Newcomer Tournament Venue
Shizuku
(Don't worry...
Just calm yourself and focus...)
Just calm yourself and focus...)
Shizuku
(Focus only on this shot...!)
Shizuku
It hit...!
First Years
Yeah!
Nice shot, Hinomori!
Nice shot, Hinomori!
Second Years
Yeah, nice one! You've improved so much!
Shizuku
(I'm so glad that I practiced so much. I finally feel like a member of this club now...)
Shizuku
(And I have Asahina to thank.)
Archery Club Captain
Oh, Asahina's up next!
Shizuku
You can do it, Asahina...!
Shizuku
*Gasp*
She hit the bullseye...!
She hit the bullseye...!
Archery Club Captain
She's so focused, and her accuracy is remarkable... She might be in the running to win it all.
Shizuku
What? She has a chance to win...?!
Shizuku
(I believe in you, Asahina...!)
MC
That concludes the award ceremony.
Second Years
Man, Asahina, you were so close!
Archery Club Captain
Fourth place is more than respectable!
It's hard to believe that you were just a novice not too long ago.
It's hard to believe that you were just a novice not too long ago.
First Years
Does this mean Asahina's in line to become the next captain?
Archery Club Captain
Whoa, slow down. I'm standing right here...
Shizuku
Hehe...
Shizuku
(Still, Asahina was so cool today.)
Shizuku
(Despite this being her very first tournament, she produced incredible results...)
Shizuku
(She says that she isn't perfect, but...)
First Years
Wait a second. I haven't seen Asahina at all since the award ceremony ended...
Second Years
She said she needed to use the restroom, but it's been quite some time now. We need to start heading out soon...
Shizuku
Oh, then...
I'll try finding her.
I'll try finding her.
Archery Club Captain
You will?
Thanks, Hinomori!
Thanks, Hinomori!
Changing Room
Shizuku
(I was hoping to find her here since she didn't seem to be in the restroom...)
Shizuku
(But I'm not seeing anyone.
I suppose it's because the award ceremony just ended.)
I suppose it's because the award ceremony just ended.)
Shizuku
Oh, Asahina...
Shizuku
(Huh...?)
Mafuyu
Oh, Hinomori, what are you doing here?
Shizuku
I, um... We need to head out soon, so I came to let you know.
Mafuyu
Oh, it's already time...? I'm sorry. I felt somewhat tired, so I decided to take a quick break.
Shizuku
Yes, I understand.
The final round must've been very tense since it got so close...
The final round must've been very tense since it got so close...
Mafuyu
Yes, it was.
My heart raced the entire time since I was competing against experienced archers.
My heart raced the entire time since I was competing against experienced archers.
Mafuyu
But I feel much better now.
Let's return to where the others are, shall we?
Let's return to where the others are, shall we?
Shizuku
Yes, let's...
Shizuku
(She must've been more tired than I realized...)
One month later
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy - Archery Range
Archery Club Captain
Alright, let's wrap up practice here today!
It's chilly out, so try to stay warm, everyone!
It's chilly out, so try to stay warm, everyone!
Shizuku & Mafuyu
Thank you! We will!
Shizuku
*Sigh*
I need to get ready...
I need to get ready...
Mafuyu
Oh, Hinomori, do you have work after this?
Shizuku
Yes, I do.
I apologize for not being able to help clean up...
I apologize for not being able to help clean up...
Mafuyu
That's okay.
You always do more than enough when you are available, so I wouldn't worry too much.
You always do more than enough when you are available, so I wouldn't worry too much.
Mafuyu
Oh, the weather forecast said that it might snow today, so please be careful, Hinomori.
Shizuku
Yes, I will.
Thank you, Asahina.
Thank you, Asahina.
Shizuku
It took longer than expected to change. I need to hurry...
Shizuku
My manager's calling?
Hello, this is Hinomori.
Hello, this is Hinomori.
Shizuku
Oh, the interviewer came down with a cold...? That's terrible...
Shizuku
So, today's interview is going to be postponed? Understood. Thank you for letting me know.
Shizuku
That means I don't have work today...
Hm...?
Hm...?
Shizuku
Oh, it's snowing... It's so beautiful.
Shizuku
Achoo...
And so cold.
