At first, Toyokawa Sakiko didn't take the so-called game seriously.
Because Hoshino Miru made it sound very simple, and when Toyokawa Sakiko tried operating it a few times, it indeed seemed simple.
Watching her character move around on screen, Toyokawa Sakiko found it somewhat interesting, but her mind wasn't on this - she was still thinking about today's events and what to do next.
The game quickly started. While Toyokawa Sakiko was lost in thought, she saw Hoshino Miru had already controlled his character to charge over, leaving her standing there foolishly taking hits.
After getting beaten up several times, Toyokawa Sakiko finally reacted, frantically operating the controller. Her first thought wasn't to dodge, but to plan a fierce counterattack against Hoshino Miru.
However, a beginner was still a beginner.
Against a newcomer who had just learned the button layout and didn't even know about parrying, combos, or charging moves, Hoshino Miru effortlessly dominated Toyokawa Sakiko with a beating.
Soon, the poor girl was utterly defeated by Hoshino Miru.
Toyokawa Sakiko turned her head and stared quietly at Hoshino Miru.
"A true fighter will use full strength against anyone." Hoshino Miru kept a serious straight face, completely unaware he was bullying a newbie.
Toyokawa Sakiko turned back - she was going to get serious now.
In the second round, Toyokawa Sakiko's operation was still stiff, but she kept observing Hoshino Miru's moves. However he performed combos, she tried to copy them.
Then Hoshino Miru knocked her down with another punch.
Toyokawa Sakiko had to sit up straight and focus intently on the game screen.
In the following rounds, Toyokawa Sakiko's operation became increasingly skilled. Not only could she execute combos, but she also learned to parry Hoshino Miru's skills.
This improvement speed was too fast - Hoshino Miru's eyelids were twitching.
Fortunately, Hoshino Miru still had his ace in the hole, otherwise Toyokawa Sakiko might have beaten him up in the sixth round.
Hoshino Miru wiped non-existent cold sweat. No good - he needed to use trash talk to affect Toyokawa Sakiko's mentality.
"What a pity, you're one step behind." Hoshino Miru pretended to be composed. "There won't be another chance like this. The beginner's luck ends here."
"I'll be able to beat you next round." Toyokawa Sakiko was very serious. Her mind was now completely focused on how to defeat Hoshino Miru.
After losing six consecutive games, the girl's competitive spirit exploded, especially since she had almost knocked Hoshino Miru down earlier.
"Hmph, do you think that was my full strength just now?" Hoshino Miru flexed his fingers. "Warm-up complete - I'm getting serious now!"
"Your moves don't work on me anymore. I can see through them before you act." Toyokawa Sakiko had never been as explosively competitive as she was now. She didn't believe she couldn't beat Hoshino Miru.
"Hehe, I'll show my full strength for the first time in ages." Hoshino Miru also didn't believe a newbie who had just touched the game could beat him.
Kasugano Sora couldn't help but look over. Were both of them elementary school students?
As soon as the game started, Toyokawa Sakiko was already quite skilled. She immediately blocked Hoshino Miru's attack, using the parry stun to beat him up while building her meter.
When the stun time ended, Toyokawa Sakiko retreated without hesitation, switching to ranged attacks. She dodged Hoshino Miru's attacks while sneaking in hits to build meter, calculating skill cooldowns in her mind and recalling the secret combos Hoshino Miru had used earlier.
The next moment, when Hoshino Miru tried to execute a secret technique, Toyokawa Sakiko anticipated it and interrupted his skill. But Hoshino Miru knew she would interrupt and tried to turn it around, only for Toyokawa Sakiko to bait his skill and immediately retreat.
This girl could even bait skills now - Hoshino Miru's smile gradually disappeared.
"Wait, can we call a truce now?" Hoshino Miru tried to struggle desperately.
"No way, I'm about to win!" Toyokawa Sakiko excitedly pummeled Hoshino Miru, leaning slightly forward as she focused on her game screen.
Hoshino Miru glanced over and found the girl's face completely red, with a thin layer of sweat visible on her fair, smooth skin. Her budding chest rose and fell unsteadily. Gone was her earlier heavy-hearted appearance - now she was just a game-addicted girl getting carried away, with an excited smile on her face.
As the KO sound rang out, Toyokawa Sakiko finally claimed her first victory.
"I won!" The girl excitedly turned to look at Hoshino Miru, two strands of hair falling beside her fair cheeks, her eyes sparkling brightly.
Hoshino Miru was stunned. This was the first time he'd seen Toyokawa Sakiko show such a brilliant smile - even more captivating than last time.
His reaction made Toyokawa Sakiko realize her impropriety. She instinctively avoided his gaze, her cheeks gradually heating up, her ears burning too.
"Cough cough, don't get too cocky. I just got careless for a moment." Hoshino Miru suppressed his emotions. His charm value was also high - he wouldn't let Toyokawa Sakiko affect him.
"Is that so?" Toyokawa Sakiko had been biting her lip, but still lifted the corners of her mouth with a somewhat teasing tone. "Since you got careless, want to play another round?"
"Why not?" Hoshino Miru was considering whether he could use [Sensitivity] to ambush her later.
"Great! Please go easy on me, Hoshino-senpai~" Toyokawa Sakiko was full of smiles - she had already seen through Hoshino Miru's real skill level.
Soon after, Hoshino Miru lost five consecutive times, unable to even touch half of Toyokawa Sakiko's health bar.
Looking at his crushing defeat on screen, Hoshino Miru suddenly realized bringing Toyokawa Sakiko back might not have been a good idea.
"Want to go again?" Toyokawa Sakiko tilted her pretty face slightly, looking at Hoshino Miru with eyes full of barely suppressed laughter, like a child deliberately provoking her opponent.
The girl hadn't expected games to be such fun. Not only could she pin down Hoshino Miru and beat him up, but she could also see him make this expression.
Just this scene alone filled Toyokawa Sakiko with an incredibly satisfying sense of achievement, especially the reversal from initial crushing defeat to later victory - it was too intoxicating.
Hoshino Miru was silent for a moment, then smiled: "This is the first time I've seen you look so smug."
Toyokawa Sakiko was caught off guard and looked at Hoshino Miru awkwardly.
"It's about time. I'll go prepare dinner." Hoshino Miru put down the controller and got up. Halfway there, he turned back: "Oh right, stay for dinner. I have enough chopsticks."
Toyokawa Sakiko quickly checked her phone - it was already past 6 PM.
"Don't overthink it. He's just running away because he can't beat you." Kasugano Sora, who had been watching from the side, couldn't help but interject.
Toyokawa Sakiko looked at Hoshino Miru's retreating figure, then suddenly turned to Kasugano Sora.
"Um, would you mind if I stayed here overnight tonight?"
Kasugano Sora was stunned, then became very angry. Ha! This woman really was planning to stay overnight!
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