Under the ferocious expression of Ayako Mizutsu and the high-pressure policy of the minister's privileges, the Kyudo Club finally got back on track.
At least that's what it looked like on the surface. Those who needed to shoot arrows were shooting arrows, those who needed to organize their equipment were organizing their equipment, and those who needed to change targets were changing targets. As for what the members thought, Mizutsu couldn't care less. Anyway, Shinji saw more than one person laughing behind his back, and even after being glared at several times, he couldn't help it.
Mina's call of "Mom" and later "Stepmother" were so powerful that she was worthy of being Shinji's number one disciple.
In view of the considerable disturbance that had occurred previously, the master and disciple, who had already been "hated" by Meizhui, did not continue to cause trouble. Instead, they sat on the corridor opposite the entrance, eating snacks, watching archery and chatting.
"Weina, you guys came here, where are your parents?"
"My father was called back to his hometown by Auntie Flowers, and my mother went to work nearby. I remembered Auntie Ying said she was studying here, so I came here."
"Are you alone?"
"Well, I'm alone."
Mina said it lightly, but Shinji broke out in a cold sweat. Mina was only four years old, and she ran to a strange high school to find someone alone - I really don't know whether to praise her for her courage or scold her for being reckless.
"Isn't your mother worried about you being alone?"
"Don't worry, my mom sent me to the school gate and said she would pick me up in half an hour."
From beginning to end, there was not a trace of fear on Mina's face, as if she was playing in her own garden.
"But Dad will probably be angry if he finds out. He is such a worrier."
"Your father's reaction is a normal person's reaction." Shinji couldn't help but complain.
Mina's daring character is completely inherited from his mother. Back then, even though Shiki's internal injuries had not healed, he still picked up a knife and chopped Araya Soren to death by himself. In comparison, Mina's solo entry into a high school campus is just child's play, although Mina is just a child.
"So Mina really likes her dad. A dad like this is easy to bully."
Mina spoke devil-like words in an innocent tone. If Lanis saw it, she would definitely find it very kind.
"Future Master, are you also such a person?"
"You can give it a try."
Shinji chuckled and patted Mina's head. This seemingly kind and intimate action made Mina feel an inexplicable pressure. Mina couldn't help shrinking her neck and whispered:
"Forget it, it feels so scary."
"Are you scared now? Not bad, not bad." Shinji was very satisfied with Mina's reaction. "Being brave is a good thing, but it must be based on reason and strength. A dog fighting a wolf is brave, but fighting a bear is stupid. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand, future master. I will be more careful next time."
Talking to smart people is worry-free, and the precocious Wei Na is undoubtedly a smart person.
"Very good. Your mother doesn't care about you, and your father can't control you. Then let me take on the responsibility of a master. I can't let my disciples go astray."
"But the future master is only a future master, not a real master. Aren't you afraid that I won't accept you as my disciple?"
Faced with Mina's temptation, Shinji smiled and shook his head.
"Don't be afraid, because there is no one in Japan or even in the world who is more suitable for you to be your master than me."
Mina said childishly: "Mina's master must be very powerful."
"Don't worry, I'm strong enough. There are few people in this world who are stronger than me."
"More powerful than mom?"
"Better than your mother."
"More powerful than Uncle Shiki?"
"Yeah, better than your uncle Shiki."
"Where's Aunt Qiuye?"
"It's all the same. If I'm not better than them, how can I be Mina's teacher?" Shinji said, lying lazily on the ground.
It sounds like bragging, but Mina has no doubts. She was born with a power that can see through a person's true nature, which is why she often does things that are not in line with her age.
But believing it doesn't mean she is willing to give in. If she doesn't put down the arrogance of her future master, she always feels that her future apprentice life will be very "miserable".
Mina rolled her eyes, thinking about how to attack Shinji.
At this time, a person who appeared on the archery range caught her attention. It was her "stepmother" Ayako Mizue.
Although she was on the stage with other members, Mina's attention was completely attracted by her. Not only her, but also the other members who did not go on the stage.
Although everyone wore the same Kyudo uniform, used the same bow and arrow, and even the movements were the same, it looked different on Meizhui.
The young Mina didn't know that it was the charm of devoting herself to the bow and arrow without distraction. The bow and arrow were no longer just tools to her, but a part of her body, so it was so shocking.
Meizhui took a deep breath, raised her hand, drew the bow, put the arrow on it, and shot. The whole movement was extremely natural, like flowing water.
At that moment, she looked not like a high school student, but like a professional archer. This feeling had nothing to do with skills, mystery, strength, or age, but was simply a pure concentration and dedication. This was also the reason why Ayako Mizutsu had no archery skills, but was stronger than many archers who had practiced archery since childhood.
With such concentration, it was impossible not to achieve a bad result. The moment the arrow left the bowstring, the result was already in suspense - the best result of the day was even better than Ying's record in the morning.
"Is she more powerful than her stepmother?"
After Mizutsu died, Mina asked Shinji.
"... That depends on how we compare. If we compare archery alone, your stepmother is no match for me."
For the first time, Shinji did not answer directly, but thought for a while before speaking. The subtext was that if it was a competition of concentration, he might not be able to do it, and this aspect has always been his weakness.
I thought I couldn't have both, but unexpectedly I saw a different view in Ayako Mizutsugi, an ordinary daughter of a samurai family - she was also proficient in all kinds of martial arts, really proficient. It seems that I have taken the wrong path again
Alas, every time I encounter this kind of situation, I miss my master all the more. A teacher teaches and solves problems. Scathach solved the first two with the "Crystal of Inheritance", but the last one could not be solved even with her extraordinary means. No one knows what kind of confusion their disciples will encounter.
On the other side, Mina also calmed down and watched Meizhu shooting arrows intently.
But this silence was only temporary. When it was getting dark, the club activities ended, and the members left one after another, leaving only Mizuki who wanted to practice a little longer and Sakura who was in charge of the equipment, Mina suddenly dragged Shinji towards Mizuki.
"Little mother, little mother—you compete with your future master."
The red-haired Meizhu, the blue-haired Shinji, and the purple-haired Sakura were all startled at the same time, and uttered in unison—
"Clam?"