Chapter 162: Skill and Natural (2/2)

“I did not hit.”

“Well it’s your first time.”

“Yeah yea, it’s the same first experience for everyone, and Amane will take revenge for you anyway. Heh, I want to see Amane acting cool here~”

“Don’t make it sound easy when it doesn’t concern you.”

Amane intended to challenge next if Mahiru did not get what she wanted, but it would be troublesome if he could not, especially when Chitose made it sound so easy.

Mahiru however continued to look at the hairpin longingly, and lifted her head towards Amane.

“…I want that.”

“…I guess I have to work hard.”

Mahiru looked so adorable as she stared up towards Amane, and surely this fawning technique was taught by Chitose. “Guess I can’t miss now.” Amane noted wryly, paid the owner, and received the rounds.

It had been a while since he last played, and he did not know if he could do well. He felt the gun, relaxed, positioned himself, and squeezed the trigger.

He fired in a fluid manner, and soft cork bullet hit the box with the hairpin, grazing it.

The box tumbled a little, but did not fall.

“Ahh, too bad.”

“No no no, that’s fine. It’s just to see how the bullet fies, the power, and how the gun acts.”

He did not think that he had to hit it down on first try.

It was a test, and he did merely graze the item.

Given the touch, the feeling of the shot, and the hit on the prize however, Amane assumed the gun provided by this shop was decent.

Due to certain reasons pertaining to the gun, there were moments when he could not shoot the target down, but Amane felt this was fin.e He should be able to shoot down most of the items as long as he aimed and hit them well.

He was relieved that his reflexes were not dulled, loaded again, and took aim.

He intended to shoot every item in the stall for Mahiru’s sake, whether it was the large toy that was the grand prize, or anything else. Since Mahiru wanted the hairpin however, that was all he aimed for.

It’s nostalgic.

Back during elementary school and middle school, he was often brought out to such festivals. He recalled these moments, and silently squeezed the trigger. This time, he hit somewhat above the center of the box.

The box might not fall even if he did shoot it right down the middle. Amane was more concerned with stumbling it, breaking its balance, and fired another shot, which shook and knocked down the box, as expected.

There was a slight commotion, for the onlookers probably witnessed it.

He felt it would be awkward if he missed it, and used the remaining rounds to shoot down a few snacks that appeared easier to snatch, winning them. The owner smiled, but was cringing a little.

I guess I’ll ruin his business if I take down too many of them.

Amane shrugged as he recalled how Shihoko was barred from playing as she won too many prizes, “Sorry about that.” and collected his winnings.

“This good enough?”

Amane turned around, raised the hairpin box he received, and Mahiru nodded bashfully.

“…Th-thank you. I never thought you would be able to shoot it down…”

“Why are you able to get it?”

“Well, I’m good at this.”

“Waahh handsome, you annoy me.”

“Why…?”

Chitose was the one who prompted, but she ended up grumbling, and once again, Amane felt how unreasonable it was.

“You’re good at such things, aren’t you Amane? You always get high scores at the arcade shooting games.”

“My family spent a lot of effort teaching me these useless things…saying that it’ll enrich my life experiences…”

“But you managed to get what Shiina-san wanted because of this. Isn’t this good?”

“You’re right.”

Amane was really grateful to his parents, since it was a fact that he got what Mahiru wanted.

I don’t know if I’m good enough to call this a skill though, Amane chuckled as he took the hairpin out of the box, gently lifted her bangs, and fastened it.

The hairpin really suited the yukata, and there was a sense of uniformity, along with the mood.

“Yep, it’s cute. It really suits you.”

The hairpin had a simple, cute design, and was convenient, really suitable for Mahiru. Amane leaned over, smiled at Mahiru, and her face turned red as she went “Thank you.”

He realized this was Mahiru being embarrassed, and Itsuki said something of ambiguous meaning, “Man, you’re just dedicated to Shiina-san.” Amane patted Mahiru’s head once he saw how embarrassed and happy she was, ignoring Itsuki.