Early the next morning, Shirou saw his younger sister off to school. Komachi went to the classroom where the examinees were gathering, while Shirou headed for the Kyudo Club.
He had originally intended to use his key to open the door, only to find it slightly ajar. It had already been opened.
He pushed the door open and walked in, sure enough finding the familiar pink-haired girl. She had changed into a black-and-white kyudo uniform and was aiming at the target. Five arrows were already embedded in it—three in the bullseye, while the other two had landed rather far off.
The pink-haired girl focused, drew her bow to its fullest, and released. The arrow sliced through the air before landing beneath the character "swan" in the center of the target.
"What a pity. You were just a little short," Shirou said regretfully.
"Good morning, Shirou-senpai." Hearing his voice, Mash lowered the hand holding her bow and greeted him with a smile.
It had been nearly four months since the girl had joined the Kyudo Club. She had started by learning shooting etiquette, and now she could shoot with a decent form. Her progress had actually been quite rapid, but she was still lacking somewhat if she wanted to compete.
In competitions where the objective was to hit a target, whether basketball, golf, or archery, even beginners could occasionally score a direct hit. Experienced hobbyists could also make a series of consecutive shots when they were in good form.
But at the professional level, what determined victory was no longer how many bullseyes one could hit. It was how one could consistently achieve the best score even when one was not feeling it.
In an archery competition, for example, shooting six times and hitting five bullseyes while missing once would earn fifty points. It was better to be slightly off on all six shots, scoring nine points each time, for a total of fifty-four.
Being a professional meant steadily maintaining one's performance, ensuring that one could perform consistently under any pressure without missing the target or scoring too low. The girl was still not stable enough in that regard.
If the connection between her current body and the Servant Galahad had not become so unstable, she should have been able to do much better.
After her resurrection, most of her abilities as a Sub-Servant had faded away. Her Magic Circuits had shut down as though rusted, and without the Holy Grail in the FGO system on her phone, she could not transform. In everyday life, she was practically an ordinary person.
Shirou felt some regret for the pink-haired girl, who put her heart and soul into everything she did. But when he thought of how she could devote herself to school life and find joy in classes and club activities, perhaps there was nothing bad about it.
International Kyudo Competition
"Good morning, Mash. You got here early today," Shirou said with a smile.
Mash nodded. "Mm. The International Youth Competition is about to begin, so the other upperclassmen will be coming today too, right?"
"It would be even better if you could be selected to compete as well," Shirou said.
Mash blushed slightly, then clenched her fist and declared, "I still have a long way to go, but on the day of the competition, I'll come cheer for you, Shirou-senpai!"
"Mm, thanks." Seeing that his junior was not discouraged, Shirou felt relieved.
Ever since Perseus had been dealt with, the world on this side had temporarily returned to normal—at least on the surface. Though Demonic Beasts ran rampant throughout the alternate spaces, and news occasionally reported sudden earthquakes and shaking buildings, no one had been injured so far.
Following Da Vinci's advice, Shirou and the girls had chosen to remain here and first eliminate the monsters in the nearby alternate spaces. After all, there were still six Servants like Perseus who had been tainted and corrupted by black mud. They could attack this world at any moment, and might even have already slipped quietly into one of the alternate spaces.
They could only act after Da Vinci had investigated the situation and devised a thorough plan. Otherwise, they would be doomed beyond redemption.
So during this period, they first cleared out all the Demonic Beasts in places around the Tokyo Metropolitan Area that could be reached within one or two hours round trip. Only on holidays did they travel farther away to clear more distant areas.
That gave Shirou and Mash the leisure to participate in club activities at school. A national-level sports competition was about to begin, and as the captain of the Kyudo Club, Shirou naturally had to take part.
It was said that the organizers had invited teams from China, Korea, Singapore, and several other countries to compete. The national competition had suddenly been elevated into a small-scale international event.
These past few days, even those who usually showed up only sporadically had been coming to the Kyudo Club to practice.
