To buy time until Kobayashi-kun returned, Yomikawa Aiho had to find a way to keep the visiting girl occupied.
Recently, Yomikawa had been completely absorbed in gaming. As a result, all kinds of gaming equipment had been placed within easy reach. She powered on the console with practiced ease and connected the controllers.
With bright enthusiasm, she asked,
"Toumi-chan, what kind of games do you like? I've got all the mainstream titles here."
"Eh?" Toumi looked a little lost as she accepted the controller. "I don't really play games, so… I'm not sure what to choose."
"Then let's try a few," Yomikawa said cheerfully. "We'll start with something suitable for two players…"
Thinking back to the games she usually played with Nana-kun, Yomikawa quickly made her decision.
—A fighting game.
If it was something for two people, competitive two-player games were the obvious choice.
"A fighting game?" Toumi frowned slightly. It wasn't that she didn't know how to play at all—she just knew the basics, nothing more.
Because of her childhood circumstances, Torahachi Toumi had never been able to own luxuries like game consoles. Compared to fighting games or shooters, what she had experienced were real battles—paid for with blood and lives, with no "retry" button.
As a result, she instinctively disliked games like this. Not out of fear, but out of disdain.
To her, gamers were just children playing pretend. Someone like her, forged in real combat, existed in a completely different world. Even after coming to Academy City, where gaming culture flourished, she rarely touched such entertainment.
And then—she was defeated by Yomikawa Aiho. Cleanly. Decisively.
Again.
And again.
"Haaah…" The girl let out a long breath, her gaze sharp as a blade, as if she were about to pierce straight through the television screen.
Her slender fingers clenched the controller like forged steel, as though she might crush it at any second.
Her beautiful blonde hair flared outward like a lion's mane, broadcasting the intense emotions surging within her.
Rage threatened to burst from every pore of her body, making the air around them seem to heat up.
Finally, Yomikawa—who had been thoroughly immersed in the joy of the game—was jolted awake by the blazing anger, even killing intent, beside her. Only then did she realize how serious the situation had become.
Oh no. I got way too into it. I completely forgot she's a beginner… and I went all out, beating her senseless.
Worse still, Torahachi Toumi was infamous within the Security Department for her violent emotional swings—especially her short fuse.
Replaying her actions in her head, Yomikawa felt like she had just lit the fuse on a bomb.
—This is bad. I screwed up… This is all Nana-kun's fault!
Normally, when Kobayashi played with her, Yomikawa never held back.
Under the influence of his psychic abilities, his gaming skills were exceptional. No matter how hard Yomikawa worked, he could always keep up, perfectly filling the role of a "practice partner."
But now, the person playing with her wasn't Kobayashi.
It was a hot-tempered, irritable beginner.
Distracted by her thoughts, Yomikawa forgot to control her character. On-screen, her fighter stood motionless, and the highly focused Torahachi seized the opportunity to launch a furious counterattack.
Yomikawa didn't resist. She flailed at the controls a bit for show, then—just as expected—lost the match.
After her decisive victory, Toumi's anger finally found an outlet. She exhaled deeply, and her flared golden hair settled back into smooth, neat strands.
"Um… let's switch games," Yomikawa said, forcing a casual tone. "To be honest, I'm not really a fan of this genre either."
"Eeh~?" The girl shot her a sidelong glance. "You don't like this kind of game, Sensei? But you looked like you were having a lot of fun just now!"
"Cough! I just got carried away," Yomikawa cleared her throat. "You see, I'm a member of the Security Department. On the job, I can't avoid situations involving fighting and violence. So even in games, I end up taking things seriously without realizing it…"
"Oh, I see." Torahachi Toumi nodded, clearly relating.
"That's why I don't really like these games," Yomikawa continued. "It feels like I'm still working, even while playing…"
"Exactly, exactly! Sensei, you're totally right!" The girl nodded repeatedly. For much the same reasons, she disliked games herself—and now felt she had found a kindred spirit.
Yomikawa, meanwhile, wiped away a cold sweat internally.
Thank goodness she knew about Toumi's past—and had that education psychology degree she earned through self-study.
After that, Yomikawa carefully chose games that were gentler and non-competitive. She settled into the role of a supportive gaming partner, fully cooperating with Torahachi to improve her experience.
At some point, it struck Yomikawa—
She was playing exactly the role Kobayashi usually did.
Only then did she realize that when he accompanied her during games, he probably felt the same way.
"…To think I'm the one being looked after by a kid," Yomikawa muttered, half to herself.
"Sensei, what did you say?" Toumi asked.
"I was talking about Nana-kun. He didn't actually get lost, did he? Why is he taking so long?" Yomikawa complained, hastily changing the subject.
"It has been a while," Toumi agreed, setting the controller down.
She reaffirmed her conclusion—she really did hate games.
Just then, Yomikawa brightened again. "Looks like we'll be waiting a bit longer… It's about lunchtime. Toumi-chan, why don't you stay and eat with us?"
"Well…" Toumi hesitated. According to her plan, a first visit shouldn't last too long. Besides, as Yomikawa had guessed, her real purpose had been to see Nana-kun—only for him to be out at the worst possible time.
Going home like this felt… unsatisfying.
"Stay, stay!" Yomikawa urged warmly. "Nana-kun's cooking is amazing! I promise you won't be disappointed!"
When it came to things that made her happy, Yomikawa was lavish in her praise, boasting enthusiastically about Kobayashi's culinary skills.
Seeing her animated, proud expression, Toumi couldn't help but tease,
"I already know Kobayashi is impressive, but why are you the one looking so proud, Sensei?"
Yomikawa laughed. "Well, I'm his guardian—basically his parent. Seeing the child, you're taking care of grow so outstandingly, and so quickly, of course you'd feel proud!"
"No," Torahachi shot back without mercy. "From what I can tell, Sensei, you're the one being taken care of."
Yomikawa scratched her head, her gaze drifting awkwardly away.
(End of Chapter)
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