"I won!"

The voice squeaked in excitement as 'WINNER' flashed in bold, triumphant letters on the arcade game's screen. Laughter erupted among the group of boys, who cheered proudly at their friend's victory, hopping around in pure happiness. The sight brought a smile to Hime's face, even as the word 'DEFEAT' blinked relentlessly on her own screen. She felt relieved having let the young boy win their duel in Street Fighter. She definitely hadn't been utterly defeated by a 7-year-old boy — and most certainly wasn't going easy on him.

"Haha! Can't believe you lost to a kid," Reika chuckled beside her, teasing her friend's defeat. She patted Hime on the back to comfort her, all while trying to stop her laughter from escaping her mouth. Meanwhile, Sayaka was practically laughing her heart out while mimicking Reika's gesture, managing to say 'It's okay' and 'You tried' in between her fits of laughter.

"Hahaha! What do you mean?" Hime laughed almost sarcastically. "I was just going easy on him."

"Hmm, sure, you weren't using your full strength," Reika hummed, clearly unconvinced.

Hime cleared her throat before replying. "Of course! I'd feel bad if I beat a kid in a game. We wouldn't want him to go home crying, right—?"

"Haha! You suck at this game!"

All three of the girls' heads whipped towards the high-pitched, smug voice in front of them, stunned at what they just heard. They watched in disbelief as the boys started bragging about their victory. While it brought a flicker of annoyance, Hime didn't react to the childish remark, and Sayaka was still laughing — this time in both disbelief and confusion.

Reika, on the other hand, had a mischievous glint in her eye. She stood up abruptly, pulling Hime away from her seat with a firm but gentle tug. Sliding into Hime's spot, she turned to face the boys, showing a wide yet sly smile. Her lips pressed together as her eyes narrowed into playful slits, a hint of mischief lingering in her expression. The boys' laughter died down as they watched her, surprised by the sudden shift in mood.

"Hey, how about we play another game?" Reika's voice was light, but her smile held a challenge. "But this time, it's with me. And if I win, you have to apologise to her. Deal?"

Hime was taken aback by her friend's sudden suggestion, asking, "What exactly are you doing?" Though she was familiar with Reika's antics, she never expected them to be directed to a kid. Reika, however, ignored the question.

Reika had always had these mischievous thoughts, but she wouldn't usually act upon them. Usually, it was Hime who took the lead in playful antics, with Sayaka — just as playful and mischievous — following along. So, seeing the normally reserved Reika playing along with the kids was both surprising and refreshing.

Reika had never been one to take the centre stage. Instead, she had always been more satisfied as an observer. Though introverted, her playful side emerged whenever she surrounded herself with people she was comfortable with. Her easygoing manner and playful nature gave her a subtly influential presence wherever she went.

Hime, on the other hand, blended maturity and youthful playfulness perfectly. She was the more extroverted of the three, even though she shared Reika's introvertedness. Her lively personality and thoughtful demeanour often positioned her as the eldest sister, offering both balance and guidance to her friends.

Sayaka was the most carefree and playful of the trio. Her child-like enthusiasm and naivety brought a vibrant energy to their adventures. Often caught up in the moment, she tends to add sparks of spontaneity and humour to lighten any situation.

As they all interacted with the children, the boy hesitated, the excitement on his face faltering slightly, which soon got taken over by curiosity. "What if I win?" he asked, eyes gleaming with newfound confidence.

Reika leaned back in her seat, tapping her chin in mock thought. "Hmm... If you win, I'll buy you unlimited tickets to the arcade."

The boy's face lit up, any hesitation completely gone. "You're on!" he exclaimed, already picturing his next victory. He jumped into his seat, eagerly preparing for the new duel, his laughter bubbling over at the thought of the endless visits to the arcade that victory would bring. 

Little did he know, Reika wasn't just any challenger — she was the, self-proclaimed, arcade's reigning Street Fighter champion, and she never played to lose.

The boys stared in disbelief as the 'DEFEAT' screen blinked in front of them, mere moments after the game had begun. Not willing to accept the outcome, they immediately requested a rematch. However, each attempt ended the same way. Frustrated but determined, the boys took turns battling Reika, but no matter how many times they tried, the result remained unchanged. While they were all still determined to at least attain a single victory, Reika's energy was completely drained.

The boys huddled around her, begging for yet another round, but Reika chuckled as she shook her head, partially regretting indulging in her own antics. "It's getting late, boys. Time to head home." Their faces fell in disappointment, and the three girls couldn't help but laugh at their adorable pouts. Despite their loss, the boys were eager to continue, driven by the hope of winning those promised unlimited tickets. But Reika was tired, and it was time to leave for dinner.

"You guys still haven't apologised, right?" Sayaka chimed in, teasingly. The boys shuffled their feet, glancing down at the floor as if stalling for more time, hoping for one last chance to win. Noticing their reluctance, Sayaka grinned and added, "If you apologise now, Big Sister Reika here might just buy you those tickets anyway."

"Oi," Reika muttered, feigning annoyance, though the playful glint in her eyes betrayed her.

