The Tickle-Cade doors parted with flowing automation and a whirring hum. A brightly designed logo for the massive arcade establishment decaled over the front glass. A spirited young girl, dandelion locks just grazing her shoulders, rushed past them with impatient wonder. She left her intimate party behind her. She stopped short of the threshold and gazed around at the interior lobby.

“Wow…” breathed Kagamine Rin, her smile gaping as she looked around the Tickle-Cade greeting room. Surged with an excitement for the place based solely on what she had been told by her close friends, Rin peered around at how the Tickle-Cade welcomed her company.

Soft music accompanied the sound of distant laughter, ranging from light and flirty to strained and desperate, over several informational monitors displaying how the game of the Tickle-Cade works. Around her, stationed bondage equipment stood idle, roped off with informational plaques for visitors to study. Images of smiling guests fitted into each contraption showed off the game’s variety of play. Soothing pastel colors across the walls and plush carpet, theming between baby blue and sunshine yellow, served to ease the mind of the gymnasium’s more anxious visitors, allowing them to find the enjoyment in the Tickle-Cade’s signature activity.

“I can’t believe we’re finally here,” Rin said as her shimmering eyes hopped around the room. Other patrons standing around viewing game formats and sitting while waiting their turns started to look over at the excitable young girl. Several squinted their eyes, determined to figure out why she looked so familiar. Rin had elected into wearing a modest white tank top with a scatter of blonde stars printed about in a feeble attempt to go out unnoticed, as recommended by her friends. Below, the girl wore a matching pair of white and yellow yoga pants with a black trim trailing down to a black pair of athletic shoes.

“Easy, kiddo,” said Megurine Luka, approaching from behind. Her long, fuschia locks coursed down between her shoulder blades in a tight braid. She walked in wearing a flowing, long sleeve onyx blouse, mixed with tight pants and leather boots. Rin turned to face Luka.

“But look how cool!” Rin said.

“What did we say we wouldn’t do in the car?” Luka asked. Rin breathed deeply to calm herself.

“Draw attention,” Rin said with a defeated tone. The two looked around to see several eyes staring them down in shock. The whispers to their own companions began once their last party member walked in.

“Aww, let Rin have her fun,” said Hatsune Miku, strutting in from behind. Her young, angelic figure turned more heads within a tight blue crop top and high jean shorts. Her pigtails hung in loose strands, delicately brushing her arms as she walked. She wore a casual pair of flip flops, sporting tiny peony blooms across the toes.

“If you want to be bombarded with people and held up as usual, be my guest,” Luka said with a smirk. “It’s your birthday after all.” Luka began approaching the front counter, complete with two attendants, typing away at their computers and casually conversing with one another.

“That’s right, I make the rules today,” Miku said with a prideful smirk.

“I’m not sure you still know how all this works,” Luka said.

“That’s why I chose for us to come here,” Miku said. “You had been talking so highly of this place that I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.” Rin stayed next to the girls. She looked over to a group of teens waiting in the lobby staring back at her. Rin waved gleefully.

“As long as you know what you’re in for,” Luka said. Miku looked to the displays and equipment depictions, showing off how each game’s players were to tickle and be tickled. A shiver ran up her slender back.

“I think so,” Miku said nervously.

“You always said that you liked to be tickled,” Luka teased. “How you’d always use being tickled as a stress reliever when on the road…”

“Yeah, but, that was different,” Miku said.

“You’re not backing down now, are you?” Luka asked. “I already made the appointment and…” Luka looked to Rin and paused when she had seemingly vanished from her spot. She looked over to see Rin sitting and talking with the group of teenagers all pining over her. Luka sighed. “Rin was really looking forward to this.”

“I’m not backing down,” Miku said. “I’m no chicken. I’ve just never been tickled like…” Miku turned to a display of a girl getting tickled by a singular tickle to the point of tears. “... that before.” Luka chuckled behind closed lips.

“You’ll be fine,” Luka said. “I bet you’ll even find that you’ll like it more than you expect to.” Miku looked back at her friend. A timid, rose tinted smile perked her cheeks. “Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of you. No need to freak yourself out.”

“I’m not freaked out,” said Miku. “I’m sure I can take whatever you have planned.”

“Well, it’s a birthday surprise,” said Luka. “You wanted to do this, so here we are.”

“Right,” Miku said. The teen girl looked down and around at the standing bondage devices showcased in the lobby, all licensed Tickle-Cade designs. The several screens lining the lobby walls briefly covered the rules of the associated card game in short bullet points. “I may still be a little unsure of what all this is though.”

“It’s a game,” Luka said with a knowing smile. “Trust me, you’ll like it.” Luka looked over to Rin, giddily signing shirts and hats with a red Sharpie. “Rin!” The girl looked up. She gave the group their marker back before waving goodbye and running back over.

“What?” Rin asked. “They wanted autographs.” Luka and Miku looked up to the group, all still staring them down.

“That’s not why we’re here,” Luka said. She and Miku gave the fans a smile and dismissive wave.

“That’s right, Miku’s birthday,” Rin said. “Sorry, Miku.”

“That’s okay,” said Miku. “You seemed to have been having fun. That’s all I care about.” Rin smiled. Luka shook her head while approaching the front counter. The counter still had two attendants going about their business. On top of the counter was a monitor facing them above a rectangular dispensary. Rin and Miku followed closely behind. Rin snickered, overly ambitious about her visit to the Tickle-Cade, while Miku was sure Rin knew just as little about it as she did.

“Hello,” Luka said to a female attendant behind the counter. Luka figured the girl to be a student by her age and disposition. She smiled back to the young woman, who looked up in a fleeting moment of shock and disbelief.

“H-hi, welcome to the Tickle-Cade,” said the attendant. “My name is Ashley. How can I help you today?” The younger gentleman running the other side of the desk looked up in occasional stares, his eyes draped in green.

“Yes, we have an appointment for 12:30,” Luka said. Ashley resumed typing in her computer.

“Okay, we can get that taken care of for you,” said Ashley. “What is the name for the appointment?” Luka shifted her eyes around nervously.

“It’s for Hatsune Miku,” Rin chimed in. Luka shot her a look before shaking her head in her hand. Ashley typed in the name that had her male coworker shifting excitedly in his seat. It was only after she finishes typing did she look up to get a better view of the girls.

“Oh my gosh, it is really you,” Ashley said. Rin hopped excitedly. Luka sighed and Miku looked back with a smile. Ashley’s face deepened a shade of rouge. Her breathing became rapid. Her eyes widened. “I… I’m sorry… I’m just a huge fan of your work. All of you.” Ashley fought to calm herself.

“No, it’s great,” Miku said with a reassuring grin. “Thank you. It’s always nice to meet fans.” Ashley continued on in a flurry of blushed smiles and stumbled words.

“Thank you,” Ashley said with a giggle. She typed away at her computer. The monitor facing the group glowed brightly the Tickle-Cade’s flamboyant logo. The screen began listing out the nature of their appointment, along with the details of the game they would be playing.

‘Hello, and welcome to the Tickle-Cade,’ said a friendly voice from the monitor. Rin’s eyes lit up.

“Thank you,” the small girl replied. Ashley giggled.

“That is the automated deck manager, or your ADM,” said Ashley. “She will be assisting you through your game.”

“Oh, cool,” said Miku.

“She’s fairly responsive, and she should be able to answer any question you’ll have during the game,” said Ashley. “She’ll keep track of time and game duration for you. She’ll even be able to schedule a return game for you afterwards, if you’d like.”

“Neat-o!” Rin said. Miku looked to Rin and Luka.

“So, which one of you will be tickling me?” Miku asked Luka, a gaming smirk washed across her face. Luka smiled back, but refrained from answering. Ashley turned back to her own monitor and began typing again.

“Okay, so the game that you designed online with your appointment is of light to moderate intensity,” Ashley began to list. Miku rolled her eyes.

