always know how to turn the tables, don't you?"

Orion smirked, "It's one of my many talents."

They continued exploring the arcade, trying their hand at various games, sometimes winning, sometimes losing, but always together. Their playful banter and shared laughter attracted smiles from onlookers, the chemistry between them undeniable.

Approaching a racing game, Vivi threw Orion a challenge. "Bet I can beat you in a virtual car race."

Orion, feigning shock, clutched his heart dramatically. "A challenge? From the duck shooting champion? I'm quaking in my boots."

She playfully swatted his arm, her voice dripping with mock condescension. "Just try to keep up, okay?"

As they settled into the gaming chairs, Orion glanced over, catching Vivi's mischievous wink. The race began, both of them steering their virtual cars with fervor. The game's graphics showcased winding roads, steep cliffs, and challenging terrains. They jostled for the lead, their virtual cars often bumping into each other, eliciting laughter and playful accusations.

As the finish line approached, Vivi's car took the lead. Orion leaned in, whispering in her ear, "You may win the race, but I've already won the jackpot with you."

She blushed, momentarily distracted, and Orion took the chance to push ahead.

Vivi shot him a look of faux outrage. "Hey! That is cheating!"

Orion chuckled, holding up his hands in surrender, his virtual car crossing the finish line. "You can't blame a guy for using his charm, can you?"

Pouting, she gave a huff of mock annoyance. "You think you're so clever."

He leaned in, the closeness making her heartbeat quicken. "Only when I'm around you," he murmured, capturing the soft smile that formed on her lips.

Vivi and Orion, still buzzing from the adrenaline of the games, found a quiet nook amidst the vibrant lights and chatter of the arcade. Taking a moment to catch their breath, they sat on a bench, shoulder to shoulder, the warmth between them evident.

Vivi sighed contentedly, her fingers playing with the plushies from earlier. "You know, despite your sneaky tactics, today was truly fun."

Orion leaned in, his nose gently brushing against her hair, inhaling the scent of vanilla and summer. "Every moment with you is a joy," he murmured.

She rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips. There was a comfortable silence, both lost in their thoughts. Orion's thumb traced lazy circles on Vivi's hand, the gesture sending tingles up her arm.

Vivi's voice broke the silence, a hint of sadness in her tone. "You know, sometimes I wish these moments could last forever. No interruptions, no time limits. Just us."

He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "They may not last forever, but they're ours. And that makes them special."

Vivi leaned into him, nestling her head against his shoulder. "You have this uncanny ability to always say the right thing."

He chuckled, "It's one of my superpowers."

They sat like that for a few minutes, enjoying the simplicity of the moment. A soft voice interrupted their reverie. "Ahem, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but..."

Both turned to see Lucy, her long, flowing hair catching the sun's rays, making it seem like she had a halo. Her eyes were apologetic, but there was a playful glint in them. "My turn, I believe."

Vivi's grip on Orion's hand tightened, her reluctance evident. "Time flies, doesn't it?"

Orion smirked, standing up and offering his arm to Lucy. "Don't worry, Vivi. I'll ensure Lucy returns me in one piece."

Lucy giggled, looping her arm through Orion's. "No guarantees."

Vivi shot Lucy a mock glare, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "Oh, I'm watching you."

Lucy winked, "Good. I love an audience."

As Orion and Lucy began to walk away, Vivi called out, "Take care of him, Lucy. And remember, no funny business."

Lucy blew a playful kiss in response, while Orion, ever the charmer, blew one back at Vivi. "Until next time," he called out.

Vivi watched them go, a mixture of fondness and slight envy in her eyes. Yes, she had to share Orion with others, but moments like today reassured her that their bond was special.

She hugged the plushies tighter, murmuring to herself, "He's worth it."