Two Bows (3K)

From Tuesday until Friday was over.

You En noticed that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka seemed to have become a lot more well-behaved.

But he wondered: could someone who never learned from either rewards or punishments really behave himself? Ayanokoji was merely lying low for the time being.

The poisoning incident hadn't spread. The people who knew the most about it were a few girls from Class B.

Since You En had been a little late again on Tuesday night, he'd had no choice but to explain the gist of what had happened.

As a result, the somewhat justice-minded students in Class B insisted that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka give them an explanation. They only dropped it after learning the whole story and being persuaded by Ichinose. Still, those girls felt rather sorry for Horikita Suzune.

That incident served as an opening. The girls Horikita Suzune was responsible for teaching got to know her a little and were prepared for what she was like. After two lessons, they'd become friends, though Horikita Suzune herself was probably still having trouble getting used to it.

Friendship always took some adjustment, and Horikita Suzune was one of the hardest people to be friends with.

But the girls in Class B were exceptionally patient and empathetic, and they managed to work things out.

"Ugh, what a pain."

Horikita Suzune sighed and poked You En.

He turned around. "Are you asking me out on a date to get something to eat?"

"Why are you always thinking about food? That's not what I meant."

Horikita Suzune waved her terminal.

"They invited me to go out with them this weekend. I'd already planned to waste a little time, since by your logic, they're clients. We're basically providing a service, so we ought to build a rapport."

"I was just saying that offhand. Don't take it seriously."

You En sighed. That kind of talk could actually be pretty hurtful if someone overheard it. He'd only said it half-jokingly, but Horikita Suzune had taken him at his word.

"But when I asked what they wanted to do..."

Horikita Suzune's voice held a hint of alarm. "They mentioned touring the school, trying on clothes, watching a movie, buying little accessories, checking out the clubs... They've basically filled both days with activities. There's only half a day set aside for studying."

"I think you're the one with a problem,"

You En said. "Isn't setting aside half a day to study over the weekend already great? It's a day off, after all."

It wasn't like they had to study every waking moment. Whether it was school or work, it was only a small part of life. Rest was what mattered most.

Getting into a good frame of mind and making yourself happy made everything else more productive, too.

"...I've never wasted this much time before."

Horikita Suzune propped her chin on one hand, gently tapping her phone screen with the other. She clearly wanted to turn them down, but seemed a little excited, too.

"It's up to you,"

You En said. "You don't have to agree to everything. You can choose a few things that interest you, or just go for half a day."

"You can do that?"

Horikita Suzune thought it over. "Then Sunday morning. They're planning to visit the clubs that morning, and I was thinking of going back there anyway. We can study together in the afternoon."

"Then I'll let Ichinose and the others know."

You En had plans this weekend, too. Qiao Heng had messaged him, asking him to set aside a day. She said she'd give him one-on-one training as an official club member.

He was curious, but hoped Qiao Heng would be a little gentle with him. He could endure grueling training, but he didn't enjoy it. He wasn't a masochist, after all.

"Koenji is way too full of himself."

A classmate suddenly complained.

At that, You En remembered how Rokusuke Koenji had been leaving early or skipping class altogether these past few days. He'd even handed in a blank test last time.

That behavior was rather unlike the original story. Perhaps he'd also sensed that something was wrong with the school and was planning to drop out.

But... could it really be that simple?

If poor grades and bad behavior only led to expulsion, why was Horikita Manabu so eager for Horikita Suzune to drop out early?

Maybe at this school, the farther you went...

...the more "luxurious" an exit became.

After spending the night, Saturday arrived.

Having prepared himself mentally, You En went to the Kyudo Club.

"You're here?"

Qiao Heng was waiting for him at the entrance in her kyudo uniform and chest guard. Her shoulder-length hair gave her a dashing look, and she greeted him with a rather heroic smile.

"Come in. I've been waiting for you."

You En stepped inside. The dojo was quite a bit larger than the one he'd seen before, and it clearly bore the marks of age and tradition.

Various kinds of "targets" hung on the wall. Some were dotted with stars, like miniature universes; others resembled suns and looked as though they were burning just from the heat of their glow. They were probably made by former members of the Kyudo Club.

Seeing You En look at the wall, Qiao Heng said, "Those are the results of our training. One day, you'll find something to test yourself against, too, and hang it on this wall."

"Which one is yours, senpai?"

You En asked curiously.

Qiao Heng pointed to the specimen that burned like the sun.

"That one's mine. But my training isn't finished yet. Maybe you'll surpass me someday."

To You En, it sounded like she was asking a child to shoot down the sun.

"Haha, I don't know the first thing about this yet."

"I'll teach you,"

Qiao Heng said. "Come to the changing room first. I've prepared your clothes and equipment. Let's see if they fit."

You En followed her into the changing room, where she said two words.

Qiao Heng's tone was as casual as if she were talking about dinner. "Take it off."

"Huh?"

She unfolded the neatly folded clothes. "You've never learned how to put them on, so I'll show you once. You're the first official member I've taken on."

