Please enter your name, the automated voice spoke out.
"Oh yeah, that's right. Almost forgot that we need to enter our names, first," Arche floated to the monitor, when suddenly, Phi grabbed his arm.
Phi stared at the monitor briefly before speaking, "Let... Let me input my name first."
He raised an eyebrow, "Oh? In that much of a hurry to lose to me? Well, by all means..." He bowed as he motioned his arms toward the console, "Go on right ahead, little lady," He teased.
Phi bumped into his shoulder intentionally as she floated to the console, "Oops, how clumsy of me," she darted a quick look at him right before approaching the screen.
P1, please enter your name, the automated voice boomed out.
Phi tapped away at the touch keyboard. Soon afterward, her name appeared on the huge screen above their designated bowling alley.
P2, please enter your name, the voice echoed out, once again.
Arche cracked his knuckles and floated over to Phi, "Okay, I can handle it from he-"
Phi ignored him and tapped away at the keyboard, inputting Player 2's name. A few seconds later, his name popped up underneath Phi's name on the huge screen: Loser McLoserstein
The automated voice spoke out, one last time: Players have successfully entered the match. Phi is delegated to the first turn, and Loser McLoserstein's turn will succeed afterwards. Phi, please start the match. Loser McLoserstein, please wait your turn. Good luck, players.
Arche narrowed his eyes when he saw what Phi inputted into the system. He crossed his arms and nodded repeatedly in a dry manner, staring at her, "Oh, okay. Nice. Loser Mc... uh huh, classy. Reeeeeal mature of you, Phi."
Phi turned around in his direction, her mouth quivering and her face slightly red; she made an attempt to hold back her laughter, "What was that? Did you say something? The McLoserstein family should really be quiet and wait their turn..." She immediately covered her mouth, restraining her urge to laugh.
Arche rolled his eyes and sighed.
But then... he looked at her; truly looked at her. At Phi. He noticed how happy she was; uncharacteristically so. A child-like spark of personality peaking through her thick, sophisticated exterior.
Back when they met in the Karaoke bar, her demeanor and tone of voice was, well... different. More retrained and deadpan. Of course, Phi still has her usual deadpan personality, but... she was slowly coming out of her shell. They've never been this close before. Not during the Karaoke Bar and the Weapons Shack, and certainly not all those years back.
Arche noticed the way she made constant eye-contact during conversation, spoke more clearly, joked around sometimes and smiled a genuine smile. He observed the little things... the important things. And for just a moment, he thought that perhaps... he changed her. Even if it was just a little. His small moment as some kind of self-proclaimed savior. Though admittedly, that was probably a bit much to think of himself that highly. It's a nice thought, at least, right?
Phi was still incredibly stubborn, distant and snarky; who would she be if not for that? However, by the end of the day, there's no doubt that she's opened up to him considerably. To other people, as well. Arche glanced over at her. The mysterious, white-haired enigma of a woman. He smiled warmly; Phi... Heh, you're just full of surprises, aren't you?
Phi waved over at him, "Hey, what're doing staring into space, Loserfield? Let's do this! Without exception, and with absolution... I will kick your ass," she smiled. He never would have expected her to say something like that.
Arche chuckled to himself and closed his eyes, "Yep, full of surprises..." He grabbed a bowling ball, "Let's settle this, once and for all!"
(Okay, for real this time, I WILL FINISH THIS BOWLING STUFF in my next post. I promise... Why are you guys looking at me like that? I swear, the next part and that's it!)