The archery training had begun.
The area was filled with the sounds of bowstrings being drawn, arrows whistling, and the thud of arrows hitting targets.
Coach Takigawa and Ren moved among the students, observing their every move.
Coach Takigawa gave general instructions and maintained discipline, while Ren focused on details, scrutinizing each student's posture and technique.
Ren approached Ryōhei, who seemed enthusiastic but slightly stiff as he drew his bow.
"Ryōhei, I heard you often struggle with accuracy at mid-range, right?"
"Yeah, Rokuhara. My arrows keep veering left or right."
"Your back's a bit hunched, and your shoulders are too tense. Straighten your spine, relax your shoulders, and let your arms support the bow, not your shoulders tensing up."
Ryōhei followed Ren's advice and immediately felt a difference.
"Oh! It feels more stable, Rokuhara!"
"Good. A strong foundation leads to steady shots."
Ren then moved to Yuna, who seemed overly cautious while aiming.
"Hanazawa, don't be afraid. Your draw is good, but your release is a bit hesitant, causing the arrow to wobble. Release the string smoothly, like it's gliding off your fingers, not forced."
"Yes, Rokuhara-san."
Yuna followed Ren's instructions. She drew the bowstring, took a breath, and this time, her release was much smoother.
*SWISH!*
The arrow flew straighter than before.
"I-I did it, Rokuhara-san!" Yuna exclaimed in surprise.
"That's better. Keep practicing for consistency."
Soon after, Ren stood beside Umi.
"Umi."
"Yes, Ren-senpai?"
"Your gaze wavers slightly after releasing the arrow."
Ren didn't just give verbal instructions. His hand moved, placing his palm on Umi's waist, gently adjusting her position.
"You shift focus too quickly. After releasing, keep your eyes on the target for a few seconds, as if you're still aiming."
His fingers traced her shoulder, applying slight pressure to ensure an upright posture.
"This helps build muscle memory and improves accuracy for your next shot."
Umi felt the noticeably special treatment.
Her cheeks and ears flushed red. She was embarrassed by Ren touching her in front of everyone, but she didn't resist.
She could feel something hard pressing against her backside but tried to ignore it. Clearly, Umi sensed Ren was serious about guiding her, though she assumed the physical contact was unintentional harassment.
"Mm."
Umi applied Ren's tip on her next shot.
*SWISH!*
Suddenly, she felt a significant difference. Her arrow hit closer to the bullseye than usual.
"Amazing… Thanks for your guidance, Ren-senpai."
Seeing her archery accuracy improve dramatically, Umi's admiration for Ren grew.
"Don't thank me. The skill was already in you; I just helped you find it. The key is consistency and confidence in yourself."
In front of Umi and the others, Ren always presented himself as a kind, competent, and caring senior. He knew exactly how to craft a perfect image.
Once he'd won her heart and made her fully his, only then would he reveal his true roguish nature.
For now, Rokuhara Ren was the perfect role model.
"…"
While Ren moved around giving instructions and corrections, Mafuyu could only watch the training from her spot leaning against a tree.
She couldn't help much. After all, her archery knowledge was purely theoretical, based on books and school curricula.
She became the Archery Club advisor because all other teachers were already advising other clubs. She was the only one available and was assigned to the Archery Club.
Mafuyu observed how Ren interacted with the students, explaining clearly and patiently, and how each student responded positively to his guidance.
She was impressed by the drastic improvements in their accuracy.
"Rokuhara Ren has remarkable talent in archery."
"Letting him leave the Archery Club was a mistake. People should follow their talents, not be swayed by fleeting emotions."
"I need to find a chance to talk to him privately. I'll persuade him to rejoin the Archery Club."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The archery training ended at noon.
The sun blazed overhead, but the mountain air remained cool and refreshing.
All Archery Club members, including Ren, Mafuyu, and Coach Takigawa, gathered under the shade of trees near the stream, where lunch was prepared in neatly packed bento boxes.
The aroma of sandwiches, rolled eggs, and fresh fruits filled the air, tempting their appetites after the energy-draining training session.
Ryōhei eagerly grabbed his bento box. "Finally! I'm starving! My stomach's been singing for a while!"
Minato, beside him, spoke calmly. "Eat quietly."
"…"
Ren sat slightly apart, eating his lunch calmly. Umi, seated not far away, occasionally glanced at him.
"Today's training was exhausting but fun. I feel my skills improved instantly after Rokuhara's tips!" Nanao said, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Me too! My shots are much straighter now!" Rika chimed in.
Seiya nodded. "Indeed. Rokuhara-kun's guidance was highly effective. I felt a big difference in my arrow stability too."
Coach Takigawa Masaki sipped his cold green tea. "Rokuhara has a unique teaching style. He spots details we often miss."
Mafuyu, sitting near Coach Takigawa, silently observed their conversation, occasionally glancing at Ren. She agreed with Takigawa's praise in her heart.
The warm lunchtime atmosphere was suddenly disrupted. Yuna, sitting next to Noa, noticed her friend frozen, eyes fixed on a distant point.
Noa's face was pale, her body trembling.
"What's wrong, Noa?"
"T-That… Everyone, look over there."
With a trembling hand, Noa pointed across the stream.
Seiya and the others turned to follow her gesture.
Instantly, their hearts filled with fear as they understood Noa's strange reaction.
Not far from their lunch spot, by the clear stream, a massive bear was drinking water.
Its size was imposing, its fur dark, and its sudden presence so close felt deeply threatening.
In Japan, bear attacks, especially by Asian black bears or brown bears in Hokkaido, weren't uncommon.
Though bears typically avoid humans, attacks could happen if they felt threatened, startled, or were protecting their cubs.
Bears often foraged in mountainous and forested areas, popular spots for outdoor activities like hiking or camping.
The entire Archery Club group froze, holding their breath.
Tension filled the air, far more oppressive than the previous night's test of courage.
Among everyone present, only Ren showed no fear.
His expression remained calm and composed, as if the giant bear was just an ordinary sight.
He'd even dared to face gods with a mortal body—what was a mere bear?
Ren spoke in a low voice, almost a whisper but clear enough for all to hear.
"Don't make a sound. Don't do anything reckless. The bear doesn't seem to notice us. Stay calm."
Everyone obeyed. They held their breath, eyes wide, staring at the bear, hoping it would leave soon.
"…"
A tense silence enveloped the area, broken only by the stream's gentle flow and their stifled breaths.
Soon, the bear finished drinking. It raised its massive head, glanced around briefly without showing signs of noticing the humans, then lumbered off, disappearing into the forest's depths.
"Phew…"
The group let out a collective sigh of relief.
The oppressive tension evaporated, replaced by deep gratitude that no disaster had occurred.
Mafuyu stood quickly. Her face returned to its cold expression, but her voice carried urgency.
"Everyone, finish your food quickly. After that, we're leaving this mountain immediately."
Coach Takigawa nodded in agreement. "Right. It's too dangerous to stay longer. The bear might return, or other wild animals could show up. We can't take risks."
Seiya and the other club members hurriedly finished their lunch in silence, forgoing casual chatter to avoid attracting other potential wild animals nearby.
After eating, they packed up quickly, stowing the archery equipment, and with hurried steps, began descending the mountain, leaving behind the once-beautiful but now perilous training spot.
They all wanted to return to the safety of the inn as soon as possible.