Electric Night

As I walked alongside Kirishima, the dim glow of the arcade's neon lights casting a colorful haze over the crowded room, I couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. The air was thick with the sounds of laughter and competition, the smells of sugary snacks and fried treats wafting through the air, making my stomach growl with hunger. Kirishima, ever the enthusiastic one, was practically bouncing with anticipation, his eyes scanning the rows of games with an unbridled energy that was infectious. I smiled to myself, feeling a sense of camaraderie with him that I'd grown accustomed to over the years. We'd known each other since childhood, our bond forged in the fires of countless adventures and late-night conversations. And yet, despite our easy rapport, I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was going to be different. As we made our way to the air hockey table, Kirishima turned to me with a mischievous glint in his eye. "You know, Vesper, I'm not going to go easy on you," he said, a playful grin spreading across his face. I raised an eyebrow, my competitive streak piqued. "Oh, is that so?" I replied, my voice laced with a hint of challenge. Kirishima chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yeah, I'm going to crush you," he said, before turning to insert coins into the machine. As we waited for the game to start, I couldn't help but notice the way Kirishima's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. It was a familiar sight, one that I'd grown up with, and yet...there was something about it that caught my attention tonight. The game started, and we faced off, our mallets at the ready. The objective was simple: score more goals than the other player. But as we began to play, I realized that Kirishima was being surprisingly serious. He was focused, his movements swift and precise, and I found myself having to work harder than I expected to keep up. I gritted my teeth, determination burning within me. I was not going to let Kirishima win without a fight. The game was on, and I was ready to give it my all. As we played, our trash talk and laughter filling the air, I felt a sense of freedom that I rarely experienced. It was just Kirishima and me, lost in the thrill of competition, the world outside melting away. And yet, even as I reveled in the excitement of the game, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more at play here. Something that had nothing to do with air hockey, and everything to do with the way my heart was racing, the way my senses seemed heightened. As the game drew to a close, Kirishima and I exchanged a look, our faces flushed with exertion. I smiled, feeling a sense of triumph. I had won, but only by a hair. Kirishima grinned, his eyes sparkling with good-natured rivalry. "Rematch," he said, before turning to insert more coins into the machine. I laughed, feeling a sense of anticipation build within me. Bring it on.