At the Blue Parrot Billiards Bar:
"Shall I break?" Tsuneo stood by the pool table, vigorously chalking his cue.
His buddies who played pool always did this.
They said the more chalk, the better!
"S-Sure," old man Terai nodded, seeing Tsuneo's focus.
Not professional, but the attitude was solid.
"I rarely play pool. Usually just sit and sip drinks with friends," Tsuneo warned.
No matter your age, don't laugh at me later.
Or this cue might not be for pool!
"No worries, just a casual game," Terai said, smiling.
He wouldn't bully a junior.
He'd let him win a round.
"Alright!" Tsuneo positioned himself, gripping the cue.
Aimed at the white ball's center.
Right there!
Power creates miracles!
The repairman's gaze was sharp, serious.
Veins popped on his right hand, muscles bulging on his exposed forearm, gripping the cue tightly.
Terai, standing opposite, saw this, stepped back, and shifted aside.
Why's this suddenly scary…
Tsuneo took a deep breath.
In a flash, the cue spun and shot forward.
Bang!
The white ball hit like a bomb in calm water.
The rack exploded.
Literally exploded!
Terai ducked as the black ball zoomed toward his head.
Whoosh!
Crash!
It grazed his scalp, smashed onto another table, and sank into a pocket.
The table was empty, save for a spinning white ball. Finding the others would be a chore…
"I win…" Tsuneo set down the cue, shamelessly.
I followed the teachings.
Spin, power, speed, accuracy—all there!
One-shot clear!
"Y-Yes," Terai nodded, dazed.
Good thing the table was far from the bar, or those "bombs" would've shattered his bottles!
Is pool this dangerous?
"Another round?" Tsuneo asked, planning to use less force.
"No, no, one game a day's enough," Terai said, rubbing his back as if exhausted.
Tsuneo: …
You didn't even touch a ball, acting all tired…
"Sit here a bit. Later, I'll introduce you to a friend," Terai said, leading Tsuneo to the bar and pouring him juice.
No drinking and driving—common sense.
"If that friend's buying dinner, I'll wait," Tsuneo said, nodding with a grin.
I'll eat him out of house and home!
ACHOO!
At Egota High, Year 2 Class B, Kaito Kuroba sneezed.
Weird, is it getting cold?
He felt a chill.
"Your luck's bad today," a red-haired high school girl said grimly, appearing beside Kaito.
"Really?"
"Not gonna lie, I found money on my way out!" Kaito laughed, flicking his fingers to reveal a bill.
Bad luck? My luck's always great!
"No, this might be a sign of your Osaka trip…" Koizumi Hongzi muttered, returning to her seat.
"What's with her?" Kaito shook his head.
He'd sent the Dark Knight an invitation but not the Suzukis yet.
Gotta make another trip tonight.
After school:
"So the owner's Kaito's friend?" Aoko asked.
"His name's Terai—temple and well. Weird, right?"
The two high schoolers chatted, entering the Blue Parrot.
"Still so empty," Kaito said, pushing the door open, noting the unlit lights.
Wonder what old man Terai wanted, being all secretive on the phone.
"It's a weekday. Normal to be quiet," Aoko said, scanning the place. Just one guy in sunglasses and a suit playing pool alone by the window, and the owner was MIA.
How does this place stay open?
Kaito approached the bar, spotting Terai napping.
Sleeping too soundly…
"Let's play a bit," Kaito said, grabbing two cues from the wall.
Turning, he saw a guy in gray work clothes chatting with Aoko at the door.
"You're from Egota High, judging by the uniforms?" the repairman asked, smiling warmly like a friendly neighbor.
"Yes," Aoko nodded politely.
Kaito froze, jaw dropping.
How is he here?!
Right, he's a repairman.
Must be fixing something!
Stay calm, stay calm…
"Kaito, want a drink?" Tsuneo opened a fridge, handed Aoko a cola, and turned to the stunned high schooler.
Is this kid spooked?
"How do you know my name?!" Kaito stepped back, instinctively wanting to bolt.
Aoko looked at the repairman, confused. They'd barely spoken—how'd he know Kaito's name?
"Terai told me," Tsuneo said, tossing Kaito a cola, smirking.
We talked a lot about you!
Before Kaito could confront Terai, the man playing pool stormed over, cue in hand, snapping, "You three are so damn loud!"
"Chatting nonstop since earlier!"
Tsuneo glanced at the yellow-haired, slicked-back, sunglass-wearing guy and said flatly, "You're not talking about me."
"Right?"
(Chapter End)
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