Kyudo emphasizes the posture, conduct and attitude of archery.
That's right, when two people follow the eight steps of archery and enter the concentrated state with the bowstring fully drawn, it is very pleasing to the eye, especially when coupled with the fact that the man is talented and the woman is pretty.
“Snap! Snap!”
“Knock! Knock!”
The two people's archery was very synchronized.
It feels good to do something with the people you love, and always hit the bull's eye.
The corners of Shifengyuan's future mouth couldn't stop rising.
Smiles are contagious, and Kurosawa Hikaru was the same when he noticed her good mood.
Happy moments are very short, because when you are immersed in them, time passes by unknowingly.
"Miss, it's time."
At 5:30 in the afternoon, Sayaka Akai looked at her watch and walked up.
Archery is very tiring because you have to use all your strength to shoot each arrow.
"Okay, I'll change my clothes first."
Shifengyuan Mirai was resting by the wall. He nodded and stood up.
When Kurosawa Hikaru saw this scene, he did not follow, after all, the locker rooms were separated by gender.
Not long after, Shifengyuan Mirai came out of the locker room.
Unlike the heroic look in the hakama, she changed into a simple long dress. Her long black hair cascaded down her back. She had a slender and tall figure. She was carrying a black designer bag in her hand and wearing a pair of pure white socks that covered her ankles. She looked very cute.
Dressed like this, her temperament returned to that of a cool and elegant young lady.
As for Sayaka Akai, she followed behind her, carrying a bag in her hand and a two-meter-long pole wrapped in cloth on her back, which was a Japanese bow.
"Dear brothers and sisters, I will go back after saying goodbye to the teacher in the future."
When Shifengyuan Mirai reached the middle of the venue, he turned around and faced everyone in the venue, bowing slightly.
Her voice was pleasant, cool and clear.
Seeing that she was leaving, everyone was used to it and waved goodbye.
"Are you going back?"
Just then, Sato Shinichi arrived at the dojo.
"Teacher, I will come back next Sunday to receive your guidance."
Noticing that he appeared without her having to go find him, Shifengyuan Mirai nodded slightly and said.
"Bon Voyage."
Sato Shinichi stood with his arms folded and nodded.
"Kurosawa, this is my cell phone number."
After the formal farewell, Shifengyuan Mirai did not leave, but walked up to Kurosawa Hikaru, stuffed a note into his hand, and whispered.
"Isn't it Line?" Kurosawa Hikaru took a look and was a little surprised.
"My mother doesn't allow me to download this kind of software." Shifengyuan Mirai shook his head slightly.
"It's so strict." Kurosawa Mitsuru couldn't help but sigh.
Shifengyuan Mirai did not comment on this. She turned her head to look at Akai Sayaka, then stood on tiptoe to get close to him, put her mouth close to his ear, and whispered:
"Also, I absolutely won't accept three people doing that kind of thing together. Turning a blind eye to your philandering is the limit."
"Okay." These whispered words cheered up Kurosawa Mitsuru and he nodded.
In fact, he hasn't even thought about this level yet, after all, there is still a long way to go.
"goodbye."
After reaching a consensus, Shifengyuan Mirai waved his hand and bowed slightly.
"goodbye."
Seeing her say goodbye so formally, Kurosawa Mitsuru was also affected and bowed slightly.
After saying that, she turned and walked towards Sayaka Akai, and then they walked towards the door together.
Watching the master and servant leave, the time of parting has come. Kurosawa Mitsuru said nothing, feeling very emotional and a little reluctant.
It must be said that although today's date was restricted in many ways, the spiritual communication made him understand Shifengyuan's future better.
Come to think of it, a similar situation had happened to him on the first day he met Yuki.
In contrast, he had never had a heart-to-heart talk with Miss Ninomiya or talked about the past.
"Aren't you going together?"
After watching the two people leave, Shinichi Sato came to Kurosawa Mitsuru's side.
"Because I want to talk to you."
Kurosawa Mitsuru shook his head and said as he looked at the old man who was old but still had an extraordinary aura.
There are still many things he doesn't know about Kyudo, and if he wants to gain the approval of Shifengyuan's future grandfather, he needs his help.
"Okay, let's go to the tea room."
Seeing that he was willing to stay and chat with him, Sato Shinichi's serious face immediately showed a smile, showing his extreme welcome.
"Let's go together, Uesugi-sensei."
Kurosawa Hikaru nodded and then looked away.
"Next time, it's a bit late, and my wife and daughter are waiting for me to go back for dinner." However, Uesugi Masaki did not agree and explained.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, I said goodbye to him.
After leaving the dojo, Kurosawa Mitsuru and Sato Shinichi walked along the wooden corridor of the mansion and came to a tea room with tatami mats.
As I sat down, a young woman in kimono soon knelt in front of the door and opened it.
"Excuse me."
Then, she came in with a set of tea sets and made tea for the two of them.
"You're welcome. Take a seat. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. But after you finish asking, it will be my turn."
Shinichi Sato sat very casually, standing on one knee. Although there was an age difference between them, his attitude was as if he treated Kurosawa Mitsuru as a peer.
"I want to be a vanshi, what should I do?"
Kurosawa sat down with his legs crossed and went straight to the point.
"Have you made up your mind?"
Seeing his attitude, Sato Shinichi was somewhat happy.
"Yes, if possible, I want to become a vanshi in a few years."
Kurosawa Hikaru nodded, very concerned about the four-year deadline.
Maybe life is still long, but some things wait for no one.
