Wow...!

This is where the gaming tournament's gonna take place?!

Yeah, it's bigger than I expected...

I sorta just assumed that it was a small place based on that flyer.

<And it's all underground. It feels like a secret base!>

Yeah, it... M-Miku?!

What are you doing here?

<Hehe☆ This sounded like fun so I decided to join you! Mind if I stick around to watch for a bit?>

Yeah, sure!

We can play together☆

I-I'm not sure that's gonna be possible...

But we can just have you hide once more people show up, so why don't you stay with us until then?

<Yay☆ Thanks!>

<Still, they have so many games here!>

Oh, I know this one!

You dance while staying in rhythm with the music☆

I tried it a while back and got up to the highest level!

Wait, really...? That's incredible...

<What do you usually play, Nene?>

I usually play shooters and...

Well, games that involve playing against others.

Shooters?

They're games where you use a gun.

There should be some around here...

Huh...?!

What's this doing here...?!

What is it?

Is this game really rare or something?

Black Galaxy Soldier's a foreign title and really popular among gamers, but there aren't supposed to be that many of these machines in Japan.

I really wasn't expecting to find it here...

I thought the only arcade with it was the one by the station...!

W-Would it be okay if I took a quick look at it...? I really wanna see what the controller's like...

Of course!

<Oh, is that gun the controller?

Cool!>

<I wanna watch while you use it, Nene☆>

In that case...

(The buttons are so easy to press...

And the reticle's aligned perfectly.)

(As far as I can see, even the older components seem clean and well-maintained... I'm starting to like this place. And it's really close by...)

Thanks.

That gave me a good picture.

Just after holding it?!

I mean, all I did was see if this would be easier to use compared to one at this other arcade...

Oh, I see...

But despite having a game that you weren't expecting to see here, there aren't that many people here at this arcade.

Yeah...

You'd think it'd be more crowded since it's so clean with so much available.

<Why do you think that is?>

Could it be the location?

It might be hard to spot since it's underground.

Still, I'm really glad this place exists.

Less people means I can focus more.

Wait, it's already time?!

We need to register for the competition.

Oh, you're right!

Sorry, Miku!

You're gonna have to hide for a bit here!

<Okay, have fun!

I'll be cheering for you from your pocket☆>

E-Excuse me... Is this where we register for the gaming tournament?

Oh, hello...!

Does this mean you're interested?!

Y-Yes.

Thank you very much!

Alright, if you don't mind filling out this form for me!

Oh, I can take care of that!

Here, here and done!

Okay, it's filled out!

Thank you. I'm so glad that you've decided to enter. Unfortunately for us, we haven't gotten many customers...

Yeah, it is kind of unfortunate...

I mean, this arcade's so big.

Maybe being underground really is making this place hard to find.

That could be a factor, but some other reasons also come to mind...

Other reasons?

So, my grandfather used to be the manager of this arcade before he passed away, and my father, who didn't know much about video games, decided to take over...

Since he did, the games weren't maintained properly and it became difficult to bring in new titles.

We had to start weighing our options after our sales began to plummet.

This was your grandfather's arcade...?

We even reached the point of talking about shuttering this place for good, but I spoke out against it because this place means quite a lot to me and proposed that we try to start over...

And I decided to hold a gaming tournament as a way to promote this arcade in the hopes that it'd attract more customers.

I see...

This grand reopening is supposed to mark a new dawn for us! My hope is that you really get to enjoy yourselves today.

We will! And I'll do my best to make this tournament really exciting...!

Yeah, I should also do my best...

(I can tell they take good care of all their machines just based on how the controllers look and feel...)

(If we want this place to stay in business, we'll need to do our best today to make this tournament a good one.)

Whoa, there's way more people here now!

Yeah, there are... But I'm seeing a lot of elderly people and women who seem to be homemakers... Not exactly what you'd call gamers...

Oh, the manager said that they tried reaching out to everyone in the neighborhood for this tournament!

The more the merrier☆

It's more fun that way, right?

R-Right...

At the same time, I'm getting kinda nervous about playing in front of all these people...

Thank you all very much for gathering here today! We will now be kicking off our Funtastic Gaming Tournament!

Oh, it's starting...

This is gonna be so much fun!

Let's get started by introducing the four teams that will be participating today!

Everybody, come on up!

W-Wait, we have to go up on stage...?

Let's go, Nene!

*Groan*

(There's less people than I thought...

I might be okay if the crowd stays around this size.)

Alright, here are our teams.

First up... The Wonderhoy Button Mashers!

Wonderhoy Button Mashers...?

Wait a second...

Is that...?

Oh, hey!

That's us!

H-Hang on, Emu, when did you come up with this team name?!

That's what I wrote on that form during registration for the part that said, “Team Name.” And I came up with this!

It's cute, right?! Video games are all about pressing lots of buttons, right☆

I-I'm not sure “cute” is the right word... It seems kinda dorky, you know...?

Our next team is We're The Best, followed by Muscles Are Everything...

(Oh, everyone chose goofy team names...)

And finally, we have...

Willow & Cloud!

Willow & Cloud?

What do you think it means?

It's a little different from the other team names, so what kind of people do you think are...?

We're looking forward to competing today!

Wait, that voice...

(That looks like the split-personality guy and... Aoyagi?! What are they doing here...?!)