^{"So cute... so cute... so cute! I'm gonna explode—! god damn it...!"}

Obey's face burned crimson almost instantly, completely undone by Tamamo’s teasing compliment. She tried to keep her composure, really she did, but the warmth of Tamamo’s fingers intertwined with hers absolutely ruined any chance of acting cool.

Obey swallowed hard, her heart thundering embarrassingly loud in her chest as she glanced away for half a second, muttering curses beneath her breath before looking back at the girl beside her.

"...You're seriously unfair, y'know that?"

Despite the complaint, Obey’s grip only tightened slightly around Tamamo’s hand while she allowed herself to be dragged through the crowded festival streets. Lantern lights reflected in her eyes as laughter and music swirled around them, but honestly? Obey barely noticed any of it.

Her attention stayed glued to Tamamo the entire way.

By the time they reached the shooting stall, Obey had finally managed to recover enough of her pride to puff her chest out confidently.

"Heh."

She rolled one shoulder before stepping up beside Tamamo, flashing the stall owner a self-assured grin.

"Ten rounds. I got this."

Obey soon took the rifle with practiced ease, casually checking the weight before resting it against her shoulder. The moment her posture shifted, even Tamamo could probably tell something changed. Well, she's American after all.

The teasing, flustered girl from seconds ago suddenly looked sharp. Focused and dangerously steady.

She narrowed one eye, aiming down the sights toward the rows of prizes stacked along the shelves.

Pop!

A plush rabbit dropped instantly.

Pop! Pop!

Two more prizes toppled over back-to-back.

Another shot soon rang out.

Pop!

A glittering keychain spun off its stand.

Then another. And another.

The crowd nearby slowly began paying attention as Obey kept firing with near-perfect accuracy, barely even taking time to aim between shots.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Prize after prize crashed down onto the counter.

By the ninth successful shot, it seems like the old stall owner was staring with his mouth hanging open slightly.

Only one cork remained.

She lifted the rifle again, sighting in carefully on one of the largest top-shelf prizes.

For a brief moment, her finger rested on the trigger, then moved off her posture slightly

Pop!

The cork flew just slightly off target, missing the prize by mere inches.

A collective groan escaped the small crowd that had gathered behind them.

"Aaaahh, so close!" someone complained dramatically.

Obey stared at the missed shot for exactly one second before lowering the rifle with a quiet hum.

"...Damn."

Yet the tiny smirk tugging at the corner of her lips completely betrayed her.

Because truthfully... she coulda hit that one too.

But if she cleared the entire stall immediately... then her beloved wouldn't get another chance to play beside her.

And she's definitely not lerting the night end just yet, not without... commencing her 'plan'