Cue the Champion: Day 2 Wrap-up
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Corridor
Perhaps the "extra training" last night was particularly useful. Although the tournament is growing increasingly intense, you and Artem continue to advance without any issues.
You lean against the wall, swiping through your phone as you wait for Artem to confirm the results of the game.
Howard Syter: [Player], what are you doing here by yourself?
Your feel a jolt when you hear that voice.
William Lewis: Howard, you should seriously stop trying to get involved in everything...
Another persistent voice accompanies it. Now, you have to put down your phone and look at the two "old acquaintances" in front of you.
You: Mr. Lewis, Mr. Syter... Are you also participating in the tournament?
Actually, you'd already discovered that they were participating when you checked the score sheet yesterday.
However, rather than answering his question, it's much easier to avoid unnecessary complications by feigning ignorance.
William Lewis: Of course. The prize for this tournament is the original German copy of "History of International Law" by Oben Laimer. Anyone would be a fool not to participate.
You: !!!
As a famous legal expert, Oben Laimer is a name that every legal practitioner is very familiar with...
And the book he compiled, "History of International Law," is a cornerstone for the study of law and a must-read for every law student.
Ever since you were in school, you've heard that the original German version has been out of print for a long time and is, therefore, priceless.
Since Celestine and Artem both mentioned this tournament is only for fun, you never asked what the prizes were.
You: (No wonder so many of the lawyers participating in the tournament are big names in the industry... It looks like they were all drawn in by the book's reputation...)
You: (Artem has always enjoyed reading German law books. He'll definitely be really happy if we win the book together.)
William Lewis: Aren't you and Artem here for the book, too? But with me here, you should just give up now...
Howard, who has been silent until now, abruptly interrupts William.
Howard Syter: This is a doubles pool, so why is it only — why is it only "me, me, me"?
Howard Syter: If you hadn't mentioned that Ingrid wanted the book, I never would've wasted my time here.
Artem: [Player], what are you guys chatting about?
You: (It's better not to let Artem know that I already know what the prize is. I should work hard first, then surprise him later.)
You: (After all, if everyone is actually serious about winning, the pressure will definitely be high.)
As Artem walks over, you subconsciously decide that you don't want to tell him about the "History of International Law" book. You quickly change the subject.
You: If you give the book to Ms. Rosworth and she asks who it's from, what are you going to say? After all, you two would have worked together to win it.
William Lewis: Me, of course!
Howard Syter: Me, naturally!
William Lewis: Why would it be you? If it weren't for me, you never would've known about this tournament!
Howard Syter: If I didn't come here, you wouldn't even be able to participate!
Seeing that they are potentially gearing up for a prolonged fight, you grab Artem and quietly move away.
Pool Club
Artem: What was going on with them?
Artem is confused but still lets you pull him along. He doesn't ask for the whole story until you return to the pool room.
You: They just started acting like that the moment I mentioned Ingrid...
He nods in understanding and doesn't ask any further questions. He is obviously fully aware of their typical behavior.
Artem: Are you tired? Should we go home?
You: I'm not tired...
You shake your head and move the scattered balls one by one back to the center of the table, preparing to place them in a triangle again.
You: I want to practice a little longer.
As the tournament progresses, the competition will only become more intense. If you want to win the book for Artem, you have to work harder than you have been.
Artem: Oh? Why the sudden interest?
You: That reaction makes me think you feel like I haven't been practicing enough.
Artem: Hey, that's not true...
Artem raises his hands to show his "innocence." He then takes the remaining balls from your hands and helps you place them.
Artem: Then focus and practice hard. I'll help you set up the balls.
You: Thank you!
You: I have a feeling that I'll be able to run the table tonight.
You aim and take the shot, over and over again. However, you keep making mistakes. The bold words you just proclaimed to Artem are on the verge of turning into an embarrassing joke.
You: I kinda want to take back what I said about running the table.
You've lost count of how many times Artem has replaced the balls for you, but you still haven't managed to run the table yet.
What's worse, your cue-holding hand is gradually growing sore.
You: (I'll just finish this game...)
You take another shot and the ball goes into the pocket. As you are about to aim for the next ball, Artem suddenly walks over and breaks his long stretch of silence.
Artem: Hold on a minute...
He takes the cue out of your hand. Maintaining that position, he gently presses down on the area between your shoulder and neck, which is currently aching.
Artem: Does it hurt here?
You: Yeah... How did you know...?
Artem: The trajectory of the ball deviated too much from the direction of your shot, so I guessed that you're losing some strength.
Artem: Moreover, on the last shot, it would have been easier to shoot the target ball into the middle pocket, but you chose to hit the further corner pocket.
Artem: That was because you wanted to avoid exerting force here, right?
His tone is light, and you can't tell whether he is happy or not. However, the undercurrent of emotion in his gaze makes you feel a little guilty.
Artem: I've never felt like you haven't been practicing enough. On the contrary, I often worry...
Artem: I worry that you'll act like you are now. Even if you feel uncomfortable, you'll endure it because you're concerned about me.
You: Artem...
You were just joking, but Artem replies you so seriously, sincerely laying out his worries and concerns.
You: I know, but I just want to end this round and call it a night. I'm not planning on pushing myself.
Artem nods, but his hands don't stop moving. As his strong hands give you a massage, your sore muscles gradually relax.
Artem: In fact, you're feeling discomfort here because you aren't making the shot quite right.
Artem: It should be like this...
Perhaps thinking that words alone are not clear enough, Artem hugs you from behind and presses his shoulder against yours.
Artem: The correct way to exert force is like this...
The thin fabric between you two can't block the sensation of muscles contracting and bones moving. You can feel every subtle change in his body at such a close distance.
Artem doesn't seem to want to hide it either, and his presence envelops you.
Artem: Keep trying and you'll get a better feel for it.
You: Okay... I'll try again...
Artem: No need to hurry. Before we continue practicing, answer a question for me first.
Artem: Why are you practicing so hard all of a sudden? Did William and Howard say something?
It turns out he kept silent not because he believed you, but because he was waiting for a more suitable time to extract a "witness statement."
You: (As expected of Artem... he can't be fooled easily at all.)
You: About that...
You: I would like to exercise my right to remain silent and keep this confidential for now.
You turn around, take his arm, and shake it gently. Artem looks at you and laughs in resignation.
Artem: All right. I respect your right to remain silent.
Although you've overcome this challenge, there is still a long way to go before the final surprise.
Fortunately, your companion will face all obstacles alongside you as you both move toward the finish line together.
Summary
