"Thank you for coming! Over here, we have a 'Cooperate to hit the target! Game'."
The shopping street had completely changed from its usual run down appearance and was full of energy.
As this was an event for couples, various pair participation activities were being held everywhere. We stopped in front of the corner where the plushie we were after was placed.
"That's it. But they don't just give it to anyone."
"And it looks like there's a participation fee too."
500 yen per try. As a participation prize, they were giving away a towel designed with the day's main attraction, the Lover Rabbits. For those who hit the target, the special prize was the plushie.
"Well, we came all this way, so let's do it. You'll have to participate too."
"I don't mind since we came this far. Go ahead and pay."
"Ah, yeah."
I thought she would complain more, but Yuzu quickly picked up a loaner glove.
One person throws the ball, the other hits it. If the hit ball hits the target in the back, you win the prize. It was a simple game.
The couple before us, the woman throwing the ball couldn't reach at all, and the man tried hard to hit it, but it never reached the target.
Even so, when they finished, they happily received their participation prizes together and disappeared into the shopping street holding hands.
"Alright, our turn. I'm cooperating, so you better hit it properly."
"You throw it properly first."
Without looking at each other, we took our positions.
I wondered if we looked like a couple to the people around us.
Thinking that a little, I picked up the light metal bat. The familiar feel straightened my back a little.
Then I looked at Yuzu.
She stood in a surprisingly practiced stance, wound up lightly, and threw the ball to me.
"Oh."
I thought she would throw a soft, arcing ball like the previous woman, but the ball came with spin, and I swung the bat in a panic, hitting it a little late.
"Hey. Hit it properly."
"Sorry."
She's surprisingly athletic. Thinking that, I pulled myself together and waited for Yuzu's next throw.
Then,
"Hah."
I swung through, aiming for the target. The soft ball flew as if being sucked into the target.
"Ohhh!"
Cheers rose at the same time the ball bounced.
"Congratulations! Amazing, this is the first special prize of the day!"
A staff member carrying a large plushie ran over and immediately brought it to Yuzu.
She took it, looked at me with an awkward expression, and said, "Come on, let's go."
She left the area first. I hurriedly put down the bat.
I could feel the excited atmosphere of the venue instantly turn cold. The staff member looked confused as they watched us, so I gave a small bow.
Then I left the venue as well.
---
"Hey, wait."
"What? We achieved our goal, so let's just go home quickly."
When I called out to Yuzu just after we left the shopping street, she hugged the plushie and glared at me with an annoyed look.
"We don't need to be in such a hurry."
"I hate crowded places like that. Besides..."
She started to say something, then faced forward.
"Besides what?"
"Nothing. Come to think of it, did you play baseball?"
"Well, something like that."
I never told anyone in high school that I was in the baseball club until middle school. There was no need, and even if I told them, I don't play baseball anymore anyway.
"You don't do any club activities?"
"What about you? You did something, didn't you?"
"Well, softball."
"Softball, huh. You don't do it anymore?"
"My high school doesn't have a softball club. And team sports are a drag."
Her tone was as flat as usual, but I wondered if I was imagining that she sounded a little irritated.
"Well, thanks either way. I'll give that to the manager tomorrow. I wonder if he'll be happy."
"I suppose. That guy seems nice."
"Is that your type?"
"I told you, your jealousy is gross."
She said that in a bad mood, but for some reason she hugged the plushie tightly.
"Hey, that's heavy, right? I'll carry it."
"No."
"What, do you want it?"
"If I said I wanted it, would you give it to me?"
"Huh?"
"Just kidding. But your hands are dirty from the bat you held. If you're giving it to someone, you shouldn't get it dirty."
She said that and went ahead, leaving me behind again.