Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard
Chapter 144 - 141: The Interweaving of Dreams and Reality_2

Chapter 144: Chapter 141: The Interweaving of Dreams and Reality_2

Kanai Hideyoshi patted his shoulder, "We’re up against Tokyo Tenth; we all need to have confidence in ourselves before the finals. Haven’t you been working hard in your recent training?"

A few girls walked over, just in time to hear their conversation.

"Good luck! The Kamigoe Kyudo Club won’t lose!" Sakurai Fumiko cheered with a smile.

"Yeah, yeah! Go seniors! How does that saying go," Chitose Mai grinned playfully and then said in a gruff voice, "May you have victorious fortune!"

Ogata Asaka’s tone remained cold as ever, "I only came third in the individual competition; don’t be as weak as me or even worse, stuck at fourth."

"Anyway, good luck."

Hanamaru Hanabi tilted her head cutely, looking at the slightly lethargic Uesugi Sakura, and beamed, "Hanabi will always be in the audience cheering for you, Sakura-kun."

"Alright."

Uesugi Sakura returned her a warm smile.

His smile was quite rare outside.

Chitose Mai glanced carefully between the two, realizing Senior really only shows that handsome smile to Hanabi.

He’s so handsome, why doesn’t he smile more?

At this moment, a staff member’s shout came, telling them to get ready for entrance.

Entrance inspection, checking all kinds of archery equipment, the semifinals of the Seisha Hicchu tournament began.

The staff member with a work badge around their neck opened the door, and the five members of the Kamigoe Kyudo Club—Uesugi, Kanai, Seisuke, Hirata, and Sugita—entered in order one by one.

In full view of everyone, the five of them holding longbows, exuding calmness, walked slowly onto the scene.

Facing the people from Tokyo Tenth High School, who were just stepping out from the First Shooting Range, they exchanged a glance, then entered the dojo and took their seats.

The broadcast’s formal and serious female voice announced the names of the competing members from both high schools one by one.

The audience erupted into thunderous applause and cheers, welcoming the start of the match, while at the rear of the dojo, the chief judge surveyed the two rows of backs and shouted sternly:

"Stand up!"

The unyielding and confident aura was about to manifest at this moment.

The orderly steps and elegant bow-holding postures displayed the bright and vigorous demeanor of the youths under the blue sky.

First round.

Uesugi Sakura steadily raised his bow, drawing without a hitch.

Just like his movements, under his calm and ordinary gaze that seemed to scrutinize everything, an arrow suddenly shot forth, brushing past his face.

Bang...

The naturally striking sound of the string hitting the target.

"Yes! (yoshi)"

Almost immediately after his arrow hit the target, a tidal wave of cheers arrived on cue.

They understood.

The first arrow of Kamigoe Kyudo Club’s initial position held that magical power of a guaranteed hit.

This was an unspoken truth in their hearts.

In the stands, Chitose Mai sighed to herself upon seeing this beautiful opening shot:

"Sigh~ Even though Senior and I are in the same cohort, why am I so weak?"

Sakurai Fumiko leaned close to her face and said, "Don’t compare yourself to Uesugi-kun, who in our Kyudo Club can beat him? Besides, in this kind of sports club, who didn’t start off in the first year running errands and bringing water?"

"The first-year rookies from the neighboring Mizuki High haven’t even gotten a chance to stand on the shooting line for a whole year!"

"Is it really that serious... I think everyone in the Kyudo Club is pretty nice, and the captain and Senior Sugita teach really seriously."

Sakurai Fumiko, linking arms with her, smiled, "That’s because you’ve only been to our club. It’s not the same in other clubs; competition is fierce, not like in our Kyudo Club where you can slack off and take it easy."

While the two were talking, Sugita Shuhei, who had taken his position, had already released his arrow.

Following his Residual Heart and bow-lowering movement, the first-position Uesugi Sakura readied another arrow, his gaze focused.

And then, scored another point.

His perfectly natural shooting form, brisk and composed, the smooth and natural string sound seemed to penetrate the heart, the powerful and clear target hit sound, sending a jolt through one’s body.

