"Yeah, this is harder than it looks."
"I can't get it to hit at all~"
"Ugh... why? Why won't it fall?"
Just as I had anticipated, the three of them were forced into a struggle right from the gate.
It was essentially for the same reasons that Sara-san and her group had struggled, so it was only natural.
As for Hanako-san's anime-esque dialogue, I decided to put that aside for the moment.
"Two shots left~! Keep at it!"
Hanako-san and the others had already spent three shots, and all three of them still had zero results to show for it.
As the one helping them, I at least wanted her to secure her primary target, the Snowman Mascot...
However, the aiming was left entirely to Hanako-san. I had no idea how accurate we could really be with such an irregular shooting posture. Since it was uncharted territory, I honestly couldn't tell how well we were doing.
"Kazunari, I'm going to hit it this time."
"Hanako-san, let's just stay calm."
One thing that concerned me was that my assistance seemed to be putting more pressure on her. She appeared to be overextending herself. She lacked her usual composure, so I figured it would be best to try and settle her down.
"But, even though you're helping me, Kazunari..."
"Don't worry about that. Just relax... Big Sister."
Ugh... saying that in a place like this was incredibly embarrassing.
However, I couldn't think of any other effective way to calm her down. Everyone around us seemed to think we were real siblings anyway—though I still couldn't quite accept that—so I decided not to let it get to me at this point.
"........."
"H-Hanako-san?"
Hanako-san stared blankly at my face as if she hadn't processed what I'd just said. Honestly, I really didn't want a "no reaction" scenario here.
"Kazunari..."
Just as I thought that, she whispered my name.
"Big Sister will do her best!"
She looked absolutely overjoyed. She gave me a radiant smile, one so dazzling I almost found myself entranced by it.
"........."
"...I'm in love."
"...Me too..."
"...The Little Angel... is the best..."
"Alright, next one! Here we go!"
"Y-Yeah!"
"Kazunari!"
"Right, let's do this."
The frustration and strain that had been on Hanako-san's face until a moment ago were gone. She looked purely filled with fighting spirit and motivation now. We were going to be fine.
"Up we go..."
Hanako-san set the gun, leaning over the counter just as before while I supported her from the side. Then she began to take aim.
"A little more... just a bit... there."
I finely adjusted the position of the gun according to her instructions and fixed the angle. It was a different beast than holding the gun myself, so this task was surprisingly taxing.
"Here I go~"
" " "Ready, go!!" " "
Bang!! Bang!!
The fourth cork bullet was fired... and!?
"!? Did it graze?"
I turned toward Hanako-san's surprised voice. Indeed, the position of the prize on the shelf had shifted slightly. That meant that rather than just grazing it, she had hit it squarely enough to move it.
If that was the case, as long as she remembered that feeling... she still had a chance with her last shot.
"Yay!! I got it!!"
"Congratulations, Yoko!"
I shifted my gaze toward Tachikawa-san's joyful shout. A single doll lay flat on the shelf. The stalemate had finally been broken.
"Hanako-san."
"I'm okay, I'm not panicking. I'll definitely knock it down next time."
True to her word, Hanako-san appeared extremely calm and composed. My worry had been unnecessary.
"It's okay, leave it to Big Sister."
In fact, she even turned it back on me. It seemed that even in this situation, she had "read" my thoughts. As expected of a Big Sister.
"Now then, it's the last shot. Good luck~"
"Yes. Marina, Hanako-san, let's go!"
Bolstered by a cheer from the Information Lady, Tachikawa-san began her final preparations. Todo-san followed suit, loading her bullet, and Hanako-san set her gun on the counter as well. This was finally the end.
"Alright, I'm going to get another one!"
"Me too, this time for sure!"
"Target in my si—"
"Hanako-san, that one's no good either."
I wasn't sure why, but I felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of duty to cut her off again, and I reflexively blurted out the retort. There certainly were mysterious things in this world... yeah.
"Just kidding. I'll settle it this time."
If she had enough leeway to make a joke, she would be able to shoot calmly. I focused on my support.
"Kazunari, a little more."
"How's this?"
"Mm... okay, stop there."
