saki: (Unei-san told me that a cast member had left a message that they’d like me to meet them here…)
taiga: Looks like they’ve installed a new action controller over there… Hweheh, it was worth coming to the first day of play testing. Next I’ll try a different combination of attacks~….
-saki walks over to him-
saki: Taiga-san, sorry for making you wait.
taiga: Saki-san…? Wasn’t expecting to see you here, what a coincidence.
saki: Coincidence…? You mean you weren’t the one that left that message asking for me to come here?
taiga: Message? Nope, that wasn’t—
-ran appears-
ran: It was me, me! I’m the one who left it! I was the one who called ya out here, Nee-chan. Actually, why are ya even here Taiga? Are ya bein’ all clingy actin’ like you’re her boyfriend or somethin’?
taiga: Scary, he just picked a fight with me as easily as he breathed. I’m here because an arcade version of a mobile game I play just came out, that’s all.
saki: So you play arcade games as well as phone games, Taiga-san?
taiga: Yeah, I guess. I play a bit of everything really. Despite being the same game there’s different skills in the arcade version compared to the mobile version… Like the cabinet that’s being play tested here for example has a rare special skill that’s only available in the arcade version. But well, if there’s anything about game’s you want to know more about just let me know.
saki: You sure know a lot, Taiga-san. It’s reassuring having you here.
ran: When ya played that fightin’ game way back I remember that ya lost hopelessly though~!*
taiga: That’s because my opponent was an anomaly.
ran: Oh really~? Makin’ excuses is lame ya know.
taiga: I mean, if you had been my opponent I definitely wouldn’t have lost.
ran: What was that just now? I don’t think I heard ya correctly?
taiga: I said that if it were a match between you and me, my victory would be guaranteed. My experience level is simply that much higher than yours.
ran: Damn you’re really talkin’ yourself up, aren’t ya? A match that uneven wouldn’t be fun at all! If ya wanna go then let’s have a crane game showdown!
taiga: Huh? I mean that’s fine too, but why the crane games?
ran: I have some tricks up my sleeve too.
taiga: Well whatever it is there’s no way in hell I’m losing.
saki: (It suddenly became a competition…)
ran: I’m definitely gonna take out the win, so make sure ya watch me, Nee-chan!
taiga: Is it not obvious that I’m gonna win? Saki-san can be our witness then.
saki: Umm… Then, Ran-san, Taiga-san, do your best!
(*note: I think they’re referring to the trick or truth event story where taiga lost to gui in a fighting game)
-
chapter 2 -game centre-
taiga: When it comes to games there’s no way I’m gonna lose. I’ll show Ran that I can win this contest.
saki: Good luck!
taiga: My first target will be those boxes of sweets. It’s the most suitable for working out the specifics of how the crane’s arm and claw works. It’s an important factor you need to check.
saki: Those look like they’d be really hard to pick up… The box is smooth so it would slip easily.
taiga: That’s exactly why I’m going for them. Ah well, you’ll understand in a minute. Watch closely now.
-taiga starts playing the crane game-
taiga: Let’s see, for the horizontal placement… about there should be good. And then then… about that far back. Perfect. Go, Crane-chan!
-cg
taiga: Heck yeah!
saki: Yay, it picked the box up! Ah, but it looks like it might fall!
taiga: Don’t worry, this is all according to plan.
saki: It slipped out…? Amazing, you really did get it!
taiga: The centre of gravity on these kinds of boxes is right in the middle. However, if you position the claw in a way that’s slightly off centre, then they’ll slip and fall right into the prize collection shoot as you saw. Well, this is just scratching the surface of kinds of the techniques you can use. Here, you can take the prize.
saki: Thank you. I’m happy to receive a gift from you.
taiga: …….
taiga: I think I’ll try this machine again.
saki: Hm? Are you sure?
taiga: Yeah, it’s easy mode. It’s always convenient having some snacks around. I can munch on them whilst messing around on my computer… By the way, is there a specific kind that you want in there?