“Oh, come on,” Miku said. “I can handle more than that.” Luka’s smile never wavered.

“And your game will be our newest implemented style,” Ashley said. “A ‘two v. one’.” Miku’s eyes widened. Her jaw dropped. She looked over to Luka smiling deviously.

“Excuse me?” Miku asked. Luka snickered.

“Surprise,” she said dryly. Miku looked over to Rin, nearly bouncing with eager energy.

“That’s why you invited her,” Miku said, her voice cracking in shock.

“I came to help,” Rin said, a glimmer of optimism in her voice.

“Scared?” Luka asked. Miku paused, smiling back with her tongue tucked into her cheek.

“N… no,” said Miku.

“You said you can handle anything,” Rin teased.

“And I can,” said Miku. She pouted slightly and looked away. “I just wasn’t expecting to have to deal with both of you at once.”

“I bet you’re glad I opted for the lesser intensity now, aren’t you?” Luka asked. Miku crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out at Luka. Rin giggled gleefully.

“I can change the format, if you’d like me to,” said Ashley. Miku sighed and looked back at both of her mischievous friends.

“No, it’s fine I guess,” said Miku, stubborn in hiding a smirk.

“You’re excited,” said Luka, turning with a smile. “I can tell.” Miku remained silent. She looked down to Riku. Her wide, cerulean eyes stared back in needful enthusiasm.

“Trust us, we’re going to have so much fun,” said Riku.

“We’ll see if you think that when you’re the one getting tickled by both of us,” said Miku. Rin’s expression dropped to one of momentary trepidation.

“I… I could take it,” stuttered Rin.

“Okay,” said Miku coyly. “We’ll see…” Ashley resumed typing into the system.

“And since I only have Miss. Luka’s member ID registered, would I be correct in assuming that you, Miss. Miku and Miss. Rin are first time guests?” Ashley asked.

“Yeah, they’re new,” said Luka.

“Not a problem,” said Ashley. “Would either of you like to sign up for a membership or just continue with your first game as guests?” Miku and Rin exchanged a glance.

“I think just ‘guests’ works for us,” said Miku. “At least for the first game. We’ll see after that.”

“That’s perfectly fine, most first time players go in as guests,” said Ashley. She continued typing into the computer until the monitor facing the party changed to another screen. Miku sighed a deep breath through her button nose as she saw two individual decks line up on screen. “And these will be the decks that you’re playing with. They each have fifteen light to moderate intensity cards each, making for a five-round game lasting about forty minutes. Now, since we like to focus our concerns on the player being tickled, does all that work for you, Miss. Miku?” Luka turned to Miku. Rin looked up at the girl with pleading eyes. Miku stood in the center, helpless to the whims of her friends and her own electrified curiosity.

“That will be fine, yes,” said Miku.

“Yay!” Rin cheered. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Rin pulled Miku in for a tight hug. Miku glanced over to Luka.

“You’ll have fun,” said Luka, her lips curled in a smug grin.

“I better,” nervously giggled Miku. Rin fell out of her hug as the dispensary below the monitor began to hum. From it, a single stack of fifteen cards poured out.

‘Deck one,’ said the ADM.

“And that’s the first deck for one of our ticklers,” Ashley said. Rin eagerly reached in and took the deck in her hands.

“Heehee, we’re gonna tickle you so good,” Rin teased Miku.

“Only as good as I’m going to tickle you once it’s your turn,” Miku said with a wink. Rin gulped and hid her face behind the neatly stacked deck in her hands. The second of the decks poured out into the catch. Luka reached out and took it in her hand. She flipped through the cards, inspecting their sturdy frame with the lavish Tickle-Cade logo printed on one side. Ashley continued to type away at her station.

“Okay, and it looks like we’re all set,” said Ashley. “You girls are going to being in room nineteen. I will show you three there.” With a fluttered smile, Ashley walked away from her station. Her male coworker turned to her as she passed.

“You’re so lucky,” the man whispered. Ashley giggled.

“I know,” Ashley said with a grin. She walked around the desks and out into the lobby with the three young recording artists. Her uniform was formal, as dressed up as any five-star concierge. “Ready?” Luka turned toward Miku, who sighed with a smile across her dainty lips.

“Ready,” said Miku. Rin hopped with excitement, her sunflower locks bouncing up and down. Ashley smiled and led the group up to a set of double doors.

The flowing gaming corridor was lined with numbered doors on one side. Ashley led out in front, gripping a key card between her thumb and index finger. Miku walked behind her. Her natural stride was a swaying strut she had acquired from her time performing. She breathed deeply and nervously, while the anticipation seeped in with an aura of excitement. She looked back, her aquamarine hair flowing down her firmly sculpted shoulder blades. Luka smirked back to her, a half smile cocked to the side. Rin smiled wide, giggling as she walked alongside Luka.

“You two are really enjoying this, aren’t you?” Miku asked.

“Not as much as we will once we get in there,” Luka said. Miku smiled, biting the end of her tongue before rolling her eyes. The group followed down the hallway with Ashley leading closely in front. Her tall posture slumped as she turned her head back toward the girls.

“And… um, I always wanted to say that I’m a big fan of your work,” Ashley repeated quietly, a rush of red having come to her highly set cheeks. Miku returned with a wide smile.

“Aww, thank you,” Miku said. “Like we said, it’s always nice to meet fans.” Ashley giggled nervously.

“That’s good,” Ashley said. “I honestly didn’t know if I should say anything. I’m sure you meet more than enough of annoying people.”

“No, it’s perfectly fine,” Miku said with a smile. “You’ve been so nice and helpful, of course we don’t mind. Right, ladies?” Luka and Rin shook their heads.

“No, we love it!” Rin said.

“You love it,” said Luka, before smiling back at Ashley. “But you have been really sweet, so thank you.”

“Of course, of course,” said Ashley. “That’s what I’m here for. If you have any questions at all, I’ll be more than happy to answer them for you.”

“Thank you,” Miku said happily. Ashley brushed her hair to the side as she led the group up to a door labeled with the number nineteen.

“Alright, here we are,” said Ashley. The attendant extended a key card up to a scanner above the handle. A small light flashed green before a soft click sounded from behind the door. Ashley pressed down the handle and pushed the door open.

A fresh scent of sanitized linen greeted the girls as they walked into the room. The walls were a cream white with baby blue floral markings. The lighting was soft, effective in flooding the room in a calming aura. The girls walked in, followed by Ashley shutting the door behind them. Rin bounced up and down with her deck in hand. Against one wall, a large LCD screen hung on an idle display of the Tickle-Cade logo. Beneath it, a rectangular receiver sat docked. On either sides were rectangular slots lined with LED strips. Luka walked up to the contraption sitting in the center of the room. She glanced back to Miku with a smirk. Miku looked over, her soft complexion bearing a timid expression as she gazed onto the isolated device. With delicate steps, Miku walked closer to the contraption.

With a gracious amount of adjustable hinges, the device appeared customizable in ways that Miku failed to comprehend an apparatus for playful bondage could be. It stood upright, a long support bared the frame in its entirety. Two branching arms stood angled out of the top, creating a ‘Y’ formation. Below, a padded bench sat in front of a pair of stocks stationed behind the frame. Nearly every inch was fitted with thick, black leather pads. Around those hung an assortment of straps in various sizes. The device was clean and freshly polished. Impeccable upkeep allowed the contraption to match the room in hospitable comfort in contrast to its intended purposes of physical restraint. Miku walked up to the device, running her dainty fingers across the leather.

“That is one of our newest models,” Ashley said in a soothing voice. “The Flexi-Bind matches comfort with strength, assuring in the most pleasurable of holds.” Luka shot a sly grin to Miku while Rin inspected the rest of the room. Miku’s clean, glossed lips gave a nervous grin.

