Mended Branch (DR3 x OC)

Chapter 7: Hidden Tragedy

Katsumi and Chiaki sat on the bench in front of the school fountain.

"You know... Nanami-san..." Katsumi said, staring down at her game console screen. "I think Sokoban might be my favourite game so far. Thanks for the recommendation."

"Ah really?" Chiaki beamed, looking extremely happy. "When we went to the storage room to prepare some supplies for the class picnic, the boxes reminded me of that game, so I thought I'd revisit it again and introduce it to you while I was at it. The gameplay is quite simple, but there's a certain charm to it as a puzzle game, right?"

"Yeah. I kind of get overwhelmed with action games... I don't know... It's just kind of stressful for me. I think I prefer sitting down and playing a more relaxing game."

"Hmm..." Chiaki seemed kind of disappointed with her last comment. "I don't know about that, Hirata-san. I live for action games. Maybe there's just a certain category you're not completely fond of."

"Hm... maybe..."

"Ah, how about we visit the arcade tomorrow? Along with the other more simple puzzle games, I want you to try out Trio the Punch. It's a pretty bizarre action game, but I think it has a certain appeal to it... and I want to see your first impressions of it!"

"Mm... okay."

"Oh right. I had a weird nightmare about it once, too."

"Weird nightmare?" I'm not sure if I want to check it out anymore.

When Chiaki saw her reluctance, she pouted a little. "If you give up at this level, you'll never defeat the Warlock Lord. It's a sad thing that your adventures have ended here!!"

"...?" Katsumi silently stared at her. If question marks could materialize over people's heads, then it would've right then and there.

"Hm? Hirata-san, you didn't get my Shadowgate joke?"

"Shadowgate...?" I think I remember? "Sorry Nanami-san... it's been a while since we've played that game."

"Ah... actually, I think I should apologize instead." A gloomy look swept over Chiaki. "If the joke didn't land, then it's my fault... Sorry about that. Even after being the class rep for so long, I still struggle with that genre, and it's the only one, too." Chiaki looked over at Katsumi's current Sokoban level. "Games that require precise calculations are so much easier in my opinion. They're not unpredictable like people."

"Um... what genre are you talking about?"

"...Mmm..." Chiaki furrowed her brows with a look of extreme concentration. "Maybe if I try going on a date, it'll help deepen my comprehension and overall skills."

"D-Date?!" Katsumi practically jumped. "Nanami-san, I don't really think that should be taken so lightly..."

"But it's a roadblock for both of us, right? The last time we tried that one dating sim, the ending we got was apparently the worst one when I checked an online guide."

Oh... that... "I guess, yeah..." Katsumi felt a little undue resentment towards that game upon remembering the whole ordeal. It's not my fault the love interests are so hard to deal with. Is this what it's like in real life? "But I'm still wrapping my head around other matters. I don't think I'm ready to look into real-life romance."