[ Nishikiyama trusts him and drops the claw at the designated time, but the claw rakes at the pink cowgirl Chestnut instead. The expression on his face twists, and he shakes his head with two more tries left. ]
Wrong one. I want the blue one.
[ He takes a moment, shuffling a cigarette from his pocket. It's a no smoking area, but the back of the center is empty and nobody, not even staff, is brave enough to tell him not to. He squints at the beady-eyed plush again with his unlit cigarette hanging now. ]
[ Feeling distant about his mistake his face doesn't twist as much, though, not yet as invested in getting the specific toy out. Mine's combed back hair at the front touches the glass pane, leaning over the drop-out slot to light the cigarette.
Sensibility to their combined presence and behavior being more than an oddity in the place gets drowned out by the machine urging another try. Mine stands closer to watch Nishikiyama take another chance. His eyes flicker to the moving claw, back to him, back to the claw. ]
[ His cigarette lights and he sees the squirrel through his own smoke. Lowering it to exhale, he times the button to Mine's instruction. The claw inside lowers in correlation, one leg scraping the country-clothed plush toy closer to the drop. Nishikiyama laughs at that. One note, but satisfied. It's advancement, and a pace expected. UFO catchers are about technique and strategy. If he's careful, they can get the squirrel out within four or so more tries. ]
Better. I'll hit the tail a couple more times, then finish it off by lifting its head back into the slot.
[ Nishikiyama brings the cigarette back to his mouth, taking a drag of it. His hair will carry the notes of tobacco later. At the same time, he wonders if Mine is interested in the machine. ]
[ He squints, trying to determine whether it's a success, before Nishikiyama just reveals his scheme. Satisfaction with that laugh and puffing out smoke, the smell of the hi-lites is something Mine finds remnants of on his own hair and clothes increasingly more often. Nishikiyama stands in a relaxed way, leaning away from the controls. Mine feels awkward about the circumstances and won't say that he's never played. ]
I'll try.
[ With 100 yen still in the game, he steps in. Mine pushes the button to make the claw go sideways, then the other to go back. Both are released too quickly. He stares through the glass, knowing the arm is in the wrong spot after barely jerking. Mine tries to adjust by prompting each control again. The claw reaches down and grabs empty instead. ]
I wasn't done moving it.
[ Half to give his explanation, half to underline the mood of his tone, Mine looks over. He complains, explanatory in a way Nishikiyama is unlikely to have heard from him before because he's naive to his mistake. ]
You only get two chances to press each direction. Backwards, then sideways. The machines aren't generous enough to let you adjust the claw for however long you want.
[ He explains it while the claw helplessly grasps the air. Completely pointless, the sound effects from the machine still try and incite a sense of excitement even if nothing is about to happen. Nishikiyama, though, isn't as interested in watching the claw drop as he is in Mine's borderline childish reaction to the UFO catcher. He looks offended that it's disobeyed his hand. Similarly to before, he shuffles another few coins from a crocodile skin wallet into the slot. ]
Try again.
[ Silver smoke slips out the corners of his mouth because his hands are preoccupied. The cigarette wobbles still between his lips. ]
[ Mine realizes he's being immature and blaming machinery, after the fact. A glance shifting over to Nishikiyama, feeding a few more tries into the game, finds him conscious of his slip but without an excuse when the other doesn't comment. He's stoic in a different way than brooding over documents, meetings, when he's trying to grasp the gameplay.
Mine is sort of a sore loser, here. If his first try hadn't told Nishikiyama that he's a first-time player, the outcome of this second one will. ]
Alright. I got it.
[ His shoulders slump a little. Mine concentrates, holding the button down instead of pushing repeatedly for each direction. When the claw comes down, one arm jostles the plush toy Nishikiyama'd staked claim to. Though there's a wobble, it doesn't really tilt or shuffle it closer to the prize slot. Air blown out through his nostrils hints that Mine's not satisfied with his try this time, either. ]
What shows that he's new to crane games more than his frustration is the expectation that things might be any different so early on. Nishikiyama finds this overt childishness endearing. Mine's doesn't like that the game is difficult and the fact that the toy inside shouldn't be worth the money put into attempting to win it is probably just as bizarre to him.
Nishikiyama places both his hands on the edges of the machine's control panel, leaning closer to both Mine and the glass display. They're near enough now to where he can catch the familiar notes of Mine's cologne. ]
That was a start. You just need to move the arm further to the left so the tail scoots over more.
