Cue the Champion: Day 1 Wrap-up
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Pool Club
Artem: The first day of the tournament is already over. How do you feel?
Artem rotates his wrist and quietly takes the ball bucket from your hand.
You: Hmm... It's hard to say...
Artem: Hmm? Why?
Artem shifts the ball bucket from his right hand to his left hand and walks to your other side.
You: Because now that I'm trying to recall what I was thinking before I hit each ball...
You: I realized I can't remember anything... It was like my mind went blank.
You: Maybe it's because I was really nervous...
Artem: Maybe it is not just nerves.
Artem: After all, you're new to pool, so you trust your intuition more than your experience or skill.
Artem: Rather than thinking and strategizing before hitting each ball and confusing yourself, it's better to ignore all of your distracting thoughts and just hit the ball.
In just a few words, he has cut straight to the point.
You: Yeah... I feel like I didn't have time to think. Isn't that bad?
Artem: That's okay. New players are naturally a little uneasy, but there are also unique benefits to that mindset.
Artem doesn't continue talking. He puts the ball in your court and guides you to think on your own.
You: Benefits to being a new player... Is it because I rely on intuition, so my playstyle isn't easy to pinpoint?
Artem: Indeed. It can easily cause some strategies to fall apart.
You: So that's why we didn't strategize before our games. And here I was thinking you just had faith in me...
Artem: ...
Artem: There's nothing contradictory about having faith in you and letting you act freely, right?
His words are light, but within them lies his full confidence in his own skills.
He believes that no matter what kind of situation you create, he can solve it.
Perhaps it's a little brazen to say so, but because it's Artem, it feels natural and right to you.
You: ...
You suddenly remember how Artem employed a quick playstyle, aiming to run the table in the latter part of the game just now.
It was a big change from his usual playstyle - thinking carefully before striking each ball. You were initially confused at the time, but now it seems like he was trying to break the stalemate.
You: So, that's why you... changed your playstyle later in the game?
You voice your confusion. Artem rotates his wrist again, looking a little surprised.
Artem: Yes...
Artem: If you aren't tired, would you like to briefly go over today's game?
Artem: You can watch the video and recall what you were thinking before each shot. Maybe all of your questions can be answered that way.
You're a little confused by Artem's sudden suggestion, but it's admittedly far from unreasonable.
You: Okay, let's watch it together.
Artem's Home Theater
After a brief rest in the lounge, you and Artem head to the video room together.
While Artem is preparing, you stab a piece of fruit with a fork and move it to his mouth. He takes a bite without even looking.
You: By the way, is every game we play recorded?
Artem: Yeah, even though the tournament is just for fun, they don't forego the typical process.
Artem: So I asked the organizers if we could borrow the video to review it, and they quickly agreed.
You: I see. Is the fruit sweet?
Artem smiles and nods, turns around, then sits down on the sofa next to you. He places his arm on the backrest so you can lean against him more comfortably.
Artem: Here it goes.
With a brisk sound, Artem's figure appears on the screen. In the image, his lips are slightly pressed together. He looks rather different from normal.
You: (Regardless of skill or anything else, his attitude and aura make me feel like his victory is already guaranteed.)
The hand intertwining with your own at this moment is holding a cue on the screen. Even though you were present at the game, you still can't help but hold your breath.
Coincidentally, the Artem in the image is raising his head and looking at you from inside the screen. The razor-sharp calmness in his eyes makes your heart skip a beat.
This emotion seems to last only a moment for him. Soon after, he leans forward again, then expertly runs the table until it is completely empty.
You: ...
You: Amazing!
Perhaps because it's only you two here now, you vocalize all your wonder and admiration without restraint.
The applause and cheers in the background continue. You can't help but feel a little proud while Artem taps the area between your eyebrows with resignation.
Artem: You should pay attention to our teamwork and any skill issues.
You: Okay, Coach Wing.
You try to calm down and watch the video, but you notice details that you hadn't noticed during the game.
Artem didn't show much satisfaction after his wonderful shot. Instead, he just adjusted his gloves.
And with his subtle adjustments, you can clearly see suspicious red marks on his palm through the slivers of exposed skin.
You: Your hand...
Before Artem can react, you grab his hand and pull it in front of you.
The red marks in the video were no illusion. Now that he has taken off his gloves, the red marks at the base of his fingers are very obvious - almost as if they were constricted.
You: Are you injured?
You can't help but blame yourself a little. He kept adjusting his gloves late into the game, and he's been avoiding applying force with his right hand ever since the game ended.
In addition, he rotated his wrist several times. There were so many telltale signs, but you didn't even notice them at the time.
You: Is that why you ended the game so quickly?
You: Were you worried that you wouldn't be able to keep playing if the game went on for much longer?
Artem: ...
Artem: Ah... N-No... There's no need to worry...
Artem: This is why I decided not to tell you.
Artem: These are just... marks from wearing my gloves for a long time.
You caress the marks suspiciously, trying to judge the authenticity of his words from his expression and reaction.
Artem: I chose to play fast later partly because my hands felt uncomfortable after being constricted by the gloves for a long time.
Artem: But it really wasn't a big deal, so I didn't tell you. I was worried about affecting your performance during the game.
You: Are you really okay?
You move in, following the contours of his skin as you take a closer look. You're still a little worried.
He frowns slightly, and a suspicious blush rises up on his cheeks.
Artem: ...
Before you can say anything, he suddenly turns the tables and pulls your palm close to him.
His palm is soft and warm, his fingers firm and strong, silently proving his words.
You: I... I believe you...
You: As long as you're okay...
You: But you should still tell me next time... We can work through it together.
Artem: Okay, I understand. I won't hide it from you in the future.
Artem turns around and looks at you, his profile hidden in the dim light, but you can still feel the sincerity and seriousness in his tone.
On the screen, the game is still going on. You clench your fist quietly, feeling Artem's lingering warmth on your palm.
And in the dim room, it seems that your cheeks aren't the only things heating up.
Summary
