Amidst Logan's apology, Mina shouted, "I bet you can't even dance"!
Leira and Vanessa were left in awe. On the other hand, Hakim felt Mina's future crushed. People nearby, including Mike, laughed as they heard Mina challenge Logan.
Logan's sinister laugh increased in volume at the opportunity to crush the dreams of a novice. Blatantly accepting her challenge, he led her to a small dancing platform.
Leira, noticing the intimidation, cheered on Mina for her bravery.
Stepping up to the platform, Mina's nerves were shaking. Logan's confidence alone was enough to defeat any novice. His continuous boasting felt like jabs to her gut. Even Vanessa's voice couldn't convince her to win. But Mina was determined to stand her ground and face the legendary challenge that is Logan.
People from afar peaked their heads looking not for a show. Rather tears and crushed hope was their choice of amusement.
Logan placed the setting on expert. He even tried to bet player points until Vanessa scolded him for doing so. The music was set to a DJ mixture as opposed to a normal anime opening.
Nonetheless, Mina exhaled and rose her chin, for the music to begin.
It started with a slow heavy beat. Mere taps came from the two. The music broke into a Japanese rap that led them both to fly across.
Mina sweated to keep up with Logan who was twerking his movements as though they were natural.
She paid no mind to the goof and focused on her performance. Even when the mix changed to a candy theme she remained discipline.
Logan's moves were perfect, yet hysterical. Until he heard somebody yell Mina was in the lead.
He twisted and turned to stay with the music to catch a glimpse of Mina's leading score. He came to admit the newb was a challenge.
With his pride at stake, Logan cleaned his moves from his goofy nature and focused on an excellent performance.
To the blind eye, their moves were perfect and evenly matched. Even Mina's mind was transferred to a moment of bliss to dance next to a great performer.
Vanessa stared as the boy was finally dancing in front of her. Twerking and grinding to different beats he was, as she had only imagined from prior talks.
Logan's sweat actually dripped from the effort which was rarely seen.
His score crept near Mina's which sent shivers down Leira's spine. Luckily for Mina, the lights were shining as though for a finale.
They popped their hips in ways no other can. Their moves appeared to be inhumane. Even John Travolta would be amazed.
It was the final act, and the pair finished as though they rehearsed for ages.
Both panted in their final pose. Mina looked across the arcade in hopes of hearing loud applause for their performance. Logan crunched his neck over for pride in hopes he won.
Murmurs flew across the crowd as Mina came down. She bit her lip hoping everybody liked it. Vanessa and Leira complimented her on the performance. However, their kind words couldn't hide the faint judgment among the people.
Seeing that his score was higher, Logan wiped his sweat away and laughed off the challenge. The laughs he heard fueled him nowhere nearly as much as his victory.
He tried to gloat. Vanessa's scornful glare stopped the words from leaving his mouth. Instead, he congratulated Mina for the challenge.
Some people cheered Logan's remark. Mina was only mumbling against it. Dancing wasn't about challenging and beating people. Rather it was a fun sport dedicated to bringing joy to people much like her performance with Vanessa.
"Logan," said Vanessa pushing on his shoulder, "Come with us to get limit breaks and help them beat their story challenges".
"How much do you want to charge them?" he asked.
Hakim immediately laughed afterward. Logan was a well-known hustler from the time he started playing. It was his way of survival back in the day. Now he preys on points of other players for fun.
It was a disgusting habit that Vanessa hated. Her face squinted as her head shook to say it all. It left Logan in a little shock. After all, how else did she think he was able to purchase things for her and the team.
"Anyways, I have things to do," he said throwing his arms in the air.
"Like what?" asked Hakim.
Logan briefly explained there was a challenge he wanted to take on.
"It's supposed to be pretty 'epic'," he hinted.
Displeased with his attitude, Vanessa paid him little mind. Instead, she led Leira and Mina out to complete their challenges.
Hakim chuckled his way behind them noting that Logan is really pissing off the lady of the team. Even Mike passed by calling Logan an, "Asshole".
It didn't matter to him. One's feelings were meaningless to Logan. His only focus at the moment was to do what he needed to become a pro.
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Vanessa and her three friends were walking in the woods. The mood had lightened. They even stopped for shepherd's pie based on Mina's recommendation.
The savoring beef filled their mouths with juices of cut bell peppers, corn, salt, garlic, ad other flavors alike. It wasn't a competition for better achievements in the day. Just four friends having fun in augmented reality.
They approached Mina's mission location, prompting them to stop at a mountain. A thin ledge hovered over a lake. It led all the way to the top of the mountain. Mina instantly declined.
"Nooooo, you better get up there," yelled Leira.
Mina's excuses ran from her mouth quicker than a rabbit. Luckily, Hakim realized that the ledge was big enough for two to make it across.
This revelation shocked the three girls. Vanessa for one thought that all individual themes were meant to be completed alone. However, that wasn't always the case.
Some themes, typically in February, are meant to be accomplished in pairs. It was a little obvious given that they were including limit breaks this month that they would design the individual missions to be beaten in pairs.
"Aaaaah," said Vanessa in enlightenment, "So I need to find somebody to help me beat that lady in the water".
"Well you lost me there," responded Hakim, "Water levels are the worst".
Leira even added that she and Mina were likely too weak to help. It was okay for Vanessa. At least she knew now what to do.
This still left the challenge in front of them for Mina's sake.