sparse flash 6

Subaru: Ahahahahaha ☆

Games can be kinda fun!

Look, look! There’re sparkles all over the screen! It’s so colorful and pretty, hehe ♪

Makoto: Hey, um, Akehoshi-kun, this is a puzzle game. You’re not supposed to collect the sparkles. The rules say you have to get rid of them.

Subaru: Oh, is that what you’re supposed to do?

I thought the music sounded kinda menacing~ So that means we’re in a pickle! Got it, got it~ ☆

Okayyy, now how do we get rid of ‘em... Oh! Collect four of the same color, right?

One, two, threeee, and four! And off they go~ ☆

Look at that! When they disappear, the sparkles kinda disperse for a moment, like a firework ☆

Awesome! I’ll get rid of even more of them! Sparkling streeeeam... ☆

Makoto: Ahaha. I’m glad you’re having fun, even if it is just a boring old retro game.

All the games you play nowadays have amazing graphics, so I thought this might be a little boring to you.

Subaru: I don’t play games at all, so I’m having plenty of fun! I’m more of a run-around-outside kinda guy~ You can keep growing forever and ever under the sun!

Makoto: How healthy of you... All I ever did when I was shut up in my room was play games, so now I’m kinda lanky and weak.

Subaru: That sounds pretty bad, right? Being an idol is more or less a test of your mettle!

Makoto: Yeah, I know... Gaming just calms me down, is all. Everything works exactly like you expect.

Humans, not so much. It’s pretty much impossible to tell people are going to react.

Subaru: I know, right? Games sound so simple in comparison.

But in the end, I like making people smile.

...Oh, right. It’s getting pretty late. I should head home.

I’ve gotta walk Daikichi—I mean, my dog.^[1]

Makoto: Oops, yeah. Sorry I kept you so long. I’m fine gaming by myself, but it’s a lot more fun when you have someone to play with.

Subaru: Nah, it’s cool! I came here to try out the club anyway, so I might as well see what it’s all about...

It’s been a long time since I had someone to do things with, so I’m really happy.

But I can’t believe it—Natsume’s the one who wanted to join the club, but then he went and bailed on us with that whole “I have other things to do” excuse.

He dropped me so fast it threw me for a loop.

Makoto: Oh, you guys came to join? You should have told me... Well, I was the one who kept on playing games instead of asking what you were here for.

But are you two actually going to join the club?

That’d be a big help... I mentioned it before, but we really don’t have enough members to keep it going.

Subaru: Mm... I dunno about Natsume, but I’ll have to wait a bit to decide. I also got invited to join another club.

The basketball club, specifically. Apparently they’re also struggling for members.

I’ve always liked playing ball games, so I think that might suit me better.

Makoto: Wow, I’m surprised they’re having trouble, too. It’s not what I expected.

I heard that our team is so strong that we even have our own basketball court just for this school.

Subaru: Oh, you know about it?

Makoto: Ahaha. I’m always looking stuff up online when I have free time...

It’s a habit I have, I guess. I start getting anxious if I don’t research everything about what’s going on around me.

If I don’t understand everything about the environment I’m in, I don’t know how I’m supposed to present myself.

Oops, you said you have to get home. Sorry for rambling on. I guess I’ve been missing the company of others, too.

Subaru: No, it’s been a long time since I’ve gotten to talk to someone new.

And you’re real easy to talk to~ I tend to lose that spark with most people halfway through the conversation.

Makoto: Really? I actually thought it was impressive that you could talk to me so much, Akehoshi-kun... I kind of suck at conversations.

Subaru: Ahaha, well maybe we just clicked. I’m starting to like you a lot after just talking and playing games with you, too, Yuuki-kun.

Actually, would you mind if I came by to hang out again? I dunno if I can join the club, but I do wanna game with you ♪

Makoto: Of course. You’re more than welcome to play with me anytime you want!

Fufu. But then again, the game club might get disbanded, and if that happens I won’t be able to keep that promise.