Ring, Ring, RIng.
I slowly woke up and turned off the alarm.
"...I set it too early, didn't I?"
I woke up early, around 6 am for my special outing that would happen today.
I had a date that was to happen yesterday that was postponed and Aiya called to remind me.
I got ready quite quickly, after 15 minutes I was ready for the date, since I had ample time, as the date was by noon.
So I waited for a while but by 11:30 I left. In fact, I woke up early for no reason but it allowed me to just laze around, however…
I should have done what I did last time.
As I was turning around a corner so I could use the elevator, I bumped into Miyamura.
"I'm sorry. Miyamura?"
I was surprised to see him, though it wasn't impossible to see him. The school had 3 dorms, each one for each year.
That meant we were staying where this year's second years stayed.
It also meant it wasn't impossible to see your classmates and friends.
"N-Nakamura? Hey dude, what's up?"
"Oh, nothing much."
"Ok, it's been awhile, huh?"
"Yeah."
Since we both started dating someone, we became quite distant, well, not like we were close in the first place.
"Anyway, what are you up to? A date?"
"Yeah, what about you?"
"Same, do you think it's another double date?"
"Yup."
Aiya was really adamant that we had the date by 12pm, and made sure to say it was just a normal date so I suspected she was lying.
"Should we go together and surprise them?"
"Nah, let's go separately and act surprised."
"Alright. Well, see you later."
"Later, dude."
I rushed over to my date and ended up using the bus to save time.
In retrospect, I should have left my room immediately after I was done.
Luckily, you had 3 free bus fares per month and I had never used the bus so I didn't have to pay.
By the time I got there Aiya was already in the venue—the bowling alley.
"Hey."
"Eiya!" She ran and hugged me—no she jumped on me.
"Are you going to let me go?" I joked.
"You should be happy that your girlfriend is happy to see you." she pouted, hugging me harder.
"I-I am," I was getting flustered as I could see her bra.
"Wait, don't tell me you're shy?" she said with a devious look on her face.
"I-I'm not," I dropped her quickly so I wouldn't blush.
"Anyway, let's go in," I said, trying to change the subject.
"Fine but I'll have you know I'm a professional bowler."
"Don't worry, I'll give you a run for your money."
We went into the bowling alley; it had an automatic door—the sliding kind.
It had really bright lighting, it was probably made to boost focus.
It also had good air conditioning, even better than the ones in class—it was like the ones in the arcade. It was even cleaner than I expected.
It was less crowded than I expected, and even fewer people played.
It had about 10 lanes, and only 2 lanes were in use. The other people were just at the snack bar.
We went to pay for the services, then we went to play the game.
But before we started, I noticed Aiya pouting silently. What could I have done wrong?
Oh, right, I didn't compliment her outfit.
On most of our dates we wore the school uniform so I barely ever complimented her and she didn't really mind—however, today she looked extra cute, and wanted a complement.
"You look cute."
"Huh?"
"I said you look really cute."
"O-Oh thanks," she looked down shyly.
We headed to a lane so we could get started with our bowling match.
Aiya wore a black blouse paired with a black tennis skirt and tights.
She was starting, so she went to get the ball. She tied her hair in a bun to avoid getting it in her face.
I went to research on bowling so I'm sure I would do at least better than average.
The problem is I have no idea how good Aiya is.
But that also isn't a big deal, the thing about bowling is that it isn't a sport that allows for external interference—that is to put simply, the more pins knocked down the higher the possibility of you winning.
Now let's see how good Aiya is.
She assumed a bowling stance and threw the ball; her form was elegant, even more elegant than some professionals.
As the ball rolled down the lane, it knocked over six pins with ease.
She knocked down 6 out of 7 of the pins.
"Wow!" I exclaimed.
"I'm good, right?"
"You're better than good, you're amazing."
"N-Nakamura?!" A voice behind me said my name, it was Miyamura faking seeing me for the first time today.
I gave him a wink to signify a good job.
I was wondering when you'd come.
"Miyamura? What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"Oh, I and Miyamura were just out for a date," Yoshida said, emerging from behind him.
"What a coincidence. I can't believe you also wanted to go on a date to the bowling alley," Aiya said, supposedly surprised to see her best friend.
"Like for real," Yoshida replied. "Well since we're both here, let's play a game."
"What kind of game?" Aiya replied.
"It's more of a competition."
"Go on."
"Between our boyfriends, let's see who can get higher scores, best of 3."
I seriously don't want to do it. I don't want to compete with Miyamura, well I won't need to if they both say no.
I threw a look at Aiya that said, "Please say no." She smirked with a menacing look.
"Yeah, let's do it," Aiya agreed.
That bitch! It's fine as long as Miyamura doesn't—
"I'm down." Miyamura also agreed.
I'm basically forced to play the game with Miyamura, might as well just throw in the towel.
"Also, by the way, the loser treats everyone to lunch at that new restaurant."
Ok, I've got to win; I don't want to waste money at that new restaurant.
Miyamura looked athletic, but this game was not like football and basketball which required a certain level of athleticism.
Bowling was a bit different; it needed grip, speed control, and good stance/footwork.
Since it doesn't need expert skills, I can replicate something good enough to just get a little higher than him.
As we stepped onto the assigned lane, I adjusted my grip on the blue-and-black bowling ball I took—I didn't pick it for a specific reason.
