After a long day of school, Ryu found himself wandering through the streets of the city, his hands in his pockets and his mind drifting toward the mission.
He was actually looking for his favorite character in Assassination Classroom, Bitch-Sensei!
Even though she was going to arrive soon, he couldn't find her just yet.
He needed a break, some time to clear his head.
As he passed by the neon-lit arcade, something caught his eye—Yukiko Kanzaki, standing near one of the arcade machines.
Her usual graceful and refined demeanor was replaced with something more… human.
She was intensely focused on a game, her fingers flying over the controls, eyes locked on the screen.
She stood in front of a danmaku shooter, her expression calm but intense as her fingers danced across the controls.
The light from the screen reflected in her eyes, casting them in a soft glow.
He could tell she was good, really good.
"Didn't expect to see you here," Ryu said with a half-grin, leaning casually against the nearby machine.
Yukiko's fingers never slowed, eyes still fixed on the screen. "It's just a game," she replied softly, her tone cool but not dismissive.
Ryu chuckled, watching her carefully. "Doesn't seem like just a game to me. You look like you're in the zone."
She didn't answer immediately, a small pause hanging in the air as the sounds of the arcade echoed around them. Then, her fingers moved once more, locking in a combination that cleared an entire screen of bullets. Her score flashed across the top of the screen, impressive, even by his standards.
"Impressive," Ryu said, pushing off the machine and taking a step closer. He leaned against the side of her machine, looking at her with a slightly teasing expression. "You could probably beat the whole school if you wanted to."
Yukiko didn't look at him, her eyes fixed forward, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "It's just a hobby."
The game screen flashed as she cleared another stage. She finally shifted her gaze, her fingers slowing as she stopped playing.
"I... should probably head home," Yukiko said, her voice soft, but there was a note of hesitation there. "My dad will be expecting me." She paused, catching herself. "But, uh, it was nice meeting you, Ryu."
He didn't want her to leave yet. Not like this.
He raised an eyebrow, his playful side taking over. "Leaving already? I mean, you just cleared another stage, and that score—" he gestured to the screen with a grin. "It's almost like you were showing off, but now you're just gonna walk away?"
Yukiko blinked, her brow furrowing slightly. "What do you mean?" Her voice had a hint of defensiveness, but it wasn't exactly anger—just confusion.
Ryu tilted his head, his expression one of mock disbelief. "I mean, if you're this good, why stop here? Don't tell me you're scared of a little challenge?" His words were playful, but the way he said it left an edge, something meant to provoke. "I bet I could still catch up to your score, if you gave me the chance."
Yukiko's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and for the first time since she'd sat down, she looked at him. Her lips were set in a line, and she didn't speak for a moment, as if weighing her options.
"You want to challenge me?" she finally said, her voice quieter now, but there was something in her tone that suggested she was intrigued, even if she wasn't ready to fully admit it.
Ryu flashed her a wide grin, his confidence unmistakable. "I mean, why not? You've got the skills. It's just a game, right? Let's see who really owns this arcade."
The gauntlet was thrown. Yukiko's eyes flickered to the screen again, her fingers already moving back to the controls. It was clear she wasn't going to back down, but the hint of a smile on her lips betrayed her enjoyment of the challenge.
"I'm not going easy on you," she warned, a teasing edge creeping into her voice.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Ryu replied with a wink. He stepped back and crossed his arms, watching her prepare to play again. "Let's see what you've got."
For the next few minutes, the only sound in the arcade was the rapid clicking of buttons and the intense whir of the game machines. Yukiko was focused, her movements smooth and calculated as she expertly avoided incoming fire. Ryu, now fully invested, leaned in closer, his own game character narrowly dodging shots as he tried to keep up.
Each stage they cleared was met with Ryu's good-natured taunts, pushing her to do better, to beat him. And each time, Yukiko's determination only seemed to grow, her competitive side coming to the forefront.
After a particularly intense round, the two of them glanced at each other, their faces flushed with the adrenaline of the game.
"You're good," Ryu said, his voice low as he stepped closer to her once again, a genuine smile on his face now. "I might have underestimated you."
Yukiko tilted her head, the edge of a playful smile tugging at her lips. "I told you I wouldn't go easy."
The challenge had done something unexpected between them—there was a shift, a connection that lingered in the air. Yukiko's usual composed exterior had cracked just a little, revealing something more. Ryu could see it, and he liked it.
Their eyes met for a moment, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. The tension wasn't just from the game anymore—it was from something deeper, something that had been building since they first met. Yukiko wasn't the type to easily let her guard down, yet with him, she found herself letting it slip just a little more than usual.
Finally, after a few more rounds, Yukiko glanced at the clock and sighed. "I really do need to go now. My dad—" She broke off mid-sentence, her words trailing off.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Ryu interrupted.
"Yes, you'll see you tomorrow" Yukiko said with a smile as she waved goodbye.