Stealing Spree - Chapter 2707 - 2707: Extended Time (1)
After buying more tokens, I brought the girls to play on other arcade machines to gather the tickets we lacked for Maaya’s alpaca with a crooked bowtie.
Before leaving the counter, I also asked Himeko what she liked from the prizes but instead of picking from them, she pointed at one of the claw machines.
The prize she wanted was in one of those. Following her fingers, I found the small, plush keychain of a silver fox with oversized ears and a mischievous grin.
“Ruki, that one. Can you get it for me?”
She tugged at my sleeve as she confirmed it. It was truly the dangling fox trapped between a pile of generic bears and stuffed cats. The machine’s glass case was smudged with fingerprints, most likely from the other hopefuls who failed to get one from it.
Looking at the claw hovering lazily above the mess, I could already tell how rigged it was.
But well, that’s not a problem for me. I’d get everything for her if she asked for it.
“Nee-sama, why a keychain? Go big or go home.” Maaya asked as we went over to the claw machine. She’s still eyeing her alpaca from afar as if she’s afraid it would be taken by someone else if she stopped looking.
Himeko giggled, shaking her head. “It’s cute. And small. Easier to carry without Father noticing.”
Hmm? This girl… Her little sister was going to get that large plushie but she’s afraid to have something noticeable. I guess she still hasn’t shaken off her previous habit of just being quiet not to cause trouble for her sister.
“That’s not good, Himeko. I’ll get more than one for you.”
“Eh? Ruki…?”
I just smirked and fed a token into the claw machine.
The motor whirred to life, the claw descending slightly in preparation.
“Watch this.” I gripped the joystick, maneuvering the claw with utmost care and precision.
As soon as it hovered over the fox, I tapped the button and it started descending.
However, I missed it. It clamped onto a bear’s ear instead and it even failed to bring it up. The prize tumbled back into the pile.
Maaya snorted and said in a teasing tone. “Shameless guy, after that big talk of getting more than one, are you sure you can do it? If you can’t, I can always get it for Nee-sama.”
On my side, Himeko giggled, “It’s fine, Ruki. You can do it.”
The kids from earlier had wandered over, forming a semi-circle around us. “Onii-san, try again! Aim for the tail!”
Now, I’m getting coached by these brats.
Anyway, I shot Maaya a grin. “Jealous? Don’t worry, your alpaca’s next.”
Second try: Claw snagged the fox’s ear. It lifted, wobbled and then dropped. The pile shifted, burying the fox I was targeting deeper.
Himeko pouted adorably, her lower lip jutting out. “R-Ruki…”
The kids groaned in unison. One bold boy piped up, “Let me show you! It’s all about the drop timing!”
“You guys… The claw is just too slippery, alright? I can get it next.
Maaya laughed harder as she lightly pushed my shoulder. “Shameless guy, move. I’ll get Nee-sama’s fox.”
She tried snatching the joystick like it owed her money. Instead of letting her do it, I had her step in and then trapped her between me and the claw machine.
“Y-you… I said I’ll do it!”
“Nope. I’ll do it. You watch right there. Maybe you’re going to be my lucky charm.” I whispered before giving her cheek a peck.
The girl was instantly flustered as she tried to wriggle out. She failed, of course.
I put another token in and started.
Third try: I angled the claw just right, hovering it over the fox’s fluffy tail.
The kids held their breath. That one girl earlier even stood next to Himeko, praying alongside her.
I timed the drop perfectly.
CLUNK.
And the claw clamped down firmly. It then lifted the fox clean, wobbling dangerously. But under our bated breaths, the fox keychain remained as the claw reached the chute, dropping it in.
“Yes!” Himeko clapped, her eyes lighting up like fireworks. The kids exploded into cheers, the bold boy pumping his fist. “Onii-san did it! Told ya!”
Maaya huffed from her trapped spot against me, her cheeks still pink from the peck.
“Lucky. But… fine. Good job, shameless guy.” Her voice was grudging as she stepped out of being caged by me, her fingers clamped around my waist, squeezing possessively.
I guess that’s her way of getting back at me.
After that, I handed the fox keychain to Himeko, who immediately clipped it to her bag strap, beaming.
“Thank you, Ruki! It’s perfect.” She rose on tiptoes, pressing a quick, shy kiss to my cheek right in front of the kids, who whistled like they were expecting me to get that reward.
Maybe when they grow up, they’ll learn a thing or two from me.
As the kids walked away, I turned to the pouting Maaya, her tsundere facade cracking in real time.
“Patience, Maaya. Your alpaca’s coming.” I reached for her, slipping my hand down, teasingly squeezing her ass briefly, before stepping back.
She yelped, swatting my arm as she whispered back sternly. “Shameless pervert. Not here. There are kids!”
“Sorry, I can’t help it when you’re adorably pouting like that.” I replied as I grabbed her hand. Himeko, who finished admiring her fox keychain, linked arms with me again.
With this, we continued our hunt for more tickets.
I targeted a rhythm game next. Himeko and Maaya took turns mashing buttons beside me, their laughter bubbling over the music.
We got 50 tickets there. And then, a fighting game, which got Maaya too competitive again. Since she didn’t want me to intentionally lose to her, I won three rounds out of three. With Himeko, she’s already satisfied with one loss.
With more tokens in hand, we continued touring the arcade.
We hit the racing games next. Maaya clearly wanted to challenge me again, so I beat her to it.
“Loser feeds the winner ice cream,” I declared as I inserted the tokens and guided the two girls to their seats.
Himeko giggled nervously. “I-I’m bad at this… I’m just going to watch next to you, Ruki.”
“Alright, you’re with me then.” Upon saying that, I put her in front of me. She leaned on my chest while my hands grabbed the steering wheel.
On the other side, Maaya smirked, her eyes burning with slight jealousy. “Hmph. You’re on. Watch me lap you both.”
Look at her, she’s enjoying this. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel like she was about to conquer the world, eyes narrowed in that competitive glare I loved so much.
The engine revved on-screen, tires screeching as the race kicked off.
“Start your engines, ladies,” I murmured as I rested my chin on Himeko’s shoulder. Her soft hair tickled my nose and she giggled. She then put her hands loosely over mine on the wheel.
Like this, we became a single unit, her body snuggled comfortably against me.
The track twisted through neon-lit city streets on the screen as the countdown started.
Looking a little impatient, Maaya floored it immediately as soon as the go signal flashed.
“Eat my dust!” She grinned as she pulled ahead by a hair. Her car wildly zoomed out.
