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The arcade is known as one of the most fun places one can be at. From the high-energy, heart thumping racing games, to the competitive puzzle games that challenges friendships, and even ever-engaging shooter games. . From newer games to the retro and the actual classics, there is something for everyone. However, the biggest draw to the arcade is the claw machine.
Now, this claw machine is different than the ones you see at bowling alleys, shopping malls and amusement parks. For starters, you can actually win on them, and you often get more than one prize when you play. But aside from that, the main appeal of this machine is the contents—small, marketable plush versions of the Umamusume known as “Cuties”. These plushies are a product that appeals to basically everyone, but the one who wanted them the most was a certain Umamusume. The “All-Around Otaku” and well-rounded runner, Agnes Digital. She’s here with her trainer but she asked them to go get some drinks to quench her thirst. So they left and Digitan was on her own to get some Umas.
Digitan is the ultimate Uma Simp, obsessed with everything about her fellow classmates– the way they look, the way they run, how they interact with each other and how they spend time with each other. And, she’s a MASSIVE himejoshi. She lights up when they hold hands, argue like married couples, even go on dates. Sometimes, it makes her so happy she practically explodes. She even writes fanfics about the Umas and her favorite ships. That’s why she’s here. Writer’s block had struck, and she needs new ideas for ships as soon as possible.
One special gimmick of the machine is its ability to give multiple cuties at a time,the perfect opportunity for Digitan to collect ship ideas, even crackships. She puts 300 yen into the machine (AN:This is based on light googling of claw machines being 100 yen a play) and gets to get some ship inspiration.
Eyeing the area quickly, Digitan notices a Daitaku Helios plush. With that girl’s quirky, positive energy and complete socialite personality, any ship with Helios will, as she puts it, “No cap slay”. Digitan grabs her instantly and notices that both Mejiro Palmer and Daiichi Ruby are connected with her target.
She was NOT expecting an OT3 right off the bat, but this ship is really appealing to her. The brainrotted Helios trying to get with the high-class noble Ruby, all while the layback Palmer harbors feelings for her friend Helios. A love triangle like no other. It almost melts Digital’s heart. She takes the cuties, sets them to the side, and gears up for round two.
Another quick glance reveals a Vodka plush within her reach. She presses the claw button, causing the arm to whirr at immense speeds for reasons unknown, likely a quirk of the machine itself. But she manages to snag the coolest gal in her class: Daiwa Scarlet. These two are the quintessential embodiment of rivals to lovers, complete opposites, and even borderline toxic yuri. It’s everything she could ever want. Digitan has no idea how the following ships could get any better than this. Yet she had one more round to go.
The last round holds the ultimate prize: the plush of the infamous Agnes Tachyon herself. She has to grab her.
The claw zips toward Tachyon, now moving at top speed, and snatches her up. Digital keeps her eyes closed, excitedly waiting for the surprise of who comes along with her. Tachyon has so many good potential pairing options to get: Manhattan Cafe fora classic “grumpy x goofy” dynamic, Jungle Pocket for a movie-worthy close bond, or even Daiwa Scarlet again, given how close they are.
With great anticipation, she reaches into the chute and pulls out Tachyon and… HERSELF?!!
Now, yumeshipping was not on her radar. She shares a room with her, but that was manageable with their different sleeping schedules. But this? This is on a whole new level for her. She was shaking, gibbering and even glowing. Wait… glowing?
The passerby were running away or taking cover, even her trainer, returning with canned coffee and lemonade, does a double take.
“Take cover, she’s gonna blow!!” they shout, hiding behind the arcade’s change machine.
And then it happens. Agnes Digital explodes. Thankfully, it was more akin to a flash bang than anything actually deadly, but Digitan still passes out on the floor. Her trainer scoops her up along with all her plushies and takes her back to Tracen Academy.
Despite today’s chaos, Agnes Digital has had a very fun time, and now has a brilliant idea on how to improve her training..