Chapter Text
Flashing neon lights flickered around the ceiling, the air filled with the sounds of button mashing and pixelated noise. A few children ran back and forth, chasing each other with their claw animals they bought from the ticket exchange. Yells of frustration echoed in the small arcade as another one of the teenagers failed to beat the final level of the new machine that was just brought in. The young worker behind the counter rolled his eyes as he saw another soda get knocked off a table and soak into the retro pattern carpet.
Ever since his parents opened up this arcade a few years ago, this has become the almost daily routine of 17 year old Isagi Yoichi. For as long as he could remember, his father talked about his dream to own an arcade of his own. In his words, arcades are places full of joy and laughter that he wants to make sure never die out. They should be deep routed in the hearts of children and allow them to make fond memories during their youth.
As a result of this dream, Isagi spent his youth surrounded by games and entertainment. His parents wanted nothing more than for him to have a childhood he could look back on with deep fondness. Never did he feel his feelings were pushed aside for their dreams, but instead nurtured to become a family shared desire.
It was a long process filled with countless bills, renovations, and favors to be owed, but by the time Isagi entered high school the arcade was finally able to be opened. The spot of the business was almost too good to be true. Isagi’s father managed to find an opening that was just a few blocks down from the local middle school and stationed between a fast food joint and a movie theater. Business boomed instantly.
As soon as Isagi reached legal working age, he was thrown behind the counter to trade coins for tokens. Despite how it may seem, Isagi was not being forced to work at the family arcade. His parents told him repeatedly that his dreams come first and if there is any club he wants to pursue he is free to do so. There is no shortage of teenagers in need of a part time job, and he should not feel obligated to help out. But there was no club he was interested in at school, nor activities he was motivated to participate in. He tried soccer out when he was younger, but the concept of playing in a team mentality pissed him off.
So here he was, doing his best to lift up the forgotten soda from the crumb filled rug before it added another stain to the pattern. There were positives to working at the arcade that Isagi enjoyed, though. After closing or before opening, Isagi was able to play any of the games for free. As a result, he had managed to rack up the highest score on almost every machine in the arcade. Honestly, he wasn’t even sure what drove him to do it. It started with him accidentally getting it in Space Invaders, then Pac-Man, then Street-fighter, and so on. It filled him with a small sense of satisfaction seeing “N0A9” with his score underneath on the default screens as he walked by.
Standing up from the carpet, Isagi tossed the used paper towels into the nearby garbage and made his way back to his post. The job itself was easy enough - exchange money for tokens, tickets for prizes, and clean up at the end of the shift. When down time came up during his hours, he spent it either scrolling on his phone, finishing homework, or sketching the art from the machines in a notebook. Honestly, it was extremely easy. This is most likely the reason why he never tried to search for something else.
Sitting back behind the counter, Isagi checked the time on his phone.
7:45 pm.
With it being a weekday during autumn, the arcade closed early at 8pm. Isagi counted down the remaining 15 minutes lazily as he started to prep to clean up.
7:50 pm.
The young employee reached for the sound system, lowering the pop music that blared through the speakers. He hit the PA button and projected his voice to the straggling customers.
“The time is currently 7:50 pm. Please be advised that the arcade closes in the next ten minutes. Make sure to finish up any remaining games and turn in any tickets you wish before the counter closes at 8. Thank you .”
His closing announcement resulted in the groaning of patrons, but the mass of people quickly began to thin out. Usually, people tend to avoid the counter at the end of the night. By this point, the most popular prizes are almost always out of stock. Most regulars have begun saving their tickets for when they are able to arrive at opening.
Most regulars.
“Isagi!!” The all too familiar voice rang in the boy’s ears. He turned from the microphone and was greeted by another boy his age holding and armful of vouchers. His eyes shined as he smiled ear to ear. “The usual, please!”
Isagi laughed as he moved his way over to the snack cabinet, quickly drawing out various flavors of pocky, gumballs, chocolates, sugar sticks, and the like. Placing them into a paper bag, he traded them over the counter for the pile of tickets.
“Bachira, with the amount of tickets you get from hogging the pinball machine you’d probably be able to buy the Switch after like a month.” Isagi chuckled as he rolled up the vouchers, “Are you sure you still want the candy?”
“Yes sir!” Bachira stood to attention and raised his right hand in a salute before relaxing. “I already have the Switch anyways. The only reason I would want another is to make a second island in Animal Crossing but I am WAY too lazy for that. Do you still want Genji by the way? He’s moving out tomorrow.”
