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You believe Celia will feel less awkward if you give her the plushy she (supposedly) denied herself, therefore you need to lock in.
“No need to rush.” You wanna take things easy. “How about I get you that plushy you have always wanted?” You wiggle your eyebrows.
“That one is out of circulation.” Celia rapidly retorts.
“Then I’ll get you a better one.” You wiggle your eyebrows. “Let’s go.”
The claw machine is definitely different from last time. It’s no surprise, didn’t Blake bust it open with the former student council president’s body? Anyway, it’s full of new plushies, but there’s an odd one out, somehow surviving the restock. It’s a hedgehog. You’ll go for this critter instead of the other charismatic characters from a TV series you have never heard about.
As soon as you toss the coin inside, and move the claw towards it, Celia’s eyes start twinkling. That’s the one she wanted, and has no idea why you went for it — but she’s invested.
The claw drops down onto the fluffy fella, its fingers loosely grip around its body… and the magic doesn’t happen. This flimsy piece of work paradoxically doesn’t work. You have 2 more tries.
Now Celia is standing next to you, like a kid who’s too cool to watch, but wants to get up close.
The claw dives down once again, getting a hold of the fellow’s tiny leg, it lifts him up. And drags him closer and closer… but drops it before the end. A shame. You have one more try for this coin. Your reputation is at stake.
Celia has her hands ready to pump them in the air in case you succeed. She can’t hide it anymore. She wants that damn hedgehog. Her eyes are shinier than ever, you can’t fail now.
Last attempt, you have more money, but too much pride to spend it. If you don’t do this now, the legends of your skills were nothing but a mirage. The Claw and the hedgehog meet once again, the belly is the point of contact, and it drags upwards. And upwards. Then sideways and so on. The flimsy claw can’t stomach such enormous weight. It’s loosing up. Then it gives up completely…
...to throw it inside the goal! The Hedgehog is yours! Or more specifically, Celia’s! She pulls it out of the machine with glee.
“Thank you.” Celia will treasure this, but doesn’t want to look that happy so she looks away.
