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"I heard they got some new cabinets in there recently," Shizuru said, pointing towards the arcade everyone was walking towards.
It wasn't often that Shizuru accompanied Rui and Q to the arcade, but it also wasn't often that Noah accompanied them. Noah had been invited along as a thank you for their hard work (not that anyone would truly say that) and Shizuru decided he'd join, to make it a full group outing.
"What, really!? Rui, why didn't you tell me?" Q turned to Rui, with a slightly pouting look. Rui waved him off. "Forgot. Most of the new ones were already in the other places." He explained. "Only most?" Noah chimed in. "Yeah. I think there's one or two that are being tested in that place first." Rui responded. "Wonder if they'll be any good."
"I'll be the judge of that!!" Q decided, picking up his pace to enter the arcade, Rui following suit. Shizuru sighed. "Well, those two are gonna be occupied for a while."
Sure enough, Noah and Shizuru watched for a while as Q and Rui competed in a new fighting game.
"Don't you want to play anything?" Noah asked. "I might try my hand at the claw machines soon," Shizuru responded. Though, his eyes began to wander.
Noah followed his gaze, spotting a cabinet for a music game, with guitars.
"...Wanna play that?" Noah tilted their body to get into Shizuru's line of sight. "Heh, no, I just... Noticed it, I think it's one of the new ones—" Shizuru was interrupted as Noah held up a bag of change. "I came prepared. Come on, let's play it together!"
Shizuru smiled a little. "Guess I can't say no, Agent."
Noah put coins into the machine while Shizuru carefully slipped the guitar controller over his body. "You can pick the first song, Noah," Shizuru offered while Noah got ready to play. "I'm kind of interested in what kind of music you like."
Before Noah even realized it, the first stage was over, and Shizuru had dominated. They blinked and rubbed sweat off their forehead. "Geez, Shizuru, if I didn't know this was a new cabinet I'd have thought you played this every day!
Shizuru laughed. "Heheh, really? I guess this game just sorta... Clicked with me."
The next two stages passed by with the same result, Shizuru seemingly being godlike at this game.
A couple of people had noticed Shizuru's gameplay at this point, a small group forming around him and Noah.
"Hah? Why's everyone all around him?" Rui and Q had joined back up, noticing the group forming. "Me and Shizuru tried this guitar game, but I couldn't even come close to beating him... He's crazy good!" Noah explained. Rui rolled up his sleeves. "I'll take a crack at it."
It was much closer this time, but Shizuru still took the win from Rui. He laughed. "Well, looks like I came out on top against you this time!"
Rui rolled his eyes. "I wasn't even warmed up. Enjoy your victory for now, but next game—" "Let me try!" Q stepped up. "Sure, I'll take you on." Shizuru accepted the challenge.
"Eeeeh!? I lost too... Shizuru really is good at this..." Q crossed his arms.
For a while longer, several people challenged Shizuru to games, until he was tired, finally stepping down from the machine. "I've never seen you play anything like that before. How'd you get so good?" Rui narrowed his eyes. "I... I dunno, honestly. Everything seemed to just... Click with me. Like I'd done it before," Shizuru scratched the back of his head. "Anyways, I'm gonna go get a drink." He walked off towards the bar.
"Tch. Pain in the ass. I'll get him next time." Rui muttered. He turned to Q. "Hey, let's practice here so we can rip Shizuru a new one," he called. "Okay!" Q immediately jumped up again.
Noah followed Shizuru to get a drink, though they only got water while Shizuru got a small glass of alcohol. "...I think I know why you wanted me to play that game," Shizuru said. "You got me," Noah confessed.
The two didn't have to mention it to know what they were both talking about.
Noah thought back to it again, when they and Shizuru listened to that tape.
"Did you remember anything?"
"Nah, I don't even know who that guy is."
"Do you feel any different now?" Noah asked. Shizuru closed his eyes, as if pondering the question. "...I can't say no or yes." He finally answered. "I still don't remember anything, but... I guess muscle memory never dies. Everything I was doing felt so... correct."
As he ended that sentence, Noah noticed that Shizuru almost looked a little misty eyed, before he'd blinked.
Shizuru finished his drink. "Well, either way, thank you, Noah. I think I'm understanding more about myself," Shizuru smiled again, contrasting the melancholic expression he'd had before.