“Oh yeah! Thanks I almost forgot.”
“No problem my friend!” The shaggy haired boy picked up his bag and gave a comedic bow, “Thank you for doing business with me.”
Isagi laughed again as he placed the folded tickets in the bin. “Are you staying after close today? I’ll give you the tips if you help me clean up again.”
“Sorry Isagi,” Bachira clasped his hands in front of him and looked down apologetically, “but I can’t today! My mom needs help moving some of her paintings for an upcoming exhibition she’s having.”
“No worries!” The arcade worker smiled at his friend, “If you guys need another hand just let me know and I can head over.”
“Thank you!! We should be fine but I’ll text you later to let you know.” Suddenly, Bachira seemed oddly serious as he bent his face over the counter. “Is it true that this place is haunted?”
Isagi could only stare at the other dumbfounded.
“What?”
Bachira reduced his voice to an eerie whisper as he continued, “People are saying that machines turn on in the middle of night and that a ghost is the one with all the highscores. No one has ever seen the “N0A9” guy but somehow he's top of the leaderboards. Seems pretty spooky to me.”
Never before in Isagi Yoichi’s life had he ever wanted to curl up and rot away then he did at that moment. The ghost that Bachira is talking about is just him playing after hours. He was so sure that no one ever saw him since the lights were off, but he should have expected some witnesses due to the popularity of the area. He had spent so many nights focusing on his scores that he unintentionally created an urban legend.
His parents were going to make him an actual ghost.
Nervously, Isagi scratched the back of his neck and turned his gaze away from his friend, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Bachira. I close almost every shift, I would have seen a ghost by now.”
The employee could feel his friend’s yellow eyes burning into his skull, suspicion obvious. He was a horrible liar.
“Hmmmmm.. If you say so!” Bachira’s curiosity subsided as his voice returned to normal. Isagi breathed a sigh of relief, “If you DO see a ghost though, you have to tell me!”
“Obviously.” Isagi moved himself from behind the counter and patted his friend on the back, “I’ll walk you out, I need to lock the doors anyways.”
As the two moved to the exit, they both checked the rows of machines to make sure all the customers had left for the night. Satisfied with the emptiness of the business, Isagi said a quick thank you and goodbye to Bachira before closing the door behind him and locking it.
Unlike what may be true for almost all employees, Isagi actually enjoyed cleaning up the arcade at the end of his shifts. The establishment itself wasn’t that large, so he usually was left to clean up alone. Cleaning the machines, restocking the prize counters, and vacuuming the rugs were such simple minded tasks that he was able to completely turn off his brain. He was never in a rush to get home and just enjoyed his time alone as he listened to music. Taking his airpods out of their case, he placed them in his ears as he ignored the flashing red light of a dying battery.
For the first twenty minutes, Isagi focused on restocking. He took note of what the store was running low on, items that weren’t being picked, and requests for updated prizes. Once done, he grabbed the vacuum and began strolling through the aisles, turning off the machines as he went. Arriving in the middle row, the dying sound of his airpod caused Isagi to curse to himself. Annoyed, he placed his earbuds back into their charging case and began to clean with just the sound of the vacuum and joy con movements to keep him company.
Wait. Joy con movements?
Isagi turned off the vacuum and focused his ears to listen to the surrounding noise.
Sure enough, the clicking of buttons and rattle of joysticks was clear as day. Someone was playing on one of the machines.
But that’s impossible, he and Bachira checked each row and saw no one else was in the arcade. The door was locked behind his friend and no one else had entered the building. He is completely alone. He should be completely alone. The hair on the back of Isagi’s neck began to rise while goosebumps formed on his arms as he remembered what Bachira had said to him.
“ Is it true that this place is haunted?”
Isagi slapped his face on both sides and shook his head. That’s impossible. HE was the mysterious top scoring ghost. There isn’t actually a specter haunting his dad’s arcade. There’s no way. But no matter how hard he tried to convince himself, the clicking and tapping of buttons continued. Stepping away from the vacuum, Isagi took a step into the next aisle. Like the two previous, it was completely empty. Only the light radiating from the start screens looked back at him. Still, he heard the clicking continue.
With only one row left to check, Isagi felt the air around him grow cold. It must just be a breeze from an open window somewhere in the store. It’s an autumn night, that has to be the reason. Definitely not a ghost breathing down his neck. Taking a deep breath, Isagi muttered to himself “Cmon, Yoichi. There’s no ghost, stop being a baby.” For good measure, he did a quick prayer before jumping into the final aisle.
