[ 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. ]
I'm going back to finish the purchasing contract on our end, then I have a meeting with trade representatives from a technology venture.
[ He shares openly, sensing there's a reason Nishikiyama asks, but not sure what part really interests him. Mine doesn't say how much more of his afternoon will be taken up by that meeting, for example. Details are imprecise, but mostly innocuousβ ]
[ Nishikiyama remains equally vague and, stranger than before, he's not as obsessed with the mention of Hiyoshi. He laces his fingers together beneath his chin, resting it on the webbing. ]
[ He tries to gauge the response for something that asks him to elaborate on specifics. Nishikiyama doesn't clearly say, or even subtextually, and Mine stays without leaning forward or back in his chair. Not his entire day. ]
[ Their food arrives after he says so, each plate set down across from them. The waitress leaves with a polite bow, but Nishikiyama isn't assed to even notice. ]
[ Mine's much too focused on his answer as well, eagerness burns in his eyes. After a moment he takes fork and knife, like automated, but even then he doesn't start on his meal. ]
Alright, I'll make sure of that.
[ Everything about his invitation seems tensile. ]
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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. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-29 11:55 pm (UTC)I'm going back to finish the purchasing contract on our end, then I have a meeting with trade representatives from a technology venture.
[ He shares openly, sensing there's a reason Nishikiyama asks, but not sure what part really interests him. Mine doesn't say how much more of his afternoon will be taken up by that meeting, for example. Details are imprecise, but mostly innocuousβ ]
Also, I'll send you that information on Hiyoshi.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-01 12:13 pm (UTC)[ Nishikiyama remains equally vague and, stranger than before, he's not as obsessed with the mention of Hiyoshi. He laces his fingers together beneath his chin, resting it on the webbing. ]
For the rest of your day.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-01 12:28 pm (UTC)My workday, yes.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-01 01:43 pm (UTC)[ This part may give away what he's trying to ask. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-03-01 02:08 pm (UTC)[ Mine's heart flutters. Now he understands. His earlier apprehension is entirely absent from his face. ]
Are you? I'd like it if you came over.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-01 02:12 pm (UTC)[ Their food arrives after he says so, each plate set down across from them. The waitress leaves with a polite bow, but Nishikiyama isn't assed to even notice. ]
Leave tomorrow morning open too.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-01 02:39 pm (UTC)Alright, I'll make sure of that.
[ Everything about his invitation seems tensile. ]
At 8 o'clock.
[ He'll be home then. ]