"Awesome!"
After a moment of stunned awakening, Club President Aoyama couldn't help but burst out with a heartfelt exclamation of admiration.
For this first arrow—his very first experience with Kyudo—even if it was pure beginner's luck, a perfect bullseye was enough to make anyone feel proud.
"Kazama-kun, is this really your first time with Kyudo? You're some kind of monster!"
After considerable effort to wrench the arrow from the target's center, Club President Aoyama stared incredulously at the shaft in his hand, then back at the unnervingly calm Kazama Haru, his throat bobbing with a hard swallow. The scent of cedar and bowstring wax hung thick in the afternoon air, mixing with the distant thwack of other arrows finding their marks.
This guy... he shoots like he's been doing this for years. What the hell kind of protagonist energy is this?
"Now I'm getting more and more confident about this year's National Tournament! With fresh blood like you and Shinomiya-san among the first-years, even winning the championship isn't impossible!"
"With your talent, if you practice diligently and learn more from Shinomiya-san or the other senpais, you'll surely reach heights I could never achieve!"
Buoyed by such a wonderful vision, Club President Aoyama's joyful gaze shifted to Shinomiya Kaguya in the adjacent lane.
If he remembered correctly, before Kazama-kun shot that cinematic arrow, he had also heard the distinctive snap of a bowstring from this distinguished ice beauty's direction.
Given her usual accuracy, it was probably another bullseye.
However, when his gaze moved to Shinomiya Kaguya's target, the result that met his eyes was completely beyond expectation.
Shinomiya Kaguya—who always shot bullseyes, whose deviation never exceeded two rings at worst—had made a catastrophic mistake.
The arrow on the target had landed outside the three-ring mark. Practically grazing the edge of respectability.
For Shinomiya Kaguya, who strived relentlessly for perfection—especially in the aristocratic cultural sport of Kyudo—this was an intolerable humiliation.
"Uh…"
Looking at Shinomiya Kaguya's almost predatory, frigid expression, Club President Aoyama involuntarily gasped. A cold bead of sweat traced down his temple.
Oh no. Oh no no no. I mentioned her name right after praising him. I basically told the school's ice queen to teach the guy who just outshot her. I am so dead.
The sinking certainty of having said precisely the wrong thing made his legs go weak.
Shinomiya Kaguya bit her lip until the flesh blanched white, her fair, porcelain face filled with barely concealed murderous intent. The comparison between a bullseye and three rings was a blatant mockery—even if unintentional.
And just now, this damned Club President had the audacity to suggest that man should consult her more often.
Truly... Is he an idiot? Was he actively trying to get himself killed?
Even though she knew she had to maintain the dignified image of a Shinomiya family heir and absolutely not lose her composure in front of outsiders, this series of provocations still caused her shoulders to heave uncontrollably as she desperately suppressed her fury. Her slender frame trembled with the effort of restraint.
…
Looking at Shinomiya Kaguya's nearly livid face, then at Club President Aoyama—who stood completely at a loss like a frightened puppy about to be scolded for chewing furniture—Kazama Haru couldn't hold back.
He smirked inwardly, his mischievous side seizing control.
Time to add fuel to this beautifully chaotic fire.
He deliberately arranged his features into an expression of pure, guileless innocence. His tone dripped with exaggerated sincerity. "Understood! Aoyama-senpai, I will definitely learn from the excellent Shinomiya-san."
With theatrical flourish, he turned and bowed deeply to Shinomiya Kaguya, his posture the picture of humble respect. "Shinomiya-san, as the Club President wisely suggested, please overlook my humble self in the future and do not hesitate to enlighten me with your superior technique."
He's doing it on purpose. This donkan bastard is absolutely doing it on purpose!
Flames of indignation practically erupted from Shinomiya Kaguya's modest chest, and the arrow clutched in her grip creaked ominously under pressure that was rapidly losing any semblance of control. The tendons in her wrist stood taut as bowstrings.
