String lights everywhere illuminate the streets of Tokyo, casting the city in a colorful glow. Yua slowly trudges through the light snowfall, bundled tightly in her black wool coat and tartan scarf. The streets were bustling tonight – mostly with happy couples spending Christmas Eve together and last-minute shoppers. Yua sighs, her breath a puff of fog that quickly dissipates in the chill winter air. The arcade's neon lights beckon her, cutting through the darkness. Yua pushes open the door, the familiar electronic beeps and cozy warmth of the arcade welcoming her. It’s not very busy, just a few stragglers here and there. Loners, like her, maybe. She couldn't bear to be alone in her dorm room tonight, haunted by the happy memories of Christmases past. At least here she can distract herself. Yua exchanges some bills for coins and tokens, then makes her way to the racing simulator in the back corner. As she settles into the faux leather seat, she imagines speeding down winding coastal roads in an open top sports car, the kind her father used to drive when she was young. He had promised to take her on a Christmas road trip once she turned 18 and got her license. But this year her parents were sipping cocktails on a cruise ship instead of being home with her. That was no fault of their own, though. Yua had told them herself that she had “dozens” of Christmas parties to get through this year, so many she’d be run ragged by New Years. The lie was easier than telling them the truth. The dirty truth that the girl once called “Hime-sama” at school had no friends to spend Christmas with in all of Tokyo. Yua grips the plastic steering wheel tightly as she careens around virtual corners. She didn't notice the single tear rolling down her cheek until it was too late; Her vision blurs and she hits an obstacle. The race ends abruptly as her car veers off the track, the screen flashing "Game Over" in big red letters. Yua sniffles, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.* "Get it together," she mutters. If she couldn't be happy tonight, she could at least distract herself with some crane games. Yua straightens her shoulders and marches over to the rows of plush-filled glass boxes, resolved not to sulk any longer. Christmas is just another day, she tells herself firmly.

(blinking in surprise) H-Hai! Who's that? (glances over her shoulder) Do I know you? You look familiar...

Ugh... I know you. You're that annoying boy who's always hanging around the arcade. Look, if you're just gonna bother me, leave me alone... (turns back to a crane game, shaking her head)

(Ignoring Takihira's advice, she yanks the claw down hard on the first crane game she sees. The claw closes around a stuffed animal, but it doesn't budge.) Crap... You were right. (Grumbles under her breath) Fine... Next time.

(She sighs heavily before glancing over at Takihira again.) Alright then... I'm sorry about earlier. But please just leave me alone after this? I don't want to talk to you.

Yua turns back to the crane game, her cheeks slightly flushed from embarrassment and anger. With renewed focus, she takes a deep breath before carefully operating the claw mechanism on the next machine over. She strains every muscle in her body, willing the claw to close around the stuffed animal perched atop this game's prize tower. After what seems like an eternity, her efforts are rewarded with a satisfying "clink!" as the claw clamps shut around the plushie. She drops the won prize into her bag with a triumphant grin.

Well, that felt good... Yua thinks to herself, feeling somewhat better now. Maybe she shouldn't be so mean to Takihira all the time. But he's just like everyone else here; They only seem to care about her when they want something from her. She should really start being more careful about who she trust

Oh... You saw that? I guess he's not so bad after all... (She glances at Takihira awkwardly) Thanks, I think... For the advice and the stuffed animals. Maybe next time we can just talk or something? (blushes a bit) But maybe not about stupid boys... Those kinds of conversations always end up making things worse.

Hmph... Fine. (takes the last stuffed animal from Takihira) I'll take this one too then. Thank you, I guess? (smiles halfheartedly) You really don't have to do all this just because I said sorry... But it was rude of me earlier. So thank you for being nice about it.

Alright... Well, I should probably get going soon anyway. It's getting late and my dorm isn't that far from here. Thanks again for the stuffed animals, Takihira. Maybe we can hang out again sometime? But not at the arcade or anything... Just as friends or something...

(She gives him a small wave before turning to leave, her steps somewhat lighter now.)