[ It's difficult for Nishikiyama not to offer commentary, whether it's desired or not. He's always been this way. ]
[ Mine has worked hard, has poured hours, days and years of perseverance into his wealth and success in trading and real estate. How difficult it is, isn't really the issue. Adding together the yen amount spent so far comes to him much more easily than moving the arm behind the glass, though. It makes him look impatient.
Should he quit? He looks over his shoulder to where Nishikiyama shuffles closer. Mine thinks he'll tell him to move over and trade places again, so he's about to take his hand off the button. Advice, insteadβ ]
Scoot over...?
[ Even against fluff and fabric, the arms don't have a lot of strength, he's noticed. So, how? After another moment of contemplation, still too serious about the game, Mine tries to adapt Nishikiyama's remark to another try. Further left; he waits a moment beyond what he'd done before. The claw snags on the doll. ]
I don't know how to put it into words, but when you do it like that the tip of the claw leg hits the toy longer. You have to angle things over further than just having it directly on top because it's not gonna move otherwise.
[ Nishikiyama stays in the closeness he'd rescinded earlier; Mine all but minds. The moment is just overcast by the conversation at hand. Mine passes on his turn and tries the UFO catcher again. Same difference. After that, there aren't any more games left in the round. Mine sighs, his frustration manifest.
[ What does Nishikiyama want? Mine wants to quit. ]
...
[ They still have a lot of time, though. Another sigh, quieter, subdued. Mine breaks any eye contact. He takes out his wallet and out of it one 10,000 yen bill. They'll exchange it in the back, right? It's where Mine goes and where he stays for a while until the game center staff has returned the amount in 100 yen coins and one 5,000 yen bill.
They gave him all the silvers in a bag. Mine holds it out of his own way towards Nishikiyama. ]
[ In the meantime, Nishikiyama stands territorially in front of his blue cowboy squirrel. He doesn't want anyone to swipe up the plush in Mine's absence, and he looks to Mine and his new bag of 100 yen coins when he returns. ]
You give up?
[ There might be a little accusation in his voice. He suspects Mine is too uninterested to continue. Nishikiyama's gaze falls from Mine and instead to the toy still there in the machine's enclosure. ]
[ Not getting it taken off of him, Mine holds the bag close to his chest. The hint in Nishikiyama's voice lets him question how the patriarch'd broached playing arcade games to spend time. Mine's brow crinkles, he's still malleable. ]
No. [ How else is he supposed to spend all the coins he'd just exchangedβ It's not like he doesn't have the money. ] I'll try again.
[ He starts with less passion, keeping more distance from the console then before. It's nearly the same movement of the claw, over and over again.
With 700, maybe 800 yen more in the game, though, somethingβthe Chestnut plush itselfβshifts. Mine has leaned in again, meanwhile, into repetitive motions. His forehead is closer to the glass and his hand hasn't come off the button. Now he looks with focus at the lurch the toy makes. ]
[ He observes aloud but isn't leaning as far forward as Mine is now. Seems he's taking it more seriouslyβ but more importantly, he wonders if it's fun? Nishikiyama can't tell. Mine's expression hasn't cracked. He's staring the toy down the same way he that stares down his binder of property files. ]
[ Mine is more invested than he thought he would be. The fulminant noise of the place has settled into the background. Still, he's not in a trance where he couldn't pull away from the machine to look at Nishikiyama. So he does. At the same, he delays in a way that suggests he's got some interest, is having some fun. ]
You wanted to play.
[ It's why they came here and when, looking up, he defers. A ribbon of smoke in front of his patriarch's face, Mine straightens and takes his hand off the button, but not off of the console. His brow is less strict and he's going to be honest. ]
I'd like one more try, though.
[ Because whatever he just did worked and Mine wants to repeat it. Something's clicked. Nishikiyama's out loud remark makes it a bigger deal than he thought to himself. ]
[ Nishikiyama isn't hurrying to take over, and Mine has given him confirmation that to some degree he'd become more stubborn. With the cigarette finished, he can only stub it out on something and flick the remainder into a trashbin that's there beside the indoor vending machines. ]
[ As Mine contemplates Nishikiyama's question, he feels a surge of determination. With his expression still inscrutable, he doesn't make it definite that he'll get it out on that next try, butβ ]
I think I've got the hang of it now.