With that, the final preparations were complete. Hanako-san's expression was dead serious; she didn't look like she was just playing a game at a festival booth. And yet... I felt like I could see a slight smile on her face.
Hanako-san rarely had opportunities to play with friends like this, so if she was enjoying this moment, I was happy too.
"Here I go~"
" " "Ready, go!!" " "
Bang!! Bang!!
Short explosive sounds echoed through the tension-filled room. As soon as the final shot was fired, Hanako-san immediately straightened up, so I let go of her and looked at the shelf.
The Snowman Mascot was gone.
"I did it... I got it... I got it!"
She was hopping up and down, pumping her fists in a victory pose, expressing her joy with her entire body. It was the first time I had ever seen her so excited. I suppose that just showed how much this meant to her.
"Congratulations, Hanako-san!"
"Yes, I'm so happy! It's thanks to you, Kazunari!"
"No, you were the one who worked hard."
I had only assisted with her posture. Hanako-san was the one who selected the prize she could actually get, and she was the one who aimed it. Beyond the physical support, I hadn't lifted a finger.
"Here you go, congratulations!"
The Information Lady brought over the prizes. She handed the Snowman Mascot Hanako-san had just brilliantly knocked down over to her. In the end, though, it seemed Todo-san hadn't managed to get anything.
"Uu... what a shame. I'm the only one who didn't get one."
"I only got one too, so it's really just luck at this point."
Despite her words, Todo-san didn't seem truly frustrated; her smile showed that she had genuinely enjoyed herself. She'd be fine. If anything, this gave Hayato a reason to step up.
"Kazunari, look, the snowman!"
Hanako-san frolicked like a child, holding her prize up in front of my face. There was something undeniably cute about her childish excitement.
"...Wow, that girl is way too cute."
"...Yeah. I kind of wish I had a younger sister like that."
"...It's rare to see siblings who get along that well, isn't it?"
"...I mean, are they really siblings?"
"...I'm okay with being a lolicon now."
"...Are you sure? That's a path of carnage."
"...If you want to shoot the general, first shoot the horse..."
"I'm glad for you, Hanako-san."
"Yes. This is my treasure, along with the brooch."
Hanako-san hugged the small Snowman Mascot to her chest, looking truly happy. Since I had helped her, I would have lost face if she'd come away with nothing. In any case, I was glad it worked out.
"Kazunari, I'll give you a reward later."
"Eh? No, the thought is enough."
"No. I want you to accept it."
"I... I understand."
When she went that far, I had no reason to bluntly refuse. I could justify it as thanks for the bento, and if that made her satisfied, I should just accept it graciously. They say only an idiot wastes someone's kindness, after all.
"Kazunari... thank you."
She looked at the mascot in her arms once more, cherishing it. Then, she gave me a radiant smile—one as bright as a sunflower.
………………………
"Now then, last up are the boys~"
The lady finished restocking the prizes and smiled at us. The time had finally come.
"Now then..."
When I looked at Yuji and Hayato, they both looked intensely focused. From their expressions, I couldn't feel even a hint of them wanting to "enjoy" the shooting gallery as a simple "game." To put it bluntly... they were dead serious.
"Kazunari, you're really fired up."
"Yeah. It's been a long time since I've seen that look on your face."
Even for me, it had been a while since I'd gotten this worked up over a game. Honestly, being this serious about a shooting gallery probably made me look pathetic to outsiders. I knew that. But...
"Kazunari, I'm winning this time."
"Sorry, Yuji, but I'm definitely winning today. I'm going for every single shot."
Invisible sparks flew between Yuji and me—it was that "pre-battle moment" you always see in manga or anime.
"Um... Kazunari, Yuji, why are you two so..."
On the other hand, Hayato looked slightly put off by the intensity of the vibe. I expected that reaction, but this time, I didn't care what anyone thought.
"...It's like I'm watching a battle manga."
"...Kazunari is trying to avenge his wife. That's why he's so serious."
"...Well, it's typical of Takanashi-san and quite charming, but it seems to be more than just that..."
"Kazunari-san..."
"Sara-san... please watch me. I will definitely win. I'll win and get that Cat Plushie for you..."
