(Funny chapter 😭)
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Chapter 48: Dresses, Claws, and Chaos
“Okay, ground rules,” Jay-Jay said, strutting in front of the Section E boys like a drill sergeant. “No touching anything unless it sparkles, no loud flirting, and no throwing each other into the fitting rooms. Looking at you, Drew and Felix.”
The group nodded like obedient soldiers, but their faces already screamed chaos.
The mall was alive—students everywhere getting ready for prom weekend. But nothing could match the energy of Section E. With Y/N and Jay-Jay leading the fashion mission, the boys followed like lost ducklings—loud, stubborn ducklings.
“Jay, this place is huge,” Keifer muttered, looking around the racks of suits and gowns.
“Good. More places for Y/N to slay,” she smirked, grabbing Y/N and dragging her toward the dress section while the boys scattered like confused puppies.
After some hilarious trial-and-error (including a glitter bomb dress Felix picked and got glitter in his mouth), Y/N finally stepped out in a royal blue satin off-shoulder gown, hugging her in all the right places.
Time. Stopped.
Even the dressing room assistant gasped.
Yuri blinked twice. “That’s the one.”
Y/N tried to act normal, but her cheeks were definitely burning. “Really?”
“Yeah,” he muttered, his voice suddenly lower, “You look... perfect.”
Cue CI-N screaming from the tux area: “EVERYBODY SAY ‘THANK YOU’ TO THE GODDESS.”
Section E burst into whistles, claps, and dramatic applause. Drew wiped a fake tear while Felix posed like a background dancer.
Rakki clapped dramatically. “Okay, Miss Universe. Can we not make Yuri collapse on the floor with heart-eyes? Thanks.”
After paying, the group headed to the arcade nearby for “post-fashion therapy.” The neon lights and blaring music welcomed the madness of Section E like an old friend.
Y/N stopped at the claw machine, eyes sparkling as she spotted a tiny green frog plushie sitting near the edge. “I want him.”
“Good luck,” Yuri smirked from behind.
She tried once—fail. Then again—fail. “Ugh! I hate this thing.”
“Move,” Yuri said, stepping behind her. His hands gently reached for hers on the controls, guiding her fingers. “You gotta time it… like this.”
His voice was close. Y/N could feel the warmth of his breath on her neck. Her brain short-circuited.
Then the claw dropped.
It gripped the frog…
Lifted…
And dropped it into the chute.
Y/N gasped. “NO WAY—” She spun and hugged him tightly. “YURI! I LOVE THIS FROG!”
Yuri stood frozen. Bright red. Still holding the joystick.
“I-I mean—THE FROG, NOT YOU! I mean—THANK YOU!” she blurted and jumped back.
“Right. Yeah. The frog.” Yuri muttered, still red as a tomato.
Meanwhile, on the machine next to them…
Rakki stood with her arms crossed. “CI-N. One job.”
CI-N confidently cracked his knuckles. “Don’t worry, darling. I got this.”
Minutes passed. Still no toy.
“CI-N…” Rakki’s voice was warningly sweet.
“I-It’s the claw, not me!” he defended.
“OUT.” Rakki pinched his ear and dragged him off the machine while the others howled in laughter.
Jay-Jay and Keifer were laughing over a dance battle game. Jay-Jay won three rounds and made Keifer wear a ridiculous anime wig as punishment.
Felix and Drew were racing in Mario Kart, yelling like five-year-olds. Kit and Mayo were arguing over which crane game had “better vibes.”
And in the corner, Yuri glanced down at the little frog plush in Y/N’s hands… as she smiled softly, holding it to her chest.
He didn’t say anything, but he smiled too.
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