Saiyan stowaways on the Ark

Especially the scary rides, roller coasters, haunted houses, bungee jumping, log flumes...

This level of stimulation was not even commonplace in the past.

So they set their sights on games that seemed more moderate.

Entertainment with high barriers to entry cannot provide excitement, while entertainment projects suitable for all ages do not discriminate against the audience.

These games, which do not rely on basic physical abilities, can bring more fun to everyone equally.

And naturally, amusement parks will have video game experiences, from arcade machines that simply play various electronic games, to dance machines or rhythm games that require physical interaction, or machines that offer physical prizes as rewards—you name it, they have it.

For many of these attractions, as long as they don't involve physical exertion, the requirements for playing them are generally not related to "physical strength."

"Ah...it's a claw machine."

Froststar stopped in front of the machine displaying a dazzling array of dolls. She pressed her hands against the glass surface, leaving a layer of frost in the shape of her handprints. Her face and body were pressed against the surface as she stared intently at the things inside.

Frostnova had now tied her shawl tightly, covering her body like a robe, concealing her chest, which seemed a bit too exposed in this place. However, because she subconsciously pressed herself against the glass, she still left suggestive marks on it.

But it's understandable that she's so openly curious right now. After all, this is something relatively unfamiliar to her. It's normal for her to be excited about something she would never normally have access to.

The same goes for Tomat; his remaining memories of such things have almost completely disappeared.

Although there are gashapon machines made by Operation Reserve Group A6 on Rhodes Island, and claw machines made by Kroos herself in the shopping area, the former is a toy for the squad's private use, and the latter has a shady prize, so very few people have actually played them.

Now, rows of claw machines with different prizes are right in front of the two of them. Although the prizes inside are not necessary for them, the meaning that the "prizes" themselves represent always inexplicably arouses an impulse called the desire to win.

The prize isn't very useful, but it makes me happy to receive it.

That's how money disappears without you even realizing it.

Exchange tokens, insert them into the coin slot, manipulate the wobbly grappling hook to move it to your desired prize location, then press the button and wait for the hook to retract, clamp the prize, and move it towards the dispensing slot.

Then it fell prematurely, just a hair's breadth away from the expected drop.

"It must be because this prize pool is hard to win..."

Froststar leaned forward, her little tail swaying behind her as she focused so intently that she didn't realize how conspicuous her posture was in the shop.

She gripped the joystick tightly with one hand, while the other hovered over the button, intently watching the grappling hook move behind the glass.

We arrived at the top of the hanging ring on the doll's head.

Press it!

"Ha-"

The grappling hook descended slowly, finally reaching the height of the rings.

Then, under Froststar's serious yet expectant gaze, it slowly closed in.

It's hooked!

A snow-white Caster Beast plush toy was hung up—somewhat similar to the Caster Beast plush toys that Rhodes Island regularly designs based on the operators' appearances, but also different.

However, they are all very cute.

"Okay...that's it, take your time, don't rush—"

But just like the previous plush toys, it slipped off the edge of the shipping hatch right before Frostnova's eyes.

"what!!!!!"

[Main Text] The hottest holiday in Siesta: Chapter Seventeen I, Thomas, didn't cheat!

"It's so ugly... Shall we change it?"

"Okay, which one do you want?"

After countless rounds of fierce battles, Frostnova, who had used up all her tokens playing the claw machine, only managed to win a green Phidias Beast Puppet.

Despite being cartoonized, its limp, thin body and the two black dots that are either nostrils or eyes make it hard to associate it with the word "cute."

On the other hand, Tomat tried as many projects as possible with his limited tokens.

Claw machines, coin pushers, gashapon machines, pinball machines... Although they didn't try each game many times, they unexpectedly won quite a few prizes. While the total value certainly wouldn't exceed the money they spent, the prizes, which they couldn't even carry in both hands, still brought a greater sense of satisfaction.

"...I want one that looks a lot like my dad."

After browsing for a while, Frostnova took the Wendigo plushie from Tomat and then tossed the Phydia Beastkin plushie she had won to Tomat—a prize she had obtained from a Terra Monster-themed claw machine.

Although no one said that the winner would be determined by how many prizes they won, Frostnova, who was only holding a doll, still couldn't hide her resentment.

Specifically, he puffed out his cheeks with a very subtle, almost imperceptible movement, and half-opened his eyes with a hint of dejection, glancing back and forth at the prize in Tomat's hand.

Even in this relaxed state, Frostnova didn't want to show an overly childish expression.

"This green snake... I'll go back and find someone to change it into the shape of a dragon and hang it in the room."

Thomas coiled the Phidia doll around his arm, holding the other prizes in his hands, and continued:

"Still want to play? Rhodes Island will reimburse us anyway."

Froststar looked hesitantly at the claw machine she had missed several times before, then said frankly after a moment's hesitation:

"No, getting bogged down in battle isn't a good thing, and spending too much money on these things isn't a good thing either."

"Then I'll play one more round."

