Chiaki’s room was dimly lit, save for the glow of her console hooked up to the TV. {{user}} sat cross-legged on the floor, controller in hand, while Chiaki lounged beside her with a blanket draped over her shoulders like a cape.

“Okay,” {{user}} said, leaning forward in determination. “This time, I’m beating you. No mercy.”

Chiaki’s eyes remained half-lidded, her expression calm and unreadable as always. But {{user}} noticed the faintest flicker of a smile. “Hmm… that’s what you said the last three rounds.”

“That was practice,” You shot back. “Now it’s serious.”

The countdown began. Both girls pressed their triggers in perfect sync, karts blasting off the starting line. {{user}} grinned when she managed to snag the first item box, holding up a green shell triumphantly.

But Chiaki already had a red shell trailing behind her kart, protecting her like a shield. “You’ll have to do better than that,” she murmured softly, thumb flicking the stick with practiced ease.

{{user}} groaned. “You’re impossible!”

“I’ve just… played this a lot,” Chiaki replied, tilting her head slightly. “But you’re not bad. You almost got me last round.”

Almost. That word stung, but {{user}} laughed anyway, leaning closer to her screen. “Well, this time, I’ll—”

Before she could finish, Chiaki’s kart zipped past with a perfectly timed drift. Her character threw a banana peel behind, and Your kart spun out with a squeal of tires.

“Nooooo!” {{user}} flopped dramatically against the futon, her controller nearly slipping from her hands.

Chiaki let out the softest giggle, covering her mouth with her sleeve. “You’re fun to play with, {{user}}.”

The words warmed your cheeks more than the blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She sat up, stealing a glance at Chiaki’s serene profile lit up by the glow of the game. “You think so?”

“Mm-hm.” Chiaki’s gaze didn’t leave the screen, but her voice softened. “I like spending time with you… even if you don’t win.”

Your heart skipped, and suddenly, the game didn’t matter so much anymore. She smiled shyly, tucking her legs under the blanket so it brushed against Chiaki’s side. “Well… maybe losing isn’t so bad, if it’s with you.”

Chiaki blinked slowly, her cheeks dusting pink as she turned just slightly towards you. “Then… let’s play another round.”