It was just at the right angle and just in the right spot that he couldn’t resist. Slipping a coin into the slot, Oikawa’s hand immediately grabbed ahold the claw machine’s handle, steering it over to the far corner of the glass case. Time was dwindling as he focused -- moving left, then right, then a little bit back to the left again -- until finally he pressed down on a red button. The claw descended and latched onto a stuff toy’s ear, then lifted it up. With starry-eyed intensity, the high-schooler became a child all over again as he anxiously watched his prize make its way from the corner and, finally, down to the bin. Satisfied, Oikawa picked up his prize: a stuffed cat. It wasn’t the best conquest he’d received, but it was the easiest one to get to. He was about to leave when he caught sight of a girl who had been observing him the whole time. In awe, perhaps?
“There’s a trick to claw machines, if you’re interested.” Of all the things he could have said, it was the dorkiest. Oikawa was already taking on a role as a proud big brother. His hours of volunteering at his nephew’s school, coupled with this girl’s petite figure made him think she was, in fact, an elementary student -- or middle school student at best. But little did he know said girl wasn’t an elementary student -- by far.
“Though, I don’t really have a use for pink cats.” And he certainly wouldn’t want to be caught with carrying one around town. It seemed more appropriate for the girl in front of him. And just what little girl wouldn’t love a cute stuffed toy to take and traipse around town with?Squatting down to reach her eye-level, he offered the stuffed doll out towards her with an overly enthusiastic smile. “Here, take it -- it’ll match your cute hair!”