[ Mine leans back in, his hand returning to the button. He's going to move the claw with the same precise movement as before. It's oddly satisfying to see the toy inch forward yet again. Mine is enjoying this. More coins get fed into the machine promptly to keep the claw moving. ]
[ As Mine continues, coin after coin, Nishikiyama's expression begins to shift. At this point, the prize inside has hardly had his involvement in moving it close to the slot. Not that he particularly cares if mine plays the game, butβ ]
Hey. I want the toy.
[ He should make that clear, in case Mine tries keeping the cowboy squirrel for himself or it dissuades him from wanting to continue. ]
[ The lock of hair hanging loosely down into Mine's face touches the glass, he leans that close in now. The repetitive motion of the claw is meditative. He'd become so focused that he doesn't realize it looks like he's gunning for the plush itself that way. ]
What? Ohβ
[ The squirrel toy is tantalizingly close to dropping with just a bit more of a push. A glance back at Nishikiyama is brief. Mine's voice steadies despite the intensity of his concentration. ]
I'll get it for you.
[ He'd been following Nishikiyama's strategy from earlier. So, one more try of grabbing the headβ Chestnut the squirrel drops into the prize slot below and the claw machine itself cheers. Mine stays glued to the window, but his eyes widen. ]
[ Nishikiyama's big baddie persona slips when he sees Chestnut fall, and he's eager to crouch down to collect the prize from where it's landed. Some part-time staff nearby make an hourly wage to clap for Mine's victory and provide themβ two grown men who stick out like sore thumbsβ a complimentary congratulations. Nishikiyama tucks his squirrel under the armpit of his jacket. ]
[ Mine's expression softens into a rare smile as he watches Nishikiyama collect the prize. A sense of accomplishment swells in him. His gaze sweeps over the game center after pulling away from the console. ]
Do you think so? [ That's praise, essentially. Acting like that over a game and a toyβ ]
You blew money, but that's normal the first time. You got through it without needing the staff to come pity move the toy over for you or give tips.
[ As he notices Mine's smile, his own softens. The moment between them is pleasant, but Nishikiyama doesn't want it exposed in public for long. He tries looking elsewhere, at the MesuKing machine close behind them. The weirdly sexual visuals make it awkward. ]
Want to get a quick bite to eat or something?
[ Cafe Alps isn't far. He doesn't want to be in the game center anymore, he's decided. They've garnered enough attention for others to make rumors, and he doesn't want that. His squirrel's head is flattened under his arm. ]
[ He'll have spent like, what, most of the 5,000 yen he exchanged for coins. It's not exactly an amount of money that matters to Mine these days. Nishikiyama dragging his gaze away frees him from confessing he'd never set foot in an arcade, let alone played even one of the games here before; his hometown didn't even have one. MesuKing isn't something he'll want to play.
His eyes remain on Nishikiyama. Mine returns to his own observation upon stepping in here. They stick out and should go elsewhere. ]
Yes, that sounds good.
[ There's enough time left for that, too. Mine's smile begins to fade some but isn't going completely. ]
[ The cafe isn't too far of a walk from the game center, and Cafe Alps is experiencing a lull. The prime of lunch hour on a weekday has passed, and Nishikiyama and Mine are shown a seat quicklyβ led to somewhere bright with lots of sunshine. Nishikiyama paws through the menu, deciding on an iced tea and carbonara set. The cowboy Chestnut plushie with him looks much more out of place now than it'd been before, with the other prizes visible in the machine. He pays it no mind, laying it in the corner of the booth. ]
You were going to buy the properties I asked for after this? Or go back to your office?
[ Though he doesn't say why he's asking, he wants to confirm why Mine can't stay out with him. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2024-02-26 05:34 pm (UTC)Wrong one. I want the blue one.
[ He takes a moment, shuffling a cigarette from his pocket. It's a no smoking area, but the back of the center is empty and nobody, not even staff, is brave enough to tell him not to. He squints at the beady-eyed plush again with his unlit cigarette hanging now. ]
Come on, Mine.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-26 06:03 pm (UTC)[ Feeling distant about his mistake his face doesn't twist as much, though, not yet as invested in getting the specific toy out. Mine's combed back hair at the front touches the glass pane, leaning over the drop-out slot to light the cigarette.
