Work Text:
«Hello, Mari!»
Shopkeep greeted the girl, who waved back with a smile.
Despite how distant it felt from her at first, over the months Hobbeez had started to become a familiar place to her.
Videogames never were her cup of tea, but she knew how much Sunny and Kel enjoyed them. Even dear Aubrey liked the shop for its comic section, and for Mari the monthly release of the new issue of Space Boyfriend had become a ritual, a fond memory.
It always was a special occasion: no matter what, they'd gather at Hobbeez and read it together.
She had started to read them to keep company to the kids, but soon she started to find herself engrossed in the fantastical adventures of the green-skinned boy. Even she had to admit that there was something charming about the idea of space travels.
Sometimes, before going to bed, she'd catch a glimpse of Sunny looking at the starry sky out of their window. She always wondered what kind of adventures he lived in his head.
There were some days when Sunny would sit down with her and start talking about their newest videogame or comic series they started.
Mari didn't understand much about videogames. She knew they were fun, but apart from that she was clueless. She always thought that Sunny was good at them, and considering Kel's admiration, maybe it was true.
«It’s rare to see you alone here. Are you looking for a gift?» asked Shopkeep.
«Oh, no. I'm here to buy a something for me.»
The man raised his eyebrows. «Wow, really? I didn't think you were interested in these things. Except for the Space Boyfriend series.»
«Well, you see. Sunny and Kel are always talking about videogames, and I thought I'd give them a try too.»
«Yeah, sure. Do you need a suggestion?»
«My brother is always talking about this game called “Pet Rock”.»
«You're in luck, Mari! I got my last Pet Rock here. These beauties sell like candies, you see.»
«That's perfect then. How much is it?»
Mari walked back home with the electronical plastic rock in her hand. She was turning it over and over. Even Basil was into it for a while, before he stated he preferred to watch Sunny and Kel play it instead of playing it himself.
I just hope it isn't too difficult.
«Mari!»
The sound of Hero's voice made her heart skip a beat.
«Hero!»
She was in front of her neighbor's garden and Hero had just finished feeding Hector. The boy approached her and gasped at the toy in her hands, a hurt expression on his face.
«Oh no, Mari. You too?»
She chuckled. «You know how it is. Boys can be very convincing…»
«It was Kel, wasn’t it?»
«Actually, no. I just thought that Sunny would appreciate it if I indulged in one of his hobbies a bit.»
His eyes widened, a spark in them. «That's very sweet of you, Mari.»
«I think he misses me from cram school, and he did pick up the violin just to spend more time with me. I thought I could do the same.»
«I'm sure he will be ecstatic. Although I have to warn you: according to Kel, Sunny is really good at that game.»
Mari raised her Pet Rock towards the sky. «Finally a worthy opponent! We will see who shall prevail from our war!»
Hero winced: «Were you imitating Kel?»
«Just getting into the part. See you, Hero. I need help out with dinner tonight.»
Mari kept the Pet Rock a secret from Sunny until after dinner, when they returned to their room.
The boy was packing the backpack for the next school day, while Mari was checking her notes, throwing glances at him.
She clutched the Pet Rock in her pocket.
«Hey, Sunny?»
He turned around with an inquisitive look.
«Are you ready... TO CLASH?» she whipped out her newest toy.
Sunny's expression went from curiousity to surprise, his eyes glinting with happiness. He started bouncing on the spot.
«Mari! You...»
He ran towards her, looking at the device in her hands, as if he couldn't believe his eyes. «You got a Pet Rock!»
She smiled. «Well, I saw you playing and I got interested. But I'm still a beginner, can you help me out?»
The slightest hint of a smile on Sunny's face made her chuckle. He nodded. «Yes! Of course!»
He rushed to his desk, retrieving his own Pet Rock that had ended up inside a notebook.
Mari spent the next few minutes listening to her brother explain to her how the game worked and what each button did (not that there was that much to remember, but Mari appreciated his enthusiasm). After an explanation of what the goal of the game was, Sunny said: «Do you want to try it?»
«Sure.»
They sat on their beds, in front of each other.
As her screen lit up, showing a flash writing saying "Are you ready... TO CLASH?", their two creatures appeared on screen.
Mari tilted her head at the one on the right.
«The one on my right is yours, right?»
Sunny nodded.
«Sunny, isn't that a beginner's Pet Rock?»
She didn't know much, but considering it looked the exact same as hers...
«I trust Rocky.»
Mari looked at him. His head was hunched over the little screen. «You... trust him?»
«Always trust your Pet Rock, Mari. They will repay your kindness and support by doing their best in battle.»
Mari was at a loss of words. «A-alright.»
She looked back at her own mass of pixels. Did she have to give it a name too?
She shrugged and started the clash.
Mari soon found out that Pet Rock was eerily similar to poker: read your opponent's face to predict their move and act accordingly.
However, Sunny's cliff-faced expression really was to his advantage, just like during the card games they played. Mari always took pride of how she was the only one who was able to read him perfectly, but in that new context, even she had trouble.
Sunny seemed to be able to read her thoughts and counterattack each of her attempts to damage him, until the battle ended, her little Pet Rock defeated.
«Wow, Sunny! Kel was right: you are really good at this game.»
He blushed. «Thank you. I'd like to join the League someday.»
«You never mentioned that to me. What's that?»
«The group of best players.»
«I think you should apply! How can you do that?»
«You can't.»
«Hm? Are the applications closed?»
«No. It's that...» Sunny looked at the window, lips tight. It was as if he was really thinking about the next words. «Can you keep a secret?»
«Of course...?» why was it a secret?
«The existence of the League itself is a secret known only to the possible new members.»
«Oh! So they already recognized you?»
Sunny nodded. «Shopkeep did. However, right now, I'm only a rookie and not part of the League. In order to become an higher rank and have a chance to join them, I have to defeat the other rookies.»
«That makes sense. Where are they?»
«I don't know.»
«You... don't? Have you asked Shopkeep?»
«I did, but he can't tell me. But I know they're all here in Faraway. I just have to look for them.»
Mari furrowed her brow. Why was the existence of the League such a secret?
She grew worried. Was it a cult?
«Does Kel know this?»
Sunny shook his head. «He hasn't been chosen.»
«Oh.»
«Don’t tell him. He’d feel bad.»
«Y-yeah. Of course.»
So Faraway Town, a sleepy town in the suburbs, was the home of the best players of a children's electronical game... whose League was a secret among its members.
Mari chuckled. Probably it was a thing between the kids.
«Alright, Sunny. I think it's time to go to bed.»
He looked hurt. «Mari, please! Can we play some more?»
The girl glanced at their clock. It was time for bed.
She shrugged.
«Alright. Prepare to meet your doom, Rocky!»