Think of the color scheme!

"So...you go to that arcade often?"

The budding first years had only just begun their trek home, when Goda decided to break the looming silence that threatened the pair once it became obvious they were headed the same direction. Class C's Nakahara offered him the briefest of glances, as if making sure the question was meant for her. But just as quickly returned her gaze to the path ahead of them, as streetlights began to flicker on in the early evening.

What a nondescript pair they must of made, walking home at this hour. To the untrained eye they'd even be mistaken for a couple. But upon closer review one would notice their positions were staggered and neither we're making much of an effort to make or maintain any form of eye contact. It was like they were lost somewhere on the spectrum of walking together and not walking together.  Passable as a couple only by middle school standards. 

"Not really. I needed something and figured one of the machines at that location might have it."

She speaks!

"Seems like a lot of trouble for a Bagemon plush. Speaking of, where's my Firemander?"

Goda watched as Nakahara rooted around in her school bag for a moment before producing a plush, she then held it out in front of him. A silent invitation to take it. When he didn't, she looked over in search of a reason why.

"What's the problem? Do you want it or not?"

"That's not the one I asked for."

"I'm not following, is there a difference?" 

"Of course there is! That's clearly the water type one! I asked for the fire type, the fire type!"

Nakahara held the plush in front of her and scrutinized it briefly, before returning a look that implied confusion but bordered on irritation.

"Am I missing something? They're all weird looking animals right?"

"The colors, think of the color scheme! That one is blue. You know what else is blue, water! Making that one the water type!"

"Fire changes colors according to temperature you know."

"Of course I didn't know that, I'm an idiot! Besides, kids aren't capable of making that kind of advanced distinction!" 

"So these are for kids." She waved the plush around by one of its stubby legs, "If that's the case it might not be a fit for what I'm looking for."

"No, no. These things are stupid popular. Kid or not I'm sure it would make a decent gift."

"I don't recall saying it was a gift." With that Nakahara tossed the plush at Goda who fumbled it a bit, before securing it against his person.

Silence fell once more, the only sounds being that of their footsteps and the ambience of twilight. Goda tucked the plush under his arm and proceeded to rack his brain for any instances he'd seen or interacted with the girl beside him at school. But no matter how hard he tried, he could only recall the handful of times they passed each other in the hallway between classes. Different social circles he supposed. Not that his was very impressive at the moment. 

"How did you get in the machine anyway? Someone throw you in there?" 

Nakahara laughed aloud at his theory. Something he hadn't expected from her tonight.

"If you're that curious, I picked the lock with the intent of claiming one of the prizes. I climbed in to get a closer look at the condition of a plush in the back. Didn't think the door would swing closed on me like that."

"Well that's just great. I helped a criminal escape her well-deserved confinement."

"Hardly, I contributed more than enough money to win that prize. So excuse me for not wanting to be scammed."

"So says the girl with a nonexistent appreciation for Bagemon and they're typings. Besides, sounds more like a skill issue to me. Maybe just play better next time?"

"There won't be a next time, I'll look for what I need elsewhere."

With a huff Nakahara tightened the grip on her bag and walked a little faster. Goda simply adjusted his stride to compensate. Something she seemed irked by. Not so much his insistent proximity, but how effortlessly his height allowed him to close the distance. Not that Nakahara was short, average to the best of his knowledge. Putting aside the not so issue of height.

"Probably for the best. Management has definitely put your picture up by now. 'This girl is banned from this establishment!' it'll say." 

"What proof could they possibly have of any wrongdoing on my part?"

"You've have heard of security cameras right? I'm sure they've got them."

"At the entrance I'm sure, but not on every corner of every floor."

"So you admit to casing the joint. You're in trouble if I'm ever called to court as a witness." 

"If it comes to that I'll just bribe you with another blue animal thing."

This time it was Goda's turn to laugh out loud.

Subsequently the two arrived a four-way intersection amongst the throng of houses. Nakahara proceeded left without so much as a glance or a peep. Apparently farewells were off the table.

"Well I'm headed this way...see you around at school or whatever!" 

No response. 

Goda looked down at his 'payment' and sighed, before continuing on straight through the intersection.

"I wonder what other colors fire can be?"  

*

It was early the next morning as Goda downed breakfast that he noticed the plush sitting on the couch in the living room. Come to think of it, he'd left it on the dining table upon returning home last night. Had his mother moved it? Unlikely, it'd be in the trash if that were the case. But if not her who else?

Goda approached the plush warily, getting just close enough to jab at it with his hand before retracting it just as quickly. 

"What the heck are you doing?"

A startled Goda looked to the entryway. 

"Nee-san! Since when did you get back?"

"Since mom called and asked that I do something about your supposed delinquent phase. Did you really fight some random from another school?"

"Funny story about that..."