“I guess that’s where I’ll be?” Miku asked, rubbing her arm. Rin ran over, inspecting the contraption.

“Whoa, cool,” Rin said. The young girl looked back to Miku, snickering with her fingers over her mouth.

“But you can handle it, right?” Luka said, playfully nudging Miku. “You can handle anything.” Miku looked back to Luka, darting her eyes and sighing through a smirk.

“Y-yeah,” Miku said. She crossed her arms and straightened her back. “I’m not scared.”

‘Hello, players,’ spoke the friendly voice of the ADM, causing Miku to jump back. The screen transitioned into one of instruction, outlined in bright, clear wording. Rin and Luka laughed back at Miku. Ashley stifled her own humored reaction.

“Alright, first we’re going to make sure our star player is accommodated,” said Ashley with careful wording. She looked back to Miku, who sighed and hung her head.

“Okay,” said Miku, nervously stroking her hair. She looked back to the contraption in the center of the room. “So, how do I…?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you get situated,” said Ashley. “But first, you’ll need to remove your flip flops.” Rin snickered teasingly as Miku nodded.

“I guess I have to,” Miku said, slipping off her flip flops. Her feet were of a dainty frame and bore aqua painted toes. Rin continued to giggle.

“It’s fun watching you pretend to not be excited,” said Luka.

“I’m excited performing,” said Miku. “Doesn’t mean I don’t get nervous beforehand.” Ashley laughed, grinning ear to ear at the surreal encounter. Miku placed her flip flops to the side of the room and returned to the contraption. “Okay, so how are we doing this?”

“If you’re comfortable in the rest of what you’re wearing, then we can get you set up,” said Ashley. She turned back to Luka and Rin. “So, with how the Flexi-Bind is right now, Miss. Miku would be kneeling against this bench right here with her ankles in these stocks behind her. Her arms would be strapped in straight and above her head for access to her underarms and midsection. However, the Flexi-Bind can also be readjusted to lay the occupant flat out in just about any position imaginable, limited to only her body’s figure and comfort. Would you like to readjust it?” Luka looked over to Rin as she walked cross arms around the device.

“No, this should work,” Luka said. She smiled back to Miku. “I’m sure we’ll play around with it next time we’re here.”

“You mean for your birthday?” Miku asked. Luka looked back to Ashley.

“It’s fine,” said Luka.

“And is it fine for you too, Miss. Miku?” Ashley asked. “We here at the Tickle-Cade like to make sure our ticklees are completely comfortable with the nature of their game.” Miku sighed.

“It’ll do,” said Miku, looking down at the stocks.

“We’ll get you settled in and if you’re at all uncomfortable, we can adjust it,” Ashley said. “We won’t start your game until you are as comfortable as you can be, Miss. Miku.”

“Thank you,” said Miku. “And you can just call me Miku.” Ashley smiled and nodded, her breath fluttered and stunted.

“Of course, Miku,” said Ashley. The attendant stroked a strand of hair out of her face before coming over to the front of the device. “Alright, so first I’ll need you to kneel own on this bench.” Miku breathed deeply before stepping forward. Ashley held out her hand for Miku to hold onto while she took her position in the bench. The padded build was grooved for her knees to fit. Miku straightened her back against the pillar frame. “Is that okay for you?”

“Yeah, that feels fine,” said Miku.

“Okay, good,” said Ashley. The attendant walked around behind Miku to flip down a latch overtop the backs of Miku’s calves, locking her knees down against the bench. “Alright, you’re in and you can sit back whenever you need to.” Miku sat back against the seat holding her legs in place. The initial sensation if immobilization jolted her heart and breathing up a pace. Miku remained smirking, racing nerves coursing through her skin.

“Holding up okay?” Luka asked. Miku smiled back at her.

“This’ll be fun,” said Miku.

“Yeah!” Rin cheered. “We’re gonna tickle you so good.” Rin made clawing motions with her hand, still holding onto her deck. Ashley, behind Miku, situated her ankles into the grooves of the stocks.

“Now, I’m locking in your ankles,” said Ashley.

“O-okay,” said Miku. Ashley shut Miku’s feet into the stocks. Miku wiggled her toes slightly as she felt the leather padding wrap around her ankles. Ashley locked the stocks in place.

“And there are protective measures in case you need to be let out for any reason,” said Ashley. “The ADM can release the latches on command if need be. If you feel you need to end the game and be let out, the safeword is programmed to be ‘safeword’. Easy to remember, right?” Miku nodded.

“Good to know,” said Miku, giggling as the extensive protocols of the Tickle-Cade to provide a comfortable experience allowed her to feel more in control.

“The ADM is very responsive,” said Ashley, coming around to Miku’s front. “It may seem like just a timer, but it is programmed to assist any of you in whatever you need during your game. Here.” Ashley helped Miku’s left arm up against the padded branch, strapping her in at the wrist before moving to the other arm.

“That’s so cool!” Rin said.

“So there’s nothing to worry about,” said Luka. “But you should know that if you do chicken out and say the safeword, Rin and I are going to tickle you twice as much in the hotel tonight.” Rin giggled.

“That, we can’t help you with, Miku,” said Ashley with a laugh. Miku smiled.

“Don’t worry, these two aren’t going to break me,” said Miku.

“Well, we don’t advise anyone try to ‘break’ anyone with their game,” said Ashley, attaching in Miku’s other arm. “It’s all about having fun here at the Tickle-Cade.”

“Oh, we will,” said Luka.

“And if you do end up enjoying your game with us today, just stop by the front desk and we’ll sign you up for a membership,” said Ashley. “You get a bunch of cool perks and exclusive access to special cards and game modes.”

“Good to know,” said Miku. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” said Ashley. The attendant stepped back after strapping in both of Miku’s arms. “Is that okay?” Miku pauses and looked around her body.

“I think so,” said Miku.

“I do have other straps I can attach if that would help,” Ashley inquired.

“This should be fine,” said Miku, wiggling her fingers and toes beyond the hold of their respective binds. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” said Ashley. “Let me know if you need anything else.” Ashley turned back toward Luka and Rin. “And as for you two, follow me over here.” Ashley led Rin and Luka over to the screen. She stood next to the receptacle and looked back with a smile. “Alright, so your game will be five rounds. Each of your decks contains fifteen cards, five different cards in three types. The ADM will draw one card of each type for every round: body part, time, and special effect. The body part cards dictate where on your friend you may tickle. The time card specifies how long you will tickle her for. The ADM will keep track of your time for you. And special effects will allow you to use certain tools, and even may activate special additives to your round. That is the format for a standard Tickle-Cade game. Because you’re trying out a new game format, using two decks on one target, your game will allow you to take advantage of both sets of drawn body parts per round. Your drawn times will also be added together, making for slightly longer rounds. Essentially, you’ll be sharing both decks to create a more encompassing experience for Miku. Any questions so far?” Luka looked back to Miku, bound and breathing heavily, and gave a sly grin, while Rin hopped up and down in energized enthusiasm.

“No, let’s play,” Rin said. Ashley laughed.

“Alright, if you do have any questions, the ADM should be able to assist with most of our more commonly asked questions, or it can alert me and I will return as quickly as I can,” said Ashley. She looked back down to Rin and smiled at the girl’s lively anticipation. “And so, to start, all you have to do is insert both of your decks into the receiver and the ADM will take care of the rest.” Luka looked up to the screen, where the ADM listed off a more elaborate explanation of the gameplay. Rin ran over to the receiver and pushed her deck inside.

‘Deck one of two compiled,’ the ADM announced.

“Thank you very much for your help,” said Luka, walking up to the receiver. Ashley smiled and nodded back.

“Thank you all very much for stopping by,” said Ashley, breaking her more professional tone. “Really, I’m a huge fan of all of your songs, so this was kind of like a dream come true for me.” Luka chuckled.