Sensibility to their combined presence and behavior being more than an oddity in the place gets drowned out by the machine urging another try. Mine stands closer to watch Nishikiyama take another chance. His eyes flicker to the moving claw, back to him, back to the claw. ]
Nowβ
no subject
Date: 2024-02-26 06:13 pm (UTC)Better. I'll hit the tail a couple more times, then finish it off by lifting its head back into the slot.
[ Nishikiyama brings the cigarette back to his mouth, taking a drag of it. His hair will carry the notes of tobacco later. At the same time, he wonders if Mine is interested in the machine. ]
You want to try? We still have an hour, you said.
[ Two knuckles knock lightly on the enclosure. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-26 09:40 pm (UTC)I'll try.
[ With 100 yen still in the game, he steps in. Mine pushes the button to make the claw go sideways, then the other to go back. Both are released too quickly. He stares through the glass, knowing the arm is in the wrong spot after barely jerking. Mine tries to adjust by prompting each control again. The claw reaches down and grabs empty instead. ]
I wasn't done moving it.
[ Half to give his explanation, half to underline the mood of his tone, Mine looks over. He complains, explanatory in a way Nishikiyama is unlikely to have heard from him before because he's naive to his mistake. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-27 02:18 pm (UTC)[ He explains it while the claw helplessly grasps the air. Completely pointless, the sound effects from the machine still try and incite a sense of excitement even if nothing is about to happen. Nishikiyama, though, isn't as interested in watching the claw drop as he is in Mine's borderline childish reaction to the UFO catcher. He looks offended that it's disobeyed his hand. Similarly to before, he shuffles another few coins from a crocodile skin wallet into the slot. ]
Try again.
[ Silver smoke slips out the corners of his mouth because his hands are preoccupied. The cigarette wobbles still between his lips. ]
One press each way.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-27 03:07 pm (UTC)Mine is sort of a sore loser, here. If his first try hadn't told Nishikiyama that he's a first-time player, the outcome of this second one will. ]
Alright. I got it.
[ His shoulders slump a little. Mine concentrates, holding the button down instead of pushing repeatedly for each direction. When the claw comes down, one arm jostles the plush toy Nishikiyama'd staked claim to. Though there's a wobble, it doesn't really tilt or shuffle it closer to the prize slot. Air blown out through his nostrils hints that Mine's not satisfied with his try this time, either. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-27 03:24 pm (UTC)What shows that he's new to crane games more than his frustration is the expectation that things might be any different so early on. Nishikiyama finds this overt childishness endearing. Mine's doesn't like that the game is difficult and the fact that the toy inside shouldn't be worth the money put into attempting to win it is probably just as bizarre to him.
Nishikiyama places both his hands on the edges of the machine's control panel, leaning closer to both Mine and the glass display. They're near enough now to where he can catch the familiar notes of Mine's cologne. ]
That was a start. You just need to move the arm further to the left so the tail scoots over more.
[ It's difficult for Nishikiyama not to offer commentary, whether it's desired or not. He's always been this way. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-27 03:56 pm (UTC)Should he quit? He looks over his shoulder to where Nishikiyama shuffles closer. Mine thinks he'll tell him to move over and trade places again, so he's about to take his hand off the button. Advice, insteadβ ]
Scoot over...?
[ Even against fluff and fabric, the arms don't have a lot of strength, he's noticed. So, how? After another moment of contemplation, still too serious about the game, Mine tries to adapt Nishikiyama's remark to another try. Further left; he waits a moment beyond what he'd done before. The claw snags on the doll. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-27 04:02 pm (UTC)[ So opinionated. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-27 04:12 pm (UTC)He knows without reaching for his wallet: ]
I don't have any coins.
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Date: 2024-02-27 04:14 pm (UTC)[ Nishikiyama watches him expectantly. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-27 04:23 pm (UTC)...
[ They still have a lot of time, though. Another sigh, quieter, subdued. Mine breaks any eye contact. He takes out his wallet and out of it one 10,000 yen bill. They'll exchange it in the back, right? It's where Mine goes and where he stays for a while until the game center staff has returned the amount in 100 yen coins and one 5,000 yen bill.
They gave him all the silvers in a bag. Mine holds it out of his own way towards Nishikiyama. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-27 04:27 pm (UTC)You give up?