Once Komachi finished her exams in the next couple of days, Shirou would leave for Tokyo two days later to participate in the international competition. By the time he finished competing and returned, the school would probably have announced the admission results.
"Yo, Shirou. Mash-chan's here too? It's the two of you together again today." A lanky male student walked in with a hearty laugh. He was Nasu no Yoichi, the president of the Kyudo Club and one of Shirou's teammates in the team event. He was very tall but also extremely thin. Though he stood close to 1.9 meters tall, his arms and thighs were slimmer than those of many girls.
"Yo, Nasu." Shirou merely nodded to him. Though he was the club president, it was really only a title, and he did not usually show up much.
"Good morning, Nasu-senpai," Mash greeted him.
"Hey, hey, isn't that reaction a little too flat?" The Kyudo Club president had wanted to tease the two of them, but their lukewarm reactions left him unable to continue.
"Morning! Morning, everyone!" Another short, burly male student entered laughing. This was Taira no Kyohei, the Kyudo Club's vice president and Shirou's teammate in the team event. He looked exactly opposite from Nasu no Yoichi: not very tall, but incredibly solid. From afar, he resembled a door panel, but up close, his firm muscles were visible, giving him a rather intimidating presence.
"Good morning, Taira no Kyohei. Since all three members of the men's team event are here, let's begin practicing," Shirou said.
"Yeah, yeah. We'll be counting on you, Ace. If you got serious, you could hit the target every time, right?" Taira no Kyohei said with a hearty laugh.
"I'll try not to hold everyone back. Let's take fifth place at worst and aim for the top three," President Nasu said casually with a smile.
"...Upperclassmen, please do your best." Mash froze in confusion. She could not understand why their goal was only fifth place when they had a teammate who could hit every shot. For a moment, the girl could not tell whether her club's Kyudo Club was strong or weak.
Still, cheering them on was the right thing to do.
"All right, let's change and practice." Shirou led the way into the changing room.
"Got it! Please take care of us, ACE!" Vice President Taira no Kyohei said with a hearty laugh.
Mash's feelings were understandable, but that was simply how this school worked. They recruited a specially admitted student to preserve appearances, then did not bother much beyond that. These two men, despite being the president and vice president, were actually the strongest competitors the Kyudo Club could find.
So there was nothing else to say. Practice. A sudden improvement in form could disappear just as suddenly. Results could rise and fall dramatically too, so practice! Only constant practice would never betray you.
"Yo, Mash. Everyone's already practicing, huh?" A black-haired teacher in a white coat walked in. Seeing the youths practicing inside, she nodded in satisfaction.
"Good morning, Teacher Hiratsuka. You came to school surprisingly early today." Mash looked curiously at the teacher, who normally rushed into the classroom right on time every day.
Teacher Hiratsuka looked at the girl in displeasure. "Mash... Don't tell me you have some objection to me? It's only natural for me to be here as the Kyudo Club's Advisor Teacher! I usually get to school around this time too... on the way here, anyway..."
"Is that so?" Mash felt that the teacher before her resembled the adults at Chaldea who liked slacking off.
"Of... course! Shirou, come here!" Shizuka Hiratsuka decided she needed to end that topic quickly and called to the youth across from her.
"Teacher Hiratsuka? You got here surprisingly early today." Shirou put his bow back on the rack and walked over.
"Enough! Don't keep nagging about one thing! What are you, my mother?" Shizuka Hiratsuka shouted angrily.
"Mm? What's going on?" Shirou looked at his junior in confusion. Why did she suddenly get angry and say something like that? He had absolutely no intention of being anyone's mother.
"..." Mash shook her head. This teacher really was somewhat different from the adults at Chaldea. She was far more childish.
Shizuka Hiratsuka said, "Forget it. I came to ask how your preparations are going. I told you last time that the competition arrangements had changed, right? We can't count on the team event for recurve bows, but the school hopes you'll participate in the recurve bow event."
Shirou nodded. "That won't be a problem. To me, it doesn't make much difference what kind I use."
