Steampunk Precure

Dancing Fire

'Score . . . 10,990'

"Yeah!" Ako cheered.

"Come on!" Ayako groaned. "How many times have you beaten me now?"

"20, but who's counting?" Ako walked off to another game.

"I can't believe you." Ayako sighed.

"Come on, where's your fun?" Ako smirked.

"I don't think the rest of us will be able to keep up with you on the other games, Ako." Gina grinned, glancing at her best friend.

"I get you girls, but you need to enjoy the fun of being regular once and awhile." Ako stood proud. "Don't you think?"

"If you say so." Ayako gave Violetta a little extra squeeze.

"Ow." breathed Violetta.

"Sorry, Violetta." Ayako apologised.

"It's okay." the fairy assured her. "No harm done."

"Thank goodness." Ayako was relieved.

"How about we go to an arcade cafe?" Ako suggested.

"What do you mean?" Fuyumi piped up.

"Just come with me tomorrow and be prepared." Ako chuckled.

Nodding and giving their agreement, the group of friends returned home with thoughts of what Ako had in store for them. The next day when everyone was ready, Ako was glad the girls and fairies had no idea what was going to be in store for them.

"Come on, everyone, follow me." Ako led the group.

"Where is the arcade cafe?" Fuyumi inquired.

"You'll see once we get there." Ako vaguely answered.

"What do you mean?" Gina gave her friend a look.

"You'll find out." Ako responded.

Grinning from ear to ear in delight, Ako had to scrunch her hands into fists and move her forearms up and down in a way that helped release some built up excitement.

"Uh, what is this place?" Ayako pointed to the building.

"Welcome to Gamers, everyone!" Ako exclaimed.

"Huh?" The girls cocked their heads.

"Come inside." Ako invited.

Ako watched her friends as they stared in wonder at the place with a game arcade just to the left of them, only being separated by a fish tank with walkways on either side of it.

"Hey, Ako!" called an older male.

"Heyo, TJ. How's it hangin'?" Ako shared a fist bump with him.

"Like the bass of a drum, how's it hangin' with you?" TJ replied.

"A melody in the breeze." Ako smirked.

"What are they on about?" Ayako whispered to Gina.

"The two of them are friends and he attended our school before dropping out to work here." Gina answered, voice low.

"You have got to be joking?" Ayako gave one of the usual looks.

"I wish I was." Gina shrugged.

"Sure thing, just head on through and I'll have food for all of y'all soon enough." TJ pointed to the arcade.

"Thanks, TJ." Ako flexed.

"No problem." TJ waved.

"You two seem to know each other quite well." Ayako remarked.