Year 2-3: The mini golf battle

Riku held up his book. It had just been released, the process didn´t take very long thanks to Nozomis and Yuusukes help. He handed it Satsuki who was very happy. “Now I finally get to read it.”
“It´s really good.” Riku said. He knew you shouldn´t pat yourself on the back but he was so proud of his work he deserved to do it anyway.
Satsuki was smiling. “I´m going to boast about you a lot. I mean how many people have a boyfriend who´s a writer?”
Riku told Satsuki about his intention of inviting everyone to something, he didn´t specify what he had planned yet though. Satsuki looked at him confused. “And you won´t tell me what you planned. Not even a hint?”
He shook his head. “It´s a secret.”

The day of the reveal came. Riku had gathered everyone in the club room. “I´ll invite you all to mini golf on the weekend!” One of Hitomis assistant’s husband worked at a mini golf course and he offered Riku a discount for his new publication. Riku had never played mini golf in his life but to him it seemed fun. The others seemed to have differing opinions.
Yuri blankly starred at him as if she was remembering something bad. Yuki jumped up yelling “Yes!” and sat down as if nothing had happened.
Takumis reaction surprised Riku, he smiled. “Good choice.” He said.
“You like mini golf?” Riku asked.
“My parents played it a lot with me and my brother before he became… an asshole. I´m still pretty good.” Takumis tone was cocky.
“I´m way better. I beat Yuri 257 times in a row.” Yuki boasted.
Takumi rolled his eyes. “It´s not about the number of times you win but how many hole in ones you make. My record is at 25 in a row.”
Yuki starred at him, he had apparently found his match. “It´s going to be a great battle between us.”
“I also invited the previous third years.” Riku tried to change the subject.

The weekend came and Riku couldn’t contain his excitement. Everyone had showed up, some taking the experience more seriously than others: Kiyoko, Yuki and Takumi wore golf outfits.
“I didn´t know you liked mini golf too.” Riku stood next to Kiyoko.
“I have never played mini golf, but my family regularly plays real golf. I´m not very good at it but it is quite a lot of fun.” She smiled a perfect rich girl smile.
Takumi and Yuki were whispering, Riku could see them writing something down. They were placing bets and Nozomi and Shu happily joined.
Sani looked around seemingly counting. “We´re eleven. How about we play in teams?”
Nozomi grabbed Yukis arm. “Sure.”
Sani wasn´t very amused about that. He glared at Yuki who was already trying to escape Nozomis clutches.
“How about writing down all names and draw lots?” Takumi suggested.

The results were interesting: Takumi had ended up with Riku, Yuki and Yuusuke were team number two. Shu and Nozomi were giggling; Satsuki and Yuri stared at the floor, both weren´t very good at mini golf. Sani, Hayato and Kiyoko mad the last team. They agreed to split up so every team would play a different hole and they wouldn´t be able to copy each other.
Riku wasn´t so sure what he should think about ending up in a team with Takumi, they had barely talked with each other in the club. To Riku Takumi always seemed either tired or irritated, now he was calm and concentrated. “Do you want to do the tee-shot?” Takumi asked. “That´s the first shot.” He explained after seeing Rikus confused face.
“Sure, if you´re ok with it.” Riku stood at the first hole. Takumi was instructing him on how to hold the club and how to shot. Riku swung and the ball landed very close to the cup. He turned to Takumi. “Was that good?”
Takumi pated his shoulder while getting ready for his shot. “That was very good. My specialty, right after hole in ones, are putts.”
Riku had no idea what Takumi just said but he watched the first year tap the ball lightly with the club landing it swiftly in the cup. Takumi wrote something down, the number of hits, he explained to Riku and the pair made their way to the next hole. On their way Riku could see Yuki and Yuusuke also finishing with their first hole. Shu and Nozomi were at the hole right next to them giggling and not taking the game very seriously. Riku tried to find Satsuki but failed. He turned to Takumi taking the rare opportunity to get closer to him.
“So you and your family played mini golf often?”
“Almost every weekend. Might sound weird but my elementary school used to have a mini golf club and played there.” Takumi answered Rikus question.
“What made you stop? Did your middle school not have a team anymore?”
“That too, but my a… my health got in the way.” Takumi didn´t look Riku in the eyes.
They played their next hole, this time Takumi did the tee-shot and made his famous hole in one. Riku was very impressed after a few tips from Takumi to improve Rikus performance he continued their conversation. “What do you mean with your health? Something like Nozomi, cancer?”
Takumi turned to Riku so fast it startled him. “No. Let´s just say I made some bad decisions based on my brothers.”
Ok, Riku thought, touchy subject. He decided to not press the matter with Takumi. That had helped Riku last year so continuing that way seemed not too bad.

The day was over before Riku realized. “That was unexpectedly fun.” Yuri said. “I mean not having someone be better than me and rubbing it in my face probably helped.” She looked at Yuki while saying that. But Yuki wasn´t listening he and the other bettors were engrossed in who made how much money. Takumi seemed to have gotten the most. He handed Riku a few bills. “You helped me that´s your share.”
Riku reluctantly took the money, it felt a bit wrong but after seeing the small amount of 1000 Yen, he was ok with it. He invited Satsuki to some ice cream, ending the day walking home with her like always.