...!

Wow! Again, no misses!

You're a total pro now, Asahina!

I have you and the others to thank.

Hehe. I never realized how good it'd feel when your arrow goes where you want it to.

I know, right?!

I think all of us remember the first time we hit the target.

(Asahina's so incredible...

That means I also need to...!)

H-Huh?

My arrow fell...

Oh, you dropped your arrow.

Don't worry. That happened to me a lot when I was first starting out.

Try relaxing a bit.

It tends to happen when you grip your draw hand a little too tightly.

O-Okay!

My draw hand... That's my right hand... Relax a bit and...

Oh no. It happened again...

Hey, I hit it!

Me too!

It's my first ever!

(Oh...

The other first years are starting to show signs of improvement...)

Hehe. It's normal to feel a little anxious with the newcomer tournament coming up and all, but it's okay. These things happen when you're just starting to learn.

I know you're also busy as an idol, Hinomori, so let's just take it one step at a time!

Okay...

What?

You're changing agencies?

Yup! So, a lot happened and I put in my papers yesterday...

B-But why...?!

As far as I could tell, things have been going very well for you recently.

Yeah...

It was nice to hear that our viewers liked seeing me...

But it's not the kind of success I was looking for... As a result, I got into a big argument with my manager and the agency CEO...

What do you mean? Not the kind of success you were looking for...?

Oh, don't worry about that. I should be fine from here on out...!

I put a lot of thought into it and decided that I need to change agencies in order to succeed in the way I actually want. So, again, I'll be fine.

I see...

I still have some questions, but you have my support, Airi. I agree that you should do as your heart says...

However, it is sad to see you leave our agency...

Hehe. That makes us rivals now. Watch out cause I'm not pulling any punches!

Right...

Let's both do our best.

...zuku! Shizuku...!

Huh? Y-Yes!

What is it?

You're the only one who still hasn't put on their outfit, right? Is everything okay? You seem preoccupied.

Uh, no!

I'm okay!

Well, if you say so...

The show's about to start, so I need to get going...

(What am I doing...?)

(I made the decision to do my best as an idol, at school and at club.)

(But I've been having so much trouble that I've needed to rely on others just to get by...)

(And worst of all... I couldn't see what Airi was going through...)

I need to do better...

For the sake of our fans, I need to be perfect. I have to do my absolute best...

Another miss...

(I've learned to actually shoot arrows, but I'm yet to hit the target...)

(At this rate, I won't be able to do anything meaningful during the newcomer tournament...)

(The other girls from my year are showing clear signs of improvement, while I...)

(It's only natural for a skill gap to develop since I can't attend every day...)

(But I'm also having trouble as an idol.)

(Nothing has been going well despite how hard I've been trying... I couldn't even help Airi...)

Wh-What am I doing...?

(I know it was recommended to me, but continuing with archery isn't a good idea...)

(In this state, I'm only going to become a burden to the other club members.)

(Once the tournament is over, I'll...)

Hm? Hinomori...?

Huh? A-Asahina...!

Hello.

Were you practicing by yourself?

Y-Yes.

Are you here to do the same...?

Yes, since we have that tournament coming up. I've been coming to practice in the morning for about a month now.

Still, Hinomori, I'm impressed by how you've been balancing being both an idol and a member of this club.

No, you give me too much credit...

I've yet to hit the target even once, so I'd like to learn how to at least hit it before the tournament...

Hehe. That's exactly why I'm so impressed by you.

You're doing your very best to overcome the obstacle that's in front of you.

I am...?

(Yes, I suppose she's right...)

(But Asahina's been practicing when no one else is around...)

(Compared to me, she's much more...)

Is something the matter, Hinomori...?

Oh, uh... N-No...

It's just...

You're such an incredible person, Asahina...

Huh?

You're such a good archer and a wonderful person... I am trying my best like you said, but I'm struggling to produce results.

Because of that...

I've been causing everyone around me so much trouble.

Why...? Why can't I be more perfect like you, Asahina...?

I'm not perfect...

Far from it. That's why I'm here.

What?

Taking up archery made me realize something. This place... It calms me.

It calms you...?

Yes.

I believe this is a place where you have no choice but to clear your mind of all other thoughts.

If your mind wanders at all... If you're not fully focused on your arrow... It won't hit the target.

So, I set everything aside when I'm here... School, my friends, all of it...

Focusing only on shooting has this way of calming me...

I have a feeling that you'll be able to move forward if you learn to do that...

(Set everything aside...and calm my mind...)

(Yes, she may be right...)

(I've been so focused on “being perfect” that I let it get to me.)

(I need to simplify things...

I need to temporarily set all of my worries aside...)

(Then, I might just be able to move forward...)

Would you like to join me, Hinomori? We can try attaining that calmness together.

Together...?

Are you sure?

Yes, of course.

Let's try together.

Thank you, Asahina...

Okay, I'll give it a try...

(First, establish your stance.

Correct your posture...)

(Nock your arrow. Grasp the string. Maintain your posture. Raise your bow and arms...)

(Stay focused. No mistakes...!)

...

(I need to get it right...!)

Don't worry, Hinomori.

What...?

Take a deep breath.

And focus on just that.

This shot is all you care about right now.

This shot...

(Right. I can't let anything else into my head...)

(You don't need to be perfect.

Just focus. Calm yourself...)

(This shot is all that matters right now. Focus only on that...!)

*Gasp*

I-It hit...!

Asahina, my arrow hit...!

Yes...!

Congratulations, Hinomori!

If you learn to repeat that, I'm sure you'll do just fine during the newcomer tournament.

...

Thank you very much, Asahina.

I'm... I'm overcome with joy...

I was so worried that nothing would go right for me... I really didn't know what to do...

Hehe. You're a hardworking person, Hinomori, so I suspected that you were overthinking things a little.

Whenever that happens, it can feel like the walls are closing in on you, and you hate everything...

However, I think you'll be fine now that you've learned to calm your mind.

I have a feeling that you'll be able to push much further ahead now.

Yes...

So do I.

Again, Asahina, thank you very much!