Episode 302: The Shooting Gallery

Bang!! Bang!!

The sound of cork guns echoed through the room.

And the cork bullets that were fired… unfortunately, none of the prizes on the shelf fell.

It looked like they grazed them, but it wasn’t enough to actually knock them over.

「Huh? That’s weird…」

「My, I thought I hit it…」

「Gugh, it only grazed it…」

Having already used their third shots, the current score was one for Nishikawa-san, and zero for both Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai, an unexpected development as far as I was concerned.

Especially in Sara-san’s case, I had the impression she was a natural genius who could do anything once she was taught.

「Whoa, this is getting a little bad…」

「Aiming for light items is fine, but the targets are so small they’re actually hard to hit…」

「If it’s come to this, I should just go for something bigger… but.」

Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai, who hadn’t managed to get a single prize yet, were clearly starting to panic.

But if the three of them were treating this as a competition (even though I hadn’t heard them say so), it wouldn’t be right for me to butt in. I’d just be throwing cold water on the mood.

The only thing I could really say was that this gallery was set up a bit further away than usual. That naturally made the difficulty level higher.

Plus, unlike the guys, Sara-san and the others couldn’t really lean way over the counter, and aiming for small prizes with a cork gun that doesn’t fly straight is just normally difficult.

And with that distance, the power of the shot dropped off significantly.

「O-Okay. Next one, here I go!」

「Right.」

「N-Next time for sure…」

Even if I thought that, I couldn’t exactly complain when they were letting us play as a courtesy.

It was frustrating, but I guess I could only watch in silence for now.

Go for it, Sara-san!

「I lost… to Eririn…」

「Phew, that was fun!」

「I-I was careless… To not get a single one… I can’t even look Kazunari-san in the eye like this…」

In the end…

The disadvantage Sara-san and the others faced didn’t improve, and the game proceeded mostly based on luck.

Nishikawa-san got two, Natsumi-senpai got one, and Sara-san… zero.

Which meant, surprisingly, Nishikawa-san was the winner.

But for the sake of Sara-san’s honor, I want to say this. Nishikawa-san was in her street clothes with pants, and she’s the tallest of the three, so there’s no denying she had the advantage from the start.

In fact, Nishikawa-san was the one who leaned the furthest over.

As for Natsumi-senpai… I guess that was just luck.

「…Gaaah, I want to jump in there and win a prize for her.」

「…You really think a sneak attack like that would be allowed?」

「…Tch, it’s hard to move in here.」

「…Let go, I’m going in!!」

「…I’m not letting you!!」

「…Alright, it’s our turn next.」

「Mufufu… my arms are itching for some action.」

「I haven’t really done this much, but…」

The second group, Hanako-san and the others, stepped forward full of spirit (except Todo-san), while Sara-san and her group swapped out to return to us.

And Sara-san…

Seeing her look so completely dejected was almost too much for me to handle. I wanted to just pull her into a hug and comfort her right then and there.

Why doesn’t God ever grant beginners’ luck at times like this?

Seriously, how inconsiderate.

「Uuu… Kazunari-san, I am so sorry. You went through all the trouble of teaching me so carefully…」

「No, the conditions were just bad this time. The distance from the counter to the prizes was too long, and you’re a beginner, Sara-san, so it’s only natural it’d be hard at first…」

「Yes… I suppose that’s true… but…」

「It’s okay, leave it to me.」

I wanted to make Sara-san feel even a little bit better since she was so down from the shock.

I gave her my biggest smile and gently took her right hand, cupping it in both of mine. I stared intently into her eyes, hoping my feelings would get through to her.

Sara-san looked startled for a split second, but her expression softened almost immediately.

「「「 Whaaaat!!!??? 」」」

「I’ll win your share too. So… um, leave it to me.」

「Kazunari-san…」

Even though I knew it didn’t suit me, I gave her a confident look and smiled.

This wasn’t about trying to act cool or anything shallow like that.

I just felt like I couldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t make Sara-san smile here.

And it seemed to work, because Sara-san broke into a truly joyful smile and nodded at my words over and over.

「Yes… yes! I’ll leave everything to you, Kazunari-san♪」

「Yeah, you can count on me!」

Honestly, I feel like I might’ve just raised the bar for myself, but I wouldn’t be much of a man if I couldn’t live up to her expectations now.