Since the national competition had been turned into an international competition, apparently for commercial reasons, the event arrangements had also changed. The traditional kyudo competition had instead been placed in a smaller indoor venue, while the recurve bow event would take place on a lawn and on a much larger scale.
Of course, for a pragmatist like Shirou, any kind of bow was fine as long as he could hit the bullseye. Naturally, he would also properly observe the etiquette and form required for kyudo events beyond shooting technique.
"Is that so? Good! Having you here really puts me at ease. Ahaha, bring me back lots of medals! Go back to practice." Shizuka Hiratsuka laughed as she patted the youth's back.
Shirou only felt a burning pain across his back as he was pushed back toward the shooting line.
"Oh, right, Mash. Since I came to school so early for once, let's play some FGO together," Shizuka Hiratsuka said.
"Eh, but the upperclassmen are practicing here. Wouldn't it be bad to disturb them?" Mash was tempted, but she looked toward Shirou.
"Then let's play outside." Shizuka Hiratsuka grabbed Mash and began leading her toward the door.
"Oh, right. Teacher, did you get Saber last time?" Mash asked.
"Don't talk about that. We can still have fun." Shizuka Hiratsuka lowered her head dejectedly.
"It's all right, Teacher! Caster-class Saber will be implemented soon too! This Saber feels younger, and a beauty like you, Teacher, will definitely pull her!" Mash clenched both fists and cheered her teacher on.
Shizuka Hiratsuka immediately recovered her spirits and burst into laughter. "Ahaha, is that so? You're right! I'll roll a few more ten-pulls then. No! Maybe she'll come with a single summon ticket!"
"Actually, I've been feeling pretty lucky lately too. Maybe I'll get a gold card next time."
The two of them left the Kyudo Club together, chatting and laughing.
"..." Shirou picked up his bow and continued practicing. Only the sound of arrows slicing through the air and striking targets remained.
Heading to the Tokyo Competition Venue
When lunch break came, Shirou went to the Service Club as usual and ate lunch with everyone.
"Eh? Shirou, are you eating rice balls today?"
"Mm. Since my younger sister Komachi is taking her entrance exam today, I figured she probably would not be able to eat a proper bento even if I made one, so I made rice balls for her as snacks instead."
There were six rice balls in Shirou's box, divided into two groups of three. One group was white, the rice wrapped in seaweed and filled with different ingredients: cod, meat floss, and braised egg. The rice had been mixed with vinegar, making it sweeter and fresher when eaten cold.
The other group was golden brown, grilled rice balls filled with spices and minced meat. These were more fragrant and crisp.
"Eh? The entrance exams are today? Shouldn't they wait until the weekend starts on Saturday and Sunday? It's only Monday," Yuihama asked in confusion.
"Yuihama, didn't you know? It's not like that. International High School holds its exams early every year to accommodate international students from other countries," Yukino explained.
"It's because I'm not familiar with the students in the international classes. I still haven't spoken more than a few words to any international students," Yuihama said with a laugh.
"That's not right, is it? We have a foreigner right here," Shirou retorted.
"Eh? Who?" Yuihama blinked in confusion. There was a foreigner beside her? Who had she ever said "so crowded and crowded" to?
"Mm??" The pink-haired girl tilted her head in confusion as well. She looked at Senpai Asuna. Though her nickname sounded like a foreign name, her real surname was a traditional Yamato people surname, like Yuuki Rito, Yuuki Mikan, or Yuuki Yuuna. It was not uncommon.
Then she looked at Senpai Yukino. Though she had heard that this upperclassman had studied abroad, she was still Japanese.
"Even if you try that hard to play dumb, nobody's going to call you out on it," Shirou said blandly as he looked at Mash.
"Ah! Mash!" Only then did Yuihama suddenly realize.
"Don't say it out loud." Yukino pulled Yuihama down and made her sit.
"Urgh..." Mash puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction. Why were these upperclassmen so bad at playing along? Even if it was a corny joke, they should laugh. That was basic social etiquette, wasn't it?
