The atmosphere shifted as the group collectively decided to steer the conversation away from the lighthearted teasing that had characterized the previous moments. A brief silence enveloped them, and Yuki, breaking the stillness, redirected the focus with a practical inquiry. "How long has it been since we ordered the food?" she asked, a hint of impatience evident in her tone.
Ryouichi, ever the optimist, offered a response. "I don't know, it hasn't been long though... I don't think so," he mused, attempting to reassure the group that their wait would likely not be extended.
Kaito, adopting a supportive stance, chimed in, "Ryouichi is most likely right." Despite the collective understanding that the passage of time might seem elongated when anticipating a meal, the reassurance brought a sense of calm to the group.
Yuki, however, seemed less convinced by the reassurances. A sigh escaped her as she contemplated the passage of time. Aria, sharing in her sentiment, exchanged a glance with Kaito, silently expressing a shared sentiment. Aria, voicing the collective sentiment, remarked, "This is getting boring..."
Kaiyo, contributing to the evolving conversation, added, "I agree. Let's find a new topic to talk about." The consensus emerged organically, reflecting the group's desire to explore fresh avenues of discussion.
Ryouichi, having endured his fair share of teasing, expressed a willingness to engage in any topic that steered clear of personal jests. "Anything is fine, as long as it's not about teasing me," he declared, prompting a reassuring nod from Kaito.
"Don't worry, we won't tease you any further," Kaito assured, his tone resonating with a genuine camaraderie that transcended the playful banter.
Relieved, Ryouichi echoed, "That's great." Yuki, eager to shift the focus, looked at him and suggested, "Let's just find a new topic to talk about already."
As the group navigated away from the topic of teasing and into the realm of shared interests, Kaito sparked a new conversation thread with a question that resonated with the essence of modern entertainment. "Have y'all watched the new romance anime that dropped last month?" he inquired, casting a wide net to include everyone in the discussion.
Ryouichi, the resident enthusiast for the anime genre, responded with genuine curiosity, "Which one? There's quite a few romance anime that dropped last month." His query sought specificity, as the anime landscape frequently witnessed the release of multiple series within the same genre.
Kaito, unfortunately, found himself unable to recall the precise title. "I don't really remember the name... The protagonists were two high schoolers though," he offered, attempting to provide a semblance of detail despite the lapse in memory.
Accepting the limitation, Ryouichi acknowledged the effort, saying, "Okay." However, Kaito, displaying a commitment to the conversation, assured Ryouichi, "I'll take a look at my watchlist later and I'll send you the name of the anime on a message." This act of consideration resonated with the camaraderie shared among the group.
Expressing gratitude, Ryouichi conveyed a simple yet heartfelt, "Thank you." The exchange showcased the group's ability to seamlessly transition between playful banter and genuine conversations, emphasizing the bonds that transcended the occasional teasing.
Yuki, perhaps attuned to Ryouichi's anime preferences, interjected with a playful revelation. "Ryouichi's favorite romance anime is Ao Haru Ride," she shared, shedding light on a personal detail that added depth to the discussion.
Kaito, ever the anime enthusiast, resonated with Ryouichi's choice. "It's a great romance anime. I watched it three weeks ago," he admitted, showcasing a shared appreciation for the emotional narratives woven into the fabric of well-crafted anime series.
Ryouichi, now wearing a smile that mirrored the satisfaction of finding a fellow enthusiast, responded, "That's great."
As the group found themselves in another lull of conversation, Ryouichi took the initiative to break the silence with a topic that bridged the gap between shared interests and the digital realm. With a smile directed at Yuki, he initiated a discussion on the latest addition to the gaming world. "Has anyone played the new City Skylines game? City Skylines 2 is fantastic," he shared, his enthusiasm evident in the way he spoke.
Kaito, seemingly less impressed, offered a perspective that hinted at the vast landscape of gaming options. "There's better games than it, though," he countered, indicating a varied palette of preferences within the group.
Undeterred, Ryouichi defended the game's merits with a simple, "It's still good, though." The exchange highlighted the diversity of tastes among them, each possessing their own set of criteria for what constituted a fantastic gaming experience.
Yuki, always composed, added her measured input to the conversation. "I've tried it, it's decent," she remarked, offering a balanced perspective that acknowledged the game's qualities without overly praising or critiquing it.
Aria, yet to contribute to the discussion on City Skylines 2, remained silent, signaling her lack of experience with the game. Sensing this, Kaito turned to her with a question. "Have you played the game?" he inquired, prompting Aria to admit, "No, not yet."
Seizing the opportunity to share the gaming experience, Kaito generously offered, "I'll let you play City Skylines 2 on my PC once we return home, if you want to." Aria's face lit up with a smile as she accepted the invitation with an enthusiastic, "Okay~!"
As the group continued their banter about gaming preferences, Ryouichi, in his effort to make Aria excited about trying City Skylines 2, reassured her with a confident, "You'll have a lot of fun while playing City Skylines 2." Aria responded with a cheerful, "I'm sure I will," her anticipation evident in her words.
Meanwhile, Kaito shifted the conversation to the realm of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), sharing his thoughts on the latest addition to the genre. "The latest MMORPG game is decent. It's not as great as many other games of its category are, but it's still great," he remarked, offering a nuanced evaluation that acknowledged the game's strengths while acknowledging its relative standing in the expansive world of MMORPGs.
Ryouichi, ever amiable, concurred with Kaito's assessment, saying, "I suppose you're right." The exchange highlighted the group's shared interest in gaming and their ability to appreciate different titles for what they were.
Yuki, introducing a new element to the conversation, directed her question to Ryouichi. "Ryouichi, would you like to watch Horimiya when we return home?" she inquired, suggesting a shift from the digital landscapes of gaming to the animated realm of Japanese television series. Ryouichi, without hesitation, replied with a simple, "Sure," signaling his openness to the suggestion.
Amidst the discussions and anticipations, Kaito voiced a more immediate concern. "When will the food arrive...?" he sighed, expressing a sentiment shared by anyone who has felt the pangs of hunger during a wait at a restaurant.
Just as the group began to ponder the timing of their much-awaited meal, the waitress appeared, bringing an end to their anticipations. With a courteous smile, she served their orders on the table, filling the air with the delightful aroma of freshly prepared dishes. The timing couldn't have been more perfect, and the group eagerly turned their attention to the feast before them, ready to savor both the flavors of the cuisine and the continued camaraderie of their gathering.