"...Yes. Kazunari-san... your hand."
Sara-san gently took my right hand. She wrapped it in both of hers and lifted it to the level of her face.
"...W-Wait a minute, what are those two doing...?"
"...This is a joke, right? I'm seeing things, right?"
"...I still don't believe it, it can't be!"
"...Hey, hey, those two..."
"...A-As I thought, it's true!?"
"...I mean, that's Satsukawa-san! She's holding a guy's hand!?"
"Sara-san?"
"Fufu... this is a good luck charm from me."
As she spoke, she brought her face close to my right hand and closed her eyes. Then...
"Kazunari-san... do your best..."
Chu...
She pressed a soft, gentle kiss to the back of my right hand, her face lighting up with a soft smile.
" " "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!!???" " "
"Sa-Sara-san..."
"Please don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
"...Yes."
I felt bad for her, but that was impossible. My motivation was at its absolute peak right now; I was going all out. In the worst-case scenario, I'd even use a trick—nothing against the rules, of course.
"...Whoa! Satsukawa-san really went for it!"
"...I-I'm shocked, even Satsukawa-san would do that..."
"...So those rumors were for real!?"
"...Yeah. I mean, the boys are completely speechless (lol)."
"...Hah... those two have done it again."
"............"
"...Nishikawa-san?"
"...There is no response. She is just a..."
Sara-san stared into my eyes as she slowly let go of my hand. Since I had been cheered on this much by the person I loved most, I was definitely going to win. Losing was no longer an option.
"Yuji, you know what to do, right?"
"I will do my best..."
"You lack spirit. If you lose, there really will be a punishment."
"...Yes."
I see, so that was the source of Yuji's motivation. Though his voice was quiet, his eyes told me he wasn't holding back. This was the real deal.
"Er... Kazunari, Yuji, are you two actually good at shooting galleries?"
"Well... I'm at least a little confident."
"I'm about the same."
I intended "a little" to be a humble understatement. In reality, Yuji and I were quite confident for a specific reason. This goes back to our elementary and middle school days...
One of the friends we used to play with had a father who was a professional Matoya (stall keeper). We had plenty of opportunities to learn from him. He had a garage at his house filled with old shooting gallery equipment and prizes. He'd set them up for us to play with, which was how it all started.
We played as if it were the real thing, using unused prizes, and when his father was around, he'd teach us the tricks of the trade. Honestly, we heard some inside stories we probably shouldn't have, but we also learned various techniques.
Those experiences were the foundation for my confidence today. That said, no matter how much you practice or what tricks you know, the prizes you can actually win at a real festival are often rigged... but I'll stop thinking about that for various reasons.
Regardless, I had already confirmed that my knowledge and skills were applicable here. I hadn't been scouting the prize shelf for nothing.
"Hmm... you definitely look confident. I don't think I can compete, so can I just withdraw? Honestly, I'll be happy if I can just get one."
"Understood. Then it's a duel between Yuji and me."
Making Hayato compete on our level would be like a regulation violation anyway. Besides, he just wanted to get a present for Todo-san. That should be enough for him... wait, wasn't that the same for me?
"I'm winning this time, Kazunari."
"Not a chance. I can't afford to lose today."
Well... whatever. The mood was important.
As Yuji said, "this time for sure," our record until now was about 7 to 3 in my favor. But that was then, and this was now. I would give this match everything I had—nothing more, nothing less.
………………
"You get three bullets. Good luck~"
"Eh!?"
"Wait!?"
"Um, isn't it five shots?"
I doubted my ears at the lady's declaration, but the small plate she brought over really only had three bullets on it. Why?
"Well, from what I've heard, you guys sound like pros. If you take too many prizes, we'll be in trouble."
"Ah..."
"I see..."
Once she said it, I could only agree. From their perspective, they couldn't afford to lose too many prizes at what was essentially a booth meant to draw customers in. I guess I'd gotten a bit carried away and talked too much.
"How about this? No matter how many we knock down, we only take one prize each?"
Hayato stepped in with a compromise. With that rule, we could go all out without feeling guilty. In the end, as long as I got the present for Sara-san, one prize was all I needed.
