Chapter 21: Vol. 1: Chp. 21The Arcade [Pt. 1] (Filler)
Hello! This chapter may seem like filler and not branched with the main story, but making chapters like these can allow me to show more character traits, not just in fights or school.
These chapters can also contain information for the main story, but won't really affect it too much. Chapters like these will have the word 'filler' in parenthesis in the title of the chapter, just inform you of that type of chapter.
But I hope you enjoy this chapter!
XXX
Tanjo can be seen sleeping soundly, wrapped up in a cocoon shape underneath his blanket, using all of his time off of school 'effectively'. A door could then be heard getting opened, footsteps soon followed, getting closer and closer to Tanjo's bed. The room was still dark, as for no lights were turned on. The footsteps then came to a halt, right at the side of Tanjo's bed.
A dark humanoid figure was seen, towering over Tanjo's sleeping body. The figure then extended his hand out, clearly holding something. As the hand gets closer and closer, a sound can be heard.
*HONK*
*HONK*
*HOOONNKK*
"WAAHH!" Tanjo can then be seen flailing in bed and falling off of the side, a shine of light then came into the room. The window curtains were opened, and the dark humanoid figure was none other than-
"What the hell old man!? Are you trying to make me go deaf!?" Tanjo barked, glaring at Mr. Nozomu, his ears still ringing from the loud sound. "How many times are you going to use that stupid airhorn!?"
Nozomu attained a bemused look, "As long as it takes for you to learn to get up earlier, don't make waking up late a bad habit." Nozomu reasoned, agitating Tanjo.
"I don't have school today you senile, old man!" Tanjo explained, only for Nozomu to keep his incredibly stoic expression.
"No, you don't. But your friends or whatever are here, knocking on our door like an annoying salesman." Nozomu informed, confusing Tanjo.
'Who is he talking about?' Tanjo mentally questioned, now standing up from the ground. Tanjo walked past Nozomu and exited his bedroom, he then started walking towards the front door where repetitive knocking sounds,
*KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK*
"Hey, Tanjo! Are you awake!?" A voice from outside the house called out, making Tanjo sweatdrop.
Tanjo then walked to the front door, grabbed the door handle, and opened the door, hoping to the gods that it isn't who he thinks it is. Fully opening the door, Tanjo was greeted with the sight of Akogare and Naderamu standing outside his front door.
*SLAM*
Tanjo then slammed the door shut, not wanting to deal with his loud-mouth and brash classmates, "Hey!? What was that for?", he then heard Akogare speak from the other side.
Tanjo then re-opened the door, being met with the same sight as before. "Yes?" Tanjo asked, confused as to why his classmates are at his door and still tired from just waking up.
Seeing that Tanjo finally responded, Akogare's face brightened. "We wanted to know if you wanted to hang out and walk around the village?" Akogare explained, making Naderamu speak up,
"He thought of doing this, I was dragged along." Naderamu clarified, for whatever reason, not wanting to take any credit for the idea.
Tanjo was only standing there with a blank look on his face, confusing the two blondes. Until he finally spoke up, "Sure, whatever. I don't think I had any plans for today, and the old man is probably just going to get drunk and laze around till duty calls."
XXX
Now, the trio can be seen walking throughout the village of Buruan. Aimlessly traveling, only speaking amongst each other about where to possibly go. After ten minutes of brainstorming what to do, Tanjo suggests an activity, "There's an arcade a few blocks down, we could go there. I think it was only recently built."
Akogare immediately smiles at this idea, while Naderamu groans. "YEAH! The arcade sounds good! How about you Naderamu?" Akogare enthusiastically responds, then questions.
"Those little claw machine games are nothing but money-grabbers, they're rigged and pointless," Naderamu complains, not sounding nearly as happy as Akogare.
Hearing that, Akogare frowned a little bit. Tanjo only raised a brow and asked, "Did something happen to you at an arcade or something? You seem to resent claw machines way too much."
"Why shouldn't I, it's just a waste of money!" Naderamu retorts,
"It's not about the gain, it's about the fun and the experience!" Akogare explained, plastering another trademark smile on his face. "Besides, there's more than just claw machines."
Naderamu only sits in silence, then responds, "Fine, guess I'll go. Couldn't hurt to see more of the games." After that was said, Akogare and Tanjo's faces lit up, obviously, Akogare's was brighter.
ONE SHORT TRIP LATER
After making up their minds on where to visit, they walked all the way to the Arcade, which is also known as 'Gemu Hofu'. Walking inside of Gemu Hofu, the trio was greeted with hundreds of games. Games could be on the shelf in cases, in giant box-shaped machines with pictures on the side, table games, and even those god-forsaken claw machines.
As they were still walking, Akogare grabbed both Naderamu and Tanjo's shoulders, making them stop and look back in confusion. Akogare then pulled out a small yellow wallet with warrior decoration. Opening it up, he showed cash. "We have to get game coins one way or another, and I doubt that either of you brought any cash," Akogare informed in a cheerful tone.
Heading to the counter, an employee was present. It was an old man in a navy blue shirt with buttons keeping the front of his collar together, short gray hair, and hunching over severely. "Hello youngins', how may I help you?" The old man kindly questions,
Akogare stepped up closer, "Hey! We were wondering how much three cups of game coins were?" Akogare asked, making the old man smile,
"Ah, you're wanting some of our famous 'Gemu tokens!' You three are my first customers today, and you three seem young, so I won't charge you today, just go have fun. Most of these games were from my grandson who stopped playing them, he was a little spoiled but still a little bundle of joy!" The old man explained, offering the trio free games.
Akogare's face lit up for the millionth time today, "Really!? Thank you, sir!"
The old man then pulled out three white, plastic cups with red stripes, each filled with shiny, golden tokens. He then pushed them forward on the counter separating them, allowing the trio to reach out and grab their own cup. "I hope you enjoy the arcade!"
"We will!" Responded Akogare,
Akogare's personality must be contagious, because Naderamu and Tanjo can be seen faintly smiling behind Akogare, somewhat impatiently waiting to explore the arcade. After the trio grabbed their own cups, they all headed out to venture through the arcade of Gemu Hofu!
XXX
Hey! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Again, like I said at the start of the chapter. Chapters like these are 'fillers', meaning that they're not completely relevant to the story, but still contain parts of the real timeline, mainly used to show character traits and how they progress through the story. Also, a great way to take a break from all of the action, if you want to know what's filler and not, the title will tell you.
Also, currently, as this chapter was being made, all previous chapters are undergoing revisions. So new chapters might be a bit delayed.
Have a good day!
Peace - Cr1ticalz_
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