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It all started with a simple sentence from Akuta: “Do you want that, Nanaki?”
It was nothing special, just an arcade with a claw machine on the front. What special IS what’s inside the claw machine.
That, of course, is a different variant of GOAT plushie.
Immediately, Nanaki covers Akuta’s mouth with both of his hands, “Don’t say it out loud—!” He said, embarrassed.
“C’mon, Panda. We all know you like that plushie.” Ushio said, receiving a nod from Kiroku and Muneuji.
“You guys…” Nanaki faked his anger to hide his embarrassment.
“Pwah!” Finally, Akuta released himself from Nanaki’s grasp, “It’s okay, Nanaki! We can get it for you!”
“Wait, what?”
“C’mon guys! We have a new mission: get a plushie for Nanaki!” Akuta exclaimed while raising his fist, which Muneuji and Kiroku weakly did the same.
“I do not— sigh, whatever. Do what you want.” Nanaki facepalmed, yet he didn’t stop his friends from doing… whatever they’re going to do.
The first candidate is, of course, Akuta. He excitedly inserted a coin to the claw machine with the biggest grin. He’s confident.
His hands slyly controlled all of the available buttons, quickly getting the GOAT plushie inside the crawling machine.
Yet, the inevitable came. The GOAT plushie dropped down before it got to the exit hole.
“NO—!” Akuta dropped to his knees and yelled in frustration, “I was so close!”
“Well, then, it’s my turn.” Muneuji pats Akuta on the back and goes in front of the claw machine.
He’s dead focused. For him, this is a serious challenge that he needs to go through. It is for his friend, afterall. His pride and dignity is at stake here.
Unlike Akuta, Muneuji carefully moves the available buttons. He makes sure the claw grabs the GOAT plushie tightly.
“He’s gonna make it!” Akuta applauded.
“So cool…” Kiroku followed.
Of course Ushio has to join in praising Muneuji, “Heh, that’s Muuchan for you.”
Alas, Muneuji's attempt suffers the same ending as Akuta’s. The GOAT plushie dropped right before it entered the exit hole.
Well, there goes Muneuji’s pride and dignity.
Muneuji then proceeds to join Akuta’s the-guy-who-fail-to-win-against-claw-machine club right at the corner of the arcade.
“How childish.” Ushio said, despite just giving Akuta and Muneuji a pat in the back and is currently standing in front of the claw machine like a warrior seeking revenge against his already fallen friends.
“Now why are you doing THAT?” Nanaki skeptically raised one of his eyebrows.
“Well, they’re stupid enough to try this rigged game. Might try it as well.” Ushio proclaimed. Of course, he never intended to give Nanaki the GOAT plushie in the first place. Pfft, what kind of sick joke is that?
Compared to his previous nonchalant words, Ushio stares at the GOAT plushie sharply— so sharp, it might just melt the glass that covered the claw machine (well, it would be nice if that hyperbole could really happen in real life).
Ushio skillfully mastered all of the available buttons. He moves so fast that Nanaki and Kiroku couldn’t catch up on what he’s currently doing.
“So fast…!” Kiroku gasped.
Nanaki also did the same, “At this rate, he might be able to get it…!”
Yet, before the GOAT plushie could fall into the exit hole, it already fell right next to it.
“Goddammit.” Ushio muttered under his breath and joined Muneuji and Akuta. If it was not for Muneuji, Ushio would already be listing all of the harsh words ever known to mankind.
Nanaki awkwardly laughs at Kiroku. There’s only Kiroku left.
Nanaki put his hand on Kiroku’s shoulder, “You know, you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to—“
“No…” Kiroku answered, “I want to do this… I want to get you that plushie…”
Nanaki was stunned. He knew that Kiroku could do anything when he already set his mind to it, but he never thought Kiroku would do that for him.
Hell, he never expected all of his friends would try a rigged game like claw machine just to please him by getting him a GOAT plushie. Mind you, a GOAT plushie.
They could spend their money on better things, but they decided to spend it to get Nanaki a plushie that he considered an embarrassing habit of his.
He really is blessed, huh?
“Fine,” Nanaki smiled, “but this is the last for all of you, okay? No more trying after this.”
Kiroku nodded.
With a new-found confidence, Kiroku inserted the last coin that the five of them had. This is their last bet. Kiroku is their last hope to win the GOAT plushie for Nanaki.
Akuta, Muneuji, and Ushio stopped sulking at the corner and went to cheer for Kiroku. Five teenagers crowding a claw machine— what could go wrong?
Kiroku slowly but carefully controls the available buttons.
“Go right, right!” Akuta shouted.
Ushio covers Akuta’s mouth, “No, left!”
“Be careful.” Muneuji patted Kiroku on the back as a form of encouragement.
Kiroku could feel the pressure built up inside him. But he couldn’t give up now. He has his friend’s expectations to live on. He HAS to win the GOAT plushie.
For Nanaki. For his friends.
“The time is running out!”
“Golem, hurry up!”
“Only five seconds left…”
Just when the timer shows the number one, the plushie finally falls into the exit hole.
All of them cheered, not caring if there’s any passerby who looks at them weirdly.
“Here…” Kiroku gives the plushie to Nanaki, “do you… like it?”
Nanaki smiled, “Thanks. I love it.”
At the end of the day, the real prize for Akuta, Muneuji, Ushio, and Kiroku is seeing their beloved friend’s smiles.