Under the fierce and intimidating expression of Ayako Mitsuzuri, coupled with the strict policies of the club president, the archery club finally got back on track.
At least, on the surface, it appeared that way. Those who needed to shoot, shot; those responsible for organizing the equipnt did so; and those tasked with changing the targets did just that. As for what the mbers were thinking, Mitsuzuri couldn't care less. However, Shinji noticed more than one person smirking behind her back, and despite glaring at them several tis, he couldn't suppress his amusent.
Mana's shout of Mom followed by little mom had too much impact. As expected of Shinji's most valued disciple.
Given the previous commotion, the pair who had already earned Mitsuzuri's grudge avoided causing further trouble. They sat in the corridor opposite the entrance, snacking, watching the archery practice, and chatting.
"Mana, what are you doing here? Where are your parents?"
"Dad was called back to the family ho by Auntie Azaka, and Mom is handling so business nearby. I rembered Aunt Sakura saying she studied here, so I ca over."
"By yourself?"
"Yeah, by myself."
Mana spoke casually, but Shinji was sweating nervously. Mana was only four years old and had co to an unfamiliar high school alone to find soone—he didn't know whether to praise her bravery or scold her recklessness.
"Aren't your parents worried about you being alone?"
"Nope, Mom dropped off at the school gate and said she'd pick up in half an hour."
From beginning to end, there wasn't a hint of fear on Mana's face, as if she were just playing in her backyard.
"But Dad might get angry. He's always been the worrying type."
"Your dad's reaction is the normal one," Shinji replied, too tired to even make a sarcastic remark.
Mana's bold personality was inherited from her mother. After all, her mother, while still recovering from injuries, had single-handedly taken down Souren Araya. By comparison, Mana wandering into a high school seed like child's play, though, technically, she was just a child.
"That's why I like Dad so much. He's so easy to tease."
Mana's innocent tone as she spoke those devilish words would surely have made Reines proud.
"Future Master, are you the sa?"
"You can try and find out."
Shinji chuckled and patted Mana's little head. Though the gesture seed friendly, it made Mana feel an inexplicable pressure, and she shrank back, murmuring:
"Maybe not... It feels kind of scary."
"Finally feeling scared? Not bad, not bad."
Shinji was quite pleased with her response.
"Being bold is good, but it needs to be backed by reason and strength. A stray dog fighting a wolf is brave; fighting a bear is just foolish. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"I understand. Future Master, Mana will be more careful in the future."
Talking to smart people was always easier, and precocious Mana was undoubtedly one of them.
"Good. Since your mom doesn't control you and your dad can't, let take up the responsibility as your master. I can't let my disciple go astray."
"But Future Master, you're just a future master, not my real master. Aren't you afraid I won't take you as my teacher?"
Facing Mana's probing, Shinji smiled and shook his head.
"Not afraid, because in all of Japan, or even the world, there's no one more suited to being your master than ."
Mana replied childishly, "My master must be very powerful."
"Don't worry, I'm strong enough. There aren't many people in this world stronger than ."
"Stronger than Mom?"
"Stronger than your mom."
"Stronger than Uncle Shiki?"
"Yep, stronger than your Uncle Shiki."
"Aunt Akiha?"
"Sa. If I weren't stronger, how could I be your master?"
Shinji said as he lazily lay back on the ground.
Although his words sounded boastful, Mana didn't doubt him. She had a natural ability to see through people's true nature, which was why she often acted beyond her years.
But even if she believed him, she didn't want to admit defeat just yet. She felt that if she didn't put a dent in her future master's arrogance now, her future as an apprentice would be miserable.
Mana's eyes darted around as she plotted how to knock Shinji down a peg.
Just then, soone on the archery range caught her attention: her little mom, Ayako Mitsuzuri.
Although she was just another mber stepping up to shoot, Mana was completely captivated by her. And she wasn't the only one—the other mbers who weren't shooting were also watching her closely.
Though everyone wore the sa archery uniform and used the sa bows, and their movents followed the sa pattern, Ayako stood out.
Mana didn't understand it yet, but what she was witnessing was the charm of soone who had devoted herself completely to archery, focusing her mind and body. For Ayako, the bow was no longer just a tool; it had beco part of her, which made her presence so striking.
Ayako took a deep breath, raised her hand, drew the bow, nocked the arrow, and released it—all in one fluid, natural motion.
At that mont, she didn't seem like a high school student but a professional archer. This feeling had nothing to do with technique, mystery, power, or age—just pure, wholehearted focus and dedication. That's why Ayako, who had no prior archery experience, was stronger than many who had practiced since childhood.
With such focus, success was inevitable. As the arrow left the bowstring, the result was already clear—the best shot of the day, even better than Sakura's morning record.
"Is Future Master better than little mom?"
After Ayako finished, Mana asked Shinji.
"...That depends on what we're comparing. If it's pure archery, your little mom isn't better than ."
For the first ti, Shinji didn't give a direct answer. He thought for a mont before speaking. The unspoken implication was that if they were comparing focus, he might not asure up. This had always been his weak point.
He thought it was impossible to have both skill and focus, yet here he was, witnessing sothing different in Ayako Mitsuzuri, a seemingly ordinary girl from a martial arts family—one who was truly proficient in everything she did. It made him question if he had been walking down the wrong path all along.
Sighing, he once again missed Scathach A teacher's role was to teach and guide, but in Scathach's case, she had handled the first two with her inheritance crystals. As for the third, not even her vast powers could help. No one knew what kind of dilemmas their disciples might face.
anwhile, Mana had fallen silent, intently watching Ayako's archery.
But that silence was only temporary. As the sky darkened and the club activities wrapped up, with mbers gradually leaving, only Ayako, who stayed to practice a bit more, and Sakura, who managed the equipnt, remained. At that mont, Mana suddenly tugged Shinji towards Ayako.
"Little mom, little mom—why don't you compete with my future master?"
Ayako, Shinji, and Sakura all froze in unison and blurted out:
"Huh?"
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