Pizza and Hand Holding

Flashing lights flickered and pulsed before Aya’s eyes in a mad flurry. She exhaled; A bead of sweat rolled down her cheek and dripped to the shiny stainless steel platform below. Her chest heaved as she let out a pained exhale as another flurry of flickering arrows flew up the screen. Aya’s feet rapidly pounded at the glowing platform beneath her as she struggled to keep pace. S-so close…just a little more… Aya thought to herself. She leaned back and gripped the bar behind her, puffing her chest out, she heaved and gave it everything she had for one final push.

Aya’s knees thudded against the platform, as she exhaled loudly. Her thighs burned as she sat hunched over, struggling to catch her breath.

“Ahh..haa… d-did I do it?” Aya looked up at the glowing monitor and saw her name “IkaChan”, with the words “High Score!” glowing in bright rainbow hues.

“Ahaha! H-Hell yeah!!” Aya excitedly smacked both hands against her burning thighs. She pushed herself to her feet, and wobbled a few steps before regaining her balance. She made her way down the neon lit aisle of white candy-cabs. Each machine glowed brightly, displaying in full color either a busty anime girl mascot, or burly figures throwing punches at one another. She reached for the front door and pushed it open, stepping into the light of day.

—

Aya leaned against the wall behind her, the gritty brick texture rubbed at her back through her clothing. She let out a gentle sigh as she shifted around, struggling to find a comfortable spot to wait. She wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and whipped out her phone.

So hungry…they seemed like the type to be early, Aya thought to herself. She’d been waiting for fifteen minutes at the arcade, just across the street from a hip underground Pizza Parlor that was named, “By the Slice”. Aya had spent the early morning hours tearing it up on the rhythm game machines, and after several hours had worked up a sweat and an appetite.

A breeze blew by, bringing sweet relief from the late spring heat. As she relaxed against the wall, her gaze shifted back towards the colorful lights and fun noises from inside the arcade. Aya contemplated getting in another quick round of her favorite dance game, but gazed down at her messenger app and decided against it.
Alzena: “Apologies! Almost there! ;;”

Aya smiled in relief, happy at least she wasn’t stood up.

Ika-Chan: “No worries. Take your time. :3”

As she hit the send button, her tummy rumbled in protest, and she slid down the wall to the ground.

Might as well torture myself with the menu. Aya thought to herself. She opened her browser and with a few taps had pulled up the menu and was scrolling through the options.

She'd chosen this particular pizza parlor due to its close proximity to the arcade, but also for how casual and inexpensive it was. The area is a bit off the beaten path, so mostly school students visited the area. Most everyone that came through was a broke student, so the area had long since been scoped out for its friendly pricing. Just as Aya had found what she wanted, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Is that you, Aya? Over here!”

Aya’s gaze immediately shot up from her phone and she saw a tall figure waving meekly at her from across the street. They had shoulder length pink hair with blonde braids at their bangs. They wore a crop-top sakura pink hoodie, baggy cargo pants, and criss-cross sandals woven from rope that looked like something a temple monk would wear.

They’re so cute… Aya thought to herself, as she hopped to her feet and dashed across the street. She stopped in front of them and flashed them a dreamy smile with a short wave. “Hey Yae~ Nice seeing you,” Aya’s voice came out in a chirpy pitch as she greeted them.

“It’s quite lovely seeing you as well, Aya. Terribly Sorry for my tardiness. I promise it’s not the norm.”
“Don’t sweat it, dude,” Aya closed her eyes and smiled warmly.

“You weren’t bored were you?”

“Nah, I just played at the arcade back there,” Aya gestured behind her. “I usually go there on Sundays before the crowd picks up. It’s kinda why I chose this place to meet,” Aya said with a small smirk, as she fidgeted with her hair.

“Oh, how interesting. So you play lots of arcade games then?” Yae replied, putting a finger to their lip.