“Well, hopefully you’ll be seeing a lot more of us,” said Luka, as she pushed in her deck. Ashley smiled, stumbling over her words.

“Oh my gosh, that would be amazing,” said Ashley. “You’re welcome here any time.”

‘Deck two of two compiled,’ the ADM said.

“And we’ll ask for you specifically,” said Luka. Ashley smiled and looked away.

“You don’t have to,” said Ashley. “I’m just really glad I got to meet you guys.” Ashley turned back to Miku. “It really is an honor.” Miku smiled as she waited for the game to begin.

“Thank you for everything,” said Miku.

“Of course,” said Ashley. The attendant backed away to the door. “Okay, I’ll let you guys get to it. Let the ADM know if you need any assistance and I’ll be back in a flash.”

“Thank you again,” Rin called out with a wave. Ashley smiled back at the girls, darting her head away shyly behind her hair before turning to leave through the door. Alone in the room, Luka turned back to Miku. She stood with her hands on her hips, her cherry blossom locks hanging playing against her shoulders.

“You ready?” Luka asked. Miku giggled.

“I am,” said Miku. “I’m a little nervous, but this’ll be fun.”

“That’s the spirit,” said Rin, coming up to look over Miku hanging in the contraption. Luka chuckled.

“We’ll probably give you a hard time,” said Luka, “but I really hope you do have fun. Let us know if we’re too mean.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Miku asked with an angelic smile. “Give me your best shot.” Rin clapped, bouncing up and down. Luka shrugged.

“Hey, you asked for it,” said Luka. Miku smiled as she shifted her hips back and forth. The screen played a brief textual animation, along with a cute little jingle, before pulling up a stationary screen.

‘Hello, players, and welcome to the Tickle-Cade,’ said the ADM in a soothing, yet still lifeless voice. ‘I am the Automated Deck Manager, or ADM. In a moment, your game will begin, but first, allow me to familiarize you with the game deck board.’ The voice outlined the stations around the screen. In the top corners, animations of two decks could be seen, each reading the number fifteen overtop of them. In the center of the screen were six empty slots. ‘Your decks have been shuffled and compiled. Your rounds will be randomly generated. If you have any questions at all, or would need to pause your game at any time, say out loud the safeword assigned to your game and your game will end with the option to continue. Thank you again for playing with us here at the Tickle-Cade. Ready? Your game begins now.’

Rin failed to contain her excitement in eager squeals. Luka stood next to Miku, steadying her breath. The three watched three cards from each deck take one of the six slots. One column held red tinted cards, each with the name of a different body part. The middle, blue tinted, revealed a pair of numbers. The far end colored yellow wore a pair of tools. Miku watched wide eyed as the first round revealed itself.

‘Tickler one,’ the ADM announced, ‘Armpits. Three minutes. Special tool: feather.’ A single rectangular slot beneath the screen lit up bright green and opened to reveal a stiff, white eagle feather. Rin raced up and claimed the feather in her tiny hand, waving it around like a wand. ‘Tickler two. Stomach. Four minutes. Special tool: paint brush.’ Another slot opened. Luka walked up to it to collect a small, stiff paint brush. Both girls walked back up to Miku, as she looked back at the timer on the screen being set to seven minutes.

“We’re gonna tickle you so good,” Rin teased as she wiggled her hips. She took her spot behind Miku while Luka taunted the brush in front of her face. Miku grinned with preemptive giggles, watching both if her eager ticklers taking their positions.

“I can take it,” said Miku smiling with a rejuvenated confidence. “Give me your best shot.”

‘Round one starts now,’ the ADM announced. The timer across the screen began counting down from seven minutes. Miku’s bubbly confidence wavered as she watched Luka raise the brush up to her belly, fully exposed beneath her top. Miku watched Luka closely before bursting into a series of giggles as her bare armpits came under a maddeningly assault of tickles.

“Eeeeeekkkkheeheheeheheheehe! Heeheeheheeeehahahahahahahaha!” Miku pursed out a squealing laughs as Rin’s feather stroke against one hairless pit while her fingers scratched away at the other. Rin giggled playfully as she glided the plume slowly up and down the plush mound. Her fingers scraped away at the ticklish pit in a clawing dance, sliding across the slick, soft surface. Miku jerked from one side to the other as Rin tickled joyfully, laughing like a child at play. Luka merely watched Miku’s crinkled expression, listening to her teased, fluttering laughter, before starting to stroke the singer’s belly with the brush.

“Awww, that little giggle is so cute,” Rin said, gliding the brush slowly over Miku’s slender, pale belly. Luka smiled with a bitten lip while Rin laughed along with Miku. Miku shrieked. Her body twitched under the dual forces of both tools, tickling with light teases. The teenage pop star jerked side to side. Luka started the girl off slowly, merely using the brush to drive her mad with teasing tickles across her stomach. Rin tickled with careless abandon, skittering her fingertips across one pit while the feather taunted the other.

“Guyssshahahahahahahahahahahah!” Miku laughed. “Eeeehehehehehehhahahahahahahah!!” Her laugh, as melodic as her voice, had quickly filled the room. Her petite frame bounced against the bench she knelt down on. Never had she experienced tickling while bound and exposed, and only a handful of times had she been tickled by more than one person at once. Her body instinctively pulled at her binds, though the straps around her wrists, legs, and ankles provided no yield. She twitched and shifted as her friends teased and toyed away with some of her most ticklish spots, completely exposed and vulnerable to their playful torment.

“Tickle, tickle, tickle…” Luka teased. As she twirled the thin paint brush down into Miku’s navel, her other hand rose to scribble her nails across the tight, sensitive surface of her belly. Miku squealed and jerked some more. Her eyes clenched ad she threw her head back in laughter, rising in volume.

“Aaaaaahhhhhhahahahahahahahahahahah! Lukaaaahahahahahahahahahahaahah!” Miku shrieked. A resonation fo tickles burst from her belly. Luka fed into them from stroking her tiny, shallow navel with the paint brush, only to send more coursing through her body from one scribbling hand. Miku laughed with a heartier furocity while still singing with a feminine grace. Luka smirked a wide, unyielding smile as she watched the girl’s bare belly squirm and convulse with sporatic breaths.

“You haven’t had enough yet, have you?” Luka asked, dipping the brush into the soft, creamy belly button. “We’ve just gotten started.”

“You wanna switch tools?” Rin asked, still scribbling her nails into Miku’s humid armpit. “We can, if you want.”

“Sure, why not?” Luka asked, smirking up to Miku. Miku found a fleeting moment of relief as the two ticklers exchanged tools for the round. With just over three minutes left on the timer, Rin resumed with running the brush into Miku’s slick pits with one devilish set of fingers. Miku’s back narrowed against the frame as she squealed once Luka’s feather slipped into her belly button.

“Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhahahahahahahahah!! Ohhhhhhmygossshhahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!” Miku shrieked. Luka giggled to herself as she prodded the light end of the feather into the girl’s navel, letting the soft fibers trace around the tiny, fraile inner wall. Miku squealed and rocked back and forth. Luka kept a steady trace of her belly with the feather while Rin happily divulged both of her hands into Miku’s armpits. The teen girl bounced and bucked as her body surged with tickle from both high and low. She twisted and pulled at her arm restraints, neither providing her the protection she had always relied on in playful tickle sessions. The two ticklers giggled and teased the girl as the timer counted down the final seconds.

‘Three… two… one,’ spoke the placid voice of the ADM. ‘Time up.’ Luka and Rin pulled away. Miku hung in her binds, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. Her eyes fluttered with disbelief that restrained tickling could be such an endurance test. Rin ran around to face the girl while Luka stood up. ‘Next round starts in one minute. Please return tools.’ The screen displayed a blue colored timer counting down from a single minute. The slots opened back up for the tools to be replaced. Luka took the brush from Rin and replaced both tools.