This humiliation—worse than being pointed at and openly cursed—made letting go impossible. She let out a cold hmph, finally deigning to look directly at Kazama Haru for the first time.
Her gaze descended upon him like she was examining an insect that had somehow learned to speak.
"That arrow doesn't count." Her voice could have frozen the spring air. "You. Do you dare to compete with me again? One more arrow."
"I don't dare."
Kazama Haru chuckled and waved his hand with lazy dismissal. "Shinomiya-san, it's practically common knowledge in this club room that I can't compare to you. Even if you crush me completely, it won't give you any sense of accomplishment, will it?"
"Also, I have nothing to lose here." His grin sharpened at the edges. "What if you accidentally 'tremble' again, and I accidentally 'get lucky' again? Wouldn't that be—"
"SHUT UP! Just say whether you'll compete or not!"
Shinomiya Kaguya's sharp command sliced through his words like a blade.
Even if the competition was meaningless, she had to suppress this man directly and brutally—make him lose in spectacular fashion in front of the entire Kyudo Club.
Only then could she temporarily quell the burning humiliation in her chest. Only then could she lay proper groundwork for taming him later.
"Um…"
Despite being a senior, the Club President raised his hand with almost comical humility, his smile apologetic as he addressed the two combatants locked in their silent war.
Please stop fighting. Please. I'm literally just trying to run a club here.
"While your passionate fighting spirit makes me very happy, but… our free practice time is actually over."
He gestured toward the other club members who had already gathered near the equipment racks, their curious gazes fixed on the unfolding drama. "Next up is the 'senpais guiding Kouhais' session we've specially prepared for the two of you."
…
Leading them into the queue, Aoyama Yusaku—finally able to breathe—began explaining the tradition of the Kyudo Club in careful detail.
Because Kyudo was a traditional sport with profound cultural heritage, aiming to achieve spiritual cultivation while strengthening the body, it was definitely not something that could be mastered in two or three days.
At the same time, to help newcomers grow quickly and experience the joy of Kyudo as soon as possible, for every new member, the Kyudo Club assigned them an experienced senior member—proficient in both technique and mindset—to serve as their "shishou."
These mentors provided guidance not only in archery but also became companions in club life with whom they could discuss anything. They would spend the most time together throughout the year.
The two designated mentors for this year stepped forward.
Both were second-year students. The first possessed a lively, energetic personality—the very person Kazama Haru had overheard mentioning his name when he first joined the ranks. She practically vibrated with enthusiasm, her short hair bouncing with every micro-movement.
The other appeared to be a quiet, Yamato Nadeshiko type—slender, with a gentle single ponytail that draped over one shoulder, and a reasonably cute face dotted with a constellation of light freckles across her nose.
"Um, do we get to choose which person?" Kazama Haru raised his hand.
"Of course." The Club President's smile warmed with relief at the change of subject. "Only by choosing a suitable shishou will new members feel truly motivated in their training, right? You can apprentice with whoever you feel a connection with."
Sensing Kazama Haru's gaze sweep toward them, both prospective mentors returned looks of kind, subtly appreciative interest. The energetic one even bounced slightly on her heels.
He's tall. And those eyes... okay, focus. Be professional. But also... he's really tall.
His stance during that shot was nearly perfect for a beginner. Teaching him might actually be enjoyable...
As for the stern-faced Shinomiya Kaguya—both girls made every effort to avoid meeting her glacial stare.
For girls their age, as long as they were heterosexual, none would refuse to establish a friendly relationship with someone like Kazama Haru.
But Kaguya? She radiated an aura too cold, too impenetrable, too exhausting to make anyone want to spend extended time alone with her. The prospect of attempting to teach her archery as an elder was almost laughable.
Anyone with functioning eyes in this club could see Shinomiya Kaguya's level of skill.
For two ordinary second-year students who had only recently moved past the beginner stage themselves, becoming her mentor would be nothing short of humiliation served daily. Like asking a village elder to instruct a legendary swordsman in basic kata.
