The lights in the game center blinked in rainbow rhythm, like the machines were constantly celebrating something. The air smelled like popcorn and plastic, and the background noise was an endless loop of arcade jingles, button mashing, and someone shouting "NOOO" near the rhythm games.
Ryota stood in front of a claw machine, staring down a plush frog like it owed him money.
"I've got it this time," he muttered, cracking his knuckles.
Junpei leaned on the side of the machine. "That's what you said three tries ago."
"This time's different."
Sota was sitting on a nearby bench, sipping a grape soda and watching with quiet amusement. "You're acting like you're storming a castle."
Ryota inserted a coin. The claw jerked to life.
"Okay," he said, laser-focused. "Angle it slightly to the left… wait for the swing… now."
The claw dropped.
It landed perfectly.
Closed.
Lifted.
Slid slightly.
And dropped the frog one inch from the prize chute.
"IT'S A CONSPIRACY," Ryota declared, pointing at the machine like it had personally insulted his family.
Junpei crossed his arms. "You ever consider the possibility that you just suck at this?"
"I don't suck," Ryota said. "The machine knows I'm getting close and it's panicking."
Sota took another sip. "The machine is panicking."
"Yes."
Junpei rolled his eyes. "It's a bunch of gears and LED lights."
Ryota ignored him and turned back to the claw machine. "One more."
"Nope," Junpei said. "You've already spent enough to buy three frogs in a store."
"That's not the point. This is personal now."
Sota stood up and stretched. "You're going to lose again and cry on the way home."
"I've never cried in my life."
"You cried when your curry was too spicy."
"That was sweat!"
The next attempt was somehow worse than the last. The claw missed entirely and clamped down on empty air like it was trying to grab the concept of failure itself.
Junpei tapped Ryota on the shoulder. "We're cutting you off."
"I was so close," Ryota whispered, forehead against the glass.
Sota patted his back. "You'll get them next time, champ."
They left the machine behind as the frog stared up at them from inside, smug and unreachable.