The boys' eyes lit up, turning to Reika with eager, expectant faces. "Really?!" they exclaimed in unison as their excitement filled the atmosphere. Reika found herself caught in a bind as the boys immediately began shouting apologies towards Hime, as if racing to prove their sincerity.

"Hey, hey... are you guys really sorry?" Reika asked, chuckling softly. But when she was met with their wide, hopeful eyes once again, she sighed, knowing there was no escaping this. "Alright, fine," she relented, shaking her head with a smile. "Come on, let's get your tickets."

◆◆◆

The neon lights of the arcade flickered behind the girls as they stepped into the cool evening air. Under the golden glow of the setting sun, they made their way towards the nearest mall to grab their dinner. The vibrant colours of dusk painted the sky while they chatted animatedly, their laughter blending with the hum of the bustling streets.

"That was brutal, Reika," Sayaka giggled. "You could've at least gone easy on them."

"Hey, I didn't go that hard," Reika hummed, clearly unbothered. "They're just... not there yet. Besides, I wouldn't call myself brutal. I still gave them tickets, thanks to someone," she added, shooting a playful glance at Sayaka who was whistling as if she had done nothing wrong.

Hime shook her head, laughing. "Maybe not brutal, but you're definitely heartless. Buying all those tickets in front of them, making them think they're all for them, only to hand out two each? That's cold."

"Oh please, you'd do the exact same thing if they weren't kids," Reika hummed, passing the tickets to Hime with a shrug. "Besides, I'm saving them from becoming arcade zombies. So really, I'm doing them a favour if you think about it." The girls laughed again, remembering the boys' stunned reactions to Reika's antics. 

It had been a while since the three of them hung out like this. They were so overwhelmed by their workload and schoolwork that they barely had time to even get a proper rest. Because of that, today's time together felt more valuable than ever. It was a much-needed escape from their hectic schedules. It was the kind of day that felt almost perfect, as if nothing could possibly go wrong.

But of course, that was too good to be true.

"HELP!!!"

The shriek jolted them to a halt, confusion and concern written on their faces as they scanned the surroundings for its source. Before they could react, a figure rushed past them, leaving them stunned for a split second. Reika's gaze followed the figure for a moment — just long enough to catch a glimpse — before turning back to the elderly woman who had collapsed onto the pavement behind them.

"That man! He… He took my purse!" the old woman cried out, her voice trembling but determined.

Reika froze, heart pounding as she scanned around for anyone else who might help. But the street was eerily empty. It wasn't that she didn't want to help; she had never been in a situation like this, and unsure if she could even catch up to the thief. All her doubts, however, vanished when she saw Hime's shorter frame already sprinting forward, chasing the man.

"Hime?!" Reika shouted, eyes wide in disbelief as she stared at her retreating back. She pinched the bridge of her nose before running a hand through her hair with an exasperated sigh, muttering "What the fuck is she doing..?"

Sayaka mirrored her shock, her voice trembling as she stammered, "What should we do, Reika? Should we follow her—?"

"Obviously!" Reika snapped, already breaking into a run before Sayaka could even finish her sentence. "She can't even fight! What's she planning to do if she catches up to him?!"

Sayaka hesitated for just a moment before turning back to the elderly woman. "We'll be back, I promise!" she said before running after her friends, heart racing with worry. 

All the while Reika and Sayaka were debating their next move, Hime was already hot on the thief's trail. The moment he noticed her closing in on him, he dashed into narrow alleys and winding side streets, frantically throwing anything he could find in her path to slow her down. But it was no use. Hime dodged and weaved around every obstacle, her pace barely faltering.

Despite this, she couldn't help but be baffled by her own actions. She knew she had a tendency to act before thinking, but she never imagined it would land her in a situation like this. She was no athlete, and chasing down a thief was definitely not something she'd ever expected herself doing. Her lungs burned and her legs ached, but she kept pushing forward, driven by sheer determination to recover the stolen purse. Even as she swerved through whatever that was thrown to her, a part of her mind was in awe at the fact that she was keeping up at all.

"Hey…!" Hime huffed, struggling to catch her breath. "Stop running already, will you?!"

She knew shouting wouldn't make a difference, but her legs were screaming from the exertion, and she could feel the exhaustion coming. The thief glanced over his shoulder with a scowl before running into another narrow alleyway.

"Come on, not again," Hime muttered under her breath, forcing herself to speed up. She rounded the corner that was made by the thief just moments ago, only to find him frantically searching for an escape. A sigh of relief was let out of her mouth when she realised it was a dead end with nowhere to run.

"It's over," she panted, catching the attention of the man who cursed under his breath upon seeing Hime. "Hand over the purse."

There was a brief silence upon the statement, but was shortly followed by the thief bursting out laughing, the sound echoing throughout the alley. Hime's stomach dropped. She hadn't expected this reaction — he was cornered and had nowhere to go, so she thought he'd just give up. However, that wasn't the case at all. It felt as if she had a reality check upon seeing the man's reaction.

"Hand over the purse?" he mocked, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Or what? What exactly are you going to do to me?"