But just when Frostnova thought Tomat was also preparing to leave with her, Tomat went to the token exchange and exchanged a coin for himself.

The staff responsible for monitoring the machine also kept their eyes glued to Tomat.

In arcades, there are always people who get angry for various reasons and then physically assault the machines.

Alternatively, if someone wants to use a special cheating method, such as an ordinary person trying to shake the coin pusher to make the coins on the edge fall, or someone with Originium Arts secretly casting spells to help them win the prize, then supervision by staff and Originium Arts detection devices are necessary.

However, aside from the necessary measures taken to ensure fair play and normal business operations, none of the owners dared to guarantee that they hadn't tampered with the machines.

For example, deliberately setting an inconspicuous slope on a coin pusher machine, or loosening the claws of a claw machine, to increase the difficulty of winning a prize.

The higher the value of the prizes in a project, the more common these kinds of things become, sometimes even to the point of being blatant.

—But for some reason, this man could win a lot of prizes no matter which machine he played on.

This is no longer a matter that can be explained by good luck or superior skills.

Those who slip up are usually surrounded by the two-meter-tall security guards of Fengti within ten seconds, thrown out of the store, and fined and detained.

However, neither the store's surveillance cameras, the staff's observations, nor the Originium Arts detection devices found anything suspicious about the man.

This is his last round. If he can't discover his secret, he'll leave with the prize and never have another chance to confirm it.

So almost all the staff focused their attention on Tomart, who had obtained a token and was now in front of the claw machine.

Meanwhile, many other customers who were browsing in the store also gathered around. After all, they had been attracted by the sight of the coin pusher machine when Tomat played it before, where inserting a token would make the whole machine rattle.

Thomas didn't pay attention to the other guests; he was completely absorbed in his sightseeing.

On the contrary, Frostnova, a stunningly beautiful ice queen, was not approached or even chatted with. Logically speaking, when a beautiful woman plays the claw machine alone and fails repeatedly, it is the perfect time for some people who are keen to flirt to show off their skills. However, when those people saw the scars on Frostnova's body that she did not try to hide, they did not dare to approach her easily.

"Okay."

Under the watchful eyes of Froststar and the others, Tomat inserted a token.

The process that followed was the same as that of anyone else playing a claw machine.

Move the grappling hook, aim, and then press the button.

However, under Tomat's control, the grappling hook was exceptionally stable, and even the hooked doll did not wobble much during the movement.

The doll that Froststar couldn't even get with Light Tokens was easily obtained by Tomat.

The snow-white Katus doll was taken out of the shipping port by Tomatt and handed to Frostnova, who was still wondering what she had done wrong.

"Take it. I think taking a photo with these two plush toys is much better than sending a selfie to your dad. At least your blood pressure won't rise."

"Huh? Ah..."

It wouldn't be good to refuse in front of everyone, and more importantly, this was the prize that Frostnova wanted.

After Frostnova took it in her hands with a hint of surprise, Tomat said to the onlookers:

"Wrap the prize up; it's inconvenient to carry it in your hand."

The staff also realized that they had lost their last chance to expose Tomat.

What trick did he use?!

Although they desperately wanted to rush up and confront him with those words, they could only smile apologetically and pack up Thomas's prize for him.

Carrying large and small bags in her hands, with several packages tucked behind her tail, Tomat walked outside the store with Frostnova.

The outside temperature was completely different from that of the air-conditioned arcade, but walking with Frostnova, there wasn't much difference.

Frostnova held a plush toy in her hand, using it to shield herself from the glaring sunlight. Her smooth swimsuit also released a lot of moisture after she came out into the outside world, but it quickly froze due to Frostnova's body heat, making it sparkle for a moment.

"that..."

Frostnova held the Kats doll that Tomat had won for her in front of her mouth, like a ventriloquist speaking through a puppet. She pinched the fluffy doll's head, making the ears sway back and forth, while turning her gaze away and whispering:

"...I really want this, thank you."

It is normal and proper etiquette to express gratitude for a gift, and she could easily and graciously express her thanks.

However, this time, receiving a favor unilaterally, and moreover, because of a doll whose commemorative value outweighed its practical value, Frostnova's feelings were quite complicated.

"No need to thank me, we're all here to have fun. Just don't leave with any regrets."

Tomat smiled gently and waved to Frostnova. Seeing her expression, Tomat felt embarrassed to downplay his small favor as usual. At least he could tell whether she liked the gift or not with his emotional intelligence.

"but..."

Frostnova put down the doll that was blocking her way and brought up another matter that puzzled her.

"How do you manage to win so many prizes? Do you play often? Or do you have some tricks up your sleeve?"

Thomas was taken aback by the question, then looked around to make sure no one was watching them.

"Ah... Hold the doll in your hand, don't grip it too tightly."

Although Froststar was puzzled, she did as she was told, holding the doll in her hands without keeping too much distance from Tomat.

Then, he hooked his finger apart—and Frostnova clearly felt that the doll in her hand seemed to be attracted by some force, wanting to break free from her grasp.

"Wait, what are you doing..."