"Ehehe, I see." Yuihama smiled embarrassedly and fiddled with the bun on her head. Their everyday conversations had been so natural that she had completely thought of Mash as Japanese.
"By the way, why didn't you bring your younger sister to have lunch with us?" Asuna asked.
"Ah, Komachi said a classmate who really knew the area would take her out for ramen," Shirou said.
"I see. That's a bit of a shame. I haven't met your younger sister yet, Shirou," Asuna said.
Shirou thought, No, maybe it would be better if you didn't meet after all.
"By the way, what day are you going to Tokyo for the competition?" Yukino asked the youth.
"I'm leaving Thursday afternoon. The competition starts Friday. The Kyudo Club event is on the first day, then the recurve bow event is on the second day," Shirou said.
"Eh? Then won't we be too late to cheer for you?" Yuihama asked in surprise.
"No, Senpai Yuigahama. Making noise is prohibited during kyudo competitions," Mash reminded her.
"Are you all coming? It's actually pretty boring," Shirou said.
"Shirou, what are you talking about? Just watching a competition would obviously be boring, but watching someone you know compete is a different matter! Yukino, come to the mall with me after school. I need to get a megaphone and maracas!" Yuihama said.
"Mm, all right. Shouting would be too embarrassing, but I can use maracas," Yukino agreed with a nod.
"Then I'll come too," Asuna said.
"You don't need things like that. I'm not competing in boxing or martial arts. Even if you come, please watch quietly," Shirou reminded them.
"Why are you so dissatisfied when people want to cheer for you?" Yuihama said unhappily.
"I understand. We'll cheer you on without affecting the competition," Yukino said as she looked at him.
"Shirou-senpai, please do your best!" Mash encouraged him.
"Ah, mm... Thank you, everyone." Shirou could only agree, though there really was no need to watch such a competition.
After school, Shirou returned home. Komachi, whose exam had ended long ago that day, had already changed into casual clothes and was waiting at home.
"My friend took me to several places, and the ramen we finally found was super delicious! I feel like I'm going to get addicted!" Komachi said with a hearty laugh.
"Ramen addictive enough to get hooked on sounds dangerous. By the way, was it a classmate?"
"No, she was an examinee Komachi met during the earlier school visit. At first, she seemed a little cold and arrogant, but we unexpectedly got along well. So tomorrow, I'll have her take me out for delicious food again!" Komachi said expectantly.
"You're an examinee. It's good to relax, but don't forget about the exam," Shirou retorted.
"I know! After eating something delicious, I feel super energized for the exam. Komachi definitely won't have any problems this time!" Komachi declared confidently.
"Is that so? That's good," Shirou replied.
"Brother, speaking of which, my friend seems to like cooking. Maybe the two of you would be very compatible. Next time, I'll call you out so we can all meet." Even while taking her high school entrance exams, Komachi did not forget to work hard on her brother's lifelong prospects.
"Komachi, what do you think we should have for dinner today? Father and mother will be coming home early today too." Shirou headed toward the kitchen as he spoke.
After that, Komachi smoothly finished her exams. The results would not be announced until next week, and when Thursday came, Shirou picked up his travel bag and prepared to head to Tokyo for the competition.
"Brother, do your best! Father and mother might not be free, but Komachi is going to cheer for a friend on Saturday, so I'll cheer for you while I'm there too!" That was what Komachi had told him that morning as she left for school.
That evening, they would stay at a hotel owned by one of International High School's board members, then report to the sports arena the following morning.
Shirou arrived at the Kyudo Club and met up with his teammates. They boarded the school's luxurious bus together, stored their luggage and archery equipment in the storage compartment on the first floor, then climbed the stairs to the second floor.
The moment he reached the top of the stairs, he heard a cheerful voice.
"Yo, Shirou, you finally made it. Come sit over here." One of the team leaders, Shizuka Hiratsuka, waved repeatedly at the youth.
Before you continue