The morning sun streamed through my bedroom window, and I sat at my desk, textbooks sprawled around me. I tried to focus on my studies, but my mind kept drifting back to Isamu and our conversation at the café. The connection we had felt significant, and I was eager to spend more time with him. Just as I was about to dive back into my notes, my phone buzzed on the desk.
I grabbed it, my heart racing when I saw Isamu's name.
"Hey, Taichi! Want to hang out today?"
Excitement bubbled to the surface. "Sure! What do you want to do?"
"Thinking we could hit the arcade or grab some food. Up for it?"
I glanced at my textbooks, guilt gnawing at me. I had a lot to catch up on, but the thought of spending time with Isamu felt more important than anything else.
"Let's do it! Meet you at the arcade in an hour?"
"Sounds perfect! See you then!"
With a grin on my face, I quickly packed my things and tossed my textbooks aside. I changed into a comfortable outfit, feeling lighter with each passing minute.
As I walked to the arcade, a mix of anticipation and nerves surged through me. The streets were alive with the chatter of people and the distant sound of music, but all I could think about was Isamu. When I arrived, he was already there, leaning against the entrance, a smile brightening his face as he saw me.
"Hey!" he called, waving me over. "Thanks for coming!"
"Of course! I was free anyway!" I replied, matching his enthusiasm.
We stepped inside the arcade, greeted by the cacophony of buzzing machines and laughter. I felt a thrill of nostalgia wash over me. It was one of my favorite places, and now it felt even better sharing it with someone who seemed to get me.
We started at the racing games, laughing as we competed for the highest score. Isamu was surprisingly good, his focus sharp and determined. I found myself cheering him on, reveling in the joy of the moment. After a few rounds, we shifted to the fighting games, where I managed to hold my own. The playful banter flowed easily between us, making it feel like we had known each other for ages.
"Okay, this is it," Isamu said, grinning as he stepped up to a claw machine filled with plush toys. "I'm getting that bear."
"Good luck!" I laughed, watching as he maneuvered the claw with surprising skill. After a few attempts, he finally snagged the bear, his triumphant expression making me cheer.
"Victory!" he exclaimed, holding the plush toy up like a trophy. "This is for you!"
I chuckled at his excitement. "Now I feel bad. I didn't bring you anything!"
"Just hanging out is enough," he replied, sincerity in his voice.
As the hours flew by, we moved from game to game, shared snacks, and even took goofy photos in the photo booth. With each passing moment, I felt our connection deepen. Isamu opened up more about his life, his dreams, and the pressures he faced, while I shared my own experiences, grateful for the chance to be real with him.
After a while, Isamu's phone buzzed on the table, drawing his attention. "Hold on a second," he said, glancing at the screen. "I need to check this."
He quickly swiped to open the notification, but before I could see what it was, he stood up. "I'll be right back; just need to check something." He walked a few steps away, leaving his phone on the table, the screen still lit.
Curiosity nudged at me as I glanced at the phone, a mix of apprehension and intrigue coursing through me. The notification was from a social media app, and a flicker of unease crossed my mind as I noticed a message preview. It mentioned something about a freak out, but I couldn't make out the details.