After another bout of cheering, Sakurai Fumiko couldn’t help but exclaim, "Uesugi-kun’s arrows are still as beautiful as ever."

"They are beautiful, but I think it’s largely because he’s handsome," Chitose Mai nodded to herself, then turned to Hanamaru Hanabi beside her with a smile and asked, "What do you think, Hanabi-chan?"

Though Chitose was supposed to address Hanabi as senior, Hanabi didn’t mind this, and they were almost the same age.

"Hanabi thinks that if Sakura-kun wants to do something seriously, he will do it very well, very beautifully."

"Are you sure it’s not because you like him, Hanabi-chan?"

"No." Hanamaru Hanabi’s bright eyes were fixed on the dojo, as Uesugi Sakura’s captivating Residual Heart stance made her heart flutter, "Sakura-kun... has always been like this..."

The rhythm of his teammates, well understood.

Uesugi Sakura wasn’t solely focused on his own shooting but, as the first shooter, he led his teammates with the continuing rhythmic pacing.

Steadily progressing step by step.

His arrow was the team’s strong stimulus.

The first-position player from Tokyo Tenth High—Kanbaru exhibited their shooting technique, which was noticeable.

Like a bow being drawn with a hint of fresh green light, raising steadily and gracefully, the straight body only slightly tilted at the head.

Nimble and elegant, the great draw like the vibrant green bamboo in spring, yet the string release swift and resolute.

—His style is the Iga Hizaki Style, from the Bamboo Forest Sect.

One of the strong players from Tokyo Tenth High School.

But for Uesugi, no matter how good and flawless the opponent’s posture was, it was all the same to him.

He just needed to aim at the target, ensuring the arrow would hit the bullseye.

First round.

Kamigoe High School, four, four, three, three, four, totaling 18 hits.

Tokyo Tenth High School, four, two, four, three, four, totaling 17 hits.

In the stands, Ogata Asaka, as if reading with no emotion, said:

"The score is quite close, but the second player from the opposing school seems... not in a good state?"

She wasn’t sure if that person was suffering from "that" ailment.

Even though Chitose Mai wasn’t strong, she could see after learning for so long.

"Their arrows are off, and the shooting form is ugly too."

"Arrows that leave the bow before the draw is complete is early release, right?" Sakurai Fumiko said.

"What’s early release...?" Hanamaru Hanabi asked quietly.

Ogata Asaka: "When the bow isn’t under control, the arrow flies off before the string is fully drawn, mostly a common symptom caused by mental factors, and not easy to treat.

"In kyudo terms, you need to correct your heart yourself."

This leads back to the old kyudo adage—Seisha Hicchu, precise shooting hitting the target.

Among them, "Sei" is etiquette and even more so a mindset.

Seemingly correct, in the second round, the Tokyo Tenth High School’s second position switched to a substitute.

—A muscular man, everyone would suggest him to play rugby rather than kyudo.

As a quarterback for an offensive team, he’d surely shine brilliantly.

Though Tokyo Tenth High School’s overall strength might not necessarily be weaker than Sagami High School, they still lacked that final push compared to Kamigoe’s extra week-long training camp and two extra weeks of honing.

Their newly substituted player, despite his power, could only maintain a passing hit rate.

Ultimately, the second round match was won by the Kamigoe Kyudo Club ahead by three arrows, securing their ticket to the finals.

On the other side of the audience, the Mizuki High School people were closely observing this match without taking a step away.

"The finals, as expected, are going to be with them, right?" Shimokawa Binro said expressionlessly.

With square glasses, Fuchigami Atsushi, who liked to twirl a pen, followed his gaze.

"Kamigoe has those two in the front and rear positions, just needing the others to shoot slightly more accurately, isn’t that plain obvious?"

"It’s as expected." Hakogoe Yuusuke’s voice was thick, being Mizuki’s mid-position archer this time.

Yagi Ruijin: "Don’t get too arrogant; victory will always remain in our hands."

Among those present, only Fuya Nanori, whose features radiated elegance, remained silent, saying nothing.

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