“How is it?” Rin asked Miku. “Is it as much fun as you thought?” Miku managed a weak smile as she looked up.

“It is…” said Miku. She looked up to Luka walking back over. “It actually is, kind of.” Luka smiled.

“Good,” said Luka. “Because we have four more rounds to go.” Rin clapped her hands while Miku sighed.

“I can do it…” said Miku with a smile.

“I know you can, sweetie,” said Luka. “Happy birthday.” Rin turned back to the screen as three more cards were pulled from each of the decks, both now reading the number nine.

‘Tickler one,’ said the ADM in accordance to the draw. ‘Feet. Four minutes. Special tool: tickler gloves.’ Rin looked puzzled back to Luka when one of the slots glew a lime green before sliding open. ‘Tickler two. Sides. Five minutes. Special effect: auto rib ticklers.’ Miku furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as a collective nine minutes was set on the round’s timer. Rin ran over to the open slot and retrieve her special tools. They were a form fitting pair of gloves with built in picks at the end of the fingers like long nails, sturdy and firm. Rin put on the gloves and ran over to show Miku.

“Look, rawr,” Rin said, holding up the gloves like a cat. Miku giggled. “I’m gonna tickle your feet so good with these!” Miku let out a laughing groan as Rin skipped around behind her.

“Good to see I’m not the only one enjoying herself,” said Miku. Luka walked around back in front of Miku.

“Good to see that you actually are,” said Luka.

“For now,” said Miku with a grin. The blue tinted timer on the screen counted down the final several seconds of the transitional break. Miku sighed and prepared herself for more tickles as both friends took their positions. Luka stood in front of Miku, wiggling her fingers just outside of Miku’s sides, stoking her nerves, while Rin crouched down at Miku’s stocked, bare soles.

“Aww, Miku, your feet are so cute!” Rin said. Miku breathed another calming breath in skittish response.

‘Round two starts now,’ said the ADM.

“Thanks,” said Miku over the automated voice. “Just go easy on them, please. They’re super ticklaaaaahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!” Miku felt her whole body jolt as she was consumed with tickles. The teenage singer squealed out as she felt Rin skitter the faux claws up and down her slender, pink soles. The tools felt like real nails against her soft, supple feet, trapped and completely at the mercy of the giddy young tickler. Luka watched the sudden desperation wash over Miku’s face. She delicately toyed with Miku’s sides, squeezing the areas with clawed hands.

“You really are a lot of fun to tickle,” said Luka, digging into Miku’s sides with splayed fingers. Within seconds, the contraption itself began to hum. From the back support, a pair of automated massagers spread out like wings before coming around to press against Miku’s ribs. The panicked girl over had a single moment to ponder their purpose before the massagers began pressing into her ribs with toying game. The automatic kneading added another focus with which she was tickled through the round.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!” HEEEHEEHEHEHEEHHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!” Miku screamed as more and more tickles ate away at her. Her delicate face began to turn a flushed shade. Her hair loosened from her pigtails, tossing back and forth until becoming wild and frayed. Luka weakened her own ticklish assault to a light teasing across Miku’s sides. The automated ticklers against her ribs continued without mercy. Rin, far too consumed in her own enjoyment, tickled Miku’s soles gleefully.

“Heehee, coochie, coochie, coo…” Rin teased. She could still feel the warm blush of Miku’s soles on her hands. The fake nails traversed the baby soft soles with devilish ease. They skittered across Miku’s berry pink heels, the creamy arching streams, and the plump bases of her toes. Each tickle burst forth with explosive resolve, leaving Miku a screaming, twitching hull. Rin giggled to herself as she watched Miku’s feet squirm under her nails. Miku’s soles clenched and wafted side to side, feebly attempting to avoid the tickles that shook her body with so much fervor.

“AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!! EEEEEEKKKKKKKAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!” Miku squealed. Rin happily continued on, biting the tip of her tongue as she tickled her friend. The small girl slipped the nails down into the dips of Miku’s toes. Her shrieking voice reached a new high. Miku’s threw her head back as her hair loosened from her ties still. Her chest heaved. The nails Rin drove against the stems of her toes released wave after wave of tremoring tickles through her body. A heat resonated within her. Miku began to sweat as she suffered through the bound tickles. She thrashed her head back and forth. Rin kept tickling Miku’s toes, scratching away between each one with her versatile tickle tools. Luka took more to watching Miku’s reactions than contributing to her torment. The automated ticklers provided Miku more than enough added challenge.

“Only two more minutes,” Luka said, looking back to the timer. Miku shook her head. Her hands grasped at the air. Her seat shifted against the pads. Her stomach dance and chest pounded. The rib ticklers pressed in into her ribs just hard enough to make her jump with each push. Rin took to skittering the claws over the pads of each of Miku’s tiny, bubbly toes.

“AAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!! NNNAAHAHAHAHAHAHAOOOOOO!!!” Miku screamed. She bellowed out laughter on a constant, melodious stream. Rin watched her toes wiggle and clenched, racing nowhere where they might escape her claws. Miku bared the rest of the round as Rin continued through, not once restraining herself from her own devious pleasure.

‘Three… two… one…. Time up,’ said the ADM.

“Rin,” Luka said, making sure the girl heard. Rin pulled back and wiped her head, having developed her own layer of sweat.

“Whew, that was fun,” said Rin. The slot against the wall opened once more for the tickle tool of the round to be returned. Rin skipped over to the slot while Luka checked in on Miku. The rib massagers retracted back into the device.

“You okay?” Luka asked. Miku paused as she huffed, struggling to catch her breath. Her hair hung in stray strands in front of her burning face. Luka reached up and stroked her bangs out of her eyes. Miku looked up with a tired stare and a weary smile.

“Th.. thanks…” said Miku.

“You’re doing great,” said Luka. Rin rushed back over.

“Yeah, this is so much fun,” said Rin.

“Well, we’ll see how much fun you have when it’s your birthday and Miku gets to tickle you,” said Luka. Rin gulped before grinning widely.

“A whole lot, I hope,” said Rin. Luka and Miku shared a laugh.

“You ready for more?” Luka asked, watching the timer count down from fifteen remaining seconds. Miku nodded.

“It’s… fun…” said Miku. “Exhausting, but fun.” Rin giggled. The group turned to see three more cards from each deck get moved to the center of the screen.

‘Tickler one,’ began the ADM. ‘Stomach. Five minutes. Special tool: electric toothbrush.’ Rin looked back with a glowing smile as Miku groaned into one of her own. Another slot on the wall opened, leading Rin back over to the area. ‘Tickler two. Feet. Four minutes. Special effect: double after-break.’

“See? There you go, the game’s being nice to you,” said Luka. Miku smiled and nodded, finding the silver lining in the game which slowly devoured her composure. Rin ran back over with a professional grade electric toothbrush, her bright smile reflective of her allotted tool.

“I feel like I’ll need it after this one,” said Miku, nervously spouting as she watched the after-break timer count down the final twenty seconds. Never was she more aware of the overwhelming sensitivity of her soles than when Luka smirked as she took her position. Miku faced down to Rin. Rin grinned back up at Miku, waving the toothbrush back and forth. It bore a circular head with splayed bristles, appearing handy for tickling, but not so much for oral hygiene. Rin’s cherubic smile, devious yet innocent, laid an infectious gleam over Miku. Miku smiled a warm smile around clenched teeth, preparing herself for another ruptuous burst of tickles.