"I'm fine with that."
"Same here."
Yuji only needed one for Natsumi-senpai, so it wasn't a problem.
"If you're okay with that, it helps us out. But you still only get three bullets."
"Uu... understood."
"Got it."
"Yes."
Well, if those were the rules, we had to follow them. It was a three-shot match. Even so, the goal didn't change. We'd just stick to the usual rules: higher count wins, and if the counts were equal, the larger prize wins.
"Well then, good luck."
We all nodded and began our preparations. First, I checked the gun's condition. I dry-fired it to check the feel and the sound. It was still new, so there didn't seem to be any mechanical fatigue.
Next, I checked the cork bullets.
The easiest and most important thing to check was the quality of the bullets. Since they were made of cork, they could get chipped or cracked with use. If a damaged bullet was mixed in, it was trouble. Shooting galleries rely on air pressure, so any chip or crack meant the pressure would leak out.
In other words... the bullet's force would be weakened.
I checked them one by one. They were all okay. Once the checks were done, I pulled the lever firmly and packed the bullet in tight. I didn't intend to use "tricks" at a school festival booth, so I'd fight fair!
"Alright..."
I leaned over the counter as far as I could, holding the gun with just my right hand. Keeping one foot on the floor, I brought the muzzle as close to the prize as possible.
"Yokogawa-kun, do your best~!!"
"Kyaaaa, Yokogawa-kun is so cool!!"
"Fight, Yokogawa-kun!"
Suddenly, high-pitched squeals erupted from both inside and outside the classroom. Given Hayato's popularity, it wasn't surprising—honestly, it would have been more unusual if it hadn't happened.
"Yokogawa, you'd better win!"
"You guys too, don't you dare hold back!"
"Don't lose to the Vice President!!"
Then, some questionable cheers started coming from the boys too. Wait, was I really that disliked? I didn't remember doing anything particularly wrong... did I?
"Yokogawa, you can do it!"
"That's right! Put that Vice President in his place—"
"Silence!!! If you open those filthy mouths of yours one more time, I will have every single one of you thrown out of here!!!"
" " "!?" " "
Sara-san's intense, fierce anger—the kind she never directed at me—instantly silenced the jeering boys. It didn't stop there; it even silenced the cheers for Hayato. Total silence. Once again, an unnatural hush fell over the room.
I straightened up and looked at Sara-san. She was glaring at the group with pure rage. And... Hanako-san too?
"Look into my eyes and try to finish that sentence."
Hanako-san approached one of the boys, radiating a dangerous aura. Her cold, piercing gaze was absolutely terrifying. The boy on the receiving end panicked, hurriedly looking away.
"If you cannot watch in silence, then leave this instant."
Sara-san's voice was so cold it made me shiver just listening to it. The boys who had been making a racket just a moment ago stood there awkwardly.
"I will never tolerate malice toward Kazunari-san. Next time, I will have you removed without question. Remember that!!"
Leaving them with those final, powerful words, she turned back to me. Our eyes met, and her expression softened as she gave me a small nod.
...Thank you, Sara-san.
"Anyone who insults my brother... I will crush them, no matter who they are."
Hanako-san made her own dangerous remark before turning back and giving me a deadpan thumbs-up. It felt like things had escalated quite a bit, but if I were in their position, I probably would have been just as angry. I was grateful.
"...Whoa, it's definitely confirmed now."
"...Yeah. Satsukawa-san and the Vice President-kun... this is going to be a huge deal."
"...But the boys are in a tough spot. If they take their frustration out on the Vice President-kun, they'll be marked as enemies by Satsukawa-san."
"...There aren't many idiots in this school who would want to make an enemy of her."
"Shall we continue then?"
Hayato restarted the proceedings with an especially refreshing voice, clearing the heavy atmosphere. It was definitely better to just get on with it.
I took a deep breath to compose myself, then reset the gun. I reloaded the bullet and leaned over the counter again, stretching my right hand out as far as it would go.
My first target was that. The small Cat Mascot that Sara-san had been aiming for the whole time.
"Here we go."
There was no real need to say it, but it was all part of the excitement and performance.