-time pass-
saki: Woah, you’ve won so many! You really are great at this. I wonder how your competition with Ran-san will pan out?
taiga: Competition…? Oh right, that was a thing. He started it didn’t he? At first I just didn’t want to lose to Ran, but then I started thinking that as long as you’re enjoying yourself then I’m a winner either way.
taiga: What do they expect me to do here... Just go in with an all out attack at the last minute...?
saki: (Taiga-san...? He's staring at his phone so intently...)
saki: Hello, Taiga-san.
taiga: Uwah! Oh, it's just you. Please don't go spooking me like that.
saki: Sorry for surprising you. I was wondering what you're doing.
taiga: Ah... I'm looking for a present to use for my birthday event.
saki: I see, your birthday is pretty soon after all.
taiga: I had already ordered some junk PC parts, but once the temp management team saw them they rejected the idea. They said a gift like that can't be used during a photo shoot or whatever.
saki: I-I see...
taiga: Saying that junk parts can't be a present is junk discrimination. Because it got rejected I had to pay for the parts I'd already ordered out of my own pocket.
saki: So that's why you're choosing another present then?
taiga: Yep. But like, what would even get the OK from them? They told me to get something that photographs well, would be liked by the female guests and is also something that suits my personality... To be honest I have no idea what they expect me to buy. I'm about to give up.
saki: If you'd like, I can help you out.
taiga: Really?
saki: No ideas immediately come to my mind either though...
taiga: That's fine, you'll still be a big help! I'll sit next to you then. Excuse me.
-taiga sits close-
taiga: I was just checking this site out but it'll be easier if we can both see the screen right?
saki: (Woah, h-he's sitting so close...!)
taiga: If you spot anything that you think'll work let me know, kay?
saki: G-got it. I’ll keep an eye out.
-
chapter 2 -break room-
taiga: Ah, so this is where you were, Saki-san. Sigh...
saki: Are you ok? You look really worn out...
taiga: That’s cause I am, having my solo stage and then the photo shoot, it just kept going. These birthday events are death for an introvert like me. I'm mentally exhausted...
saki: Your solo performance and photo shoot were great though. You did a good job.
taiga: Thanks. I'm happy to hear your feedback. But man... I thought I'd gotten a little more used to this sorta thing after doing the halloween greetings, but I was naive. Introverts don't change, demanding situations will always remain demanding. I'm gonna take a seat.
saki: S-sure.
-taiga sits-
taiga: Phew...But well, remembering that I have a shiny new reward to look forward to is uplifting. See, it’s right here.
saki: That’s...
taiga: Yeah, the gaming mouse we bought for my present. Though it's quite the mystery to me why junk parts weren’t allowed but a mouse is. When it comes to these, you can never have too many. Thanks to you I was able to pick something good. This mouse had lots of positive reviews online, apparently its really comfortable to use.
saki: You must be looking forward to trying it out then, huh?
taiga: For sure, I want to game with it right away. Because of your help my gift safely made its way to me, I'm glad.
saki: I'm happy to hear you like it. Once again, happy birthday, Taiga-san.
taiga: (blushes) ...Thank you.
-cg
taiga: Y'know... When you say it right to my face like that, it really is a little embarrassing...
saki: Fufu, that may be so.
taiga: I was happy hearing the other guests congratulate me during my event but... Hearing it from you is different, its like a special kind of happiness.
-cg gone
taiga: ...Wait, I just went and said something really embarrassing didn't I? Crap, n-nevermind! Forget I said anything!
So the popping bubble prize is a story?? This is so wholesome.
Yakou is doing promotion by candid shooting of summer team on the beach, and Heath is the photographer?? (❁´◡`❁) Nekome is trying to skip the shooting, everyone sort of come late. When it is theur turn to be photographed, they are very awkward ʕ´•ᴥ•`ʔ Yakou is asking everyone to play on the beach instead. Then Mizuki saw a sea glass shining on the beach, Heath and Yakou inspect it closely, then Qu decided to collect them in the bottle, then suddenly all of them try to compete to give it to Saki. Mizuki got pissed why everyone suddenly want the same thing 😂 then Yakou said that Saki could take it as a souvenir, all while Heath is taking pictures.