Meanwhile, that same day…Cris and Tai watched as Ray ran away from school.Cris frowned."What do you think happened to him?" Cris asked, looking down the street. "It's weird that he would just leave like that. He's always the first one to want to slack off after class."Tai shrugged."I don't know," Tai replied. "It must have something to do with the trip. You know how he gets about these things."Tai glanced at the avenue, then looked back at his friend."Well… we'll ask him tomorrow, right?"He smirked."How about we hit the arcades?"Cris nodded with a small smile."Let's go, idiot."
On their way to the arcades, they walked several blocks in silence.Cris was the first to speak."Hey, Tai… do you think this is right?"Tai looked at him, confused."What do you mean?" Tai asked.Cris sighed."What Ray is doing," Cris said. "This last year, he seems more worried than usual… but he doesn't tell us anything."He lifted his head to look at the sky."He always tells us what he's thinking. He looks to us for support."He paused briefly."Well… we've been friends since we were kids, so I guess it's normal."Then he looked back at Tai."But this time it's different, don't you think?"Tai thought for a few seconds before answering."I'm not exactly sure what it's about," Tai said. "But you and I know it's because of Hana."He kicked a small stone as they walked."He must feel like time is slipping away… and that's overwhelming him."Then he looked at Cris with curiosity."But tell me… do you think this time he'll actually do it?"Cris raised an eyebrow."Do what?""Confess," Tai replied. "He's been saying the same thing for years, but when he tries… his mind just shuts down."Cris laughed."That's true."Then he smiled calmly."But whatever happens, we'll be there to support him."
When they arrived at the arcade, they bought several tokens.They went through different games.Racing.Shooting.Dance machines.Suddenly, Tai stopped in front of an old machine.His eyes lit up."Look!" Tai exclaimed. "It's Mortal Kombat!"He turned to Cris with a challenging grin."Loser buys the ice cream."Cris crossed his arms."Are you trying to buy me food again?" Cris replied confidently. "You don't stand a chance."Tai rolled his eyes."Shut up already, idiot," Tai said as he grabbed the controller. "You're about to eat dust."The fight began.It was short.Very short.Cris won.Perfect in both rounds.Tai didn't even land a hit.Tai put his hands on his head."DOUBLE OR NOTHING!" Tai suddenly shouted.From the back of the arcade came a voice."Hey, you!" yelled the owner. "There isn't a day you come here without causing a scene!"Tai shrugged."Sorry…"
When they left the arcade, Cris walked ahead holding two ice creams.Tai trailed behind, looking defeated.He raised his arms dramatically."Why can I never beat you?" Tai said, pretending to cry. "At least let me land one hit!"Cris glanced at him."Shut up, idiot," Cris replied. "Letting yourself win is the worst thing you can do."Then he handed Tai the leftover ice cream."Now I understand why he never gives up."Tai's expression immediately changed.His eyes lit up as he opened the ice cream like a little kid.Cris watched him."You look like a five-year-old with a new toy."Then his gaze became a bit more thoughtful."Hey, Tai…"Tai looked up."What's up?"Cris hesitated for a moment before speaking."Do you think we'll ever feel like this about someone?"Tai frowned."Like how?" he asked. "Happy about ice cream?"Cris sighed."No, idiot."He looked at the sky."Like how Ray feels about Hana."He paused briefly."It's so intense it's scary… but I think it would be nice to feel something like that for someone."Tai remained thoughtful.After a few seconds, he replied calmly."I don't know."He shrugged."Only time will tell."Then he smiled slightly."But hey… remember what we promised?"Cris raised an eyebrow."Which one of our stupid promises?"Tai laughed."That the first one to fall in love has to buy a feast for the three of us."Cris burst out laughing."So Ray owes us like ten years of food."They both laughed.After a few seconds, Cris looked up at the sky, which was starting to darken."Let's head home before it gets too late."Then he smiled."And tomorrow we're bringing that idiot Ray along to spend the day with us."