Besides, I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t think I had a decent chance of winning.

Alright, get it together, me!

「…Wa-Wait a second! Hey, isn’t there something seriously suspicious about those two!?」

「…N-No way, that can’t be… there’s no way!?」

「…B-But look, he’s holding Satsukawa-san’s hand…」

「…And Satsukawa-san looks crazy happy!?」

「…Wait… aren’t they calling each other by their first names!?」

「Kazunari, watch your Big sister go for it.」

When I heard my name and looked over, Hanako-san was striking a cute pose while clutching the gun in her right hand. Seeing her puff out her chest with pride was, again, just adorable.

「Good luck, Hanako-san!」

「Yeah, I’ll do my best.」

Considering the trouble Sara-san had, the handicap for Hanako-san seemed even harsher, but I sent her my heartfelt support anyway.

Hanako-san gave me a smile and a thumbs up before quickly turning her eyes to the shelves to check out (or maybe scout?) her targets.

She looks like she’s really fired up.

「…What did that little Angel-chan just say?」

「…Didn’t she say Big sister?」

「…Whaaat!? The Vice President and her are siblings!?」

「…For real!? If I had a Big sister like that, I wouldn’t even need a girlfriend…」

「Todo-san, go for it!」

「Yeah! I’ll do my best!」

On the other hand, Todo-san, the only one who seemed to lack confidence, clenched her fists and struck a cute pose after getting a cheer from Hayato.

That kind of gesture really hits a guy where it counts. Ah, Hayato looks so happy.

「Hey Yuji… come to think of it, you didn’t cheer for me, did you?」

「No, I just thought I was reading the room.」

「Hmm… ‘the room,’ huh?」

「S-Sorry…」

「Well then, as punishment, you’d better win.」

「Eh!? No, Kazunari’s the one who’s good at shoot—」

「There’ll be a penalty if you lose.」

「…Understood.」

A strangely happy-looking Natsumi-senpai and a dejected-looking Yuji.

Their roles seemed to have reversed from earlier. They really are an entertaining couple to watch.

「Sob, sob… I’m the only one without anyone cheering for me…」

「Tachikawa-san, good luck.」

「Do your best, Tachikawa-san.」

「Yes! I’ll do my best!!」

Nishikawa-san and Sara-san sent their cheers to Tachikawa-san, who was pretending to cry.

Since Tachikawa-san seems to look up to Sara-san, she looked genuinely happy.

「Five shots each, good luck~」

The senior at the reception said that familiar line again, and small plates were handed out just like before.

Now then, I wonder how Hanako-san and the others will do.

「I know about Marina, but how is Hanako-san at shooting?」

「Heh… having learned from y○utub○ in the past, I have no blind spots.」

「No, that’s not… ah, actually, never mind.」

Tachikawa-san looked like she’d realized something and quietly backed off.

I knew that Hanako-san had been a「bit」of a shut-in, so that’s probably what she meant.

The three of them picked up their guns and started preparing, but…

Hmm, just as I thought, the gun might be a bit too big for Hanako-san.

「Mmu… this is unexpectedly hard to handle.」

As I suspected, Hanako-san seemed to find it difficult, so she set the gun down on the counter before starting her preparations.

「…Crap… that little Angel is too cute.」

「…I-is this what they call moe…」

「…N-No, I’m normal, I’m definitely not a lo—」

「Okay, perfect.」

「I’m good here too.」

「I’m ready.」

Just like Sara-san’s group, the three checked with each other once they were ready and aimed their guns all at once… but as I’d feared, Hanako-san’s height made it overwhelmingly difficult for her.

Even though she was leaning over the counter, the distance was too great, and she was at a clear disadvantage.

「Mmmgh… ju-just a bit more…」

Plus, Hanako-san was trying to compensate for the distance by leaning way further over the counter than necessary. From behind, a「certain part」of her was starting to look very worrying.

Actually, it was already past that.

Even if the view was still technically okay, I couldn’t allow it to go any further.

Especially with all those idiots gathered behind us.

「Senpai, do you have a footstool or something she can use as a platform?」

I called out to the senpai handling the guide while naturally moving right behind Hanako-san.

Hanako-san stopped leaning over the counter and looked back at me.

I wonder what to do. It might be awkward to warn her directly about this.

