The first game was the basketball shooting machine. Ao wasn't good at it—at all—so he lost 3–0.
Slasth took the first win.
The second game, air hockey, ended in a 2–2 draw.
Even though they were just at an arcade, the two kept glaring at each other like sworn rivals.
It went on so long that Remi and Irino quietly slipped away to play something else, realizing they couldn't possibly join in.
Ao and Slasth continued their battle, furiously mashing buttons and slamming controls like their lives depended on it.
"Damn it!! I'm not going easy this time!!!"
"A weakling is a weakling no matter what!!! Onishima!!!—wait, what!? How did I lose!?"
"Hah!! Serves you right, fade-cut brat!!"
"You totally cheated!!"
"Senpai!!! Can you two stop already!? We're hungry!!"
Remi yelled from a bench, hands cupped around her mouth.
"Let us finish this game first!!"
Both of them shouted back in unison.
Thirty Minutes Later – At the Restaurant
"Unbelievable! We actually ended in a tie!!!"
"You didn't win because you're still weak, Onishima…"
"Shut up!! We had the same number of wins and losses!!"
"Focus on the menu first, senpai," Remi sighed.
"I'll get the omurice…"
"I'll take the udon. Senpai, what are you ordering?"
"Not sure… guess I'll go with katsudon—"
Both Ao and Slasth said it at the same time.
"Huh!? Are you copying me, Slasth!?"
"I'm not copying! I always order katsudon!!"
"So do I!!"
"Jeez… you two really aren't very respectable for upperclassmen," Remi muttered.
"Who are you calling that!?" Again, both of them snapped in perfect sync.
"There's no need to argue… the food ends up in your stomach either way."
"…That's true."
"Did that really just occur to you now, Onishima?"
They glared again.
When the food arrived, the two immediately switched into another competition—
Who could finish first.
Both nearly choked to death.
Bubble Tea Shop
Remi ordered extra-sweet boba with jumbo boba. Irino got a mildly sweet green milk tea.
She sipped her drink with bliss so intense she accidentally let out a small moan.
Irino quietly drank his without reaction.
"I'll get cocoa with regular boba…"
"Cantaloupe milk tea for me, I guess…"
"Good thing you're not fighting over the same drink again," Remi said, relieved.
"Shut up, Remi!!!"
"Yes yes, senpai~"
The four sat on the rooftop seating area of the mall, peacefully drinking their bubble tea.
At first, no one spoke. Only the slurping of tapioca boba echoed between them.
"…Are you guys taking drinking this seriously or something??" Remi finally asked.
"What do you want me to say…? I don't really talk much," Ao replied.
"That's expected of you, senpai Ao. But what about Irino-senpai?"
"I don't have many friends, so I never know what to talk about."
"…Dark much. And you, Mountideer-senpai?"
"No idea. I'm not the conversation-starting type."
"…You three are hopeless. Seriously hopeless." Remi pressed her fingers against her forehead.
"Fine. I'll start a topic. Let's see… hmm…"
The other three stared at her as she thought hard.
"Okay! Let's go with food. What's your favorite dish?"
The three exchanged glances.
Ao was the first to ask:
"…Are you asking someone specific?"
"Anyone!! Just answer already!!"
Irino shyly raised his hand.
"Then… I'll go first. I like mushroom soup…"
"I like cold soba." Slasth said it with absolute nonchalance.
"Then why'd you order katsudon??"
"Liking soba doesn't mean I eat it every day."
"Then mine is… burnt spaghetti."
"…What? I've never heard of that," Slasth muttered.
"It's crunchy spaghetti. I saw the recipe on TV."
"And you, Remi?"
"Udon!!!"
None of them looked surprised, and they all sipped their drinks again.
"Why are you all acting so unfazed!??"
"…We just don't know what to say next."
Ao shrugged.
Remi slammed her palms on the table.
BANG!!
"Do you even know the purpose of today's outing!?!?"
"Revenge match?" Slasth smirked.
"Wrong, Mountideer-senpai!! I brought everyone here to help you all open up to each other!!"
"Why though?" Ao whispered to Irino.
"Well, Onishima-san," Irino adjusted his glasses,
"According to psychology, people build trust and closeness through deeper conversation. She's trying to guide us into topics that naturally lead there."
"Oh. That makes sense."
"So you really didn't figure that out, Onishima? Pathetic."
"Say that again and I'll knock your teeth out!!"
"STOP FIGHTING!! Both of you!!" Remi puffed her cheeks.
"What I want from this trip… is for the two of you to reconcile!"
"WHAT!?!? Why the hell would I reconcile with him!? We weren't friends to begin with!! What's the point!?"
"I think you're wrong, senpai Ao," Remi said calmly.
"You two actually have a lot in common. I think you could become close pretty fast."
"You're way off!! There's nothing similar between me and this moron!!"
"Shhh—don't say anything. I'll fix the relationship myself!!"
"Where the hell do you get that kind of confidence!?"
Remi pulled something out of her backpack.
"For this very purpose, I came prepared. It's a little fast-paced, but not too intense."
Inside were four mini whiteboards and markers. She handed them out.
"Alright! First step—everyone write down your biggest dream. And don't lie! I'll know."
"Done." "Finished." "I'm done too…"
"Ehh!? I didn't even start writing yet!!"