Cue the Champion: Semifinals 2
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
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Script
Pool Club
You're still processing what just happened as Artem puts down his cue and walks toward you.
You: (Artem's shot just now was very cleverly planned, but they still saw through it...)
You already played against your opponents in the semi-finals during the group stage. However, their style today is completely different from three days ago...
Almost every shot they take is defensive, to the point that it is impossible to breach. It's as if they designed their plays specifically against Artem.
You: (Have they been studying Artem's playstyle the past few days?)
Even Artem, typically a master at keeping his expressions in check, is now frowning due to how much the other team has been breathing down your necks.
You inadvertently take a few steps in his direction. Stretching out your hand, you take hold of his as he stands still.
You: These past two games have been so intense... They seem to know your playstyle inside and out... What should we do...?
Perhaps sensing the excessive concern in your anxious questions, Artem doesn't answer you directly. Instead, he leads you to sit down at the round table nearby.
The warm pads of his fingers rub against the back of your hand comfortingly. At the same time, it seems like he's drawing strength from you.
Artem: Judging from their defensive plays today, ever since we played against each other during the group stage...
Artem: They've been dissecting my habits and playstyle. They probably believed they would play against us again.
You: Isn't this a really bad position for us to be in? And if it drags out, it'll also be really draining for you.
Artem: The pressure is on, but don't worry too much. Even in this situation, we still won the first game, right?
Artem: And after playing those first two games, their new defensive playstyle isn't a surprise to us anymore.
Having said this, Artem stops rubbing your fingertips briefly. The gaze he looks at you with evokes a confident smile.
Artem: Have you noticed that the shots they used against me actually all have something in common?
You: Something in common?
You: (Now that I think about it, every time they set a play up against Artem, they placed balls to act as obstacles along the route. As long as we avoid them by taking an outside route...)
In the limited time available, you try to be as concise as possible as you describe your idea to Artem.
Artem nods in encouragement every time you pause to think, also supplementing hints when you occasionally get stuck.
After you two organize your thoughts together, you come up with a viable plan to deal with the opponent's new playstyle.
Artem: Even though we still need to test its usefulness in an actual game, I have a feeling this idea could be the breakthrough we need.
Artem lifts up your hand that he is still holding. He then lowers his head, briefly pressing his cheek against the back of your hand.
Artem: Analyzing this with you makes me feel a lot more relaxed.
You: (Artem must have already come up with a way to handle it. He's just getting me to analyze it with him to calm me down.)
You: Now that we've found a way to turn the tide, let's make a comeback together!
Summary
