On the thirty-fourth floor of the skyscraper, in the middle of the archery range.
The corridor lined with neatly laid tan wooden planks, and the thick, muddy ground below was dotted with two or three verdant weeds. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel·fiɾe·net
It looked simple yet retro.
Walking on the soil, one would never even anticipate being high above the ground on the thirty-fourth floor! To create a deeper and more exquisite environment, they even used projections instead of floor-to-ceiling windows to simulate picturesque mountains and rivers.
From a distance, it genuinely felt like standing in a countryside range.
I hadn't expected that my cheap father-in-law had such refined taste.
"What now, if you're only capable of the most basic archery skills, I would advise you not to bite off more than you can chew. Go home and practice for a while longer!"
Standing to the side, Otome Toyama had already suited up, his robust physique holding a bow, his rough face full of disdain and arrogance.
People like them, who had connections to both the underworld and legitimate businesses, naturally had very deep strategies. But treatment varied from person to person.
Not to say Haruka Yuzan had snatched his daughter and was an annoying brat, even if he was just walking on the street, Toyama wouldn't show him any kindness.
Moreover, according to the information, this fellow in front of him had no experience in any archery activities. Toyama guessed it must have been his daughter Yumeko who had given Haruka Yuzan a crash course, just for this day.
But...how strong could hastily learned archery skills be?
"Can you stop it? If you say one more word, I'll take Haruka and leave!"
Hearing her father's sarcasm, Otome Yumeko, who could not bear to see Haruka Yuzan suffer, retorted mercilessly.
Her jade-like arms that were folded across her chest even clenched a bit tighter.
Seeing his daughter sticking up for that detestable kid made Otome Toyama feel like his molars were grinding together in frustration. A fire of nameless rage surged in his heart, and when he looked at Haruka Yuzan again, his eyes seemed to glare with the ferocity of wanting to devour him.
This doting daughter made Yumeko too scared to speak up, turning all her grievances upon him—damned foolishness!
Haruka Yuzan was quite frustrated; by now, he had begun to realize that Otome Toyama, despite his fierce and threatening appearance, was at heart a man who loved his family very much... a "warm man?"
For such a vast family business like the Otomes', it was surprising that Toyama, being from the main branch of the family, chose only to have one daughter, Yumeko. After her birth, for many years, he hadn't opted to have more children, even going so far as to have the young mistress, while still in school, start taking over the family business.
Was he planning to sit back and be prepared to come out of retirement early if ever there was trouble or difficulties?
However, all of this was just his speculation. Shaking his head, Haruka Yuzan pulled his arm out of the young mistress's embrace and moved to a rack lined with bows and arrows to begin making his selection.
"Shimizu, does Mr. Haruka... really know how to shoot an arrow?"
In a rest area not far away, a gentle and elegant lady and a beautiful young girl were sitting beside a small stone table.
If not for the girl's modern JK-school uniform, this beautiful scene would seem like a depiction of noble ladies having afternoon tea from the last century.
Chiba Shimizu murmured softly, looking down.
She remembered seeing Haruka Yuzan show off his archery skills in a small courtyard before, but the distance was too short then to really demonstrate his strength.
As for Toyama's archery skills, she had witnessed them when she was young. It seemed he was said to be good enough to compete in national tournaments and secure a very respectable place.
While there was an element of bragging, his real strength was nevertheless present.
However, since that bastard Haruka Yuzan had initiated the challenge, she didn't believe that the scheming man would lack confidence.
"Let's just wait and see!" Lady Otome said with a graceful smile, her eyes looking towards the range filled with a hint of anticipation.
"Yeah," Shimizu nodded, her gaze also fell on the three people in the center.
"Are you ready, you little bastard?"
Toyama snorted coldly, his entire demeanor like a lion awakened from its slumber, ready to tear to pieces the intruder who dared disturb his sleep.
Before Haruka Yuzan could reply, Otome Yumeko on the side snapped back, "Haruka has a name, he's not some 'little bastard'! If you keep frightening others , we're leaving right now."
Her voice was full of indignation, making it clear that the mistress was speaking the truth, ready to take her companion and leave on the spot.
Toyama clenched his fists tightly, the bow and arrows made with sophisticated craftsmanship creaking under his grip.
He and his daughter Yumeko had never argued in over a decade, yet today, she was being so disobedient, all because of this annoying kid!
It gave him the feeling of a prized jade cabbage he had raised for years being rooted up by a pig. Even if it was a handsome pig!
Haruka Yuzan felt helpless amidst Otome Toyama's increasingly hostile looks. He was about to say something when a swift "whoosh" sound cut through the air.
The arrow flew, and by the time he looked up, it had already landed squarely in the center of the target.
An electronic display nearby promptly emitted a robotic metallic sound.
Toyama was very pleased with himself as he put away his bow and arrow. The shot, fueled by anger, must have caught that brat completely off guard.
Nine points! That was a score not easily achieved in the amateur domain.
Yuzan was somewhat surprised in his heart—this old man was quite skilled!