Game Disasters

On the way to the water park, Tatsumaki's attention was suddenly caught by a few machines beside the path.

Fubuki's quiet reproach earlier hadn't made her hold back at all. She grabbed Fubuki's hand. "How about a few rounds of arcade games first?"

Fubuki glanced at the arcade cabinets along the street, thought it over, then nodded.

It was still early. If they waited for Scarlet Witch's show to begin, they might have to spend two or three hours soaking in the water.

That much time in the water wouldn't be good for their skin.

They might as well take Tatsumaki up on her suggestion and kill some time with a few games.

Luke and Serizawa clearly weren't keen on the idea, but since Fubuki had already agreed, they could only suppress their excitement.

Tatsumaki's big eyes darted around as an idea struck her. "Why don't we have a match?"

Seeing everyone's puzzled looks, she went on, "There are eight of us, right? We can split into two teams and have an arcade showdown."

"Huh? But I've never played," Sugar Baby said uneasily.

"Most of us haven't played much. Arcade games are something you play once in a while. Who spends all day on them?" Tatsumaki said.

Sugar Baby nodded at her explanation.

Tatsumaki had gotten one thing wrong.

Most of them really hadn't played many arcade games, but there was one exception.

That person was Serizawa Masao.

Back in junior high, a few rich kids in Serizawa's class had no interest in studying and dragged him to the arcade every day. Over time, he'd honed his fighting-game skills until he could beat just about anyone there. For a while, he'd even earned the nickname "Street Fighter."

Serizawa didn't let any of that show when he heard Tatsumaki's words.

*It's