Fallen Rose

Cabinet Man - Part 1

The pair walked down the sidewalk, making much banter as they went. Hiroshi came to find himself quite smitten with Billy, keeping hold of his arm most of the way. He felt joy in his heart, but had a bit of curiosity come over him.

"So.... what happened yesterday?" Hiroshi spoke up.

"Huh?"

"Yesterday, when you and Katsumi went to look for a hotel.. you took a while...I'm sure she started something."

"Oh, uh- I guess...We did kind of argue but then we ...we got to bond so, it's ok, I think- I just want her to lighten up already."

"I see, I- She didn't hurt you, did she?"

"No, no, don't worry. She didn't hurt me."

"Good... I don't think she would but she can be quite explosive...I-I try to get her to lighten up because I- you don't deserve that! You're a sweet, funny, well-meaning guy...I'm sorry she's on such a defense..."

"Hey, it's not your fault! I can understand, besides, I'm used to it...Hey!" Billy stopped in his tracks, looking up. "Here it is!"

A cyan and yellow sign stood above them, lights attempting to break the daylight. It read Spirit Arcade, some lights flickering a bit. Billy pulled Hiroshi along inside as his face shown glee.

"Oh, man! It's been a few years... I used to hang out here a lot when my gang settled around here- It's still so retro! I don't think they've updated anything but I think you'll still like it!"

Hiroshi looked around at the dim room, classic arcades sitting in front of them. It was kept clean, but there were a few dents in some of the machines. Some seemed more beat up than others, but most of them were working.

"C'mon, C'mon! I can show you all my favorites, I really like the fighting games but um... they might be too gory for you. Do you like that kind of stuff?" Billy perked up as he tried to hold down his excitement.

"Well, I don't know- I've never played a video game before..."

'Well, then I guess we'll find out then! C'mon!" Billy took his arm, strolling along the rows of games. Hiroshi gazed around, gasping in excitement towards a claw machine.

"Oh, Billy!" He lead him to the machine, finding there to be a fair amount of plushies filling the machine.

"Aren't they cute?! I know these, I've seen them in a lot of malls, ohhh! May I try it?" Hiroshi looked to him, excitedly. Billy smiled, finding charm in his childlike wonder.

"Of course, dude! No need to ask, play whatever fancies you."

Hiroshi bounced to it, inserting a coin and grabbing the joystick. Carefully, he moved it above a group of plushies. The claw caught the ear of a small rabbit stuffed animal, then dropped it. Hiroshi huffed as it came back to the front, empty-handed.

"Here, lemme try- I'm good at these!" Billy made way, doing just the same as before. He pondered a moment, focusing in. Slowly, he maneuvered over to the same area, carefully fishing up the same plushie. It returned with the prize in hand as Hiroshi's eyes lightened up. Billy smiled, grabbing it and handing to him. Hiroshi took it and pounced him with a hug.

"Oh, it's so cuuute! Thank you so much!"

"It's no sweat!" He pat his back as they went back to their search of an actual game. Many games were out of order, including Billy's favorites, much to his dismay. They messed around with the few working ones, only to find them to be single player. Billy sighed, then stopped a moment, staring ahead. Hiroshi looked up at him curiously, then attempted to make out what he was eyeing. He strode ahead, placing his hand on top of an arcade cabinet, looking at its screen ponderously.