Date, The End

So, what exactly is this supposed to be?

Huh?!

Seeing Mei and Dong Moxuan looking so affectionate, the black-haired girl simultaneously stuffed her face with a huge mouthful of "dog food" while her heart took another heavy blow.

She was the girl she liked, so why did things turn out like this?

As expected, making friends is impossible for her, right?

Slowly turning around, the black-haired girl walked away with vacant eyes.

"Huh? Where did that lady go?"

Several minutes after the black-haired girl had left, Mei finally remembered her existence.

But when she turned around, the Lolita-style petite black-haired girl was nowhere to be seen.

"What lady?"

Dong Moxuan's attention was entirely on Mei, and he hadn't noticed anyone beside her at all.

"Just a really cute girl with black hair! She was enthusiastically teaching me how to play this game just now, and I didn't even get a chance to thank her before she disappeared."

"Maybe she had something at home and had to go back. Shall we continue?"

"Mhm..."

Mei nodded gently.

It was clear that neither Dong Moxuan nor Mei had given much thought to the black-haired girl who had left.

After playing for another hour, time gradually approached dusk.

Looking at the sunset outside the door, Dong Moxuan stretched and said to Mei beside him, "It's getting late. Let's play one last time today and then head back."

"Eh?! Is it that late already?"

Hearing Dong Moxuan's words, Mei finally realized how much time had passed. She gently rubbed her arm, straightened up, and her face showed a hint of reluctance.

Seeing Mei completely captivated by the charm of the game, Dong Moxuan nodded slightly in his heart.

It seemed that even the cook couldn't resist the allure of games!

"So, Mei, what do you want to play? I'll play one last round with you."

"The last one...?"

Learning that they had to go back now, Mei still felt a slight reluctance.

It wasn't that she was addicted to the game as Dong Moxuan imagined, but rather a melancholy that this memorable day was about to end.

Of course, the fun of the game had also left a deep impression on this gentle Yamato Nadeshiko.

After all, no matter how mature she seemed, Mei was just an ordinary high school girl.

"For the last one..."

Stroking her hair, Mei's gaze finally fell upon a device that wasn't a game console but was often seen on television.

"Is that... a claw machine?"

Seeing where Mei's gaze landed, Dong Moxuan was slightly lost in thought.

"Mr. Xuan?"

In a daze, he seemed to see that gentle silver-haired girl again.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her voice was soft, almost like she was acting spoiled.

"Can you play that with me?"

Her eyes looked expectantly at the claw machine beside them.

"Mr. Xuan?"

Seeing Dong Moxuan suddenly spaced out, Mei reached out and waved her hand in front of his eyes.

"Why did you suddenly stop talking? Are you tired from playing, or is something bothering you?"

"Maybe we shouldn't play anymore. Shall we just go home?"

"No, it's nothing!"

Mei's words brought Dong Moxuan back to reality. He gently scratched his cheek with his finger and said with a smile, "Let's hurry up and start, Mei. Which one do you want? I'll help you grab it."

"I'm quite confident in my claw machine skills!"

Dong Moxuan stood in front of the claw machine, one hand on the joystick, his expression full of confidence.

The skills he had honed for so many years finally had a chance to be put to use.

"That one..."

Looking at the cute plushies inside the claw machine, a hint of sparkle appeared in Mei's eyes.

No girl disliked cute things, and Mei was no exception.

She looked at Dong Moxuan and, like a student answering a teacher's question in class, gently raised her hand.

"Um... Mr. Xuan, can Mei try it herself?"

Dong Moxuan: "..."

Mei's words made Dong Moxuan's expression freeze slightly. He tugged at the corner of his mouth, took a step back, and said with a dry laugh, "Then Mei, you should try it yourself first!"

"Okay, then let Mei try first!"

Nodding gently, Mei walked up to the claw machine, inserted a coin, and grabbed the joystick to start operating.