‘Round three starts now,’ spoke the ADM. Miku’s hands clenched into tight fists as she braced herself. As she watched Rin’s mischievous fingers wiggle in the air, hovering over her belly, a single tickle tracing up the length of her warm, supple sole shot through her body like a jolt. Miku squealed before Rin laid five scribbling fingers and a spinning bristled brush atop her tight tummy.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHhahahahahahahahahahahahahah!! Ooohgoshahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!” Miku shrieked with laughter. She threw her head side to side, trying for a view of Luka behind her with her bound feet, but remained thoroughly blinded from the area. She squealed and screamed as Luka gently stroked her warm, blushing soles with teasing nails steaming from her heels to the bases of her toes. Miku’s eyes shot open with each teasing drag before clenching shut again as Rin’s insistent tickles across her belly kept her in a frenzied state of ticklish convulsion.

“Awww, Miku’s so cute when she’s tickled,” Rin chimed in, scribbling her fingers against Miku’s belly. With the electric toothbrush humming to full rotational axis, she coursed the bristled over the trembling, ticklish area, meticulously cleaning Miku’s belly. Her other hand danced all five fingers in random patterns, keeping Miku perpetually seething with ticklish laughter. Rin giggled along with Miku’s laugh. Her enjoyment in the playful suffering teased Miku’s senses worse than most phrases she had ever heard during the act. Likewise, it was Luka’s silence that ate away at her poise in tandem.

“EEEEEKKKKKKKahahaahahahahahahahahaha!! Staaahahahahahahahahapppp!!” Miku laughed through teary eyes. Luka allowed the first two minutes to drag with teasing strokes of her nails. She traced the pastel surfaces of Miku’s young soles, plush and delicate with diligent moisturizing care. Her nails fell down the squirming feet in arcing formations. Soon after, Luka steadily stroked up and down both soles with but a single nail each. The constant flow of maddening tickles quaked Miku’s body. The girl screamed and sang out in screeching laughter.

“You know, I bet a bunch of our fans would just love to learn how ticklish your cute little feet are,” said Luka. Miku could only respond in laughter as constant as the tickles waged against her. Luka picked up her pace with light, almost feathery scribbles. A crooked smile rested across her lips. She teased the tips of her nails over the creamy soles, drawing dashing strokes of a fragile composition. Each fleeting stroke awakened streams of hypersensitive nerves, sending wave after wave of tickles rocketing through Miku’s petite frame. Luka hummed a tune to herself, one of her own original collection, as Miku’s screaming laughter filled the room around it.

“AAAAAAAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! NAAHAHAHAHAHTTTHHERE!!! PLEEHEHEHEEAASSSEEE!!!” Miku begged on instinct. Rin stared up to Miku with a bitten tongue. Impishly remiss, the young girl circled the spinning brush head around Miku’s belly, finishing by dipping it into her navel. Rin giggled as she watched her friend shake and scream on impact. She slowly circled the bristles inside Miku’s belly button, glistening with sweat. The brush edged against the shallow inner wall, whirring against fragile nerves within.

“Gotta clean out that belly button, Miku,” Rin snickered. The playful girl darted her fingers against Miku’s quivering belly while the toothbrush explored her navel, filling her body with explosive tickles.

“AAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! SSSTTTTAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAPPPP!!!” Miku screamed. Her high vocal range squealed and shrieked one gasping laugh after another like a new hit song. Luka, kneeling behind her, played both of her soles like an accompanying harp. Miku’s feet squirmed left and right, humid with sweat and sensitivity. Luka reveled in her fingers devouring Miku’s sweet soles like candy to the sense of touch. Her nails skittered quicker and quicker, working up from a reserved enjoyment to matching Rin’s giddiness with her tickling tactic. Luka worked her nails all the way down to Miku’s hanging toes. With just under four minutes left on the clock, Luka smirked as she watched them dance and squirm.

“Can’t leave out your cute little toes, Miku,” Luka said in a tone that complimented Rin’s. Before Miku could register the directional shift in her own hysteria, she felt another erupting wave of intensity strike through her body like a tidal wave. Ten vicious nails scribbled down into her bubbly toes, feasting on nerves more sensitive than even Miku could have imagined. Miku’s chest burst forth as she threw her head back in another loud scream.

“AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! HAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!” Miku felt herself being pushed closer and closer to a breaking point. The surging tickles up from her sensitive, little toes belittled her body to shivers, twitches, and more laughter than even her trained lungs could keep up with. Her toes wiggled under Luka’s hungry nails. Luka scraped her claws against the short stems, flicking off at the pearly pink pads. She wedged her fingers in between each of the girl’s toes so her nails could easily scrape against the delicate spaces in between. Between the maddening tickles against her toes, and the blinding assault against her navel, Miku could only scream and squirm in her binds while her friends playfully tortured her body far beyond anything she had ever felt before.

‘Three… Two… One… Time up,’ said the ADM. Rin pulled away, almost having lost track of time. Luka stood up from Miku’s soles, burning hot pink with sensitivity. Rin smiled up at Miku and gave the girl a quick hug as she fought to catch her breath.

“Eww, Miku, you’re all sweaty…” Rin said, pulling away. Miku gave a breathy chuckle behind a weary, faint smile.

“Y… you…. th…. think?” Miku asked. Luka laughed as Rin turned to replace her round’s tickle tool. Across the screen, two minutes was given to Miku to rest before the next round instead of the usual one.

“You hanging in there?” Luka asked. Miku looked back to the girl. Her eyelids fluttered a little as she struggled to keep them open. A smile rested across her face. Her lightning blue hair hung in strands loose from their pigtails. Her cheeks glowed cherry red as her body hung limp in her binds.

“Y… yeah…” Miku said. Looking back to Luka, she knew that she had come with the perfect support. Luka’s ‘big sister’ nature to both her and Rin made for the perfect friend. Luka was always there to give Miku straight talk and to show her little mercy, but always done so from a place of love. Miku gazed back to Luka, never once having questioned her trust in the girl.

“Just making sure we’re not being too mean,” said Luka. Miku shook her head tiredly.

“N… no, it’s… fun…” Miku said between breaths. “Really, I’m… having a great time…”

“Good,” said Luka. “I’m glad.” Rin ran back over with a smile on her face, the same smile that Luka was convince she never spent a day without.

“You’re so much fun to tickle, Miku,” Rin said. Miku smiled.

“I’m just glad… you’re enjoying yourself…” Miku panted. Luka wiped her face once more, free of sweat and stray hairs. The allowed two-minute break neared an end.

“You ready?” Luka asked. Miku sighed.

“Do I have a choice?” Miku asked jokingly.

“Nope,” Rin added with a giggle. The counter finalized the break, leading to the ADM to set up for the next round. Six more cards came down into the center of the screen, leaving both decks with only three cards remaining. The girls turned their attention to the screen.

‘Tickler one,’ said the ADM. ‘Sides. Four minutes. Special effect: auto thigh ticklers.’ With the draw, two sets of padded massagers latched themselves around each of Miku’s thighs. The girl whimpered into a series of nervous giggles, feeling her thighs encompassed by machines designed for their tickle torture. ‘Tickler two. Armpits. 3 minutes. Special effect: blindfold.’ As mechanical as the massagers, a black visor unfolded from the back of the machine and lowered itself down in front of Miku’s eyes. It pressed back against her face comfortably, yet firmly, keeping her from seeing anything outside of the blackness.

“Oh no…” Miku whined. “I really can’t see anything.” Rin giggled as she took her position in front of Miku while Luka went back around behind her.

“That’s all part of the fun,” Luka teased. Rin looked back at the timer, set for seven combined minutes. The allotted time counted down until the start of the round.

‘Round four starts now,’ said the ADM. As the timer began to count down, the automated massagers entrapping Miku’s thighs began to rumble. Kneading pressers from within began to quickly rub into her thighs like clawing hands. The sudden commence caused Miku to begin giggling and squirming almost immediately. Her seat shifted back and forth as far as it could, but the added bondage served to keep her less mobile than before. The thigh ticklers sank against her soft, creamy thighs as Rin stepped in front of them. Smirked the devious grin Rin had worn for most of the game, devilish in its innocence. She grabbed a hold of Miku’s sides and began squeezing.