You En certainly liked where this was going, but he had principles.

"No need, senpai. Just tell me how to put them on, and I'll do it myself."

"What, are you shy?"

Qiao Heng said, "As your master, I'll need to check your body many times in the future, so you'd better get used to it early."

You En was puzzled. "Is that part of kyudo?"

Qiao Heng shook her head. "No, it's my teaching method. This is my first time trying it, though."

You En tried to bargain. "Could we stick to the traditional way?"

His senpai's voice grew a little stern.

"Take it off, or I'll have to do it myself."

You En felt like he'd gotten on the wrong boat. Belatedly, he wondered if this entire school was one big pirate ship. But what was done was done. There was nothing left to fear.

"Fine, I'll take it off. Just don't touch me!"

You En could only start taking off his clothes right in front of her. But it wasn't that hard to accept. In his previous life, he'd undergone a few volunteer medical exams that required him to strip completely. He could just treat this like one of those.

"What's wrong?"

You En asked when he saw Qiao Heng staring at his body.

"Nothing. Not bad."

Qiao Heng hadn't actually planned to have him take everything off. She could check his physical development and bones with his underwear still on. But she hadn't expected him to actually do it. In that case, she could only... admire the view. It was her first time seeing one in person, and it wasn't bad.

She ran her hands over his muscles and bones, giving them a few squeezes. "Do you get a normal amount of exercise?"

Since Qiao Heng wasn't embarrassed, You En saw no reason to be embarrassed either. As long as he was shameless enough, he was invincible.

"Yeah. I've never done anything serious, just ordinary morning runs, and not every day. I've also started swimming recently."

"Good."

Qiao Heng wasn't just being polite. She thought You En was in the ideal condition: he hadn't undergone any training, so his potential was at its peak. His mind was also close to maturity, making this the perfect time to shape him.

After checking him over once more, she helped him into his kyudo uniform and carefully explained how to wear the hakama and tie the belt, including knots like the Ronin Knot and the Cross Knot.

You En picked it up at a glance. He'd already mastered knots with Teacher Annie, and this particular skill was relatively easy to learn. There were only a few basic ways to tie them, which you could then combine. Of course, mastering more difficult knots at an expert or professional level took time and dedication.

After he was dressed, Qiao Heng straightened him up again and adjusted the position of his belt. Looking over her handiwork, she nodded.

"Looking sharp."

"I look good in anything,"

You En said confidently. "But you did a great job dressing me, senpai. That makes me look even better."

"Ha, aren't you full of yourself?"

Qiao Heng patted his side and looked him up and down. "Not bad. Come on, there's a lot to teach you today."

You En followed his senpai into the dojo.

Qiao Heng glanced at him. "I have two bows. I'm planning to give one to you, and you can choose which one to use."

She'd been preparing for a long time. Two long, narrow redwood cases sat on a table nearby, one about a meter and a half long, the other about two meters.

Qiao Heng opened one of them. A fearsome bow, more than two meters long, lay inside, its entire body dark red and covered in barbs.

"This longbow is one I used to use. It stayed by my side for many years. I call it 'Heavenly Crimson.'"

You En said nothing. The bow seemed fierce, unlike a hunting bow meant for killing animals. It looked more like a... bow for killing people.

And perhaps it was just his imagination, but he felt as though the bow were alive, watching him.

Seeing his expression, Qiao Heng opened the other case. Inside was a rather ordinary-looking bamboo bow.

"This half bow was specially made by a master bowyer. From selecting the materials to finishing it, she spent... nearly half her life on it. It's an exceedingly rare masterpiece, but it doesn't suit me very well, so I've kept it stored away until now."

You En looked at the half bow. It was only about two-thirds the length of the longbow and very plain. He couldn't see anything special about it.

"Then I'll take this one."

Qiao Heng asked, "Can you tell me why you chose it?"

You En explained his reasoning.

"Senpai, that 'Heavenly Crimson' is your bow. But didn't you say you wanted me to help you? Then I can't walk the same path as you."

Qiao Heng said nothing. She lowered her head, then slowly raised it. Her amber eyes glimmered.

"Walking your own path is hard. If you use my bow, the road ahead will be a little easier."

"It's not all for your sake, senpai,"

You En said.

"I'd rather walk my own path than someone else's. Even if I fail in the end, I won't regret it."

"You won't regret it?"

Qiao Heng fell into thought again. After a long while, she pushed the bamboo bow in front of You En.

"It's yours. Give it a name."

You En asked,

"Can I pick it up and take a look?"

"Of course."

He took the bamboo bow out. As soon as it was in his hands, he seemed to feel a calm joy rising from its body. It wasn't intense, but more like a quiet bamboo grove taking shape in his heart, where he could meet a friend. He murmured,

"After half a lifetime of wandering, at last I've found a kindred spirit... I'll call it 'Heart Bamboo.'"

Qiao Heng closed her eyes, then opened them and spoke slowly.

"It says it likes that name."

His senpai's lips curved into a faint smile, elegant as bamboo.

"I like it, too."