And so cold.
Shizuku
(Oh, that's right.
I asked Asahina to clean up in my place. If I go back now, I might still be able to lend her a hand.)
I asked Asahina to clean up in my place. If I go back now, I might still be able to lend her a hand.)
Shizuku
(I wouldn't want her to catch a cold since the archery range is exposed to the open air.)
Shizuku
So, I should go help.
Shizuku
(Oh, it's so quiet...)
Shizuku
(Did everyone already go home...?
But the door was unlocked...)
But the door was unlocked...)
Shizuku
Wait, that sound...
Shizuku
Asahina...
Shizuku
(Asahina...?)
Shizuku
(That's all four...!
And no misses...!)
And no misses...!)
Shizuku
(That's incredible...
But at the same time...)
But at the same time...)
Shizuku
(It's a bit scary...)
Shizuku
(And she seems to be mumbling something to herself...)
Mafuyu
I have to...
Mafuyu
I have to hurry and...
Shizuku
(I can't quite make out what she's saying...)
Shizuku
(It's as if she's an entirely different person...)
Mafuyu
Whenever that happens, it can feel like the walls are closing in on you, and you hate everything...
Mafuyu
However, I think you'll be fine now that you've learned to calm your mind.
Mafuyu
I have a feeling that you'll be able to push much further ahead now.
Shizuku
(By calming yourself...)
Shizuku
(But she's already very good at that...
And yet, it's almost as if...)
And yet, it's almost as if...)
Mafuyu
I'm not perfect...
Shizuku
(Oh...)
Shizuku
(Does this mean something's bothering her?)
Shizuku
(Something so significant that not even her calming technique will help...)
Mafuyu
...!
Who's there?
Who's there?
Shizuku
*Gasp*
Um, it's...
Um, it's...
Shizuku
It's me, Asahina...
My appointment for today got canceled, so I was wondering if I could help clean up...
My appointment for today got canceled, so I was wondering if I could help clean up...
Mafuyu
Oh, I see...
Thank you for coming back.
Thank you for coming back.
Mafuyu
Unfortunately, I've already finished cleaning everything up, which is why I was practicing on my own.
Shizuku
Yes, I see...
Shizuku
Um, Asahina...
Mafuyu
Hm? Yes?
Shizuku
Oh...
Mafuyu
Did something happen at work...?
Are you not feeling well by chance...?
Are you not feeling well by chance...?
Shizuku
N-No, I feel fine!
It's just...
It's just...
Shizuku
(She's back to being her usual self...)
Shizuku
(Did I imagine what I saw just now...?)
KAITO
<So, what happened after that...?>
Shizuku
Nothing of particular note...
Shizuku
Asahina did take a few days off here and there after that, but she seemed like her usual self...
Shizuku
So I began to believe I had imagined what I saw that day...
Shizuku
Then, I became so busy with work that I didn't have much time to think about it...
Shizuku
However, what I saw today...
That expression was so similar to the one she had back then. It really seemed like something was bothering her...
That expression was so similar to the one she had back then. It really seemed like something was bothering her...
Miku
<Hmm... What could be bothering her so much...?>
Shizuku
I can't say...
But...
But...
Shizuku
If something really is bothering her right now...
Shizuku
I'd like to help.
KAITO
<Why not tell her that...?>
Shizuku
What?
KAITO
<If you do wish to help her, it might be good to actually say that.>
Shizuku
B-But... What if saying that makes her feel uncomfortable...?
KAITO
<I don't think she will.>
KAITO
<It should be no different from what you've been doing until now.>
Shizuku
What I've been doing until now...?
KAITO
<Yes. You've been telling others that you're there for them.>
KAITO
<There's no way for idols to know exactly what their fans are feeling or going through, but you can tell them that they have your support...>
KAITO
<That sort of kindness can do wonders for a person in need.>
Shizuku
My kindness can help them...?
Miku
<Hehe. You always seem to know exactly what to say, KAITO!>
KAITO
<Hm? I do?
I was just stating what came to mind...>
I was just stating what came to mind...>
Shizuku
Thank you very much, KAITO...
Shizuku
I'll do my best to tell Asahina that I want to help and that I'm there for her.
Next Chapter: To Get My Message Across