Miyamura carried a red ball, probably to match his red hair.
"I'll show what Hiroto is made of."
"Hiroto?"
Who's that? Is that his nickname? Maybe that's his first name.
"That's my first name."
"Oh. By the way, I want to go first."
"Sure, go for it."
"Eiya, win it for both of us!!!" Aiya cheered.
"Miyamura!!! Win!!!" Yoshida cheered.
It's kind of unfair that the girls get dinner no matter who wins.
Well, it doesn't matter now, all that matters is that I win without standing out. However, it seems students around are paying attention.
I hate these conditions; I can only win by one point or at least that's my plan.
I lined up my shot. I stared down the lane, taking a deep breath before stepping forward.
I used the athletic stance, the most textbook, basic stance—I wasn't a professional, so I only know 3 stances, and this was the most efficient one.
I toppled 5 out of 7 pines.
I think that's good enough. It was neither impressive nor was it underwhelming.
"Nakamura, chill."
"Huh?"
"Your expression, you look so serious. Like a dead fish—no, like a statue."
"…I don't know how to reply to that."
"Just relax, I'm still gonna win."
I was instinctively reacting to this, but that was the only way I knew to deal with stress.
Relax, it's just a bowling match.
Next was Miyamura's turn, he used the pendulum stance, it involved the bowler starting with a relaxed arm position to prepare for a smooth pendulum swing.
His ball knocked down all the pins, a perfect strike. He turned back, giving me a playful shrug.
"One down."
"…"
It seems I should change my form; I'll follow the stance of a famous bowler—Parker Bohn III.
I skimmed through his book—Bowling: How to Master the Game as I finished preparing for my date with Aiya.
The stance that he used is known as the stroker stance.
My throw was a strike.
Miyamura threw his, he also got a strike.
"If I get a strike then I win," Miyamura said, his tone more serious now.
"…"
"Don't sweat it, I'll order something cheap."
"Don't give up Eiya!!!"
"Yeah, you got this!!!"
"Beat that red-haired punk!!!"
Everyone in the bowling alley was watching, random people started cheering my name.
"Hey, I'm not the villain."
Actually, you are–trying to steal my Rp again though I suppose your girl is more to blame but whatever.
I prepared my stance trying to calm my mind. Most people at this point would give in to the pressure but I was not one for that, especially because Rp was involved.
I threw my ball; I got a perfect score.
I have to reinforce my win; I need to do something right now. I'll have to cheat.
"Miyamura."
"Yeah."
"When you lose, I hope you'll pay up."
"Sorry to disappoint you but it's you that's losing."
"I suppose you're right but as a loser don't I deserve a consolation prize?"
"Like hell you do."
Hey, weren't you the one who collected a consolation prize too?
"So you won't agree?"
"Tell me first what prize you want."
"Don't worry you'll figure it out."
Since I was done, I went to where Yoshida and Aiya were. We started conversing before he finished bowling, I made sure we were out of his range, so he wouldn't know we were talking about how he'd win.
"I might lose; I hope you guys take it easy on my wallet," I pleaded.
"Don't worry I'll help you pay." Aiya offered.
"Really. You're an angel."
"Unfortunately, you can't do that Aiya-chan. It won't be a fair bet anymore."
"O-Oh."
"Yeah, how bout' this Nakamura, we only order a certain amount of food."
"I don't want to limit the food you order but ok. Why not have just three rounds?" I said.
"Fine with me."
"Same."
"Thanks to both of you, the bank will remain unbroken."
Yoshida and Aiya started laughing, I glanced at Miyamura then mouthed the words, 'It will be a threesome.'
He threw his ball in a fit of rage, forgetting his form, it was a gutter ball.
He came back and pulled me to the restroom.
"What the hell?" Miyamura glared.
"Dude, what?" I feigned confusion.
"Don't play dumb. You said you'll do it, you'll have a threesome with Yoshida and Aiya."
"Chillax, I think you misunderstand what I said."
"Huh? What about the threesome you said?"
"What threesome?"
"You said you'll have a threesome."
"I said we agreed on only having three rounds at the restaurant."
"R-R-Really?" Miyamura stopped to think, unsure of what I actually said.
"Yeah."
"I think the pressure was getting to you."
After my explanation, Miyamura and I left the restroom. Miyamura repeatedly apologized but I told him it was ok; I mean after all it was a lie, so I didn't really mind.
I followed such a plan only because I knew who Miyamura was, and the plan wasn't that impressive to be honest.
It was Miyamura who had a lackluster amount of self control–that time during the class debacle he had the ability to not brawl anywhere which was good to avoid any lasting damage.
But he lacked the ability to push continuous insults away, after all, he was the first to hit someone during the class debacle.
And despite being in a case he was about to hit someone again just because of repeated insults.
I wasn't sure how much he valued Yoshida though but perhaps his competitive side was more than enough.
He was an athlete after all, and was supposedly a good one, so I took my chances.
And they worked.
***
Author's Note:
I didn't originally explain this but I noticed how people (my friends) were underrating this feat so I had to explain in detail how impressive it was.
Ironic, right? Especially since Eiya said it was unimpressive.
Anyway, remember to comment, share, and leave a review. Thanks for reading the chapter and see you in the next one.