"DEFEAT"
I hate those words.
It's my 27th loss in this video game that I found in Yamauchi's room.
Shit!
Seems like I have lost my edge over video games after not playing for almost 6 years.
How could I be so bad at this?
I tossed the controller onto the bed, resolving myself to win it, the next time I play.
To get some fresh air, I started moving towards the mall.
As it was almost 8PM in night, crowd has become scarce, and just a few students were loitering around the lobby of dorms.
The mall was not anything different either.
Just at the entrance of the mall, I realized that there was a cafe nearby too, and it might be open till now.
There was also someone I know, working in that cafe, so I decided to pay them a visit.
As I expected, it was still open.
So, I entered without thinking.
There was not much influx of customers, so I took an available seat on an empty table.
But, after taking a seat was when I realized that I had no money.
Damn it, I have got just 4 private points.
What can this much fetch for?
I slumped back in my seat, frustrated.
Four private points wouldn't even get me a glass of water here, let alone a coffee.
The last thing I wanted was to cause a scene or have to explain my situation to the staff.
I glanced around, trying to decide whether to get up and leave or just sit there like an idiot.
The cafe was quiet, only a few customers scattered around, minding their own business.
I hoped no one noticed my blunder.
Just as I was about to get up, a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Oh my. Isn't it Yamauchi-kun?"
I turned around to see the exact same person, I came here to pay a visit, standing before me.
It was the staff from that mall, with whom I conversed before about Haruka that night.
After that incident, I was helped by her another time on a later date, and at that time, she mentioned that she also worked in this cafe & urged me to visit it sometimes.
She wore the café's uniform, a black apron over a white shirt, with her hair tied back neatly. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked at me.
"Surprised to see you here," she said with a light smile. "Didn't expect to run into you again so soon."
I offered a weak smile in return, trying to mask my embarrassment.
"Hello, Minami-san. Thanks for your help that day. Did it work out?"
"It sure did. Although, I won't ask anything further than that. It's students' affairs after all." She replied.
"Yeah, I am grateful for that."
After hesitating a bit, I decided to tell her that I don't have any money on me right now.
I was so embarrassed by that fact that I didn't notice someone walking behind me.
As I was standing up from my seat and moved the chair, a student who had been heading towards the exit bumped into me.
The impact wasn't severe, but it was enough to knock me off balance. I stumbled back a step, catching myself on the edge of the table.
When I looked at the other person, she didn't fall down, but the package she was holding fell on the ground.
The shortcake inside it, now a mess on the floor, was a disappointment for the student who had been carrying it.
The shortcake, now a mess on the floor, was a disappointment for the student who had been carrying it. The student, a girl with long hair tied back in a ponytail, stared down at the ruined dessert in dismay.
"I'm so sorry!" I said quickly, moving to help her. "Are you okay?"
She looked up, clearly flustered. "I'm fine, just... this cake is ruined."
Minami-san, who had witnessed the whole scene, came over with a concerned look. "Let me help with that," she said, kneeling beside the student to clean up the mess.
I looked at the student and offered an apologetic smile. "I really am sorry for causing this."
"It's alright," she replied, though she still looked upset.
It was undoubtedly my fault. So I couldn't let this go that easily.
Otherwise, the Gods watching from above would bring upon me the divine wrath for ruining a girl's desert.
Looking at the quantity, I judged that it might me a party of 5-6 people, maybe in their dorm room.
And it might not be cheap too that the cafe could just replace.
But, all I had was just this damn 4 private points.
I glanced at Minami-san, who was still on the floor, trying to clean up the mess.
It was clear that the cake was beyond saving, and I felt a deep sense of guilt for what had happened.
I needed to make it right somehow, but with only four private points to my name, I felt powerless.
Minami-san stood up, dusting off her apron, and looked at me with a sympathetic smile. "Don't worry too much about it. I'll take care of it."
I shook my head.
"I can't let you do that. Please pack for her another time. I would cover the expenses."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Please."
Then I glanced at the girl, still standing flustered.
Her face was really saddened at the sight of the ruined cakes.
I felt too guilty about it, and decided to just keep silent until Minami-san packs another set of short cakes for her.
After getting that, she bowed and left the cafe immediately.
I noticed Minami-san's gaze following me with a mixture of concern and curiosity. I approached the counter, feeling a bit self-conscious about the whole situation.
"So, how much is it?"
"700 for each shortcake, so 4200 in total."
I nodded, though the amount felt overwhelming. Four thousand two hundred yen for the six shortcakes was more than I had anticipated.
It's not like I can afford it though, right now.
"Um, Minami-san, I have a little problem here. Actually, my balance is quite low right now. So, would it be possible for the payment to wait till the first of next month?"
"Oh my. But we have to keep the payment in register. So how about I pay for now, and you would just pay me back?"
"That would be a huge help, really. Thank you very much once again."
"It's nothing much."
"Honestly, I am always being helped by you, I should somehow pay you back."
"Don't worry about it too much. Though, I would appreciate it if you would visit this cafe sometimes."
"Alright. By the way, do you make birthday cakes here too?"
"That's right, we do, but you have to place order before that."
"Got it. Then I would come back again for that."
After that brief exchange, I made my exit swiftly out of the cafe.
It was one hell of a mess. I was so flustered to even think.
I think, it would have been better if I didn't come here today, but after getting the allowance from school the next month.
Now, I feel like an idiot.
As I was heading back to the dorms, suddenly I noticed someone sitting over a bench near a vending machine.
That place was faintly illuminated, and I could barely recognize her as the same girl whose shortcakes got messed up by me.
She was alone there eating the short cakes one by one.
I previously thought, it was for more people, but she is eating all of them?
That to outside in a deserted place like this?
Why don't you just eat at that cafe or your own room?
Well, I guess, some people have different preferences.
I ignored that sight, and continue to move towards my room.
When I entered the lobby, I could feel numerous eyes on me, but couldn't find anyone near it.
As my suspicions became clear, I merrily moved into my room.
This whole ordeal of proving the cheating was a fun game to play, but I didn't have much to do anyway.
After I confirmed that my messages were working, it was time to make my final move.
I typed the message and sent it via DM, through my computer, and restarted the video game that I was playing before.
"This time, I will definitely win."