As I step into Takuro's apartment, I still have no idea what exactly he wants from me. All he told me earlier was that he needed my help for something, and that was about it. Now that he's leading me over to his bedroom, I am exactly as in the know as I was before, but, well, he's going to have to tell me eventually, I just have to go along with it for a bit. Now, if you had no real idea who Takuro was, one step into his bedroom would clear any questions up real quick, because boy, is it ever blatant that he is an otaku. Anime prints practically cover the walls, entire shelves full of manga and anime DVDs... he's a complete nerd, and his PC is more of the same. He tells me to sit down in front of it, and it's at this point I have to ask, "What exactly do you want me to do, Takuro?"

After fidgeting nervously for a bit, he eventually responds, "Um, well, you're really good at shooter games, right?"

To that, I have to nod—ever since I was a kid, I've been playing shooter games. My dad introduced me to the arcade cabinet he owned, which led to that being my formative experience with video games and shooters becoming my favorite genre. Over the years, I've built up some pretty decent skills—not world-class, but still, I think I'm the best I know—but I'm not exactly sure what that has to do with anything.

"Right, so, um, I need you to beat some shooter games on my PC and let me record it. Should be easy for you, right?" he asks, leaving me quite confused.

Indeed, it takes me a few seconds to even formulate a response, and even when it comes out, all it is is just a vague "Uh, what? You need me to beat some games for you?" before I take a look at the computer screen. There, sitting in a folder, are the games from that series that Takuro is so into, that one with the magic and the girls and all the bullets being shot around. He's frequently told me to play them, though I prefer arcade games over computer games, and I also have several games I want to master first, so I never really looked into them. "Wait, these games? The ones you spend so much time making fan stuff for? Surely you've beaten them already, right?"

Of course, that's what I thought. With so much time invested into this franchise of games on his part, surely, he must have played them all to death, right? Well, his reaction gives me exactly the answer I needed, but he does actually explain himself as well, saying, "Uh, no... in fact, I've never actually played them. But! But... they're really hard! There's no way I could play them, but you, you're really good, you can play them!"

That does explain part of it, at least a bit, but not all of it. "OK, and why exactly do you need to record me beating the game?" I ask him, still confused.

Well, that question seems to have cut right to the heart of the matter, and Takuro's face turns bright red with embarrassment. "Um... I need footage of, well, 'me' beating the game to prove to people online that I beat the game to prove my, er, gamer cred. Please, you got to help me, I can't afford being exposed as a poser!" he begs, and lord, does he seem desperate. Indeed, before I can even respond, his expression gains a certain... glint. "Please, Flynn... I'd do anything..."

Whoa, where's this coming from? Did he learn this from some sort of pervy Japanese cartoon or something? "What do you mean, anything?" I ask in return, suddenly feeling a strange combination of concerned... and curious.

"Oh, you know..." he says, giving a knowing glance in the direction of his bed before leaning in closer. "Anything..." Takuro then whispers. "I'd be so, so grateful if only you'd promise you'll beat those games for me... why, there's so many things I could do..."

The mental temperature in this room has just skyrocketed in a single minute, and what he's implying is pretty clear. Still, I have to ask, "What... what do you mean?" It doesn't take long for me to get my answer, and Takuro doesn't hesitate as his lips press upon mine. A slight, gentle kiss follows, and when he breaks it off again, his gaze is half-lidded, his soft panting clearly showing his arousal.

"Just promise me you'll do it... and I'll reward you," he whispers, and I can't believe how eager he is.