Although there existed an ancient proverb—"the student may surpass the master"—that wisdom required very specific circumstances to apply gracefully.
Being paired with someone like Shinomiya Kaguya, who was imperious and completely inconsiderate of others' feelings, would only lead to a year of walking on eggshells. A prison sentence disguised as mentorship.
Noting that neither girl would meet her eyes, Shinomiya Kaguya merely released an almost imperceptible snort through her nose.
She wouldn't be particularly pleased receiving attention from such shallow people who lacked "value" anyway.
"Er…"
Kazama Haru scratched the back of his head, his finger rising to point toward the gentle, freckled senior. "Then I'll choose—"
"Hold your horses."Chotto matte.
Shinomiya Kaguya, who had been as still as a glacier, suddenly spoke. Her tone achieved a terrifying steadiness—the calm before catastrophic weather.
"Who allowed you to choose first?"
She wants to argue about even this... Kazama Haru sighed heavily, regarding her with naked exasperation. "Alright, fine. Then please, ojou-sama, you go first?"
"No one allowed me to choose first either, did they?" Shinomiya Kaguya's retort came without hesitation, completely unapologetic.
"Tch."
Although clicking one's tongue could be considered among the rudest behaviors in Japanese society, Kazama Haru found himself unable to restrain the impulse.
"My lady, what exactly do you want? You can't go first, and I can't go first either? What kind of idiotic logic is this?"
Shinomiya Kaguya's lips curved into something too sharp to be called a smile. "As expected from an idiotic fool operating with minimal brain cells. Are my words that difficult to comprehend?"
She let the question hang for a beat.
"My key word was 'allowed.'"
"Then Shinomiya-san should go first—" The Club President, sensing the atmospheric pressure dropping to dangerous levels, scrambled to smooth things over for Kazama Haru's sake.
But the willful Shinomiya Kaguya dismissed him with a wave of her elegant hand. "No need. I don't intend to use my status to receive any special privileges from you."
Her chin lifted.
"If this is the Kyudo Club, then everything must follow the Kyudo Club's rules."
Her finger extended toward the targets outside, her eyes calmer than they had been all afternoon—the serenity of absolute resolution.
"Kazama Haru. Let's decide the selection order through an archery competition."
A beat passed.
"You can't refuse this time, can you?"
"How utterly bizarre." Kazama Haru felt genuinely exasperated by her single-minded intensity, completely unable to fathom why she was so obsessed with defeating him just once.
But to retaliate against her insufferably stubborn fixation, he made his decision instantly.
Kazama Haru raised both hands high, palms forward in universal surrender.
"Alright, ojou-sama. I give up. Completely. If I've offended you before, I apologize again. Can you please stop tormenting me already? Have mercy."
"You fool!"
Shinomiya Kaguya had never expected him to capitulate so readily.
For the first time, clear emotional fluctuation shattered across her usually placid features. Her fine brows knitted together sharply, her composure cracking like ice under sudden pressure.
She couldn't fathom how there could exist a man in this world with so little pride—and his immediate, unconditional surrender had completely blindsided her careful calculations.
This sensation of the situation spiraling beyond her control made her chest feel tight with frustration. Her fingers twitched at her sides. She actually wanted to throw a direct tantrum, right here, dignity be damned.
Observing her like this—the slight flush rising to her cheeks, the way her breath came just slightly faster, the barely perceptible quiver in her lower lip—Kazama Haru could only smile bitterly and shake his head.
No wonder she eventually develops that adorably idiotic side. The signs are already showing now.
Not only was her thought process delightfully peculiar, but she displayed such entertaining reactions from being teased just a little. Like poking a particularly proud cat.
Just then, the system's mechanical voice rang crisply in his ear.
「Ding.」
「Successfully triggered a clear emotional fluctuation in Shinomiya Kaguya. Reward: 1,000 wish points.」
Kazama Haru blinked, momentarily frozen mid-thought.
Wait. This works too?