"...So you can actually get the figure out."

"Of course," Hopkins said with a grin. "Getting box-shaped prizes like these requires a special touch."

"You're amazing, Hopkins."

"Feels like I’ve just become the cool uncle who gets his niece a gift."

Hopkins chuckled proudly. I, on the other hand, kept marveling at the figure box resting on my lap as we headed up to the third floor.

Despite spending 30 minutes struggling with the claw machine, I hadn’t managed to grab the figure. Hopkins had stepped in, his skillful maneuvers making it look easy. Unlike my futile attempts, he first …