Chapter 119: For Uesugi, effort is also a part of slacking off

Chapter 119: Chapter 119: For Uesugi, effort is also a part of slacking offKyudo is divided into the Martial Archery System and the Ritual Shooting System. Ritual shooting emphasizes elegance in movements and posture. Martial archery emphasizes force and the accuracy of shooting. Sugita Shuhei belongs to the Ogasawara Style within the Ritual Shooting System, one of the main modern styles. Uesugi Sakura doesn’t know what style she belongs to, but based on the Kyudo Club’s learning, it can be considered the Ogasawara Style. Just because of accuracy, many movements have slight differences. As Sugita Shuhei would say:—Just like each bowstring sound differs, everyone has their own characteristics; a style is just a category, not important for individuals. The clear sound of the string follows the creaking of the drawn bow, melodious and pleasant to the ear. The members of the Kyudo Club are all practicing hard, and even the usually lazy Uesugi Sakura is no exception. Chitose Mai stands at the corner of the shooting range, recording the results of two rounds of shooting on the clipboard. 〇〇〇〇|〇〇〇〇—Uesugi 〇Ｘ〇Ｘ|〇ＸＸ〇—Sugai 〇〇〇Ｘ|〇Ｘ〇Ｘ—Seisuke 〇ＸＸＸ|〇ＸＸ〇—Hirata 〇〇〇〇|〇〇〇〇—Sugita 〇 means a hit, X means a miss. Forty arrows, twenty-eight hits—this had already been considered an excellent score in previous district competitions. "Sigh, dragging the team down again." Hirata Masanobu sighed, slumping his shoulders, "Am I lazy in practice? No, I’ve been trying hard." Kanai Hideyoshi glanced at the bow in his hand, "I always feel my arrows veer to the left, my technique and timing control is not good." "Actually, we’re all quite similar in strength; no need to be too discouraged." Seisuke Yooya could feel both of them were a bit disheartened. "With Uesugi and Sugita backing the preliminaries, we still have ample training time." "Yeah, both seniors are really great," said Chitose Mai, pasting the score sheets on the wall. Uesugi Sakura and Sugita Shuhei have very stable performances, rarely missing. Sakurai Fumiko walked over and asked, "By the way, why doesn’t Uesugi join the individual competition?" "No money prize." Uesugi Sakura replied succinctly. He had looked into it; this year’s district competition only offers prize money for the team event. The individual competition only offers medals and certificates. The rest of the Kyudo Club members wouldn’t say much upon hearing Uesugi Sakura’s words. Since they chose to participate, naturally, it’s to gain something from it. Growth, honor, experience, achievement... these are all purposes. They wouldn’t foolishly say something like, "A true Kyudo practitioner doesn’t care about prize money but only about the elevation of the heart." The pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty, the pursuit of victory and honor, ultimately leads to Seisha Hicchu. A week of intense training begins with a new round of shooting by Uesugi Sakura. —————— Mizuki Private High School. Compared to Kamigoe, Mizuki High School’s sports culture is more deeply rooted. Basketball, soccer, baseball, Sword Dao, Kyudo—many different events, big and small, can see their presence. Unlike Kamigoe’s Kyudo Club, Mizuki’s people value results and status more. In the Kyudo Club of more than 110 members, most do not have the chance to stand on the dojo’s shooting range. Freshmen can only fetch arrows, pull rubber bands, and stand in the corner watching the seniors draw bows, taking on some running errands. At this moment, all members from three grades of Mizuki Kyudo Club gathered here. The somewhat crowded dojo is very quiet. "Adviser Ikemoto, which opponents should we pay attention to in this competition?" The elderly Ikemoto sat on a small wooden stool, his gray temples mixed with inconspicuous black, and his voice was deep as he answered: "Sagami High School, Kaijo High School, and Tokyo No. 10 High School... just these few." He is the adviser of the Mizuki High School Kyudo Club. On the wide and bright shooting range, a man with an elegant air put down his bamboo bow and asked back, "Kanzaki Togoshi?" "That Kyudo genius didn’t participate in the individual competition this year." Adviser Ikemoto’s wrinkled face broke into a smile, knowing who he was asking about, "Participating in the team competition?" the man pursued further. Adviser Ikemoto nodded: "In Kamigoe, only that one person stands out. Last year, their Kyudo Club had several strong individuals, but they all graduated." Speaking, the old adviser stood up, straightening his bent back. "I have seen their participant list, apart from Sugita Shuhei, there’s nothing noteworthy, not to mention even a novice is participating." "A novice? That means someone who’s only trained a month of archery?" Shimokawa Binro’s frivolous face couldn’t contain his laughter, "Hahaha, can’t they find anyone to compete in both grades?" At his unrestrained laughter, Yagi Ruijin, who was sitting up straight, couldn’t help but glance at him: "What about the etiquette of Kyudo?" "Was I being excessive?" Shimokawa Binro smiled and asked rhetorically. "Learning to respect your opponents is the most basic attitude for a Kyudo practitioner, isn’t it?" Yagi Ruijin felt displeased, frowning tightly. "That’s a rule for your Ritual Shooting System, but I’m from the Martial Archery System." The eternal smile seemed permanently attached to his face. "No matter the system, etiquette is necessary!" Yagi Ruijin declared righteously. Shimokawa Binro showed indifference: "Being accurate is all that matters, isn’t it? Look, as a freshman, I can compete alongside you seniors, doesn’t that prove the point?" "Too arrogant! That’s why you’re stuck at one dan!" "Haha," Shimokawa Binro’s mouth curled up, a light chuckle escaping, "Ranks don’t really matter; having the skills to prove oneself is enough." He pointed to the elegant man at the shooting range. "Isn’t Fuya Nanori like that?" The graceful Fuya Nanori seemed accustomed to their bickering, remaining silent, showing no intent to engage. "Can you compare yourself to Nanori? Overestimating yourself, aren’t you?" Yagi Ruijin grew increasingly annoyed with the guy. "What’s the problem? I’m at the same level as you, Yagi," Shimokawa Binro replied casually. Adviser Ikemoto frowned and raised his voice: "Alright, Ruijin, Binro, quiet down! Is today’s training over? Can you score ten hits out of ten like Nanori?" To Yagi Ruijin, this comment seemed to favor Shimokawa Binro. But he understood the old adviser didn’t want such meaningless internal conflict to continue. Glaring at Shimokawa Binro’s smiling face, Yagi Ruijin had no choice but to pick up his longbow and silently head to the shooting range. Adviser Ikemoto sighed, shaking his head, turning back to the assembled members in the dojo. He calmed his breath and said loudly: "Alright! Continue selecting the remaining participants for the competition, no matter the grade, if you have experience, everyone has a chance!" "Yes!" "Yes..." Unlike the upper grades, most of the lower grade students replied in softer tones. After all, schools with middle school Kyudo clubs are very rare, and those who’ve just joined and only learned how to pull rubber bands have no experience, let alone compete.