Page 211 of Celestial Combat

Chapter 55

Present

Tokyo, Japan

ZANE AND I HAD SPENT the day wandering through echoes of the past – quiet shrines nestled between skyscrapers, traditional gardens that hummed with cicadas, and historic streets paved with worn stones that felt like they remembered more than we ever could.

Now, as the orange hue gave way to violet dusk, we found ourselves standing beneath the glowing chaos of Akihabara.

The arcade blinked like a fever dream – neon pinks and radioactive greens pulsing from every window, anime characters dancing on LED screens, claw machines lining the walls like curious sentries.

Zane looked skeptical. “This your idea of romance?”

I grinned. “Oh, I’m about to humble you in front of strangers. You still sure you want to walk through that door?”

“Lead the way, killer.”

Inside, it was a sensory overload. The air smelled like sugar, metal, and a hint of old carpet. Synth beats blared from rhythm machines, their LED tracks flashing like strobe lights onacid. Teenagers moved in impossible patterns, their feet gliding across dance pads like trained assassins. Laughter and digital bleeps swirled around us in a vibrant storm.

We made our way through the maze, past crane games and photo booths, until I spotted theTaiko no Tatsujinsetup – those big plastic drums, flanked by animated mascots taunting from the screen.

“Oh, this,” I said, already rolling up my sleeves. “This is my domain.”

Zane leaned back with arms crossed, amused. “That right?”

I picked the fastest song available, the screen flaring as the beat dropped. My sticks flew in a blur – left, right, center, double-tap. The drum pounded like a war cry beneath my hands. I barely blinked, locked in, heart syncing with every note.

When the final score flashed across the screen, Zane let out a low whistle.

“Okay. That was terrifying. And hot. At the same time.”

I laughed, flushed and triumphant. “Your turn,samurai.”

He waved me off and strolled to the back corner, where a dusty cabinet withTekken 5lit up in blue light.

“This,” he said, cracking his knuckles, “Is where I shine.”

I plopped down beside him, still giddy, watching him select a fighter like he was choosing a weapon. His thumbs were precise – cold and deadly on the joystick. Each round, he demolished his digital opponents with flawless combos, barely breaking a sweat.

When he turned to look at me after another perfect KO, he smirked. “Still want to challenge me to something?”

“Always.”

Later, after a few more battles (and one unexpected win from me – thank you, button mashing), we grabbed cold bottledmatcha from a vending machine out front. The sky had turned navy blue, studded with early stars.

I leaned against the wall, sipping and watching the electric haze of Akihabara wrap around us like a living thing.

Zane bumped his shoulder gently into mine. “You’re full of surprises.”

I looked up at him, still breathless from the laughter and energy of the night. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

The oldTekkencabinet was tucked into the corner of the arcade like a forgotten relic, the screen flickering faintly beneath a layer of dust and neon glow. I leaned against it, arms crossed, watching Zane insert coins like he was gearing up for battle.

“You sure about this?” I asked, quirking an eyebrow. “After what just happened with the drums?”

He grinned, cocky. “Rhythm games are one thing. This? This is sacred ground.”

I dropped into the player two seat beside him. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”