The Almighty Chuunibyou Expert

Ignoring the two's clowning around, Hasegawa Izumi picked up the Japanese longbow, which was over two meters long, and entered through a side passage, with everyone else following closely behind.

Sunlight streamed under the eaves, casting a sacred golden veil over the girl sitting there, waiting silently.

Dressed in a proper and well-fitting kendo uniform, with her long hair tied in a single ponytail, leaving only long strands of hair hanging down on either side of her forehead, today's Shinomiya Kaguya possessed a touch more heroism than the chilling impression most people had of her.

"Tap, tap."

As footsteps echoed on the wooden floor, the girl slowly opened her eyes and looked at the newcomer.

"It's been a while, Shinomiya-san."

Hasegawa Izumi spoke slowly.

"You should say, 'Sorry to keep you waiting'."

Shinomiya Kaguya replied while standing up.

As their eyes met, it was like sparks flying.

"Hasegawa-san and Shinomiya-san's conversation feels a bit suspicious, doesn't it?"

"Did they already know each other?"

Beside them, News Department members Kyose Erika and Ki Karen, who had arrived earlier, whispered to each other after snapping a photo.

"You two, stop gossiping and do your jobs."

Asahi Shizuku immediately reminded them.

"Yes!"

They weren't the only ones with questions in their hearts; some others watching also felt the same.

Clearly, the two currently at the center of attention had no interest in stopping to answer questions from others.

"Let's begin, Hasegawa-san. I will make you understand that challenging me is the biggest mistake of your life."

Shinomiya Kaguya tilted her head slightly, her icy-cold eyes suddenly erupting like a volcano.

It was as if she had seen an enemy.

"Interesting."

Hasegawa Izumi offered a two-word evaluation of the situation.

He had heard others make threats during his challenges, but none had come from the heart like Shinomiya's.

This was clearly the strong confidence brought by her past victories.

She already possessed the necessary qualities of a strong individual.

However, he would now tell her.

There's always someone stronger, and one mountain is always higher than another!

"You can decide the rules of the match, Shinomiya-san."

"Alright, then our match rule will be: keep shooting. Whoever's arrow leaves the center zone first is the loser."

This was a very high standard for a match rule, considering that people's conditions fluctuate, and factors like wind speed can cause mistakes.

"So be it."

His gaze was equally confident.

The weather was fine, with a clear blue sky and white clouds.

Under the gaze of Hasegawa Izumi and over a dozen spectators, Shinomiya Kaguya raised her longbow and assumed an impeccably standard shooting posture—the Great Frame Shooting Posture.

The Japanese longbow is a type of longbow used in Japanese archery. The upper arc of the bow accounts for two-thirds of the total bow length. In other words, the Japanese longbow is designed with a longer upper section and a shorter lower section, and its specifications and length can be considered the largest in the world.

This structure also presents a challenge for the user in maintaining balance while holding the bow.

However, through countless practice sessions, Shinomiya Kaguya, with her extraordinary talent, knew the arrow's landing point by feel alone, without needing to see it.

"Bang."

The arrow flew out and landed steadily in the very center of the target!

A perfect shot!

59 You are ultimately just an ordinary person born in this era.

"Was Shinomiya-san shooting with her eyes closed? Did I see wrong?"

"No, it looks like it was real! Shinomiya-san's archery skills seem even more terrifying than we imagined!"

"Shinomiya-san's skill doesn't seem like that of a fourth-dan archery practitioner, does it?"

"Could it be that Hasegawa-san will lose this time?"

This shot deeply shocked everyone.

Before this, most of them didn't have a clear understanding of Shinomiya Kaguya's archery skills, only knowing that she had won the national tournament every year since middle school.

They then remembered that, in terms of resume, Shinomiya Kaguya's achievements were indeed more brilliant than others!

"She's that strong? That Shinomiya."

Nibuya Morika felt a sense of wonder for the first time, not from Hasegawa's actions, but from something else.

"It's okay, believe in the Sage!"

"As long as the Sage-sama gets serious, it'll be fine, death!"

Even as they praised him aloud, a drop of cold sweat trickled down the foreheads of the other two chuunibyou girls.

"That guy is still smiling... and with that same expression."

Only Natsukawa Masuzu carefully observed Hasegawa's demeanor, remaining calm.

"Your turn, Hasegawa-kun."

