Chapter 43: Definitely a Team Rocket Plot!
Asahi and Green stepped into the Celadon Game Corner.
Unlike the sparse and quiet game corner depicted in the games, the real-life version was bustling with activity.
White-collar workers, heavily made-up women, and disheveled, balding middle-aged men all sat in front of slot machines, pulling levers with rapt attention. Their reactions ranged from dejection to elation as the reels stopped spinning.
Greed and desire filled the air, creating a scene that was both lively and chaotic.
Beyond the slot machines, there were claw machines and arcade games, but they were largely ignored, with only a handful of students playing on them. Compared to the slots, they seemed desolate.
"First time here, folks?"
A game corner attendant approached them with a welcoming smile.
"Is it that obvious?" Green asked, feigning curiosity.
The attendant chuckled. "Regulars usually head straight to the counter to exchange coins."
Indeed, seasoned gamblers came with a purpose and didn't linger like the two of them.
"What's the exchange rate for coins?" Asahi asked.
"1,000 Pokédollars for 50 coins, or 10,000 Pokédollars for 500 coins."
The attendant eyed Asahi discreetly, noting his calm demeanor, and added, "We also have a special promotion. If you exchange 100,000 Pokédollars at once, you'll receive a limited-edition coin case as a bonus."
Green turned to Asahi, her eyes playfully asking for his decision like a doting girlfriend.
Without hesitation, Asahi waved his hand grandly. "Let's exchange 100,000 yen for tokens!"
He put on the air of someone wealthy and carefree. After all, this was an official mission, and he could expense it!
The attendant's smile grew even more enthusiastic upon hearing this.
Spending 100,000 yen on their first visit? This was a big spender! Although the attendant didn't earn commission, catering to such high-value customers added to his performance, potentially earning him a bonus at the end of the month.
After the payment was processed, the attendant fetched the box of tokens on Asahi's behalf without making him go to the counter.
"If you enjoy relaxing activities, you might like the Pokémon Catcher simulation or the new Kricketune rhythm arcade machine we've imported from the Sinnoh region," the attendant suggested.
"But if you're looking for more excitement, I'd highly recommend our slot machines, the pride of Rainbow Game Corner!"
"Ever since we opened, our slot machines have been a favorite among customers. In fact, one lucky player once won enough tokens to exchange for a Dratini with just 20 tokens!"
The attendant's voice brimmed with excitement as he touted the allure of striking it rich in one night.
Countless people had likely been ensnared by this sales pitch, pouring their savings into the machines, chasing dreams of fortune.
Asahi saw through his intentions immediately. However, gambling was only a side activity for him; his real objective was to uncover evidence linking the Rainbow Game Corner to Team Rocket.
Heading straight to the slot machines wouldn't yield any leads.
Feigning consideration, Asahi glanced at Green, pretending to seek his "girlfriend's" opinion.
Green picked up on Asahi's cue and, clutching his arm affectionately, said, "Honey, I'm not really interested in slot machines. Let's go try the claw machines first!"
The attendant was left speechless.
You spend 100,000 yen on tokens, only to play claw machines? Aren't you at least going to try the thrilling slot machines, our hallmark attraction?
Claw machines and rhythm games are everywhere—what's the fun in that?
Still, he couldn't object to a customer's preferences. Suppressing his disappointment, he watched as Asahi and Green walked toward the claw machines.
---
Another token slipped into the claw machine, and Asahi focused intently as he manipulated the joystick.
Yet, just as the claw ascended, it inexplicably loosened, dropping the prize once again.
Frustrated, Asahi slapped the machine's button. "What the heck? Aren't claw machines supposed to have a guaranteed win after a certain number of tries?"
He had already spent 100 tokens on this single claw machine—and not a single prize to show for it!
"Maybe we should give it a rest? It's not like we've lost too much," Green said, approaching with a soothing tone as she noticed Asahi getting worked up.
Asahi turned to look at her and froze.
Green's arms were overflowing with stuffed toys, almost too many for her to carry.
"..."
If he remembered correctly, Green had taken only 30 tokens with her...
And yet, she'd managed to win so many toys with just 30 tokens, while he had burned through 100 tokens for nothing.
Could it be... I'm just bad at this?
Asahi's expression turned complicated.
The thought lingered in his mind for a moment before he firmly dismissed it.
No way, absolutely not!
Winning at claw machines should be as easy as having hands!
It must be bad luck.
Resolute, Asahi inserted another token into the machine.
Ten seconds later...
Clink.
Once again, the plush Slowpoke slipped off the claw mid-air.
Asahi stared at the plush toy lying beyond the glass, his expression cycling through various emotions.
Finally, after a moment of profound thought, his face lit up with a look of revelation:
"I've figured it out!"
This claw machine was rigged!
It had to be some sinister scheme by Team Rocket targeting him specifically. Clearly, they had tampered with the machine's settings.
It was all Team Rocket's doing!
Certain of this, Asahi picked up the token box beside him. "You're right. Let's call it a day."
A hundred tokens was a small price to pay. But he made a mental note: Team Rocket's targeting of him wouldn't go unaddressed!
Seeing Asahi finally give up his battle with the claw machine, Green breathed a sigh of relief.
"So, where to next? The leisure area doesn't seem to have anything else worth exploring," she said, using their prearranged code phrase to signal that her investigation had turned up no evidence of Team Rocket activity in the leisure area.
Asahi knew the real leads were likely near the counter, but thanks to the overly eager attendant earlier, he hadn't had a chance to get close.
After some thought, he decided to use up his remaining tokens first. Returning to the counter to exchange more tokens later would give him a legitimate reason to linger there.
As for the fastest way to spend tokens...
Asahi's gaze landed on the slot machines nearby. Given how many people had squandered their savings there, surely burning through his remaining 4,000+ tokens would be a breeze.
"Let's try the slot machines!" Asahi declared.
He wanted to see just how "rigged" these machines were.
Carrying her haul of stuffed toys, Green quickly followed.