Billiards - Chapter 8

[bakemonoremy]

Location: Billiards Parlor

Madara: A showdown with Souma-san, huh. Takes me back to the Tsujigiri Rebellion*.

Souma: Hehe. Back then, I won the spinning top match with you. And this time, I’ll emerge victorious at “biriyaado”, too!

Madara: As expected from you, you’re not afraid even in the face of a big gun like me. Well then, who’s gonna start?

Kaoru: For fairness’ sake, let’s do a coin toss. Heads, and we start with the “Track Club”, tails and the “Marine Bio Club” gets to go first.

Tenkousei-chan, can I ask you to do it?

Madara: Alright, heads it is. Smooth sailing! The “Track Club” is first at bat! Mitsuru-san! Every pitch with all your heart, I leave it to youuuuuu!

Mitsuru: Wait a moment, in order to bring out my best, I’ll eat this bread first! *Munch, munch* ♪

Alriiiight, I’ll do a shot at full power! Ba~ang ☆

Kaoru: Uwah!? It’s flying over here… Souma-kun, dodge!

Souma: ...Chesuto!

Madara: Ooh, you sliced the ball into two halves… Souma-san, are you okay?

Souma: Hehe, there’s nothing my sword can’t cut!

Souma: ...Er, awawawawah.

I of all people broke the furnishing of the parlor. Now I’ll be arrested without a warrant and Hasumi-dono’s glasses will crack…!

At this rate, I’ll besmirch the name of “Akatsuki”! Now that it’s come to this, I’ll apologize by committing seppuku-…

Kaoru: H- Wait up. Calm down! You don’t need to commit seppuku!

Souma: However…

Madara: It’s no problem. As a result of you trying to protect your body, it happened to break. I’ll apologize to the shopkeeper. In any case, I’m glad you weren’t hurt.

Mitsuru: Uuu~, I’m sorry… I’m at fault for doing a shot like “ba~ng”~.

Madara: Don’t worry about it, Mitsuru-san. I know you meant no harm.

But you put in too much strength. It might be better not to put so much strength in your shoulder.

Mitsuru: Hm~, understood! I’ll try that next time.

Kaoru: Now then, it’s the “Marine Bio Club”’s turn. Souma-kun, think you can do it?

Souma: Yes. I’ll calm down and focus. *breathing in and out*

If I put in too much force, the ball will go flying off… Therefore, with my heart clear and serene as a polished mirror… “Shotto”.

Kaoru: Uwaah… How do I put this… It’s going at the speed of a turtle.

Souma: Hm, it stopped before even reaching the next “booru”. How shameful...

Kaoru: Well, you’re a beginner so it can’t be helped. Besides, like this I can make a recovery and show off in front of Tenkousei-chan ♪ Although…

Madara: Hmhmhmm~m ♪

Mitsuru: Ooh! Mike-chan-senpai, you pocketed another one!

Kaoru: At this rate, I might not even get a turn at all. No matter, I’ll stake it on the next game.

I’ll go get us some drinks~.

Souma: I’ll stay here and watch Mikejima-dono’s “purei”. Learning by observation is important, too...

Kaoru: (I glanced over during Souma-kun’s lesson. Mikejima-kun is pretty… no, extremely good.)

(I think he might even be good enough to compete with the semi-pros from the parlor I frequent on an even footing?)

(I think I might have started to enjoy myself a little...☆)

- 1 hour later -

Souma: Observe closely! Now, for the Swallow Counter*... ☆

Mitsuru: Ooh! The ball came rolling back! Amazing!

Madara: Hmm. You mastered that technique just by watching me? Not bad, Souma-san.

Kaoru: Game and set, this time it’s our win. With this, we’re back to a draw again.

Let’s ride this wave and make the next one a win, too ♪ Tenma-kun, your turn.

Mitsuru: Hrmm~...

Madara: Hm? What’s wrong, Mitsuru-san? If it’s the toilet you need, it’s over there?

Mitsuru: I don’t need to use the toilet. I’ve had enough of this game…

Watching you two make amazing plays and cool shots is fun. But sitting still for this long is boring.

I wanna play darts over there!  Sou-chan-senpai, big sis Anzu, let’s go!

Kaoru: Oh-oh, there he goes. Maybe it was still too early for billiards for a child like him? Ahaha ♪

Madara: Hahaha! From the viewpoint of an adult, the two of us are undeniably children as well, though.

Darts is interesting, too, but we’re still in the middle of the game. Kaoru-san, care to continue our match?

Kaoru: Sure, because ending things on a draw leaves a bad aftertaste for me. ...However, I have a condition.

Madara: Condition?

Kaoru: Yeah. No holding back from hereon, Mikejima-kun. You didn’t show off your real strength to go easy on the others, right?

Madara: Oho. I was being careful, but you noticed it anyway.

But... Even though you said that, Kaoru-san, don’t you also still have some leeway?

Kaoru: You got me. This is an “at-home” billiards parlor after all. As they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I was simply enjoying a game for amusement.

But if Mikejima-kun is my only opponent, I don’t mind going all out~... How about it?

Madara: Hm, very well. I also want to see your true strength, Kaoru-san.

Kaoru: Negotiations complete. From here on out, this will be a serious battle between men. Mikejima-kun, you best prepare your handkerchief~ ♪

Madara: Right back at you, Kaoru-san. If you don’t have one on you, I don’t mind lending you my chest ♪

Kaoru: Eww, I’d hate to sob into a man’s chest. If nothing else, I’ll have to win on willpower alone.

Madara: Now, let’s start with the coin toss! Let’s see whom the goddess of victory smiles upon today. It’s a match, Kaoru-san...☆

---------------

*Souma uses a judo term here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsubame_gaeshi