"Teacher Mizutani, why do you even bother? As far as I know, our school's Archery Club hasn't made it to the national competition for six consecutive years now."
Although Kanagawa High School is one of the most prestigious middle schools in the entire Island Country, its club departments have their own histories of rise and fall, just like their school's Archery Department.
For six consecutive years, they hadn't made it to the national competition in Tokyo, and it was said that even their student council had cut a lot of their club funding.
No way around it, if you're not an archery powerhouse, you simply have no recruitment competitiveness, especially for a school of nobility like theirs, where nearly ninety percent of the students come from elite families in all walks of society.
It's even less likely for a student from a humble background with immense archery talent to come and enroll.
Especially when your school department is in such a state of decline. After all, they're supposed to stand out in the national competition, and even the outstanding ones could be directly recruited by professional teams.
Sighing softly, she still tried to offer some advice, "And besides, I've heard that our school's Archery Club isn't even aiming to break into the national competition this year... Teacher Mizutani, don't put so much pressure on yourself."
Who would've thought that Mizutani Nozomi would shake her head so firmly? "Since the archery department has been entrusted to me, I must lead them to reclaim their glory. At the very least... at the very least, we have to make it to the national competition."
"Then I wish Teacher Mizutani an early realization of your dreams and ambitions."
Watching the spirited Mizutani Nozomi, Haruka Yuzan didn't hesitate to send her his blessings, "Then, Teacher Mizutani, you continue with your great work, and if there's nothing else, I'll be going."
Having said that, he was about to get up and leave, who knows what else Mizutani Nozomi might say if he stayed, better to head home early.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't go!"
Just as Haruka Yuzan was standing up, Mizutani Nozomi immediately grabbed the hem of his clothes, "It might sound cool to accomplish great things alone, but sometimes a teacher can be overwhelmed too, really tired..."
As she spoke, Mizutani Nozomi even put her hand over her heart, but judging from the slight depression in her chest, it seemed like you couldn't hear a heartbeat at all!
Come on, come on, make it a bit more professional.
Or let go off that OL (Office Lady) uniform... Shall I do it?
"Being overwhelmed will not be of any use if you turn to me... Teacher Mizutani, I'm quite busy," Haruka Yuzan said, shifting his gaze away helplessly.
"But can you really bear to watch those hardworking kids train from morning to night, then from night to morning, and in the end still fail to step onto the national competition stage?" Mizutani Nozomi said with a pitiful look, "You are so capable, you must have a way..."
In fact, when she first approached Haruka Yuzan and Chiba Shimizu, it was with the thought that both were smart and capable, perhaps they could offer some advice. But when she heard from Lady Otome that Haruka Yuzan had an almost divine skill in archery, her thoughts changed.
Directly recruiting Haruka Yuzan into the Archery Club would save so much trouble and effort!
But this guy was always lazy, even if the school forced him to join the student council, he would be 'fishing for three days and drying the nets for two,' rarely doing any actual work.
Not to mention representing Kanagawa in the national competition. But... without Haruka, she really couldn't think of any other way.
Not for her own sake, but even for those kids who have been training hard since early on, she had to try. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel⸺fire.net
"Please help me, Haruka. You have the strength," Mizutani Nozomi pleaded earnestly.
Haruka Yuzan sighed helplessly, "But Teacher Mizutani, even if my archery skills are indeed magnificent and I have the ability to lead them to the national competition, it's not a long-term solution, and besides, archery isn't something where personal ability alone can earn a good ranking..."
Seeing Haruka Yuzan finally soften, a glint of joy appeared in Mizutani Nozomi's eyes. She quickly patted her chest and promised, "Don't worry, Haruka, just leading them to the national competition is enough! And let me tell you something..."
As she spoke these words, Mizutani Nozomi stealthily glanced around, making sure no one was there before she continued, "Let me tell you, the Archery Club is full of beautiful upperclassmen! Once you're in, it'll be like living in luxury!!"
Haruka Yuzan's eyes almost subconsciously lit up, but upon seeing the 'I knew it' look in Mizutani Nozomi's eyes, he quickly cleared his throat and managed his expression, "Ahem, Teacher Mizutani, telling me these things is no use. I'm not that kind of person."
Mizutani Nozomi's expression turned disdainful.
"I didn't know that. The drama of two rich sisters vying for Haruka Yuzan's attention, I subscribe to it daily."
""I don't believe it."
"You! Well then, Teacher Mizutani, go find someone else. I can't do archery."
"Eh, no, wait, Haruka, just kidding, just kidding. Don't take it seriously..."
Seeing Haruka Yuzan about to turn around and leave, Mizutani Nozomi quickly stood up, grabbed Haruka Yuzan's arm, and held him tightly, as if afraid he might run away.
Haruka Yuzan glanced at his own arm and quickly coughed twice to divert attention, "Alright, Teacher Mizutani, I can agree to help you, but I have one condition."
"What condition, treating you to a meal? No problem!!"
Mizutani Nozomi said with shining eyes.
"Treating me is a given, but that's not the condition."
"I want Chiba Shimizu to join the Archery Club with me!"
The evening sun through the window cast its glow on the floor, its soft light bringing a sense of deep relaxation.
There's no place like home.
As soon as he entered, the little figure, along with a large orange cat, came running over. Even when turning the corner, Roast Meat could not stop and slid himself away in a smooth glide.
"Haruka, you're back!"
Misaki Saki was light, not having as big a reaction as Roast Meat, running straight over and attempting to leap onto Haruka Yuzan.
Unfortunately, her lack of athletic ability meant the little one couldn't jump very high; ultimately, Haruka Yuzan himself had to catch her by her little bottom and lift her up,
"Why are you in such a hurry today?"
Before she could answer Haruka Yuzan's question, Misaki Saki already started to sniff vigorously on the boy's body, moving her little nose up and down.
This act tickled Haruka Yuzan.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"Sister Reiko said you met the new tenant today, so I came to smell if her scent has rubbed off on you."
Misaki Saki wriggled her little body with a gossip-fueled face, as if she could really discover some clues on him.
Haruka Yuzan was somewhat speechless, knowing this creature's unexpected enthusiasm was not without ulterior motives; she was waiting here for him.
He plucked the little one off his body and hoisted her into the air.
"Ow, ow, ow, let me go!!"
Ignoring her struggles, Haruka Yuzan carried her under his arm towards the living room.
A delicate girl was sitting on the balcony chair; the evening light gently shone down, surrounding her with an aura that seemed both holy and elegant.
For a moment, Haruka Yuzan was almost mesmerized...
"Hey, hey, hey, stop staring at Shimizu like that, okay? It's impolite, Haruka."
The little one hoisted in mid-air chuckled, and Haruka Yuzan, somewhat speechless, rubbed her little cheek and then set her down on the sofa. He said casually to Chiba Shimizu,
"Shimizu, a significant mission is about to fall from the sky."