[ There might be a little accusation in his voice. He suspects Mine is too uninterested to continue. Nishikiyama's gaze falls from Mine and instead to the toy still there in the machine's enclosure. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-27 04:43 pm (UTC)No. [ How else is he supposed to spend all the coins he'd just exchangedβ It's not like he doesn't have the money. ] I'll try again.
[ He starts with less passion, keeping more distance from the console then before. It's nearly the same movement of the claw, over and over again.
With 700, maybe 800 yen more in the game, though, somethingβthe Chestnut plush itselfβshifts. Mine has leaned in again, meanwhile, into repetitive motions. His forehead is closer to the glass and his hand hasn't come off the button. Now he looks with focus at the lurch the toy makes. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-27 04:57 pm (UTC)[ He observes aloud but isn't leaning as far forward as Mine is now.
Seems he's taking it more seriouslyβ but more importantly, he wonders if it's fun? Nishikiyama can't tell. Mine's expression hasn't cracked. He's staring the toy down the same way he that stares down his binder of property files. ]
You can stop if you want.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-27 08:25 pm (UTC)You wanted to play.
[ It's why they came here and when, looking up, he defers. A ribbon of smoke in front of his patriarch's face, Mine straightens and takes his hand off the button, but not off of the console. His brow is less strict and he's going to be honest. ]
I'd like one more try, though.
[ Because whatever he just did worked and Mine wants to repeat it. Something's clicked. Nishikiyama's out loud remark makes it a bigger deal than he thought to himself. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-28 01:06 pm (UTC)[ Nishikiyama isn't hurrying to take over, and Mine has given him confirmation that to some degree he'd become more stubborn. With the cigarette finished, he can only stub it out on something and flick the remainder into a trashbin that's there beside the indoor vending machines. ]
I didn't know if you liked it or not.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-28 02:18 pm (UTC)I think I've got the hang of it now.
[ Mine leans back in, his hand returning to the button. He's going to move the claw with the same precise movement as before. It's oddly satisfying to see the toy inch forward yet again. Mine is enjoying this. More coins get fed into the machine promptly to keep the claw moving. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-28 03:04 pm (UTC)Hey. I want the toy.
[ He should make that clear, in case Mine tries keeping the cowboy squirrel for himself or it dissuades him from wanting to continue. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-28 03:46 pm (UTC)What? Ohβ
[ The squirrel toy is tantalizingly close to dropping with just a bit more of a push. A glance back at Nishikiyama is brief. Mine's voice steadies despite the intensity of his concentration. ]
I'll get it for you.
[ He'd been following Nishikiyama's strategy from earlier. So, one more try of grabbing the headβ Chestnut the squirrel drops into the prize slot below and the claw machine itself cheers. Mine stays glued to the window, but his eyes widen. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-28 03:54 pm (UTC)[ Nishikiyama's big baddie persona slips when he sees Chestnut fall, and he's eager to crouch down to collect the prize from where it's landed. Some part-time staff nearby make an hourly wage to clap for Mine's victory and provide themβ two grown men who stick out like sore thumbsβ a complimentary congratulations. Nishikiyama tucks his squirrel under the armpit of his jacket. ]
Didn't even take you that long. Not really.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-28 04:35 pm (UTC)Do you think so? [ That's praise, essentially. Acting like that over a game and a toyβ ]
It was fun. [ Mine says, off-beat. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-28 04:49 pm (UTC)[ As he notices Mine's smile, his own softens. The moment between them is pleasant, but Nishikiyama doesn't want it exposed in public for long. He tries looking elsewhere, at the MesuKing machine close behind them. The weirdly sexual visuals make it awkward. ]
Want to get a quick bite to eat or something?
[ Cafe Alps isn't far. He doesn't want to be in the game center anymore, he's decided. They've garnered enough attention for others to make rumors, and he doesn't want that. His squirrel's head is flattened under his arm. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-28 05:07 pm (UTC)His eyes remain on Nishikiyama. Mine returns to his own observation upon stepping in here. They stick out and should go elsewhere. ]
Yes, that sounds good.
[ There's enough time left for that, too. Mine's smile begins to fade some but isn't going completely. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-29 06:48 pm (UTC)You were going to buy the properties I asked for after this? Or go back to your office?
[ Though he doesn't say why he's asking, he wants to confirm why Mine can't stay out with him. ]
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