Chapter 94: A Rainy Weekend

Chapter 94: Chapter 94: A Rainy WeekendIf the brief moment when the rain slides through the sky is happiness, then joining the earth, drifting with the flow to gather in a puddle, is loss. Although I couldn’t read any anomaly in Sugita Shuhei’s expression, between the lines, he carried an emotion called regret. "Since the Edo Period, our family has had a tradition of archers, and this profession has been inherited through generations. My grandfather was one, my father as well, and as the eldest son, I must carry on this archer legacy." "I’ve been in contact with Kyudo since childhood, studying it till now, and I’ve achieved some accomplishments." "Ourei, being a girl, lives much more freely than I do." Sugita Shuhei glanced at the two girls seated nearby and continued speaking to Uesugi Sakura: "The rest is not worth elaborating on, merely having a strict father who rigorously demands me to study Kyudo, which is quite normal." Uesugi Sakura had heard the story of Senior Sugita stopping at the top ten nationally. Intelligence, rated at 8, began contemplating his so-called personal motivation: "Senior is disappointed at not achieving the top prize in the national competition and needs me to help fulfill this vision?" He lifted the elegant bamboo bow in his right hand. "So you gave me this bamboo bow worth 110,000 yen?" Sugita Shuhei, just about to continue speaking, was interrupted. After patiently listening to him, he calmly asked: "Why do you think that?" "Isn’t that how the plot usually unfolds?" Uesugi Sakura responded with a question. "..." "The dream of Kyudo should not be inherited by others; it’s something to strive for a lifetime." Sugita Shuhei’s expression remained unchanged, continuing to say: "I noticed you weren’t very passionate about Kyudo. Giving you the bamboo bow is to discourage you from giving up this discipline, as it would be a waste of your talent." "..." "I think I’m quite diligent." Though tired, Uesugi Sakura currently had no intention of giving up on practicing Kyudo, and drawing the bow and shooting was still enjoyable. "After basic training, you idle around daily, only shooting two arrows occasionally when relaxing, much laxer than your peers." Uesugi Sakura sensed a hint of disdain in his words. Sugita Shuhei: "Hadn’t it been for your rapid progress in archery, I’d probably drag you to the range and have you shoot two hundred arrows daily before going home." Shooting two hundred arrows would nearly tear the hand apart, and the bow wouldn’t be able to withstand it either, Uesugi Sakura knew Senior was joking. But he still had a question and asked: "What were those things Senior talked about earlier for?" "Participating in the national championship?" Sugita Shuhei explained: "That was to let you know I have experience in this area. You don’t need to worry about participating in the competition, just practice your bow well." He continued to clarify: "Also, my family has a legacy of archers, with ample materials, fine craftsmanship, and stringent quality checks. Rest assured using the bamboo bow I gifted you." "That’s all?" Uesugi Sakura asked the same question as Sugita Ourei. "That’s all." Sugita Shuhei’s answer was the same. "Just like that, gifted something worth 110,000 yen?" "Our family," Senior Sugita said calmly, "does not lack money." "..." Uesugi Sakura understood; his perspective was too narrow, forgetting that this is Chiyoda District. "Compared to the value of this bamboo bow, I more highly regard the value of your talent." Sugita Shuhei walked to the counter and took out a small round box, explaining to Uesugi Sakura, who followed him: "This is wood wax, made with walnut oil, used to preserve the bamboo bow." He also pointed to the deerskin gloves on the other side of the display stand. "The kake needs to be custom-made, and this cost will have to be borne by Uesugi-kun himself." "Understood." Even if one is like a salted fish, they shouldn’t always take things for free. Then Uesugi Sakura asked: "How much will it cost?" "Custom making a kake runs about 20,000 yen," Sugita Shuhei said casually, "I suggest you also buy a few pieces of Kyudo clothes, several hakama pants, as well as books, tabi socks, arrows, Fude-ko, Oshite-kake, Ishi Dzuki, bow bag..." "Senior, stop," Uesugi Sakura quickly waved his hand to stop him, "just tell me how much in total." "Hmm..." Sugita Shuhei thought for a moment, "around 80,000 yen, including tax." Eighty thousand... There’s a very serious problem—insufficient funds. "Hanabi!" Hanamaru Hanabi, who was chatting with Sugita Ourei, suddenly heard Uesugi Sakura calling her from outside. She got up and walked over with even steps, stopping in front of him. She saw the long bamboo bow in his hand and curiously whispered: "What’s up... Sakura-kun?" "Nothing, just~" Uesugi Sakura gave her a very charming smile: "Big brother didn’t bring enough money; little Hanabi, can you, um... lend brother some?" ------------ "83,215.3, sigh, no money, no money." Uesugi Sakura sighed, carrying a large bag in his right hand, suddenly finding the sound of rain hitting the umbrella particularly annoying, "Half of the little treasury is gone these past two days." The bamboo bow is too big, hard to carry on rainy days, so Senior Sugita would personally deliver it to school for him tomorrow. "Sakura-kun... are you in dire need of money...?" Hanamaru Hanabi slowly walked with five wrapped arrows under the umbrella, "Then the money Hanabi lent... Sakura-kun doesn’t have to repay it." "No way." Uesugi Sakura shook his head in refusal. "Sakura-kun used to always treat Hanabi to delicious food..." "When a brother borrows money from his sister, he must repay it." Hanamaru Hanabi remembered her younger self: "Sakura-kun still regards Hanabi as a sister after all..." "What does Hanabi think?" Uesugi Sakura felt like pinching her soft cheek again. "Sakura-kun... has gotten so wicked recently..." Hanamaru Hanabi, noticing his gaze, slightly lowered her head. "Because Hanabi is too adorable, there’s no helping it." "Sakura-kun never used to be this wicked..." Uesugi Sakura shifted the umbrella to the other hand, gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders. The girl’s body, warm, sweet, and comfortable against his chest, prompted him to say softly: "Hanabi, don’t forget we’re now in a romantic relationship." "Romantic... is this how it is?" She did not resist his embrace, lightly leaning against him. "Yes," Uesugi Sakura said gently to her, "a romantic partner can make Sakura-kun become very wicked." "Sakura-kun..." The cool wind stirred the fluttering fine rain, brushing against the ever-shy face of the young girl. Sparse pedestrians on the road, no one noticed the girl secretly snuggling amidst the rainy streets. Mild chill prompted her to shrink a little more into his embrace. The chest... so warm... and reassuring... Hanamaru Hanabi looking up at his nose, eyes bright and clear, in a soft voice: "Sakura-kun as a romantic partner... becomes this wicked..." "Do you hate it?" Uesugi Sakura looked down at the girl in his arms, meeting her lovely gaze, walking slowly. Their eyes met; she bashfully lowered her head again. "I...hate..." Saying the word ’hate’, her heart felt warm and cozy. Uesugi Sakura smiled slightly. Holding her slender shoulders, lightly inhaling her girlish fragrance, his words gently floated upon the ear: "Then... does the hateful Sakura-kun invite little Hanabi to his house this afternoon to play, little Hanabi... will you come?" The girl in his arms, face flushed, heard his voice, her beautiful eyes suddenly felt like closing slowly: "Sa... Sakura-kun..." "Will you come?" The gentle voice rang again, free of impatience and urging. Her light head became lazy under the warmth of his voice. She closed her slightly dreamy eyes, stopped with his steps, softly mumbling: "I will..." Uesugi Sakura looked at the small head nestled in his arms, smiling once more: "Truly... adorable..." He gently wrapped his left arm around her soft, tender form, as they slowly headed home along the cold rain-clad streets.