Monday, Kenshi sat in his office, mind still on *Super Robot Wars* strategies. His paperwork flipped page after page, but he saw only Perfect Gundam's glory. *Should I rent *Aura Battler Dunbine* tapes to rewatch? Maybe catch a hidden plot.*
"You guys saw the *Puyo Puyo* ad? Those critters are so cute!" "Totally! My sister got it last weekend—lots of mini-games, up to four players!" "Koko, what'd you think? Wanna try it at my place?"
Female coworkers' chatter broke through Kenshi's robot reverie. He looked up, catching Koko's smiling profile as she and Rena debated the cutest characters, her face glowing in a way work talk never sparked. His heart skipped.
*Puyo Puyo*. Kenshi recalled it—last week in Akihabara, its vibrant cartridge sat beside *Super Robot Wars*, ignored by him and Tatsuya, fixated on mecha. Yet it was a hit among the office women. *Four players…*
An idea clicked. His pulse quickened. This was better than pantry run-ins or after-work walks. At lunch, Kenshi mustered courage, lunchbox in hand, and approached Koko and Rena's table. "Heard you talking about *Puyo Puyo*," he said, aiming for casual. "My friend Tatsuya has an MD. Wanna try a four-player game this weekend?"
Koko's eyes lit up. "Sure! I'm dying to play. Rena, you in?" Rena grinned, nodding. "Sounds fun—more players, more chaos."
Relief flooded Kenshi. He slipped out, dashed to a phone booth, and called Tatsuya. "Yo, free this weekend? Let's game."
"Another *Super Robot Wars* find? Dunbine or L-Gaim hidden unit?" Tatsuya's voice buzzed with anticipation.
"Nah, *Puyo Puyo*."
"What?" Tatsuya's tone dropped. "That kiddie stuff? Pass. I'm figuring out if I can save Fraw."
"Forget that," Kenshi cleared his throat. "I invited office colleagues to play."
Three seconds of silence. "The cute one you mentioned? You win—your place or mine?"
"Yours. I said you own it."
"They? How many?"
"Two. Koko and her coworker, Rena."
"You've got a heart! You owe me dinner if this works!"
"Deal! Buy it after work—I'll pay you back."
"Got it."
Saturday, the four gathered at Tatsuya's apartment. When *Puyo Puyo*'s colorful, upbeat title screen hit, Tatsuya's face held a mock-tragic "I should be saving the universe." Four chubby cartoon characters bounced on a floating island.
"I'll take the pink bunny!" Koko chirped, grabbing her controller. "I'm the hat-wearing bear," Rena picked fast. Kenshi chose a blue dog, slyly inching it near Koko's bunny. Tatsuya, eyeing the last option—a yellow chick—grimaced but confirmed it as the girls' excitement won him over.
The first mini-game, "Fruit Grab," dropped random fruits; players raced to collect the most. "My apple!" Koko yelped as Rena's bear bumped her bunny, scattering her haul. "Nice one, Rena!" Tatsuya shouted, his chick snatching Rena's dropped fruits. "Tatsuya-kun, you're awful!" Rena laughed, her bear tackling his chick.
The room filled with girls' giggles and guys' shouts. Tatsuya's gamer instincts faltered—tactics meant nothing; luck and mischief ruled. His competitive fire ignited, teaming with Rena to prank Kenshi and Koko. Kenshi, constantly targeted, didn't care—Koko's laughter beside him made his dizzy blue dog the happiest pup alive.
Tatsuya forgot his pro-gamer pride, eyes wide, fingers hammering the controller, roaring loudest. In a racing game, his chick and Rena's bear crossed the line together, using items to leave Kenshi and Koko behind. They high-fived, then froze, noticing their closeness, and sheepishly pulled back.
The group swayed with their on-screen characters, bumping shoulders, blushing, then sitting upright. By evening, they were reluctant to stop. "So fun! Let's do it again!" Rena said, packing up. "Anytime," Tatsuya blurted, then scratched his head, bashful. "Uh, leave your number for next time." Rena shared it casually; Tatsuya scribbled frantically.
After the girls left, Kenshi and Tatsuya collapsed on the couch. Tatsuya eyed Rena's number, grinning. "Didn't expect that game to be fun." Kenshi, silent, replayed Koko's parting words: "Today was great, thanks, Kenshi-kun. Let's hit Saria's sometime." He floated, then noticed Tatsuya's goofy smile at the notebook, too smitten to tease.
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