∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
“Iswear you’re cheating,” Eri said as they played Ricochet in one of the immersive rooms.
“How am I cheating when you’re winning? Maybe you’re cheating,” Elias countered.
“I am not, and because there’s no way your score should be that close to mine if you weren’t.”
He laughed, and Eri pressed her lips together to keep from joining in as she evaded another enemy attack. She needed to focus. She would not let him beat her this time. Their first game had been some space run game, and he’d wiped the floor with her after she told him if he held back and let her win, she would beat him up. After she’d lost, she sort of wished she’d kept her mouth shut. However, Eri had never been a sore loser and always came harder the next time.
They were in the last minute of the game, and all she had to do was keep the strategy she’d been using, and she’d have it in the bag. Two other people were playing since the game could accommodate up to six at a time, but she wasn’t worried about them. As long as she beat him, she didn’t care.
When it ended and her player number popped up in first place, she did a little happy dance before cheering, which drew laughs from Elias and the other two people. They congratulated her before wandering off to another area.
“We’re one and one,” she told Elias with a smile. “What should I beat you at next?”
He ran his thumb along her cheek, and Eri did her damndest to make sure the butterflies that seemed to have taken up residency in her stomach did not react to something so menial.
“We can play whatever you want next, but whether you’ll beat me remains to be seen.”
She thought about it for a moment. “We could play that game with the balls.”
“We can, but it isn’t a competitive game, aside from trying to beat the previous fastest time frame.”
“I suppose I can work with you as long as we beat it,” she responded.
They headed to the room where the game was played, and there was a group playing. It didn’t look like they had much more of it to finish. Eri took that time to read the rules and how to play. It was simple enough: throw the ball at the numbers to increase the value until they match one beside it, where they would merge and disappear. She had played something similar on her phone before.
“I’m going to go to the bathroom before they finish,” Eri stated.
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, keep our place. I’ll be right back.”
She headed towards the bathroom. There were only three stalls, and someone was in each of them. Another woman was in front of her, so she had to wait a bit.
When she returned to where she’d left Elias, she saw a woman talking to him. As she drew closer, she could make out the conversation.
“No, I’m good,” he stated.
“It’s just that I got stood up. I’m here by myself, and I thought, maybe—”
“How is that my problem?” he cut her off.
Eri stepped beside him and bumped him with her hip. “Is the other group finished yet?”
Elias draped an arm over her shoulders. “Not yet, Amate.”
“Hi,” the woman greeted with a smile.
“Hey,” Eri responded.
“This isn’t what it looks like. I asked if he wanted to play the game with me because I thought we were both here alone, and it’s easier with more people.”
Eri knew it was. The room could accommodate up to twenty people, and there were four boards across the walls. It madesense that multiple people would be on a team. She didn’t mind if the woman played on the same board with them, but it seemed Elias might, if his response was any indication.
“I’m sure you’ll find people to play with.” Eri looked around and found two women who seemed to be together. “Maybe try asking them. I wouldn’t mind your playing with us, but it’s our first date, so…” she trailed off, leaving it open.
“Oh! I am so sorry. Yeah, I’ll ask them. Thanks,” the other woman responded before heading in the direction Eri indicated.
