You ever walk into a place and instantly realize it's a dating goldmine?

That was ROUND1.

I mean, seriously—bowling, darts, KTV, photo booths, arcade games, batting cages, ping-pong, even tennis. It's like someone took a college student's brain, shook out all the thoughts about tests and job hunting, and built a building out of the dreams that remained.

And it was open 24 hours. Like... what kind of heaven was this?

"Ginjo-san! Over here, let's try this one next!" Mochizuki Haruka's voice chimed like a school bell laced with sugar. My body just... moved on its own.

The two of us ran from one game to the next like over-caffeinated teenagers. Baseball, basketball, even badminton—which, I'll admit, felt more like mosquito-swatting practice for her than a match. Her coordination was... well, let's just say adorable in its own chaotic way.

"Ahhh~ this is so fun!" Haruka stretched her arms up high while waiting for the elevator, her soft voice trailing into a happy sigh. My eyes may have... wandered a bit. Just a bit. That red and black pleated skirt rose slightly as she stretched. Pantyhose hugged her thighs like a second skin, so tight it made my thoughts stutter.

Focus, Ginjo. Focus.

"I haven't exercised this much in forever," she beamed, a sheen of sweat on her brow that somehow made her look more radiant. "I never knew Ginjo-san was so good at sports. And handsome too… that's almost unfair, you know?"

"Don't flatter me too hard, you'll wear out your vocal cords."

"Hmph! I'm serious!" She puffed her cheeks like a child denied dessert. "You were shooting three-pointers like some pro. Meanwhile, I was just... flailing around!"

"You were adorable, though. Especially when you confidently shouted 'Leave it to me, big sister!' before striking out."

"T-that was just warmup!" she protested, stamping a foot. "I definitely hit the ball once!"

"Sure, I heard the hiss too," I teased, holding back a laugh.

"Pfft… Hahaha!" she cracked, finally giving in to the comedy of her own misfortune. "Fine, fine! I admit it! I'm hopeless at sports. That's why I never joined any clubs in college."

Her smile was genuine. A little self-deprecating, but sweet.

"But… today was different. I really had fun," she said, looking up at me with eyes soft as spring rain. "Thanks to you, Ginjo-san."

We took the elevator down, and as we stepped out toward the arcade area, I thought the date was winding down.

I was wrong.

Suddenly—"G-Ginjo-san, quick—hide!!"

"...Huh?"

Before I could process what the hell she meant, Haruka grabbed my wrist with both hands and yanked me behind a photo booth like some kind of guerilla operative.

I barely had time to breathe before we were squished together in the narrow gap behind the machine. And I do mean squished. Her soft chest was right against me, and her scent—something like soap and faint cherry blossoms—invaded my brain.

Haa... is this heaven or hell?

"People from work! They're here!" she whispered urgently. "Please… please don't let them see us!"

Ah. Office coworkers. Right. Got it.

Still... could she maybe stop breathing directly on my neck? My legs are turning into jelly here, and not in a cool, masculine way.

"I… I'm fine," I managed to choke out.

"Oh no, are you being crushed?" she whispered, even closer. Her warm hands gripped my shirt, panicked and unaware of just how tight we already were.

Haruka's entire focus was on the crowd. Meanwhile, I was just trying not to make an embarrassing noise.

"Ginjo-san, a little more inside, please..."

I had no idea if she meant the gap or—wait, no, stop. Brain, do not go there.

She shifted her weight, and our bodies pressed even tighter together. Somewhere, a god was watching this and laughing.

Eventually, her body relaxed. "Phew… that was close. They went toward the KTV…"

She let out a sigh of relief.

And then—just then—she realized the situation.

"AH! I-I'm so sorry, Ginjo-kun!! D-did I squeeze you?!"

"Yes. I mean—no. I mean, it's fine!" I waved it off with a cough, trying desperately to restore dignity.

In truth, I could've stayed squished a little longer. Not that I'd admit it out loud.

"But wait," I said, my brain finally rebooting. "Why didn't we just hide in the photo booth?"

"…Ah."

Haruka's eyes widened. "That… that would've been smarter, huh. Ehe~."

She gave a sheepish laugh, twirling a strand of hair.

And then her eyes sparkled again, like she'd just had the best idea of her life.

"Ginjo-san…"

Here we go.

"Would you—take a photo booth picture with me?"

"…Eh?"

"You know, just one. For today's memory. I've never done one before…"

Oh no. That look in her eyes was unfair. Like a puppy that'd just learned how to beg.

"Well… I have. But that was ages ago," I admitted. "Though honestly, I never understood the obsession. We've got smartphones now, right? Yet girls still squeeze into these booths, pose, decorate their pics, print them out, and then… toss them into some drawer forever."

It baffled me. Truly.

But Haruka only smiled gently, tilting her head.

"That's fine. Even if the photo gets lost… this moment won't."

"Alright, let's do it," I said.

With a delighted grin, Haruka pulled open the curtain and tugged me into the white light of that tiny booth. The screen came to life, chirping cutesy music as the countdown began.

And just like that... another memory began.

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