This row, too, was just like the others. No one sat at the stools in front of the machines, and all displayed the typical starting screens.
Except for one.
On the last machine in the row, the ending screen was shown instead.
GAME OVER
NEW HIGH SCORE : SEINA
17634561
TRY AGAIN?
Isagi approached the machine slowly and turned it off. It must have just not reset when the last person used it. The clicking must have just been in his head after standing by the machines for the past five hours. Every excuse and possible explanation ran through the boy’s mind as he tried to rationalize his situation.
“Can I turn in my tickets?”
The scream that tore its way out of Isagi’s throat was one of pure primal terror. Literally scared off of his feet, Isagi found himself on the floor with his head flicking side to side trying to find the source of the voice.
“...Is that a no?”
With another sentence being spoken, Isagi shot his head up and stared into the eyes of what could only be described as an angel. Soft white hair curled on top of pale skin as tired gray eyes looked into his own. It wore a white hoodie with a checkered school blazer over top. The stacking of white appeared to give a soft glow around the figure.
“Oh my god there's a ghost.”
The specter stared down at the frightened boy in front of him and tilted his head, “...Huh?”
Quickly, Isagi moved to deep bowing position, resting his forehead on the dirty rug, “Please don’t hurt me I just make minimum wage this is my families arcade did you die here are you in the walls do you need us to do an exorcism do you need to be laid to rest imonly17pleasedontkillme-”
“Seriously, what are you talking about?”
Cut off from his rambling, Isagi raised his head cautiously. The figure was now bending at its knees to match the worker’s height. The tired gray eyes now bore a hint of confusion. Being closer, Isagi was able to see the soft pink undertones of the “phantom's” face.
“Are you… not… a ghost.. ?”
The obvious human being in front of him let out a sigh and softly shook his head. “I think that’s kind of mean to say to a customer.” The boy reached out his hand as a support. Embarrassed, Isagi returned the gesture and pulled himself to his feet. “So, can I trade in my tickets?”
The worker coughed awkwardly, “We closed about 30 minutes ago, I can’t take your tickets.” In return, the unnamed boy’s shoulders dropped in disappointment. “You can come back tomorrow when we open.”
“This is such a pain, why can’t you just take them now?”
Previous nerves began to be replaced with irritation. “Dude, we’re closed.” How was Isagi ever scared of this guy? “How the hell are you still even here, anyways? Did you not hear the announcement? Or the vacuum? Or notice that every other person is gone?”
Questions began to hurl themselves out of Isagi’s mouth. The boy only continued to look at him with uninterested eyes. In response, the loiterer pointed to the head phone in his ear. “Noise canceling. Sounds bother me, so I wear these. That’s probably why. I have them turned off to talk to you right now.”
Isagi blinked in response, “Noises aside, me and my friend checked the aisles before I locked the doors. No one was here. Where did you come from?”
“Ah.” The boy raised his head up in thought, “The bathroom, probably.”
Isagi cursed silently to himself. The one night he forgets to check the bathrooms he ends up with a heart attack and added wrinkles at the age of 17.
“Look man, it’s getting late.” Isagi pinched the bridge of his nose as his eyebrows furrowed, “Just leave and come back tomorrow or something.”
“Can I leave my tickets here? It’d be annoying to bring them back again.”
This guy just doesn’t let up.
“Usually I’d say no, but if it gets you to leave. Sure, fine.”
A flash of joy passed through the gray eyes, but his voice held the same monotone, “Cool.”
A thanks would be nice.
Isagi gestured his hand for the boy to follow him as they made their way to the prize counter. Moving to his usual station, the employee grabbed a paper bag and motioned for the tickets. Obliging, the final customer of the night handed over his vouchers and watched as they were folded, counted, and placed into the bag. Grabbing a nearby marker, Isagi turned his gaze to his peer.
“What’s your name?”
The other seemed slightly startled by the question, “Uh, Nagi. Why?”
Isagi looked back to the bag and wrote out the last name before stapling the top shut. “In case I’m not the one working when you come back, they’ll need your name to find the bag.”
“Oh.”
“Yup.”
The air around the two was so awkward that it left jitters on their skin.
“When do you work next? This would be a pain to explain to someone else. I’d rather you just give it to me.”
How does that make any sense? Just a few minutes ago this guy was complaining about not being able to exchange his tickets right away, but now he’s willing to wait? All because it might be a slight inconvenience to explain that he has vouchers behind the counter? Isagi continued to stare at the boy before him, “I’m not here for the rest of the week. The schedule wasn’t made yet either, so..”
