Tanaka Masao didn't continue going after figures—their packaging boxes were too smooth and hard to grab.
Instead, he turned his attention to the plush toys.
As he operated the claw machine, he said to Eriri:
"Eriri, logically speaking, don't ordinary girls like these kinds of plush toys?"
Eriri just snorted coldly.
"Those superficial girls who act cute every day might like them, but these things aren't nearly as appealing as figures."
Since plush dolls were easier to catch, Tanaka Masao succeeded after just three attempts.
But before he could bend down to collect his prize, a familiar agile figure appeared again.
"Ah, so cute!"
Eriri was now holding the little white bear that Tanaka Masao had just won.
She rubbed her face against it with a look of complete comfort.
Tanaka Masao: "..."
After a couple of seconds of silence, he finally complained.
"Eriri, I remember someone saying that only superficial girls who are obsessed with being cute would like stuffed animals."
Eriri refused to admit it.
"Who? Did someone actually say that? I don't know anything about it."
Ignoring Tanaka Masao's contemptuous look, Eriri pretended not to notice and urged him on.
"Come on, hurry up and grab more of these cute fluffy dolls for me."
This time, Tanaka Masao tried to stand firm.
"I refuse—"
But before he could finish, Eriri cut in.
"I'll pay, and you can keep half of what you catch."
Her words flipped Tanaka Masao's attitude instantly.
"Today, I'm clearing out this claw machine!"
With someone else footing the bill and giving him gifts, it would be a waste not to play.
Tanaka Masao couldn't help thinking—this was great.
······
Of course, clearing out all the claw machines in the arcade was impossible.
Even with his steady rhythm of success every three to five attempts, Tanaka Masao stopped after winning more than a dozen dolls.
It wasn't because Eriri's money had run out, but simply because the two of them couldn't carry any more.
They packed the dolls into bags and each carried several in their hands—it was a full load.
The two had a great time. Though it was a little inconvenient carrying so many things, they happily made their way back.
Eriri was in rare high spirits today. With Tanaka Masao catching so many dolls for her, she chatted nonstop as they walked.
Soon, they arrived near her house.
"We weren't prepared this time, so we couldn't bring much back. Next time, let's have the driver take us. Then we can grab even more."
"Use a car?" Tanaka Masao was startled.
"Just how many do you want to catch? And let me say this up front—I never promised to help you again."
"It's not up to you. You don't want to lose your royalties, do you?"
"Ah, how despicable! Eriri, you'd actually threaten me with my royalties?"
"Hehe, I did. What can you do about it?"
As they bickered, a boy on a bicycle came riding toward them.
He had short black hair, black-rimmed glasses, and, in terms of looks, he resembled Tanaka Masao.
The only difference was that this boy was thinner and strikingly handsome—a more polished version of Tanaka Masao.
Seeing him, Eriri, who had been smiling and chatting just moments ago, suddenly fell silent.
Her expression turned complicated. Her hands clenched slightly as she grew visibly tense.
The boy had also noticed Eriri and Tanaka Masao.
Tanaka Masao immediately sensed the change in atmosphere.
He looked at the boy staring at them, then at Eriri's odd behavior, and instantly understood who the newcomer was.
Tomoya Aki.
Eriri's childhood friend.
Back in elementary school, he and Eriri had bonded over discussions about the two-dimensional world.
But because of that closeness, Eriri was mocked and isolated by classmates.
Hurt by the experience, she began distancing herself, and eventually, the two stopped talking altogether.
What were once good memories had turned into a wall of silence between them.
Now, facing each other again, neither spoke.
The awkward silence pressed down on Tanaka Masao, so he decided to break it.
"Eriri, is this your friend?"
At that, anger flared inside Eriri as she looked at Tomoya Aki—who still said nothing.
It's been so long since we last met. Forget not saying hello, but now that I'm standing here with someone else, you still don't care? Tomoya, aren't you going to ask who he is?
If Tomoya Aki had asked who Tanaka Masao was, Eriri might have been happy.
At least it would have shown he cared.
But instead, his silence suggested he expected her to explain herself first—to say she had nothing to do with Tanaka Masao.
But why should she? She hadn't done anything wrong.
So, after hearing Tanaka Masao's question, Eriri simply snorted, turned away from Tomoya, and replied:
"It's irrelevant. Let's go."
With that, she strode forward.
Seeing this, Tanaka Masao didn't linger. He just nodded politely to Tomoya Aki before following after Eriri.
And yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that his presence had only worsened the relationship between Eriri and her childhood friend.
And that result was…
Wonderful.
After all, watching Tomoya Aki turn green with jealousy was deeply satisfying.
······
Meanwhile—
Watching Eriri and Tanaka Masao walk away together,
Tomoya Aki's hands tightened on the handlebars. His face twisted as emotions churned inside him.
*Didn't you refuse to talk about the two-dimensional world, distance yourself from me, and betray me?
Now here you are on the street, laughing about otaku stuff with someone else.
Eriri, what does this mean? Have you betrayed me again?*
That makes three betrayals…
Oh, wait—no. Only two so far.
But if you count when she left the game club he founded to join Akane Kosaka's club…
That made three.
Tomoya Aki finally tore his gaze away and cursed under his breath.
"Bitch."
Then he rode off on his bicycle, the distance between them growing larger and larger.