Chapter 16: The Games Gamers' Play

MIRACLE GIRL KAKERU

THE GAMES GAMERS' PLAY

CHAPTER 16 OF THE MANGA

One day after school, a couple of weeks since the kidnapping, Sho opens the door to the Hideout and walks in. Only Chisa and Wakana are there. Wakana asks why Sho is a boy today ? Sho explains that he had to do an extra assignment at school after classes ended today, and he didn't have time to go home and change. Chisa remarks that boy Sho is cute, too, but girl Kakeru is cuter. But why isn't Rin here today ? Wakana notes that Rin helps out at a Shrine that is owned by one of her relatives, so today she is dressed as a Miko (Shrine Maiden), and at the Kushibiki Shrine. Probably collecting the monitary contributions from the guests. Now without Captain Rin to give orders, Wakana suggests that the three of them go out this afternoon and evening, and *have some fun !* Chisa remarks that she knows just where to go to have fun ! However, since this will be 'girls only' playtime, Sho is asked to change into Kakeru, the tween girl, and to change into girl's clothes. (Chisa and Wakana brought girl's clothing to fit Kakeru to the Hideoout some time ago.)

Walking toward downtown, Kakeru asks Wakana what kind of fun do girls usually have ? Wakaba lists any number of activites. Kakaru notes that those activities are just about the same as what boys that age do. Chisa points out that even if there is not too much of a difference between what boys and girls do for leasure, yet because of your appearance of that of a cute girl, instead of a boy, the way others see you will be entirely different. The three friends round a corner, and come upon their destination---The Video Game Center ! Wakana asks if Kakeru ever comes here ? Sometimes, as Sho, however. Never been here as Kakeru. Once inside, Kakeru spies a game that she wants to play, a fighter's game (Street Fighter Alpha ?). This particular game she is good at ! As they approach the game booth, Chisa asks if she can play out the first game ? Kakeru points out that this fighter game is strickly a boy's game, why would you want to play that ? Chisa says that girls can play at whatever they are good at. Kakeru acquiesces her game play, as Chisa sits down in front of the play screen, and boots up the game.

As soon as the game play is set up on the machine, a challenge comes onto the screen. Apparently, this video game is linked to the other game booths, so gamers can play against one another. Chisa's eyes light up like a Christmas tree, as she relishes the gamer challenge. "Just you watch!", boasts Chisa. Chisa gets into the game 'whole hog' ! After watching Chisa play for a while, Kakeru comments that she is really very good ! Wakana remarks about the unique fighting combos that Chisa is using. After a while, Chisa deals the finishing blow to her opponent, a kicking combo, and the game is over. Chisa wins with a solid K.O. ! Loud profanity is heard from a middle-aged man at another video game booth, apparently the opponent that orginally challenged Chisa. He has a foul, sour, defeatest look on his face, as he gets up from the game booth. Walking by Chisa, and giving her a cold, icy stare, he silently walks out of the game center. Chisa, for her part, flashes a sly grin to the man, and softly chuckles to herself. Chisa explains what just happened. If that male gamer had lost to another guy, they could exit by blaming themselves on challenging another guy who was more skilled than him. However, he lost to a girl, namely me ! That means that he is extrememly perplexed and dissappointed in himself, not knowing how or where to vent his fustrations for losing to a mere high school girl, of all people ! "Ho, Ho, Ho!", croakes out Chisa in a bad imitation of Santa Claus. She says that she can't get enought of taking a male gamer down a few notches. Such unsightly expressions on their male faces. Wakana remarks on what a terrible vengeful streak must be lurking in your personality, Chisa !

Chisa gets up from the game booth, and seats Kakeru in her place. However, Kakeru mildly protests that this is the first time that she is going to play a video game as a girl. Chisa tells her not to worry. Just keep in mind the tragic look on the faces of your boy competitors as you win against them. Kakeru boots up the fighter game for herself. When ready, Kakeru exclaims that she hopes someone will see her online, and link to her game to challenge her. Wakana scolds Chisa for teaching Kakeru bad manners and habits, like wanting to deliberately smack down a male gamer. Not thirty seconds later, a challenger bids Kakeru for a match. Kakeru does her very best, but twenty minutes later, she is down to her last life, and tears are beginning to form in her big, moist eyes and wet her pretty cheeks. She is so close to losing right now.

Chisa and Wakana have been watching the game play from behind Kakeru. Wakaba comments that Kakeru has been hit with over 10 high level fighting combos that are difficult to defend against. Chisa has her 'mean streak' riled up, as she observes that the opponent is not 'giving an inch' to Kakeru in the game. Therefore, during a brief pause in the action, Chisa asks Kakeru to trade places with her, so that she, Chisa, can 'drop the hammer' on this competitor. Kakeru declines, saying that she can do this by herself, for better or worse. Kakeru bravely battles on, playing with her one and only last life left on the screen.