「Ah, right, I hadn’t thought of that! Hey! Do we have anything!?」

「Hmm…」

「We might not be able to find something right away~」

「I guess we’ll just have to use the kids’ distance…」

「Hmph… I’m not a child.」

「Ah, sorry, I didn’t mean it like that… B-By the way, are you and the Vice President really siblings?」

「Huh?」

I didn’t remember mentioning that, so why did she ask all of a sudden?

Ah, come to think of it, Hanako-san called herself「Big sister」earlier, didn’t she?

「Kazunari is my little brother.」

「Heh… so it’s true? That’s a bit unusual… no, never mind. But if that’s the case, why don’t you have your little brother help you?」

「Help… me?」

I feel like the conversation is starting to head in a bad direction.

「Yeah. Wouldn’t it work if he supported his Big sister from behind?」

「WHAAAT!?」

Support Hanako-san from behind…?

I ended up imagining the scene, and some definitely not-so-good developments crossed my mind. I didn’t have any impure thoughts, but still, I wondered about that.

Besides, Hanako-san herself…

「If Kazunari supports me, I can focus without worrying.」

She was totally into it!

In fact, she looked like it was exactly what she wanted, her expression clearly saying「please do it.」

「Um…」

I didn’t answer immediately and looked straight at Sara-san. She gave a wry smile and nodded.

Well, if Sara-san says it’s okay.

And if I really think about it, it’s just supporting her, so maybe I don’t need to worry that much?

「U-Understood.」

「Alright, go ahead then~ Have fun with it~」

Deciding the problem was solved, the senior moved away, leaving Hanako-san staring at me with expectant eyes.

「Kazunari, come here?」

She opened her arms toward me, giving me a mysterious appeal. No, no, that’s for a hug, right?

Aren’t the roles supposed to be reversed?

「Ahem!!」

Of course, Sara-san wasn’t about to let such a reckless act slide.

Faced with that intense throat-clearing, Hanako-san reluctantly (why, though…) turned back toward the counter. Then she started leaning forward again just like before.

Now, the problem was how to support her.

Hanako-san’s skirt was long just like Sara-san’s, so as long as her feet stayed on the ground, it should be okay. If that’s the case, should I be supporting her arms instead?

「Mmmgh, just a bit more from here…」

「Hanako-san, stop. That’s far enough.」

「But… I can’t get any power in this position, and my arms won’t stay up.」

「I’ll support you, so just keep your posture.」

「Understood.」

I moved behind Hanako-san as she leaned her whole body forward while holding the gun.

I stabilized her posture by holding her shoulders, then lifted her arms to aim at the prizes.

「What are you aiming for, Hanako-san?」

「The snowman.」

…A snowman?

Was there one… ah, that?

A small white mascot on the end of the second shelf. That was definitely a snowman.

「Do you like them?」

「…Yeah. Someday, together… my dream.」

「…I see. Got it.」

I’m not that dense or insensitive. I’d like to think so, anyway.

So I understood exactly what Hanako-san wanted to say from just that.

「…Is it okay?」

「I’ve been thinking about something, so I’ll probably talk to everyone about it… maybe?」

To be accurate, this wasn’t just for Hanako-san. It was something I’d been considering as a candidate for the winter trip we were planning together.

Basically, winter means snow and hot springs.

And I had the simple idea that skiing would be fun (though I’ve never done it). Sara-san had agreed, so it was just a matter of finding the right time to suggest it to everyone.

So if that’s decided, I should be able to make Hanako-san’s wish come true.

「I understand… it’s a promise.」

「Yeah, look forward to it.」

Hanako-san’s face softened at my answer.

That’s one more reason to plan this trip. I’ve got to work hard.

Of course, the main reason is still to go with Sara-san.

「Ready yet~?」

「I’m good.」

「Kazunari, please.」

「You got it!」

The rule for a shooting gallery is to get the muzzle as close to the prize as possible. It’s perfect if you’re close enough that you don’t even need to aim, but we can’t do that here, so it is what it is.

「A bit more to the right, a little higher… stop there.」

I adjusted the position according to Hanako-san’s instructions.

Hanako-san is the one aiming. I won’t interfere with that.

「Here we go~」

「「「 On three!! 」」」

Bang!! Bang!!

And then… along with the light popping sounds, the first shots were fired.