" " "Ready, go!!" " "
Bang!! Bang!!
Along with the familiar explosive sounds, a light recoil vibrated through my right hand. It had been a long time since I'd felt this.
In front of me, the prize took a direct hit and fell over easily. Since it was one of the easier targets, I didn't feel a huge sense of accomplishment, but it was something I definitely needed. I felt a sigh of relief.
I checked on Yuji, and it seemed he had aimed for a similar prize. A small prize was down on his shelf as well. As for Hayato... unfortunately, he missed. But the difficulty of the prize he had targeted was a bit high, so it was understandable.
"Whoa, they both hit on the first shot."
"Takanashi-kun and Tachibana-kun are really good..."
"It seems so. I'm getting a bit nervous."
I was curious about Sara-san's reaction, so I stole a glance. She was smiling happily, giving me silent applause. Hanako-san noticed me looking and gave me another thumbs-up.
Responding to their support with a smile, I saw Sara-san give a small wave. I was even more motivated now! I turned back to the prize shelf and began selecting my next target.
Normally, the safe bet would be to choose something reliable, but Yuji would undoubtedly do the same. To create a lead, I needed to take a bit of a risk. And Yuji would be thinking the exact same thing...
The real match started now. Target selection was the most important factor in winning. I checked how the prizes were sitting on the shelf, looking for something that would be easy to knock over despite its size...
Wait? Is that...?
...No, even if it were, that would be a last resort. It might affect Hayato as well, so I'd save it for later.
Alright, I decided on my next target: the Penguin Figurine. It was standing on two legs and seemed relatively easy to topple. It was a bit large, but if I hit the head squarely, it would fall.
"Kazunari, Hayato, ready?"
"I'm good."
"Ready whenever you are."
I answered Yuji while prepping the gun and leaning over the counter. The last prize fell just by being touched, but this one required a precise hit to the head. I locked my position.
The target is... here.
" " "Ready, go" " "
Bang!! Bang!!
The explosive sound and recoil traveled up my arm again. The Penguin Figurine wobbled for a moment after taking the hit before falling over.
"Yes."
Phew... that was a little close. But that was two down. What about the others?
"Yes!!"
"I did it!"
Hearing their shouts, I looked at the shelf. Three prizes were down in total. Not just Yuji, but Hayato had succeeded this time too. Hayato was already waving at Todo-san to show off his achievement, and she was happily waving back.
"...Wait, what? Who is that girl!?"
"...She's the girl from the Student Council, right!?"
"...Wait, what's her relationship with Hayato-kun!?"
The girls who had been cheering for Hayato were in a state of shock.
"I feel bad for Sara, but Yuji is going to win."
"That's impossible. Right now, Kazunari-san won't lose to anyone, no matter who they are."
"Kazunari will win."
"...Even I'm getting excited now."
"...Women's friendship is, after all, only about men..."
"...Nishikawa-san, your eyes are scary, please stop."
"Alright, this is the last one~"
At this point, we were probably tied in both count and prize size. This was the development I had expected, but it meant a three-shot match might not settle it. Besides, both Yuji and I already had the prizes we needed... did we really need to be this competitive?
But...
Even so...
I couldn't lose.
Strictly speaking, this might not even be for Sara-san's sake anymore. But even if that were true, Sara-san had cheered for me. She was watching from right behind me. That was all the reason I needed to do my best.
That was why I would win. I absolutely would not lose.
"Kazunari, Yuji, I'm out. I won't get in your way, so you two settle it."
Hayato, having achieved his goal, stepped back to let us duel. I felt a bit bad, but I'd thank him properly later. Regardless, the only reason I had to hold back was gone.
"Let's settle this, Kazunari."
"Yeah."
I answered Yuji, who was unusually serious. We began our final preparations. I pulled the lever and loaded the bullet.
Then, I looked back one last time.
Natsumi-senpai and Hanako-san had their eyes closed, hands clasped as if in prayer. But Sara-san was the only one staring straight at me. She was certain of my victory. She didn't need to pray. I felt like her eyes were telling me exactly that.
And because my Goddess of Victory gave me a gentle smile...
I was going to win this match.