Shinomiya Kaguya, who had just shot the arrow, showed no signs of pride, as if it were merely a casual shot.

For her, it truly was.

Ever since a flash of inspiration during her middle school years led her to shoot a near-perfect arrow, she had simply been repeating that same shot.

"As expected, it was a good decision to leave you for last, Shinomiya. Surprises are best revealed at the very end."

At this moment, Hasegawa Izumi saw a realm that ordinary people couldn't perceive, and a look of eager anticipation appeared on his face.

In the instant she shot the arrow, the aura of the girl before him seemed to merge with the longbow in her hands.

Mind sees, eyes see, arrow flies... hitting wherever it's aimed!

This was clearly the realm of 'Unity of Person and Weapon', which could also be called 'Unity of Person and Sword', 'Unity of Person and Blade', and so on, depending on the weapon.

Even in the martial world of his memories, this would be considered an accomplished level.

Of course, this was merely a realm of skill; in other aspects, she was far from being a top master.

But this was a limitation of the era, not her limit.

"Hasegawa-kun, do you really have to look at me like that?"

Shinomiya Kaguya glanced sideways slightly, her voice inexplicably changing tone.

So passionate. This could lead to misunderstandings!

"Next, Shinomiya-san, I will show you an even higher realm! Then, follow this path and catch up! While we may not be able to walk the same road, I still look forward to you surprising me even more."

Hasegawa Izumi paid no mind, uttering a few words before preparing to draw his bow.

"I don't understand."

Shinomiya Kaguya was somewhat bewildered after hearing him.

What is all this?

This man is truly no different from before, saying nonsensical things and doing things that make no sense...

The only difference is that he's more annoying than I remember.

Hasegawa Izumi took a step forward, his target locked onto the adjacent target.

Then, the shooting posture he displayed delivered a small shock to Shinomiya Kaguya's heart.

Hasegawa Izumi stepped his right foot back, like a supporting stake, his left knee bent forward, his body's center of gravity lowered, his hands gripping the bowstring, pointing diagonally towards the sky.

He's drawing the bow like a full moon!

"How is that supposed to hit anywhere?"

Such a posture challenged the common sense of Shinomiya Kaguya and the Kyudo Club members.

From childhood, their archery instructors had never taught them to shoot like this.

Moreover, pointing so high, was he trying to shoot down the sun?

"Whoosh!!"

Hasegawa Izumi gently released the fully drawn bowstring, and the arrow shot towards the sky, seemingly vanishing.

The spectators standing at the edge of the shooting platform looked up at the sky, almost tumbling off the platform.

"Stop pushing! You'll fall!"

"I can't see! The sun is too bright!"

Suddenly, Shinomiya Kaguya's expression shifted to one of slight shock as she looked at the target dozens of meters away.

"Thump."

An arrow landed precisely in the center of the target.

"Your turn."

Hasegawa Izumi turned around, gesturing with his hand.

"I didn't expect you to be able to apply a shooting posture used for other bows to the Japanese longbow. You truly are a man who could win all the way here."

Shinomiya Kaguya swallowed, reaching this conclusion.

"However, I won't lose a match like this!"

She nocked another arrow, assuming the exact same posture as before. Full of spirit, the arrow flew and hit its mark.

With almost no deviation, this arrow effortlessly pierced the arrow already on the target, embedding itself firmly in the bullseye.

This feat left everyone dumbfounded.

This wasn't just some archery competition at a small academy; they would have believed it if it were an Olympic gold medal match!

"How was that?"

Shinomiya Kaguya, her competitive spirit fully ignited, gave him a spirited look.

"Clap, clap, clap... To be honest, this is the best archery I've ever seen in this world! Shinomiya, you're also the most talented person I've met so far."

He said, applauding her directly.

This caused the corners of the girl's lips to curl up involuntarily.

She was already accustomed to praise from ordinary people, but praise from an opponent she recognized held a special significance.

"But, is this your limit? Shinomiya."

Hasegawa Izumi's applause stopped, and his tone turned serious.

"What do you mean?"

The girl's smile gradually vanished.

"Alas, it seems... you are ultimately just an ordinary person born in this era, unable to reach our realm."

"If you're going to lecture me, defeat me first!"

Her expression turned indifferent, and the two of them became tense once more, as if ready to clash.

"You call me an ordinary person? How dare you! I'll show you... Huh?"