“AAAAAAAHHHHAHAHAHhahahahahahahahHAHAHAHAHAH!! GUUHUHUYYYYSSSSSHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHahahahahahahahahahahahahahAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAH!!!” Miku’s giggles fluctuated between light, fluttering squeaks to full bodied laughs. Her body had become to succumb to its own exhaustion. Her arms and legs no longer tried to escape their confinement, but rather accepted their fates with limp twitches. Miku’s head no longer flung back and forth, but hung limp and staring downward or fallen lazy back against the frame of the device. Luka allowed Rin to start off the round, to assess Miku’s state of physical expenditure, before stepping up.

“Hang in there, Miku,” said Luka, adding ten scribbling nails to Miku’s stretched armpits. “After this, we’ll go for ice cream. How’s that sound?”

“Really?” Rin asked with a wide smile. The small girl dug inside Miku’s sides with hands like vices. “Mmmmm, I’mma get mint chocolate chip.”

“That does sound good,” said Luka. The eldest in the ground skittered all ten nails across the slick, soft surfaces of Miku’s delicate armpits. Tickles shot through Miku with surplussed ferocity by the added effect of not knowing what either of them would do next. Miku gave into the game with belted laughter, embracing the tickles as a torturous pleasure, a bittersweet certainty. “I think I may get… cookie dough ice cream.”

“In a waffle cone, yum,” Rin said, both talking over Miku’s squealing laughter.

“Miku, what do you think you’re going to get?” Luka asked playfully. Miku could only answer in hysterics that existed only within the realm of laughs, squeals, and unarticulated mumbling. Sweat dripped down her face and body. Her cheeks were bright red and soaked with tears. Luka’s nails glided effortlessly over the plush mounds of Miku’s armpits. They alternated between quick scribbles and soft drags.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! SSSTTTAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAPPPP!!! STOP!! STOP!! STAAAHAHAHAHAHAHPPPPP PLEEHEHEHAASEEEE!!” Hatsune Miku screamed out with tortured glee.

“Hmmm, I don’t know that flavor,” Luka said teasingly. Rin giggled along with Luka’s banter. The taunting obliviousness to Miku’s suffering only enhanced the sensation of actual torture. Even in hr ticklish delirium, Miku knew her friends meant well, even if they were pushing her farther and farther toward a certain breaking point.

“OOOOHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! PLLEEHEHEHEHEEAASSSEEEEEEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!” Miku squealed in wild and defeated laughter. Her head hung over one shoulder or the other. Luka kept a steady stream of tickles raked against her quivering armpits while Rin squeezed and kneading into her sides. Both girls toyed with ticklish phrases to further emphasize Miku’s simulated helplessness. Luka was much more clever and intimate with her teasing while Rin’s playful demeanor spoke for itself. The massagers wrapped around her thighs dug into the ticklish legs. Miku endured with a sense of relief that her feet had been left alone for the round, but the tickles waged against her were more enveloping enough to submit her to an equally intensive session.

“I want to come back with Miku again,” said Rin.

“We’re still not done with this game,” said Luka. “She still has one more round to get through.”

“I know, but I still want to come back,” said Rin with a wide grin across her face. “This is so much fun!” Luka smiled as she dug her nails into Miku’s sensitive pits.

“Well, I know Miku’s glad you’re having so much fun,” said Luka. “Aren’t you, Miku?” Miku’s shrieked. Her body could only respond in limp twitches and gasping, breathy laughter.

“AAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! OOOOHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAHHHHHAHAHAHAH!!!” Miku’s throat began to run dry.

“See, she’s so happy for you,” said Luka. “And I’m sure she would love for us to come back with her again some other time.” Luka giggled as her sturdy nails slid up and down the hairless hollows. Both ticklers reveled in their friend’s adorable reactions to the point of nearly missing the timer reaching its end.

‘Three… Two… One… Time up,’ said the ADM. The timer ended and both girls pulled away from their gasping friend. The massagers wrapped around Miku’s thighs split and retracted behind her. Her blindfold visor lifted and disappeared behind her head. Her eyes had been stricken with tears. The girl wheezed several long drags of air. Sweat dripped from her chin. Her electric hair clung to her forehead. Luka reached up and wiped her head clear once more.

“I thought she might have passed out there,” said Rin. Luka continued to wipe Miku’s face clean of sweat.

“No, she’s fine,” said Luka. “Aren’t you, sweetie?” Miku tilted her head toward Luka. She managed a wilted smile and slow nod. Rin smirked and wrapped her arms around Miku for a hug. “I thought you said she was all sweaty.”

“She is,” said Rin. “But I don’t care. I love her.”

“Aww, me too,” said Luka. She turned back to Miku. “Just one more round. You can do it. I’m sure it’ll be an easy one.” Miku still fought to catch her breath, unable to speak as she nodded once more. The timer on the after-break counted down the final seconds of Miku’s last break.

“Here we go,” Rin said, staring back at the screen. The remaining cards from both decks slid to the center. Luka rubbed Miku’s back as the draw of the round was revealed.

‘Tickler one,’ the ADM began. ‘Feet. Six minutes. Special effect: toe ties.’ Miku could barely comprehend what the ADM announced before she felt small ties being hooked around her toes. She shrieked on initial impact and whimpered as she felt the ties pulling her toes back against the stocks, effectively straightening out her soles and keeping them completely immobile.

“Wha…. oh no….” Miku whined. She tried to move her feet, but found not a single millimeter of allowance to do so.

‘Tickler two,’ the ADM continued. ‘Feet. Five minutes. Special effect: time multiplier times two.’ The girls looked back at the screen as the round’s timer read an entire sixteen minutes. Rin snickered gleefully while Luka smirked, looking over at Miku. Miku whimpered wide eyed as she saw what the round would have her endure.

“Aw, come on…” Miku whined. Luka laughed.

“What’s that matter?” Luka asked. “Is our little Hatsune Miku ticklish?” Miku sighed.

“Please… be nice….” Miku said. Rin rushed to take her position. Luka continued to rub the girl’s back.

“You’ll be fine,” said Luka. “You’re having fun, aren’t you?” Mimu smirked and nodded, her face briefly blushing a deeper red. “Good.” Luka walked behind Miku, where Rin knelt down at her stretched, still soles. Rin slid over to being in front of Miku’s left foot while Luka took over in front of her right. Miku could only look up at the screen and the timer, both of her friends having disappeared behind her to tickle her most sensitive spots. The remainder of the transitional timer counted down in front of her. Her chest pounded with more rapid breaths. The sweating began almost instantly. Miku clenched her teeth and hands into fists, bracing herself for the unbearable tickles to come.

‘Round five starts now,’ said the ADM. Miku’s arms slammed against their binds as she felt Rin’s impatient scribbling across her left sole. She screamed, her body seized with a blasting surge of tickles up from her small, delicate foot.

“AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! OOOOOHHH NNNNAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” Miku filled the room with her squeals. Her eyes shot open, awakened with an explosive rejuvenation. Rin scribbled ten of her fingertips across the soft, humid length of her sole. The ties holding back her toes pushed all of the most sensitive nerves to the surface of her sole, each finding themselves thoroughly explored by Rin’s carefree skittering. Being unable to move her foot at all added yet another layer of intensity to the game of endurance Miku played. Rin took full advantage of her immobilization instantly.

“Heehee, she has the cutest little feet ever,” Rin said with a smile. Luka, kneeling next to her, began lightly dragging her nails up and down from her heel to the base of Miku’s toes.

“Pace yourself, Rin,” said Luka, watching how Miku’s soles still managed to pulsate in their feeble attempts to squirm away. “We have sixteen minutes. No need to make her pass out right away.”