“Can you give me your number then?”
“What?”
“So you can tell me when you work so I can come in.”
“Dude I don’t even know you.”
“Do you still think I’m a ghost? That’s kinda messed up.”
“Oh my god, FINE. Give me your phone.” Nagi reached into his hoodie and pulled out his phone, handing it across the counter. “Mine’s about to die so just text me later so I get your number.” The gray eyes followed the other’s hands as he added his contact information. “My name is Isagi.” Returning the device, the tips of their fingers touched lightly. Isagi noticed that Nagi’s skin was much warmer than he expected, but kept it to himself. He didn’t need to be teased again about the ghost issue.
“Okay, cool.”
Isagi grabbed the keys from under the counter and moved back around to the other side. “I’ll unlock the door for you.”
“Thanks.”
Silence consumed the two boys once again as they walked to the door. It was so suffocatingly uncomfortable that Isagi found it difficult to breathe. Finally getting to the exit, Isagi unlocked the door and held it open for Nagi to leave. “Get home safe, and please keep track of the hours next time. I don’t think I can handle another scare like that.”
“Yeah, okay. Bye, Isagi.”
“Later.”
Locking the door once more, Isagi released the air he didn’t realize he was holding in his lungs. While obviously he’s relieved that a ghost isn’t haunting the arcade, he just embarrassed himself in front of one of the prettiest people he’s ever seen in his life. Covering his face with his hands, he remembered how the gray eyes stared into his own. They looked so tired, but the hues appeared to glow in the irises. He had never seen hair that light, nor eyelashes the same shade. He did his best to forget how tall the other stood over him. Isagi shook his head and moved to finish closing up for the night, ignoring the humiliating heat that spread up his neck.
…..
All events of the night considered, Isagi managed to get home a few minutes after nine. He gave a quick hello to his parents before making his way to his room. Dropping his bag on the floor, he plugged in his dead phone before collapsing onto his bed. Never before was he so grateful to have the next few days off. As he laid with his face in his pillow, the faint buzz of incoming notifications caused him to turn on his side. Reaching back for his phone, he was greeted with the usual messages on the screen.
Unknown : (1 new message) 5m ago
Bachira 👽: (7 new messages) 45m ago
Mom : (1 new message) 1h ago
He decided to read the messages in order, leaving the most anxiety inducing for last.
Mom: I hope you’re having a good shift honey! When you get home, can you please take out the garbage? Love you!
Isagi reacted to the message with a thumbs up and made a mental note to do the chore before he washed up for the night.
Bachira 👽: i asked my mom and she said we dont need any other helpers!!
Bachira 👽: she says theres only a couple paintings so just the two of us are good :p
Bachira 👽: i got genji in boxes btw HEHE
Bachira 👽 : just lmk when ur online i can time skip for u to get him whenever u want !!! 😗
Bachira 👽: OMF U NEED TO WATCH THE NEW CSM EP WHEN U GET HOME
Bachira 👽: did u die from the ghost
Bachira 👽: bro is GONE
Isagi giggled to himself as he replied.
Me: MY PHONE DIEDIM SORRY
Me: i did almost die tho
Me: of embarrassment
Me : do i even deserve genji ... he would be disappointed in me 🧍
Finally, he moved to the last message as he waited for his friend to reply.
Unknown: boo
Unknown: 👻
Isagi rolled his eyes as he added the contact to his phone.
Me : dawg
Me : can u forget that happened pls im sorry
The reply was instantaneous.
Nagi: no its funny
Me : i was scared for my life how is that funny to u
Nagi: dude ur face was literally a meme LOL
Nagi : also sorry if i made u late closing
Nagi: my bad
Me: why do u have more of a personality when ur texting
Nagi: rude
Nagi: talking irl is annoying n stresses me
Nagi: thats y i asked for ur #
Me: valid tbh
Me : ill lyk when i get my schedule i just have to ask my dad
Nagi : bet
Nagi : do u always close alone
Nagi : it seems mad annoying
Me: usually yeah
Me : u get used to it tho i dont really mind it anymore
Me: unless people mysteriously hang around after closing and scare the shit out of me
Nagi : MY BAD
Me: LMAO
Me : I need to do chores and stuff so ill tty in a bit
Nagi : ok man
Nagi: watch out for ghosts
Me : DIE
Nagi: LOL
Seen
Setting his phone down, Isagi couldn’t stop the smile that stretched across his face. Maybe he would be asking his dad if he could pick up an extra shift this week after all.