The opponent is at a video booth a few machines down from the three girls. He is a college aged boy with glasses, who looks so geeky and nerdy. He gloats to himself that he can tell from the game play exactly who is playing him, how they move, and what their fighting style is. MY OPPONENT IS JUST A KID. Specifically, a particularly boisterous *fifth-grade boy* who gets in way over his head, expecting the dubious prospect of a win. When playing against boys like him, you have to make them understand the true power of an adult gamer ! I will fight this little boy for as long as it takes for him to 'roll over and play dead' ! After a while, the geeky college boy leans to the side of his game booth, to take a look at the pitiful boy that is being slowly and painfully 'beaten to death' on the game screen. He sees Kakeru at her machine, sweating up a storm, with tears continuing to roll down her cheeks, and steadfastly battling on.

***OMG ! WTF ! ISN'T THAT OVER THERE, PLAYING ME, ISN'T THAT A FREAKIN' LITTLE GIRL ?!?!?!?!***, screams inside the mind of the geeky boy !

The geeky boy now ponders in his mind as the game play continues. He debates with himself. What exactly is going on here ? Her movements and fighting style is identical to that of a boy gamer ! How could I have been fooled so by not realizing somehow that I was fighting with a little girl ? Why, she has tears running down her cheeks, as she bravely fights on against a superior gamer like myself. How tragic. I can't be a part of something like that, to crush a little girl who is 'throwing everything but the kitchen sink' into this game. If I continue to beat her down, this would go against my own Personal Code of Conduct, something that all serious gamers have.

Within moments, Kakeru is able to connect her first offensive hit on her opponent. Yea ! "GO KAKERU !", shouts Wakaba. Chisa begins yelling out combo moves for Kakeru to use on her opponent, who seems to have weakened, and has begun to make mistakes in their fighing moves. After about 10 more minutes, Kakeru scores a K.O., and that finishes the game. A win for Kakeru ! Wakana and Kakeru loudly cheer. Chisa is quiet, but has her own thoughs as to what just happened. Kakeru's opponent was obviously a male, seen from his fighting style and moves. Kakeru actually had no chance against him, as he had shown himself to be several levels above Kakeru. Yet toward the end of the game, he really held back, and seems to have made some very noteworthy mistakes in his attacks. Not only that, but his fighting style rather obviously changed in such a way as not to hurt or demorlize Kakeru's feelings. It's rare to see that kind of consideration from a competitive male gamer.

Back at his own video booth, the geeky boy is conspicuously staring at Kakeru, as she is so overjoyed at her win. He silently thinks to himself---

"Cute ! OH SO CUTE !!! As a serious Lolicon, this makes me so very happy watching this little girl in such an ecstatic mood. Erotic as hell ! Plus she is wearing her hair in sexy, provocative twin tails ! That and a 'too die for' adorable, short hemline, pleated jumper dress. Burn that look deeply into my memory, will ya !"

The boy gets up from sitting, and nonchalantly walks near the three girls. He keeps to himself, as he takes one last look at Kakeru. He confesses to himself that, a little girl's smile to me, a true Lolicon, is worth so much more than a single win at a video game !!! Chisa takes a good look at the boy as he walks by and out the front door, but says nothing.

Chisa next turns to Kakeru, declaring that you really do have some of the talents of a girl deeply embeded in your mind and heart. In fact, you, Kakeru, have begun to develop the rather advanced feminine trait of MOE. That geeky boy's reaction to your excitement of winning the figher game, was pure MOE. Not may girls know how to evoke and manipulate MOE, but you just did, 'big time' ! Good for you !

Once Kakeru calms down from her emotional high, Wakana wants to play a game with her, a game that Wakaba is good at---air hocky. Wakana explains that you, Kakeru, won't win against her, because she has her own 'special technique'. However, less than 5 minutes into the game, Kakeru scores the winning goal. Chisa gets out her iphone, and begins to record a video of Kakeru having all this fun. Kakeru, for her part, goes on to dance on the DDR machine. Next, Kakeru and Wakana play the drums on a video game to match a rockstar drummer's movements. The girls then take a break, and enjoy Popsicles all around. Chisa approaches Kakeru, asking her if she wants to see some of the video that she recorded earlier. Kakeru is mesmorized. Chisa remarks that what Kakeru is seeing, that is, seeing herself having fun, is how others out in public will be seeing her, that as a fun loving girl. Kakeru thinks for a moment on that observation, then remarks that her heart has been beating so hard from being seen as a girl this evening. Yet, she confesses that this is weird, but she wants to be seen more and more of that of a cute, attractive, fun to be with girl ! It's like I don't necessarly want to be a boy anymore. This comment brings out wide smiles from both Chisa and Wakana. Do you want to go one more round of video games before we go ? Kakeru answers with a hearty "Let's go !"

(End Chapter 16)

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Click on Omake 16.5 to be taken to the Omake in between chapters 16 & 17.

Click on Chapter 17: New Semester to be taken to the next chapter.

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## Omake (Extra)

Whenever Chisa is at the video game center, word get around fast that she is here to play. Informed and decerning male gamers, regardless of their skill level, know to avoid Chisa as an opponent !