"Actually, you don't have to be so anxious. There's no rush."
Noticing that he wanted to be a fan right from the start, and within a few years, Sato Shinichi comforted him.
Kyudo is the most elegant martial art. It is not about fighting with others, but competing with yourself. You must be immersed and restrained, and not be impatient.
Although this young man has extraordinary skills in Kyudo, his mentality is not well-trained and he gets anxious when encountering problems, but this is normal for a young man.
“It’s a big deal.”
Kurosawa Hikaru is not an impatient person, so he explained.
"Do you know anything about the grading of martial arts?"
Sato Shinichi was aware of his situation, but he remained calm.
"not much."
Kurosawa Hikaru doesn't know much about these things.
Sato Shinichi was not surprised by this, because he had talked with Uesugi 6th Dan, and he immediately began to explain:
"Kyudo is like other martial arts. It has grades one to five and ranks from the first to the tenth. Above that, there are the trainers, priests, and the highest title, the fanshi.
To be given the title of a trainer, one must be at least 6th dan in Kyudo, make Kyudo known to the public, attend classes, receive a certificate of completion, and demonstrate knowledge of bow form, judging methods, and instruction methods, practical skills, recognized abilities, and a paper written by one’s own hand that defines the principles of Kyudo.”
“So complicated?”
Kurosawa Hikaru didn't expect that he would have to publish a paper to be awarded the title.
"It is more difficult to upgrade from a trainee to a priest. One needs to be rated as a trainee for five years, with personality, skills, knowledge, experience, and excellent guidance ability. At this level, one can officially open his own dojo."
"I don't have that much time."
When Kurosawa Mitsuru heard the five years, he frowned.
"Normally, according to the rules, it takes at least fifteen years to be rated as a Fanshi."
"Are there any special cases?"
Kurosawa Mitsuru was shocked. He didn't expect Fan Shi's request to be so harsh. He suddenly realized how powerful the old man in front of him was.
"Not at the moment, but it may be possible. Rules can be broken." The corners of Sato Shinichi's mouth rose slightly, and his old eyes looked at the young man with light in them.
"What should I do?"
"Actually, you don't have to care too much about the title of Fanshi. With your strength and potential, it's just a matter of time. As for the issue you care about, as long as you show enough potential, I think it will be enough for you to get what you want."
"What's the meaning?"
"You don't have to be a Fanshi to be recognized. Potential and strength can also do it. Just like today, I don't need to say much. You only shot two arrows and convinced my students."
"You mean to say..."
Hearing this, Kurosawa Mitsuru was moved and felt something.
"I will bring my old friend to watch the finals of the Kyudo Tournament during the summer vacation. You must perform well then."
Sato Shin nodded, confirming his guess, and said with a smile.
"Is it that simple?"
"It's not that simple, but I can help you with many things."
"Why are you helping me like this?"
Kurosawa Hikaru was a little surprised and didn't quite understand.
You know, Japan has a very cold social ecology, and it is normal for everyone to mind their own business.
Moreover, when he first came to the dojo, he offended Sato Kyudan. Although they later reconciled, it was really unacceptable for the other party to help him like this.
"Appreciate talent? That's a bit arrogant. I should say I look forward to it and dote on it."
"Expectation and pampering?"
Kurosawa Hikaru felt that this sentence was quite contradictory and strange... Pampering, isn't this more arrogant than cherishing talent
"Your talent is extremely rare. I really want to see how far you can go on the road of archery. As for those thorns and obstacles, I will help you clear them away. Doting on her is for the future. I am not afraid to be embarrassed to say that I treat her as a half-granddaughter. I hope she can be happy."
Seeing his expression, Sato Shinichi added.
After living for so many years, he could tell at a glance that the future child really liked Kurosawa Hikaru.
Since they are not a mismatch, but a perfect match, why wouldn't he support them
"I see."
Only then did Kurosawa Hikaru understand that the favor he was talking about was Shifengyuan Mirai, not himself.
"Back to the question of the Fanshi, those who have made outstanding contributions often receive special treatment. If you can establish a school, make a name for Kyudo, pave the way for Kyudo, and win honor for Kyudo, and if I join forces with other Fanshi, I may be able to get special treatment."
"Just a possibility?"
"It may not be realistic to become a vanshi in a few years, but I can help you become a priest and let you open a dojo."
"Can we not open the dojo?"
Kurosawa Hikaru realized that all he had to do was perform well in the competition, and immediately wanted to save himself some trouble.
"Why don't you open a dojo? Opening a dojo is very profitable." Sato Shinichi didn't expect him to react like this. He was stunned for a moment and decided to talk about reality.
“How much money do you make?”
Kurosawa Hikaru didn't understand this.
"I have 231 students, and the number of disciples of the Zhuifeng Dojo is as high as 2,000, scattered all over the country. Among the dozen or so students you met today, several are executives of listed companies, politicians, and even presidents. Just from the donations from students to the dojo, guess how much they donate each year?"
“I don’t know.”
"1.5 billion, this is just their donation, not including the various authorized stores under the name of Zhuifeng Dojo." Seeing that he didn't understand, Sato Shin curled his lips and said.
"Is Kyudo so profitable?" Kurosawa Mitsuru was a little surprised.
Although the denomination of the Japanese yen is relatively large, 1.5 billion is not a small amount.
"Money is just a thing outside of oneself. What matters is status and reputation."
Sato Shinichi was not lying, because Kyudo, as the most elegant martial art, has long since developed into an aristocratic sport and there is no shortage of money.