The Succubus's Plaything

Chapter 26: Nice to Meet You

"Ding ding ding!" The machine dings in celebration.

"Yea! That's what I'm talking about!" Gabriel had tossed all five beanbags in the smallest hole, gaining the top score.

The rest of us just stare at him in disbelief.

"That's not supposed to be possible right?.." I turn to Minoru and Koji, also guys in our class, who are standing beside me just to make sure.

"Yea.. I think.. That's not supposed to happen.." Minoru replies without looking in my direction. Before going at the machines, the four of us had placed a bet.

The one to score the highest gets the initiative when it comes to the mixer, and despite my previous confidence, it seems that Gabriel set us up.

Having the initiative we defined as follows; the others will essentially serve as the victors wingmen, so that during the mixer he will get first pick and the rest of us will pretty much just go with the flow. On top of the previous point, the one holding the initiative is the only one allowed to bring gifts.

The terms for gaining points we unfortunately set to be fair, each one of us will take turns on each machine, and currently Gabriel has completely dominated on each skill-oriented game.

"Sorry guys. Looks like I'll be bringing home the victory tonight. Tough luck." He grins at us and sticks out his tongue braggingly.

...

He spoke the truth. By the time it was time to go to the karaoke bar, Gabriel had gotten hopelessly ahead of the rest of us, who, didn't do so bad technically.

Other than the tickets you could win from most games, Gabriel had sacked a large pink teddy bear plushie from one of the claw machines, which he obviously plans to gift to one of the girls.

"Next time, how about we make sure he isn't invited?" Koji half-jokes.

"Sounds about right." Minoru agrees.

"Let's do that." Had Koji not brought it up, I definitely would have.

Gabriel just laughs at us. "How about we keep the green-eyed-monster out of it? Besides, shouldn't you all be happy for your boy?"

"Nope." Koji replies, he had come in second place just a couple points ahead of myself. "It would've been me had your luck not been out of this world."

"Luck? No, what I so graciously displayed was pure and luckless skill. In fact, you should be grateful to have witnessed my grandeur." Gabriel proudly clenches his hand over his chest.

"Sure.." Koji suspiciously decides to drop the subject. Dwelling on this topic for too long will only inflate Gabriels ego further.

Since the karaoke bar is only a few minutes from the arcade by foot, we walk.

...

We arrive five minutes before the agreed upon time, but it appears that the girls got here before we did.

You're kidding me. This is getting truly ridiculous.

Other than Hina Fujita from the other class, whom I expected to be there, the other three I didn't even consider.

Gabriel had mentioned that a few upperclassmen might be coming, but this is too much of a coincidence.

Two of them are gyarus from a class above me, and happen to be the same ones that Inesa occasionally hangs out with, and the fourth girl in the group.. Yea. You couldn't make it up even if you tried. Inesa.

Seriously. My luck today is the worst. At this point I'm surprised that I haven't stepped in dog shit.

I can see both Minoru and Koji's faces briefly flash with positive surprise, before they return to their calm and put together looks.

Gabriel, just as to be expected, he keeps himself together without a hitch, but instead walks straight up to them and does a small bow.

"Hello Hina, Inesa, and who might you two be?" He turns to Inesa's friends. "Although I have seen you around, I don't believe we have had the pleasure of meeting."

Hina and Inesa greet him back, and the other two introduce themselves as Himari and Niko respectively.

Having been introduced, Inesa immediately spots me standing behind the other guys, and the cheerful and excited look in her face immediately switches to one filled with dread, but before anyone else notices, she switches it back.

I take a half step back and sweat drop slightly. So this was unexpected, but she really doesn't need thaat reaction!?

"By the way Inesa!" Gabriel starts, raising his voice not loud enough to startle anyone, but enough that he has everyone's attention. "The boys and I were at the arcade just before, and I ended up picking this up along the way. While I don't have any space for it back home, I immediately thought of you." He then gently hands the giant plushie to Inesa, carefully making sure not to drop it during the transfer.

I feel a pang of jealousy when I see the blush form on her cheeks and the glint of appreciation in Inesa's eyes.

Ok, you know what? I'll admit it now. There is really no denying it this point. I straight up have Stockholm-syndrome.

"I was told you didn't know I was coming?" Inesa smiles challengingly, a soft smile enough to make my heart skip a beat.

Gabriel winks, answering her challenge. "I might have had a vague idea."

While the other girls display an obvious but playful envy, we make our way to the register.

Having been left out of the group introduction, probably on purpose by Gabriel, on the way, Minoru, Koji and I introduce ourselves to each of the girls respectively.

When Inesa for a brief moment ends up without a conversation partner while Gabriel talks to the man at the counter, Inesa leans over and whispers into my ear discreetly.

"I don't know what you're doing here. But seriously, stay out of my business and act like we don't know each other."

After leaning back out she offers her hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you Hal!"

For a few moments I end up frozen in confusion and shock, trying to figure out what is going on.

Realizing how harsh she must have sounded, Inesa sighs and once again leans in.

"Ok. Sorry.. I didn't mean to sound that harsh, but can you?.. Please?.. I'll explain later!?" On her face she is wearing a soft expression that suggests guilt.

I catch on and decide to simply obey blindly and I nod in confirmation. "Nice to meet you Inesa."