Hime blinked, caught off guard. She hadn't planned this far ahead. Maybe running after him wasn't the smartest idea. She cleared her throat, forcing herself to stand her ground despite the panic bubbling up inside her.

"Well?" he taunted, stepping towards her with a smug grin. "You really think I'm going to just hand it over because you asked nicely?"

Hime's annoyance flared. "Of course not. Do you take me for a fool?"

The man sneered, pulling the purse from behind his back before tossing it carelessly over his shoulder. "Then come and get it," he challenged. "If you can get past me, that is."

Hime clenched her fists, her temper rising. He's so damn cocky, she thought to herself. "Are you seriously underestimating me?"

He chuckled darkly, his gaze sweeping over her dismissively. "I mean… you're just a woman. What are you gonna do, sweetheart?"

Her anger flared at his words, and before she knew it, she launched herself at the thief, fist clenched with all the strength she had left in her. In a swift, desperate move, she drove her fist into his groin, catching him completely off guard.

"Fuck!" he gasped, collapsing onto his knees, his face contorted in agony as he tried to suppress the pain radiating through his body.

Hime's hand throbbed from the impact, a sharp discomfort shooting through her knuckles. She recoiled, feeling a wave of disgust at the thought of her fist being in contact with a man's crotch. But she quickly snapped back to reality, snatching the purse from the ground. Once the stolen item was in her possession, she turned to run, her heart racing faster than before. But before she could escape the alley, a strong hand yanked her backward, slamming her into the wall. 

She gasped, stunned. The thief had recovered much faster than she'd anticipated. He loomed over her, his face twisted with fury and disbelief.

"How fucking bold," he growled, inching closer to her. "That fucking hurt, you bitch."

"Good," Hime spat, glaring up at him despite the fear curling in her stomach.

He paused, his eyes narrowing as he let out a mocking laugh. "Still acting tough, huh? Let's see how long that lasts."

She steeled herself, raising her fist for another strike, but he grabbed her wrist mid-swing, squeezing hard enough to make her wince. She then tried to swing the purse at his head, but he caught her other hand just as easily.

"Let go of me!" she hissed, struggling against his grip.

His smirk widened, and his voice dripped with contempt. "You brought this on yourself," he sneered, leaning in closer. "But don't worry, I'll—"

His sentence was cut off abruptly by a sickening thud as his body flung sideways, crashing into the ground with a heavy thump. Hime blinked, her breath catching as she stared at his crumpled form a few feet away.

She turned to see Reika standing there huffing, her expression laced with anger and her fist wrapped in a tight clench. Relief washed over Hime, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins as she realised she wasn't alone anymore. 

"Reika—!"

"What were you thinking?!" Reika cut her off, her voice sharp with worry. Reika's expression softened when she noticed Hime flinching before letting out a relieved sigh. "Are you okay? He didn't hurt you, did he?"

"Not really," Hime replied, almost nonchalantly. "But I did punch him in the groin."

Reika blinked, then burst out laughing, the tension melting away. "No way! Seriously?"

"Yeah, but he recovered way too fast. Wasn't the pain supposed to last for some time?"

Reika's laughter died down as she glanced at the unconscious thief, her gaze hardening momentarily. Before she could say more, Sayaka's voice called out from the entrance of the alley.

"Hey, guys, I think we should go!" she urged, clutching the stolen purse. "No telling what'll happen when he wakes up."

With a nod, the three of them quickly left the alley, their hearts still racing from the encounter. They made their way back to the old lady, who was sitting on a bench nearby, her eyes lighting up as they approached.

"Ma'am!" Sayaka called out, waving the purse. "We got it back!"

The elderly woman's face brightened as Sayaka handed her the purse. "Oh my, thank you so much, dear!"

Warmth filled the girls' hearts as they watched her clutch the purse to her chest, relief and gratitude clear on her face.

"It was nothing, really," Sayaka said with a modest smile. "Although I didn't do much. These two did all the hard work."

"Oh, but you all helped," the lady said kindly. "Thank you, girls. You're very brave."

The trio smiled, chatting with the lady for a while before walking her home to ensure she got back safely. Upon reaching the house, the elderly woman told them to wait for a while as she went in to grab something. When she returned, she handed each of them a small but elegant jewel — Reika received a black one, Hime a blue, and Sayaka a red.

"A gem?" Reika asked, surprised as she examined the delicate stone. "You really don't have to—"

"Please, take them," the woman insisted, her eyes soft and sincere. "It's a small thank you for your kindness. I'm sure you three will grow up to be fine people who follow their judgement. That's a rare and valuable trait, just like these gems."

Reika glanced at her for a second longer, as if the lady's words had stirred something in her mind, before returning another smile. They thanked her and finally bid her farewell. The gems shimmering in their hands as they walked away, admiring the intricate details. Their laughter and voices gradually faded as they moved further down the road, each girl lost in thought.

The elderly lady watched them go, a gentle smile lingering on her face. The warmth in her eyes deepened, but there was something else laced in within those eyes. A glint of satisfaction sparkled in them as her smile widened.

"I've found them," she murmured, her gaze fixed on their retreating figures.