Her target was a very cute-looking dango plushie that seemed easy to grab.

However, this kind of claw machine... anyone who's played one knows!

Mei failed the first time with no suspense.

Then came the second, third, fourth...

Until the nth attempt, the plushie was precariously lifted by the claw. Then, just as the plushie was about to come out...

Clang!

The claw gave a gentle swing, flinging the plushie back.

Mei: "..."

Mei's originally excited expression immediately froze.

"Pfft!"

Dong Moxuan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Mei: "!!!"

Mei's mind had gone blank due to the unexpected turn of events, but Dong Moxuan's laughter brought her back to reality.

In less than a second, her cheeks turned bright red.

"Mr. Xuan!"

Her face was filled with shame and indignation.

"Are you mocking Mei?"

"No, no, no, I didn't mean that!"

Dong Moxuan quickly waved his hands, begging for mercy.

"Machines like this are usually very difficult to win from. It's normal for Mei not to be able to grab it."

"So, do you want me to try grabbing it for Mei?"

"Then... then I'll trouble Mr. Xuan..."

Lowering her head, Mei mumbled this, her cheeks so hot they could probably cook an egg.

She had insisted on trying herself, but in the end, she still had to trouble Dong Moxuan...

It was too embarrassing!

Turning around and grabbing the joystick, Dong Moxuan didn't feel anything was wrong.

After all, it was Mei. Embarrassment was normal.

In Honkai Impact 3rd, wasn't Mei embarrassed often enough?

She'd been turned into all sorts of memes and edited videos!

[Mei is too difficult! (Facepalm)]

Gently manipulating the joystick, Dong Moxuan began to operate with focus.

He wasn't bragging just now. While his skills weren't at the monstrous level of some players, they were far beyond average.

The plushie that Mei couldn't grab after several attempts, Dong Moxuan easily secured.

"Here, for you!"

Dong Moxuan handed the plushie to Mei.

"Th-thank you very much, Mr. Xuan..."

Taking the plushie, Mei's face was still red.

"Alright, since we've gotten the plushie, then..."

"W-wait a moment,"

Before Dong Moxuan could finish speaking, Mei urgently interrupted, "Can... can Mei try one more time? Just once!"

Holding the plushie in front of her flushed cheeks, Mei pleaded with Dong Moxuan.

"Uh... if Mei wants to, then of course it's okay!"

Dong Moxuan had no reason to refuse.

Upon receiving Dong Moxuan's agreement, Mei's face lit up with joy. She set the plushie aside and took a deep breath.

Only one chance. I have to get it. I have to get it. I have to get it...

It's a hit!

Perhaps Mei's prayers had moved the heavens, because this time she actually got it on the first try, snagging a purple dango plushie.

"Huh? This time it's pretty good?"

Dong Moxuan's expression held a hint of surprise.

"Mr. Xuan, here."

Mei handed the plushie to Dong Moxuan.

"Huh? For me?"

"This is a re... return gift..."

Using the plushie to cover her cheeks, Mei peeked at Dong Moxuan with one eye, her voice soft and sweet.

Dong Moxuan was silent for a moment.

Hearing Mei's words, Dong Moxuan paused slightly before smiling and saying, "Yeah, I really like it!"

"...Mm..."

Hearing Dong Moxuan's words, the blush on Mei's face deepened.

She covered her cheeks with the plushie but couldn't help but gently curl the corners of her lips.

"Let's go home!"

Dong Moxuan said.

"Okay!"

Mei nodded softly.

Then, the boy and girl walked out of the arcade hand in hand.

And in a spot where neither of them noticed, in front of another claw machine filled with figurines, the black-haired girl who had watched the entire unfolding of events with wide eyes and a vacant stare didn't even realize the figurine she had just plucked out had fallen to the ground.

After a long while, the girl picked up the figurine and stumbled out of the arcade.

Her retreating figure, silhouetted against the setting sun, looked as dejected as a stray dog!