Empath

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

"Hey, check it out," Yui said, as they entered the arcade, "they're hiring!" He pointed to a sign on the front desk.

"Oh, nice," Al said, softly. He looked around at the numerous blinking arcade machines. They were nearly the only people there. "I wouldn't mind working here. It seems relaxing."

"It'll be mobbed on weekends, though," Yui winced.

"I'll set my availability for weekdays only."

"They might not hire you, since they'll wanna hire someone for the busy days," Yui informed him. "Sorry to burst your bubble."

"It wouldn't hurt to try," Al shrugged. He picked up an application, and Yui did the same. They filled them out together, and then handed them to the clerk.

"I'd love to work here," Yui exclaimed, when he turned around to check out the different games. "Ooh, let's try this crane game!"

"Oh, I like these things," Al said, gently, as they walked up to the machine.

"I'll let you try it then," Yui smiled up at Al, before putting some coins in the slot.

Al positioned himself in front of the machine. "Do you want any one in particular?"

"Try getting that one there," Yui said, as he pointed to a doll just left of the far right corner. Al started up the game, and began moving the claw.

"You're so close," Yui said, as he clung to Al's arm that wasn't holding the arcade stick. "Just a little to the right."

Al moved the stick to the right, until the claw hovered over a fluffy purple egg-shaped creature.

"Now," Yui instructed, with his eyes bright with playful energy.

Al pressed the button, and the claw descended toward the doll. Its pincers closed together, grasped the doll, and pulled it up.

"You got it!" Yui exclaimed, as he squeezed Al's bicep excitedly.

"Not so fast," Al held up a hand in front of Yui, as though to stop him from jumping with joy. His eyes honed in on the claw as he held his breath and prayed that the purple creature would make it to the end without being dropped.

His wish was granted. The fluffy thing fell into the crevice, where the player could retrieve it.

"Woo!" Yui literally jumped. He held up a palm above his head, and Al gave him a high-five and a bright grin.

"You're pretty when you smile," Yui blurted out.

Al quickly turned away to hide his face, which he assumed was probably rather pink.

Yui blushed and looked to the side as well. He scratched his cheek and nervously added, "I mean, your teeth look nice and white compared to your beard and stuff."

"Thanks," Al mumbled as he looked down at his shoes.

Yui crouched down and reached into the little hatch with a clear plastic door to retrieve their prize. "You want this?" He asked, as he extended his arm to put the fluffy critter up to Al's face. Its big googly eyes stared dorkily at him. "It's the character you played as in that game."

"No, thanks," Al said with a small derisive smirk. "You can keep him."

"Okay," Yui shrugged. "Ooh, check it out!" He exclaimed as he caught sight of something in the distance. "A dinosaur shooting game!" He ran toward it.

"Oh, it's the kind where you sit in the booth," Al observed.

"Yeah, I love these things," Yui announced. He jumped into the seat. "Come here," he beckoned by patting the seat beside him.