Chapter 23 - Racing

"Okay I think I found the right plug, can you pass me the cable Jaki."

I plug in the HDMI cable into the back ports of the living room tv in Jaki's house.

Setting up my Switch on her tv has been a bit of a hassle so far.

Her TV was positioned against a wall so it was hard for me to see where the HDMI socket is.

But after some tinkering and help with Jaki using the flash light on her phone to help me see better, I managed to locate it and plug the cable in.

I open the tv and use the remote to switch the input channel.

I can see Jaki eagerly looking at me while I swap the input to HDMI. Jaki has been pretty excited ever since I came back with the switch.

Apparently she has never played it before but has always heard about it. So she's quite interested in trying it for the first time.

Her excitment is so cute. It also gave me extra motivation when I was sorting through all the sockets and plugs that was behind the TV.

And speaking of Jaki's TV there was so many plugs and sockets that made the search more difficult. Definitely way more than the TV I have at home.

Although it was quite a hassle its all worth it if I can get it to work and play with Jaki.

Bam, once I switched the input to HDMI I am greeted by the familiar menu screen music.

Jaki and I gave each other a quick high-five, celebrating the fact that we finally managed to get it set up.

I plop down on the couch and Jaki does so as well.

"So you got any games you wanna try out first? Not too brag but I do have quite the collection."

"Hmm, do you have Mario kart?"

"Yep! I can boot it up now."

I quickly ran through the basic tutorial and taught Jaki the controls. How to drift, how to accelerate and use items.

Jaki listened very carefully and followed my instruction to a T. Like she was studying for the next school exam.

Hehe its cute how much attention and focus Jaki puts into everything even if it is something more casual and less serious.

"Alright I think you're ready for a proper race now!"

"We'll start by doing some team races with bots so it won't be too overwhelming. That way not everyone in the game would be targeting you with items."

"Okay, got it."

* * *

For the first game it seemed like Jaki was still adjusting to racing and the speed but she still did well placing in the middle of the pack. However after a few games it seemed like she really got the knack for it, getting closer and closer to finishing first.

"Ha get out the way toad."

Jaki chomps up toad as she races down with the piranha plant item activated.

"Oooo, some ones out for blood."

"Even if I'm not going to win the race I sure ain't going to lose to toad."

"Fair point, fair point."

Its cute seeing how fired up Jaki is. And even though the control has been set to joy con control, Jaki still occasionally steers her controller up and down like a wheel.

Her body also steers in the direction that she is driving in, sometimes she bumps into me when doing this.

Though I'm not complaining.

After passing toad Jaki has managed to work her way to the second place with me in the first place.

"Nice this should secure our team the win for sure."

"Yep, but..."

Jaki doesn't finish her sentence but I can see through the corner of my eye a little devilish grin forming on her face.

Huh, what is Jaki up to.

Now that we are in the last lap and last stretch of the race course, our teams victory is all but guaranteed. So I wonder is Jaki scheming.

Then Bam!

Before I was going to cross into the finish line I was hit by a green shell. But how is this possible! There wasn't anyone from the enemy team behind me.

Then I realized what happened as Jaki races past me coming in first place.

"Sorry Sandy, even though we're team mates a race is still a race."

"You!!!"

I playfully and lightly punch Jaki while leaning into her. She pretends like she has been struck by a professional boxer while uttering sorry in-between bouts of laughter.

"Good that should teach you a lesson about crossing me. Hehe."

"Haha sorry, I just couldn't resist when I got the green shell."

We both giggle as the race ends and the results shows Jaki placing first in the race.

I should have seen this coming with how competitive Jaki can be. The cute and sometimes childishly completive side of her.

"You're in for it for the next race, I'm gonna change it the game mode to individuals."

"Wouldn't want it any other way."

This time I'm definitely not going to hold back.

I'll make sure Jaki feels the wrath of my shells in the next game.