23 Pride Crushed

After paying, we leave the store.

"We spent more than we expected, but we still have a bit to buy food"

"Cool"

"Let's go for the guys"

"Okay, I want to see the videogames"

We walk to the arcade.

"People still see you?"

"Yes, but at least now they only see my hair"

"Good thing you changed your clothes before we left"

"..."

"..."

'Here comes an uncomfortable silence ...'

"..."

"..."

"Hey-"

"Alex-"

We both try to talk at the same time.

"Oh. You first" I say to Elin.

"Okay. At home, you mentioned that you have learned everything from books"

"Dad also gave me some classes"

"But, you haven't gone to any school, right?"

"No. Is it very important?"

"It is. You plan on entering university?"

"University? Can I do it?"

"Yes, you just have to take the admission exam. It's still March so you have time"

"Hmm... I think it's a big step. I'll think about it…"

"Sure"

'Enter the university so soon? I still have to get used to many things...'

We continue walking.

'An admission exam? Although I trust my knowledge, I doubt I can pass it'

I enter in automatic mode.

'I would also like to experience highschool. Now that I think about it, in what grade are they all? '

I stop paying attention to the environment.

'Kuno has finished studying and now has a job, but I have no idea about Dai and Elin. I should ask them-'

While I was wandering in my mind, I didn't realize that there was a child in front of me.

I push him.

'Shit'

"Mom! Mom, my ice cream! " the child bursts into tears.

"I- I- I'm sorry! It- it wasn't-"

"Sorry, ma'am. It was an accident. Here is some money to buy another ice cream" Elin apologizes.

"I appreciate it. You should be more careful while walking" the boy's mom tells me.

"Yes…"

"Come on, Alex"

We leave the scene.

"What happened to you?" Elin asks me.

"Obviously it was an accident. The boy was running and I couldn't avoid him..."

"The boy was still. You went straight to him..."

"I just was thinking…"

"It's okay. Be more careful from now on. This time was just an ice cream, but it could have been worse"

"Yes, I'm sorry…"

We resume our way to the arcade.

'I can't help it. It's something I've always done since I was little. When I realize, I'm always in a place that I don't remember how I arrived, just as it is happening now'

"Alex, are you in the cosmos again?"

"Not completely"

"All right. We are almost there"

A few moments later...

We are in front of the arcade.

"Oh my... It's giant!" I exclaim in surprise.

The establishment is huge, full of arcade machines and retro consoles.

"And it's just the first floor. In the second there are more modern computers and consoles"

"Seriously? Incredible... It's full of people... It will take a long time to find them"

"Follow me. They are always in the same game"

We navigate between the corridors.

While I, astonished, watch the games.

"They look very entertaining"

"They are. I usually come very often"

"I... I'd like to play..."

"Hopefully they still have some left"

We arrive with Dai and Kuno.

"Come on, that's all you have? 22 to 3 is something humiliating" Kuno says to Dai.

"Shut up! Next time I'll win most of them!"

"You always say the same thing-"

"Put the last coin! If I win this game, you're going to-"

"The last coin? Alex wanted to play..." Elin says.

"Really? No problem. Dai, go away" Kuno says.

"Me? I am the one who should play against her, it will be fairer"

"Are you admitting that you are not at my level?"

"I didn't say that! I meant... Well..."

"Come on, give Alex the place"

"All right…"

I approach the buttons.

'There aren't as many as other games. How can they know what to push while they play?'

"Have you never played a videogame?"

"No, I've only seen them in magazines"

"I'll explain quickly"

Kuno starts a game.

"This bar represents your life and this one represents mine. To win you have to hit me until my bar reaches the other side"

"I have to hit you? Well…"

I move my arm back and close my fist, preparing to hit Kuno.

"No! Not like that!"

He covers his face.

"I was joking. You really think I'm that dumb to do it?"

Dai and Elin laugh behind us.

"Well…"

"Keep explaining"

"With this button you use your basic punch, which does little damage, but doesn't use energy. This other activates your strong punch, which does more damage, but wastes a lot of energy"

"And I move with this stick?"

"That's a joystick. And this last button is your special attack. It spends all your energy, but it does spectacular damage"

"That's it?"

"Hmm... There are also combos that are activated by pressing the buttons in an order, but that is more advanced. Ready? The game is a best of 5"

"Ready!"

After 4 rounds, I defeat Kuno.

"I... I lost on purpose..."

"Seriously?"

'Seeing the faces of Dai and Elin, I doubt it'

Dai and Elin watch surprised.

"If Alex beat Kuno, that means..." Dai seems more affected than surprised.

"Well, that was interesting. Let's eat!" Elin says.

We leave the arcade and go to the food establishments.

Dai and Kuno walk discouraged.

"Hey, are they okay?" I ask Elin.

"Don't worry, it's just that their pride was crushed in their favorite game. By the way, they aren't that good, I can beat them easily"

"That's not true!" Dai and Kuno yell.

We arrive at a table.

"I'll go with Naomi to buy hamburgers. Wait here" Elin says and leaves.

"Naomi?" I ask.

"She is a classmate. They are pretty close" Dai replies.

"Speaking of which, in what grade are you?"

"We will enter the second in a couple of weeks"

"Wait, Elin isn't older than you?"

"Yes, for several months, but her birthday is one day after the deadline"

"But Kuno said she is 17..."

"I said that because there are only a couple of weeks left for her birthday. But right now she's 16" Kuno says.

"And you're 18, right?"

"Yes, but in a little over a week I will be 19. What about you?"

"Oh, true. I forgot to tell you that. Just a few days ago I turned 18. I think it was the next day that you saved me... I hadn't thought about that..."

"Your birthday was while you were unconscious? That's unacceptable!" Dai shouts.

"Dai?" I say.

"He's right. We have to make a party to celebrate your birthday" Kuno says.

"Thank you, but it's not necessary. Saving me was enough- "

"Bullshit! We will make you a party! What's your favorite food?" Dai says.

"What? Right now?" I ask.

"Of course!" Dai says.

"Calm down, Dai. There's almost no money left. Let's wait for my birthday and we make both at the same time" Kuno says.

"Good idea! So we can- " Dai starts yelling.

"Stop yelling, damn it!" Kuno hits him.

Elin returns to the table with a girl.

"Alex, I want to introduce you to Naomi"