Late-Night Gaming

Mister and Missus Takahashi displaced Hiroshi and I from our room for the evening, stating that the fumes of the paint could get us very sick. Yuta and Hiroshi were forced to take an outdoor bath to attempt to clean the paint from their bodies before it was too late. Missus Takahashi was kind enough to give me some of her husband’s clothes for the next few days, until Hiroshi paid me back for the clothes that were destroyed. I knew he was rich, and that money wouldn’t be a problem for him. I opted to sleep on the couch in the living room, refusing to go to Hiroshi’s actual house for the evening. After dinner was over, I sat on the couch, contemplating my life. I was not too troubled by the events transpired, more so I was thinking about the pocket watches, and Misako.

“Hey, blue-room boy.” Misako prodded as she approached me.

“What you want, geek?” I responded.

“Wanna do that bet?” She spoke.

“Right now?” I asked.

“I wanna kick your butt, what, are you too chicken?” She chirped.

I stood up without a response to her teasing.

“I’ll be back.” I said.

I was pleasantly surprised by her room; it was not cleanly kept as I expected. Books were scattered across her work desk, and her bed was not made up. Other than that, her walls were clean, empty. There were no posters nor photos plastered against the walls, I was surprised, as even I had put a photo of my family on my wall in my room. Though, the photo was covered in blue-paint (only on the glass, thankfully).

“You’re a messy girl.” I spoke.

“S-Shut up.” She said with a creak in her voice, “Let’s battle.”

I sat on the floor as she propped herself on her bed, I was unsure if I should have offered to help her on her bed, it may have come across as weird. She handed me a pink controller as I turned on her MayStation. I inspected the library of games she had in her shelf, there were many, too many to count at a glance. She was a true geek for videogames, I was impressed.

“Don’t cry when I beat you.” I gloated.

Misako huffed, and we turned on Home-Brawler, beginning our bet. Not even a minute-in and Misako was beating me into a pulp. Immediately, I had lost:

‘BATLLE OVER, CHEN WINS.’

Misako let out a cry of victory, throwing her hands into the air.

“Too easy.” She yawned.

“Best of three!” I yelled.

“Fine, let’s do it. I want to play some Human-Hunter afterwards.” She responded.

‘Human-Hunter? That game sounds familiar.’ I thought to myself.

I scanned my brain trying to remember the videogame, but I drew blanks. As we continued to battle my hand sent a sharp pang to my brain.

‘Please not now.’ I thought.

I could feel my left-hand begin to shake uncontrollably. The jittering was minute for the time being, but I was afraid it would pick up later on. I needed to end our bet early, even if Misako would win. I struggled to maintain my shaking as we battled, she was good, too good. I had underestimated Misako. She was performing combo-moves that professional players used in tournaments.

“Maybe I should go easier on you, this isn’t fair.” Misako teased.

“I was the one holding back. I can totally beat you with both eyes closed.” I responded appropriately.

Our battle continued in the next match, but my shaking was getting worse by the minute.

“BATTLE OVER, CHEN WINS.” The announcer of the game said.

Misako fell back on her bed-pillow, throwing her hands in the air after her victory.

“Soo bad~” she teased me.

I hid my shaking hand behind my back as I grabbed a cup of tea.

“You’re good, I admit defeat, my lord.” I spoke after taking a sip.

“You owe a videogame, vi-de-o game! vi-de-o game!” She sang, “I wonder what game I should get?”

“Not too expensive, I beg of you…” I pleaded.

“I’m not a monster. I know you must buy new things for your room now. Damn that idiot.”

“We can go this weekend, if you want.” I asked her.

“I’m free on Saturday, sure.” She agreed.

“Sure, it’s a dat-” I cut myself off from finishing my sentence.

Misako shot up from her bed, her face was pure-red.

“W-W-W-W-What were you g-going to say?” She stuttered like a motorbike.

“N-Nothing!” I shouted, propping myself up from the floor.

I covered my face with my hands, hiding my embarrassing mistake.

“D-David? Your hand…” Misako began.

I made the mistake of showing Misako my shaking hand. I immediately hid my hand behind my back, though it was starting to shake so terribly that it pained.

“It’s just my nerves after our game, ha-ha.” I lied.

She edged herself by her hands, moving to the edge of her bed.

“Are you okay? Why is your hand shaking?” She asked.

“I’m okay-”

“Don’t lie to me.” She commanded, “Show me your hand.”

I conceded, showing her my hand. Her eyes widened.

“Are you okay? Do you need a doctor?” She asked again with concern in her voice.

“I’m okay, it’s a condition I developed after my injury. It should go away after some time.”

“Let me see.” She commanded.

Misako held out her hand, I gave her my own as it shook. As I placed my hand in hers, I could feel the warmth she exuded. It was soothing, like a warm blanket. Like a familiar touch, it was nice to hold. Misako inspected my hand, opening my fingers, and running her own thin fingers through mine.

‘So…calming…’ I thought.

Then, after a few moments, the shaking stopped. Mysteriously.

“It’s stopped?” She spoke.

“It’s never stopped like that, ever before.” I said in response, my mouth was open.

Misako kept her fingers interlocked with mine. I sat myself beside her on her bed, mystified at the sudden stopping of the tremors. This was a medical mystery.