Twist of fate

Chapter 24 part B

"Let's play thisgame!" Tsuki waved Midorima over hurriedly as she pointed to a booth with apyramid of milk bottles set up and three rifles sitting on the counter.

"Would you liketo play, miss?" The man cracked a toothy grin at Tsukiko, his eyes crinklingwith his smile.

"Yes,please!"

"It's 200 yenfor 5 shots and 300 yen for 7 shots. Which would you like, miss?"

"5,please!"

"I'm going to win this " said Tsukiko as she took hold of the toy rifle, holding itawkwardly in her arms. She bit her lip in concentration, her hands shaking as she took aim.

Pop!

The cork flew out ofthe gun and hit the tarp behind the targets. Tsukiko reloaded the gun and settleddown again.

Pop!

This time, it hit thecounter.

Determined to showMidorima how good she really was, Tsukiko rolled up the sleeves of her yukata,peering through the scope as she steadied her hands.

Pop!

It zinged off the cash register, past the ducking vendor, ricocheted offthe counter and finally, landed on the floor with a plop. Staring at the corkpiece, Tsukiko pouted

Just as she was about to try again, she heard a chuckle behind her. She whipped around to see Midorima trying hard to stifle his chuckles, his hand clamped on top of his mouth. Hecoughed, masking his laughter, butTsukiko flashed him an icy glare.

"Shin-chan!You're not supposed to laugh at me!" She crossed her arms, stomping herfoot.

"I'm so sorry,Tsukiko, but you just looked so serious playing the game. I couldn't helpmyself." He chuckled, the laughter lighting up his green eyes.

"Mou…" Tsukiko pouted, turning away from Midorima. 

"Here. Let meshow you how to do it."

"H-hey!What?" Tsukiko gave a startled cry as Midorima snaked his arms around her,picking up the rifle and set Tsukiko's hands in the correct position. Slowly, he guided her dainty fingers towards the trigger, taking aim.

"I-It's all about having steady hands, you know?" Midorima laughed nervously, trying to lighten the tension, leaning forward as he restedhis chin on Tsukiko's shoulder to get a better view of the target

"Ready…?1…2…3…" The girl shuddered involuntarily, the sound of Midorima's velvettenor soothing her senses. She could feel his breath play on the nape of her neckas he whispered softly in her ear.

He squeezed gently,pushing Tsukiko's finger against the trigger.

Pop.

The center twobottles of the pyramid base were knocked off and the whole stack came tumblingdown.

And again. Pop.

"See, Tsukiko ?You're a good shot." To Midorima's surprise, Tsukiko stayed silent, averting her gaze as she stood off to the side.

"Here you go,you two! You get the grand prize." The games operator winked at Midorima,handing him a giant stuffed panda. "It'll make a nice gift for yourgirlfriend there."

Trying to ignore theshopkeeper, Midorima suppressed his blush, walking over to Tsukiko. "Tsukiko,don't you want your prize?"

The girl wasblushing hard now, her face hot with embarrassment. "I-I…It was you who won it, Shin-chan…" Her heart was still beating erratically, the bloodpounding in her ears.