“Yup! Mostly rhythm games. A few people from our class do too,” Aya said. She pushed on the sleek glass panel door and held it open. Yae walked around a yellow Moped parked on the sidewalk that had a stack of pizza boxes strapped to the back. The two stepped inside and passed a small chalkboard sign with slices of pizza and cursive script fancily drawn on its dusty surface. Cool air immediately greeted them, and pleasant chills ran down Aya’s exposed arms and thighs. The two grabbed an open booth and plopped down. Yae took out their phone and scanned a sticker on the table. They spent a few moments scrolling through their phone before looking back up.

“So what were you thinking of ordering, Aya?” they asked with a shy smile.

“Hm? Oh I usually just go for a plate of garlic basil Knots,” She replied while fidgeting with a curly strand of her green hair.

“Oh that sounds delicious, I’ll get us one of those.” Yae tapped at their phone a few times and popped their head up once more. “What else?”

Aya’s heart skipped a small beat. She’d never actually tried anything else other than the appetizers here. Under normal circumstances, a premium slice would leave her just short of the bus fare back home. “Um… the home-made meatball slice looks pretty good.”

“Sure, Aya. I’ll get that for you. I’ll just get myself a wild mushroom and chives slice.”

“Oh, not like meatballs?” Aya asked, tilting her head.

“Ah. Not entirely. Don’t get me wrong; It looks delicious. I just…typically don’t eat meat,” Yae explained as they tapped away at their phone. After a few moments they put their phone face down on the table and flashed Aya a smile. “Now we wait.”

Aya rubbed her feet together and wiggled in her seat. Words escaped her as she looked to the side of the booth, her face glowing a soft pink. “T-thanks,” she said quietly.

“Don’t mention it. It was very kind of you to be patient and wait for me. I should be thanking you.” They smiled empathetically and leaned forward, their gaze resting on her. “...After all, you’re quite special to me.”

Aya’s face glowed red, and her heart gently began to pick up pace. She was reminded briefly of the flashing lights of her rhythm game from this morning. The faint burning in her chest and thighs suddenly became apparent, as Aya briefly realized that the game never quite ended at the arcade. She looked up at Yae, struggling to find the rhythm of their conversation.

“Ah-no. I…” Aya paused. “You’re pretty special too, Yae.”

They chuckled softly. Sipping on her words like sweet honey. “Eheh… Thanks, Aya.”

A few moments passed and their food arrived. The two ate in silence, Aya wolfing down her slice and half of the garlic knots, while Yae took just a few bites of their pizza and one of the garlic knots. They ate slowly and deliberately by comparison.

“All finished?” they rested their chin on their folded hands while flashing her a doting smile. “How about I treat you to something sweet?”

“Y-you sure? You don’t have to…” Aya blushed and looked to the table.

“It’s really no issue. I promise. Especially for you, Aya,” they paused and smiled dotingly once more. “You’re…very pretty.”

Aya chuckled reflexively and buried her face in her hands. “Oh man. You this sugary to every girl?”

“Mm. Aha. No no. Not quite.” Yae waved their hands. “Just the ones I’ve grown especially fond of.”

“Sheeesh!” Aya pulled her beanie down until it covered her face. She exhaled and exaggeratedly fanned herself with her hands. “Fine. I’m all yours. We’ll go where you want, and do… whatever you want.”

Yae flashed Aya a quick victorious grin, but quickly regained their composed expression. “Sounds lovely, Aya.” They scooted out of the booth and walked over, reaching a hand to help her out. “Your trust is of deep value to me. Thank you.”

“Heh, Sure…Guessing you came prepared, huh? Like the other day when you showed me your novel collection?” Aya took their hand. It was warm and soft. They pulled her out of the booth, and she stood just inches away from them. The height difference between them was so great that Aya had to crane her neck to meet their gaze.

“But of course. You don’t have to worry about a thing,” they said with a warm, friendly smile. If she didn’t know any better, she’d have never spotted the ulterior motives that Yae was packed to the brim with.

“Heh, rad. First though, we’re stopping to get bubble tea.”

“How perfect!” Yae clapped their hands together. “What flavor do you prefer?”

“Strawberry,” Aya replied. “Strawberry Milk.”

Yae smiled and the two walked out of the Pizza parlor, holding hands like a couple. They strolled down the sidewalk, hand in hand, both eager to find where the day would take them.