“Aww, but it’s so much fun,” Rin said. “Tickle, tickle, tickle…” The contrasting effects of Rin’s fast pace tickles against one sole with Luka’s more casual tickles against the other created a maddening whirlwind of torturous exploitation. Rin scribbled lively over the slick, pink sole, taut and without a single wrinkle. Luka caressed hers with a more loving touch. Two nails stroking up and down became four. Four became eight. Luka smiled as she took her time tracing her fingers over Miku’s trapped, bare foot with careful precision.

“AAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! EEEEEEEKKKKKKKKAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!” Miku screamed. Her voice cracked. Her throat ran drier. The tickles up entirely from the soles of her lavishly cared for feet revitalized her body. She thrashed once more, pulling at her binds with quivering pry. Her hands trembled, fingers flailing. Her chest heaved out as her head fell back and forth in laughing screams. Sweat trickled down her burning body. Her body contorted to the limits of her bondage, trying to escaped the tickles coursing through her, the tickles which had claimed control over her person.

“Aww, it doesn’t tickle that bad, does it?” Luka asked. She smirked. Her tone was teasingly condescending. Rin continued with her own childish phrases, proving just as effective at keeping Miku’s composure broken.

“Heehee, coochie, coochie, coo…” Rin teased. The slickness of Miku’s delicate sole lent her no further protection from Rin’s devious scribbles. Miku’s feet resonated a soft, humid heat, scorched in their own tremoring sensitivity. Her soles remained perfectly still, save for a few desperate twitches, for Rin’s fingers to quickly dash across them in scratching, clawing motions.

“AAAAAAAHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! PLLEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHAHHAHASSSEEEEE!!! SSSSTTTAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAPPP!!!” Miku begged and screamed through a cracked voice. Luka looked up and smirked. With all ten nails having been added to Miku’s right foot, Luka took a similar approach to Rin’s. She concentrated the scribbling of all of her nails on certain spots. She painted Miku’s heel a bright pink with devilish scratches, basking in their overwhelming sensitivity. Taking advantage of it’s immobility, she traced all nails down to her arch, where the concentration of skitters explored the creamy stream. Miku nearly lost her voice to her own screaming laughter when Luka worked her way down to the ball of her foot, followed by the base of her toes. Luka’s smile widened. With eight minutes left on the clock, she knew exactly where she wanted to spend them.

“Awww, Miku has the cutest little toes ever,” Luka teased. “Don’t you think so, Rin?”

“Uh huh!” Rin agreed. “Let’s play with them!” Luka chuckled at Rin’s unwavering enthusiasm in the face of Miku’s dwindling tranquility. Rin wasted no time in slipping her fingers down into the restrained dips of Miku’s toes. She scribbled quickly into the moist, warm row of her toe stems, as sensitive as they were little.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH!! PLEEHEHEHEHEEAAASSEEEEE!!! NNAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHT THHHEHEH TOESSSHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! OOOOOHHHH PLEHEEHEHEHEHEHAAASSEEEE!!!” Miku’s screams gushed out into the room with as little care as Rin gave to her ruthless tickle tactic. Miku’s body quivered and seized, puppeted by endless tickles. Tears poured down her cheeks. Her chest heaved painfully, fighting for more breath than her body could produce. Rin giggled along as her fingertips skittered over the pulled back stems. Her fingers flicked off the bubbly pads, sinking into the ties holding them back until the looked like little cherries. Ten fingers to five toes provided Rin the chance to deliver a perpetual onslaught of tickles for her friend.

“You got this, sweetie,” said Luka. “Just hang in there and have fun.” Her almost motherly tone was only further mocked by her own nails wrecking delightful torment on Miku’s other set of toes. The nails scrapped over the stems, made completely vulnerable by the toe ties. She teased the pads of the toes as well, followed by the highly sensitive spots just beneath. The ties helped both girls further explore Miku’s most ticklish spots, as well as allowed Miku to realize the full extent of her own sensitivity. Her soles and toes turned deeper shades of pink. The grew warmer with slick sweat. Luka’s nails slid effortlessly across Miku’s toes with the added moisture. All ten played with the baby soft, bubbly pads, each screaming with quivering nerves.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! SSSTTTTAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAPPPP!!! NNAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHTTTTTHHHERREEEEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!” Miku begged as she screamed with laughter. Both of her devious ticklers found themselves exploring the delicate sides of each toe, dipping into the slick, pale crevasses in between. Rin scribbled in between each toe at the same time, while her other hand returned to raking away across Miku’s sole. Luka scraped a single nail around each toe individually, making sure to fully exploit their immobility with almost surgical precision. Miku screamed and gasped for air, shivering and feeling faint, as she rode out the final seconds of the final round.

‘Three… Two… One… Time up,’ said the ADM. Both ticklers immediately pulled back. With the end of the round, Miku was left hanging in her binds. Her body trembled, burning with sweat. Her eyes fluttered. She wheezed and gasped for breath. Rin shot up and raced around the girl to give her another hug.

“Yay, Miku,” Rin cheered. “You did it!”

“Let her breathe, Rin,” said Luka, coming up and around. “Give her room.” Rin backed away. Miku managed a weak smile at both of them.

“Th…. th…” Miku stuttered between gasps.

“Shh, just breathe,” said Luka. “No talking.”

‘Thank you for choose the Tickle-Cade!’ the ADM said on a congratulatory, conclusionary screen. ‘We hope you had a fun time with us today and hope to see you back real soon. Thank you again from all of us here at the Tickle-Cade. Bye bye!’ The screen changed back to the idle Tickle-Cade logo. Not long after, the door to the room opened.

“Knock, knock,” called Ashley. “I just got the notice that your game ended. How was it?” Ashley walked in with a clipboard in her arms, smiling as welcoming as she had before.

“Amazing!” Rin said. “So much fun!”

“I’m glad,” said Ashley. The attendant smiled and looked over to Miku. “How’d she hold up for you guys?”

“Pretty well,” said Luka. “We had a double draw with her feet, so we thought we might have lost her right at the end, but she’s a good sport. I know she had fun.”

“That’s good,” said Ashley approaching Miku. “That’s the risky thing about the two versus one game format.” Ashley looked up to Miku, still working on catching her breath. “Are you doing okay?” Miku smiled and nodded.

“Y… yes…” Miku said.

“Did you have fun?” Ashley asked.

“Ye… oh yes,” said Miku with a wide smile.

“Good,” said Ashley. “I’m going to unlatch the device now and let you down. Is that okay, or do you need another minute?”

“O… okay…” Miku said. Luka and Rin went to Miku’s side. Ashley reached up to free Miku from her wrist straps. Luka held onto Miku’s tired body as Ashley released her from the bench.

“And we do have a little lounge area with chairs and drinks for our players to recuperate out past the lobby, if you’d like to pay it a visit,” said Ashley. “A lot of players use it in between several games.”

“I think this’ll be our only one for the day,” said Luka.

“That’s perfectly fine, you’re still more than welcome to sit and relax for as long as you need to,” said Ashley. She looked up to Miku with a smile. The tickled pop artist staggered to her feet and brushed her hair back, her chest still rising and falling as her breath began to stabilize.

“Th… thank you so much for your help again,” said Miku, a weary tone to her voice.

“Please, it was an honor,” said Ashley, blushing slightly. Miku looked to her friends.

“You guys… have fun?” Miku asked. Rin nodded and bounced.

“Uh huh!” Rin said. Luka looked to Miku with a smirk.

“Did you?” Luka asked. Miku breathed deeply and sighed.

“Oh yeah…” Miku said. She managed a tired chuckle behind her telling smile.

“Would any of you like to sign up for a membership?” Ashley asked. Rin’s face lit up.

“Yes, please,” Rin said. “I wanna come back.” Miku grinned. Luka looked to her friends invitingly.

“Oh, we will,” said Miku, playfully ruffling Rin’s hair. “When it’s my turn to tickle you.”